Simon Grayson's priorities and Whitby preview

Hartlepool Mail

Robbie Stelling and Rich Mennear preview Hartlepool United's clash against Whitby and what Simon Grayson's next priorities will be on the latest episode of the Poolie Podcast.

Transcript

00:00Just sort of finally then, we're going to head to Whitby away on Saturday.

00:03Obviously, the pre-season fixtures are going to come pretty thick and fast now

00:08for the squad, which will be a real test on the size of the squad as well,

00:12given that they've got another two games Saturday and then next Tuesday, I think.

00:17So, yeah, games come thick and fast.

00:18Do you anticipate how do you think you'll approach the next couple of games,

00:23Sam and Grayson, in terms of team selection?

00:25Just a case at this stage of building minutes and rotating

00:27and 45 minutes here and there for everyone?

00:30I think so.

00:31Certainly speaking to him on Tuesday after the game,

00:34I got the sense that Saturday's game at Whitby will be very similar

00:37in terms of they play two different 11s with 45 minutes each.

00:42It's obviously a good chance to get minutes into the legs.

00:46Grayson will, of course, be working closely with these players on the training ground.

00:50He's a hands-on coach.

00:52He likes to do a lot of the coaching, which I always like in a manager as well.

00:57And, of course, the time spent on the training ground will probably be as important,

01:01if not even more important, than these initial pre-season friendlies.

01:04But I think we'll see two different 11s.

01:07It's a chance, of course, to have a look at some of the trying lists.

01:10Once again, I'm not sure that there were any on Tuesday night who necessarily did enough

01:14to say, look, you've got to give me a new contract.

01:17But there were one or two who I think were reasonably impressive.

01:20And I think Pools will perhaps want to have at least another look at in a competitive environment.

01:26Of course, that's something these next couple of games will be used for as well.

01:31And it's all about increasing that sharpness, that match fitness and getting back up to speed

01:35before Pools have a few interesting games against the likes of Rangers 11 and Middlesbrough 11

01:40and in Leeds 11.

01:42And then pretty much before you know it, they'll play South Shields on August 2

01:46and then the new season will be upon us again.

Category

Transcript

Recommended