The FIVE Hartlepool United players to watch in 2021 – former Sunderland, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough players feature

Joe Grey

No one was expecting much from the 17-year-old when he was handed his first professional contract at Pools in the summer.

He’d had an impressive season with the club’s disbanded youth side in 2019-20 and looked promising in the Durham Challenge Cup, but it always looked likely that his impact on the first team this season would be limited to none.

Yet as we enter 2021, the teenager has been a breath of fresh air when given the opportunity with his high work-rate and technical ability troubling even the most experienced National League defenders.

He’s the youngest player to start a National League game this season and set a record for Pools’ youngest ever FA Cup goalscorer following the 6-0 win at Ilkeston Town.

We shouldn’t expect him to become a regular straight away, but he’s surely only going to get better in 2021.

Luke Armstrong

What an impact he’s made. Five goals in his first five league games have helped shoot Pools back into play-off contention.

The side finally have a reliable goalscorer to base their attacks around and cause defenders problems.

Players like Armstrong are hard to come by and without putting too much pressure on the 24-year-old, Pools’ hopes of a successful season rest firmly on his ability to find the net.

The fact Salford City have a recall option for his loan in January is something to keep an eye on but the player has made it clear that he wants to stay at Pools for the remainder of the season.

Hopefully it’s beyond that!

Jamie Sterry

Three games played, three wins and two clean sheets. It’s clear Sterry is a class above the National League as literally nothing has got past him since he’s arrived.

Whether he’ll be at Pools for much longer remains to be seen given the nature of his deal at Victoria Park and the fact the transfer window for EFL clubs is now open.

It’s a situation that we will be monitoring very closely, but the longer he remains at The Vic the better for Pools.

Luke Molyneux

Last summer’s marquee signing is still yet to hit the heights of his dazzling loan spell from Sunderland during the second half of the 2018-19 season.

Whether it be due to injury issues or coronavirus, Molyneux’s time at The Vic hasn’t quite panned out as initially hoped as he’s been limited to just 13 league starts since signing permanently, scoring twice.

For a player deemed too good for this level and undoubtedly one of Pools’ most technically gifted individuals, Molyneux – who turns 23 this year – needs to start playing regularly and delivering.

Luke Williams

A player that just does not know how to give up. It’s hard to say what impact Williams will have at Pools this year but it will be impossible not to pay close attention to his progress.

The 27-year-old is back fit and in contention for the first team having started and scored in the FA Trophy at Halifax Town just before Christmas.

If he can stay fit, Pools will have some player on their hands – but it’s a big if.

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