TT BLOG

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES

I’m probably not the only one who’s missing Buckland Athletic (a) from our schedule this summer. The trip to Bucks had become a bit of a regular feature in the Gulls calendar and it’s a lovely set-up down at Homers Heath, with friendly people and a tasty food selection that puts the awful Plainmoor menu to shame. We’ll have a feature about the Bucks this summer as they build up to their own 23-24, and I hope the Yellow Army keep them in mind when United are on the road.

But I digress! What we have instead is a mixture of U21 match ups and familiar local derbies, with the now Championship Plymouth Argyle more than likely giving us our annual stuffing in front of a big Green Army following!

What 2022 proved yet again is that we should be very wary taking much from these fixtures, as United beat Exeter City, Brett McGavin looked like a nailed on POTY candidate and Dylan Crowe appeared to be a capable full back. The season before, Gary’s old mate Dan Holman banged in goals and was quickly lauded as our next hot shot striker, ahh well at least he gave us that moment at Yeovil if little else! And need I go back 10 years to Lloyd Macklin? A winger who looked electric in PSFs, only to disappear once the proper stuff had started.

What are my random memories from previous pre-season campaigns I hear you ask? Well let’s have a delve back shall we (in no particular order)!

West Brom 2016 – This was the game when Ronald Huth played an absolute blinder for the Gulls in defence and was hailed as the Messiah for days after. Brett Williams also scored a pearler, but it all about the Paraguayan, who soon rebuffed the Gulls and moved elsewhere. At least we had Ben Gerring and Sean McGinty…

Red Star Belgrade 1990 – The 90s were a fun time for friendlies and it started off with a bang as Red Star came to town, why we’ll never know and only being young I don’t remember much about the game! But it finished 2-1 to the Yugoslavs and they went onto win the European Cup in 1991, no doubt inspired by that sunny afternoon at Plainmoor.

Exeter City 2011 – The summer of 2011 was an uncertain time to be a Gulls supporter, with Bucks leaving and Ling taking charge would we still be a force in League 2? Well beating City convincingly 3-0 at Plainmoor in July helped our confidence, we then pushed for promotion whilst the Grecians were relegated. Better days!

Wes Saunders testimonial 1997 – This wasn’t so much pre-season but end of season as a host of celebrities and footballers turned up in May to an occasion dubbed as Wes Saunders’ testimonial! It was silly chaos from what I remember, Chris Waddle giving Gazza piggy backs, Helen Chamberlain taking penalties and Chris Evans leading the team out from the Family Stand..before they all dashed off to a hotel in Torquay for the evening. Very 90s!

Manchester United 1989 – Not quite pre-season as it was September but Man United came to town in 1989 as part of the Lee Sharpe deal. I don’t believe United played their star men, think Clayton Blackmore, Lee Martin and Mike Duxbury – but it was enough to attract a big crowd and I struggled to see much from a standing position in front of the Grandstand. Duxbury scored the winner and unsurprisingly we haven’t played them since (do not mention that Crawley game…).

Steve Harris discusses 5 of the most notable PSF’s here.

Top 5 TUFC Pre-Season Friendlies by Steve Harris

Gary Johnson will be hoping for a few things from the friendlies this time around:

1 – Fitness and Sharpness for 23/24. Let’s hope the team don’t look knackered by the end of August this time around!

2 – Players signing on loan from the Reading and Southampton youth teams. There’s no doubt that’s one of the main reasons for organising these games. This could be a CB, winger or striker as the manager looks to bulk up his squad.

3 – Jarvis and Ash partnership. Aaron Jarvis was terrific last season but for some reason his partnership with Will Goodwin struggled to click. We haven’t had a prosperous strike pair since Janneh and Reidy in 18-19, so hopefully these two will start to hit it off in the PSF’s and push on with confidence into 23-24.

4 – Finding Formations. It’s important that the manager finds an identity and formation that suits the team early this season. Last year the 3-5-2 felt forced in August/September and then tactically it became an ever-changing mess. We have more continuity this year so it should be easier to identify our best way forward, starting initially with the friendly fixtures.

5 – Building up good vibes. Relegation still hurts the Yellow Army and rightfully so. The only way to start pushing on and healing some wounds is to see the team back playing football. This all starts with the pre-season fixtures, and TUFC showing that we are ready to take on the NLS in style.