The Positive Thread

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 25 Oct 2013, 22:18

Bloody hell Chunks! I take it you're a Quo roadie?!

Now for the appropriate smilie................ :Oops:

:na:

chunkygull · Post by **chunkygull** » 25 Oct 2013, 22:48

nah, just a bit bored.

i do like a bit of quo though.

saw them at the torbay leisure centre once.

like you said andy, im into old mans music! :~D

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 25 Oct 2013, 22:55

The only bloke I've ever talked to at Torbay Leisure centre was called Duggie. In the day he wanders around Torquay shopping precinct in a pair of slippers and shouting "get away it's a bomb". He's insane.

A bit like Quo fans. I'd like to say that at least they play real instruments so they can't be all that bad but I can't. They are Skrill.

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 25 Oct 2013, 23:08

AustrianAndyGull wrote:The only bloke I've ever talked to at Torbay Leisure centre was called Duggie. In the day he wanders around Torquay shopping precinct in a pair of slippers and shouting "get away it's a bomb". He's insane.

Actually, Andy - that was me. It's what happens to you when you support Torquay United for 50+ years. In fact, come to think of it ....... I think you might be showing early symptoms !!! >:( >:(

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 25 Oct 2013, 23:11

Early symptoms? No, been like this since I was 12.

Wisconsin_gull · Post by **Wisconsin_gull** » 26 Oct 2013, 14:24

Having a couple of days R&R in Fish Creek enjoying the Autumn Leaves and last couple of days of reasonable weather before the winter begins...Delightful supper and a bottle of Crispin cider and found myself dreaming positive thoughts

-Gulls take the lead on 17seconds against a pompey
-Mozika overhead kick form center spot wins the game
-Benners gets on with 15mins to play
- Poke back fit and healthy
-3points against the mighty pompey and a 10pt November

Robiberto22 · Post by **Robiberto22** » 26 Oct 2013, 16:12

good point today people!!!

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 26 Oct 2013, 18:04

A little more encouraging today.

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 26 Oct 2013, 20:25

It was great to see Pearce get in most fans top 3 for ratings today. It is obvious that he is a quality player at this level and if he can manage his illness well then when Downes comes back Knill will have a solid base from which to instill some stability. The positives are that we have 2 excellent 'keepers and the bedrock of our defence looks quality going forward. I am extremely pleased that Downes looks like he is on his way back and that Pearce has overcome a devastating blow with his illness and I am feeling a lot better about this now.

My only two concerns about situations that could undermine this are down to Knill and not trusting him to make the most appropriate and common sense decision when it really matters.

For example, Pearce has now a permanent question mark over his ability to play every week and also Downes as we know is prone to the odd injury. What we need Knill to do once this pair have been re-united is to look at the cover and ensure that nothing like this happens again. Does he trust MacKenzie and Hutchings and will he be prepared to bring them in if needed next time around or will he add another centre back asap? This ridiculous situation cannot be permitted to happen again so it needs looking at. Sadly I don't trust Knill to avoid a repeat performance.

Secondly this musical chairs, or should I say musical bench with Nico / Cruise has got to stop now and Knill needs to make up his mind once and for all who he wants as full back. Nico is my favourite player and a Torquay legend but there is no room for sentiment and I believe Cruise has a right to feel aggrieved given what has happened with him so far this season. Cruise hasn't had a run in the side at full back to get any sort of form together and he was only brought back in because Nico was having a shocking start to the season. Now Nico is back in again and I am really really confused as to what Knill is doing with this pair. Nico looks slow and suspect on a regular basis and up against anyone with pace he'll get slaughtered so either we give him cover on the field or we play Cruise and forgive him a few sluggish games until he finds his feet again. Pick one Knill and stick by them. For me it has to be Cruise. Just sort this out because it's childish and it's affecting our defensive unit.

That is as far as my positivity can stretch to i'm afraid. I feel our defence when all fit and the right players picked backed up by Rice or Poke can be a solid starting point from which Knill can work from and i'm very happy with it if managed correctly.

