Hi all and welcome back to my Hartlepool story. I have been able to post and write my stories quicker recently as the snow has been causing havoc and I have not been to at home for a week now so most of my time has been spend playing FM (it cannot get much better than that). Now lets get down to business and start the new season.
It was now the summer and after the delight of promotion into the Championship it was time to capture some new players in the hope that I can have another enjoyable season as manager of Hartlepool United. Today I will talk about the comings and goings of my squad before showing how my pre-season went and my aspirations for the season.
Season expectations
I was eagerly awaiting the start of the season but before that I had to wait on what my budget was for the season ahead. I was interested in what I was going to be able to spend.
When the budget finally came I was shocked in what I saw. I was given just £40 to spend on new players and a £10k difference to spend on wages. This rarely changed as well the more ambitious I was going to be this season so I would need to sell before I got any new players in. I told my board that I expect to avoid relegation just like last season.
Players Out
The players that did leave all went on free transfers. This was not because clubs would not buy them but the fact that they were all players that I felt would not be contributing to the squad this season and just clog up the wage budget. All in all a total of 17 players left the club and this certainly left a sizable hole in my squad.
Players In
After the departures left I concentrated in bringing some players in that I felt would be at least championship standard. By the end of the second week of July I had made 9 players sign for my Hartlepool team. I will feature a few and talk about them in more detail as some are loan signings and other you already know about as they played for me last season.
Michael Silerbauer
The first player I would like to talk about is Michael Silerbauer who came on a free transfer after being released by FC Utrecht. He is a versatile midfielder who can just about play across the whole of the midfield. At 30 years old he is getting on a bit but experience and overall stats should give us an edge over competitors who are surviving the drop.
Anders Due
Like Silerbauer his age and experience will be key to keeping us in the championship this season. His dead ball attributes will also help the quality of the crosses going into the box and add an extra dimension to our game.
Luke Moore
Most fans of English football will know who this player is who started his career off at Aston Villa and was supposed to be one to look out for in the future. This never really worked out and has been playing at West Brom for the past few season before I snapped him up on yet another free transfer. I just hope that he finds his home and form this season.
Martyn Woolford
Woolford was actually bought last season for a fee of £60k which is probably why there was a small budget at the start of the season. He has a lot of championship experience with playing for Scunthorpe. I hope that he can be an influential player this season.
Eyeman Henaini
The final player that I would like to talk to about is Eyeman Henaini. I am really excited to see him this season as he has shown a lot of the course of pre-season. I hope that he can get a few if not a lot of goals this season.
Pre-season
A decent pre-season but I guess it could have been better. The teams that I did beat should have been more comprehensively beaten but I guess that it’s only pre-season and it doesn’t really matter. I was impressed with the performance against West Ham and if we play like that this season I should have no worries what so ever.
Preferred Starting XI
GK – Scott Flinders
LB – Matt Hill
CB – James Chester
CB – Gary Liddle
RB – Lee Mair
LM – Anders Due
CM – Corry Evans
CM – Martyn Woolford
RM – Michael Silerbauer
ST – Luke Moore
ST – Eyeman Henaini
Thanks for reading
Warren
P.S I have decided to now post my blog in a two month format instead of a month to month basis as I am currently ahead in my story and I want to catch up and I feel this would be the best way in doing so.
Arjuna
5 декабря, 2010 at 13:21
Hey Warren,
You’ve done alright in pre-season and made some good signings. I am biased as a West Brom fan, but I feel that while Luke Moore does play well in this game, the facts show the reality — he has scored 5 goals in 57 matches for the club, after an outlay of 3million. While I hope he does really well for you, I just wanted to rant to express what I feel is many West Brom fans frustration with a player who has cost 600,000 pounds a goal!! I hope and feel that you can do better than mid-table, and you should definitely get promoted next season, if not this season
Arjuna
warren
5 декабря, 2010 at 17:14
Hi Arjuna
Thanks for the comment but I almost dont want to talk to you now that you are a West Brom fan and I am a Newcastle supporter but thats forgotten about and lets talk about Hartlepool instead. I can understand your frustration about Moore and I hope he has a better scoring record for me. I think I will be satisfied with somewhere between 9th and 16th this season anything better it a bonus. The main aim will be to stay in this season and to be in at least the play-offs next season.
Darren Smith
5 декабря, 2010 at 17:01
Hey Warren, you have made some great signings there, especially in midfield. The Championship is very tough and I think your expectations are very wise. Would be nice to make the playoffs though. Goodluck mate.
warren
5 декабря, 2010 at 17:18
Hi Darren
Thanks for the comment but I feel that the play-off spots are a bit too much of expectation there I want to stay in this league this season and push on next season but I will certainly push for a play-off spot as hard as I can.
Laxeyman
5 декабря, 2010 at 18:34
Hi Warren, a good pre season for you, with some good players coming in. Hopefully Moore and Henaini can bang in the goals for you, and if they can then I reckon you can finish mid table. Good luck!
warren
5 декабря, 2010 at 19:12
Hey Laxeyman
I am satisfied with the progress that we have made in pre-season and I am hoping to continue this onto the season ahead and if I do I should make a mid-table place for sure.
kevin
5 декабря, 2010 at 22:34
Hi Warren
You ended up on the plus side with your pre-season results and you saved the best for last in terms of your summer signings.I’m looking forward to see what Henaini will do for you. Good luck!
warren
6 декабря, 2010 at 17:51
Hi Kevin
I was really looking forward to see what Henaini can do this season and if he performes well he should be the signing of the season.
Lye Kuek Hin
6 декабря, 2010 at 00:32
Hi Warren,
That’s frustrating consider the budget given to you. I thought you have bought well. The two Danish should be able to do a good job for you. Good luck in the Championship.
warren
6 декабря, 2010 at 17:53
Hey Lye
When I got the budget I could believe how small it was but then I remembered the Woolford transfer and that was why it was probably so small. I am pleased with the players I have bought in and I hope they can do a good job for me.
Johnny Karp
6 декабря, 2010 at 07:08
The team seems strong enough overall, at least your probable starting eleven does. I think you won’t have any relegation worries, good luck!
warren
6 декабря, 2010 at 17:56
I totally agree with you I feel that the starting eleven is very strong but the squad could be better and I may make some more signings before the window closes at the end of August
Sears
6 декабря, 2010 at 17:14
You signed some extremely talented players, I’m sure you cab stay well clear of the relegation zone.
warren
6 декабря, 2010 at 17:57
Im sure that we have enough quailty to stay clear of relegation and who know he could fight for a play-off spot but realistically Im thinking mid-table.
FMStories2011
6 декабря, 2010 at 18:05
Hi Warren,
Its a pity that you were not given enough funds but I’m sure that you will be able to cope with the players you got. I think that a mid-table position should be a realistic goal.
Good Luck
fmstories2010.blogspot.com
warren
6 декабря, 2010 at 19:05
The funds were pretty poor but the money was mainly spend on Woolford and I mentioned in my first post of this Hartelpool sotry that the club has a £10 million debt to repay.