nickbrod wrote:The earlier posts from those who were there are pretty accurate. In the first half we had all the possession apart from a few Cheltenham breakaways but our problem remains no natural goalscorer. Showumni holds the ball up most of the time but isn't a goalscorer. Stockley, apart from a first half header which Brown pushed over his bar, was out of his depth failing to outjump any Cheltenham defenders. Boy did we miss Benyon's pace at covering ground in the attacking third.
Our best chances to win the game were in the first half but noone is capable of taking on a defender and hitting the target. Probably Cameron had our best chance but went for power and blazed over the bar.
The second-half we were poor in mid-field and so never got going. Labadie went off before the end, replaced by ineffective Mansell, and I wonder if that's the last time we see him in a Torquay shirt.
On this display, despite a spirited performance, relegation is looking inevitable.
Without Downes and Pearce our fate would have been decided weeks ago - both were outstanding.
ferrarilover wrote:Do people ignore me deliberately?
It's not strange that we didn't send him along at all. You didn't read it last time, so you won't read it this time, but I feel better for having made the effort.
Matt.
Bad result really. We needed Benyons running up front but half our team seems to be out injured it seems. Was going Tuesday if we had won today - but thats it - its all over.
Never thought I would say but I do agree that we missed Benyons running up front forcing mistakes sadly he had flu. The wide players must get to the by line and pull back the ball for the strikers to run onto. They need to learn to pass and moved to create the space behind the defender and then get a good cross in. We were the better team first half and have got to score during the long periods we are in control of a game. Once again the better side for 70minutes and lose.
Respect to all the supporters at the away end brilliant.
forevertufc wrote:This game just summed our season and summed why we're going down. First half thought we were by a distance the better team, plenty of possession, got in good positions, created openings, part from a couple of tame shots straight at Brown completely failed to capitalize on some very good work.
Second half was certainly closer, but thought we had slightly the greater possession, but again failed to test their keeper, and this is it, another performance that didn't lack desire and commitment, the team got hold of the ball, did create some openings, but to be honest if this game had gone on for a month doubt we would have scored, and then one lapse of concentration from an other wise rock solid defence and yep, we've lost again. And again that's the frustrating thing, Cheltenham didn't really test Rice all game their going to be a league club next season, yet were pretty w@nk
Pearce was a man mountain out there, Downes had a very good game, and both full backs Nicho and Tonge didn't let us down, just feeling annoyed with the amount of second balls that broke loose there waiting for some one to smash the ball home, yet no one was there, need some one next season with that killer instinct.
Nice to meet up with Royalgull before hand, did look for oxgull sorry mate seem to have missed you.
Hi Forever, Didn't get there today mate. Looks like we are doomed now despite all the endeavour there isn't enough goal threat from us to stay up. I just hope that financially the club doesn't get into financial trouble, well, no more than it already is. I think we have all got past the upset/angry stage to a certain extent and are now just waiting for the final nail in the old FL coffin. Maybe the conference is our level after all as I think we'll be there a good few seasons. Sad but true.
oxgull wrote:
Hi Forever, Didn't get there today mate. Looks like we are doomed now despite all the endeavour there isn't enough goal threat from us to stay up. I just hope that financially the club doesn't get into financial trouble, well, no more than it already is. I think we have all got past the upset/angry stage to a certain extent and are now just waiting for the final nail in the old FL coffin. Maybe the conference is our level after all as I think we'll be there a good few seasons. Sad but true.
Agreed, sad but think we have to realise there are currently teams in Conference with a lot more passion than I saw evidence of in our side yesterday and as a result we will struggle there to with the influence of the likes of Phillips in our club.
The biggest surprise yesterday for me was the lack of fight and passion, that for me was why Cheltenham won and we didn't. Yes Jombati' s tackle was bad and he should have walked but he knew the ref's assistants were lightweight and took one for the team and got away with it. Hargreaves wasn't very mobile or vocal, watched him quiet a bit and he seemed resigned fate. Why he took Showunmi off deserves and explanation for me. Yes bring Chapell on but also it's shit or bust time now get all our strikers on (or at least as many as the game will allow) and lamp the ball in there.
I aint over til it's over or until the team give up fighting?
The only question to be answered is who will be going down with us. Start re-organising the club for a non-league future and just accept it. Unless there is a substantial investment of millions it could be part time AFC Torquay before too long. Depressed
Can someone explain to me any reason why Jombati didn't receive a straight red for that challenge yesterday?
As I type this Rafael doesn't receive a second yellow for deliberate hand ball in the box, the reason I feel,,,, he's just been booked? refs don't you just love em?
Dave_Pougher wrote:Can someone explain to me any reason why Jombati didn't receive a straight red for that challenge yesterday?
As I type this Rafael doesn't receive a second yellow for deliberate hand ball in the box, the reason I feel,,,, he's just been booked? refs don't you just love em?
To fair Dave, thought that was a first class piece of refereeing, so many refs are so quick just to reach for a red card, the ref yesterday gave himself breathing space, and then consulted his assistant before making his decision , and again to be fair the lino had the best view of what actually happened, personally was on the back row and couldn't see for sure how much contact there was.
forevertufc wrote:
To fair Dave, thought that was a first class piece of refereeing, so many refs are so quick just to reach for a red card, the ref yesterday gave himself breathing space, and then consulted his assistant before making his decision , and again to be fair the lino had the best view of what actually happened, personally was on the back row and couldn't see for sure how much contact there was.
Breathing space yes consult the linesman fair enough but an off the ground challenge with one straight leg high footed challenge into the chest you've got to be expecting the worst if your that player making that challenge. I watched the TQY player (not sure who it was to be honest) he was moving forward at a fair rate and went backwards upon being challenged. Several Cheltenham players came from all over the pitch including their keeper so they must have been fearing the worst also. Couple that with he could have been in some peoples interpretation "the last man" I just feel strongly that was a red. Not a game changing decision but another example of poor officalism if there is such a word. But I do take your point the ref did everything he could, wasn't a bad ref to be fair,,,,,, Red card for lino!!!
arcadia wrote:Never thought I would say but I do agree that we missed Benyons running up front forcing mistakes sadly he had flu. The wide players must get to the by line and pull back the ball for the strikers to run onto. They need to learn to pass and moved to create the space behind the defender and then get a good cross in. We were the better team first half and have got to score during the long periods we are in control of a game. Once again the better side for 70minutes and lose.
Respect to all the supporters at the away end brilliant.
For yesterday's match, I met up with an old mate who is now living in the Midlands and hasn't seen Torquay play for two or three seasons. He remarked that it wasn't only the strikers who have to shoulder the blame for the lack of goals (he was under-impressed with Jayden Stockley), there was absolutely nothing, no chances, being created from midfield. On reflection, this has probably been one of the many problems this season. Oh for a Eunan O'Kane or Alex Russell !! Ten games left, still six wins needed. Possible of course, but highly unlikely on yesterday's form. As someone has already posted, the lack of gut-busting effort by one or two players was a let down to all the fans who got to Cheltenham yesterday and gave the team terrific support.
