Torquay United Fans Forum

A regular and worrying trend happening way too often!

Oh and being able to accurately pass or thread a ball though is quite useful too!

You need midfield players who can drive into the box and commit defenders providing service to the strikers - who does this?

Apparently Sky soccer Saturday said Fleetwood could be 4 up!

Just got back to Luton after the game. Great turnaround but boy did we make it hard for ourselves. Still concerned about the Mansell and Harding partnership. I am not sure if the weather was such a factor or whether our midfield simply can't get the ball on the floor and play football and even if they did would they create anything? For most of the first half Ricey was kicking a boomerang as it was simply headed back missing our our midfield completely. Northampton were aggressive in the challenge moved the ball quickly and were accurate in their passing and didn't give the ball away cheaply. Something we must also try to achieve. Chappells goals were both great finishes and Aaron downes apart from a couple of difficult headers in the wind played well. Still haven't seen enough consistency of form from Cameron. Hawley is going to be a really good addition and I like the way he plays. I heard a number of complaints about Callum Ball today as well but I still feel he will improve further. My biggest concern for fear of repeating myself is Nicholson and if there was ever any evidence to justify this then you just needed to watch the first half. I just do not know why nobody else sees it.
Otherwise a great day out and at last we turn over Northampton in their own back yard having watched 3 failed attempts previously it feels good. Lovely to see Alan Knill coming over to the fans talking up to the stand before the game about the difficulty getting to the game and at the end too! Nice touch.

Quite honestly I am stunned that Nicholson is continuing to claim the left back spot this season. I was of the firm belief that last season was his last as a regular. Literally every side that comes to Plainmoor is aware of this weak spot in our side and they look to exploit it at every opportunity. This was one of the positions I really hoped we would fill pre-season. Jermaine McGlashan loves playing against him and there are many others. I do expect Potter to enjoy his day out if he plays down this side of the pitch. I do believe he has been a loyal servant to the club but you cannot play someone just because he's played for the club for a number of years. I do wonder what Knill sees in him, perhaps he doesn't, perhaps he has no other choice! Fingers crossed for Saturday.

Having watched Rendell against Yeovil and heard the reports from today I do hope we elect not to sign him. Quite simply I think we can do much better and other strikers will play well with Benyon too. I firmly believe he is a conference player.

Although Hooper looked quite comfortable at the back again vs Yeovil he did struggle with their tall centre forward and this is my main area of concern - I think he isn't imposing enough due to his height and I think he will struggle because of this.

What a well grounded, sensible and realistic attitude by AK.

In my opinion players always believe they are better than they actual are - especially at this level. However, clearly you cannot blame players with families wanting to get the highest salary and longest contract possible, this would be no different for any employee of any organisation.

AK's experience is a real bonus in this situation as I am sure other managers would be tempted to 'panic buy' or over commit themselves. Part of the reason I love our club is that our financial strategy is sound and much better than most clubs in our division and we are going the right way with our youth investment.

AK clearly feels he has a future with our club and his actions are a testament to this. He is spending our club's money as if it were his own, which in my opinion is exactly what we want.

Some of this will be psychological banter for players looking around on websites etc. and of course it is a gamble as we may not end up with the players we want come the start of the season. However, hidden gems can be uncovered in this situation when other clubs have spent their money. Only time will tell.

Keep it up AK

Jake Robinson - no thank you - another fringe player that would turn up for half a dozen games in a season, usually against his former clubs. Had a high opinion of himself 'hence the name JakeyTorres - but never consistently delivered!

Again his twitter says "i can go where i like, it's upto Torquay to show me they really want me". This actually translates to "I've scored 16 goals last season and now I think I am a great player and I deserve to be paid as much as I can get and if Torquay want me they'll pay it otherwise I'll go to whoever will pay it". No-one would hold me to ransom like this and as we all know there is no loyalty in football - I'm just surprised he hasn't signed for anyone yet - as there have been offers. Very strange.

Just been told by a Taunton Town player we have a pre-season with them - not sure if it's home or away but it would be good if its away (for me that is!)

Am I right in thinking that if Rene is officially contracted with TUFC until June that he cannot sign for another club before this contract expires? This may explain why nothing is happening. He seems to find all this speculation about where he is going next season quite funny. Personally I find it a bit disrespectful. He posted on his twitter account yesterday, "Where am I off to today then?". I wish he would just either commit or move on, either way I don't mind but surely this must be affecting other plans!!

I see that latest South Devon posting quotes Rene having received a revised offer from the club. His Twitter quoted him as saying "It's up to the club now to make me an offer I can't refuse - within reason". Well you now have an improved offer with a stable club whose house is in order and with investments in training infrastructure and development that will well place the club in the future - plus it's a lovely part of the country to bring up your daughter. If that's not an incentive, I don't know what is. I must say I get a bit fed up with all this from players - bright lights big city.

The reality is Rene's career was stalling before he came to Torquay United and now that he's had a good season, all of a sudden he seems to think he's a great player. Don't get me wrong with the limited playing career of players I understand you have to get the best deal possible but I also understood he had an offer on the table at Christmas and with the news now that he's had a revised offer on the table he still appears to be playing silly buggers. The reality is if he wanted to be here then he would sign/have signed. Clearly he doesn't so let him move on.

I'd give him a timetable to make a decision and if he elects to move elsewhere then so be it, at least we can start early at building our attacking line-up for the new season as opposed to waiting an hoping a player is going to sign. The chances are he'll have a reasonable season next year and then be back looking gratefully for whatever deal he can get the year after. Quite likely in League 2.

Does Torquay United need Rene Howe that much? - I don't think so personally.

That's because he wants a move up North - apparently for personal reasons. If he is in Newcastle at the moment that would explain things. Notts County or Burton more likely in my opinion certainly nothing down south unless the offer is too good to refuse.

From recent activity plus the fact there has been an offer on the table for Rene for some time and his twitter post recently quoted "Meetings" I would say it is a forgone conclusion the lad is looking for a better deal elsewhere. A proven goal scorer replacement is a must for next season.