Hartlepool United's hunt for new recruits 'may take a little bit longer than it has done in the past'
Hartlepool United manager Nicky Featherstone admits his side's search for reinforcements “may take a little bit longer than it has done in the past".
Although Pools are believed to be working on a deal for Southend goalkeeper Nick Hayes ahead of this weekend's hotly-anticipated visit of Altrincham, the first home game since American businessman and investor Landon Smith completed his takeover of the club, there are concerns among the fanbase that Featherstone's side are light in other areas too.
In particular, Pools are conspicuously lacking in options down the left-hand side of their defence. Pools were already looking light down the left in the wake of Besart Topallaj's recall by parent-club Bromley - the Kosovan defender, who made 21 appearances at Victoria Park, has since sealed a permanent switch to Sutton - but the situation now appears even more precarious following Cameron John's red card during last Saturday's 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Woking.
The normally-reliable John endured a rare difficult afternoon as Pools were dismantled in Surrey, allowing Luton loanee Olly Sanderson to run across him and head home Woking's opener before struggling to get to grips with the outstanding Josh Osude.
As a torrid first half drew to a close, John was sent off on the stroke of half time after scything down Osude having had his pocket picked by the former Hashtag United man. Renowned for his reliability, level-headedness and composure, the red mist appeared to descend over John as he lunged from behind to take out Osude, leaving referee Callum Walchester little choice but to give the 26-year-old his marching orders.
Pools are now set to be without John for the next three matches as he serves his suspension - and the York loanee's absence is likely to be keenly felt.
Since signing for Pools over the summer, John has been arguably the outstanding performer so far this season, featuring in 26 of his new side's 29 matches and impressing at both left-back or as one of three centre-halves.
Whether or not Pools stick with a back three against Altrincham or revert back to a more conventional flat back four, Featherstone will surely be scratching his head when it comes to deciding who should start on the left side of his defence at the weekend.
Jay Benn, who filled in during the second half in Surrey, has been a regular so far this season but has struggled for form even on his favoured right side in recent weeks, while veteran Tom Parkes could well be set to return to the XI but the skipper is at his best in a more central role where his lack of pace and mobility are less likely to be exposed.
Featherstone might be tempted to turn to vice-captain Nathan Sheron, renowned for his versatility, but Pools would surely miss his drive and determination in the engine room, while young defender Louis Stephenson is being lined up for another loan move.
Whatever the case, Pools look set to adopt a more measured approach to recruitment as Smith, who is the co-founder of real estate company Tailwind Group, bids to lead them back to the Football League.
While Pools have had plenty of recruitment successes in recent years, the club have also signed more than their fair share of players who have failed to make any sort of impact at Victoria Park.
Now, Pools are set to adopt a more analytical approach to recruitment that the club hopes will allow them to compete with some of the sides in the National League who boast the biggest budgets.
Although the news is likely to be well-received by most of the fanbase, many of whom have grown increasingly disillusioned with the club's transfer policy since relegation back to the National League in 2023, it does mean that Pools might have to be patient, initially at least, when it comes to new additions.
"The club now have a thorough process and are going down a more analytical approach which supports the way that we want to play the game," Featherstone said.
"It will be a thorough process and it may take a little bit longer than it has done in the past. It's important for us as a football club now to not just get bodies in, but to get the right bodies in. We want players who are going to propel the club in the right direction rather than just bringing people in for the sake of it.
"We have to get the right people in now and I think the approach that the club is going to take will help massively in that sense."