Keith Curle won't 'panic' in Hartlepool United transfer strategy despite current form ahead of Swindon Town trip

Curle takes his side to the County Ground this weekend to face a Swindon Town side on the fringes of the play-off places, with Pools sat at the foot of the League Two table. And Curle’s side have the added problems of what a humbling 6-0 defeat in the Papa Johns Trophy against Everton under-21s will also bring them as they search for a way out of trouble.

But while Pools have struggled for most of the season, particularly in defence, Curle has suggested he will not panic about their situation and bring players in for the sake of it ahead of January - although he has reiterated the club are continuing to monitor the free agent market.

“We’ve been actively looking, myself and Chris [Trotter], at the availability of players with the remit being we’re not going to bring anybody in who we don’t think is going to improve us in the here and now,” Curle told The Mail.

“We can’t afford for people to come in and take three or four weeks to get fit. What’s the point?

“But one thing, whether this is born out of experience or knowledge, is that I don't panic,” Curle added.

“I know where we’re at, but I don't run around panicking. I don’t run around signing players that, in my opinion, would not be beneficial to the football club.

“Some people do. Some people sign players for the sake of signing players to say that they’ve signed a player. That’s not me.”