The new Pools boss professes to prefer working with smaller squads while all of his first four summer signings are capable of playing in multiple positions.
When it is used to add to an already strong squad, the loan market can be hugely beneficial for all concerned – just think of the impact the likes of Luke Armstrong, Tyler Magloire, Lewis Cass, Richie Bennett and Danny Elliott made in Dave Challinor’s promotion-winning side in the 2020/21 campaign.
However, an excess of loans is usually a sign that something is amiss and that summer recruitment has been wide of the mark – consider the struggles of Ciaran Brennan, Zak Johnson and Kwaku Oduroh when they were thrown into a disjointed side last term.
In all, Pools made a staggering 14 loan signings last season – of those, only Pete Jameson, Luke Hendrie and Terrell Agyemang could be considered, realistically, even partial successes.
Sarll will thus be hoping that he can use the loan market this season to add some talent – or injury cover when required – to his carefully selected team, which also includ
All four of Sarll’s initial summer acquisitions are versatile players with a solid track record of dependability; together, they racked up an outstanding 166 appearances in only the previous campaign.
While Jack Hunter and Nathan Sheron, two center midfielders, can both slot into defense, attackers Adam Campbell and Luke Charman can operate both centrally and out wide.
Furthermore, Sarll’s preference for a smaller team suggests that the adaptability of the new additions could be crucial.
He said on the club website, “To start with, I really don’t like working with huge squads.”
“It will be really beneficial for us if we can find athletes with traits and characteristics that fit in different settings.
“What I don’t want to do is to have to keep dragging players in – you can always determine the quality of the season you’re having by how you operate in that loan market.
“If we’re doing a hundred loans to fill in gaps, then our recruitment over the summer hasn’t been strong enough.
“Having those players that are able to move and manipulate a shape, and create different angles in teams, I think is really important.
“Then you get that commitment to playing and the one thing with players is that they’re pretty happy, pretty happy-go-lucky, as long as they’re playing games.
“What I don’t want is a huge squad with players just sat to the side.
“I’d rather a really tight-knit group that is contributing weekly.”
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