The feel good factor

[Dave]

With a change of manager and many players who contributed so much to last season’s success gone, coupled with talk of player budget constraints, which seemed to be confirmed by the board putting this current season down as one for consolidation rather than anything else, I, and many other Torquay fan’s wondered what direction we as a club were going in.

Some members of this site rightfully went public with there concerns that Martin Ling would be working of a reduced player budget, this was confirmed as the case for me, when Ricey and McPhee were brought back to the club, and Rene “misfit” Howe arrived after training with Peterborough’s youth team for some time, our squad at the start of the season looked more like the “Renford rejects” Rather than a professional football team.

My own expectations at the start of the season were a comfortable midtable finish more out of hope than anything else, the team are 8 points ahead of where they were this time last season, and whilst I will not be disappointed if the team fall short of the playoffs, as a fan I am delighted with the way things have gone, however I now see the team as real genuine play off contenders.

I think this season’s squad does not look as good on paper, as last seasons, so why are they so far ahead on points gained at this stage of the season compared to last term, are the current players better than I think? Is the standard of league 2 not so good this season? Or is it down to the manager?

One thing that has struck me, when Martin Ling came in, he said he would put a squad of player’s together that he could trust to do a job, and so far has stuck to his word, during the 8 game winless run Lingy could have gone into the loan market, but chose not to, this must have been a great tonic to the players knowing that if they produce the goods there chance will come, there appears to be a real confidence and trust between the players and coaching staff, and that’s got to help.

The one thing I do know however, with the current results and the new stand on the way, the feel good factor is genuinely back for me in the club, and long may it continue. COYY.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Good post forever. Despite my obvious dislike of a couple of our players , Martin has got everybody singing from the same hymsheet and there is no doubting the togetherness that Martin has instilled in the squad. This is harmonious and we can see that by the results we have been collecting. Before the season started i envisaged us being in the position that Bristol Rovers are in and couldn't even contemplate being near the play offs with a game in hand. We have a few poor players but we have many good ones too and they have shocked me this season how well they are doing. Immense credit should be given to all involved for the progression we have seen this season.

[popside_yidlad]

For me the players are much better drilled defensively. Their shape when off the ball is really solid. Damon sat in the hole in front of back 4 has been inspired. Bobby is a superb goalie who makes stunning saves and commands his area.

This combined with o'kane being allowed to dictate the game due to manse and damon allowing him to play higher up the pitch and in areas he can hurt the opposition. Danny Stevens has finally started to show consistency in his performances. Rene has proved himself to be a decent focal point and a handful for most league 2 defences. Bodin has been a real bonus as well.

Long story short I think its simple really good defending + goals spread around the team + a true unity and desire to fight for each other = 3 points more often than not

[usagullmichigan]

here's a thought. We are almost in the same position as were 12 months ago. We have a smaller budget, a smaller team and some might say less quality. There is that Buckle v Ling thread. Would 5 knuckle Buckle have us in this position. I doubt it. I was really worried when we appointed Ling but I have to say what a job he has done.

[Aussie]

How about the novel idea of playing players in their correct positions, combined with the togetherness we have seen since Manse and the Gaffer got every one together for paint-balling and other social activities, we we`re on a poor run of 8 games without a win nearer the start of the season and the Captain and Gaffer seems to have spotted why.

[Southampton Gull]

The thing most of us first noticed about the Ling style of management was how quickly he identified players best positions. We suddenly went from one of the most unblanced sides to one with specialist players for each slot in the team. How refreshing that was.

The first negative was reports of a them and us in the camp, Buckle players on one side and new ones on the other and as Aussie rightly points out that issue was addressed too. Now we're reaping the benefits and it's plainly obvious that we have a happy squad.

If we were talking in similar terms to a player swap how many would turn down £70k for Buckle and Ling in on a free? Good bit of business that.

[yellow]

People seem to forget that Dinger had an excellent record at Orient. They were promoted playing an attractive brand of football. He was a good catch for us. The fact that not everyone recognised it at the time is hardly his problem.

It seems to me that he is merely trying to recreate that success with the same style at TQ1 albeit to his credit on a tighter budget. His target for this season is consolidation, and so far we are ahead of the game.

In contrast to the previous incumbent we are starting to witness the benefits of good man management, together with a more progressive playing style combined with improved tactical awareness.

This makes us happy fans.

Simples.

Edit

Oh I forgot to mention Dinger’s more honest assessments of performances, and from the OS I just read this comment from him:

"We only have to get Joe and Damon Lathrope off the mark now, and then we've got everyone scoring."

Gawd bless you gaffer....

[Southampton Gull]

People seem to forget that Dinger had an excellent record at Orient.

The only ones who forget that are Cambridge fans and Brucie.

[Plymouth Gull]

Good thread. I too feel better about the way the club is moving direction now. Off the pitch things seem to be improving and on it were getting excellent results! Looking at the table, we are in a good position. Nobody fancies us, no one expects us to do anything and there is no pressure for us to do so. Sat just outside the playoffs is a good place to be, there is always one team that breaks into it and if we can continue our good form there is no reason why that team can't be ourselves. I still think we are two players short of an excellent squad, but I have huge respect for Lingy right now. Keep it up lads!

[tufcbrett]

It is true though noone else fancies us at all. We have just gone on this nice run and quietly find ourselfs outside the playoffs on goal difference.
All these worries about Rene being out have been awnsered. We did really well without him and we can do even better with him.

