Hi there, im a new poster but i am a long time reader and agree-er (is that a word?) of most topics and points on the bunker. So take it easy on me, this is my first post! It may be quite long so if you dont wnat to read my message is dont bother, but for those who want to read on it might make sum decent points which you agree with, laugh at, disagree with or whatever, the choice is yours.

Right, my first point of call is, AGENTS.

I read in the last programe notes from chairman KH that Pools choose not to pay an agent in any transfer deal in any way, so this means that we are possibly missing out on a whole lot of good talent, promising players, good quality players etc all because the club do not wis to pay any players agents any money. What do you other guys and girls think? should we? are we right not too? is it now a case of, well we are one of the only ones that dont and are proud of it and refuse to become one of the many that do choose to pay the agent. I seem to remember a few years ago that we missed out on striker, Danny Graham who then was at boro and now at carlisle banging in the goals, he could have been up front for us banging in the goals, but im sure i read that we once again would not pay the agent so we missed out, possibly this is the case with the young left back, Evan horwood, once more carlisle reap the benefit of a decent quality player in a very problematic position for ourselves. now we will im sure have missed out on many more top drawer players who would have been more than happy to come and ply their trade here in the blue and white (or is it just white this season?) but because of the agent wanting money we miss out to another clubs benefit. Then again i can totally agree with the club wanting not to pay agents, surely the player himself pays the agent and not the club, but i think thats enought talking from me on this topic at the moment, its time for other things.

Next of is The Squad

Now i personally think that we have a good squad, one that is capable of a mid table position and with that added extra little bits of quality, positions filled, playing people in their rightful positions, positions suited to themselves we could COULD mount a playoff surge, that is my own opinion, but like i sed we do need that extra bit of quality bringing in, which is unlikely to come in this tranfer window. Yes i think we need another gk, but im more than happy to stick with ALB at the moment in time, he is starting to impress with his displays, i think he is getting better with each game, others may disagree but he is getting better. Budzt, we could do with getting rid, but he is good backup, and i cant see anyone else out there that is avaiable at the moment to bring in instead so it looks like we are stuck with these two. Now defence, were is mcunnie? i really rate him, i think he is quality right back, sweeney is good there but not his position, id rather have him in the middle of midfield or on the right wing instead of jones (dont get me started there, everyone knows he is a centre mid, but no wilson refuses) get mcunnie back in! Centre backs, i think we are blessed with three of the best centre halfs in this division, Nelson, Collins, Clarke are absolute immense, possibly the only thing missin is pace, or that turn of pace, once they are turned they struggle to make it back up. a new, proper, left back could do with being brought in but im happy with ritchie there, i like him overlapping the left wing and bombing on, getting crosses in attacking their full back etc. Midfield is a work in progress to me, Liddle is struggeling, everyone can see. he is pure quality on his day, but he hasnt had his day for a long time, could do with dropping so he gets his ideas together?? Power looks promising, but i havnt seen alot of him, a young willie boland, but with an eye for a shot. Now onto wilie, looking very impressive, a lot better than last season to me, lets hope he can keep this level up all season, jsut seems to lose it with 15 mins left, improve stamina? Robson, hmm tough one, once again good young promising talent, seemed to lose it though, i like him to be honest, i like his pace, possibly quickest member of the team? but quality is lacking, i seen a good idea for him the other day, something for the reserves though maybe before going anywere near the first team, how about robson up front? using pace to get at defenders, anyone else have a thought on that? The young rowell, were is he gone? he was on the bench the last few games, yet not used, now has dissapeared back into reserves, if he was good enough then lets try him out, drop liddle for a couple nd try rowell, it cant hurt to try this early in the season can it? Monkhouse? i like him on the left, i like his height against the ful backs but seems to lack his confidence of before, showing tricks before gliding past the full back, now doesnt seem to be able to beat the full back. Foley? HAHA Lose him now! the lad aint got nowt for me! pace? but runs like a headless chicken, followed the ball for long periods when he came on against stockport. Upfront, i like our TWO strikers, but thats all we have got, two good strikers, James Brown (who all our hopes are pinned on - bit unfair to the lad, but thats the fans for you) and Joel Porter. Richie Barker looks like he is on the way out, shame to lose him, thought he was quality, good strong centre forward. Like i have seen most people say, we lack serious quality on the bench or in back up, and i think thats what hurts us the most.

