At Thursday evening's Fans Forum, the usual format was followed where football was discussed in the first half and off-field matters in the second half.

The panel for the first half was manager Gary Brabin and player-assistant manager Paul Carden. Ian Elliott reports:

Q. Is there any further news on the new goalkeeper as reported earlier in the CEN?

GB: Yes - Steven Drench is down here and is signing on loan

Q. The next supporter asked Paul Carden how is his ankle?

PC: It's getting better thanks - should hopefully be OK in a couple of weeks

Q. With regard to Ben Farrell, how do you feel about him and the recent issues regarding his loan deal ? Also how did you feel about being left 'out of the loop'?

GB: I didn't want him to go anywhere and Ben doesn't want to go either. He simply got frustrated and went to his agent who put his name about, but once I got wind of it I nipped it in the bud.

Ben has his chance now due to injuries and I was annoyed with Ben because he should have come to me with any issues, but it's all sorted now. Phil Law spoke to me about the deal and said "it's your call" and the rest is history.

Q. On a lighter note, the next supporter mentioned that Luke Chadwick is rumoured to be available from Norwich City and seeing as he is a Cambridge boy might he be interested in coming to the Abbey?

GB: If he's interested we may take him on trial (to much laughter)

Q. Although we've had a good start, do you see any areas where we still need to strengthen and if so in which positions?

GB: If any quality players are out there then we are interested, although at the moment I am very happy with what we have.

Q. Stephen Reed has left the club so dish the dirt! What did he do wrong?

GB: He didn't want to be here, plain and simple. I want people with a 100% attitude and although he was a good player he didn't want to be here so we let him go.

Q. What made you the outstanding candidate for the job of manager at Cambridge United?

GB: The board could have gone for someone who was experienced but decided to go with someone who was young and had fresh ideas. Obviously I think they made the right decision!

Q. On the back of last season's performance on the pitch, do you feel any pressure this year?

GB: I put pressure on myself anyway. This is a good club which deserves to be at a higher level, and although the club has been at a low ebb over the last few years I believe I can take it to where it belongs.

Q. In the light of recent managers being criticised for not moving locally, have you bought a house in Cambridge yet?

GB: Cards has bought a house locally but I haven't got round to it yet.

Q. A question for Paul - how has coming back to the club as Assistant Manager affected your relationship with the players?

PC: Not a great deal. Last season when I was here I often used to be the person other players approached to take issues to the manager and I have always been happy to do so. I still have plenty of banter with the lads though, with plenty of stick being both given and taken!

Q. Are there any players out of the group which left during the Summer which you would have been happy to keep over current members?

GB: Probably one player who shall remain nameless - apart from that I am more than happy with the current squad.

Q. Can you clarify the situation regarding Paul's on/off 'transfer' to Wrexham?

PC: I spoke to an agent during the Summer (an ex-CUFC player) who told me Wrexham were interested and permission was given from Accrington Stanley to speak to them. However it seems they were only allowed to discuss terms with me and not offer any contract, and although I signed a pre-contract agreement with them it was worthless as you can only do that with six months or less to run on your contract and I still had a year to go.

I then heard about Jimmy Quinn leaving the club along with the Board's interest in Gary and the rest is history.

Q. Were you aware of any of our players before you came here? If so, who has impressed you the most out of those you didn't know?

GB: I knew of a few players before I arrived here and have played against a few as well. All the players have great character, especially in training, and the whole squad has a great attitude even if they aren't in my immediate first team plans. Should anyone leave the club I wouldn't hesitate to recommend any of them.

At this point in the proceedings Steve Line mentioned the 'Burton 3' and how pleasing it was to hear their ban had been lifted unconditionally.

Q. How much importance will you be giving to the FA trophy and the Setanta Shield? Will you be playing weakened sides?

GB: I'm not looking that far ahead at the moment. I will judge things nearer the time and although I don't want to play 'weakened' sides I may feel it is right to play someone who hasn't been involved much.

Q. Are there any away trips this season where the team will be having an overnight stop?

GB: Weymouth, Barrow and Torquay are already earmarked but no others at present.

Q. How are the finances? Is there any money in the kitty should you need to strengthen the squad at any point?

GB: Not sure - you'll have to ask the Chairman but I am happy with the Board who have been brilliant and backed me 100%.

Q. Is Phil Bolland likely to be given a full contract?

GB: I don't see why not. He's a friend of ours and also a very good player, but you have to remember he's based in the North, has a young family and has recently bought his dream home so obviously it would be a major decision for him to come here. He is very ambitious though and certainly would like to come but we will have to see.

Q. Is there likely to be any further developments regarding our interest in Josh Simpson?

GB: At the moment no. We spoke to him but nothing materialised and since then we have signed Jon Challinor who we are delighted to have brought to the club.

Q. How big a loss is losing Andy Parkinson through long-term injury?

GB: We are absolutely gutted - he is a massive loss. Although difficult to replace this does give the younger players like Robbie Willmott a chance.

Q. How do you rate Robbie Willmott? Is he a natural replacement or do you see him more as a striker?

GB: I like him a lot. Playing up front he can use his pace to great effect but he still has a lot to learn. He will also probably start to find it harder as the season progresses with games coming thick and fast, so we will have to be careful not to put too much of a burden onto him.

Q. Any further news on Tom Hutchinson from Woking? Would you look at bringing him in if Phil Bolland doesn't stay?

GB: Both Tom and Phil were targeted at the same time. I admire Tom but again nothing has materialised although he is very keen to come here.

Q. Will Josh Coulson be given a chance this season?

GB: Josh figures in my plans no doubt, and in fact he played the most games during pre-season. He is progressing in leaps and bounds but I am aware that central defence is one of the most important positions on the pitch so you can't afford too many mistakes. Josh is looking fitter though and has a good future and I am very excited about him.

Q. Is it a problem that fringe players don't get regular reserve team football?

GB: Not really as it depends on the quality of the reserve team football. If you play against fairly high level teams then quite often their players aren't that interested and against lower level teams they just want to kick lumps out of you, so I'm not sure it is a real benefit.

Q. It was good to see Tom Youngs playing for United again in pre-season. Is anything likely to develop on that front?

GB: Paul knew Tom who was a friend of his up at Bury so when he asked to train with us we were happy for him to do so. He looked good in training and he played well against West Ham but I decided we were looking for something slightly different. He is now at St Albans City.

Q. I noticed in the last home game that Felino Jardim wanted to take the free kick from which Wayne Hatswell eventually scored and I noticed you on the touchline screaming for Hatswell to take it, so that was a good management decision. I also rate Jardim very highly and think you've signed an excellent player.

GB: Thank you!!

Q. Do you have any reservations over Chris Holroyd's desire to play for the club after the protracted transfer during the Summer?

GB: None at all. He's young and naïve but it was nothing personal on his part. He spoke to his agent and his agent was a plant-pot and leaked the interest out to other parties. Chris has since sacked his agent and got a new one so we were delighted to be able to sign him. He was amazed at the level of support when he attended the Kidderminster game and he is also delighted to be here.

Q. The final question was about Stuart Fleetwood and whether or not he was still at Forest Green and if so would we be looking to sign him.

GB: No, as Stuart has already signed for Charlton Athletic.

Many thanks to Ian Elliott for his report.

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