I would love to see us keep this up and find ourselfs just outside the automatics with a few games to go. End of the day were in control of how our season goes, if we keep winning matches then we will knock off points off anyone who slips up. Playoffs would be great again even though i will be out the country if we are in them. But like someone said even if we fall off the place and find ourselfs mid table at the end of the season i would still be happy.

Next season i am excited, New stand will fingers crossed be up. More players will be added to this very good squad. We could loose 1 or 2 but these may get us some big fees to help improve the club even more. For a little club out the way of everyone else, we are slowly buiding something that the area can be proud of once again.

Personally if we got promoted this season, i feel we could keep Bobby and O'kane. I know it is matter of time untill Eunan gets his big money move elsewhere at somepoint, but if theres any chance we can keep hold of him for longer then i would be delighted. We done on the club for getting him on a longer deal to protect that aswell.

My final thing is how the club is being run this season. Ling and the club are trying to sort deals out for players now or have been sorted. That is nice to see after last season. Dont think i could handle the summer again sitting there wondering if their going to re sign or go eslewhere. Fair play to the club its nice to see it being well run, even if there are still little issies here and there.

[Aussie]

People started to panic a bit when Rene got sent off because they don`t see what happens at training, just match days, and aren`t quite in the picture of who`s doing what. I can easily understand this, after the bad patch we suffered Martin and Shaun said` we don`t need to sign anyone and we will go with what we`ve got`, well given the circumstances since then I think we can safely trust our management pair and the staff they have to guide us, with confidence! This is a massively good reflection on our board`s ability to make excellent descisions, damn that felt good to type! It might take some getting used too for some folk but I feel we are in an outstanding position right now and hope it carries on!

[yellowmonkey]

I have to agree with all that has been said so far, just got to hope Exeter/Yeovil get demoted and Plymouth stay up what a season that would be. Looking forward to seeing the new stand and how it will improve the atmosphere in the ground.As for the players i think they have done a fantastic job this season and have enjoyed watching them play butwould like to see a more prolific goal scorer brought into the fray.

[Gullscorer]

I have to agree with all that has been said so far, just got to hope Exeter/Yeovil get demoted and Plymouth stay up what a season that would be. Looking forward to seeing the new stand and how it will improve the atmosphere in the ground.As for the players i think they have done a fantastic job this season and have enjoyed watching them play butwould like to see a more prolific goal scorer brought into the fray.

No. We want the Gulls to be promoted with the new grandstand for next season, Yeovil and Exeter to stay up, and Argyle to stay up and to join us in League One the following season, with all three Devon clubs then getting promoted to the Championship! (I'm not raising my expectations, I'm dreaming..)

[JamieE]

I think this season’s squad does not look as good on paper, as last seasons, so why are they so far ahead on points gained at this stage of the season compared to last term, are the current players better than I think? Is the standard of league 2 not so good this season? Or is it down to the manager?

I was talking to my mate about this only last night. I agree that the squad is weaker than last year's, but the first XI is debatable. Of the 11 that was considered our best 11 at the end of last season, we have changed players in all but three positions.

Bevan, Mansell at right back, Branston, Stanley, Robinson, Kee at right wing, Tomlin and Zebroski.

Olejnik, Oastler, Ellis, Lathrope, Stevens, Bodin, Howe, Mansell in central midfield.

Baring in mind the very successful system we are playing right now, with the holding midfield allowing O'Kane the freedom to flourish, and the neccessity to have a striker that has a good touch and can play up top on their own, who would you take back?

At the back, Olejnik is a better keeper, no argument. Oastler is really starting to look like a top right back and is improving with every game. One of the debating points is Ellis or Branston. I have said in the past Ellis is a fans' favourite who endears himself to the fans due to his all action approach to defending, winning headers and throwing himself in the way of things. Branston was much the same but had the experience and nous to go with it, Ellis made mistakes and a lot of the time he was punished. This season, when you see that Branston has not performed and you take into account his age, and the way Ellis has come in and been more consistent, then it would be very hard on Mark to drop him.

In midfield, our central three are probably the reason why we are winning so many games. They have a chemistry, everyone knows their roles and they have clicked from the get-go. Lathrope was an inspired signing from the greased one in the end, he has been brilliant since his introduction this season. Mansell is much more influential in midfield, and teams that work hard and have a togetherness need a leader down the spine driving them on, and don't forget 8 goals this season. Would Stanley get back in our midfield right now? No way, in my opinion.

Howe > Tomlin

The only positions where we may be weaker is in the advanced wing positions. I think, even though he left us under difficult circumstances, I would take Zebs back to play on the right wing. I think on the right of a front three, that would suit him down to the ground. Bodin has done well this season, but Zebs was consistent for us in scoring and creating, he worked hard and this system would suit him. On the other side, Jake Robinson or Danny Stevens? Danny hasn't had a great time of it since we have got promoted, but Ling has managed to find his best position, where he isn't massively dependant on tracking back like a normal winger and having to defend at 5'3, and is in a position where when he gets the ball he can make a difference. He's scoring goals and playing well. Robinson was a selfish player, willing to shoot from anywhere whilst passing up an opportunity to build a move patiently. If he was to cut that out and be more willing to actually kick a ball with his left foot, then he may get in ahead of Danny but right now, Stevens for me.

So I would only take Zebs back personally. Our team ethic is better and as I have discussed, it's even debatable whether there is less quality in our side this year.

[Southampton Gull]

Pretty good summinmg up there Jamie. I can't find anything to pick holes in which surprises me after initially thinking we were a weaker proposition this time around. Team ethic over individual ability seems to be working handsomely.