Torquay United vs Rotherham United

[OllieGull]

The most frustrating thing from tonight was when Benyon was brought on. He was slotted straight into the Rene role and had balls hoofed up to him when clearly he realistically would win about 1 in 10 air battles, completely stupid tactic to bring a player like him on if that's all you're going to do. We literally have no plan b without Howe.

[bengull]

I am a fan of Martin Ling and have big respect for the job he did last season and the vision he is trying to achieve over a long-term basis.

However I am a bigger fan of Torquay United Football Club and if this situation isn't resolved quickly and bravely then we are in serious trouble. Some may say I have been pissing into the wind recently by trying to remain positive, anyone who was subjected to that second half capitulation could not glean any silver linings, it was abysmal. One of the worst performances I have ever seen.

If Ling is seriously ill (as is being reported on BBC) then we have to act. We wish him well and hope for a speedy recovery, but leaving the team in the hands of Taylor is suicidal. Nice man and I am sure a good right hand man to have, but this was never in the job description when he signed his contract.

We need strong leadership right at the top of our club, we can't afford to waste any more time, this is our league status we are mucking around with now. There should be no time for sentimentality because as has been stated if we were to go down it would be curtains. There is enough in the squad to gain enough points to survive, perhaps only by the skin of our teeth, on tonight's showing Taylor is not the man to gain those points. If Martin Ling isn't well enough to manage us at the moment, then we have to get someone in, whether that be on an interim basis, or a change of direction.

The players look empty, bereft of morale, confidence or any game plan. We weren't too defensive tonight, we weren't too anything, we just weren't very good.

This is not a knee-jerk reaction, I just hadn't expected things to get this bad so late into the season. There is still plenty of time to turn things round and make something respectable out of the season, we will achieve nothing if the current circumstances are allowed to continue.

Tonight was painful to watch.

[AlexGulls]

First half we were decent and created chances. Second half we were dire and threw the game away. As soon as they got the first it was only going to go one way. Something needs to change. And change fast because if it doesnt we WILL go down. I dont care how positive people want to be we are in trouble and the teams below us are picking up points. Its looking bleak

[Dave]

Running out of things to say, half time I was quite pleased, we got the ball down and played some good stuff, go a goal down and once again we fall apart, we panic, start knocking long and quick to Rene Howe, oh but he was not playing, then we start passing the ball 30 yrds across field to no one.

And worst of all we get a lifeline, there is 4 mins left, lay seige to the Rotherham goal you never know, what do we do, stand there and watch them stroll up the park and score the easyest goal ever, personaly would shoot someone for that third.

Worried, Mr chairman, take command of the club, or step aside.

[oxgull]

I know I wasn't there but WTF is going on???????

[AlexGulls]

Also noticed at the end of the game the boo's are getting louder. Something needs to be done because people are walking with there feet. And we cant afford to lose many and we certainly cant afford to go down either. Some big decisions need to be made and need to be made sharpish.

[SteveDeckchair]

Ok, my two-penneth for what it's worth.

We need to get someone in to steady the ship, make no mistake. An experienced manger and money should be no object. I mean, how much can it possibly be to get someone in for a few months?

It is a travesty that we still don't seem to know our best 11 or even our best formation. We are not using people in their most effective positions and we are sticking with players who are clearly out of form.

Onto tonight's performance.

Relatively happy with the first half. Not great, but showed glimpses of good stuff and it was an even game at half time.

Second half, awful. Why oh why did we take Craig off and replace him with Benyon at half time? We were in the game and things didn't need changing at that point. I am not saying the change led to the first goal, but we weren't the same with the changes made. Keep it the same for 10-15 mins for gods sake and see how it develops.

First sub should have been Lathrope. He was terrible, missed his tackles and was off the pace. Also,him and Manse just can't play together. It leaves us devoid of creativity in the middle of the park. Craig in the middle would solve it.

Also, why did we go long when Benyon came on? Ridiculous, but the lack of creativity in the middle must be a factor. Nobody to find a yard of space.

Plus points for tonight.

Leadbitter showed me why I would start him over Oastler any day of the week. We have a really good player here if we give him game time. Linked with Craig really well and made it all the more worse for Craig going off.

Craig played well. Unlucky to be taken off.

Bodin did ok. Not great but dangerous on occasions and caused them problems.

Yeoman did the benyon role better in the first half than the man himself in the second. Could have been due to the service benyon got though! Yeoman put in a good shift.

Return of the Macklin. Ok cameo, attacking minded and put them on the back foot a few times. Lacking match sharpness and fitness, but that will come.

Disappointing end to the night, but Rotherham were organised, quick going forward and the better team. We played into their hands somewhat though and when we played down the wings with our pace, we tore them apart. Poor final ball too many times tonight though.

[Modgull]

Just got in so here goes.

This was similar to Saturday in that we had the lions share of possession and continued to show attacking intent but were undone by some joke defending from our goalkeeper, our central defenders and our left back.

At half time I counted 11 attempts (including blocked shots) and 5 on target and wondered how Rotherham had kept a clean sheet. The only player not contributing to the lively showing was Nathan Craig who continues to demonstrate that he is no winger.

Perhaps he was carrying an injury because Benyon was called in from the half time kick around and Yeoman moved to the wing. Within a few minutes a straight shot at Poke was fumbled over the goal line and the team just seemed to fall apart. We tried to take the game to Rotherham but they kept breaking from the back. This led to a second when first Saah and then Downes failed to stop an attack up the middle and immediately afterwards Downes was lucky not to see red when, as last man, he was adjudged to have brought a Rotherham player down from another break.

