Torquay United Fans Forum

Only 0-1 'cause a young kid made a big howler, but I still take your point Brucie as ilfracombe were awful.

Thought the right back Purcell had a great game and showed some great maturity as well as technical skill at times. Hutchings was also very comfortable, although I would worry if he wasn't against that lot.

Sullivan and Cameron did well but you can see where they're lacking; physicality in sullivans case and final ball in Cameron's.

Most disappointing performance for me was Craig, who looks fine with the ball at his feet but who's total lack of awareness and in-game nous was truly worrying at times. Looks obvious to me why he's not even making our bench; lathrope a much more rounded midfielder.

Cruise did well but had to be repeatedly told the same thing by knill over and over again- why he isn't playing perhaps, as he again lacks awareness? Anyway, I'm not sure he is the answer for the Nicholson critics as he's no quicker than Nicho (the main criticism).

Pretty sure that is a picture of a turnstile from the old grandstand that was sold off as a souvenir after demolition.

Knill said as much himself in pre-season. Something along the lines that players need time to get up to speed, and that they will get ten games before any major changes.

I would expect knill to take stock after this period and then consider any changes of personnel, and even if reinforcements are needed.

Don't get excited, I have no info!

I see that he still hasn't signed for anyone yet, and I remember during the close season a poster commenting that they had heard that he WOULD be signing for us, but not until November (although I can't remember a reason being given).

I tried quickly to find the post in question but failed. Just wondered whether anyone had heard anything more recently about Mozika, or if anyone else had heard something similar to the above? Maybe the original poster could shed a little more light on this, or whether it's still on the cards at all?

Personally I think a lot of our problems are stemming from a lack of control in CM, and someone like Mozika would be a great addition... therefore this fishing for info is probably more to do with hope than expectation!

Last night at Swindon we were forced to wear our navy away shorts due to Swindon wearing white; looked ten times better.

I am still getting the shirt anyway. I actually went to get it on the way to Swindon yesterday, but the shop was closed because the girl had gone to the post office! Should have known then that we would lose!

Brightboy wrote:Rene seemed to me a pretty jovial chap so I too would be massively surprised if he hadn't exaggerated his wage packet quite a bit... I mean does any league 2 club spend over 2000 a week on a player?!

I think plenty do. The problem arises when they spend it on rubbish.

I don't know why people are surprised Howe was on that sort of money; we were paying £1000 a week to our top player(s) ten years ago (graham was on £1250 before he left) so it would be daft to assume we had continued to pay at the same level.

Saying that, just from the way knill has been speaking I get the feeling that we aren't spending that sort of money just on one star player, but more a collection of players getting a bit more than average. Could mean there is still a little wiggle room, although I think he needs to ensure he has an emergency fund for loans.

If we get in financial trouble, it will be the people who allow knill to spend that will be responsible. Managers are always going to ask for money, it's weak chairman who allow them to have it that get their clubs into trouble.

If a manager asks for another few k a week to sign a player, and the board agrees, surely the manager will presume it is affordable?

Something to do with it being a kids shirt, perhaps? Obviously a lot smaller and therefore, I presume, there are potentially less stripes on the front?

I'd be surprised if hawley is taller than 5'8". For comparison, jo kuffour was 5'7"; I would say Hawley being an inch taller was about right.

Still, good signing in my opinion, adding some real experience and know-how up front. Glad ball is a taller lad, as although I don't think you HAVE to play with a tall guy up front, it's undeniably a useful option to have.

Really interesting to see whether knill will throw one of these two lads straight in, or whether he thinks that might upset the apple cart? Could well still see a Benyon yeoman pairing on sat.

Anyone who has watched lower league football over the last 10 years knows that Karl Hawley is nowhere near six foot!

Thanks for that! Good to hear it. Roll on Saturday, I say...

Fonda wrote:Considering his dealings so far, and his insistence that he won't just sign anybody to fill a gap, what makes you think Knill would sign a 'complete donkey?'

I don't, I was just asking for the person who heard the names' opinion. Would be nice to know if they are established names, young exciting names, or lower division journeyman names.

Can I ask, then, in the absence of concrete names, whether the players mentioned by knill would represent good signings for us? I.e would we have cause for celebration if they signed (a la Pearce), or would we be tearing our hair out at waiting so long for a complete donkey?

I'm one of the people who like the new shirt, however having just looked at the photo site I see we have WHITE shorts! Who thought of that?! This yellow and white stripes needs navy shorts to look good, otherwise the yellow starts to get lost.

Whoever is responsible for the white shorts: shame on you.

I think this all comes down to money, and how much Deaman will want.

If we presume Deaman is better/more ready for league football than Hutchings, I would still only want to sign Deaman if he was asking for low wages as we have potentially good young players in the squad. As Supergulls says, any ling term injury can e covered by loan if knill doesn't think they are up to it.

Also we have to consider that Mansell could fill in at RB for a game or two if really necessary.

I suppose knill could see massive potential in Deaman and may believe that if we get him we would more than likely sell him for money in 3 years. I will trust his judgment, as I believe for whatever faults he has, he seems to be able to spot a decent player when one is put in front of him.