TALKING POINTS

Tom Diamond

@GullsSoc

Tom discusses the loss to Yeovil

HOOFVILLE

Woaaahhhhhh everywhere you go, watching Torquay United, putting on a show. Words often sung by the ever vocal popside this season at Plainmoor. However, the ‘show’ that the Yellow Army were sentenced to last night was one of dejection, depletion, and ultimately defeat at the hands of a well drilled and talented Yeovil side. I would love to have been a fly on the wall when Johnson and Downes decided how they were going to set up their side for last night’s game. You would think, in the absence of Aaron Jarvis as a focal point upfront, we would look to get the ball down and play some football. However, we continue to lump the ball aimlessly forward with no sign of any confidence to have the ball in tight areas. Making his first start in Yellow, Theo Williams was given the impossible task of a lone striker role with no noticeable support from the ten United shirts behind him. If you have ever watched the popular Youtube documentary ‘Bunch of Amateurs’, you may have seen Dorking manager Marc White’s pre match team talks before their games against us last season, in which he essentially tells his players that Torquay’s plan is to ‘pump it long’. It seems common knowledge on the non league managerial circuit that this is our game plan, and I am yet to see it have any sort of positive impact in terms of results, or enjoyment as a fan.

THE RAGING BULLS

In a recent post-match interview, Johnson described his players as being like ‘raging bulls’ in the changing room before going out for kick off. I am no livestock expert, but I am pretty sure what I am seeing each week from the United players does, in no way, replicate the activities of a raging bull. We are still yet to score in the first 30 minutes of a game since the opening day of the season. I would, perhaps controversially, argue that we came out the blocks reasonably well for the first 5-10 minutes on Tuesday night, however, we were unable to sustain any sort of quality or pressure for significant periods of time. We also appeared to be second to every loose ball, and showed no real desire to put bodies on the line for the cause. A defeated team all over the park.

THE WALKING WOUNDED

I’ve said it once, but I will say it again, our constant plethora of injuries is not simply bad luck. A professional football club needs to be proactively protecting its players from potential injuries, rather than waiting until it’s too late. From my limited research into TUFC strength and conditioning, I see no evidence that this is really taking place. This is backed up by the length of our injury list throughout Johnson’s reign at Plainmoor. Sorry to bring up the heartbreak season, but I do feel that if we had taken better care of our players that year, we may well be playing EFL football now. The passion of Lapslie in midfield was sorely missed last night. My heart sank when I saw his name elude the team sheet. Our hoofbang approach also longed for someone like Jarvis to hold the ball up too. With the lack of depth, our injuries really do leave a lot to be desired across the park.

NEW SIGNINGS

Both hires from Fleetwood seem good bits of business. Dolan is a strong addition to the midfield and adds an element of creativity which we have been missing. I am unsure why he came off so early, hopefully it is nothing serious and he is back for Saturday. He was battling with a stomach issue during Saturday’s game so perhaps it was the same problem. Taking him off for Ryan Hanson was always going to make life more difficult. Although, taking anyone off for Ryan Hanson is going to make life more difficult. A midfield three of Lapslie, Dolan and Dawson would be very strong, one can only hope we may see this at some point in the season. As aforementioned, Theo Williams was given an impossible task essentially playing as a target man on his own. He did, however, look bright on the ball and nearly caught Yeovil keeper Joe Day off guard in the dying minutes with a speculative volley from the edge of the area. If partnered with a Jarvis type, or even on the wing, he could be a good addition. Finally, it amazed me that new signing Ethon Archer did not get some game time. There was absolutely nothing to lose bringing him on, and it would have been a great chance to see how he fared against the toughest opposition that the NLS has to offer. Hopefully he gets his chance on Saturday, he looked decent in the halftime kickabout if that’s anything to go on.

THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK

Torquay United is a special football club, Plainmoor is a special place, and most importantly there is an incredible fan base following the team home and away week in week out. The Yeovil game further emphasised the overwhelming sense of disconnect between the club and its loyal supporters. We continue to have a bombardment of pointless press calls, but a complete silence on any topics which really affect the future of our club. As I write this, the TUST fans forum is about to get underway, and I hope as many Gulls fans as possible are able to attend this. TUST provides a chance to put forward your ideas/concerns to people who really care, and help contribute towards the long-term sustainability of the Gulls.