FL2: Aldershot v Torquay United 13th April 2010

That is certainly not the case with Ellis as he was most definitely offered a contract extension in January. The fact that he chose not to sign it, probably in the main because he was concerned at the time for his future first team prospects, was perhaps understandable.

It was also obvious that back in January, frustrated at a lack of opportunities, that Carayol wanted out as well.

We can only hope that with both starting on a regular basis now, and clearly enjoying their football, that both still see a future for themselves at our football club. That said, given the "up and down season" that both have had, they are probably the two players I would be the least confident in retaining during the summer.

Personally I hope we can keep most of the current squad together for next season. I would like to see the likes of Branston and Rendell signed up, and Michael Poke too if there is any possibility. I dont expect to see any of the players currently out on loan to return, although I would be surprised if Matt Green isn't offered something (so as we at he very least get a fee for him) if he isn't sold beforehand.

Of the current squad, for me, the only players I would not expect to be retained would be Thompson (although according to miac he has already signed a new deal!) , Camara (obviously) and perhaps Rowe-Turner (although I wouldn't be disappointed to see him retained). I reckon we may see at least one of the two keepers move on - but not sure which one! I dont expect to see Adam Smith or Jake Thomson here next season either !

I would also be quite surprised (sadly) to see Kevin Nicholson here next season ... unless Bucks does a complete u-turn ... something which looked totally unlikely a little over a month ago, but maybe, just maybe, the performances of Nico over the last month might have changed his mind?

We shall see.

Missed the 'dale game but what impressed me most about the Northampton and Aldershot games was the sense of purpose and control that was evident throughout the whole team. I never felt that the Cobblers were ever going to score and, while there was a brief flurry from the 'shots in the second half, resulting in a few back to back corners, as the half went on it felt more and more secure.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed one of our relegation struggles so much before

Well done to everyone; playing staff, management and the Yellow Army. If the kids are United...they'll stay up.

To be "signed on" doesn't necessarily equate to "being here next season" though does it.

For instance in the first instance it merely means the player continues to be contracted to the club ~ contracted to stay and play or contracted yet be sold....................you can't sell an out of contract player for much can you?

Just in which of those situations the player finds himself in come July/August first of all depends on whom the manager is...................I wouldn't take it as "stitched on" that there will be a change of manager come the completion of this season, nor would I take it that there won't; we'll just have to wait and see.

Maybe the manager has decided he has taken this job as far as he can, maybe he has decided to jump to that proverbial next "surfer's wave" that I frequently allude to when describing the lot of the football manager.

Maybe the directors have decided that this is the case and are busy accumulating their hot list of whom they would wish to employ, maybe they already have identified their man; and if that is the case I'm sure the realisation that League football is virtually secured would mean a pitch towards one sort of manager rather than the other were we to have returned to the Conference.

My hunch is that Paul Buckle will move on, and my feeling is that should he do so he should depart with our everlasting thanks and appreciation for a job well done.

Managing a club as small as ours is a frequent round of pulling rabbits out of hats and the time inevitably comes when one has used up all the metaphors, pulled out all the rabbits and one needs to move on and do it all again elsewhere..................hopefully somewhere a little bit bigger, a little more "on the football map" and with a lot more potential for public appreciation in the way of a decent average gate to work with.

For those restrictions that I feel make the job of managing OUR club a lot more difficult than many, I would expect our next manager to come from the same sort of background as Bucks did....................recently retired from the playing side of the game, or approaching the end of a long and creditable career and with the necessary coaching qualifications that are so essential in the modern game. A man of stature and hungry to establish himself in the next stage of his football career.

Well haven`t we changed our tune!

Fantastic result and what a brillliant run these last few weeks ;D
I now look forward to my trip to Grimsby and wont have to take the heart tablets!!
I am delighted for all the players,staff and fans who were there tonight--well done all.
I am even more pleased for those who saw the real picture of this season and kept the faith as REAL supporters do.
One final thought....I wonder how the Buckle out parade is going on in the far east??? ;D ;D ;D[/quote]


Just woke up and seen the result.......phew, fantastic!!!!! The last few games have been excellent from the lads. Which makes this season even more frustrating. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight if it hadn't been for Buckles awful performance up until the end of Feb we would have had a comfortable mid-table slot sewn up. This season has been terrible, but when we confirm our safety on saturday we can breathe a collective sigh of relief and plan for next year.

With respect Longie, only a fool would celebrate this season as a success. It could be judged so by the outcome of safety. But not really at any other level. The club has shown little to inspire confidence that next season will be any different. Buckles management has been bizarre at times, the board have been conspicuous by their silence, off field distractions(ahem!) have affected the unity, the marketing and PR have been dreadful, internal club rumblings are divisive and we've lost a shed load of money. Looking at things another way, it can only get better!!

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I realise the failure to see the big picture is a problem from your deckchair but just wish you could see/feel/witness the enthusiasm that many have put into a very difficult first season back in the league.
Players,management and supporters can all look back on different aspects and decisions but staying solid and loyal has been proved correct again. I am sure at the end of the season Directors and Management will review aspects and get the future plans and budgets quickly in place.
You can mention bizarre/silences and distractions but you moaned in our promotion season so what chance has the Club got in a relegation battle?
I think all contributors/supporters on here wish for one season of mid-table mediocrity but my real fear once again is that if we ever did have that how much noise you and your mates would make then.
In closing just to repeat what everyone has been saying these last 4 games have been fantastic and far beyond our wildest dreams---thanks PB and the Team for making an old man very happy!!!! (just wish it would make everyone happy ;D)

the words of kevin dillon aldershot manager,Torquay are the best side we have played all season and if they had started the season like this what might have been.Honest words from dillon there more or less what keith hill of rochdale said as well,but i am happy for league safety,bar a point,that would of done for me and many others i suspect

;DQuality merse, made me laugh. ;D