Torquay United Fans Forum

Here's the latest prediction league update… Last game vs Averly 2-1 LOSS

Username ----------------- Prediction ----------------- Overall Points
DerekDawkinsJnr ----------------- 2-1 ----------------- 14
Gullsandbeyond121 ----------------- 2-1 ----------------- 13
portugull ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 10
RodneyJacksRightFoot ----------------- 1-0 ----------------- 10
UnitedinDevon ----------------- 1-3 ----------------- 10
Incredigull ----------------- 2-1 ----------------- 9
Mr Tea808 ----------------- 2-1 ----------------- 8
North Curry House ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 8
SuperNickyWroe ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 7
Cheddargull ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 6
Chelston TUFC ----------------- 2-2 ----------------- 6
Dgulls ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 6
notnow ----------------- 2-2 ----------------- 6
Dave_Pougher ----------------- ----------------- 5
gullsgullsgulls ----------------- 0-2 ----------------- 5
Hornblower ----------------- 2-0 ----------------- 5
Minneapolisgull ----------------- 1-2 ----------------- 5
Swindon gull ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 5
zebgull ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 5
budegull1954 ----------------- 2-2 ----------------- 4
Eirik ----------------- 1-2 ----------------- 4
Hot Rod ----------------- 0-2 ----------------- 4
leetufc ----------------- 3-1 ----------------- 4
MellowYellow ----------------- 1-3 ----------------- 4
Dave ----------------- 3-1 ----------------- 3
Louis ----------------- 1-3 ----------------- 3
Sesimbra ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 3
Southampton Gull ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 3
Taelee73 ----------------- ----------------- 3
United62 ----------------- ----------------- 3
Admiral ----------------- 2-4 ----------------- 2
Brewers boy ----------------- 2-2 ----------------- 2
Cruisinho ----------------- ----------------- 2
happytorq ----------------- 0-2 ----------------- 2
Hereford Gull66 ----------------- 3-1 ----------------- 2
Midlandgull ----------------- 0-0 ----------------- 2
Oil Beef Hooked ----------------- 1-3 ----------------- 2
teddiebear ----------------- 2-3 ----------------- 2
torregull ----------------- 2-2 ----------------- 2
dawlishmatt ----------------- ----------------- 1
Kingsgull83 ----------------- ----------------- 1
Nick Potkins ----------------- ----------------- 1
Skillsy ----------------- ----------------- 1
The deluder ----------------- 2-3 ----------------- 1
tufcyellowarmy ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 1
Willhtq ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 1
Wolborough ----------------- ----------------- 1
Brucie ----------------- 5-0 ----------------- 1
AdrianC ----------------- 1-2 ----------------- 0
Brixham63 ----------------- ----------------- 0
culmstockgull ----------------- ----------------- 0
DevonBee ----------------- ----------------- 0
Forest gull ----------------- ----------------- 0
Knightmaregull ----------------- ----------------- 0
markypoos77 ----------------- ----------------- 0
numpte ----------------- ----------------- 0
Paignton Gull ----------------- ----------------- 0
Saints1908 ----------------- ----------------- 0
SDYellow ----------------- 2-2 ----------------- 0
SWgull ----------------- 1-1 ----------------- 0
Wubble U ----------------- ----------------- 0
Stickingitin ----------------- 2-5 ----------------- 0

Taelee73 wrote: 04 Sep 2023, 11:51 Giving players one full game to prove themselves? Hanson I've not seen enough of to comment, but Mcgavin has had many chances, he is lazy, slow and can't tackle.

Players need games to gel and build confidence, so you'd have to stick to the players and formations for 4/5/6 games at least. For me, Mcgavin had his chance.



Three at the back just isn't working with the players we have, why he keeps on and on with it. We look far more balanced with four at the back.

Desilva needs to up his game, he knew what would be expected of him from last season. The first few games for us I really thought we had a tricky pacy player, but he's really regressed since then. He just doesn't seem to fit into GJs system.

Whatever happens this season, most of these players will not be here next, Hall, Mcgavin, Hanson, Moxey, Desilva, Jarvis to name a few.

Add Halstead to that, as he only got a 1 year extension

Hanson played centre half for Dover - have a look at Tomlinson losing his man from a routine throw in and presenting them with a shot on goal.

He isnt big enough or good enough, gets bullied and basically looks like a schoolboy playing against grown ups. Hanson has played in the national league - a higher level than Tomlinson.

Who knows but give the guy a chance - after all Johnson paid a fee for him. We are playing at home against a bunch of no hopers - we need to create chances.

Crowe is comfortable on the ball - we have been conceding umpteen chances per game, Give someone else ago

Hanson at centre half ?!!
Have you been getting too much sun ?
As for Crowe , yes like the other full backs, good going forward but can't defend !

Actually, a fair few comments coming in, and not too much bitching at each other. We are becoming a together bunch. Differences of opinion, yes, but all together in supporting a tosh team, and all with the hope of improvement!

Coyy!

I do not think letting a player have one full game then a month on the bench will achieve anything, most of the back line and there is a combination of eight have been here a season or more, after this time if they do not get what Johnson wants them to get, they are never going to get it. I agree with toastkid that stobbs let his man go, however running the wings and covering midfield is already two roles, covering for absent defenders just because they have no pace or footballing nous is one role to many. Tomorrow I would play moxey in place of tomlinson alongside marshall who has at least a little bit of willing to die for the cause about him. I would start crowe at right back, is he any better than what we have seen so far, probably not but he has experience on his side and besides he has a lot to prove.

Giving players one full game to prove themselves? Hanson I've not seen enough of to comment, but Mcgavin has had many chances, he is lazy, slow and can't tackle.

Players need games to gel and build confidence, so you'd have to stick to the players and formations for 4/5/6 games at least. For me, Mcgavin had his chance.



