Looking Ahead to Forthcoming Fixtures ......

[tomogull]

Including the next game against Southport, of the next eleven games until the end of September, nine are against less fancied sides. The two exceptions are Grimsby and Forest Green, both away. Also Aldershot & Woking could provide stiffer opposition, but these are both at home. After September, games against the more fancied teams come thick and fast.

Now, we won’t win all of these games ‘cos we’re Torquay United (oops! Sorry Forever – that’s that mentality thing, aint it ??) but I can see several advantages –
1. It gives the players a good opportunity to develop as a team.
2. It gives the players with little experience even at this level chance to get some less demanding games under their belts.
3. It gives Hargreaves & Hodges opportunity to tinker a bit with team selection and time to assess where the team needs strengthening (if not already apparent) and bring in a loan signing or two if the budget allows.
4. Hopefully, it will instil in players that winning mentality which is such a vital factor as Forever posted on another thread.
5. Home wins, points on the board, move towards the top of the table - this might encourage some of those wavering fans to return to Plainmoor, thus boosting attendances.
The only downside I can think of is that we, the fans, might become lulled into a false sense of optimism when in reality we can see that this is a team which is very much ‘a work in progress’ (although there were several positive signs last night). In October and November, all the games on paper will be more difficult so we may be brought back to earth with a bump! Any thoughts anyone?

[RussianGull]

I wouldn't discount Lincoln, they've signed some decent players and everyone at work keeps banging on about their keeper. That said I hope we destroy then in a couple of weeks.

[OllieGull]

Definitely wouldn't discount Aldershot, they've got Williams up front and depending on how they do against Eastleigh on Thursday could be favourites for it.

[Dave]

When I refer to mentality is not all about confidence, obviously that comes with good performances and results. We've already seen some examples of poor mentality from us the fans, one example a general view point from some "lets not get carried away it was only Welling and their part-time" totally backward way of thinking, we're in the conference, our team can only play what's put in front of them, whether the opposition are part-time with small budget or last seasons play-off finalists, totally irrelevant. The only view point that should have come from Tuesday, the team won 3.0 well done. Full stop. Judge the results and performance of each game on it's own merit, not on who we've played against.

Mentality is also about the players not allowed themselves to be bullied out there, and I don't just mean a cheeky dig in the ribs or your gonads squeezed, I mean when the opposition get a period of possession not dropping back far to deep as a team. Also it's not about what the players think, mentality is about what they actually believe deep down, the players and us fans shouldn't be looking at Lincoln as an ex-league club with good players, we should fully believe we can go there and get something from the game.

There is no reason why the team and us fans shouldn't believe we can achieve at least 11 from our forthcoming fixtures, should that be achieved, confidence restored and a platform to build from.

[tomogull]

Definitely wouldn't discount Aldershot, they've got Williams up front and depending on how they do against Eastleigh on Thursday could be favourites for it.

Agree Aldershot could go well this season but we're at home (Bank Holiday Monday) so hope we can get at least a point. Pearce will be back to take care of Williams! I admit I thought Lincoln was a game we could win simply because they struggled last year and at one stage looked like being dragged into the bottom four. I see that the goalkeeper they're raving about is on a season's loan from Birmingham. They've started the season okay but they're away to Barnet on Saturday so that will give us a clue what they're like. Also see that Eastleigh are home to Gateshead - that will be an interesting result.

I'm going to put my head on the block and say by the end of September, we should have at least 24 points (including the 3 points from Tuesday night) from 13 games. We need to stack up those points because they won't be so easy to come by in October & November. I know there will be those who say 'take every game as it comes' but hey, that's a bit boring, isn't it ??

[tomogull]

When I refer to mentality is not all about confidence, obviously that comes with good performances and results. We've already seen some examples of poor mentality from us the fans, one example a general view point from some "lets not get carried away it was only Welling and their part-time" totally backward way of thinking, we're in the conference, our team can only play what's put in front of them, whether the opposition are part-time with small budget or last seasons play-off finalists, totally irrelevant. The only view point that should have come from Tuesday, the team won 3.0 well done. Full stop. Judge the results and performance of each game on it's own merit, not on who we've played against.

Mentality is also about the players not allowed themselves to be bullied out there, and I don't just mean a cheeky dig in the ribs or your gonads squeezed, I mean when the opposition get a period of possession not dropping back far to deep as a team. Also it's not about what the players think, mentality is about what they actually believe deep down, the players and us fans shouldn't be looking at Lincoln as an ex-league club with good players, we should fully believe we can go there and get something from the game.

There is no reason why the team and us fans shouldn't believe we can achieve at least 11 from our forthcoming fixtures, should that be achieved, confidence restored and a platform to build from.

