By Albatross
September 10 2004

You wait ages for one, and then two arrive together! Alan Pouton has become Hartlepool United's second loan signing in as many days. The Gillingham midfielder goes straight into the squad for the game with Oldham, and adds some much needed experience to the Pools Squad. Newcastle-born Pouton is a central midfielder who has plenty of experience - exactly what Pools have been looking for. He goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's game with Oldham.

The 27 year old was on Newcastle's books as a youngster, and a trainee at Oxford but had to move to York to get his first taste of senior action; he made over 100 appearances for the Minstermen before Grimsby took him on loan and then signed him permanently for £150K just over five years ago. Injury and suspension may have restricted his appearances somewhat, but he still made over 130 appearances for the Mariners in four and a half seasons before leaving to join Gillingham in January.

Although initially a regular for Gillingham, his only appearance so far this season was in the Carling Cup - and Cooper has moved to bring him to Pools.

He was highly thought of at Grimsby, and although his somewhat rough and ready style in defence may have lead to a few cards he was most admired for his ability going forward. It's fair to say that Grimsby fans would love to have him back - one or two of them decribe him as "The Step-over King" and Gary spate of Three Fish (the Grimsby site on Sport Network) has previously described him as "possibly one of the most technically gifted players at the club for a long time" - encouraging news!

Whether Pouton will start or not tomorrow, he comes in to provide us with more options and, crucially, more experience. This is the sort of signing we'd been hoping to see - and while it may be for just a month initially, a permanent deal might not be out of the question.