Trying To Win (with) The Pools - A Hartlepool United Story

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PRE-SEASON

So here we go!!! I have got to be honest I thought I would have been able to attract a slightly better quality of player to the club but hey ho. So far 12 have come in and 14 have left!!!!

So without further ado let me introduce you to my new players.............

--

PLAYERS IN

Maybe surprisingly I spent some money and maybe even more surprisingly it was all on loans for one season wonders lol. I gave Newcastle £250K for Adam Campbell and I also shelled out £80K for former Feyenoord LW Leonardo.
View attachment 377587View attachment 377588

However my main signing was Seth Schwartz who is an amazing American regen (especially for this level) who I would sign if I was Man Utd!!!
View attachment 377589

Also joining on a free to bump up squad numbers was Tom Kennedy and Elliot Omozusi.
View attachment 377591View attachment 377592

My loanees were Philip Roberts and Nico Yennaris from Arsenal (I had to bid for them, they werent given to me) and Denis Suarez from Man City.
View attachment 377599View attachment 377600View attachment 377601

The rest were just youngsters with potential to fill in for the reserve squad.
View attachment 377603View attachment 377604View attachment 377605View attachment 377606

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PLAYERS OUT

Nobody on loan returned (Derby refused to loan Bennett) but I did recoup nearly half a million. Partick Thistle bought Sweeney (£170K), Compton (£110K) and Fry (£70K) which basically paid for my outgoings. The only other sale was Simon Walton to Ebbsfleet for £90K.

Several players were released - the most notable being Monkhouse to Mansfield Town.

--

OTHER NEWS

Tommy Miller is now a player/coach
We get drawn against Blackburn Rovers in the Capital One Cup

--

SUMMARY

I told the board we would finish in the top half which should be achievable methinks. If we avoid injuries to our defence then we should stand a chance as that is our strongest area. There are changes to my first XI obviously - James will be my RW while Campbell goes upfront, Suarez will play AMC, Leonardo AML and Schwartz CB.

Fingers crossed!!!!!

​
 
Not often I ask for help but what do you guys/girls think of my signings for a challenge for League 1. Dont know what to realistically aim for.......................
 
Pity they didn't keep the Premier teams off your path until the final. It would have been so epic to get the Pools playing in Europe...

Edit: missed your last post.

I'd that you have players that are going to be quite useful to avoid a relegation battle, but there's a little more needed for a promotion challenge. Clear strength, more often physically, but then I feel they'd lack a bit of something else, mentally or technically to make the virtues count enough.

I did have Tom Kennedy in my Crewe side for six month (cancelled loan as I had enough and needed room for wages) and he was a good leftback.

So you'll get promoted lol. The League One is very tight, so usually only a few results are the difference between promotion and relegation.
 
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Remember the famous bill nicholson quote about aiming high that even failure is achieving my friend
 
Death Ball said:
Pity they didn't keep the Premier teams off your path until the final. It would have been so epic to get the Pools playing in Europe...

Edit: missed your last post.

I'd that you have players that are going to be quite useful to avoid a relegation battle, but there's a little more needed for a promotion challenge. Clear strength, more often physically, but then I feel they'd lack a bit of something else, mentally or technically to make the virtues count enough.

I did have Tom Kennedy in my Crewe side for six month (cancelled loan as I had enough and needed room for wages) and he was a good leftback.

So you'll get promoted lol. The League One is very tight, so usually only a few results are the difference between promotion and relegation.
Click to expand...

I appreciate your comment very much. Got a week or two of tweaking.........
 
banger93 said:
How did you find that regen????
Click to expand...

I spent the best part of an hour trawling through various international sides. I also found a decent striker but he didnt get a work permit
 
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AUGUST

Stevenage 1 (Shroot 47)
Hartlepool United 2 (Campbell 27, Suarez 38)

Make no mistake we were outplayed here but we took our chances which resulted in taking the points.

--

Capital One Cup 1st Round
Hartlepool United 1 (Hetherington 63)
Blackburn Rovers 0

Our giant killing act continues!!! I actually moved to sub Hetherington but the ball hadnt gone out of play so he was still on the pitch to score.

--

Hartlepool United 2 (James 50, 64)
Barnsley 0

A good win but Philip Roberts got injured and is out for 4-5 months so I have cancelled his loan deal.

--

Peterborough United 1 (Kearns 47)
Hartlepool United 1 (Sandaza 76)

I am pleased with this point as they look to have a decent side with Klasnic up front included.

