TT BLOG

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

It’s a strange world at Plainmoor, a world where the club attract better players to represent them in the NLS, than they do in the NL. We couldn’t possibly have a repeat of the 2021 and 2022 recruitment summers of shame, and without counting too many straws, 2023 does look much more positive. Let’s discuss the TUFC squad as it currently stands…

GOALKEEPERS

Like the rest of the squad Mark Halstead has been sharp in the pre-season fixtures. Fit, focused and motivated, he should aim to be the top goalkeeper in the NLS. Rhys Lovett is now at a level that probably suits his ability, and if called upon I would hope he’ll do adequately.

HALSTEAD
LOVETT

DEFENCE

Ollie Tomlinson will feel much more confident stepping into the Gulls dressing room this year, and his performances in the pre-season friendlies suggest loan spells have helped him develop, meaning he could be ready for the first XI. Of course you never fully know until the real stuff begins, but the signs are favourable. Finley Craske is a player we’ve half expected to see at Plainmoor since his release by Argyle, and so far so good for the footballer formerly known as ‘Trialist A’. Confident stepping into the Torquay team and versatile to boot, signing him was a no-brainer for Gary Johnson.

Another recent signing is the returning (never went away) Dan Martin. Dan’s reputation was actually enhanced last season as the players on the pitch suffered defeat after defeat. Can he regather the form from the tail end of 2021? It won’t be easy, but I’m sure he’ll do his very best. And a mention for Callum Thomas who has signed his first pro contract. Difficult to expect any more than a loan to Dorchester for the young lad, but good luck to him.

The rest of the defensive options are Shaun Donnellan, Dean Moxey, Dylan Crowe and Ross Marshall. It’s unclear when Dean Moxey will be back in action after injury, so Shaun Donnellan will be an important presence at the back. The Don had a mixed time in the NL, and made far too many costly errors…but the full back/centre back/midfielder should be fine in the NLS. I can’t make the same assurances about Ross Marshall. It looks like Tomlinson has jumped above him in the pecking order, but perhaps Ross will get a chance against Southampton to impress the manager. Dylan Crowe is not in GJ’s first team plans at the moment, so it’s up to him to work hard and grab an opportunity when it comes. It’s a long season, so assuming he remains around the squad, there will be some chances.

MIDFIELDERS/WINGERS

I’m hearing that Kevin Dawson has a calf injury, let’s hope it doesn’t keep him out for too long, as the midfielder set the tempo in games last season and is a real leader in the United engine room. At the moment Tom Lapslie and Asa Hall are both fit, but we know how fragile they both are, so Dawson will still be a key man looking ahead. Meanwhile, Brett McGavin has been busy in the PSFs, making some things happen for the Gulls and maybe getting ready for a season of improvement in 2023-24. We all need convincing on him I’m sure.

Will Jenkins Davies joins on loan from Plymouth Argyle and the diminutive youngster is highly rated at his parent club, making appearances in League One last season. It appears that WJD will be comfortable playing in-between the lines and trying to create, which gives us welcome variety in the squad. Ryan Hanson has been used sparingly in pre-season, there’s no indication he’ll be a starter and with the arrival of Davies, perhaps a loan spell awaits for the ex-Dover man.

Last but not least is our Wing Wizard Jack Stobbs! Stobbs scored a lovely delicate chip against Exeter City and is highly motivated to have a big year at Plainmoor. I’m expecting plenty of assists and goals from him this season, indeed Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash should be licking their lips at the service from the ex-Oldham winger.

ATTACK

I think we’ve got a cracking triumvirate in the form of Lewis Collins, Bradley Ash and Aaron Jarvis in attack. It’s a mixture of pace, power, movement, work rate and goals that will surely bear fruit against NLS defences. Collins can hit a sweet strike from outside the area as shown this summer and I think his running will help open spaces up for the other two. Brad Ash will give us press that the team lacked last season and both him and Jarvis will be hungry for goals. All in all it’s firepower that should (fitness permitting) make us difficult to contain. One more to come perhaps, always nice to have a striker (or two) on the bench and a young loan signing from Southampton would be no surprise.

CONCLUSIONS

It’s important not to get too carried away with Pre-Season…but the squad looks enthusiastic, fit and desperate to make amends for last season, and therefore we really should be confident of starting the NLS season very quickly indeed. Concerns? Not many! What can cause us trouble this season? Injuries is often a big topic at Plainmoor and with Gary Johnson adopting a high tempo press, there’s bound to be niggles here or there, especially around the midfield. Apart from that Ollie Tomlinson (if played) needs to prove himself in central defence, and a number of the squad have question marks lingering against their names. Overall though, unlike 2022, this feels like a well-balanced Torquay squad that is thirsting for competitive action. I don’t know about you but I am ready now….