Player Profiles

The current list of first teamers that Chris Turner has to choose from looks something like this :

Martin Hollund (GK) : Signed on a free transfer from Brann Bergen during season 1997/98. Started off a bit shaky but showed some excellent form towards the end of last season. Beginning to get a little stick from the Pools fans for his reluctance to come off his line for crosses. However Hollund is a superb shot stopper and has saved Pool on many occasions last season and has continued to impress this season

Andy Dibble (GK) : Chris Turner swooped for Dibble on deadline day last season, collecting him from Altringham and offering him an 18 month deal to provide some much needed competition for first choice keeper Martin Hollund. Started the season 99/00 as first choice but was soon displaced by Martin Hollund.

Darren Knowles (RWB) : An ever present in the Pool team since Knowles's free transfer from Scarborough. Recently signed a contract that will keep him at the Vic until the year 2001. Knowles is a crowd favorite mainly because of his 100% effort in every game.

Denny Ingram (CD/CM) : Ingram became a regular in the Pool defence during the season 98/99 after the departure of both Russell Bradley and Chris McDonald. Also featured as Captain on several occasions and became the clubs recognised penalty taker. Ingram was the subject of interest from Hull City during the summer of 99. Struggled to get in the team this season and now regularly captains Pool reserve team.

Graeme Lee (CD) : Lee looks certain to move on from Pool in the not too distant future. Spike as he is known, has already been watched by a number of scouts and continues to impress in the heart of the Pool defence. Spike picked up a lot of bookings last season resulting in a trip to Lancaster Gate to explain himself. This season Spike has again cemented his place in Chris Turner's side and is not collecting anywhere near as many cautions.

Michael Barron (CD) : Barron is Pool club captain and Mr Professional on the pitch. Always looks cool, calm and collected. Marshals the defence superbly and forms and excellent partnership with Greame Lee. Barron damaged shoulder muscles in training during October 98 and was ruled out for six weeks. This season Barron has again been his usual commanding self until a sending off against Swansea resulting in a three match ban.

Gary Stodder (CD) : Signed the day after Chris Turner took over, Strodder was the rock in heart of the 1997/98 Championship winning Notts County team. At £25,000 he looks a snip. After help Pool to survival last season Strodder was expected to be at the heart of Pools defence this season. However a bad injury in early September ruled him out until mid December when he replaced the suspended Micky Barron for the game against York City. A fit Strodder will always be pushing for a first team place.

Chris Westwood (CD) : Brought in by new Pool boss Chris Turner. Westwood was another member of the Wolves youth team coached by Turner. Westwood has struggled at first but has now began to show what Chris Turner new he could do. Under contract until the end of the season

Sam Shilton (LWB) : Chris Turner's friendship with Coventry City boss Gordon Strachan netted Pool the son of former England great Peter Shilton. Sam joined Pool on a trial basis and is near to agreeing a contract to stay at Pool until the summer of 2001.

Ian Clark (LWB) : After joining Pool from Doncaster as a left winger Clark has had a spell as a striker and is now currently playing at left wing back. This is not a natural role for Clark as a few too many games have highlighted. However when attacking down the left wing Clark still looks a danger and can put a good cross in. This season Clark has had Sam Shilton as competition for the left wing back role and has also been pushed into midfield in front of Shilton.

Gustavo Di Lella (CM) : Joined Pool from Blyth Spartans and has yet to establish himself in the first team. After an excellent display against Bolton in the Coca Cola Cup Gus looked likely to cement a first team place for himself. However a number of niggling injuries and some indifferent performances have meant Gus as been in and out of the team all last season. This season Gus had an impressive preseason but could not carry his form into 99/00. He is currently on loan at Blyth Spartans.

Danny Hughes (CM) : Chris Turner's second addition to the his Pool squad. At 19, Hughes has already been capped for Wales U18 team. Turner returned to Wolves to capture Hughes on a short term contract until the end of the season last season. Turner has worked with Hughes for three years and should know what he's getting. This season Hughes has been held back with injury problems and has not established himself in the Pool first team.

Tommy Miller (CM) : Progressed through Pools youth setup and is now beginning to establish himself in the centre of the Pool team. Comfortable on the ball and an intelligent passer. This season Tommy has been watched by a whole host of top flight clubs. Sunderland, Tottenham, Celtic to name just three have been present at the Vic on numerous occasions. With 10 goals to his name at Christmas 99 Tommy looks certain to move on from Pool in the year 2000.

Paul Stephenson (RW) : Stephenson joined Pool from York City towards the end of the season 97/98 and although he has been plagued by a number of injuries he's still managed to show glimpses of his undoubted skill. Stephenson has lost a yard of pace over the years but can still take players on fairly easily and put good crosses in. Pool's current set piece taker. This season Stephenson has soon an excellent improvement in form. Chris Turner has moved Stevo into midfield and given him a much greater responsibility. Stevo is revelling in his new role and playing some of the best football of his career.

Craig Midgley (CF) : Signed from Bradford City towards the end of the season 97/98. Midgley at first struggled to impress. The pint sized striker considers himself as more of a creater than scorer and at times his shooting highlights that theory. Last season Midgley looked a much better player running at defences and general causing a lot of bother. This season however with the introduction of Jones, Freestone and Henderson, Midgley has seen his first team chances greatly reduced. Figures on the bench frequently though.

Gary Jones (CF) : Gary Jones, scorer of 28 third division goals for champions Notts County meant golden boot for Mr Jones at the end of the season 97/98. Last season County struggled and brought in new strikers in a bid to bolster their own battle against relegation. Jones cost Pool somewhere around £60,000. A fee which he should payed back with ease. This season for all his hard work Jones has found goals difficult to come by. By Christmas he had increased his tally to five.

Chris Freestone (CF) : Chris Freestone joined Pool in a £70,000 deal from second division Northampton Town. Freestone earned a reputation for goals in the Middlesbrough reserve team and during his early career with Northampton. Scored vital goals for Pool towards the end of last season's relegation battle. Including two against Scarborough as bottom met second bottom in front of 5000 at the Vic. This season Freestone set of well with a brace at Carlisle, however he has now lost his place to Kevin Henderson.

Kevin Henderson (CF) : Chris Turner's first capture of the summer of 99. Former Blyth Spartans hitman Kevin Henderson. Henderson has come in from Burnley who paid £100,000 for him in the summer 0f 98. Henderson struggled with limited first team opportunites and jumped at the chance of joining Pool. This season Henderson waited patiently for his chance as Chris Turner waited to see if Jones and Freestone could form a partnership. When Henderson was given his chance he took no time to settle into the team. As the year turned Hendo was also on five goals.