--

Hartlepool United 4 (James 8, 47pen, Campbell 89, Schwartz 90)
Oldham Athletic 1 (Winchester 73)

True this was a great result and good performance but luck was on our side as Adam Rooney had an equaliser disallowed for them at 1-0 and then he promptly got sent-off!

--

Capital One Cup 2nd Round
Stoke City 2 (Shea 9, Crouch 81)
Hartlepool United 1 (Fahey 50)

We hardly got a kick here despite the close scoreline!

--

Coventry City 1 (Poleon 45)
Hartlepool United 2 (Campbell 18, Suarez 83)

I actually won this game 5-0 originally but my laptop crashed and I had to replay it after I posted the original update!!!!

--

LINEUPS
OPP
RES
GK
RB
CB
CB
LB
CM
CM
AMR
AML
AMC
ST
SUBS
Steve
2-1
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James
Roberts
Suarez*
Campbell
Miller
Black
1-0
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Hurst
Holden
Miller
Fahey
James
Franks
Hetherington
Campbell
Yennaris, Dele Alli
Barns
2-0
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Yennaris
Fahey
James* 2
Roberts
Suarez
Campbell
Franks
Peter
1-1
Flinders
Hurst
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Hetherington
Miller
James
Franks
Suarez
Campbell
Leonardo, Sandaza
Old
4-1
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James* 2
Leonardo
Suarez
Campbell
Omozusi
Stoke
1-2
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Kennedy
Miller
Fahey
James
Franks
Suarez
Campbell
Sandaza, Hurst
Cov
2-1
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin*
Schwartz
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James
Leonardo
Suarez
Campbell
Hurst, Miller

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PLAYER OF THE MONTH
JACK BALDWIN
View attachment 377735

--

SUMMARY

Well I cant exactly complain about the start of the season as we are top of the league and playing really well. My new signings have settled in brilliantly while James/Suarez/Campbell have been a handful in the attacking areas.

Long may it continue!!!

During the month I brought in James Hurst from Crawley Town on a free.
View attachment 377695

And then on deadline day I moved to bring in a new backup keeper.....
View attachment 377709

I agreed to sign a great AMC but he didnt get a work permit unfortunately.

View attachment 377737
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SEPTEMBER

Johnstone's Paint Trophy North 1st Round
Barnsley 2 (Smith 64, Mellis 89)
Hartlepool United 2 (Hetherington 9, Miller 58pen)
(Hartlepool United win 3-1 on penalties)

I am proud as punch with this win as we were minus several players.

--

Hartlepool United 2 (Franks 44, Campbell 53)
Bradford City 1 (Hanson 90)

Our home record will be key to our chances for any chance of promotion so we need to take advantage of this run of 3 home games in a row. 1 down 2 to go.

--

Hartlepool United 4 (Omozusi 22, James 39, 51pen, Suarez 45)
Brentford 1 (Donaldson 15)

Another excellent win - we certainly arent struggling to score goals.

--

Hartlepool United 1 (Miller 69)
Notts County 0

Not a good day for their player Alan Sheehan - he missed a first half penalty and got sent-off!

--

Carlisle United 2 (Guy 20, Flinders og87)
Hartlepool United 3 (Suarez 31, 51, Campbell 54)

I kinda thought after 3 home games we would lose our unbeaten run in the league but no!!!!

--

Yeovil Town 0
Hartlepool United 2 (James 32, 72)

Yeovil got relegated last season and are at the bottom of the table while we got promoted and are at the top - momentum is everything!!

This win was all down to me lol - Campbell got sent-off after 10min so I shoved James up top and played without a RW and somehow it worked.

--

Hartlepool United 2 (Yennaris 38, Franks 55)
MK Dons 0

Thats 8 wins in a row in the league and 10 out of 11.

