Hartlepool boss rues ‘ridiculous’ knockbacks

Scott Fenwick celebrates his goal for Hartlepool United against Stevenage. Picture by FRANK REID

RONNIE Moore has been frustrated in his efforts to add another striker to his squad – branding the number of knock backs as “ridiculous”.

Pools added Plymouth Argyle striker Marvin Morgan on loan on Deadline Day, while defender David Mirfin was brought in from Scunthorpe United.

But Moore’s attempts to bring in another striker have so far hit the buffers.

He today told SportMail that the club has scope to add one more player to the squad, either on loan or as a free agent, but the priority is adding another frontman.

Morgan and Marlon Harewood struggled badly in the 3-1 defeat to Stevenage but Scott Fenwick did come off the bench to score his fifth league goal for the club.

The search for reinforcements up front will continue today.

“We cannot bring in the three players we’d like to,” said Moore.

“We have room for one more at this present time but bringing one in all depends on what we can find.

“I have been trying to get a striker but it is ridiculous how hard it has been – I have a list as long as my arm with plenty of nos on it!

“That is why we went for the experience of Marvin but he has been missing games.

“If you are going to get yourself fit then you have to run about.

“After scoring the winner against Northampton he should have been running around like a two-year-old against Stevenage, express yourself and put them under pressure.”

Moore told SportMail he was reasonably happy with his transfer business in recent weeks, including bringing in pacy Middlesbrough midfielder Jordan Jones.

The pacy 20-year-old is comfortable in midfield or in a more advanced forward role and is currently on the books at Championship side Boro.

Jones was named on the bench against Stevenage and came on in place of Morgan after 75 minutes.

Pools were 3-1 down by then and the Boro youth didn’t have much chance to express himself.

Moore added: “Jones put a great ball in late on and if you have a goalscorer up there then they should be getting across the goalkeeper.

“He has ability and pace but only trained with us on Friday so it was difficult to throw him straight in.

“Jones will add something to us for sure.

“He is only a young kid and still learning but we needed pace and competition if we continue to play with the two wingers.”

Trialist Ebby Nelson-Addy, a 22-year-old midfielder from Conference North side Brackley Town, has been training with Pools and Moore is planning talks with his agent after he impressed in a reserve match.