Chris Armstrong to leave

[Royal_Delight]

Heard from Jonny Fordham that Chris Armstrong may leave at the end of the season. Still has not yet recovered and no one has an idea when he may play again. Pity though, loved his runs to support the wingers last season.

[gazzer, loyal royal]

where would he go though? no one would take on an injured player, and then we'd have no right back or left back

[1871 Royal]

Maybe he is just going to leave and retire

[Isaac Hunt]

I heard this on Monday. Retirement being the most likely outcome.

[TBM]

So this means we need a right back, a left back and a centre back before next season

[1871 Royal]

So this means we need a right back, a left back and a centre back before next season

Pretty much. Although if BMcD can work his wonders with Kebe, who knows to say he couldn't do it with Cummings as well!

[SpaceCruiser]

What about Julian Kelly, 1871R?

[1871 Royal]

Oh yeah! Forgot about him. Guess because he has been on loan pretty much all season!

I just made the reference to Cummings because he gets slated a lot on here as did Kebe and look at his performances now!

[Hoop Blah]

So this means we need a right back, a left back and a centre back before next season

2 left backs TBM!

It can be no surprise if Armstrong retires. He's had knee problems for a long time and the fact he came back for a game or two (which would indicate they thought it was better) and then hasn't been seen since suggests that they can't get it back to full strength.

Shame as he was a solid enough defender and seemed to have a great attitude.

His wages off the bottom line might help us get Bertrand though.

[Smoking Kills Dancing Doe]

Prob get a bit of compo for him too if he does retire.

Shame though, loved his style of play, left every thing on the pitch. Hope things work out for him.

[Royal_Delight]

So this means we need a right back, a left back and a centre back before next season

1 or 2 strikers that can score 20+ goals a season would be great too.

[TBM]

So this means we need a right back, a left back and a centre back before next season

2 left backs TBM!

It can be no surprise if Armstrong retires. He's had knee problems for a long time and the fact he came back for a game or two (which would indicate they thought it was better) and then hasn't been seen since suggests that they can't get it back to full strength.

Shame as he was a solid enough defender and seemed to have a great attitude.

His wages off the bottom line might help us get Bertrand though.

Why do we need 2 left backs?

[Royal_Delight]

So this means we need a right back, a left back and a centre back before next season

2 left backs TBM!

It can be no surprise if Armstrong retires. He's had knee problems for a long time and the fact he came back for a game or two (which would indicate they thought it was better) and then hasn't been seen since suggests that they can't get it back to full strength.

Shame as he was a solid enough defender and seemed to have a great attitude.

His wages off the bottom line might help us get Bertrand though.

Why do we need 2 left backs?

One for the first team the other as a back up?

[TBM]

Why do we need 2 left backs?

One for the first team the other as a back up?

We already have "back up" in Julian Kelly.......who is primarily a left back but right footed so can play right back too

[yappy]

I'd be gutted if this is true. Quality player.

[Royal_Delight]

Why do we need 2 left backs?

One for the first team the other as a back up?

We already have "back up" in Julian Kelly.......who is primarily a left back but right footed so can play right back too

Not a very convincing right back IMO. Better if we got 2 experienced right backs rather than 1 experienced and 1 raw right backs in the team.

[Ian Royal]

Kelly is good enough as cover for full back (both sides), Cummings could potentially be first choice right back, it's a long shot, but possible.

We need to keep or replace both Griffin and Bertrand. Armstrong back fit would be good enough to replace Bertrand, but it's pretty obvious his career is essentially over.

[Hoop Blah]

Why do we need 2 left backs?

One for the first team the other as a back up?

We already have "back up" in Julian Kelly.......who is primarily a left back but right footed so can play right back too

Primarily a left back? Are you sure? Do you count Kitson as a centre back? Sol Campbell as a centre forward?

Perhaps you should tell RFC and Wycombe he's a left back so that they can play him in his proper position a bit more. He can play both sides yes, but I'm not sure he'll be sufficient cover for left back.

We've been quite lucky in the past that Shorey and Bertrand rarely missed games but if we want to be challenging for a top 6 place next season I think we'll need decent cover there. It may be that the budget doesn't allow for it, and we can only get someone like Bertrand and then rely on Kelly and Tabb for cover.

In my eyes that's not ideal, but needs must of course.

[brendywendy]

id be quite happy with kelly and cummings as full back cover next season

[TBM]

Primarily a left back? Are you sure?

Yes i am