Torquay United Fans Forum

Didn't take long for the daggers to come out for Deano. Everyone was patting him on the back a few weeks ago and now he's on the end of a barrage of personal insults when nobody knows the facts. Not saying I do - Edwards may be or may not be responsible for Cox's departure - but a witch hunt isn't going to help.

But the Conference wouldn't agree to it and I can't see away teams being happy playing away in Torquay on a Saturday night. They wouldn't get back home until 4am on the Sunday and with so many Tuesday games throughout the season, plenty of clubs would surely object.

Also agree about the atmosphere - been brilliant in the three away games I've attended this season. The drum makes a massive difference so well done Danny. One minor complaint - during the 'bounce' song, there's one guy who shouts out 'f*****g bounce' at the top of his voices all the time and that's very irritating. Don't think there's any need for it personally but then I can be a grumpy git!

Smith
Hurst
Butler
Angus
Briscoe

Just got home. Not sure if I'm pleased to collect a point or disappointed we dropped two. I'm somewhere in between. Obviously, we played three quarters of the match with 10 men and soaked up a lot of pressure, but like Welling, we had chances to win the game so a draw was probably a fair outcome.

We settled well in the opening five minutes, with Briscoe testing the goalkeeper with a low drive after some neat build-up play. But then Welling scored with their first attack after some slack defending. Butler was caught out of position as Welling attacked the right channel and our marking for the cross was non-existent. We were second-best to both balls - the first was superbly saved by Spiess at point-blank range and the second was smashed in by a Welling player on the rebound. We were too slow to react.

We got back on level terms through a set-piece - well it wasn't going to be from open play! Butler curled in a peach of a delivery - one of those that is whipped in between the defence and goalkeeper - and it went all the way into the far corner of the goal. Hurst celebrated so he must have got a touch but it was all down to Butler's ball - similar goal to the one Hurst scored at Halifax. Then came a few key turning points.

First, a ball over the top caught out Ex, who brought down their striker on the edge of the box with his outstretched leg. He was last man and it was one of those decisions that could have gone either way. I had a great view of the incident but couldn't tell if Ex got the ball - fortunately the referee sided with us but we'd have been screaming for a red card if it was a Welling defender. However, it didn't take long for the referee to go from hero to villain in yellow eyes. Again, it stemmed from a long ball over the defence. This time, Spiess decided to come and collect - which he did. But the problem was his momentum took him outside of the box and he still had the ball in his hands. There was absolutely no doubt about that but the debate was whether he was nudged by the striker after grabbing the ball, with the contact taking him outside of his area. It was another tough decision and honestly one I'd have to look at again. Usually, goalkeepers are well protected by referees but not on this occasion. Spiess was furious after being shown the red card. Maybe it was harsh. But we'd have been calling for their goalkeeper to be sent off if the same happened at the opposite end of the pitch.

Cox must have had a vision in his dream last night that this would happen because usually he doesn't stick a goalkeeper on the bench. I'd be interested to hear why today of all days he named Lavercombe as a sub. One theory I have is that Richards - who travelled with the squad - failed a late fitness test and therefore this created a free spot on the bench. Welling threatened a few times to score with the extra man and clipped the bar after their player got in between Angus and Lavercombe. However, the best chance fell to us and should have been buried. Briscoe played Fisher through and with only the keeper to beat, he laced his shot wide when it looked impossible not to hit the target. Maybe he should have taken an extra touch instead of firing first time on the half-volley. Every Torquay player had his head in hands after that miss - including Fisher. Quite ironic given the fans were singing 'Feed the Fish and he will score' earlier in the match...

Second half we switched formation to 4-4-1 with Smith playing right-back and Hurst in front of him. Briscoe was wide left. Welling kept knocking on the door and would have finished us off if they had a half-decent striker. Lavercombe made two excellent saves, Angus made a vital goal-saving challenge and I even think a Welling player inadvertently blocked a goal-bound strike after a scramble inside the area. There were other chances too but we survived the onslaught and even had opportunities to win it ourselves.

