Turner Defends Contract Offers To Fringe Players

Hartlepool United Director of Sport Chris Turner has defended his decision to offer new contracts to Michael Mackay, Gary Liddle and Matty Robson.

There was criticism from some fans when it was announced yesterday that the trio would all be offered new contracts at the club but Turner said it was the right decision to make.

Turner said that former non-league hotshot Mackay was a good squad player who could chip in with a couple of goals over the season ”Michael has not played in the best Hartlepool team as yet and we think we can get some goals out of him.

”We have to try to look for that player and look for potential in a player to score goals.”

He added that he’s looking for improvement from both Robson and Liddle after mixed seasons ”Those two (Robson and Liddle) have done well for the club at various times and both have got to get consistency.

”They can bring something to the club and help the team and squad be better than what it has been this year.” he told the Mail.

Turner then reiterated that the club would not splash the cash on replacing the whole squad and would seek to imporve what is already in place ”We are not in the market to pay £300,000, £400,000 or £500,000 for players. If it was as easy as getting rid of 22 players and bringing 22 fresh ones in, then every football club would do.”