Torquay United Fans Forum

I do feel for GJ as a person, it’s not a comfortable position to be in and undoubtedly will be taking its toll on him mentally and physically, the fact that he is at least trying to fight on shows there is a grit in there, but it needs to be further emboldened. He needs to bring a sense of certainty and conviction within himself, otherwise he needs to walk away both for his own good and the good of the club

Whilst we’ve got a few new, unproven players on loan which makes it difficult to fully asses the optimal line up, what would be your starting XI and formation based on what you have seen this season?

There is an old adage that says “if you treat each relationship as you did at the beginning, then there will be no end”.

We’re in an extremely similar predicament, if not worse, than when Gary Johnson took over, but he was able to radically turn things around

He needs to take a deep look at what’s going on and either walk into the office on Monday and treat it as day one and do the necessary to change our on the pitch fortunes, or step aside and give someone else the opportunity to do exactly what he did when he first started with the Gulls.

Ultimately it’s direction, heartfelt encouragement and support that this team need.

It’s palpable Gary is despondent, but if he is to stay he needs to lead from the front and bring the energy and conviction he brought on day one. If he can’t find it within himself to do this, then he needs to do the honorable thing and go.

It would be somewhat appeasing at least if the manager on occasion took full responsibility for the performances.

Strong leaders take accountability for underperformance and give credit to the team when they succeed.

Still bottom of the form table with 5 losses in the last five games,

WestLondonYellow wrote: ↑17 Feb 2024, 17:17 And this is relevant how exactly?

Shows the void in quality for supposed promotion contenders

Even if we scrape the playoffs, unless we build a real run of consistent form with associated confidence, I can’t see a promotion being at all likely.

TheYellowFromExeter wrote: ↑17 Feb 2024, 16:52 Johnson keeps on saying he will leave when he loses faith, how can any manager have any faith in this squad

Comparatively to the rest of the National League South, the squad isn’t technically that bad.

It’s the complete lack of game plan and substandard management that makes it atrocious

“If Braintree went down to 9, or even 8, even then I don’t think Torquay would trouble them” Radio Devon

Quite frankly this is worse than when Owers was in charge. At least we had some decent quality players then.

Either Johnson needs to resign or he has to be sent on his way.

I don’t understand the stubborn attitude on either side.

I’d understand if GJ was fired up and driving performances but his body language and interviews show he’s totally demoralised

The commentators on Radio Devon are as despondent as the players

1-1

TommyGunn wrote: ↑11 Feb 2024, 09:51 How dare you? I bet Johnson and Downes got the defenders in for a special training session this morning. Right now they are at the training ground. Bedding in the new defenders and instilling confidence for tuesday. That is what a good manager does.

Is this sarcasm? I can’t tell.

Whilst Torquay sit in 11th position in the National League South, we are BOTTOM of the form table.

https://www.flashscore.co.uk/standings/ ... /overall/5

We all know this is unacceptable and no one can understand why the club is not taking direct action.

Lost for words.

The conviction, desire and hunger has to come from the management.

GJ sounds like a broken man in each interview.

He may have a free pass but he’s got to get a grip for his own health and sanity as well as the sake of the club and team.

I’d suggest he needs outside counsel and support, the tricky thing is when someone tends to place the fault outside of themselves (as GJ often does), it’s unlikely that they will take personal responsibility for their own transformation.

Why not do a ‘sit in’ on the pitch at half time?