Next up on the hit list, THE FANS

Now where i stand in the town end with me dad, there is one guy that bloody irritates me, we call him helium man, because when he shouts his voice gets higher and higher, but his shouts are absolute bo***ks. We won our first game quite comfortably i must say, and the very next home league game he starts running his mouth. After around half an hour, we were by far on top (only because of their keeper, who was bloody immense by the way, i take no shame in saying i applauded him at half time and full time, he won them the game), but because we started to lose our way passing the ball he starts his abuse at the team, and i turned to my dad and said loudly it must be said hopefully to try and get his attention, "bloody hell, he must think we are going for the title does he", now the fellas stood around us all chuckled to themselves and he shut up for a bit. I realise most people dont like to lose etc and dont like DW but come on guys lets get behind em and give them all our support, and also no one comes to watch you work and hurls abuse at you do they? how would you like it?? i know i wouldnt!

Now finally on a lighter note, GOAL CELEBRATIONS

I only hope people have read this far and find this idea of mine intruiging and possibly would like to join in with it, its a good one i promise.

Now say James Brown scores a goal at the Town end of the ground, he starts to do a celebration, now the entire town end joins in with the celebration and does the exact same celebration back to james brown, now incase you dont quite understand, lets say Browny scores a goal at the town end, does an alan shearer-esque celebration and the entire crowd in the town end does a shearer run with arm aloft in a small circle. everyone following? now i sold this idea to my dad, and to be honest a mate of mine, and they both loved it, now an enhancement of this it, that when browny scores the announcer says"and the scorer for hartlepool James Brown......CELEBRATION NUMBER 3!, and everyone does the celebration attributed to celebration number 3! Everyone got it? We should try and get something sorted out.

well thank you for reading my first post, its possibly to long but i felt i had to get this stuff of my chest, Hope you enjoyed the read. Please comment, shoot me down, do whatever. I hope you like the idea of the goal celebrations though!!

hmmmmm.....hmmmmmm......

Now then Mr Jon Daleys Forehead, you should fit in well with some of this lot,

better than me that's for sure

I've read all of that.

Agents: We missed out on Graham as we were too busy chasing Duffy and we left him waiting if my memory serves me right. Agents have no place in the game and I think Pools stance is good and honest. It shows integrity.

Squad: Agree with nearly everything especially the midfield. It is work in progress, Liddle was actually struggling last season and is still struggling. Part of this may be down to his midfield parter and him struggling to get used to the effect football is having on his body. He looks tired to me, but also a tad lost. I think McCunnie struggles with his positioning at right back, I've been keeping an eye on that ever since Mad John pointed it out and I agree with him. McCunnie is still a good player but needs to improve on that aspect of his game before he starts playing there more often. Don't forget we signed him as a central midfielder.

The Fans: You don't mean that guy who stands at the back near the far right hand side (facing the pitch of the town end). In which case I think he adds comedy to it and he is just a very passionate fan.

As for the fans in general, the atmosphere has been better in the opening games than what is was last season. Maybe it is less diluted because only our hardcore fans are back, or maybe the singers are back after some apparently got banning orders for swearing.

As for the celebration idea.....................I hate it to be honest. No announcer is telling me how to celebrate. Nor do I want the players being told to do a specific celebration. It's an expression of passion, relief, joy or whatever it may be. It's not a predetermined act. The mention of a Shearer celebration also put me off straight away.

The celebration was jsut an idea, i thougut it was quite funny, the shearer bit was just to explain it, so people got the idea.

And yeh i do mean the guy that stands to the right of the goal facing the rink end. Hate him, he dont show passion, just shouts abuse at people in the team that he doesnt like, we dont need him in the crown, GET BEHIND THE TEAM!

school holidays? harsh, im 22 years old

He just gets worried. He is passionate and that's why he gets worried. I'd say most of his "abuse" is at the opposition. He doesn't like people faking injuries that's for sure. His heart is in the right place. I will listen more closely to double check that during the next home game, you may stand closer to him and notice it more.

