The Poolie Bunker

Reflecting on yesterday’s performance I think it’s pretty obvious there is a disconnect in the squad. Whilst we have a decent defence ( with Marrick in goal ) and a forward line capable of scoring goals the midfield remains a problem.
Left unchanged from last season, once again the trio of Miley, Sheron and Hunter failed to create any meaningful chances in the final third. Set pieces were embarrassingly poor with hardly a threat in the Sutton goalmouth.
While Sheron and Hunter are both capable of playing a defensive midfield role, neither of them could be described as playmakers.
Which leaves Miley with the responsibility for creative play, which in my opinion is beyond him at the moment.
We need to sign an experienced, strong, skilful CM that can link the defence with the attack to play alongside Miley and play with either Sheron or Hunter, but certainly not both together.

think its central midfield where we seem one attack minded player short. know its only 4 games in and there should be improvements to be made but i did expect us to be more freescoring than we have been. so many goals in this team compared to last season but not a great improvement in goals scored and certainly not efforts being created.

Sheron had a great 1st season but has been poor last season and he was woeful yesterday. And I have to admit these first 3 games haven't produced anything like the attacking fast flowing football I expected. Not a great deal of difference between yesterday's performance and many of those under Fev to be fair.
Miley works hard, protects the ball really well, and generally is looking to be on the front foot but the other 2 are decent at breaking play up but very limited regarding creativity.
Having said that I expected a lot more out and out wing play to provide for the forwards, again something were not seeing too much of.
Harris didn't look too happy at all with the lack of service.
The 2 keepers are chalk and cheese with one looking confident and commanding while the other looks like a rabbit frozen in the headlights.

I would play Nolan in that central midfield role instead of miley..

its going to be a big job to get a lads career back on track after conceeding 10 goals in a game. something that foes not happen all too much in the modern game. as for creating the number of chances there is little difference between last season and this in the numbers but better at putting the odd chances away. problem is you cannot rely on that to happen in every game.

Midfield…? We look like someone who completely renovated their car but left the old engine in …no good entering races if you want to win something with a proven weakness in the engine department.

Not a bad shout to put Nolan as the attacking midfielder, could be worth a shot. Paul Stephenson was excellent for us when he moved inside from his usual wing position back in the day.
I'd keep Miley alongside and drop Sheron and Hunter to try it.

I really don’t rate Miley (or any of our midfielders for that matter). Miley is our most “attacking” midfielder but I can’t say there’s one thing that he does really well. He can’t dictate play in the way that someone like Featherstone (slow as he was) could, doesn’t play defence-splitting passes, he’s not a powerful dribbler who can drive us forward, he’s doesn’t have a good shot on him, and then on the defensive side he’s not a strong tackler or a physical presence. As mediocre as Sheron is at least you can say he has a good engine and is strong in the tackle. If we had two players who could actually pass and dribble with the ball Sheron wouldn’t be such a liability. Hunter, I think is similarly unremarkable.

As others have said think it’s really poor that we’ve brought in some really exciting attackers who have already shown moments of individual quality but they have no one who they can rely on to get the ball to them in good positions. Unless we sign at least one quality midfielder think it’s going to be a frustrating season, reminiscent of Mani a few years back who could score goals and win us games but didn’t get the service to where he could get us into the playoffs

I hope the mansger reads this column because in his pre-game chat he said he din't need any more players!

I hope the mansger reads this column because in his pre-game chat he said he din't need any more players!

I've said all along that we needed to sign some attacking midfielders, I couldn't believe we kept the same midfield as last season. There is no creativity or goal threat from any of them. You could tell Alex Reid was frustrated last season with it and I think Harris is starting to feel the same, he's looking more and more isolated up front with no support or supply coming from midfield. I hope Clark and the other staff see what we can see and do something about it before too long. I really think with the present squad we will struggle to make the playoffs.

I thought midfield should have been the first part of the team to be overhauled….it appears I was mistaken.

Totally agree with that last line Frankie, it would appear that someone has not provided an entirely accurate summary of precisely why we failed to reach the playoffs last season OR someone hasn't done their homework and failed to recruit a couple of decent midfielders during the close season. Interesting to note that Halifax put four past Tamworth (who admittedly are having a poor start) yesterday despite the fact that we relieved them of their prolific goalscorer Harris during the summer. Obviously the Halifax midfield is still creating openings for their new strike force!

Strange statement from Clarky.
Budget used up or just nieveity to a long term problem.

Or neither and the gelling process needs more time with a loanie or two.

doubt many expected we,d be seeing much of sheron or hunter unless there was an injury crisis. both are fine squad players but not starters when promotion is the aim. no matter what clark said pre match i can see at least one new face coming in at the end of the transfer window as the national league is the best option to loan players to

I think Pools' goalkeeping problem had more bearing on Saturday's result than anything.

Have a look at the highlights posted on the Sutton thread. First goal, if Merrick plays, he comes out to collect or clear the ball no problem while McNally tussles with the big centre forward. Fisher stays rooted to his line and the result is a soft goal and a slanging match between our two players.

The second Sutton goal is just awful defending by Pools. Still, a 1-1 draw in a crap game where neither team created enough chances would have felt like a decent result.

that extra point you gave us could make the difference by april.

There'll be another 43 potential 'what ifs' by then. Stand by my point though - Merrick snuffs out that first goal chance 99 times out of a 100 from what I've seen of him so far.