Hartlepool United

Pools agree Thompson loan switch
Hartlepool United have signed Leeds United winger Alan Thompson on an emergency one-month loan. The 34-year-old enjoyed a fruitful career with Bolton, Celtic, Aston Villa and earned one England cap against Sweden in 2004. Thompson has made 13 appearances for the Elland Road club this season, scoring once. Pools' boss Danny Wilson is expected to name the winger in his squad for the visit of Southend.

Wilson acclaim for striker Barker
Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson paid tribute to striker Richie Barker after Tuesday night's 3-2 win over Port Vale. The 32-year-old striker scored twice and suffered a facial injury as Pools fought back from two down to win and Wilson was delighted with his efforts. He told SSB: "He's so strong nothing wants to get him down. He's a tough boy, an old-school footballer. "He's not like Linford Christie running but what he can he does ever so well and that's why we need him." Pools midfielder Antony Sweeney remains on the transfer list, having failed to extend his contract but Wilson still holds the 24-year-old in high regard after a strong performance brought a goal. "You can't say anything about his celebrations," said Wilson. "He was so excited and rightly so. "He had a fantastic game today and was unlucky on other occasions not to score."

Wilson demands a positive finish
Hartlepool United boss Danny Wilson has admitted he is desperate to avoid ending the season on a low note despite avoiding relegation to League Two. Pools crashed to a 1-0 home loss to Millwall on Saturday and Wilson is keen to arrest their recent slump. "From our point of view we want to push ourselves on," he told SSB. "We've matched teams such as Leeds and Swansea. The three games we've got left are against sides at the top end so hopefully we can rise to the occasion." Pools have won just once in their last six games and face play-off hopefuls Brighton on Saturday.

Wilson urges fans understanding
Hartlepool United boss Danny Wilson has told fans they must be realistic about the club's progress this season after Saturday's defeat to Nottingham Forest. "We've got to remember that Forest won a European Cup not long ago and they get up to 30,000 fans when they're doing well," he told SSB. "They are a massive club and to compete against them at this level is great for Hartlepool. It doesn't overawe us. "We've got to be top of our game for the Forests and Leeds of the division. Pools have suffered in recent weeks from criticism over effort, particularly with nothing but pride to play for, and Wilson is adamant his players have given their all. "It's disappointing as we've played well in games but not come away with the results," he said. "It's not been disappointing with the attitude and commitment they've shown."

Wilson eyes defensive improvement
Hartlepool United boss Danny Wilson has admitted he will focus on cutting out the defensive mistakes that have blighted their season in League One. "We've said it so many times, we can't give teams goals," he told SSB. "It's not sprinkling magic dust, it's just doing things correctly and properly and defending properly. "We'll know in the next week who we're allowed to keep and who will be leaving. I would be very surprised if there aren't any new faces coming in."

Pools can enjoy cup run - Wilson
Hartlepool United manager Danny Wilson has backed his side to continue their cup run with victory against Leeds United in the Carling Cup on Tuesday. Pools also travel to League One title-challengers Leicester City on Saturday and Wilson admitted he and his players are geared up for the week ahead. "They're big games for us and I don't think the lads will need any getting up for them," he told BBC Tees. "They're very tough games and they're games we love to play." Meanwhile Wilson was delighted with the response from his side in Saturday's 3-3 draw with League One leaders Oldham Athletic at Victoria Park. Pools were two goals down at half-time but roared back in the second period to gain a deserved point and Wilson believes fitness was a key factor in their revival. "We got ourselves back in the game and then scored another two goals to boot - it was a fantastic game of football," he said. "It was a very hot day and credit goes to both teams for putting in a high-tempo exhibition. "That just shows the value of the fitness levels players have these days and that's expected of them every week."

Lee-Barratt save crucial - Wilson
Hartlepool United manager Danny Wilson has highlighted the contribution of goalkeeper Aaran Lee-Barratt after Tuesday's 1-0 win at Carlisle. Pools were cruising at 1-0 when Carlisle's Danny Graham found himself free in the area but Lee-Barratt kept the lead intact with a stunning save. "Two weeks ago we'd have been punished but Aaran came to our rescue," Wilson told BBC Tees. "It was a fantastic save, but they'll look at it as a missed chance." At the other end of the field James Brown took his tally for the season to seven in all competitions with a calm finish. And Wilson admitted he has been impressed with Brown's sharpness and the overall team play that produced the goal. "It was a great finish, and that's what the kid can do," he said. "That was possibly one of our best moves of the game. "When we got the ball and played a few little passes we looked good and that's where the goal came from."

