New striker & No1 goalkeeper the Hartlepool United transfer priorities amid Will Harris interest
Chris Beech has been discussing some of the key transfer priorities for Hartlepool United this summer.
A new No1 goalkeeper and a striker remain key transfer priorities for Hartlepool United this summer.
FC Halifax Town striker Will Harris - who remains under contract at their National League rivals - is one target for Pools this summer though it would appear they would likely need to shell out a significant transfer fee to land their man. Another priority is a new No1 after Nick Hayes was one of 13 players to leave this summer.
Hayes has joined National League rivals Aldershot Town just over a month after his departure from Victoria Park was confirmed. The former Southend United stopper was one of a number of signings made by Pools in the aftermath of a takeover by American businessman Landon Smith over the festive period. Hayes went on to make 19 appearances during the second half of the season and kept six clean sheets during that time - but his time with Pools was brought to an end when he was named on a list of 13 players to depart the club.
With Harris, Pools are keen on a move for the former Sunderland and Gateshead striker after he plundered his way to 22 goals in 43 appearances for National League rivals FC Halifax Town last season. After adding experienced frontman Jordan Hugill and Morecambe forward Jack Nolan to their attacking ranks over the last three weeks, head coach Lee Clark and head of recruitment Chris Beech are keen to bring more forward talent to Victoria Park and Harris is believed to be on their list of targets.
Beech, when asked about interest in Will Harris and the need for a new No1 goalkeeper, told the Mail: “Look over the five-year averages, the club needs to score more goals, so we need players that can look to do that. It ain't just necessarily just up to the forwards, it's collective. You need a team to score enough goals to have a chance of being successful.
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“To do that, it can be through your set plays, there are different things to get you there, you need your midfield players to get in the box more. You need to take more chances, score goals themselves. It can come from different areas - it's not just that centre-forward area. We've obviously got to try and recruit them players, which we feel we've started doing.
“But, of course, we've got to build on what was excellent about Hartlepool, been very good at not conceding, really good. So, we've got to make sure that we get a competent goalkeeper that can play at pace and support attacks. Keep the ball out of the net, that's the most important thing and support that back four, or back five. If you're looking to play two strikers at home, play with a back four and develop different patterns from that.”
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