Torquay United Fans Forum

Am I getting it wrong, or Do I remember that when Shawn Taylor stood in for Ling, he was utterly abysmal. Beats me why he is at Plainmoor at all and now Assistant Manager. Oh Dear.

Just a word about the 2 new signings, having gone to the match yesterday. O'Sullivan looked useful, only time will tell if he is any better than what we already have. However, Fletcher was woeful - Easily pushed off the ball. But for a slight guy he should have been a nippy, alert worrier who might have had decent chances several times if he had been quicker and more alert - see the first Torquay attack on the highlights - he was reluctant to get stuck in at all. I'd send him back, I'm afraid.

Effete was our "best" player and even he gave away the first goal - nowhere to be seen!
But what are the Manager and Coach doing? Basics seem to be ignored by the players. Schoolboy howlers does not cover it.

And what was clearly required at half-time was the introduction of all three subs and a more attacking gameplan. Bringing Keating on for 20 mins is a waste of time, especially as he has also lost the spark of his first games when he forced defenders into all sorts of difficulties. But 3 changes may have made a difference.

Great athlete. He comprehensively outclassed everyone on the Teignmouth Grammar School football field, nutmegging me several times in the process, and he could keep going all day. So pleased he stepped into the Torquay Team and held his own for many years. A loyal servant of the club, and a nice guy. RIP

Would you feel that a minutes' applause would be appropriate to remember Bill?
If so, in which minute of the match?

Thanks but no. Keep watching the game. Hopefully a win. May be there myself!

Last journey from Teignmouth to Torquay yesterday, for my Dad, William (Bill) Rowe, (no relation to directors) of Teignmouth/Shaldon, as relations accompanied him to the crem, and reminisced about all those journeys over many years by motorbike and car to Plainmoor.
He passed away one day short of 94th birthday, and supported TUFC from being taken by his dad at the age of 10, so 84 years. He took me, Steve Rowe, at age 10, and grandsons Adam & Ross Green similarly. We are all big Gulls fans and thankful for that ongoing connection. Even when he could no longer move, his first comment when we visited him in the care home was always "our team had a good win" or "our team not doing so well". Not many of these loyal fans still around, but we will carry the flame for Bill.

Cant understand how the name of Gary Owers has not come up before - and a very underwhelming one it is. Better than Ronnie Moore, eh?

Just one idea, but I think Gowlings touchline animation has been an attempt to generate a Player/Assnt Manager role for himself. Maybe Not a bad idea as Herrera is not up to it.

Nowadays football clubs use the words "coach" and "manager" interchangeably.

I thought for a moment that our new manager had spontaneously combusted when GI told him he would be working for free on probation for 3 yrs !! :rules:

Love the Herald Express headline "Robbie Herrera throws his hat into the ring for the Torquay United job"

I'm beginning to think that we should give Robbie's hat a chance. Provided RH is not in it of course.
The Hat cant do any worse than 2 points out of 24

:~D

Agreed, crass unprofessionalism from Herrera to imply anyone can "have a go" at being Torquay Manager.

What surprises me if that high quality applicants like Mickey Adams, Ronnie Moore, etc stuck their neck above the parapet. Did none of these experienced managers do their research on the current state of TUFC?? Seems strange that they thought they might get a decent salary and money to build a team when all the signs were the opposite.
As Groucho Marx said (nearly) I would not want to see a big name Manager appointed here who actually applied for the job as Manager here.
Because they are clearly "out of the loop"

Unless an experienced manager was into moving down here to retire (maybe for his wifes sake), then they are sadly blinkered.
Which leaves what? Certainly hope its not "Give us a go" Herrera

"As I read it, Geoff Harrop is making the decision and then presumably running off to Mr Osborne and saying "Hi Clarke - this is what Applicant A is demanding for his remuneration - can we afford it?". Clarke says "Hell, no". And so it goes on ...... until Chris Todd is appointed."

I can only hope that the interview process has been conducted in reverse to the accepted process above. I have been surprised with the apparent quality and experience of a couple of the applicants - have they not conducted their research on the lack of budget and the low amount they will be paid? That should be the first discussion area, so that those who dont want to go there can catch the train back home. Yes, that may piss off those experienced candidates, as well as us supporters, but there is no point in GI stringing them along only to say that TUFC cannot meet their demands.

I am also worried about the player budget being affected by the gradually increasing number of backroom staff. It would not surprise me if an experienced manager came in, PLUS a assistant/coach, PLUS Robbie retained for youth development. GI will then say that they have no money left for players wages!!!

I have to say that I would have given Nicho 3 or 4 more games. From the display I saw yesterday, this team is more than capable of top half finish. It seems that after 2 yrs Nicho has recruited OK and has learnt to manage a team in difficult circumstances.

But here is the crunch. He should never have been appointed - nor Hargreaves. It should be clear to the Board that appointing an ex-player who has got his coaching badges is not the way forward. It takes time to learn how to manage in a particular League, how to motivate, change tactics etc etc,, and Torquay cannot afford to appoint someone who has not done it at this level or League 2.

And what about the coaching? What the hell do the coaching courses and badges teach these guys?, because it aint that difficult to get your team really fit in Devon - get out onto dartmoor and beaches for a start. And surely the leaky defense needed some concentrated coaching to tighten up. There have been other coaching failures overe the past years. We dont need the new manager to bring in his mate as assistant. We need an experienced mannager, but then we also need a tough, experienced coach/assistant who can improve fitness, get them playing as a team, and yes - how about a couple of moves (eg free kicks) developed on the training ground.
Two seperate appointments.

By the way, the end of the match saw McGinty furiouly arguing with another Torquay player. He had to be restrained. But I did not see who he was arguing with. Please tell.....

Back from match - what a strange one. Their first goal should have been prevented, and the leaky defence was breached several more times in the first half, with Guisley hitting the post and crossbar more than once, and some Clarke saves. Yet after their goal we did up the tempo a bit, with some neat passing, and snatched 2 goals. Keating was my man of the match. Yes he misses chances, but he also creates them out of nothing, and holds the ball up well. If they all worked like him, we would be fine.
Second half we were in control, and many chances went begging - mainly a reluctance to pull the trigger quickly. Reid wasteful. JP ?? Still, it was just a question of when we would score as Guisley seemed demoralised. But near the end of normal time they scored, and we would have settled for a draw. But that was followed by a frantic 7 mins when they threw everything forward, Their 3rd goal was an almightly scramble of blocked shots- even the stadium anouncer said he had no idea who scored. To put it into perspective, a couple of mature Guisley regulars behind me said Torquay were the better team and Guisley lucky to win.
But last years main problem, a leaky defence is still there, and the midfield needs strengthening as well. Felt sorry for Herrera in the end

Surely, Toquay and the Plainmoor locality has a deep and long-standing with another name. You must know it!
I still prefer Plainmoor, but if another name is to be chosen, particularly if we move, it has to be the name of the ground in the Babbacombe Model Village. Unless its changed since I went regularly as a boy, then the obvious name is Wombley Stadium. ! QED

Nicho is making excellent progress towards a team who all have surnames with G. So far we have Gowling, mcGinty, Gosling, Gallifuoco will stay - shame to lose Gerring. "Give us a G ...................................