Two keepers go as Turner issues Pools retained list
Michael Bridges - in?
By Clarence Rode
May 6 2009
Hartlepool’s soon-to-be-permanent manager Chris Turner is doing all he can to make the critics smile as he starts to rebuild the squad for next season. After announcing the return to Victoria Park of striker Adam Boyd and the expected return of keeper Dimi Konstantopoulos, Turner’s retained list should please a lot of people who spent much of the season demanding changes.
Goalkeepers Jan Budtz and Arran Lee-Barrett – not so long ago described as one of the best young keepers in League One by Turner – have both been freed, clearing the way for Dimi’s return on a season-long loan from Coventry.
Also freed are full-back Jamie McCunnie and youngsters Martin young and Joe Tait.
Pools have taken up the option of another year on the contract of Richie Jones, who had a fair first season after signing last summer from Manchester United.
Players whose contracts are due to end this summer and offered new deals are Michael Nelson, Matty Robson, Michael Mackay, Gary Liddle, Andy Monkhouse and Matty Tymon.
Expect some of them – Robson, Mackay, and Tymon - to snap the club’s hands off, while Liddle will probably follow suit and Nelson and Monkhouse might just have irons in other fires.
Midfielder Willie Boland, whose experience was badly missed during his injury-hit season, could be offered a new deal, along with striker Rune Lange, if their injuries make progress in the next few weeks.
We reckon both Boland and Lange could be a lot more useful to Pools – if they are fit – than a few others. With Boyd and James Brown there already and some people predicting that Michael bridges is due to sign, Pools could really do with a big man like Lange up front, and Boland’s midfield experience is virtually priceless.
Players already contracted for next season are: Brown, Ben Clark, Sam Collins, Mark Cook, David Foley, Richie Humphreys, Alan Power, Jonny Rowell and Antony Sweeney.
We’ve probably missed somebody out – lerruz know if we have – but we make than 20, and two of those are only possibles. That’s way short of last season’s total, so while Turner has hardly had a clear-out, he has scope for more newcomers … we hope, because he needs a full-back or two.
But go steady on Michael Bridges – the lad has huge talent, but injuries have ruined his career and he’s hardly been a regular for Carlisle this season. But the fans there like him, so perhaps as a squad player he could do a job.He has been on loan at Carlisle from Hull, where his contract expires in June.
But if we are going for a Carlisle player, how about Geordie midfielder Chris Lumsden, shown the door because of big budget cuts at Brunton Park?
He could do a great job for Pools -- gerrim signed Chris.
What will Pools do next season? Take a look at our new poll and vote now.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Cannot believe one or two of the players who have been offered new contarcts but not going to name them as their confidence must be shot to bits anyway after the last few weeks.
Bridges is a canny player at times but not consistent and injury prone
a}gets the managers job
b]who we sign