Pre season friendlies

[Casey]

Playing West Ham u23s tonight.

We will go with the players who didn't get (much) game time Saturday. I dont envision wholesale changes or lots of trialists.

While I don't care about the result the performance has to be up to standard by now. You know. The team cohesion and fitness levels should be ready for the season opening game.

I did notice Southend lost 1-5 to this lot the other day and I've heard they have some potential stars. Nevers and Baptiste oft quoted so I don't expect a pushover against a bunch of kids.

Casey

 

[shoddycollins]

We were due to play Lancaster City in an away friendly Wednesday evening, but that has now been cancelled due to injuries in the squad.

It seems McDonald, Devine and Alessandra may have missed the Blackpool game through injury and Feeney had to come off injured in that game too, though the club aren't commenting on who exactly is injured, they did say we have injuries in both the first team and youth team, and won't be able to 'fulfill the game as we would have liked'

Disappointing as I was planning on going and meeting up with a friend who was coming up from Manchester for it; but having played players out of position against Blackpool I can understand we don't want to do it yet again, and every friendly carries a risk of injuries so I can understand that if you have to play players out of position and throw youth team players in, then you may decide the risks suddenly outweigh the benefits.

 

[AdamStag]

Whereas it’s always good to win the aim is to test things out, see what players work in what positions go from there.

Mansfield have some who get fanatical about these results, losing 1-0 to local side alfreton and it was the end of the world,

Conveniently forgetting it was a youth side and that alfreton had beaten chesterfield 3-2 a week earlier, all of a sudden the youth players sneak a 2-1 win and it’s all alright again.

The next day the first team go and win 2-1 away at hull (despite hull dividing up their squad and played scunthorpe the same day) and all of a sudden were winning the league.

 

[shoddycollins]

Whereas it’s always good to win the aim is to test things out, see what players work in what positions go from there.

Mansfield have some who get fanatical about these results, losing 1-0 to local side alfreton and it was the end of the world,

Conveniently forgetting it was a youth side and that alfreton had beaten chesterfield 3-2 a week earlier, all of a sudden the youth players sneak a 2-1 win and it’s all alright again.

The next day the first team go and win 2-1 away at hull (despite hull dividing up their squad and played scunthorpe the same day) and all of a sudden were winning the league.

Haha yeah it's always best not to read your clubs' forums at all during pre-season. Most of the teams we played so far are amateur sides who haven't played a competitive match since February... during a heatwave too where the team who train a few times a week are always going to have a massive competitive advantage.

 

[shoddycollins]

Lots of stuff I'm hearing about behind the scenes all not being well but I'm willing to give Raj a crack of the whip (what's left of it is pretty short though like). There's apparently not been much help or support to anyone on the payroll since we went up.


Maybe there are some poor squads about, I dunno, I've hardly followed L2 since we dropped out but I'd wager ours is one of or the weakest.

As it stands what we have would struggle to finish top 7 or even top 10 in the Conference.

It's probably too late to get anyone better in. If we can somehow not be too far adrift then in Jan the alarm bells might ring and we can actually sign some proven league standard players.

All seems a bit concerning for you... what were the poolies saying a few weeks ago about there being a sense of malaise around the place despite winning promotion? It's pretty unprofessional of Challoner to not even speak to the players and if he has good reason to bugger off like that then presumably that means someone else is responsible for creating discord in the camp, either way it's not a good look.

Maybe you'll sort yourself out, if the Mark Cullen of a few years ago re-emerges then he could be one of the division's top goalscorers. However despite being a north-east lad who has mentioned wanting to move closer to home in a few moves, he seems to score more goals the further away from home he gets.

Speaking of players that are known for getting homesick and Hartlepool's need to bring in some more players, Nathan Thomas is available on a free. He had a trial with Donny but they took it no further, may still be attracting some interest in League One but he really hates having to live away from his family during the week and I'm sure if Hartlepool approached him, even though it's League Two again and they probably won't match his wage expectations, I'm sure he'd give it some serious thought.

