- 5 months ago
Richard Mennear and Robbie Stelling preview the new season and chat Hartlepool United transfers
Category
🥇
SportsTranscript
00:30Good morning and welcome to a Pooley podcast season preview.
00:37I've not done one of these for a little while.
00:39It's been a pretty quiet week, Robbie, would you say?
00:43Yes, especially in our household, Rich, nice and quiet.
00:45Let's focus on the football now.
00:48National League kicks off on Saturday.
00:51Pools are away to Yeovil Town.
00:54Simon Grayson's first league game in charge after a fairly positive pre-season overall, I'd suggest.
01:01Some decent quality and quantity of signings as well, with hopefully a few more still to come as well.
01:08So plenty to discuss on the transfer front.
01:10And, yeah, we'll have a look to the game itself as well.
01:13And just get your thoughts really, Robbie, and how you think Simon Grayson will approach it in terms of systems formations, players,
01:20and how you think pools are shaping up after a fairly busy pre-season so far.
01:25So let's just kick off a transfer to start with.
01:28And what's your kind of overall assessment of the business done so far this summer and where are the key areas?
01:36Still a strength and I imagine goalkeeper's the main one.
01:39Yeah, it's been really impressive actually, Rich.
01:41They've surprised me, I have to say.
01:42I didn't think that they would do as well as they have done this summer.
01:46Obviously, there were plenty of off-field issues at the back end of last season.
01:50And then they decided to make a change in the dugout as well.
01:52Simon Grayson replaced Anthony Limbrick.
01:55And because of all that, it seemed as though they'd lost quite a bit of ground on some of their National League rivals.
02:00I think they also potentially had suffered a little bit reputationally.
02:03I thought it might be difficult potentially to attract some players up here.
02:08But I think they've done really, really well.
02:10You'd have to say you have to give big credit to Simon Grayson and Joe Monks as well.
02:15They've obviously identified exactly where they needed to strengthen.
02:19And I think it's saying something that Pools have lost Manny Disirouet and Joe Gray this summer.
02:24And I think if you spoke to most fans, they'd probably say that this squad actually is stronger than the squad that ended last season.
02:31So I think that's a sign of how well they've done.
02:34Obviously, in Alex Reid and Danny Johnson,
02:36they've signed two players who have scored plenty of goals over the last few years.
02:41Obviously, Reid scored 17 in the National League for a struggling Weldston side last term.
02:46He'll hope to produce similar numbers again this season and also has a similar profile to Manny Disirouet.
02:53I think that was something that was particularly important.
02:56Disirouet has such a unique profile.
02:57He's got the build sort of a target man, number nine, but actually he's so dynamic that means he's far more than that.
03:05And I think Alex Reid will hopefully be able to do something similar.
03:09And importantly as well, he'll be able to bring Danny Johnson into the game.
03:12Danny Johnson has shown that he is pretty lethal inside the area.
03:16But to get the best out of him, you need to create the chances for him.
03:20Obviously, Jermaine Francis and Matty Daly in behind them.
03:23Joe Gray obviously filled that role.
03:25Anthony Mancini as well.
03:27Brad Walker has arrived to strengthen an already pretty strong midfield.
03:31I think Jamie Minley and Nathan Sharon are still the front runners to start the season as the first choice partnership.
03:37But nonetheless, I think Brad Walker gives you another decent option.
03:41And five new defenders as well.
03:42That was much needed.
03:43Luke Waterfall and Billy Sass-Davies both left at the end of last season.
03:47I was not surprised to see Waterfall go, but I was disappointed to see Sass-Davies go.
03:51I think he was improving all the time and had a pretty good second half.
03:55Of the season, really powerful, commanding, really dominant in the air as well.
04:00And that was obviously an area that Simon Grayson was keen to strengthen immediately after his appointment.
04:04He said that he wanted to make sure his team was solid defensively and then he would build around that.