--

LINEUPS
OPP
RES
GK
RB
CB
CB
LB
CM
CM
AMR
AML
AMC
ST
SUBS
Barn
2-2
Flinders
Clarke
Hurst
Omozusi
Holden
Hetherington
Miller*
Poole
Franks
Dele Alli
Campbell
Amenku
Brad
2-1
Flinders
Hurst
Baldwin
Omozusi
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
Franks
Leonardo
Suarez
Campbell
Miller, Kennedy
Brent
4-1
Flinders
Hurst
Baldwin
Omozusi
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James* 2
Leonardo
Suarez
Campbell
Franks
Notts
1-0
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James
Franks
Suarez
Campbell
Miller, Poole
Carl
3-2
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Omozusi
Holden
Yennaris
Schwartz
James
Franks
Suarez* 2
Campbell
Kennedy, Poole
Yeov
2-0
Flinders
Clarke
Omozusi
Schwartz
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James* 2
Franks
Suarez
Campbell
Dele Alli
MKD
2-0
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Yennaris*
Fahey
Poole
Franks
Hetherington
James
Amenku

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
LUKE JAMES
View attachment 377799

--

SUMMARY

What a month!!!! We won every single game which was helped by the fact that out of our 6 league games 4 were at home and we played some sides at the lower end of the table. If we avoid injuries until January I am quietly confident but we shall see!

Certainly having a 7pt lead is beyond my wildest dreams and my minimum expectation with this start is a play-off place.

View attachment 377800
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Going well mate. Although you inspired me to move to Bilbao on my current save you won't be inspiring me to move from them to Hartlepool. Doing very well mate though.
 
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OCTOBER

Swindon Town 2 (Williams 2, 15)
Hartlepool United 1 (James 25)

Our unbeaten record comes to an end and typically it was a game that we dominated!!

--

Johnstone's Paint Trophy North 2nd Round
Coventry City 1 (Maddison 30)
Hartlepool United 1 (Poole 54)
(Hartlepool United win 3-2 on penalties)

The penalty shoot-out was farcical as they missed 5 and we missed 4.

--

Scunthorpe United 0
Hartlepool United 2 (Franks 8, 29)

Back to winning ways - Campbell came back into the side and setup both goals.

--

Hartlepool United 4 (James 14, Campbell 46, 63, 80)
Crawley Town 0

A great win - I would love to bring in Adam Campbell long term but that wont happen any time soon!

--

Hartlepool United 2 (Campbell 23, 53)
Bristol City 0

With Marc Albrighton, Cameron Jerome, Alan Hutton and Sam Baldock, Bristol City should be running away with the league but they amazingly are 3rd bottom. Campbell missed a penalty thus denying him a second successive hat-trick.

--

Southend United 3 (Reid 10, 60, 86)
Hartlepool United 1 (James 19)

We were so depleted here it was unreal - even had to play Luke James at 84% fit.

--

Port Vale 0
Hartlepool United 3 (Suarez 20, James 45pen, Campbell 90)

An excellent win

--

LINEUPS
OPP
RES
GK
RB
CB
CB
LB
CM
CM
AMR
AML
AMC
ST
SUBS
Swin1-2FlindersClarkeBaldwin
Schwartz
HoldenHetherington
FaheyPoole
FranksSuarezJamesSandaza
Cov1-1
Flinders
ClarkeBaldwin*
Schwartz
Kennedy
Yennaris
MillerPoole
FranksSuarezJames-
Scun2-0
Flinders
Omozusi
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Miller
Fahey
James
Franks* 2
Hetherington
Campbell
Poole
Crawl4-0
Flinders
Clarke
Omozusi
Schwartz
Holden
Yennaris
Fahey
James
Franks
Suarez
Campbell* 3
Amenku
Bris C2-0
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Yennaris
Fahey
James
Franks
Hetherington
Campbell* 2
Omozusi, Miller
South1-3
Flinders
Clarke
Omozusi
Hurst
Kennedy
Yennaris
Miller
James
Leonardo
Suarez
Campbell
Franks, Sandaza
P.V.3-0
Flinders
Hurst
Omozusi
Schwartz*
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James
Franks
Suarez
Campbell
Dele Alli

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
ADAM CAMPBELL
View attachment 377888

--

SUMMARY

A couple of defeats this month but I am happy overall. My squad is getting stretched to the limit however and I have arranged 3 transfers for January already costing me just over £400K. I was trying to get Anthony Stokes in but he promptly retired!!!!

Never mind we finish the month 5pts clear.

View attachment 377889

​
 
Nice job so far Klippy!
Are you continuing your Bilbao save?
 
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NOVEMBER

Hartlepool United 2 (Campbell 29, 73)
Crewe Alexandra 2 (Green 45, Grant 53)

We just werent at the races today although having 2 players injured and 1 sent-off doesnt help.

