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The side of the ball sums up how I feel at the moment........flat.

royalgull wrote:Cult hero, brilliant defender and for me the main reason we went from fodder to contenders. He sorted us out at the back, and was just outstanding for us. We are so screwed for next season, hope is fading away.

After the departure of 1 player? You're one that generally see's the positives of any situation Royal. He's been great for us, but is not irreplaceable (as few players are at this level). In fact, if his previous career is anything to go by, the fact he was so good last season, it probably follows he'll struggle next. Stanley was a bigger loss for me.

I know Fonda, I clung to the hope Branston would be here to help our young squad next season. Can't agree that Stanley is/was a bigger miss. Branston has completely sorted our defense out since joining the club, been a model of consistency and put in a stack of high quality performances.

Ling has a massive job trying to replace Branston's quality at centre back as well as his influence off the field.

By all accounts Ling likes this lad Brian Saah but I can't see him being the influence that big Guy was.

Perhaps, perhaps not. It's a toss up between ball retention and line clearance for me.
Pickles was dynamite at the back, no doubt, but it came at the price of (almost) always costing us possession. Hopefully, with Mark and one other at the back in the middle, the goals which Pickles' absence will cost us will be outweighed by those we don't concede and indeed, those we may score, as a result of not giving away the ball with a hopeful punt upfield or a siege gun header.

Matt.

Saddened that he's gone.

What is it with the "curse" of the Player Of The Season Award ? Maybe fanny Stevens should have won it. :devil:

Thank you Guy Branston and good luck with best wishes for the future.

ferrarilover wrote:Perhaps, perhaps not. It's a toss up between ball retention and line clearance for me.
Pickles was dynamite at the back, no doubt, but it came at the price of (almost) always costing us possession. Hopefully, with Mark and one other at the back in the middle, the goals which Pickles' absence will cost us will be outweighed by those we don't concede and indeed, those we may score, as a result of not giving away the ball with a hopeful punt upfield or a siege gun header.

Matt.

That'll be Chris and one other i reckon...

Who'd you reckon is in for Mark then?
Well known that the only thing making Mark want away form Torquay was PB, and now he's gone.

Matt.

No, i don't think he'll leave. And it might be that they will play alongside each other. But if another centre-half is brought to the club (and probably will be), i think Robbo is in prime position to play alongside him (more experience, and more recently in the side).

Branstonbauer had a big influence whilst here, but I can t see him being worth a 2 year contract.

We are fortunate to have a very good defender in Mark Ellis waiting in the wings.

Time for him to step up to the plate and prove that he should play at a higher level in the future.

Southampton Gull wrote:Branstonbauer is now merely Branstonbantam.

Au revoir.

Should it not be Bantambauer ?

got a reply from guy this morning after i wished him all the best at bradford. He thanked the fans and said he loves torquay. He also stated that he would respect the fans and the ground when he returns. Don't think he was overly keen on our new manager however he stated the 2 year deal as the thing that clinched it with bradford

Gutted! Can only hope he proves some right that his best year is behind him and that Ellis can step up and fill the gap.

Clemy you say you don't think branno was happy with the new manager - did he actually say anything that hinted at that or is the comment there because you're not happy?

The move makes sense - probably more money, longer contract and better location for him. Looking at the timings the contract was probably signed before ling was announced.

The Herald reports that we also offered Branno a two-year contract, but just couldn't compete with the financial terms on offer at Valley Parade.

It's a shame, but he's not irreplaceable. Time for Ellis to shine, although I would expect Ling to sign a new centre-back - probably Saah.

i posted to guy saying, good luck etc and in my post i said im not to pleased with our new manager but such is life etc. Guy replied saying he was a tad suprised and it certainly wouldn't of been his pick. Although he stopped short of naming anybody on the so called shortlist.