Torquay United Fans Forum

Anyone down there heard anything on the boy from Plymouth Rory Patterson over the last few days? Hes linked with us on that poxy transfer rumour site, just grasping at straws! :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: :'(

I have seen Macklin play a fair few times for the reserves and during his swindon days and he was good. He has good pace and can cross. Now he needs to step up to league 2 and show what he can do.

I know hes good enough just needs the chance and people need to give him time.

Agree that Manse and Eunan should be starting but I'd have no worries about Lathrope being in there.

Not sure if Leadbitter is going to be starting yet as he's still young, so perhaps Manse will be back there?

[quote="Fonda"]The concern with Macklin is that he has pace...and nothing else. I've seen criticism levelled at Zebs in recent days that he doesn't have a 'football brain'. Lloyd looks to me like he suffers the same affliction. Muzzy didn't always perform, but is demonstrates decent levels of trickery. Macklin is a bit too Forrest Gump for me.[/quote]

I would agree with that on the limited amount that Macklin has played and the even more limited amount i've seen him play. I'm hoping a new manager, arm round him bit of belief in him can get him to show us what he's all about because right now I don't think anyone really knows still. He's not been given 8-10 matches in the side at any point. Conversely Stevens has that, he likes to drop short (no pun intended) link play get involved and he plays with his head up. He simply mainly struggles with his physical limitiations. 5'1 and probably 5 stone dripping wet it's not ideal build for a League 2 footballer. i still think he gets an exceptionally raw deal from some not all of our fans. I wouldn't claim him to be the best winger i've seen and I have my serious doubts on his capability to play 46 matches a season to a decent standard but i do think he can do a job for us as a squad player, impact player and he wades in with a few goals.

I really hope both can show a bit more than they did last season, we'll see i suppose. We do need some more forward options both out wide and up top, I'm sure Ling will sort that out in due course.

The concern with Macklin is that he has pace...and nothing else. I've seen criticism levelled at Zebs in recent days that he doesn't have a 'football brain'. Lloyd looks to me like he suffers the same affliction. Muzzy didn't always perform, but is demonstrates decent levels of trickery. Macklin is a bit too Forrest Gump for me.

[quote="Fonda"]I think if we get the players we need as a minimum (i.e a winger and 2 strikers), the only place Mcphee can really force inclusion is right-wing. Unless Ling doesn't see Eunan as a certain starter...[/quote]

or he decides to play O Kane wide right with McPhee in the middle?

Tough one to guess right now, i think it will start to take shape towards the end of pre season, i'm not sure Ling himself will know right now. We'd be really helped by one of Stevens and or Macklin sort of coming of age as it were. Both have talent it's just getting a consistency out of them. Macklin is sort of sneered at as a sign of 'crapness' on here 'we've only got Macklin' sort of attitude, he is still very young, he's got pace obviously needs to work on a lot but Carayol clicked from nowhere, would love to see Lloyd do the same.

I'd be amazed if Ling didn't think Eunan was good enough to play in our side, like you Fonda I'd play him in the middle of the park with Mansell. Nice blend of energy and skill. Eunan definitely isn't the weak soft touch he was when he first joined. in those play off games he put a good shift in there.

I think if we get the players we need as a minimum (i.e a winger and 2 strikers), the only place Mcphee can really force inclusion is right-wing. Unless Ling doesn't see Eunan as a certain starter...

[quote="Fonda"]You also need a striker who can cover some ground a take a good percentage of the chances presented to him. I like Billy Kee, and think he has decent potential, but he doesn't tick either of those boxes currently.[/quote]

Fair point. I'm just thinking of ways in which Ling is going to accomodate McPhee really, it's a bit hard at the minute because it's clear our squad is still a minimum of 4 players away from being complete according to Ling.

You also need a striker who can cover some ground a take a good percentage of the chances presented to him. I like Billy Kee, and think he has decent potential, but he doesn't tick either of those boxes currently.

[quote="Richinns"]

Which is the plan at the moment :lol:[/quote]

Whilst i know that's a pop that we only have Kee at current state of play, i don't think it would be the worst ploy. Said Mcphee likes to get involved in the middle of the pitch these days, arrive late to the box to score some goals. he could play that slightly deeper role make it a 5 in midfield when defending, then do the arriving late when we're going forward. If we do go that route you need decent wingers who put good crosses in too meet those runs. At the moment we are lacking those in all honesty. Oh for a fit 10 year younger Wayne Carlisle.

What a difference a fortnight and a few signings make! Not long ago uncertainty over who was going to be here was causing a general state of alarm but now the uncertainty is over what system we might play and I for one am getting a wee bit excited by it :)

To my mind we're a goalscorer and possibly a winger light of a decent first 11, but wouldn't be surprised if these additions came through the loan market a little nearer the start of the season. From what he's saying the gaffer seems to know this is where we've got gaps and is looking to address them, so I'm reasonably comfortable with the situation.

[quote="royalgull"]I agree, Mansell and O Kane for me as well. My interest is where abouts he plays McPhee if he is a 4-4-2 man then I suppose it's either on the flank or up front. Unless he plays him slightly deeper with[color=#FF0040] 1 out and out striker[/color].[/quote]

Which is the plan at the moment :lol:

I agree, Mansell and O Kane for me as well. My interest is where abouts he plays McPhee if he is a 4-4-2 man then I suppose it's either on the flank or up front. Unless he plays him slightly deeper with 1 out and out striker.

I think Lathrope has far more to his game than Hockers ever had. For me, as much of a 'cult hero' as Hockley became, has was no more than a water carrier (thanks to Eric Cantona for that description). His sole purpose was to make tackles - and he more frequently took the players legs than the ball. Lathrope is more mobile, has better timing in the challenge and can pass a bit too.

Having said that, as i mentioned elsewhere previously, i do not see a midfield of Eunan and Lathrope working. If Eunan is to play in the middle of the pitch (where he'll do most damage), it should be alongside an experienced player, happy to play that disruptive role. It has to be Manse for me.

[quote="SteveDeckchair"]

Yes, a Matt Hockley type if you like, but he played next to and allowed Sir Alex Russell to do his thing didn't he? Swap Eunan O'Kane for Sir Alex and you get where i'm coming from. :bow:

To be fair to Lathrope though, I think [color=#FF0040]he can actually pass a ball [/color]whereas Hockers was straight out of the Branstonbauer school of football. :lol:[/quote]

I have not noticed this yet, if he possess this then he will go up in my estimations.