I agree it’s harder in January, for me the jury is out on Phillips, and assuming we stay up and he sticks around will be judged properly next season
That being said there was a definite over reaction to a couple of wins , and from what I have seen so far he is no better than Askey, BUT hard to say yet without
Seeing his pre-season recruitment

We aren’t far away to being 2 divisions below what would be our ‘natural home’ based on your interpretation

Yes it’s a slippage either half the clubs in this league are ran and owned by commercial and football geniuses or our owner is seriously
Underperforming …. I know where my money is

Not at all, on paper we signed some decent recruits but unfortunately for various reasons they haven't done well for us.
I'd definitely keep those 6 most of the rest oing wouldn't bother me in the slightest. Yes Dodds has had a bad injury but he's on the road to recovery and there's nothing to suggest he can't get back to being the player he was. Mancini had a bad Hamstring injury which he's recovered from but now apparently he's got a groin problem so nothing to suggest he can't get back to his previous level either.
Would you keep more or less than those 6. Change is needed badly and with most being g out of contract in June we've got a great opportunity to seriously improve the team. Let's hope we get it right eh?

We have changed the team vastly for the last 3 seasons but it hasnt worked, so something somewhere is seriously wrong. Yes we have a massive opportunity to change things for the better, excuses of contracts cant be used anymore. Will we change and bring in quality though? Recent signings dont really point to it, though summer signings should be bit easier to bring in.

Massive improvement,are you sure?
We were something like 5 points above 4th bottom when he came in,as we are now.
We’ve taken 2 points out of the last four games,scoring two goals

It doesn't take an idiot to know 'Waddell' doesn't know his shit from his shite when it comes to football sadly...

I'm sure.
What would you call it ?

Kevin Phillips -First 9 League games-24/1/24 - 23/3/24....... P9 W4 D3 L2 Win Rate 44.4%
John Askey- Last 9 League games 28/10/23 - 30/12/23........P9 W1 D3 L5 Win Rate 11.1%

Is that right?
At least unlike you I know my arse from my elbow matey.
And ...I can count.
And ...I go to the occasional game or two rather than sitting at home like you do watching every game on T.V, and giving your pathetic running commentary on here boring the f/k out of us all with your puerile drivel.
Mr Loyal...the sad T.V fan

Aye , your arse is that thing you talk out of !

And you don’t have to be able to count too high to get to the number of fucks I give about your opinion

We could do this all day so will leave it there as I doubt anyone else wants to read our ….puerile insults

Now, now girls…..this getting like a Scousers sketch.

i,d keep jameson if he would sign, crawford if he is going to be played in his preferred position and stephenson who could be one for the future. possibly featherstone and fergy as well, none of the others have shown enough to be offered anything but a p45. that would give us 10 and another 10 signings in the summer. the more we sign the less chance of them coming off and getting a balanced team is harder to get. KP has made mistakes but nam ea manager who hasn,t.

I'd say recent signings are promising, we've only signed 2 - Waterfall and Parkes. Can't complain about either, and they've both come from higher level.
Recent loanees are poor in the main (Agyemanf looks decent) thankfully they are not actual signings.
As for big clear outs over the last 3 seasons, we couldn't get shot of most who'd been given 2 year deals in fact aren't Wreh, Hastie, Patterson, Ndjoli, and a few others still no longer here but on the payroll.
Phillips assuming he's still here will have the best opportunity to bin and build for any manager going back probably 4 or 5 seasons imo.

Pools made 2 permanent signings in January, Parkes and Waterfall, who have definitely improved the team. The loan signings have been a big disappointment. Khan and Dickenson weren't match fit when they joined up and still aren't! Cooper and Duffus are just bobbins. Of the Academy lads, Oduroh looks like a panic signing - he isn't much more experienced than Stevo. On the other hand, Agyemang looks much better than he did in his first spell and had a good game at Eastleigh.

So, do we anticipate what the standard of KP's signings will be like in the summer on Parkes and Waterfall or on what was available on the loans market? I'd say the former, otherwise he's wasting his time being here and won't stick around.