--

FA Cup 1st Round
Hartlepool United 4 (Omozusi 15, 66, Hurst 17, Suarez 77)
Forest Green Rovers 0

Check me out - playing a largely backup side and expecting to win lol

--

Hartlepool United 2 (James 72pen, Sandaza 82)
Leyton Orient 1 (Mooney 49)

--

Portsmouth 2 (Padovani 3, Ertl 7)
Hartlepool United 1 (James 51)

We were pretty shocking here to be honest.

--

Rotherham United 4 (Odejayi 8, Bowditch 47, 64, 69)
Hartlepool United 3 (Campbell 5, 51, James 23)

2 defeats in a row!!!!! That is not good enough especially after leading 3 times.

--

Hartlepool United 3 (Sandaza 40, Miller 54pen, 85pen)
Doncaster Rovers 0

Thats better!!!

--

LINEUPS
OPP
RES
GK
RB
CB
CB
LB
CM
CM
AMR
AML
AMC
ST
SUBS
Crewe
2-2
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James
Leonardo
Suarez
Campbell* 2
Franks, Omozusi, Hurst
FGR
4-0
Flinders
Hurst
Baldwin
Omozusi* 2
Kennedy
Yennaris
Miller
Poole
Franks
Suarez
Sandaza
Leonardo
Ley O
2-1
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Hetherington
Fahey
James
Leonardo
Suarez
Campbell
Franks, Sandaza
Port
1-2
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Yennaris
Fahey
James
Franks
Suarez
Campbell
Hurst, Omozusi, Poole
Roth
3-4
Flinders
Omozusi
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Yennaris
Fahey
James
Leonardo
Hetherington
Campbell 2
Miller, Franks
Donc
3-0
Flinders
Hurst
Baldwin
Omozusi
Kennedy
Miller* 2
Fahey
James
Franks
Suarez
Sandaza
Amenku

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
LUKE JAMES
View attachment 377910

--

SUMMARY

A mixed month as we lost a couple of games but we are still top of the league and are 13pts clear of 3rd place which is a nice comfort. Campbell and Suarez lost their scoring touch this month but they are young and will go through indifferent patches of form.

I forgot to mention that England sacked Roy Hodgson last month and appointed Brendan Rodgers.

View attachment 377911
​
 
images


DECEMBER

Johnstone's Paint Trophy North QF
Hartlepool United 0
Bury 0
(Hartlepool United win 5-4 on penalties)

3 games in this competition and 3 penalty shoot-out wins. Fahey had a goal disallowed for us though.

--

FA Cup 2nd Round
Colchester United 1 (Bean 2)
Hartlepool United 1 (Franks 15)

Like the last game I rested a few players since they are a division below and that probably cost us - will just have to do the job at home!

--
Hartlepool United 2 (James 37, Campbell 45)
Gillingham 1 (Lee 65)

--

FA Cup 2nd Round Replay
Hartlepool United 1 (Sandaza 105)
Colchester United 1 (Bond 102pen)
(Hartlepool United win 4-3 on penalties)

Another penalty shoot-out win!

--

Barnsley 0
Hartlepool United 0

We had players playing unfit here so I am delighted with a point. Roll on January when I can get some reinforcements come in.

--

Hartlepool United 3 (Fahey 9, Leonardo 43, Hetherington 87)
Peterborough United 1 (Sinclair 34)

This was 1st v 2nd and we absolutely battered them. All 3 scorers should score more to tell the truth.

--

Oldham Athletic 1 (Baxter 56)
Hartlepool United 2 (Campbell 31, 42)

We were so depleted here I am amazed we got the points.

--

LINEUPS
OPP
RES
GK
RB
CB
CB
LB
CM
CM
AMR
AML
AMC
ST
SUBS
Bury0-0FlindersYennarisBaldwinSchwartzKennedyMillerFaheyPooleFranksSuarezSandaza-
Col1-1FlindersYennarisBaldwin*SchwartzKennedyMillerFaheyPooleFranksSuarezSandazaHetherington, Hurst
Gill2-1FlindersOmozusiBaldwin*SchwartzHoldenHetheringtonFaheyJamesLeonardoSuarezCampbellFranks
Col1-1FlindersHurstBaldwinSchwartz*KennedyYennarisFaheyPooleFranksSuarezSandazaHetherington
Barns0-0FlindersYennarisOmozusi*SchwartzHoldenMillerAmenkuJamesLeonardoHetheringtonCampbellPoole, Hurst
Pet3-1FlindersClarkeBaldwinSchwartzHoldenHetheringtonFaheyJamesLeonardo*SuarezCampbell-
Old2-1FlindersHurstOmozusiSchwartzKennedyYennarisMillerPooleFranksDele AlliCampbell* 2Suarez, Baldwin

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
JACK BALDWIN
View attachment 377948

--

SUMMARY

We end the year 12pts clear of 2nd and 14pts clear of 3rd so surely promotion is in our hands. That is good of course but my major worry is that I only have a handful of Championship standard players. Obviously I have no worries about Schwartz, James, Flinders and Baldwin but elsewhere???