04:10And you look at the likes of Rhys McNally and Jay Ben.
04:12They've been really impressive in pre-season.
04:15A number of players have arrived with good National League experience.
04:18You look at someone like Topolaj.
04:20He was part of the Bromley side that won promotion.
04:22You look at Cameron John.
04:23He played a lot of times for a York team that finished second.
04:26He got 96 points last season.
04:29So overall, I think the squad looks pretty strong.
04:32There's decent competition for places in most areas.
04:35I think if you were to speak to fans, they might think they'd like to see Pools add another attacking player just to provide a bit of cover and competition for Reid and Johnson.
04:43Obviously, you've got players like Luke Charman and Sam Fungeran who can certainly do a job, although from what we've seen of them so far, they've maybe lacked a little bit of that end product and cutting edge that you need.
04:54So I think Pools might look to strengthen further there.
04:57Obviously, they signed Josh Donaldson, who had a pretty impressive trial.
05:00He's gone straight out on loan to Dunstan.
05:02There is an option to recall, but you think that Pools might still look to bolster their ranks in the front line.
05:07And of course, the goalkeeper.
05:08The goalkeeper really is the number one area that Pools need to strengthen.
05:13We had a really similar conversation this time last summer, didn't we?
05:17Pools were needing to strengthen.
05:18They were sort of umming and ahhing about whether they wanted to go into the loan market for a goalkeeper from the Premier League or the Championship.
05:24In the end, they got Leicester's Brad Young.
05:27That didn't quite work out for whatever reason.
05:30And at the moment, they've only got Adam Smith as their one senior goalkeeper.
05:34I have to say, I'd be very surprised even at this late stage if they went to Somerset with Adam Smith as their only senior option.
05:41I imagine that Harry Conyard, who obviously featured on the bench against Boston last year, Academy goalkeeper, would be to make the trip if Pools don't add someone.
05:51Simon Grayson, I think, is just about the only man connected to Hartmockley United who's not panicking about the goalkeeper situation.
05:58They've had a few of different options on trial.
06:00We've seen Adam Richardson, we've seen Will Brooke, we've seen Archie Mayer.
06:04None of them have necessarily been particularly convincing.
06:07And Archie Mayer, who has most recently been on trial, has linked up with the PFA this week.
06:12So that would suggest that Pools are probably not going to offer him a new deal.
06:16Obviously, it's important not to rush into things.
06:18I think Pools might feel as though they've been a little bit too eager in their dealings with goalkeepers over the last couple of years,
06:24because they have struggled a little bit to try and find someone who's going to nail down the number one journey.
06:30Look, I think Adam Smith is a decent goalkeeper.
06:32He's experienced.
06:33He commands his area really, really well.
06:36But he made a number of high-profile mistakes towards the end of last season.
06:39And so I think it's not altogether surprising that Pools fans are not just calling for a new goalkeeper,
06:44they're calling for a new first-choice goalkeeper.
06:45I think in an ideal world, you'd have someone to step in to that role.
06:49And then you've got Adam Smith as a really serviceable backup.
06:52Of course, he's also the goalkeeping coach.
06:54So that's going to be really important.
06:56At this late stage, you would imagine that whether or not Pools do recruit someone new in between the sticks,
07:01Smith would be the man to get the nod against Yeovil.
07:04That's certainly the area that Pools are going to be looking to strengthen.
07:07Yeah, it's obviously a key role as well, isn't it?
07:09Trying to build that relationship with the defenders as well.
07:11And as you say, they brought in five defenders this summer so far.
07:14So a lot of new faces at the back.
07:16So far from ideal.
07:18But yeah, like you say, still plenty of time.
07:19And I guess the other side of it, well, there's a couple of other sides.
07:22One, some of their potential targets who might have been holding off to see what other offers they might get elsewhere.
07:28They might not materialise, so they might come back to the table.