Hurst and Heslop both shot wide from good positions on the right-hand side of the area and Briscoe stabbed over a shot from a long throw to the far post before almost scoring a stunning solo goal. Moments after some idiot shouted a derogatory comment at him about how he earns more than our whole midfield combined, he nutmegged one player, dumped another on his backside with a neat turn and then drilled in a low strike which looked destined for the bottom corner - but the keeper dived down and made a splendid save. It was the one moment of real quality in the game.

I thought that was Briscoe's best performance of the season. He still drifts in and out of the game but he caused problems. Fisher had an off day and never recovered from that miss. Lavelle-Moore was unlucky to be sacrificed after the red card but it was the right decision. Quigley came on and set up a good chance for Heslop, who again I wasn't impressed with today. One of those midfielders who is invisible for most of the match. Carmichael was the more noticeable of the two and put in some excellent tackles. Both lacked quality in possession.

Hurst will probably end up being our top scorer at this rate. I wouldn't mind seeing him in a 4-4-2 playing in front of the full-back like he did in the second half because he's great going forward but leaves holes in defence. However, Ex couldn't play in a 4-4-2 because he's too slow. He was turned too many times in the second half. But that throw... it's out biggest weapon so we need him in the team. If only we had a specials team for set-pieces like our American friends! He'd be ideal. Angus made one big mistake in the second half when he lost possession in a dangerous area which led to a Lavercombe save but he defended well other than that hiccup. Smith was excellent again. My MOTM and not the first time I've said that this season. Butler had a decent game, although was out of position for the first goal. His set-pieces were much better today. Spiess made one brilliant save in the build-up to Welling's goal which he could do nothing about before being sent off. Lavercombe pulled out some great stops in the second half but punted a few goal-kicks straight out of play.

Think that's it. Well done if you got through that. Time to watch X Factor, erm, I mean Spanish football...

Added in 6 minutes 38 seconds:
I see Butler has been credited with our goal. It looked to me like Hurst celebrated but maybe he was just pleased for his fellow wing-back.

Thanks for the reports. I think one of our biggest problems right now is the lack of goals we score from open play. Most of our goals this season have come through set-pieces or a long throw. Our wing-backs pose a far greater threat than our midfield. Richards, Carmichael and Heslop seem too similar. Good at breaking up play but how many chances have they created for our strikers? I can't see any of them contributing more than a few goals over the season. Obviously we desperately miss Young but I do think Cox should have tried to sign a more creative midfielder than Heslop, who doesn't bring anything new to the team. Hopefully he'll improve with more games but the jury is out.

I also think Cox is being let down by our two other senior pros and ex-Stags. Briscoe doesn't seem effective playing in the hole. The game is passing him by and he's not causing problems for our opponents. It might be worth sticking him up front for a few games. Is that not where he played in his best performance in a Torquay shirt at Barnet last season? Exodus is also making too many mistakes. He's costing us goals - and while he scored one yesterday - his performances are very erratic. His throw is a huge weapon but defensively he looks weak. Smith actually plays like he's the most experienced of our defenders and is far more solid. When we have such a young team who are struggling, it's vital that the likes of Heslop, Briscoe and Ex lead by example and take games by the scruff of the neck and I'm not seeing any evidence of that.

PhilGull wrote:What's the news on Courtney Richards?

Injured in training yesterday. Sounds like we're lucky to be level going in at the break but ended the half strongly.

Ignore everything I said. Briscoe won't be going anywhere judging by these comments: http://mobile.torquayunited.com/news/ar ... 68790.aspx

And Fairhurst's knee scan apparently didn't go well so looks like he'll be out for a while.

Briscoe isn't proving value for money. He's probably one of our highest paid players but can't even get in the starting XI. If there is another team interested in his services - which could be doubtful given his physical condition - then we should let Louis leave.

