Source: Northern_Echo
Turner expects Pools to prosper
CHRIS Turner believes he has a number of players at his disposal at Hartlepool United with the ability to make a real mark in the game.
Turner made 11 summer signings in revamping his Pools squad and his new-look team has made an early impression.
Last Friday’s 3-0 win at Oldham highlighted both the swift progress made and the potential of Turner’s charges this season.
And the manager doesn’t only see the scope for improvement this season, he’s looking to the future as well.
“I look at the team now and there’s three, four, five players who if they continue will attract attention from above,’’ he insisted.
“We put a lot of work into scouting at the end of last season and throughout the summer, both up and down the country and abroad and brought the right quality and character of players in.’’ Turner last week insisted James Brown could walk into any team in League One – and many team above that level as well.
And Denis Behan’s early form since signing from Cork and Gary Liddle’s defensive displays have not gone unnoticed by other clubs.
Turner added: “There’s a great spirit, formulated in early pre-season and in Holland – that’s what that trip was for.
“I’ve said we will have our ups and downs, like everyone else, but it’s how you handle it and respond. They showed their response after (losing to) Norwich at Oldham.
“I said over the summer what we wanted to achieve and what we wanted to get back at this club.
“When the players go out there we want to see them give their all. Don’t get too disappointed with one poor show (Norwich City) in seven games.
“There is a togetherness and a will to win amongst the boys. They have stuck to their tasks, what we asked of them.
“And on Friday at Oldham we gave nothing away, no scenarios where opponents had free headers, free shots at goal. It’s a different outlook to recent seasons, we needed new players and a new mentality.’’ Club captain Ritchie Humphreys return to training yesterday after an Achilles problem, meaning Turner has a full compliment of players at his disposal.