Three at the back just isn't working with the players we have, why he keeps on and on with it. We look far more balanced with four at the back.

Desilva needs to up his game, he knew what would be expected of him from last season. The first few games for us I really thought we had a tricky pacy player, but he's really regressed since then. He just doesn't seem to fit into GJs system.

Whatever happens this season, most of these players will not be here next, Hall, Mcgavin, Hanson, Moxey, Desilva, Jarvis to name a few.

Stobbs looked one of the four players in our team who can actually play football. The bloody manager should be accountable for this debacle.

Whilst I dont normally agree with you, I actually think that maybe we should put in Hanson and Crowe on Tuesday night in preference to Tomlinson and Martin.

Hanson has played centre half before, and Crowe is decent going forward. Could they make the defence any worse? cant see it myself.

This is what I dont understand about Johnson - he signed these players. Admittedly they wernt great last season but who was?

Our defence has been so poor - Tomlinson just looks too weak to me. Time to give someone else a go - these players have something to prove. It might be their last chance.

Players do have to be accountable to some level.

The second goal, just watch Stobbs. (And I like the player). He just ambles back then leaves a player to run on. The defence are then out numbered and trying to close gaps. Laziness from Stobbs to expose the defence. If they are a poor defence, don't make matters worse.

So, give them a rocket. Onwards and upwards.

I was at the last Retro Gulls meeting and asked GJ about his gung ho tactics of last season which led to TEN home defeats seven of which by one goal. We lost four in a row with a 1-2 score line often we were beaten in the last minute when the opposition broke on us after we had a corner and we left no one back to defend ! BLOODY STUPIDITY. I told him it was schoolboy defending and he said he has now addressed that !!!!!

Second question was surely it is better to play players in a position that they are comfortable with rather than to try and fit them into a system that they cant play !! I am not a football coach but to me that is bloody obvious ! If he insists on 3-5-2 then the three at the back need to be proper centre backs like Kevin Hodges team of Watson, Gittens and Robinson and NOT inexperienced schoolboys like Tomlinson , Craske and a utility player in Donnellen The wing backs need to be able to defend as well as attack like Gibbs and Gurney and not like Collins and Stobbs who can hardly attack let alone defend !! He muttered something in reply which wasn't any real answer. Probably too embarrassed that a fan knew more than him !!

McGavin and Hanson are not the answer, they are partly responsible for where we are. They have had there chance, let’s not f*** this up anymore.
Sensible comments from Dave Caldwell seeing it from his perspective

toastkid wrote: 04 Sep 2023, 07:07 Sensible views from Dave Caldwell.
Mellow also talks in a considered way.

I've been criticised for questioning what GJ should do with the players. Many think GJ should go, I'd rather focus on what we have.

You can't criticise Hanson and McGavin for Saturday's performance, as I (and I didn't go to the game) don't think they played.

Personally, I'd play them both next game. McGavin with Hanson and Laps on either side. Then if they don't perform criticise them. I don't think they've both played a full game this season. That would give us numbers in the middle of the park to grab hold of the game.

Flat back 4, but yes, change what we had. Try crowe at rb, martin left, moxey and marshall at cb. Two playing off Jarvis, perhaps sitting a bit deeper up front. De silva and stobbs.

I quite like Tomlinson. He's not there yet, but he'll be a good player. For me he's an option. I'll get hanged by the neck for that comment. Until I'm dead! But he'll be fine.

This season will be a good one. When? 8th November. We'll push on then. Like Seb Coe or Steve Ovett. Were only half way around the first lap and we are sitting off the shoulder and we are not boxed in quite yet.


Others will want something else.

The trouble is I can’t see GJ adhering to your suggestions which I largely agree with. Playing players in their correct positions would be a good start!

Eventually Mr Johnson’s taxi will arrive.

Sensible views from Dave Caldwell.
Mellow also talks in a considered way.

I've been criticised for questioning what GJ should do with the players. Many think GJ should go, I'd rather focus on what we have.

You can't criticise Hanson and McGavin for Saturday's performance, as I (and I didn't go to the game) don't think they played.

Personally, I'd play them both next game. McGavin with Hanson and Laps on either side. Then if they don't perform criticise them. I don't think they've both played a full game this season. That would give us numbers in the middle of the park to grab hold of the game.

Flat back 4, but yes, change what we had. Try crowe at rb, martin left, moxey and marshall at cb. Two playing off Jarvis, perhaps sitting a bit deeper up front. De silva and stobbs.

I quite like Tomlinson. He's not there yet, but he'll be a good player. For me he's an option. I'll get hanged by the neck for that comment. Until I'm dead! But he'll be fine.

This season will be a good one. When? 8th November. We'll push on then. Like Seb Coe or Steve Ovett. Were only half way around the first lap and we are sitting off the shoulder and we are not boxed in quite yet.


Others will want something else.

Admiral wrote: 03 Sep 2023, 12:27 Why is it that when Owers got us relegated about 95% wanted him out, but not Johnson? At least the bloke was a good scout that basically gave Johnson a good team. Just don’t see why we should accept the way we are performing in the SIXTH tier just because it’s Gary Johnson. He’s on tenure

Owers replaced Kevin Nicholson, a very popular figure among the fans. At the time with conspiracy theories flying about regarding Clarke Osborne and Gaming International Nicholson was regarded somewhat As a martyr.
As for Johnson's continuing popularity, I think there are those who simply cannot face the fact that Johnson is pass his sell by date. They refuse to see that Johnson's early success here was achieved with Owers' team and since it has broken up post-Ashton Gate Johnson has been incapable of recruiting an effective football team in its place. Like with all legends the good times eventually come to an end, and some need to recognise that has occurred here.