 

[Chief Rocka]

All seems a bit concerning for you... what were the poolies saying a few weeks ago about there being a sense of malaise around the place despite winning promotion? It's pretty unprofessional of Challoner to not even speak to the players and if he has good reason to bugger off like that then presumably that means someone else is responsible for creating discord in the camp, either way it's not a good look.

Maybe you'll sort yourself out, if the Mark Cullen of a few years ago re-emerges then he could be one of the division's top goalscorers. However despite being a north-east lad who has mentioned wanting to move closer to home in a few moves, he seems to score more goals the further away from home he gets.

Speaking of players that are known for getting homesick and Hartlepool's need to bring in some more players, Nathan Thomas is available on a free. He had a trial with Donny but they took it no further, may still be attracting some interest in League One but he really hates having to live away from his family during the week and I'm sure if Hartlepool approached him, even though it's League Two again and they probably won't match his wage expectations, I'm sure he'd give it some serious thought.

As much as I'd love Pools to sign Nathan Thomas he wouldn't fit in with DC's preferred formation, he's a winger and nothing more, it'd be square pegs in round holes, a big brick shithouse striker is what we need. not more flair players.

 

[AdamStag]

Nathan thomas is nothing more than a top half conference player who occasionally puts in a decent performance when it suits him (usually not when you need it).

i’d advise any league 2 club to steer well clear

 

[Chief Rocka]

Nathan thomas is nothing more than a top half conference player who occasionally puts in a decent performance when it suits him (usually not when you need it).

i’d advise any league 2 club to steer well clear

You all had the scuffed Nathan Thomas, we got the elite version that was sold for £300,000.

 

[AdamStag]

You all had the scuffed Nathan Thomas, we got the elite version that was sold for £300,000.

Aye and well done to you on that one!

bet you wouldn’t have him back though?

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Aye and well done to you on that one!

bet you wouldn’t have him back though?

No chance.
Had some great games for us & put in one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from a Pools player at Morecombe,but when we were struggling,he didn’t want to know.
If I remember rightly,in our last league game in the relegation season,he was dropped out of the squad, the management were that pissed off with him.
Mind he was never the same player after he was launched by one of the Stags players at your place.

 

[AdamStag]

No chance.
Had some great games for us & put in one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from a Pools player at Morecombe,but when we were struggling,he didn’t want to know.
If I remember rightly,in our last league game in the relegation season,he was dropped out of the squad, the management were that pissed off with him.
Mind he was never the same player after he was launched by one of the Stags players at your place.

I remember that, not that it was an excuse, but he didn’t leave mansfield on good terms either.

Again he was annoying as he obviously had talent, sadly he was a complete cock at the same time. Potential wasted there

 

[chipmunx]

won 1-0 away at Notts Forrest u-23's today Dmitri Sea with his 3rd goal of pre-season.

unconfirmed reports that Scott Wagstaff (ex-FGR) played and set up the goal.

 

[Casey]

Just got back from the game. Crawley beat West Ham u23s 2-1. Our goals from trialist and Sam Ashford. Hammers was by Nevers.

West Ham were not your usual u23 side. The usual good touch but they were very fit and strong and someone has been teaching them the dark arts.

That Nevers could be a break out player soon. He looks very good.

Our trialist goal scorer was a man mountain of a centre half. I was told he was with Orient and our staff are very impressed with him but I've no idea who he is.

Casey

Edit: A little birdie whispered our trialist may be Ludwig Francillette ex of Newcastle u23 and Dijon (he's mustard!).

 

[F!RTHY]

Results thus far:

BPA 0-5 Bradford City
Bradford City 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
Guiseley 1-2 Bradford City
Brighouse Town 1-3 Bradford City
Bradford City 2-0 Blackburn Rovers

Chesterfield away this evening, and we finish our pre-season with a trip to Accrington next Saturday

Thoroughly enjoyable pre-season. Results don’t mean jot, we know this, but the approach and planning from the club this time out is so refreshing to see.

