Ellis Replacement Soon..

[royalgull]

I'd still quite like us to try and get Clarke Carlisle, he's only 32 and was playing in the Prem only a couple of seasons ago. At this level he'd be a real leader in the team and could still do a decent job. Great person for the likes of MacKenzie and Cruise to learn from as well.

[Richinns]

I'd still quite like us to try and get Clarke Carlisle, he's only 32 and was playing in the Prem only a couple of seasons ago. At this level he'd be a real leader in the team and could still do a decent job. Great person for the likes of MacKenzie and Cruise to learn from as well.

Not so sure about Carlisle. Did not work and Northampton for him and his off the field role responsibilities seem to be of more importance to him than the end of his footballing career. Rather we avoided him if truth be told.

[RussianGull]

more interested in going on countdown than guiding the gulls from the back

[AustrianAndyGull]

Agree with Richinns about CC. Although it's certainly a conundrum.

[AlexGulls]

Might be wrong. But isnt Simon King who was at Gillingham last season avalible? Would be a good signing if he is.

[cambgull]

Wouldn't be fussed about Carlisle, he's a good player but seems to be concentrating on his work off the field, rather than on it. He seems to be a fairly intelligent guy so he'll be sorting out his own career and he probably has one eye on television work for once he's retired. He would want big money too I'd imagine, steer clear I'd say!

[Richinns]

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/story ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fecking O2!

[Richinns]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news ... ith-Raynes

Could it be we missed out on him?

http://www.torquayunited.com/page/News/ ... 94,00.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seems I finally got something right! If that is the calibre we are looking for then it bodes well.

Shame - would have been a great addition.

[Dave]

Agreed, at 24 years old a fantastic age aswell, would have been just the type/age of player who could have taken the team forward, rather than some of these over the hill 30 somethings mentioned on the thread, who you might get 1 season out of if your lucky, before having to look again.

[royalgull]

Aaron Downes played for Wimbledon last Saturday against Reading, he played the first half and I think they are keen on taking him.

[Richinns]

Aaron Downes played for Wimbledon last Saturday against Reading, he played the first half and I think they are keen on taking him.

Did Reading not batter them?

Hope Ling has something in the pipeline as the options seem to be lessening by the day

[royalgull]

2nd half. The first half was Wimbledon's first team and was fairly even until Downes gave away a pen. Was 2-0 at HT, then W'don brought on a load of kids and trialists and got absolutely smoked. Their keeper 2nd half was the worst I've ever seen.

[AndyC]

Wonder if we were in for Pim Balkestein as well?? He signed for AFC Wimbledon this morning.

Saw him play for Brentford in a PSF last week (one of few first teamers in a team of trialists and youngsters) and wondered if he might be leaving the Bees. Commanding player and left-sided as well. Good signing for AFCW in my eyes, and they might be an improver this season.

http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news.php? ... =7177#7177

[CP Gull]

Aaron Downes played for Wimbledon last Saturday against Reading, he played the first half and I think they are keen on taking him.

Well now that Wimbledon have signed Balkestein, it means they won't be signing Downes and he has now left them after his brief trial. Personally I think he would be an ideal replacement for Mark Ellis - provided that is, he is fully recovered from his knee problems. At 27 years old, he is at a good age and is very experienced, having captained Chesterfield at quite a young age. I would hope that he is at least being considered by Lingy.

There is no need to panic, but it would certainly be ideal if we could have the new man in place for the PSFs.

As for Pim Balkestein, it appears that he turned down an offer from a League 1 side to join the Wombles, so although we could also have been in for him, there is nothing to suggest that we were.

[royalgull]

Reading will have a host of youngsters out on loan this year, they really do have so much strength in depth with their young lads the likes of Hector, MacDonald, Ugwu, Sheppard, Williams, Obita, Andersen (I know he was crap for us but he is a different keeper now), McCarthy, D'Ath. Keown (Martin's son) could all do jobs in the football league easily.

Downes didn't do too badly, the penalty was a bit soft although he lunged in for it. I'd ideally like for us to be looking elsewhere but understand we don't have a massive choice of who we can get.