Woods loan extended, will Clark be next?

By Albatross
October 12 2004

Neale Cooper has had a boost today with the news that Martin Woods will remain on loan with Hartlepool United for another month. Rumours continue that Ben Clark could also be about to arrive at Victoria Park.

The renewal of Woods' loan deal comes after some decent performances from the Scot, and Cooper will be pleased to have retained him after Pouton was recalled by Gillingham. He'll be back for the game against Chesterfield on Saturday after playing for Scotland u19 in their UEFA u19 qualifiers, during which he scored during a 4-0 victory over San Marino and started all three games.

Meanwhile, the rumours about Ben Clark have re-surfaced; apparently Clark would be interested in coming to Pools as he's being increasingly marginalised at Sunderland. Danny Collins has arrived from Chester to provide yet more competition in his favoured centre half role, and the article on Sunderland's official site ends with the comment that he'll be competing with Neill Collins for a place but with both of them having to get ahead of Breen and Steve Caldwell - Clark's name being conspicuous by it's absence.

Friday's defeat at Luton may have won us praise from some of the home side's fans - but there was plenty for Cooper to be unhappy about. We created chances but failed to finish them, and leaked another three goals - we have now conceded 15 in 6 games away from the Vic, and have lost all but one game on our travels. Our home form is bearing up well - we have the third best record in the division - but we need to rediscover the away form that we showed last season if we are to make a sustained challenge for the top half dozen. If Clark can help us tighten up our defence then he'd be a great addition.