 

[RiftHouseLad]

We play Blyth Spartans away, God knows who will turn up.

A decent attitude would help, Playoff hangover me thinks.

 

[kieran_vale]

Got Sheffield Wednesday at VP tonight. First home game we’ve had with fans in since the first lockdown started so hopefully can put in a decent performance for all of them.

We haven’t had a friendly for a week as the players were away on a training camp most of the last week. Should be a decent test for us anyway.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

We have Havent & Waterlooville tonight with Clint Hill in charge.
I couldnt be less excited

 

[Sestonpoolie]

We play Blyth Spartans away, God knows who will turn up.

A decent attitude would help, Playoff hangover me thinks.

Defeat tonight & it will be total meltdown.

 

[saddler78]

West Brom at home another hiding like the Villa game no doubt one of our yearly cash grabs that all the fans are fed up of.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Defeat tonight & it will be total meltdown.

There's no way we lose to three NLN teams in a row right?

Wonder how many Tom, Dick and Harry trialists turn up tonight.

 

[shoddycollins]

We have Havent & Waterlooville tonight with Clint Hill in charge.
I couldnt be less excited

Reckon Clint Hill could still do a job at the back for us... give him my number will you?

 

[shoddycollins]

Beat an Everton U23 team of unknown quality 3-2 this afternoon with goals from Mellish, Bell and Mampala

 

[kieran_vale]

Vales team for tonight pretty much confirms we are going 3-5-2 to start the season off anyway. One or two the names will be different such as Benning will start but other than that think we know where we stand on that front now.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1420075208782848002

 

[Bottega Don]

We play Lincoln tonight and I imagine the line up we've got out will be close to how we start against Swindon.

It's absolutely pathetic as expected.

 

[shoddycollins]

Vales team for tonight pretty much confirms we are going 3-5-2 to start the season off anyway. One or two the names will be different such as Benning will start but other than that think we know where we stand on that front now.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1420075208782848002

did you not manage to get any games in front of fans last season? Our last one was Boxing Day, we were tier 2 for a while but I thought it was only around November that tiers started to affect things.

 

[kieran_vale]

did you not manage to get any games in front of fans last season? Our last one was Boxing Day, we were tier 2 for a while but I thought it was only around November that tiers started to affect things.

Nope not one. They stuck Stoke-On-Trent right into tier 3 and prior to that if I remember rightly there was a reported local outbreak of it so basically neither us or Stoke for that matter were able to do it. Incidentally if either of our clubs were a mile outside the boundary into Newcastle-Under-Lyme we’d have been able to do it as they were only tier 2 such was the rules.

 

[Bottega Don]

We're losing after 3 minutes to Lincoln

 

[shoddycollins]

Nope not one. They stuck Stoke-On-Trent right into tier 3 and prior to that if I remember rightly there was a reported local outbreak of it so basically neither us or Stoke for that matter were able to do it. Incidentally if either of our clubs were a mile outside the boundary into Newcastle-Under-Lyme we’d have been able to do it as they were only tier 2 such was the rules.

And presumably centred on North Staffs Hospital which for those not in-the-know might as well be in Newcastle town centre but for the fact the border has been drawn around it.

 

[kieran_vale]

And presumably centred on North Staffs Hospital which for those not in-the-know might as well be in Newcastle town centre but for the fact the border has been drawn around it.

Impressed with the local knowledge there but yep you’re right there. Basically in Trent Vegas which is no more than a stones throw into Newcastle.

Vale currently 1-1. Seems we are playing really well though conceded off a set piece which is a black mark there. Conlon with our equaliser.

 

[Bottega Don]

Two players gone off injured in this game for us, we simply cannot catch a break