Derek Soutar - pen save

By Clarence Rode
July 17 2008

Scottish goalkeeper Derek Soutar has posed a problem for Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson with an impressive trial period topped by a penalty save in the goalless draw against Falkirk. Apart from his great stop, though and the fact that a few good chances went astray, there wasn’t a lot to get too excited about in the game at Stirling University.

Soutar’s save, early in the second half, and his general form since joining the club on trial, have been impressive – and that's what is  giving the manager a problem as he decides whether to offer the Scot a contract.
The match might not have been a thriller, but everybody had a good run around as players tried to impress in time for the big kick-off in just over three weeks time, and in theory an away draw against a better-than-average Scottish side isn’t too bad, even though there was nothing at stake.
The trouble with former Aberdeen keeper Soutar doing well is that Pools already have two senior keepers on their books in Arran Lee-Barrett and Jan Budtz (right), while teenager Mark Cook signed a contract last week after being released by Newcastle.
How many keepers do Pools want, and how many can they afford to keep?
As in the win over Greenock Morton on Tuesday, there were lots of changes by Pools, with players coming and going and swapping positions until it became quite confusing at times.
But boss Danny Wilson says things are taking shape, the players are getting fitter with every game, and he is getting a better idea of who is going to play where when it really matters.
The next test is Saturday's home friendly with Newcastle United, and a week later Pools take part in their own centneary tournament, with Sunderland, Huddersfield and Hamilton Accies also involved.

Pools: Soutar, Sweeney (sub 74 Collins), Nelson, Clark, Humphreys, Liddle (sub 81 Power), Boland (sub 60 Jones), Monkhouse (sub 46 Robson), Foley (sub 55 McCunnie), Barker (sub 46 Brown), Porter (sub 72 Mackay).