The departures of Tom Crawford and Callum Cooke were the two headline-grabbers from last month’s retained list, published just three days after new manager Darren Sarll’s official appointment.
Between them, the pair played 75 games for Pools last season and were regulars in the heart of midfield alongside veteran Nicky Featherstone, who is expected to play a less prominent role next season after signing a “transitional” player-coach deal.
Pools require a number of new midfield players following the return to his native France of mercurial Frenchman Anthony Mancini, who saw his season cut short by injuries to only 14 appearances, and Kieran Wallace, who also struggled with ongoing fitness concerns.
Of the trio who remain at the club, two are injured while one turns 36 in September, and none are obviously suited to the more robust, energetic and intense style that Sarll has promised.
Naturally, all three still have much to give, especially Mancini, who has the makings of one of the top midfielders in the National League.
Cooke and Crawford were two of the nine players that Sarll released; several were disappointed by Josh Umerah’s departure. Since then, the striker has signed with Dagenham and Redbridge, two National League opponents.
Other than that, there were not too many more surprises, with Paul Hartley’s ill-fated Scottish recruits, the luckless Alex Lacey and Mikail Ndjoli, who didn’t kick a ball for Pools all season, all heading for the exit door.
Joel Dixon and Manny Onariase, both signed last summer on two-year contracts, have been made available for transfer but it remains to be seen if either of the pair will attract interest following difficult first seasons in the North East, particularly for Dixon, who kept just one clean sheet in 26 games.
And Barron, who made almost 400 appearances for Pools and led the side out in the 2005 League One play-off final, feels his former team will need to sign two or three midfielders but thinks that Sarll got most of the big decisions right despite having limited time to make his mind up prior to the publication of the retained list.
“I think the midfield does need an overhaul,” he said.
“There are certain players who are still under contract who, in my opinion, would have left as well if they weren’t.
Many people found the middle to be a very problematic area, so I believe Sarll will need to add midfield players.
You understand, I know, that he has made Nicky Featherstone the go-to guy between the players and the staff.If I’m being completely honest, I don’t see him starting the season.
“They will need to add two or three midfield players.
I wasn’t overly surprised by the remaining names on the retained list.
“I believe a lot of adjustments were necessary, particularly considering how poorly this season has gone for you.
“It’s good to see David Ferguson (Fergie) signed on, as I believe it to be a significant addition.
“Like everyone else, I’m just waiting to see who comes in.”
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