Macklin was brought on for Yeoman and just as on Saturday things started to improve with some penetrating runs down the right wing. However, there were only 8 attempts with 3 on target but in injury time we got a rather soft penalty - well taken by Bodin who again had a positive game. Could we make it a grandstand finish in the four minutes of extra time - no they go back up the other end, the right wing is allowed to control the ball with Nicholson absent, move into the penalty area and make a low cross for a side footer into an open goal.

A truly depressing night because for the first time (as far as I was concerned) it was evident that the players have lost the plot - they looked shell-shocked as soon as Poke had let the first goal in and never recovered. If we weren't in a relegation battle previously, we are now.

For those who may be interested my ratings are

Poke 4/10 Never showed any authority and made a howler for the opening goal which we never recovered from
Nicholson 5/10 Lively in attack in the first half but consistently overhit his crosses and his dead ball delivery was awful. At fault for the third goal but the game had already been lost by then
Downes 7/10 Again tried to lead by example but his lack of speed and agility was exposed in the second half when Rotherham attacked on the ground
Saah 6/10 At fault for the second goal
Leadbitter 8 /10 My MOTM - both in defence and attack
Bodin 7/10 Again showed real intent and no little skill
Lathrope 5/10 No real constructive contribution when it mattered
Mansell 6/10 The captain is looking increasingly manic in the midfield - plenty of energy but little end product
Craig 5/10 Not a winger. Did come inside on occasions and had one shot from range which was off target. Generally attacks down the right came to nothing because he had to check back because he couldn't beat his marker
Yeoman 6/10 Had a very energetic first half pulling the defence around and creating opportunities, particularly down the left. Less impact when withdrawn to the right wing position when Benyon appeared
Jarvis 7/10 Worked incredibly hard and showed great skills with his feet later in the game but this meant he was dropping deeper and deeper and didn't really threaten the goal

Benyon 6/10 Made little impact and should have scored with his one shot at goal
Macklin 7/10 Showed great pace and caused plenty of problems down the right wing after coming on for Yeoman. He is the right winger we have been missing

Match officials 8 /10 Generally all four had reasonable games

Crowd 3/10 1,700 was a pathetic turnout

I am praying that Rene's return at the weekend will see a turnround in our fortunes.

[SuperNickyWroe]

Ok, my two-penneth for what it's worth.

We need to get someone in to steady the ship, make no mistake. An experienced manger and money should be no object. I mean, how much can it possibly be to get someone in for a few months?

It is a travesty that we still don't seem to know our best 11 or even our best formation. We are not using people in their most effective positions and we are sticking with players who are clearly out of form.

Onto tonight's performance.

Relatively happy with the first half. Not great, but showed glimpses of good stuff and it was an even game at half time.

Second half, awful. Why oh why did we take Craig off and replace him with Benyon at half time? We were in the game and things didn't need changing at that point. I am not saying the change led to the first goal, but we weren't the same with the changes made. Keep it the same for 10-15 mins for gods sake and see how it develops.

First sub should have been Lathrope. He was terrible, missed his tackles and was off the pace. Also,him and Manse just can't play together. It leaves us devoid of creativity in the middle of the park. Craig in the middle would solve it.

Also, why did we go long when Benyon came on? Ridiculous, but the lack of creativity in the middle must be a factor. Nobody to find a yard of space.

Plus points for tonight.

Leadbitter showed me why I would start him over Oastler any day of the week. We have a really good player here if we give him game time. Linked with Craig really well and made it all the more worse for Craig going off.

Craig played well. Unlucky to be taken off.

Bodin did ok. Not great but dangerous on occasions and caused them problems.

Yeoman did the benyon role better in the first half than the man himself in the second. Could have been due to the service benyon got though! Yeoman put in a good shift.

Return of the Macklin. Ok cameo, attacking minded and put them on the back foot a few times. Lacking match sharpness and fitness, but that will come.

Disappointing end to the night, but Rotherham were organised, quick going forward and the better team. We played into their hands somewhat though and when we played down the wings with our pace, we tore them apart. Poor final ball too many times tonight though.

and there lies a problem which looks like will not be resolved anytime this season..........................

[divingbboy]

Match officials 8 /10 Generally all four had reasonable games

As I mentioned in another thread, I'd have to disagree with you. I'd agree with you insofar as three of them are concerned, but I thought the replacement ref had an absolute shocker. Fell for every one of Fatty and Cheaty's cheating tactics, failed to take control of the game, missed fouls and handballs that happened directly in front of him, awarded at least two goal kicks that were blatant corners. Not good..............

[gullno4]

The most frustrating thing from tonight was when Benyon was brought on. He was slotted straight into the Rene role and had balls hoofed up to him when clearly he realistically would win about 1 in 10 air battles, completely stupid tactic to bring a player like him on if that's all you're going to do. We literally have no plan b without Howe.

this is spot on

[brucie]

So Scott your "and do what exactly" comment has made you look a complete fool I am afraid. Those of us who witnessed last nights debacle think otherwise and so does the chairman and board of directors judging by todays club statement.

[Scott Brehaut]

So Scott your "and do what exactly" comment has made you look a complete fool I am afraid. Those of us who witnessed last nights debacle think otherwise and so does the chairman and board of directors judging by todays club statement.

Not really - I simply asked what people wanted the board to do. Quite how a simple question like that makes me look a fool is beyond me.

[stevegull]

Not really - I simply asked what people wanted the board to do. Quite how a simple question like that makes me look a fool is beyond me.

I'm with Scott. The board has done everything they can in this situation, and their actions so far have been completely rightful. We just now need to secure a manager who is happy to come in for the short-term to help us and maybe even help their own future job prospects.

[oxgull]

I know I wasn't there but WTF is going on???????

Now I'v come down a bit and we have news of ML and some help coming in for ST it's at least a step in the right direction. I feel calm now, deep breathing and all that!!