07:30And then secondly, the, obviously, loans is obviously an option,
07:35but you don't tend to get them until the back end of the EFL transfer window,
07:39which is September the 1st.
07:40Obviously, no transfer window in the National League.
07:41But there's the knock-on impact until teams have their kind of squads in place,
07:46then that then frees up other players, doesn't it?
07:48So whilst it's far from ideal, a couple of days before the new season,
07:53there's still plenty of time for Pools to bring in, hopefully, a high-quality goalkeeper.
07:58And judging by the business done to date, you'd probably trust them to bring in a good quality keeper as well.
08:03Yeah, I think so.
08:06I think Paul Farman looks to be the obvious one.
08:08Obviously, he's vastly experienced.
08:10Goalkeeper, played almost 200 games for Barrow, was released at the end of last season,
08:16has really impressive National League experience, won the National League in 2017 with Lincoln.
08:22And although he's 35 and is perhaps coming towards the end of his career,
08:26I think he'll certainly still film.
08:27So he has something to offer.
08:29Suggestions have been that he was perhaps holding out for a Football League move.
08:35But I think if you look at the fact that the League 1 and League 2 seasons are already underway
08:38and nothing's materialised,
08:39Pools might film as though that they can tempt him now for a move to the National League.
08:44I mean, there are other decent options around and about.
08:47And I think the loan market is potentially something that Pools would consider.
08:51I mean, they're obviously travelling to Yeovil this weekend.
08:54They've just brought in Jed Ward from Bristol Rovers, who's a goalkeeper I really, really like.
08:58So they might try and do something similar as well.
09:01Just in terms of numbers, probably a couple of weeks ago now,
09:05I think Simon Grayson made the comment that they were 90% done in terms of signings.
09:10Obviously, there'll always be a little bit of leeway.
09:11But realistically, what size of squad do you think Simon Grayson will want to work with?
09:17And how many more signings do you think Pools fans can expect?
09:21I mean, in terms of outgoings, there's unlikely to be any others departing,
09:24you would suggest, with Gray and Manny?
09:27Yeah, you wouldn't think so, Rich.
09:29The only thing that I could think is they might send a couple out on loan, potentially.
09:34That maybe depends on incomings.
09:36You look at someone like Campbell Darcy,
09:38who hasn't had a lot of first-team football,
09:39went out on loan to Whitby last year and did really well,
09:43but I think struggled a bit in pre-season on Saturday
09:46and still certainly has some developing to do.
09:48I think he's got loads of potential.
09:50He's certainly got a lot of positive athletic attributes.
09:53And I think if he can mature in his defending,
09:58then I think he's got plenty of potential without a doubt.
10:01So they might look to just send a couple out on loan as the campaign progresses.
10:05I think in terms of a goalkeeper and another attacking reinforcement,
10:08they'll probably think that that's going to be the core of their squad.
10:12And then I would imagine that as the season progresses,
10:15you might look to use the loan market.
10:16It all depends on injuries and the such, doesn't it?
10:19We know how difficult the National League is in terms of that rigorous,
10:23relentless and really demanding schedule.
10:26I think Pools have something like eight games in August,
10:28obviously, over the bank holiday.
10:30You play a couple of games in 72 hours.
10:33You're going to get injuries.
10:34I think Pools will feel as though they've been unfortunate
10:36with the number of injuries they've had at really bad times as well.
10:40So it's important that they do have that strength in depth.
10:43They've certainly got it in some areas.
10:44I think you look at the midfield, they've probably got it.
10:47Defence, they've got it as well.
10:48I think, as you say, with those five new recruits
10:51and obviously someone like Tom Parks, Louis Stevenson,
10:53they do have good options at the back.
10:56But I think probably we'll see a couple more additions.
10:59And I think 22, 21, 22, that's probably about the ideal number.
11:03I think Simon Grayson will be thinking.
11:05And then you can add loans as you go, as and when is required.
11:07Football action in terms of league gets underway,
11:12obviously, on Saturday.
