Lee Clark issues Hartlepool United squad depth & transfer message after Barrow victory
Lee Clark has hailed the welcome strength in depth he has at Hartlepool United.
Lee Clark has hailed the welcome strength in depth he has at Hartlepool United - with strong options from the subs bench - after a major summer overhaul.
A total of 13 players left Victoria Park when the retained list was announced, with 14 new arrivals at the club as Pools target promotion back to the EFL from the National League. Their league campaign got off to the best possible start last weekend with a comprehensive 2-0 win over Barrow. Clark looked to his bench to help his side throughout the game and it is a sign of the depth now at his disposal.
The Pools boss has also confirmed that, for now, there won’t be any further incomings. Pools travel to Aldershot Town on Saturday afternoon for their first away game of the campaign.
Against Barrow, Jay Benn was replaced just three minutes into the second-half after picking up a knock and he was replaced by summer signing Neo Eccleston before Max Kouogun came on to replace former Newcastle United defender Liam Gibson just after the hour-mark. That strength in depth and much-needed options from the bench is something that has been lacking in recent seasons and it is now giving Clark a welcome headache.
Clark, speaking at his pre-match press conference at Maiden Castle ahead of the weekend trip to Aldershot Town, told the Mail: “Absolutely. I think the subs were just absolutely terrific to a man. They actually made us kick on again and that's all you want - to get all five of them to perform at the level they did, it's just a manager's dream. It means I can make a couple who are forced because of injury. That's why we've got the squad we've got and they carry on the great work those lads had done before them.
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“It also means that they continue to push to say, ‘I need a chance to start as well’. So, they're giving us problems each week to pick the best team and that's a great problem to have as a manager.”
Clark confirmed there was no further plans, at this stage, to add to the Pools squad. He told the Mail: “No, we're really happy with what we've got. We've got a great squad, a great togetherness. There's no more plans for any more players to come in.”
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