POTM
Dom Roman – @DomRoman
Two wins, one draw and a loss, Torquay United’s January was mixed but there was more than enough quality on offer to issue to a Player of the Month blog, let’s do this…
1 – Dan Martin
The rejuvenation of Dan Martin from written off Manic Mondayer to important first team player continues. The left back started the month with a fine display at Yeovil, helping to lead a second half counter attack that took Gulls fans all the way to three points (I’m finding it hard to believe we’ll get a better moment this season than that Holman winner…). He followed that up with a fine assist to tee up Asa Hall against Dagenham, before pushing forward in a win over Altrincham as the Gulls grabbed some more points on the road. Last Tuesday Solihull attacked Martin’s side more often than not, and this accounted for one of his quieter games, but he was still defensively stout and is growing into his role at the club all the time. A worthy Player of the Month.
2 – Shaun MacDonald
Number two has to be our number one. Shaun ended 2021 with a bad mistake at Eastleigh, but bounced back with a fantastic performance at Huish Park. Unlike Yeovil’s rookie loan keeper the Geordie remained calm and made the right decisions as the intensity of the game heated up. This is a feature of the ‘new MacDonald’, avoiding mental meltdowns and doing the right things at the right times. Against Dagenham he did everything he could to keep the dangerous away team at bay, clawing away shots and throwing his body in the way as they poured forward, eventually earning a TT man of the match for his efforts. Two more sound performances followed versus Altrincham and Solihull to finish an accomplished month for the keeper.
3 – Connor Lemonheigh-Evans
It was a month when the Lemon really got back in amongst the goals and assists. His scooped magic for Dan Holman at Yeovil was one of the best passes you’ll see from a Torquay United player, whilst his corner also caused the equaliser. Without Armani Little around Connor was ready to pull the United strings. A rather subdued performance followed against Dagenham, even though he was given the official man of the match award. At Altrincham the midfielder got back into the swing of things with an early goal and a busy game, even if that second half miss was rather tragic! There had been talk that the ex-Bristol City man might be on his way during January, thankfully we get to enjoy his skills a while longer.
4 – Ben Wynter
Ben Wynter goes fairly unnoticed much of the time, but he’s been in very good form in recent months – reverting seamlessly between right back and centre back as required by the gaffer. Wynts isn’t the tallest but he reads the game well and helped Ali Omar considerably in the absence of Joe Lewis and Dean Moxey. I think he’ll be raring to switch back to right back at the weekend, and the Wrexham test will be right up his street. Players with Wynts’ loyalty and consistency should not be taken for granted, so let’s appreciate the defender for all that he brings to the club.
5 – Joe Lewis
With COVID and injuries unsettling the first XI, my fifth position could have been a number of players including Stephen Wearne, Ali Omar and Armani Little. But for what he brought against Yeovil and Dagenham, Joe Lewis gets my vote. In the derby games he was just immense, refusing to budge and showing all the quality we’ve come to expect. The Daggers draw was more difficult but the centre back threw everything he had to keep the away team out. A man destined for the Football League, but before all that he’ll be desperate to end the season on a high.
COYY – Dom
OTHER ARTICLES:
https://torquaytalk.com/2022/01/30/the-gulls-week-31st-jan-6th-feb-by-danny-burnell/
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