11:13Pools are at the Yorville town.
11:18How do you see the kind of first half a dozen fixtures for Pools?
11:22And what do you make of the sort of form so far this pre-season
11:26in terms of how Pools are shaping up?
11:29Yeah, well, it's been a generally positive pre-season.
11:32And I probably would have liked to see Pools play a couple of higher level opposition
11:37or certainly the same level opposition.
11:39Obviously, they played South Shields on Saturday and weren't particularly impressive.
11:44Simon Grayson fielded a somewhat experimental team,
11:47which I have to say I was a little bit surprised by.
11:49Obviously, pre-season is all about experimenting.
11:52But you would think the final couple of games, certainly you'd want to get,
11:56you want to have a good idea of your first choice 11, which I'm sure he does,
11:59and maybe give them the chance to gel for an hour or so
12:01and then experiment in the final half an hour.
12:04So that was a bit of a surprise.
12:05And I think that that was, it was disappointing as well,
12:07by all accounts, the performance.
12:08They really allowed South Shields to dominate the ball and play their own game.
12:13And I think South Shields will do well next season under Ian Watson and Karl Magne.
12:17But nonetheless, Pools are going to have to beat better level opposition than them
12:20if they're going to succeed next season.
12:23And I know that they've played the likes of Leeds and Middlesbrough and Rangers
12:26and that they have featured some first team players.
12:29And I think they were impressive, particularly against Leeds.
12:32But I still think that they will need to test them.
12:34They're going to, I would have liked to see them test themselves
12:36against a slightly higher level of opposition.
12:40But in general, I think it's been pretty impressive.
12:43I think things have shaped up pretty well.
12:46And of course, it's the acid test on Saturday, isn't it?
12:50I think Pools have got a pretty favourable run of fixtures to start with.
12:54It's always important to start the season well.
12:57We say that all the time, don't we?
12:58But I think at Hartniple United, it's perhaps more important than for a number of other sides,
13:04given the fact that there are tensions still bubbling away
13:07and you're probably only two or three bad results from things turning against you a little bit.
13:12But if you can start well, then we know all about what sort of a place Victoria Park can be.
13:16You can really get it rocking.
13:17I think Jovan on Saturday is a difficult test.
13:20I know Pools also have to play Southend this month.
13:23But they've got some favourable opening fixtures.
13:26You look at those first three home games.
13:28Braintree, who I think finished 17th last season.
13:31Woking, who were 15th and newly promoted.
13:33Borham Wood.
13:34I think you'd have to look at maybe seven or nine points from those three.
13:37And if you can start well, then I really think anything could happen this season, Rich.
13:43Obviously, when Simon Grayson was appointed, the kind of message was, you know, we're targeting the playoffs,
13:48which is often the message at the start of the season, to be fair.
13:52Do you think that's realistic given the score?
13:54Or do you think, you know, they're potentially one or two injuries away from, you know, being a bit shy in some areas?
14:01I think it's realistic.
14:02I think when I first heard Simon Grayson say it when he was first appointed, I wasn't so sure.
14:06But I think if you look at the level of recruitment, I think now that is becoming realistic.
14:12Raj Singh has obviously had his critics, but I think he's got something of a point to prove.
14:16This summer, he's shown that he's prepared to put his hand in his pocket.
14:19You look at someone like Alex Reid, I think his signature would have been pretty sought after this summer.
14:24So it's clear, I think, that Pools are serious about challenging.
14:28Simon Grayson is obviously a serial promotion winner.
14:31He's won four promotions in English football already.
14:35So I think the Pools have got every chance.
14:36I mean, if you look at the National League, I think York are going to take some beating.
14:40They obviously got 96 points last season, lost out in the playoffs.
14:44They've strengthened an already really strong squad.
14:47Joe Gray, of course, is one of a number of players who's gone there.
