Torquay United Fans Forum

AustrianAntheaGull wrote:Yeah I did, that's why I've been off the site for a while. That and perusing New Look for a new wardrobe.

AustrianAntheaGull wrote:God please tell me that you know my name is Andy, Nick!

LocalGull wrote: Type of ignorant quote I've come to expect on here. No questions he had a poor attitude and could of been fitter. Of course playing up top by yourself limits your goal scoring opportunities?! His performances do suggest he was more than an average league 2 player, if you actually watched him play. Ling got the best out of him which nobody else has done. Really good ability and could be class, but yes, his attitude let's him down. He did have lots of clubs from higher divisions eyeing him up when he was with us, which it was why it was such a shock he went to burton. He hasn't been playing so it's pretty hard to score when that happens. Sounds like he's not been playing because of a fall out with the boss at burton, big bra cause he's a bad, or even abate age player. Rene is one of the best we've had for a while up top. I do despair.

AustrianAntheaGull wrote:I'm inclined to comment negatively about Rene but it could have been so different. The first few times I watched him I saw he had ability but his workrate was appalling and in addition, the manner in which Ling played the game didn't play to his strengths at all. As his career with us wore on he actually did knuckle down and despite continued petulance costing us his services on a few occasions he did actually get about the pitch and put some real work in when he DID play which I appreciated.

His goals last season contributed to keeping us up and often he manufactured one out of absolutely nothing and although he did score a lot of pens, he still had to put them away.

My opinion of him changed when I learned he had a contract offer on the table since Christmas before he left and obviously he refused to sign it but the last few weeks of him being a Torquay player saw him put in some atrociously lazy performances, all hands were on deck apart from Rene who knew he was leaving. At Morecambe last away game where we all but secured our league status with a 2-0 win he was absolutely pitiful. Swaggering around and not doing anything apart from getting another petulant booking 10 minutes from time which conveniently meant he missed the last match of the season at home to Rovers. Unforgivable his attitude towards the end.

He also scored just twice (one a pen) since his penalty winner at Sid James at the end of January. Eat your heart out Karl Hawley. :~D

He then protracted his departure which he was perfectly entitled to do but it just seemed again, petulant. Then when we all thought he would move on to bigger and better things he joined Burton. IMO it had to be for the money because he certainly wasn't using his time at Torquay as a stepping stone back to the big time. Obviously he is perfectly entitled also to choose a club who will pay him the most but if that were me I would just be honest about it and not try and make excuses. I would have thought a bit more of him for being honest. Also the fact that he joined Burton means really IMO that his football career is just a means to an end and that is incredibly sad when he had the ability to play higher up the football pyramid. Severe attitude problem the last few months of the season really led Rene to go well down in my estimation. Better that league 2 but not prepared to back that up with the application and desire needed to get there.

LocalGull wrote:Type of ignorant quote I've come to expect on here. No questions he had a poor attitude and could of been fitter. Of course playing up top by yourself limits your goal scoring opportunities?! His performances do suggest he was more than an average league 2 player, if you actually watched him play. Ling got the best out of him which nobody else has done. Really good ability and could be class, but yes, his attitude let's him down. He did have lots of clubs from higher divisions eyeing him up when he was with us, which it was why it was such a shock he went to burton. He hasn't been playing so it's pretty hard to score when that happens. Sounds like he's not been playing because of a fall out with the boss at burton, big bra cause he's a bad, or even abate age player. Rene is one of the best we've had for a while up top. I do despair.

nickfrench82 wrote: Playing up front on your own doesn't excuse you not scoring, or lacking discipline, or not being fit, or thinking you're better than you are. He is exactly what you say he isn't, an average league 2 striker. Nothing in his performances or statistics suggests anything different. If he were a good striker, he would be attracting interest from the next division up, or he would be consistent, or he would be scoring goals regularly. He is doing none of these things.

Fonda wrote:Not sure how anyone can doubt Howe's ability at this level. He's a talented player, scored a few goals and led the line well. Contrary to popular belief, he wasn't lazy, he just had a languid style. And it's hardly surprising his performances fell away last season - like anyone else would, I expect he got tired of playing on his own.

Fonda wrote:He certainly suffers from a short fuse - but there are players at the very top of the game who suffer that too. I personally think he has ability, seemed to settle well at Plainmoor, and in a better team would have scored plenty more.

LocalGull wrote:Let's not forget most of the time he played up top by himself too. Ling always used to comment how hard it was for him to play that role by himself. He led the line well and did more than just score. He also relieved the pressure on the midfield and defence-something we find hard to do these days. When he was on form he's one of the best forwards in the league, no question. But does seem to have gone off the boil. Ridiculous to claim he was a poor player or even an average league 2 striker. I've send plenty of them and Howe was miles ahead of them with his ability. He couldn't put it to best use every game but I'm grateful for what he gave as was a very good player for us. Could really do with him right now