View attachment 377950
​
 
James is progressing nicely.... Will you be looking to get Campbell full time? Well done so far.
 
images


JANUARY

Bradford City 1 (Hanson 59)
Hartlepool United 1 (Suarez 83)

A decent point this although we played well enough to get all 3.

--

FA Cup 3rd Round
Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Bale 21, Cork 44, Soldado 58)
Hartlepool United 1 (Campbell 51)

Last year Spurs knocked us out on the way to winning it so maybe we are their good luck charm. Why they keep putting out a full strength side against us is beyond me though.

--

Johnstone's Paint Trophy North SF
Hartlepool United 4 (Whelan 31, 65, Franks 49, Leonardo 69)
Tranmere Rovers 0

Through to the regional final we go - and we didnt even need penalties!!!!

--

Brentford 2 (Hayes 16, Donaldson 38)
Hartlepool United 0

Meh

--

Hartlepool United 2 (Miller 64, Suarez 90)
Stevenage 2 (Morais 5, Smith 51)

3 league games in a row without a win but at least we fought back from 2 goals down to rescue a point.

--

Hartlepool United 3 (Poole 15, Campbell 17, Yennaris 46)
Carlisle United 1 (Beck 67)

Back to winning ways. Flinders saved their 6th minute penalty which was vital methinks.

--

Hartlepool United 2 (Sandaza 43, Baldwin 66)
Coventry City 1 (Moussa 56)

If we remain unbeaten at home this season then that would be 2 league campaigns in a row we will have managed it - wont happen in the Championship though!!!

--

Notts County 0
Hartlepool United 1 (Poole 44)

A hard fought win.

--

LINEUPS
OPP
RES
GK
RB
CB
CB
LB
CM
CM
AMR
AML
AMC
ST
SUBS
Brad1-1FlindersClarkeBaldwinSchwartzHolden
Hetherington
Fahey*JamesLeonardoSuarezCampbellMulconroy, Yennaris, Whelan
Spurs1-3FlindersClarkeBaldwinSchwartzHoldenHetherington
Fahey
JamesLeonardoSuarezCampbellYennaris, Miller
Tran4-0FlindersClarkeOmozusiHurstMulconroyYennarisMillerPooleFranks
Leonardo
Whelan* 2Amenku, McKinney
Brent0-2FlindersClarkeBaldwinSchwartzHoldenHetheringtonFaheyJamesLeonardoSuarezCampbellMiller, Franks, Omozusi
Steve2-2FlindersClarkeBaldwinSchwartzHoldenMillerFaheyJamesFranksSuarezCampbellYennaris
Carl3-1FlindersHurstOmozusiSchwartzHolden
Yennaris*MillerPooleFranksMcKinneyCampbell
Amenku, Sandaza, Redmond
Cov2-1
Flinders
Clarke
Baldwin
Schwartz
Holden
Yennaris
Fahey
James
Leonardo
Suarez
Sandaza
Franks
Notts1-0
Flinders
Clarke
Omozusi
Schwartz
Mulconroy
Yennaris
Miller*
James
Leonardo
Suarez
Sandaza
Poole, Amenku, Franks

--

PLAYER OF THE MONTH
DENIS SUAREZ
View attachment 378041

--

SUMMARY

We keep storming along!!! A 12pt lead with 14 games to go shouldnt be given up so its all about planning for the Championship now. Ideally I need my scouting range expanded as I can only scout in the British Isles!!!

I did bring in players though - as usual I trawled through the Irish teams and found these lads.......
View attachment 378042View attachment 378043View attachment 378044View attachment 378045
Whelan (£200K) and Mulconroy (£150K) came in from Cork City, McKinney came in for £60K and Redmond was a free transfer.

And then on deadline day I pulled off a coup when I brought in Cameron Jerome on loan from Stoke City.
View attachment 378054

View attachment 378049

​
 
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