'We feel..' - Hartlepool United boss Lee Clark has his say on transfer business at Victoria Park
Hartlepool United transfer news - Lee Clark provides an update.
Hartlepool United head coach Lee Clark is delighted with the transfer business done at The Vic this summer ahead of the season opener against Barrow on Saturday.
It was been a remarkably busy summer at Pools with 13 players released and 14 brought in, a complete summer squad overhaul with change happening on and off the pitch with Clark replacing Nicky Featherstone in the dugout. Pools, for now, have completed their transfer business with the squad having strong options in all positions all over the pitch. Pools host Barrow at The Vic on Saturday (KO 3pm).
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It has been a major summer of change, the retained list saw the departure of 13 players in the aftermath of what was a disappointing season last time out. Clark and head of recruitment Chris Beech then set about transforming the playing squad, which included the recent signings of goalkeeping duo Nathan Fisher and Max Merrick taking the total number of new arrivals to 14.
The summer rebuild kicked off with the signing of experienced striker Jordan Hugill and further attacking additions followed in the shape of Will Harris, Chris Popov, Terry Bondo and Jack Nolan. The defensive ranks have been strengthened with a permanent deal for former loan signing Cameron John and the arrivals of Liam Gibson, Neo Eccleston and the highly-rated Charlie Penman and Owen Hampson - currently out injured - will hope to challenge for a place in Clark’s midfield. The Pools boss will hope former Spennymoor Town man Corey McKeown and Brooklyn Ilunga can also shine during their first season at The Vic.
Asked if there were any further areas he wanted to strengthen, Clark told the Mail: “No, we're delighted with the work we've done. Like I said, we've been fortunate, the first day of pre-season, most of it was done. But sometimes you have to wait a little bit longer to get the right ones in and the case in point is obviously the goalkeeping position.
“I think everyone's seen in the last few games, what an unbelievable talent we have in young Max but that obviously had to wait a little bit longer, with Chelsea coming back a little bit later pre-season, and then Max being involved in the early part of their pre-season work. So it's about getting the right players, and we feel we've done that.”
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