Football's a funny old game – it's the oldest saying in the book but is so true.

Consider the following.

When Blackpool lost what many fans would consider their best two players in the summer things looked bleak.

If Pool had struggled to stay in the Championship with tricky winger Wes Hoolahan and defensive rock Kaspars Gorkss in the team, how on earth would they fare without them?

One post on a Blackpool fans' website read: "This is the end of the club as we know it. We may as well give up now because we'll finish bottom this season and probably get relegated to League Two the year after."

Yet, judging by the draw at Norwich and the victory at Southampton – not to mention the signing of players of the quality of Rob Edwards, David Vaughan and Adam Hammill – it may not be as bad as first feared.

But while Pool are doing OK in the Wes and Kaspar-less era, the curious thing is how badly the former Bloomfield Road heroes have started at their new clubs.

If Hoolahan and Gorkss haven't heard of the phrase 'the grass is always greener' they may want to look it up.

>> Gow could go straight in for Pool

No-one can blame them for wanting to move to a 'bigger' club, on better wages, or for wanting to further their careers. But neither has had an enjoyable start elsewhere

Perhaps the biggest surprise is how much the man who was undoubtedly the Seasiders' biggest star has struggled.

Wes Hoolahan moved to Norwich for £250,000 and wowed the fans during pre-season with his usual dazzling array of tricks and magic moments.

But barely a month into the season and Hoolahan has already been given a very public hammering by Canaries boss Glenn Roeder.

Hoolahan tried to win the ball in a 50-50 tackle by flicking it over his opponent against Cardiff last week. It didn't work. Cardiff won possession and went on to score.

Hoolahan was substituted at half-time and Roeder had this to say after the game.

"He wasn't injured – he got taken off because I wasn't happy with his performance and he has to do better in training this week to get a place in the team next week," said the Norwich manager.

"I think it is a whole new ball game for Wes Hoolahan at Norwich, where it is a much bigger club than Blackpool.

"I think at Blackpool he was the star of the show and I think he was allowed to basically do what he wants.

"Well, no, not here – he will play my way or he won't play."
Roeder described Hoolahan's part in Cardiff's first goal, after just three minutes, as "unacceptable".

"It was a bad goal to give away from our point of view. Wes Hoolahan will be very disappointed and he got told that at half-time.

"I knew what he was trying to do – he was trying to lift the ball away from the defender and jump at the same time. You can't do that. It is a 50-50 tackle and you have to win the ball. You have to make the tackle.

"He almost looks like he is jumping out of the way not to get injured and that's totally unacceptable. Wes has been told that and he understands that."

Not quite the Fergie hairdryer treatment but not far off, and not a good way to start at a new club.

Over at QPR, Gorkss – another who took advantage of a clause in his contract and moved on – has had a similarly ragged start.

After spending all summer trying to complete Gorkss' move from Blackpool to Loftus Road, QPR boss Iain Dowie – who tipped Gorkss to be a massive part of the London's club's future – has already dropped the Latvian from his starting 11.

Gorkss had what might be termed a bit of a nightmare in Rangers' second match at Sheffield United.

He was marking Billy Sharp, who scored a hat-trick.

Gorkss was left out of the squad altogether for the next game – a 2-0 home win over Doncaster – and has only been on the bench since.

Former Pool striker Andy Morrell, who played with and befriended both Hoolahan and Gorkss, has followed their fortunes closely and has sympathy.

He also thinks he knows why they are struggling.
"Wes has moved 300 miles from where had a really good life," explained Morrell.

"He knew he'd play every week at Blackpool, and he knew he had players like Claus Jorgensen and John Hills who would look after him and make sure he was OK.

"He's gone to the other end of the country, where he doesn't know anybody. That is going to be really, really hard for him.

"However, his footballing ability is second to none. I think I'd agree with Shaun Barker, who said Wes is one of the best players he has played with.

"He is a fantastic player. He gave us that edge in the Championship that we needed.

"He maybe didn't score as many as some people thought but you were able to give him the ball when you were under pressure and he'd keep it for five minutes.

"He'd dribble around and the defence could get out – everybody could take a breather.

"It definitely will work out for him. It's just about him settling in and it will take time. But what an amazing talent."

As for Gorkss, Morrell again cites the fact that settling into new surroundings often isn't as easy as you'd think.

"Kaspars is very raw but I really liked him because he is horrible to play against – I know that from training," Morrell added.

"He's like a rash, all around you. He has pace, is good in the air and is a left-sided centre-back, which not many are.

"I think he'll do well but it doesn't happen overnight. You have to settle in. Dowie is a very good manager who will teach him."

It will be interesting to see how the duo fare, but they can take some comfort from the fact that they aren't the only ones struggling since leaving Bloomfield Road in the summer.

John Hills had unsuccessful trials at Aberdeen, Swindon and Oldham and has signed for Fleetwood on a short-term basis, while he continues to search for a Football League club.

There's also Keigan Parker. The Scot was hoping for a new start at Huddersfield but has been consigned to the substitutes' bench in the league so far.

He finally got his first real chance at Millwall, replacing the injured Danny Cadamarteri after 20 minutes.

But Parker lasted only 49 minutes before being subbed himself.

Huddersfield lost 2-1 and Parker was back on the bench on Saturday.

The conclusion? Seems life at Bloomfield Road might not be so bad after all.