CHRIS Turner's planning for next season began in earnest yesterday.

The Hartlepool United manager saw his side fall at the play-off hurdle for the second season in a row on Wednesday as Pool were beaten by Blackpool.

Pool lost 5-1 on aggregate to Steve McMahon's rampant side, but the Pool chief insists his side will come back stronger when the new campaign kicks-off in August.

While Turner had no complaints about the outcome, he was yesterday locked in talks with chairman Ken Hodcroft as he started drawing up his his blueprint for the 2001-2002 season.

Turner could announce his retained list for next season today. He has already tied down Micky Barron, Kevin Henderson, James Sharp and Paul Stephenson to extended contracts to keep them at Victoria Park beyond next season.

But with the majority of his squad out of contract this summer, Turner has tough decisions to make in the coming weeks.

He said: "We have a lot of players out of contract and we have to make decision on their futures.

"Some players have been here a long time and we have to decide if they will stay. That decision will happen soon.

"We know what we want to do and we eed to make the decisions on how we can improve things. We will look at where we need strengthening, we cannot stand still or think we can afford to rest on our laurels.

"We have improved on last season and now we have to do it again next time around.

"I am as disappointed as the fans - they have all been great this season, but I won't settle for second best, I will strive for better next season.

"I think you always have to set your sights on the championship and the play-off is second best. It was very disappointing on Wednesday night - but now we have to look for next season.''

The Pool chief admitted he learnt a lot abut his players as they fell short of the grade against Blackpool.

"You are always looking for a bit more from your players, but again they played better than us,'' he said. "Their back four were strong and found we were playing against a team full of confidence.

"I don't want to settle for second best and the play-offs next season, I want automatic promotion.

"We finished in fourth place, which is the third highest position the club has finished its history - I'm proud of what the players have done, but now I want to do better.

"We were well beaten on Sunday and well beaten on Tuesday. We pulled it back to 1-1 and then we are thinking 'can we win it tonight?' But Jermaine's sending off has cost us - he will be disciplined for it - and then soon it is 3-1.

"I have to hold my hands up and say they were better than us over the two games."

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