Our midfield I have huge concerns about and I am very pleased we have added Mozika as he could be a great addition. I don't think Knill has any idea whatsoever what his best midfield is when all fit and he is still tinkering, bringing in players, dropping players like Bodin one week, Chappell the next, Lathrope in the next then out again, Craig brought back in for a few games after having disappeared off the face of the earth, Mansell and Harding both being relative mainstays despite mostly abysmal performances, Azeez coming in and playing every game even though he'll be going back soon, McCourt preferred to Lathrope and Craig and so on. The only thing I know about our midfield is that Bodin is not and has never been an answer and that Cameron rightly or wrongly has no future here.

In short, Knill's handling of our midfield selections has been all over the place when it needn't have been. It hasn't really made any sense and disaffecting squad players like Lathrope and Craig by bringing in loanees who have been no better and starting them is a massive own goal IMO, bad management, bad for morale and totally unnecessary.

I don't know what our best midfield is as I believe we only have one player who is really above lower table and that is Chappell. Knill has basically looked for answers outside the squad he himself generally built so what does that say about his judgement?

Our midfield offers me no comfort whatsoever and the constant p*ssing around with formations and players is not helping one bit. I hope Mozika gives us that extra dimension.

In attack I am very positive about the players we have but so negative about Knill's ability to identify our most potent and play them on a regular basis. Hawley was accompanied by Ball for the early season and that was basically like playing with 10 men. Ball ran around, held the ball up but never looked dangerous whilst Hawley did exactly the same so quite why we needed two of the same ilk up top together was baffling. Ball went on to score twice (one a miskicked deflection against one of the worst sides in the league now) and then went home. Meanwhile he sent Yeoman and Thompson off on loan.

Hawley starts every week but has scored 2 goals in 14 league games. He can finish I've no doubt about that but we need goals. He has to score at Bury or he should be dropped. Again, i'm not advocating dropping players and bringing them back in as that is what i'm complaining about but it is obvious it isn't working so why drop other members of the 11 when they are struggling but not Hawley? There is something not right there.

All in all there is a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel but all the things I have highlighted says to me that Alan is actually hindering progress by being extremely erratic in everything he does and he needs to work out what his agenda is, sort out his issues and take a massive deep breath, a massive step back and re-trace his steps back to the summer and recall what the hell he had in mind for this season.

So all in all the positives are the defence despite being p*ssed around with big time by Knill and our keepers. We also have some decent strikers if allowed to play and flourish and in midfield the arrival of Mozika is a positive. Knill needs a gameplan and he needs to stick to it otherwise we can never improve.

Robiberto22 · Post by **Robiberto22** » 26 Oct 2013, 21:11

Good stuff and well put andy, we'll get there - i know it

having followed wigan around for a few years i can safely say we ain't in trouble yet lol anything can happen in footy

we are the club who was once saved by a dog! Keep the faith peeps

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 27 Oct 2013, 20:43

It's a home draw ........ and not a banana skin !!!

Wisconsin_gull · Post by **Wisconsin_gull** » 28 Oct 2013, 01:37

Full marks Robiberto for starting this thread.
Since the thread began I can see the green shoots of recovery
Watch out Bury

Wisconsin_gull · Post by **Wisconsin_gull** » 31 Oct 2013, 03:28

Having yet more good vibes this week...

(#) Downes on the mend so quickly
(#) Downes playing a half without problems
(#) O'Connor and Azeez loan extensions
(#) Poke fit and playing midweek

All this makes me feel great, I'm sure the lads will have their tales up and be ready to give Bury a good old humping :S

Robiberto22 · Post by **Robiberto22** » 01 Nov 2013, 01:37

we Will beat Bury ... i'm sure of it

a productive week off the field for the gulls and hopefully a much needed 3 points on saturday!!!

COYY!!!

Wisconsin_gull · Post by **Wisconsin_gull** » 02 Nov 2013, 16:14

Massive first 45mins
Downes is back in the saddle
McCallum off the mark
Feeling very chipper for some more magic
COYY

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