There were times last season when Tom was our best defender, but he still has a lot to learn (for example letting Brentford's Donaldson get around him) and a loan spell should be good for him.

Consistency Doumbe is our best centre back, but he suffered a lot from injuries last season and I guess Big Mac is still a sending off risk.

Perhaps we might get a loanee ourselves as we are running out of options for a replacement and I would prefer the money being spend on striker, especially now the Jaunfri deal has broken down.

Can we call him back like Spurs do if we need him.
I know he has a lot to learn but surely he would learn more playing our style of play rather than with Allen at Gillingham.
We had a paper thin squad last season which cost us dearly surely we dont want this to be the case this season too.

I hope we have added that clause. We would be mad not to with Doumbe's injury and MacKenzie's disciplinary records.

Bit harsh on Gary Mack, granted both sendings off were stupid but he's still relatively young and learning different things. Forgive me if I'm wrong but I believe after his long spell out of the side after the Charlton incident he didn't pick up one booking for the rest of the season? And he still managed to put in good performances!
He's a very good CB who's put in more solid and impressive performances than he has headbutting an opponent.

Flanagan, this makes no sense whatsoever! One position we couldn't afford to really lose players was defence, and given that Robinson wanted to keep Williams in midfield, this makes even less sense. We're not exactly spoilt for choice atm so losing a player who was one of out best players as a whole last season let alone a defender, it's rather disappointing. And dropping a League to a club who'll probably play football which will be a contradiction to our style is really confusing...

It will be interesting to see if Mac has learnt his lesson, if he did, I hope Smithy was on the same course, so he won't pick up so many either. The only thing that would make sense if MK Dons were getting Danny Kedwell as part of the deal.

I missed out the sentence "It seems stupid to send away young Flanagan when Robbo hasn't made any additional signings."

It should go before "The only thing....."

Don't see why Gills offloading one of their best players in order to get in a 20 year old defender on half a seasons loan would please them to be honest. Would love Kedwell though just simply for the 'obvious reasons' banter.

I think Gary has learnt his lesson. I think it hurt him (rightly) being out for that long and is more responsible now, it was obvious to everyone how much his dicsipline improved once he come back!

....Going back to Mac, take away his 'anger' and his strength and whatnot, you don't have Gary MacKenzie who imo is a top defender..

I agree we shouldn't be too hard on Gary Mac but the idea he or Gleeson are better players when the red mist comes down isn't a valid point.

You can say that for aggressive play, which Gleeson can do, but when it changes to petulance it makes a worse player and one easy to target by the opposition.

The only reason I can see this happened is that Karl has finally sorted out signing a new CB - which was touted during the Irish tour.

On that basis Tom would not be getting regular game time, and KR wants to be sure he continues to progress.

Lets hope its a good signing - cause if there is no one then this would be a dumb move

I remember last season some of you didn't want Mac to play for the Dons again after his sendings off.

To be honest, it would have been better to send Mac and see if he can behave for 1/2 a season than Tom.

McMaccer, yes that exactly why I suggested Danny

I for one don't recall never wanting him to play for us again after the headbutts, remember backing him on the coach home

Furz, obviously being an idiot and seeing red is stupid, however having a bit of aggression in you, passion and urgency to get 'stuck in' isn't bad imo..