Is it just me that thought Agyemang was a passenger ? he passed the ball to Grey for the first goal which was good. But apart from that did absolutely bugger all else. Walked about the pitch like his work was done. I sat and watched him off the ball and at times he didnt even show for it. Cooke and Feaths stopped passing to him at one point ! the mans dreadful and no better than he was first time round.
We got massively lucky that Jameson decided to have his best game in a Pools top - add to that the post at the end.
Cooke and Crawford again absolute crap - Feaths did his work and was very good. If anyone its him we need to give another years contract too as hes one of the only consistent players at the club !

We never looked like scoring after the 1st and given how open the play was and how much time Grey and Cooke where getting in the first half it just speaks volumes of the inability and nervousness to not go and produce something. Alot of the time the lads dont have any ideas and it showed massively. I watched the Stockport game after and dear me what a difference it makes actually having a quality midfield and trusted wingbacks. We should of signed a decent RB soon as we let Seaman go back - its absolutely killed us since !

Agree with the rest of your post but on Agyemang... He does more than you said he did even in the highlights!

"Is it just me that thought Agyemang was a passenger ? he passed the ball to Grey for the first goal which was good. "

He also put it on a plate for Cooke, 2nd half. Its in the highlights.
Of course Cooke duly put it over the bar from 6yds.

IMO Cooke is a luxury we can,t afford.

I hear you channeling my keyboard warrior I know

maybe he did more whilst my stream was buffering - or should i say the camera man had a swig of his 10th pint whilst it was raining so couldnt see a thing. Not only was the ref bad but the bloody camera man and quality was worse !!!

i know we wont get anyone in for the run of games we have left and nor do i think there will be anyone quality enough to come in and make a difference but surely there is an out of contract RB and possibly CM who want to put themselves right in the shop window from say a L1 club who wants to come and give his all for the last few games and make a difference. glass half full and all that ! i live in too much hope for this club at times !

Glad to hear you have finally seen the light on Capt Feaths Mt Eiphos.
Better late than never.
Never hides, always wants the ball, rarely loses it, and actually gives a shit which stands out a mile.
Exact opposite to someone like Cooke.
With Waterfall and Parkes has been our most influential signing this season.
And the added bonus is he never ever gets injured.
What a performer.
Deserves his testimonial and another contract from KP.

Pools total appearances= 409
Career total= 571

But he is slow and can only pass sideways ...
Yeah right
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ct8DJ4u8juk

Goals about 12 - half penalties, assists probably about the same 12. Can't / won't tackle, can't / won't track back. No pace.
Let's build a side around him.

Their was a massive clamour for Featherstone in the summer, some top clubs where after him, unfortunately the south shields, darlos and spennymoors didnt get the deal over the line.

Featherstone was fantastic for 18 months before we got promoted along with quite a few others, but only at pools do we keep resigning players on a consistent basis, based on desperation, when are we ever going to learn? The lad from mk did more in 2 months than feth in 2 seasons, is it not time we went out and signed some quality players for this league. We are that bad we are raving on about an ex grimsby player who couldnt get a game for a team in the bottom 6 towards the end, we still concede most weeks but thats how bad it is when a Grimsby player comes and looks like maldini, compared to the rest.

If it is getting like a Scousers sketch I must be the third scouser for pointing it out, all together now..hey hey hey…

I don’t mind featherstone but the problem with him is you then have to build the rest of the midfield around his mobility shortcomings, so you are tying yourself to always playing 3 in the middle with two runners to compensate…obviously this is pools so we don’t do that, which isn’t his fault but feel jn this league as we have seen we need to go way more athletic

Aygemang is a good example, more an athlete than a complete footballer currently but his mobility causes problems and also lets him recover from mistakes better, the rest of them are fucked as soon as they are behind the ball.

Thanks featherstone but we really need to move on if we are going to do anything next year

So as well as being slow and only passing sideways, Feaths also cant tackle, wont tackle, and wont track back.
Really?
Got to admit I've obviously been missing all that watching Feaths play over the last decade.
Dear me amazing what a f/wit I am eh.
It was so obvious as you say...and your stats on the assists and goals are truly shocking.
Still Mr PTID here's a list of a few others who also appear to lack your incisive footie knowledge and judgement.

