By Albatross
February 1 2006

Just when you thought it was safe to take the day off from net watching, the news from the club finally breaks. Hartlepool United have announced that Martin Scott has been suspended while they investigate incidents in and around the Dressing Rooms following last Saturday's home defeat by Blackpool. While this isn't officially the end of Scott's time at Victoria Park, the fact he's been suspended is hardly a promising sign for him. Not many managers return to work following an investigation of this kind - even if innocent of whatever the charges placed against him may be, the fact that this sort of scrutiny is needed is an indication of how bad things are in the dressing room. Despite his comment earlier this week about what happens within the dressing room walls staying there, it seems that the club's management team have reason to disagree.

Rumours have of course been circulating since Saturday of what happened after the game, and while there is absolutely nothing confirmed it certainly indicates something went on that was more than a full and frank exchange of views. This is a big step for any club to make, and IOR would not do this for no reason. There's not much forthcoming from the club other than the usual terse statement, but then again if there's an investigation ongoing the club is hardly likely to prejudice things by saying it's into why Martin Scott decided it was appropriate to juggle with live kittens after the game to take a hopefully entirely fictitious example.

Not that once the investigation's complete that they'll be much more forthcoming. Rumour and speculation still surround the departure of Neale Cooper last season, and further back we only have a few (generally considered to be bitter) sideswipes from Mike Newell about the circumstances of his parting with the club. Whatever the result of the investigation, I wouldn't expect much beyond a brief statement in any case.

Where does this leave the club? The statement doesn't say how long the investigation may take, but it seems that not only Scott is under threat: breaking news from the club as I was about to post this is that it will be Paul Stephenson in charge of first team affairs rather than Steve Agnew. Does this mean Agnew is also part of what's going on? Maybe, maybe not - but the fact it's the Youth Team Coach rather than the Assistant Manager stepping up can't help but make you wonder. Will he be in charge for Saturday's visit to Rotherham? Poolies everywhere will be watching their mobiles, the net, and whatever other news sources are available with renewed intensity for the next couple of days.