I also wouldn't rule out a hasty departure for Fairhurst. I know he's injured at the moment but I don't think Cox will have been happy with his fitness levels even before he hurt his knee. He was our highest profile signing of the summer but maybe Cox will decide to cut his losses.

Heslop was anonymous in the first half at Eastleigh. He did improve in the second half but was ineffective overall. Too early to judge though, especially as he hasn't had a pre-season.

One thing that did disappoint me was that he wasn't very vocal. With so many young and inexperienced players in the team, Heslop and Ex need to take on a greater responsibility in terms of leadership. Ex is also fairly quiet and sometimes, particularly when we're struggling, we need our experienced players to encourage the young 'uns.

Smith
Richards
Hurst
Butler
Fisher

On way home. Can't believe we nearly pinched a point because at 3-0 we looked dead and buried. I couldn't see us scoring as up until Hurst's strike we hadn't had a single shot on target. MacDonald headed against the post but that was the only memorable chance and the first thing Poke had to do all afternoon was pick the ball out of his net after Hurst side-footed in Butler's corner from the edge of the six-yard box. Then Fisher flicked in a trademark Ex throw to set up a frantic finish and with the last kick of the game, Briscoe poked a volley over after another throw-in caused carnage inside the Eastleigh area.

We didn't deserve anything though, because we were very poor for 80 minutes. Eastleigh never really got out of first gear but controlled the match and were clinical in the final third. Their first goal came when Hurst was caught out of position and a cut-back into our box was tucked away neatly. Ex was beaten in the air by Constable which helped set up the second. The initial shot was blocked by MacDonald but we were slow to the loose ball, which was stroked past a helpless Spiess. The third was a lovely free-kick straight into the corner after Ex fouled the pesky Constable. I can't actually recall any other Eastleigh chances apart from the ones they scored but they were the better team.

I think Cox got his team selection wrong today. Fisher should have started. I can understand Marsh being given the nod as he was lively when he came on against Cheltenham but Quigley should have made way. I don't think Quigley and Carmichael deserve to start every game so if that's part of the loan agreement then I wouldn't extend it. They just don't contribute enough for me.

If we need to cut the budget to bring in other players then I'd be happy to see Briscoe go. He's probably one of our highest earners and isn't worth the money he's on. Not fit enough, too many niggles and we now have Fairhurst who can play in the hole. Wasn't too impressed with Heslop. We miss Young badly because none of the other midfielders are capable of creating chances from open play. We only look like scoring from a corner or throw.

Ex's throw is a huge weapon but he struggled defensively today. He also looks knackered in the second half of games and needs to improve his fitness. Our wing-backs did quite well going forward and look our biggest attacking threats (throw-ins aside) but Hurst especially leaves acres of space which Eastleigh exploited today. We did score from a Butler corner but there were more bad corners than good ones.

Stand-out players today were Smith and Richards. Smith is our best defender and proves size doesn't matter. Reads the game well and has a bright future. Richards never stopped running and constantly broke up play. Kept it simple in possession - just a shame that - like his fellow fit midfielders - he doesn't have that killer final ball.

I would like to see the team that finished today's match start the next one, possibly with the exception of Fairhurst for Briscoe if fit. Lavelle-Moore looks to have something about him and Fisher should be recalled immediately.

I've always liked Richards. He lacks some attributes but will make it ahead of more naturally talented players because he seems to have an excellent attitude and will to win - just look at his reaction at the final whistle to the wins over Macclesfield and Halifax. The new formation should also help as we have an extra man in midfield. I still think his best position is sitting in front of the defence like Lathrope did. His passing is weaker but he's quicker and better in the air, and like Lathrope, he can tackle and break up play effectively.

There were quite a few new songs being belted out by the Yellow Army yesterday but the above was the pick of the bunch. The drum makes such a huge difference to the atmosphere. I also thing inflatable fish are going to be a regular feature at away games, especially if new fan-favourite Fisher keeps on scoring!

I'm surprised Hawley has dropped down to that level. He was terrible for us but hit double figures for a relegated Conference team last season.