I presume this will be out in the next day or two and it looks like we're already finding out earlier than normal who is being kept on or not:

Those retained:
Franks - I think the only reason he has been kept on is age, but I think although he does put the effort in he's struggled to find any consistency in his game and i'll be disappointed to see him kept on. A terrible crosser of the ball.
Poole - Technically gifted but far too lightweight and has had far too many chances, again would rather have him left the club
Sweeney - If true to we have offered him terms then the most shocking decision of all, not good enough for league football anymore, can't get into a team that finished 19th so why would he be even better next year?

Players released:

Compton - I think the only reason he were to leave would be attitude and his constant moaning of being homesick. On his day I think he is unplayable at this level, no wonder he has had so many clubs, Rodney was only brought in to help him settle and that didn't even work. He'll be an asset for some team until he starts moaning or the crowd get on his back.

Walton - For me a lot better side when Si has played this season. Yes he does slow things down, but is experienced, helps the young players and looks one of few leaders in our dressing room. Possibly on a big wage but I would have made him captain next year with a one year deal. Its not his fault we've been persisting with the stupid diamond formation since Luke Williams left.

Monkhouse - A great servant to the team and I would have certainly signed him up to a new contract, our blips this season are when he has not been playing. Great in the air, has got out this league before, protects his full back, can't see apart from money reasons why you would let a player like him leave.


Not sure if Harewood is contracted next season, will certainly benefit from a proper pre season and does help Luke James (if we keep him) but I'd like to see us sign a more mobile big target man.

Potential targets:

Dolan - would be more than happy with, good set piece taker, left footed centre midfield player, I think he adds legs like Sweeney but can play a lot more also.
Barmby - A player of his ability if released would be an excellent addition if he can match his ability with attitude.
Harrison - Not as good as Burgess so wouldn't pursue
Oliver- Certainly would not touch based on his performance on Saturday but reports from Plymouth were good.

I think we need a big strong Centre half who wins 95% of headers, a creative centre midfield player and a winger to replace Compton if he gets released. Michael Mandoran from Sunderland would be an excellent addition, pacy ,big strong French U21 striker who was on loan at Fleetwood earlier this season

Name your sauce, as you've already got two wrong in there...

Any post re club without sauce is to be treated as shite! FACT

I tried reading that post but it was hard going. It's apparent you limit yourself to the club on your choices.....even your 'targets' are people who have connections with the club. There's a big world out there...I'd like Cooper to go out into it and start looking.

Conkering with Snowy on this. If Walton and Monkhouse are going I hope it is because Cooper knows the sort of team he wants and how he wants them to play. No use just sifting through the squad and keeping whoever was among the better players over the last ten months, he needs to keep the players who will fit with his preferred style and then go and bring some more in who will add to that. Cooper needs to make it his team.

Our targets are unlikely to be involved in Brazil so best to do the business early and have a good pre-season with everybody together.

I'll not bother looking at the retained list tomorrow it seems Poolie 24 already knows it


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Argh just released he called monkhouse a good servant. My eyes my eyes!!


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THe retained list will be dominated by one thing .. the bottom line .. expect to see big earners not willing to take a pay cut to be looking fora new club.. On the other side "good servants" willing to take a pay cut will be looked on favourably .. (I hope I'm proved wrong!)

Monkhouse is a fully qualified butler and will be joining the royal household when he retires from football - he is undoubtedly a fooking excellent servant.

I saw Sweeney in the Tesco on Wiltshire Way and he was buying a Star Bar. Proof if needed that he has indeed been offered a new deal. Star Bar's clearly what you have when you feel fantastic and have received great news to celebrate.

If he'd bought a Fudge, that's it he'd be on his way, lost his will, hit rock bottom, lost respect for himself and all he could think about was to punish himself with a Fudge.

Worst of all it might be a 2 Year deal.....I mean a Star Bar, he bought a fuckin Star Bar

We should sign Jack Bauer and Bill the Butcher.

I think poole and franks will def not get a new deal

Well from what I read Cooper has watched loads of games this season, though what proportion have been youth team/reserve matches would be interesting to know. The times Pools done well in this division in the past, the team has had a bedrock of of seasoned professional footballers with some ability (not usually bucket loads) and a winning mentality. What are we left with now that fits that category? In my view Simon ("fist pumping gobshite") Walton did and should have been retained. Maybe the squad agreed, as he came runner up in their player's player vote.

Picking better footballers than the ones we've got in Fantasy football style is piss easy. I just hope Cooper knows what he's doing close season. I hope he has a budget to look past kids and loan signings.

Meanwhile, in other news, Ritchie Humphreys plays the full 90 minutes as Chesterfield clinch the title. Ah well, as long as he's not stealing a wage here.

[ ] give a shit

[] Predictable

He was not only predictable but he was snail like with it.

I don't think you can put Simon Walton & winning mentality in the same sentence.
In the last 5 seasons or so he's been relegated 3 times & involved in 2 fights to avoid dropping out of the league.

Well back in our heyday (it'll soon be ten years so I think we can call it that), if there was one seasoned professional that the team revolved around it was Tinks, though I'd argue he was closer to bucketloads of ability than to just some.
Find us another one like him and I'll be in complete agreement with you. Walton was supposed to be him, but it was clearly a case of mistaken identity.

Funny and true. It is the bar of choice when youre on top of the world.

I sell star bars at Stages and it is true, we only sell them to coppers who have just made a bust, never a criminal who has just been let out after a night in the cells

Do you sell 'em with brie and cranberry sauce?? Or deep fried with gravy?

You are so out of touch with Boro cuisine, it is served with bechamel sauce and topped with red cheese and grilled

Ah. Melted chocolate with cheese and a soggy biscuit.

Yum yum.

Can I have cheesy beans on toast??

Colin Cooper has to do whatever is required to give himself the best chance of success

The question any line manager has to ask is," I may or may not like a person... but that's not the issue... the issue is would I employ them to get me the best outcome for my company"?

He has to be ruthless, cos sure as shite they will hang him out to dry if they decide that's what they'll do!!

One of the first things he should do is employ a player as captain who will be his right hand man on the pitch.... and will sort out any whisperings/conspiracies/ mutinies in the dressing room. The manager should stand with his captain and address the other players in a meeting to outline the manager's vision for the club - and invite any of them to air any grievances, upon which should anyone pipe up about how hard done to they are, then tell them that they should really go and play elsewhere if they are not going to be part of the team. However if the right personnel are in place this will not become an issue

There's been lethargy at the club and this is the chance to do something about it once and for all

and I don't give a flying fuck who stays or goes, if Cooper assembles a squad of players who can win games next season on a regular basis

Cooper has mentioned in the paper today the rot at the club, the losing mentality, he needs to identify which players are part of that n let them go.


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to be fair he could not have spoken about that until now, even if he realised it in August!! Now we are safe the axe should fall, and the truth must be spoken