Hi all and welcome back to the north of England and more specifically to Hartlepool United. Before I start I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas tomorrow and you hope that they can enjoy the festive period. Back to the story and after what ended up to be a decent season last year I was looking forward to bringing in new players that would improve the squad so that this team can push for a promotion into the Premier League.
When I budget came I was happy with what I was given and didn’t get the shock that I got last season when I was only given £40. I chickened out a little as only went for a top half finish as I just wanted to be on the safe side but also I like to buy a lot of my players of free transfers so the transfer budget shouldn’t be that much of a problem.
Outs
I haven’t got that big of a squad so I was never going to make massive changes in my team it was just a case of tweaking a few things. Four players went in the end and these were players that I thought wouldn’t develop the squad and were clogging up the wage bill.
Ins
Six players were brought in and I felt that they were all good signings considering that the most of the budget went on the first signing. I will now go into more detail about each of these signings.
Morrison
A young centre-back who has a lot of potential and actually broke the clubs record transfer fee. His attributes aren’t that good but I think that they will soon change and he could be one of my key players.
Kightly
Kightly came from Wolves on a free transfer and I think that this was a really good signing as his Premier League experience should be crucial to us challenging for these top spots.
Watson
My favourite signing of the lot and I think that Watson will be our key player this season and if he has a good season than so will Hartlepool. A player that I can see driving us forward into the Premier League.
Butland
Here only as back-up although I may look at him as in a few games this season to see how he compares to Flinders. On a season long loan deal.
Norregaard
Norregaard is a player that I felt the club needed as my squad is probably the weakest in the centre of midfield. Like Due and Silerbauer last season his experience will be vital
O’Dea
O’Dea was my final signing in pre-season and I think that him, Morrison and Chester as the 3 players that I will be playing at the back this season will develop a very good partnership and hopefully concede less goals than I did last season.
Pre-Season Results
A decent pre-season and it is always good to see who is performing well and how your tactics work against certain clubs. After the final whistle went after the Blackburn match I couldn’t wait to get the season started.
Preferred Starting Eleven
GK – Scott Flinders
DC – Darren O’Dea
DC – Sean Morrison
DC – James Chester
ML – Anders Due
MR – Michael Kightly
MC – Michael Silerbauer
MC – Ben Watson
MC – Hjalte Norregaard
STR – Luke Moore
STL – Eyeman Henaini
Thanks for reading
Warren
Birdy
24 декабря, 2010 at 17:15
Hey Warren
Some very nice signing there lets hope you can be promoted like me over at nottingham
Best of luck.
Birdy
warren
25 декабря, 2010 at 16:59
Hi Birdy
Thanks I am pretty pleased with the signings I have made and Im sure that we can at least get a play-off spot.
Darren Smith
24 декабря, 2010 at 18:14
Excellent signings mate, especially O’Dea and Watson. They should help your promotion push. I reckon we’ll be watching a play-off battle at least this year…Goodluck mate
warren
25 декабря, 2010 at 17:00
I was really suprised to see these players without a contract so without hesitation I snapped them up and I am really glad that I did. Play-offs is where I am aiming this season and hopefully with a bit of luck I can go higher.
Lye Kuek Hin
24 декабря, 2010 at 20:37
Hi Warren,
Good signings in center of defence and midfield area should see your side tighten up the defence. You will surely improve on last season finish. I hope you have a good season. Good luck.
warren
25 декабря, 2010 at 17:02
Hey Lye
I had a problem last season with the amount of goals that I conceded and I feel that the players I have brought in they will certainly conqure this problem and I can have a really successful season
ravenie
25 декабря, 2010 at 08:47
I’m liking the signings. Hjalte Norregardd is a real worker, he can shoot and has a great array of passing. Sean Morrison will improve with regular game time and I would suggest retraining him to right back :)
warren
25 декабря, 2010 at 17:36
Hi Ravenie
Morrison is a player I am really excited to watch as I think that with the right guidence he can go far. I will take into concideration your suggestion of training him at right back and will probably go thorugh with it was I think that right back is a bit of a weak area.
Kevin
26 декабря, 2010 at 10:02
Hi Warren
Nice signings especially the free ones :) I’m currently tracking Butland and O’Dea in my game but you are a little ahead of me so it will be intersting to see how they perform. Good luck with the new campaign and enjoy the rest of the festive season.
warren
27 декабря, 2010 at 13:51
Hi Kevin
What I have brought into the sqaud this season has defientely boosted my chance of getting a place in the Premier League this season. I am looking forward to seeing both Butland and O’Dea play and I cannot wait for this season to start.
Johnny Karp
26 декабря, 2010 at 10:50
That eleven looks quite solid, you will surely be in the promotion race. Ben Watson should do very well, good capture!
warren
27 декабря, 2010 at 13:53
The starting eleven looks very strong but what I am also pleased about is the strength in depth of my sqaud now and I believe that we can make a better fist of reaching the play-offs at the least this season.
Sears
26 декабря, 2010 at 12:14
Wonderful signings Warren. I’m sure you can challenge for play off spot this season. Good luck!
warren
27 декабря, 2010 at 13:53
Thanks Sears and I hope I can push even further
Ana Garcia
27 декабря, 2010 at 15:37
Like everyone else has said good signings!
Hopefully you can find some form and push for the playoff’s this season!
Good luck! :)
warren
28 декабря, 2010 at 11:30
Thanks and I really hope that I can live up to what my expectations of the season are and be challenging for a promotion spot into the Premier League