TT BLOG

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

12 games into 2023/24 let’s discuss how the members of the Gulls squad (those who have played more than a few games) have fared so far. *Warning, will include TT ratings out of 10.

GOALKEEPERS

MARK HALSTEAD – 9/10

It’s hard to fault Mark Halstead for anything he’s done so far this season. Without some inspired performances from the keeper we could easily be languishing in a very Gary Owers-like mid table position, and I’m sure Gary Johnson is thankful for that. Not only has his shot stopping been excellent, but Mark has also commanded the box and given calm reassurance behind a shaky back four. Has there been any better goalkeepers in the NLS this season up to this point? I doubt it.

DEFENCE

FINLEY CRASKE – 4/0

Craske started out brightly in pre-season and earned plenty of praise for his displays against Exeter and Plymouth. But come the proper stuff the ex-Argyle youngster struggled to impress in defence and has found himself on the periphery of things. With Donnellan still a square peg in the right back hole, Craske could still regain a first team place and play a big part for United, but he has to prove himself to Gary Johnson first.

SHAUN DONNELLAN – 5/10

I want to like Shaun Donnellan but he often makes it difficult! The Don is a player who occasionally impresses with a lively foray forward and a smart reading of the game, but he’s also as likely to make a wrong decision, lose concentration or commit a silly foul. He’s a decent squad player to have around, but considering we’re in a regional league that’s not much of a tag to have! Shaun has yet to earn a rating better than 6.5 in a TT Match Verdict this season, and simply needs to do better.

ROSS MARSHALL – 6/10

Is this the season Ross Marshall shows us why he’s a professional football player? Perhaps. There’s been some strong performances from the centre half, attacking the ball with gusto and getting supporters on his side with plenty of commitment. But he also gets lost positionally and is prone to a silly moment here or there. Still work to be done.

DAN MARTIN – 5/10

The signs were encouraging when Dan Martin played well against Chippenham and St Albans, signs that Martin may be finding some similar form to the winter of 2021. But since then he’s been substituted early at Slough and struggled for confidence, so the jury is out.

DEAN MOXEY – 6/10

Dean Moxey remains a very steady defender for TUFC when fit. The 37 year old’s knowhow is still enough to shackle most wingers, and he’s still far better than Dan Martin. Let’s hope he can play a large proportion of the games going forward.

OLLIE TOMLINSON – 6.5/10

It’s been nice to see Ollie Tomlinson win a regular place in the line-up this season and overall he’s been United’s most consistent defender. There’s been issues of course and the centre back pairing of Tomlinson and Marshall is far from water tight, so the next challenge is for Ollie to become more commanding for United and to take his game to the next level. Good luck to the lad.

MIDFIELD/WINGERS

LEWIS COLLINS – 5/10

I had high hopes for Lewis Collins this season, and let’s be honest 12 games in the Welshman has not done nearly enough. He has had difficulty finding form on the left wing, often cutting in with mixed results and losing possession. But Saturday was better, mainly because Collins was allowed a freer role and roving around the attacking third. Get his confidence up and hopefully the goals will start to flow, the ability is surely there at this level.

DILLON DE SILVA – 2/10

I think the Yellow Army were generally happy to have DDS back for 23/24, but it’s not gone well for the speedy winger so far. In his 7 appearances at the start of the season Dillon made very little impact at all, maybe the apparent injury he was carrying was a big reason why but it was still disappointing. In standard TUFC fashion there’s no news about him returning, and in truth you wonder if he really fits into a GJ-style team anyway.

RYAN HANSON – 4/10

The wait goes on for Ryan Hanson to show why we paid a fee for him. To be fair to the lad, when he does get gametime Ryan is keen and energetic, but the quality on show is severely lacking when he gains possession of the ball and he’s certainly not worthy of a starting place. Maybe more gametime and more confidence will push this player onto something better, but he must make an impact at some point.

WILL JENKINS DAVIES – 5.5/10

The hopes were high for WJD at the start of the season and with some shaky performances it didn’t take long for Yellow Army impatience to creep in. But it’s unfair to expect too much from this teenager immediately, and in the last month Will has started to get more involved and put his stamp on some United performances with smart touches and movement. Missing with an injury last weekend, hopefully he’s back in action soon.

TOM LAPSLIE – 7.5/10

Who are the key men in the Torquay squad? Halstead, Jarvis, Ash? Well Tom Lapslie is right up there with those and in recent games he’s arguably been United’s best performer. When the midfielder is fit and firing his attitude and determination helps United push forward, and his runs into the box have been causing havoc. The concerns with Tom, as always, is his fitness, and when Saturday/Tuesday double headers start lining up life will be more difficult for him. But ignoring that for now, Tom is a joy to watch, someone who attacks every game like it’s his last and someone who plays with a cheeky grin on his face. Good man.

BRETT MCGAVIN – 7/10

The omens weren’t promising for Brett McGavin in August, as the Gulls hoofed the ball up-field and Brett struggled in midfield, it looked like he could be in for another wretched season. But then a change of mentality from Gary Johnson and suddenly ‘Shooter’ transformed from zero to hero. Using his strengths ie. calmness on the ball and accurate distribution, Brett has become a key man in the centre and he’s also scored two goals to boot. Bigger tests will come, but maybe just maybe the McGavin redemption will continue…

JACK STOBBS – 7/10

He’s a good professional Stobbs, someone who always seeks to get involved on the right wing and someone who will push the team forward when possible, and he enjoyed a very good game against Hungerford. He’s not the quickest and can be predictable and wasteful at times, but as NLS wingers go I’m sure Jack is amongst the top tier and the width he gives United is an important part of our attacking options.

STRIKERS

BRADLEY ASH – 7/10

I like Brad, he’s the sort of guy who won’t stop moving, a real worker who chases down defenders and then desperately wants to get the ball in the attacking third, when he can trick his way past opponents and make something happen. He’s not without his faults, too often dwelling in possession and an obsession of finding a shot rather than a suitable pass, but there’s no doubt Ash will grab plenty more goals this season alongside Jarvis, and that’s the most important thing isn’t it.

AARON JARVIS – 7/10

Aaron Jarvis is our best player, the one player who really should be playing NL football week in, week out, but so far this season he’s not quite showing those levels consistently. There’s been some very good performances, but also a lot of chances wasted. However on Saturday he was sharp and mobile, both on and off the ball (granted the Hungerford CBs were very slow), and that bodes well for the coming games. Very much a focal point for United and someone who will relish the challenges to come I’m sure.

COYY – DOM

VOTE HERE FOR TORQUAYTALK!

OTHER ARTICLES

TT STAT ATTACK 23/24 NO.8 & POWER RANKINGS

TT PARTNERS

TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – ETSY – YOUTUBE – FACEBOOK