Paul Murray 23 October 2014 5 December 2014
Sam Collins † 9 December 2014 16 December 2014
Ronnie Moore 16 December 2014 10 February 2016
Craig Hignett 10 February 2016 15 January 2017
Sam Collins † 15 January 2017 23 January 2017
Dave Jones 23 January 2017 24 April 2017
Matthew Bates 24 April 2017 26 May 2017
Craig Harrison 26 May 2017 21 February 2018
Matthew Bates 21 February 2018 28 November 2018
Craig Hignett † 29 November 2018 11 December 2018
Richard Money 11 December 2018 23 January 2019
Craig Hignett 23 January 2019 10 October 2019
Antony Sweeney 10 October 2019 11 November 2019
Dave Challinor 11 November 2019 1 November 2021
Antony Sweeney 1 November 2021 1 December 2021
Graeme Lee 1 December 2021 5 May 2022
Michael Nelson
Antony Sweeney 5 May 2022 3 June 2022
Paul Hartley 3 June 2022 18 September 2022
Antony Sweeney 18 September 2022 21 September 2022
Keith Curle 21 September 2022 22 February 2023
John Askey 23 February 2023 30 December 2023
Lennie Lawrence 3 January 2024 23 January 2024
Kevin Phillips 24 January 2024 Present


Thank you so much for opening our eyes and putting us all straight mate.
Always a real pleasure to actually learn from someone who knows so much about the game.
Bunker legend you pal.
Well done

If you think we should be renewing a contract and building a team around featherstone at 34 or is it 35 then you crack on Twaddel

Like I say a decent enough player in his day albeit with shortcomings but the fact he has lasted so long says more about the piss poor running of the club over the years than his soaring ability

Thats hardly a list of pep guardiolas though. Infact who out of that lot apart from Challinor and lee at a national north side has a job as a manager now?

As I said he's a constant among a long history of mainly failed managers and a mainly non existent midfield.

Messrs loyal fan and Waddell. A bit more respect and less abuse if you don't mind Gentlemen.

And FFS why does nobody ever ask Feaths the right questions?
Like why is he so f/kin useless?
Or how come he cant tackle, wont tackle and wont track back?
Maybe when was the last time you made a forward pass?
Or how come you stacked up 409 appearances in a blue and white shirt?
Are you just a sub standard lucky bastard who has managed to get away with it all over the years?
Gets asked far too much trivia for me and manages to avoid proper scrutiny.
Disgrace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faB2zt33ADs

Feaths proved the NL was his level back when we were last here. Hes doing it again now. Dont get me wrong hes a little older now and doesnt always come out best in a foot race with the better CMs but there is very few ive seen this season (and ive seen almost all our games) to know there isnt many as technically good as him. Say what you want when the man is controlling a game with other good players around him we tend to win games. Shame he doesnt have a runner and someone else to maybe do the donkey work around him as his composure and willingness to get onto the ball in tight areas really has helped us since he came back. Think it was just the other week id of given him MOM. Hes an asset to this club regardless ! Plus if you think of a better passer of the ball in this division they wont come cheap nor will they be in this division very long !

I am not saying build a team around him again but hes shown again hes quality for this level against id say most of the teams albeit the chesterfields and Solihulls with big hard bastards with lots in the tank!

Fair enough

The midfield has hit the buffers…..it needs replacing, it really is ours Achilles heel.

If Mancini and Dodds can return into the fold - then literally we just need 2 wingers and another CM / CDM with someone on the bench challenging for their position also - given Crawford will probably still be here next year too.
We have to be early in the loan market and pick up actual young lads who can operate in the starting 11, like we did with Tshibola and Burey etc.
this would give us a half decent chance i believe as we not a million miles way. Also another LWB wouldnt go a miss either

He's scored 20 league goals in the last 6 seasons for Pools - including 3 (all from outfield play) so far this since rejoing in October. About average for a defensive midfielder in a poor side, no? Better than the combined efforts of our central defenders at any rate (1 all season, from Waterfall)

Each to their own opinion, my opinion is that if he's in the team he needs to be higher up the pitch. A defensive midfielder who can't defend doesn't work and means somebody else needs to sit deeper too to help him out - so we start with keeper, back 4, 2 defensive midfielders, leaving 4 players to create and score goals.
Let's see if KP thinks he's worth a new deal in the summer, or if he's in high demand from other clubs.

