TALKING POINTS

Dan Elliott

@dan_torquay_man

Dan discusses another defeat for the Gulls

TOOTHLESS TORQUAY

For all the possession in the game, 62% of it which the manager was quick to get in there in his post match interview, the first attempt on target was deep in the second half. As a team there was no aggression in our attack and not any major times when the Braintree defence seemed worried or unlocked by any creative play of ours. It was a display yesterday where you see how much we miss Jarvis or how valuable Danny Wright was by holding the ball up and attempting to bring others into the game! Not to mention the skill and creativity that the likes of Whitfield, Lemonheigh-Evans and Little used to bring to the party, all just a distant memory now as we plodded to yet another defeat.

ON THE DECK, THEN IN THE AIR

We were so predictable that every person in the ground knew what was coming and how passages of play would conclude. Passing across the playing surface was lovely, on the deck, to feet, possession retained. However when that was exhausted and the pivotal moment arrived when we really need to get the ball down field, Ross Marshall, like a Fly Half in a Rugby, would launch the ball into the air, and like a good Fly Half in Rugby, always put it out into touch.

BARMY BRAINTREE

Credit to those players and coaching staff, they were ready to play, in the first half especially they were really pumped up and ready play, so much so they went down to 10 men early on and the way it was going they could have gone down to 9 before half time. Half time came at the right time for them, they seemed so much more composed in the second half and credit to them for a well worked goal. Of the two teams they had the more clear cut chances and it was no surprise that they kept the 3 points.

TOM’S SENDING OFF

It’s safe to say that the manager has gambled and the plan is to get to the play offs and by that time messers Dawson, Jarvis, Hall, Lapslie and others will be fit ready to go and we can charge into the play offs and storm our way back to the National League. However it’s looking pretty unlikely that’s going to happen, even more so when Tom is getting sent off, when he is not even on the field! There were a few tasty moments in the game, however this one is perplexing to someone that was there in the ground. An incident happened and the management of the home team were very animated about a decision, it’s seems Tom has gone over to remonstrate with them, the linesmen has seen or heard something he doesn’t like, after a lengthy discussion, the red card is out and Tom was off! Exactly what we don’t need right now.

DAWSON RETURNS

Finally, the return of Kevin Dawson, in the coming weeks we could hopefully say it’s the return of the messiah and he’s not the messiah he’s a very naughty boy (one for a certain age group). I’ve been to quite a few away games and said to my son “It looks like we don’t have a midfield” but yesterday when Kev got on the pitch you knew he was there. It wasn’t difficult as it was pretty stagnant before but the energy levels did increase when Kev came on, along with DDS, but unfortunately the team still lacked sufficient quality. A midfield that had Callum Dolan and Kevin Dawson in it would be a joy to watch, so infuriating we never had the pleasure of that this season.

DOWNESY FRONTING UP

I need to mention this as it’s important and this is all 100% from me being at games and my perspective – at the start of the game Aaron walked down to the handful of us that got in early to get a spot and watch the team warm up. He came to my son and I and thanked us for coming to support the team, he followed up by saying everyone appreciates it. He went down and spoke to others also. That’s class, it’s got to be said. He didn’t need to do it, didn’t need to say it, he didn’t need to engage with us, we were not in his proximity, he made sure he came to us cause he wanted to say it. It’s extremely difficult time right now and emotions are running high, quite rightly with the plight of the team and the performances. For me the away games we’ve been to this season, 8 so far and would have been more if not to other commitments, where we have fallen short and standard has been unacceptable, 3 people always front up to the fans at the end of the games – Asa Hall, Dean Moxey and Aaron Downes. I’m not making excuses or empathising, it’s facts! In my humble opinion they are three people I believe collectively and individually that could haul us out of this decline, and I think a few others in the club could take a few lessons from them.

COYY – DAN

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