I'd never (or very rarely, e.g. Hereford and I didn't shout it to any player in particular I shouted at the team because they were bloody disgraceful and showed a complete lack of effort and I'm sure the players will admit that the performance was not acceptable and I did that after the match...but that's a rarity)shout "abuse" at the players and I think it's detrimental but the people that do are doing it because they care about Pools and if anybody cares about Pools they have a right to be there.

I agree that we don't need him in The Crown pub though. I certainly haven't noticed him in there when I've been in, and it is two minutes away from where I live. We need less people watching football Saturday in the pub and more people at the match.

I personally try and shout encouragement but my way of displaying passion is different to others.

Are you son of superwatty?

Mr.Forehead....I agree with all you've said apart from the Shearer shite!!!!

Welcome to the Board....and I look forward to reading more of your posts!!!!

PS....How much does your Dog weigh before and after it's been for a good run????

Cheers mate, exept for the dog bit, didnt get it :s mite be stupid but hey thats me.

Mr Fireball, ive always wondered about this comment that you put at the bottom, "ive played at a reasonable level, and lets face it you havent. accept that im in a better position to judge stuff." how high did you play? Who for etc??

i was away so can someone enlighten me on the score v the kids so that i can liberally take piss when see him next?

A win is a win - so you've still got the job but remember you're only as good as your last result

jeezus your brave! it was a toss up between all of that and War & Peace, i decided to go for a shit instead

Like u i also played at a high level, never made first team or ressies like but ive bin there dun that got the shirt, so who did u play for?

Does English Martyrs B team count as reasonable? Interesting that my fellow defender Andy Linighan never made the A team.

Chip probably thought you were still at school given that you cant spell 'forehead' correctly!

Anyway, at least you didnt call yourself Jon Daly's foreskin. Although this is probably not possible as Aido will have reserved that name.

Sorry, Mr Forhead, I don't feel I have the necessary stamina to read your post.
Good luck though.

a liar? nice one agen, i was once a member of pools youth system, but alas it never happend, went into the sunday league scene for a season or so too, wasnt realy a fan, but yeh ill be upfor a ew kickarounds, prefer the 11 a side version to the 5 a side, i like a bit of space!!

a couple of my mates are doing alright for themselves tho, a lad at darlo, one he was at brizzle city, just got relesead in the summer, now playing in the same team with ali gibb hahaha!!

As for the forhead, i didnt really fancy looking up how to spell it correctly, so just went with gut instinct, which has let me down!

Martin it is!!

And would of done a quality job here, but he didnt want to move up here, wanted to stay south.

You mean him??

huh?

lol fair enough. ill ask him if he has ever bin given stick over it, doubt it like but you never know. Fancy a game of guess who for my other mate. You ask nd i can only reply yey or ney to your question. Should be fun

Come on John, credit where credit's due.
Are You Being Served was a trailblazer in its creation of characters with no dimensions at all.

fair enough, nah he didnt.

Unfortunately i work nights, so i wouldnt be able to make any of the 9pm stuff, if it were during the daytime or on a satday when pools are away nd i cant be botherd to go to it or its too far away then id be up for it, count me in. quality striker me

Frankly I'm always a touch disappointed when a new poster comes onto the Bunker and is shot down in flames. The lad posted his opinions which are as valid as anyone elses and was set upon. Come on guys, you are individually and collectively better than that.

mr i i found the best way is to sort of sneak on join in the odd thread,do'nt draw attention to yourself and for god,s sake do'nt have any spelling mistakes

I have been left in tears many times

Mr Fireball i accept your offer of a trial, now jsut the formalities to sort out, as to when you have a game/kickaround that i can actually attend and show you all up

Mebbe's you should have gone for 'Jon Daly's Gut,' 'cos evidently you have no issues with the spelling thereof??

It is merely a suggestion and in true erstwhile and sadly redundant Bunker tradition, foo k off!!

Some good observations there like but I'm with the rest on goal celebrations. The best way to celebrate a goal is go and score another it's just a bit of shite showmanship and really doesn't have much place at our level. I know a lot of them pretend to shag the corner flag stick for instance but the only one who has truly managed to do it is David Beckham.