Only Feaths and his agent know what offers he did or didn't get last summer. I guess he'd have signed for Stockport if Chally wanted him.

The NL isn't the top end of League 2 and at this level he's still more than capable of doing a job. When Pools have been on top in games under KP - including the 1st half on Saturday, he does exactly what he did under Challinor game in game out during the promotion season -retains possession and allows Pools to build from the back by constantly switching play from side to side. You don't build a side around Featherstone - he's a cog in the machine, but will always look the part in a good side because he's got a bit of quality.

For the record, unless this season really goes tits up next month I think he will get another contract off KP in the summer.

And he should with that amount of experience. Even if only a part role to play.

Hopefully of feather gets anew contract at least we have the sense to wave Wallace goodbye

Yes it's got to be good bye you total waste of good money Mr Gromit

Well said Mr Eiphos.
Agree with every word.
Great stuff and reassuring that there are at least some others on here who
1. know what the f/k they are talking about occasionally and
2. actually pay and go to games to support their team, rather than sitting at home with a can and spouting off on here, delighting us all minute by bloody minute with their insightful expertise based on what they think they have just seen on their T.V screen.
Fans eh

Think you need to look up the definition of opinion mate - were all entitled to one and don't need the insults if we disagree with yours.
Also, I never miss home games and get to a few away games too. Besides which even armchair fans are entitled to an opinion.

Did I say you didn't go to home games?
Or was i referring to another "fan"?
Work it out.
BTW dictionary out as we speak.
Thanks for the education

I object strongly to this….i drink out of bottles not cans !

Can, bottle, barrel ??
Whatever... your posting in your regular minute by minute in game commentary on here suggests to me you are consuming way too much of it mate.
Having said that, with all due respect to you, I very much doubt whether sobriety would make any significant difference to the quality of your posts.
And sadly I really don't think your "opinions" would improve that much.
I notice you restrict yourself in the main to one or maybe two sentences....if I might be allowed to offer some friendly advice probably best if you continue with your preferred style.
I have to say I particularly liked the thread you put up recently....RUBBISH PHILLIPS.
Clearly a lot of your brain power must gone into that, and it sort of reflects the kind of consistent quality you offer in your posts on here.
When you deviate and "go a bit long" you tend to run into difficulty with the factual detail.
That classic faux pas of a recent complaint by you "8/9 signings we have made under KP and still no improvement at full back and midfield." being a prime example.
Keep it short and keep it sweet mate its what you do best.
"Hes slow."
"Hes weak"
"We're being OVERRUN again in midfield."
"Crap tactics by the manager"
"Get him off"
"Bring back Killip" etc etc
That kind of thing.
But to be serious for a minute I do wonder what would Pools do if we all followed your lead?
Never paying at the gate and confining ourselves to our armchairs at home, with a can or a bottle in one hand, while frantically banging away on our keyboard with the other, spouting bile on here week in week out.
While at the same time having the outrageous audacity to refer to ourselves as "loyal fans".
What would happen without that twelfth man?
Just a thought.
Crack on Mr Loyal T.V fan.

its just his age thats against him but worth another season if only as a squad player. better than a child loanes coming in who look as interested as i would at a pop concert. just hope JP does not feel the same about cooke or wallace who both have been dissapointments when they actually play. lets hope our new players will be big, athletic and win the ball like that forestgreen side that won promotion a couple of seasons back where they made the game look like men against boys at the vic.

Think Wallace has probably got another year left on his contract unfortunately. Dunno what has happened to him - he was near enough an ever-present for Mansfield last season but has shown very little for Pools and never looked like holding down a place in the side. Cooke's time is up - in every respect. Believe it or not, he's still only 27 - should be approaching his prime but instead is going backwards in the NL. He hardly ever plays to his full potential and is a luxury Pools can't afford.

if you rate wallace you can say he missed the start of the season, got a number of injuries when he started to play so never had a real chance to show what he could do over a long period. on a good day there are better than him and surely cooke has lied about his age more than his female family members have ever done.