http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/page/PlayerInterviews/0,,10416~2385860,00.html I think he is a good back up keeper to have but i will feel safer with Brown in goal tbh. what are your opinions on this?
I still think Brown may be out of our price range, despite his apparent desire to return. Still think we may need another no.1...possibly a young loanee from a higher club looking for games, a la Luke Daniels. Prove me wrong though JB, prove me wrong!
His wages will be high, unless he is willing to take a massive pay cut, but stranger things have happened, but i agree we need another goal keeper if we dont get brown and a loan would probably be the best option
To be honest I've only seen Flitney when they came to our place in the F.A. Cup and personally thought he was fantastic despite being injured at the time! Obviously of a good pedigree coming through the Arsenal then Fulham ranks. I sometimes think we're a bit harsh on Goalkeepers as it is a pretty specific position and hard to dislodge someone once they're established as number 1, causing them to just try and find regular football where they can. I know I started the Jason Brown thread last night but have since spoken to someone at Gills and Hawkes is very highly rated there indeed. So wouldn't be surprised if they were already cemented as our Number 1 and back-up keepers. To see Jason Brown back though is something I couldn't want more.
I think we should give Flitney a chance, Hess obviously rates him and lets be honest from what i saw at the dover game he looked better then julian and about 10 times better then cronin so i think he sould get a chance to prove himself. Plus i still think brown will join at the least a league one team, i just can;t see him joining us for the wages we'll be able to offer..
I feel there needs to be an additional keeper signed, however if it will take up wages that we can use elsewhere than a emergency loan deal could suffice. One thing that I am really looking forward to is his kicking ability; apparently his kicking range can take it into the final third. With Keds up there, plus long throws from Charlie Lee our set pieces could be a real spearhead to promotion. I can't wait till Cheltenham!!
I've seen him once in last years FA cup, on that evidence he was good. Lets give him a chance (ten minutes or so) before the boo boys start on him.
Big risk if you ask me, he hasn't played at the same level as AJ had when he came, but I guess time will tell. On the Brown front I am sure he won't be between the sticks for us this season, we now have two professional contracted keepers and we are hardly in the financial position to support a third
Flitney has played at a higher level than Julian had? For both Brighton and Barnet. And who knows our financial position after the craziness of the last week?!
Some risk attached to Brown or Flitney and i agree with BSG's sensible conclusion. The question mark against Brown is how far backwards he must have gone playing just 16 competitive games in the last 5 years. Everyone seems to remember the great shot stopping and forgotten the frequency with which the ball sailed over him and into the goal because at the end of the day he has a propensity to be fat, short, and unable to get off the ground. Who could forget the goal Cardiff scored at Priestfield to send gills down and save themselves. On the other hand even though those who know him speak highly of Flitney, you have to ask what was he doing at Dover? For me I trust Heesy's judgement of players he knows, I like the story that Flitney is one of the best kickers out there, and I like the fact that he is 5 ins taller that Brown. I also hear how highly rated is Hawkes but he is fatter than Brown.
Hahah! Fatter than Brown?! I think when Brown did make an appearance for Blackburn he tended to do well. I seem to remember one appearance, where he came on after Brad Friedel was sent off and saved the resulting penalty. Then again I guess saying Brad Friedel playing for Blackburn shows how long ago that was. He may have kept up his sharpness, perhaps what he lacks in match sharpness he made up in better training facilities and competition. Still, he is so out of wage budget. Maybe when we're back in the championship IF we need another keeper bring Brill in.
