Our Hartlepool United writer Robbie Stelling has graded and assessed every Pools player as Nicky Featherstone's side gear up for the National League run-in.
25. Brad Walker: E
The club's first summer signing - and not one of the most well-received - Walker returned to Victoria Park having made more than 100 appearances for Pools at the beginning of his career. The 29-year-old arrived having missed the entire second half of last season through injury and fitness issues have continued to plague him this term, making just four starts and eight substitute appearances. When he has been available, Walker has moved the ball well enough - Simon Grayson appeared to be a fan, hailing him as a "proper footballer" - but his lack of mobility and dynamism have severely limited his effectiveness. Photo: Adam Cook/The Corner Photography
26. Jermaine Francis: C
The 23-year-old started the season brightly after sealing a summer move from Barnet but completed a permanent switch to fellow National League side Sutton last month after falling out of favour under Nicky Featherstone, leaving under something of a cloud. Was hailed for his attitude and effort during the opening weeks of the campaign, even returning early from international duty with Grenada following the sacking of Simon Grayson, although he did have a habit of chasing lost causes and dragging his own side out of shape. Nonetheless, showed flashes of quality but seemed to struggle after finding himself out of the side under Featherstone - his frequent trips to the Caribbean to represent Grenada, while a source of pride for Pools fans, probably didn't help his cause - and he left amidst an apparent war of words off the pitch. Difficult to tell quite what went wrong for him and many Pools supporters would have liked to see him remain at Victoria Park. Photo: Adam Cook/The Corner Photography
27. Sam Folarin: C-
Hardly had a look in under Simon Grayson, making just four fleeting substitute appearances before being shipped out on loan to National League South side Chelmsford City, where he scored twice in 18 games. Has been given a handful of opportunities since returning from Essex by Nicky Featherstone, doing enough to earn his first Pools start of the season against Aldershot at the end of last month following three impressive cameos from the bench. The 25-year-old looked bright against the Shots but Featherstone criticised his end product after the game and he was an unused substitute against Tamworth at the weekend. Has failed to convince a series of Pools managers, making just three starts since signing from Harrogate in January 2025, but his raw pace and running power means he often carries a threat, even if he is more than a bit rough around the edges. Remains to be seen whether he'll get the chance to become the player Pools fans hoped he would be when he first signed; at this stage, that's starting to feel a bit unlikely. Photo: Frank Reid
28. Tyrese Sinclair: C+
The 24-year-old has been a little bit peripheral in his first two Pools appearances having sealed a loan move from title-chasing York, although he has shown enough to suggest he has the potential to make a success of his time at Victoria Park. If things go well between now and the end of the season, then Pools might be tempted to try and make the loan move permanent over the summer. Photo: Frank Reid