The Poolie Bunker

I see Pete Wild is going to use the national league cup and fa cup as 2 more games to embed his ideas and playing style rather than using youngsters, like when we got thrashed 10-0 and achieved nothing . Good idea and fully support that approach

Just solid common sense on his part, something that’s been sadly lacking around the place.

E

Every game should be priority.
0 10 v Boro enough said. Followed by 6 defeats.

FA Cup plays a major part in creating Xtra income to improve recruitment.

UTP.

Apart from Graeme Lee who took the cup competitions seriously the last decade has seen us perform diabolically in cup competitions of any sort, losing regularly to teams from leagues below and taking thrashings from Premier and Championship sides U21's, this let's concentrate on the league bollocks boils my p..., would be nice to see that attitude change. I love the Cup competitions, the excitement of the Monday evening draws, can't understand anyone who doesn't.

Exactly.

But we been that bad at them for like ya say a decade.

Some fans have become ammuned to it.
That much so that some think it might stop us getting Xtra league points.

They're a great opportunity for squad players to get game time as well as recovering players. The sooner we can get 17 or 18 players up to Wild's required sharpness and fitness the better. We always seem to look a poorer less fit and vulnerable side once the subs start getting onto the pitch.
I agree with giving some of the kids game time but not a side full of them, getting pasted can only damage their confidence and career progression.
We also shouldn't underestimate what a Wembley day out or even a big 3rd round FA cup tie can do for the fans and club finances.

concentration on the league is fine if there is a sensible reason to do so and promotion is seriously within our grasp. surely getting back into the league is our prirority and like it or not we cannot have everything we like. know now that somebody will mention this team or the other that have been promoted with good trophy or fa cup runs but plenty have not with growing injury lists. injuries at pools goes together like fish and chips and we all know this. there is a big difference in treating a competition seriously by putting out a competitive side than just surrendering by playing the youth team. know we are one of a small number of teams with years in the league who have never been to wembley but i,ll say now if we did and lose there would be moans galore about the expensive rip off day out.

Most away games are rip offs when you partake of the local drink and food, I for one would probably whine at those regardless of winning or losing but I've said for nearly 60 years I'd love to see Pools at Wembley and that hasn't changed. At least now I'd get a pensioners concession for the ticket, every little helps as 2 large supermarket likes to remind us.

There are arguments for and against when it comes to the tin pot cups as they are often described. If we play our best team the chances of progressing and going all the way are increased but if we suffer serious injuries we get criticism for risking them.
In the FA cup though we should always play our best team because of the money it is possible to earn, money which in this league can be used at any time to strengthen our squad as there are no windows to hamper that.
Personally I too would like to see us at Wembley. My top priority is to get back up to the EFL.

I'd be happy to get through to the 5th round of the FA Cup, that would do me and get that monkey off our backs.

Every match should count.
The next match should be the most important match regardless.
Our dismissal of Cup competitions served no purpose, we hardly did well in the League by resting players, so that theory can be flushed down the toilet..

Circumstances change all the time and have to be taken into account. I'd always prioritise getting promoted in normal circumstances but Pools chances of going up this season are a long shot and a couple of decent cup runs will be good compensation.

Though funnily enough they weren't for Spike Lee. Most people wanted him sacked when our season petered out after the Rotherham semi-final. No pleasing Poolies at times

There can be no excuses or Priorities.
Play to win every game.

They are young athletes doing a Part time job ( 20 hours a week tops).
And getting a full-time wage.

Should always be 100% commitment from every employee at the club.

They work in a Luxury environment compared to the Fans.

UTP.

At the end of the day it is the club's decision to make and they'll please some people and displease others. FA cup third round draws when we're in the hat have always been must watch/listen events for me. My big dream preferred choices are away to Man Utd or Newcastle and winning. That would be absolute magic. The money raised would be very welcome as well.

In 2017 Lincoln City got to the last 8 v Arsenal.
I'm sure the Xtra cash laid the Foundations for where they are today
The Championship.

I'm sure Burton did OK as well
Lately we seem to get more injurys on the training ground than the pitch.

I'm sure Wildy will be sorting something out to reduce that.

Get a better idea how things are Goin in about 10 weeks.
Maybe Xmas n New Year ends up okish.
UTP.

Everybody should take the FA Cup seriously, more especially at our level.

As usual I'll concentrate on what's possible and will continue to do so until it isn't.

My take on fixtures is that when a team is winning players can't wait until the next game.
We should concentrate on winning the next game whatever the competition. These are supposedly fit professional sportsmen and I cannot understand the worry about injuries and the need to be 'rested'. Injuries are always a risk for any sportsman and must be accepted as part of the game. With a bench of substitutes, such matters are managed much better than in my playing days.

According to the booking area of the website only the CK stand is open to home fans on both Tuesday and Saturday, which is disappointing. That will put a few people off going, including me.

I thought we had got rid of this daft idea when Raj went?

The Town End has now appeared on the available stands for Saturdays game, haven’t been able to work out what’s available tomorrow yet…

Vs Newcastle, only CK Stand open, fair enough for a game like this.

Vs Marine, was initially only the CK for home fans but quickly added the Town End when someone must have realised how utterly ludicrous that idea was, still not good for Millhouse regulars though.

yet another new fashion creeping into the game by shutting parts of the ground the club deems necessary. ok for tonight but not on saturday. fans like to be in one part of the ground and if there is a last minute rush of interest there could be a sell out with the millhouse shut.

go back 30 years and everyone did from the lowest ranked side to the highest. problem is other competitions are more important to some and it tends to seep down to our level due to this. get into the 3rd round and draw one of the top premier league teams away, spend your hard earned cash going down to see it live only to be disappointed at there team who you recognise a couple of names only and still have enough in there locker to beat us. once you knew this would not happen and clubs showed respect to the opposition. something we have not done in the recent past.

The issue for the club is how many are likely to attend these games. Every stand that's open requires the usual quota of stewards, turnstile and catering staff to be paid to be at work.

Agree with you that one stand will probably be enough for the game against Newcastle U-21s. The total attendance will probably still be in the hundreds rather than breaking a thousand, even if more Poolies are tempted to see us put out a proper team to make a game of it.

Can see the Marine game potentially being 2,000+ but the club will base their staffing requirement on the number of tickets sold in advance. I might decide to go along myself, but it wont be the end of the world if I have to sit in the Cyril Knowles Stand for a change.

Some people seem to have a problem with the CK. The only problem I have ever encountered is the sun (obviously when it's shining lol) and that can be cured by wearing a baseball type cap with a large brim. Other than that you enjoy a good view and the seats are better than the Mill house, unless they have changed the seating in there.

They did change the Mill House into proper seats about 5 years ago. The leg room is as bad as it ever was, but at least you get a seat back!