Wilson uncertain of Kyle future
Hartlepool United manager Danny Wilson has admitted there are no guarantees as to the future of on-loan Coventry City striker Kevin Kyle at Victoria Park. Kyle, 27, is due to return to the Ricoh after Saturday's trip to Leyton Orient but Wilson confirmed he hopes to retain the Scot for a further period. "In an ideal world we'd like to keep him another two months, and Kevin would like to stay," he told BBC Tees. "We've put a phone call in to Coventry and it's a waiting game at the moment." Free-scoring Pools have benefitted from Kyle's physical presence, with the Scottish international netting three times in six games in his time in the North East. And Wilson is pleased to see his side getting among the goals and playing in an attractive manner. "The way we set ourselves up, we're quite an attack-minded team," he said. "We don't have the players to sit there for 90 minutes and defend but we do have the players to spring out on the counter-attack. "We've got an attacking outlook and I hope we can continue to play that way."

Turner fears over Porter fitness
Hartlepool United manager Chris Turner has expressed his worries regarding the condition of striker Joel Porter. Porter, 30, was forced to miss the trip to Oldham on Monday with tendonitis in his Achilles, and Turner is not sure when the Australian will return. "Since we've played Stoke Joel's not trained which is quite a concern," he told BBC Tees. "It's an injury that needs rest. The more you work them the worse they get -the physios are doing their best." Reports suggest that the Australia international, who has been with Pools for over five years, will return to his homeland at the end of the season, with Gold Coast United believed to be the location. Pools are in the middle of an injury crisis in the striker department, with Porter's name now added to that of Michael Mackay and long-term absentee James Brown, while Coventry City striker Kevin Kyle has also returned to his parent club following a loan spell. And Turner admitted there is a plan to bring in extra cover for the squad during the transfer window, if the right personnel can be found. "We, like everyone else, are looking at the strengths and weaknesses and if we can try to strengthen then we will," he said.

Pools sucker-punched, says Turner
Hartlepool United manager Chris Turner believes the timing of West Ham United's goals was the downfall of his side in their 2-0 FA Cup defeat. Pools conceded twice on the stroke of half-time to lose control of the tie but Turner believes his players had much to be proud from their display. "Two minutes and our world fell apart," he told BBC Tees. "But the game was going to plan and we hadn't had a great deal of pressure, the attitude and spirit was excellent." The club's run to the fourth round took in wins against Brighton, Fleetwood Town and Stoke City.

Striker Guy in Pools loan switch
Hartlepool have signed Doncaster Rovers striker Lewis Guy on a month's loan. Guy, 23, has been handed the number 28 shirt and will be in the squad for Saturday's visit of Leyton Orient and manager Chris Turner is an admirer. "Lewis has played 21 times for Rovers this season and I always liked him at Newcastle," he told BBC Tees. "He's very quick, very alert, very tricky - he plays up front or wide right but we'll use him wide right because we've missed pace there." " Daniel Nardiello's back in on Saturday, he's very quick so we've got more pace in the team which I think at this level is vital," he added. The forward scored Rovers' winner against Derby on the opening day, their first goal in the Championship, and has made 25 appearances this season, scoring twice. He also scored eight goals in the club's League One-promotion season, having joined the club in March 2005 from Newcastle United. Meanwhile Turner believes the club needs to get to 50 points if they are to finally consider themselves safe in League One this season. Pools are eight points off the drop-zone, but with teams so tightly packed in the middle of the table, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss is keen to accumulate points and look toward a top-half finish. "It's something you have to keep your eye on, you can't think you're eight points clear and not get involved," he said. "We need to get to 50 points, and that might not be enough, but if once you get to 50 points with a good gap behind you then I would think that would be safety. "It's something we want to do as quick as we can."

Long hauls affect Pools - Turner
Hartlepool United director of sport Chris Turner has highlighted the strain placed on his squad by long journeys such as Saturday's trip to Exeter. Cash-conscious Pools travel to certain games on the same day to save costs and Turner admitted the long-hauls force him to manage his squad carefully. "Seven-and-a-half hour journeys do take their toll on you when you've had two games in a week," he told BBC Tees. "Clubs like us, Carlisle and Exeter it affects us, it preys on the mind." Despite the impact of tiring journeys on the Pools squad, the Teessiders have enjoyed a promising start to the season and currently lie 12th, in the top half of the table. Defeats have come against Norwich, Colchester and Charlton in League One, but as Turner admits such results are to be expected in a very competitive division. "The teams that have beaten us are all up there and I'm not surprised that they're up there," he added. "Bristol Rovers, Charlton and Colchester - we've played some tough fixtures so far, we're in a good position, we're in the top half which is where want to build from as the season goes on. "But it's going to be very tight because apart from about six clubs everybody else can beat everybody else, so I don't think there's going to be a big gap between the bottom four and the top six."

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