Hartlepool United’s Luke James attracts 21 scouts to Victoria Park for Bournemouth game
Luke James attracted a host of scouts to watch him against Bournemouth. Picture By Frank Reid
NEALE Cooper has revealed that there were 21 scouts at Victoria Park to run the rule over teenage ace Luke James at the weekend.
The 17-year-old has attracted attention as a result of the goalscoring exploits which saw him pick up the league’s apprentice-of-the-month prize for January.
And there was a strong contingent of Championship and Premier League observers in the stands at the Vic during Saturday’s goalless draw with Bournemouth.
James, though, failed to hit the heights of his previous outing against Carlisle United, during which he netted twice in a 4-0 rout.
But Cooper says it would be unfair to judge the youngster on the evidence of one afternoon.
“Luke was up against two good defenders and he knows he struggled a bit,” the Pools chief told SportMail today.
“At that age he will be up and down and he came in afterwards and was honest about it, he had an off-day and will learn from it.
“But everything’s been great so far – nice headlines and that happens with young lads.
“I know there were a lot of scouts there to watch him - 21 of them - but we didn’t tell him that.
“He is a very good player and can’t be judged on one game.”
Read more in today’s Sportmail, plus Craig Hope’s full match report and more reaction and photos.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Hartlepool
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: East
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.