New Players for Div 2.

Bumped into Danny and the AFCB squad at Membury Services on the M4 at the start of the 07-08 season (around Autumn time) and he made the point THEN about the respect and attention Paul Buckle was drawing from professionals within the game and how he was casting envious eyes at the way The Gulls were now being run compared to the shambles it was during his time here.

Playing for AFCB has been no picnic that's for sure, and I would imagine he could well have had enough of it by now; and yes ~ I'm sure he would get his quota of goals from midfield too; but we don't have "triumverates" in OUR game Alex.................that's for the egg chasing Nigels, shirt lifting posh boys or purveyors of over indulgent wordsmithery on forums In proper football we have midfield TRIOS and perhaps the odd threesome on a Saturday night if we get lucky and the missus is pissed

Don't get too excited though.........................I think Bucks is a confirmed 4-4-2 man myself!

author=ealinggull
If Bournemouth are to be in financial troubles again next season, why not try to entice Danny Hollands back to our club?


Now that would be a good signing. I got excited about him coming to us again once before, so I'll not get try not to talk about him too much this time. I've seen it written elsewhere that we don't need him if we have Nicky Wroe. I think what some forget is the amount of tackling back and break-up play he offers on top of his half-way line shots and quality passing. A quality player for this level, as the Bournemouth fans with their player of the season votes clearly appreciate.

I reckon he'd be a bit pricy. Luton offloaded him to the League above last season to get him off the wage bill. Doesn't seem to have scored too many this year either. I can't see this one happening, stuart. Just get the feeling he might be a bit billy big bo**ocks myself. Though I have absolutely no foundation for that observation.

Although Merse mightn't be able to stomach another small striker, I'd be surprised if Bucks hasn't asked Sturrock whether he could spare Joe Mason, though.

Surprising to think Bucks had a look at Barnes and decided against it, bearing in mind he went on to play in the Championship by the end of the season. (there's some fodder for the nodders )

Out of interest, does anyone know where in defence Ben Gerring and Ryan Brett play?

Ryan Green has just signed a twelve month contract to return to his former club Hereford United, less than an hour's drive from his West Midlands home.

Unless the manager contemplates utilising Lee Mansell in midfield (which I can't see myself) as a gradual replacement for Chris Hargreaves, then maybe this position will be covered by a youngster as it was in the days of Paul Hinshelwood.

Given the masses of players currently out of contract and the current financial climate, this will be an anxious close season for so many players. Hereford's offer of merely a one season deal and the fact that it has been accepted is indicative of this.

Difficult to quantify Rob, although I really feel absolutely comfortable when it comes to the signings that we will be able to make this summer and there is a month before pre-season even gets going.
I'd prefer it to see players have a couple of weeks before pre-season to get accomodation / schools for the kids / other family issues all sorted so they can concentrate on getting settled, but I guess playes are used to having to do that at all sorts of times so it's not a huge problem if this doesn't happen.

I find it unlikely that we will be chasing "hit and hope" trialists in the seemingly "open door" policy that we operated for many years, although pre-season wouldn't be the same without them and the prospect of a rough-diamond turning-up.
Whilst we did have a fair few trialists in Buck's first summer it was very much a case that we did need some additional squad "fillers". Bucks will know exactly who he wants and I am sure that he is making the right offers to the right players on behalf of the club.

We are in a better position as a club than we have been for some time in many ways (other than the levels of support!) - we have a professional approach to running a football operation, a rapidly improving reputation and we don't have a huge squad of reserves that we have to shift first as we are fairly "lean" at the moment.

Players that are in demand will not be rushed - I remember the signing of Jamie Ward dragged on for weeks as several clubs were being linked with him but he kept his options open.
Bucks has kept his cards very close to his chest in terms of the players that he managed to bring-in, I don't think we'll see many of the "names" bandied about (other than by speculation) much before any signings are officially announced by the club.

I think that (assuming Benyon and Robertson sign their deals) then we will probably see four arrivals between now and the season kicking-off - although it is possible that we might be seeing a couple of loanees arrive from our friends Paul Sturrock and Gary Johnson either in addition or as part of those four.

Apparently there was something in the NLP about it today. I seem to recall him not being particularly mobile. I can't get excited about this one, myself. We don't need him in the centre of defence and a 37 year old Hargreaves offers much more in the middle of the park, in my opinion.

....I can understand what you're saying Rob, still the policy of signing other teams captains is one i like to be honest....

He was certainly one of their main men last season and is still relatively young...

Would be a threat from set pices for sure.