14:50But Ash Palmer and Oli Banks, National League title winners, Mansfield, Tiram Boateng,
14:55then Gateshead skipper Greg Olley, Mark Kitching, another name that Pools fans will know well,
15:00fresh from helping Oldham win promotion back to the Football League.
15:04So they've strengthened significantly and I think are going to take some beating.
15:08The only thing I think that could hamper York is perhaps that weight of expectation.
15:12And I know that Matt Ugl has had a little bit of stick, the owner for meddling in footballing affairs,
15:18when perhaps he's not always wanted.
15:20But I think that they're going to be really, really strong.
15:22Elsewhere, you look at Rochdale.
15:23They've had a good, strong summer, of course, of Murd.
15:26Manny Disrué away from Victoria Park.
15:29Southend last season's beaten playoff finalists.
15:31They've retained the core of that squad and made a handful of interesting additions.
15:35Sam Austin, who helped Notts County win promotion from the National League a couple of years ago,
15:40has arrived there.
15:41But you look at the rest of the pack.
15:43Carmine, again, I think will be strong.
15:45They've signed Regan Linney from Oltringham.
15:47But we'll have to adapt to the National League.
15:48Mark Hughes has never managed at this level.
15:51It might take him some time to get going.
15:54Forest Green Rovers had a pretty strong season last season.
15:57And then I have to say, made the slightly bizarre decision to replace Steve Cottrell with Robbie Savage.
16:02They've just signed Nick Horton from Fylde.
16:04He scored 19 goals last season from midfield in a side that went down.
16:09So that's really strong.
16:09But they've also signed a lot of players from lower leagues.
16:12I think three or four have followed Savage from Macclesfield.
16:15So it's going to be interesting to see how they adapt.
16:18You look at the rest of the division, and I think it's wide, wide open.
16:22Teams that did well last season, like Oltringham and Halifax, have had, and they've lost a number of their star players.
16:28Halifax have obviously lost Chris Millington, the manager, as well.
16:31So I think Pools have a genuine claim to be the best of the rest.
16:35I think if they can start well, then they've got every chance.
16:38Of course, a lot of things have to go right.
16:39You do need to have a little bit of luck with injuries.
16:43And of course, they've got to do their best to make sure that everyone's pulling in the right, in the same direction, as much as is reasonably possible.
16:50And if you can do that, then I think Pools have got a really good chance of certainly challenging for that sixth, seventh, maybe fifth spot.
16:56I think they might struggle to break in to the top four or five.
17:00But I think there's certainly a playoff place that might have Pools' name on it this season.
17:04Just finally, a quick prediction ahead of the weekend trip to Yeovil.
17:08Yeah, it's a difficult one because it's a long trip, of course.
17:12But I think Pools will certainly fancy their chances.
17:15They obviously won there last year.
17:18Yeovil, under new ownership, they had a bit of a traumatic first season back in the National League.
17:23Martin Hellyer, the owner, I think, caused some problems with some of his sort of outspokenness
17:28and some of his brash approach, bullish treatment of some of the supporters.
17:32They haven't made a whole load of signings this summer.
17:36I know that the new owner said there was going to be a budget increase,
17:39but they've recently moved training grounds.
17:41So I think that that has reduced that somewhat.
17:43They've been fairly busy in the last few days.
17:45As I say, Jed Ward, who they've just brought in goal, I think is a smashing signing.
17:50But I think Pools will think that they can go there and win the game.
17:53A point wouldn't be the end of the world.
17:55But I think that Pools will be thinking that they can go and take all three.
17:58And obviously, that would be the perfect start.
18:01Good stuff. Thanks, Robbie.
18:02Yeah, we'll aim to do these weekly moving forward.
18:05Or certainly fortnightly at worst.
18:08Thanks for listening to the latest Pooley podcast.
18:10And we'll be back sometime next week, reflecting on the trip to Yovaltown.
18:15Cheers, Robbie.
18:15Cheers.
Be the first to comment