https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport ... artlepool/

So that's a 2 year contract down the drain. There's a recall option, but I'm not sure what the player can achieve in the Northern Premier League that would justify it?

Just hope none of the current crop of pre-season recruits fails that badly!

Because Pools don't want him he's on the transfer list. First club that comes in for him gets him. The only thing Pools want to achieve is him out the door - job done!

Anyone know how Whitby got on ?

1-0 win against Lancaster away (at the oddly named Giant Axe!)

possibly named after a manager who came in and transfered the team to bring his own players in.

Lovely little ground, with the castle overlooking it. Used to go occasionally when at Uni there.

been once and was impressed also. have pools ever played there in the cup or a friendly.

I'd love to know what happened with McDonald, one minute he is worth a two year contract and the next not even considered. At the same time Oates, Skerry and Johnson were on a one year contract but McDonald was given two.

could be the demands of the player as much as what pools were offering. DC must have rated mcdonald to agree with a 2 year deal in the first place. even fergie did not get every signing right and no manager ever will.

Challinor said he was lazy in training and never selected him again. Except for the friendlies.

Yeah I know all that but that doesn't stop me wondering what happened. We can all speculate on what could have happened and I agree nobody gets it right all of the time. Your reply doesn't answer my thirst for knowledge on the matter but thanks anyway. Maybe I'll write to DC.

I missed DC's explanation so thanks for enlightening me, Mr Snailwood.
All I need now is McDonald's version of events.
The bottom line is we have paid two years wages to someone that we can ill afford.
DC said the other day that players have to do as they are told or they don't play. He's the boss.
That poses another question. Is disobedience grounds for dismissal??

Halifax fans stated when we signed him that he had a bad attitude. Plus id also heard from others who had known him personally that he has the attitude of hes too big for his own boots deserves better sort of thing - there are 100s if not 1000s of young lads whos dreams of being a footballer diminished infront of their eyes at much younger ages. They would kill for the opportunity he has. Absolutely shocking, deserves to be sacked just out of principal of the matter. Why would one waste such a fortunate position.

when he eventually has to do a proper job and play part time he might look in the mirror and think, could i have done better. there are far more than him who have slipped out of the game because of there attitude and not their ability. pity that those with the correct attitude anre not always the ones with the ability.

What is coming out now is the guy has attitude problems, which if true pose the question how come no one at Pools knew this. It seems his problem, once again if he genuinely has an attitude problem, slipped under DC's radar. I find that surprising considering DC is meticulous in his research on a player, especially one who he is about to hand a two year deal to. He continuously states that he just doesn't want bodies but instead they have to fit in and be better than what we've got. He must have been pretty keen on the lad. I'm genuinely surprised and just a bit suspicious.
There is more to this than meets the eye.

Attitude or not if you're good enough you play games. Joey Barton has an explosive and dangerous attitude yet managed to be a top flight player most his career.

MacDonald was brought in early last season and seemed to be a body for the sake of filling a space. He played most his football for Marske in the Northern League. Can't imagine him been on much money either so simply put the club have kept him in case they ever need him (a bit like Aaron Cunningham a few season ago).

I would have thought he would be on a two year contract BECAUSE you need him, rather than in case you need him but there you go.

[quote="Brasil Brush"]Attitude or not if you're good enough you play games. Joey Barton has an explosive and dangerous attitude yet managed to be a top flight player most his career.

that was a few seasons ago now. know a couple of players from the near past and a few years ago that were notorious bad trainers that became a bit of a joke due to it. on matchdays they turned it on, played well and gave 100 per cent every game. its just the last few seasons where clubs demand more off players on the training ground as well as fitness.

I panicked when I saw the title, I wondered when we signed Jane McDonald to send her out on loan.

First post is a conspiracy theory. Welcome back Horden