I see what you're saying Forever - good post. I thought Welling were a better side than what some people have suggested. If they can get their forwards scoring, they will cause a few upsets. Not sure I understand your last para - do you mean 11 wins up to end of September ?? Even with a positive mentality, that's setting the bar of expectations a tad too high !!!

[Dave]

Oops sorry, my bad, 11 points from our next 5 games.

[Jeff]

Thought Aldershot looked OK in what was a very dour game between them and Eastleigh. Their front two look like quite a handful, but they suffered from playing two VERY defensive central midfielders (including Lathrope).

For all their money spent, didn't think Eastleigh looked much cop

[brucie]

Aldershot were unlucky to lose - Eastleigh spawned it with a 95th minute winner courtesy of a Joe Oastler cock up.
Tough on Oastler who played very well against Eastleighs big money signings.
Eastleigh do have a very strong squad though. Constable did ok but Midson was absolutely shite - and if he is on a big wage he is earning money by false pretences.
Think Eastleigh will go well but their manager seems a bit of a bell end so hope someone beats them soon.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I may take the time out of my hectic schedule to join you lot at Lincoln in a few weeks. Sure I've got a lot on at the moment (a duffle coat and a pair of spongebob leggings as my heating's shagged - it's cold oop north) but if my 'attendance' can help Torquay in any way gain 3 points against my old Uni city then I'm sure nobody will complain. If they do then it's tough shit.

Bix, I'm sure you mentioned you were heading to Lincoln? I guess you won't be now though reading this. :~D

I'd be happy to go for a bevvy mate prior to the game.

Ok, so I'm not a Torquay fan anymore but like Tomo said, they can become my second club , third if you include FC Salzburg .

I actively want to give my support, well vocals anyway - 'support' would be the wrong word to use.

I want to go to Lincoln and I'm more than prepared to pay the 80p return toll over the Trent at Dunham plus the admission. Toll bridges are something I love actually, apart from paying. Oh the quirkiness of them. I'd expand the crossing opportunities if I owned one. For example, I'd waive the return toll for anyone willing to swim across and I'd get an amployee to drive the customers car across for free and meet them at the other end as they emerge from the water. They could commandeer a small kayak and attempt a crossing and for that it would be free one way and if they opted to cross the river on the back of ANY animal then they'd get a years free pass unlimited crossings (without the accompanying animal).

Lincoln, who is going then?

[AustrianAndyGull]

Just thought I'd also congratulate you on a steady start to the new season. The Gateshead result and performance didn't surprise me one bit, I expected you to beat Welling and the Southport game was a hard earned point on the face of it. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. Unless you start badly and are still shit come Christmas like under Knill. Then panic but for now it's cool. CH is hamstrung by having to play players you can't shift even though he might not want to. Cruise shouldn't be allowed to pull on a Gulls shirt again however. Bodin has been denied this opportunity and now it's Tom's turn. A shocking defender. Stick him up front, he'd be more help. There is always an exception.

I think CH can make you comfortably mid table but there is just too much uncertainty and too many old faces still not good enough or committed enough to pull on a Gulls shirt for you to make a play off push IMO.

I think stability, some decent wins on the board to get that feeling back at Plainmoor and some positive momentum are the order of the season and next year it's BINGO!! A league 2 push.

[hector]

I was just looking ahead to fixtures around November/December and we are at home for 4 Saturdays on the trot. If we reach the first and second rounds of the FA Cup, and get home draws that would make 6 Saturdays on the trot that we are at home. Fixture planners for this league are just bizarre.

[RussianGull]

We used to take quite a few away to Lincoln, expecting about 200-300 on Saturday. I'll be going with (possibly) 2 others. Not a big fan of Sincil Bank, the last time I went to Lincoln it cost £21 to get in which is ridiculous, I notice now though if you buy in advance it's £16 which isn't too bad I suppose.

[rivieratony]

That all looks eminently sensible and erudite, and I'm certainly hoping that comes to fruition, but my secret concerns are:-
Firstly there may not be any funds in the war chest for loanees
Secondly, we have in recent times had a problem putting teams that we should beat to the sword and perform better when we are the underdog.
1 or 2 of our more permanently contracted players are not currently performing as well as will be needed to put your plan into effect, and if they dont step up to the mark soon we will be using up valuable funds carrying them.

[Gullscorer]

FA Youth Cup game against Clevedon Town at Plainmoor Wednesday 3 September, kick-off 7.30pm.
Tickets available at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions.
Read more at http://www.torquayunited.com/news/artic ... ubM32cO.99

And the first team's FA Cup run begins Saturday 25 October (4th qualifying round).