TALKING POINTS
Thomas Kelly
@tommyktufc
Tom discusses the loss at Bath
OPTIONS OFF THE BENCH AND AARON JARVIS
Deary me. Not for the first time this season, United’s team line up left many raising eyebrows at the lack of options available to come off the bench.
Duane was expected to be missing, Collins was surprisingly absent, all we could muster was two Under 18 players in Wellington & Thomas, Lovett and Booth were all Aaron Downes had at his disposal and when the Gulls conceded early, Aaron could only call upon Booth to replace McGavin with the Gulls chasing the game. It all felt very much like watching another game managed by Gary Johnson.
We’ve praised the clubs transparency in recent weeks, but suddenly now things seem more hush hush again. Where is Jarvis? Is he injured or refusing to play? I understand he was frustrated at the rumours speculating his future and wanted the club to put something out to help dispel them. It seems poorly managed to me. No doubt Jarvis will move up a league next season and good on him, but if he is contracted as a Torquay player, surely if he isn’t injured he has to play?! Why not give Wellington a go upfront? What did we have to lose? Ash was once again left to fend for himself and getting hardly any luck.
AARON DOWNES
I was willing to give Aaron Downes the end of the season but I do not want him managing us going forward next season, whatever level, whatever club we have. He’s a nice guy you would want to have around the club, but he has displayed traits of his mentor Gary Johnson. His recent post match interviews seem to beat around the bush and his answers become more vague week by week.
Thanks for stepping forward Aaron, but this entire football club needs a complete reset over the summer. You were our defensive coach and you should be held somewhat accountable for our failures this season.
ATTITUDES NEEDS ADJUSTING AND QUICK
I am a firm believer that footballers representing your club should always go over and clap the fans at full time, win lose or draw.
Mark Halstead took grief with the Yellow Army in the second half, after reacting negatively to ironic cheers as he caught the ball moments after punching away the ball in which I believe he should have caught easily.
I like Mark Halstead, it’s not lost on me the number of points he’s won for us because of his performances in the first part of the season, but to storm off at full time because you didn’t like the reaction, highlights a weak mentality to me. The Yellow Army continue to travel to support their team in the worst season in our history and you have the nerve to walk away? This is the worst season in our clubs history and we have won just 5 times on the road this season. You must understand why our patience has run it’s course?
This doesn’t fall on just Mark though. There’s plenty who have failed to reach anywhere near their potential. Stobbs crossing continues to be pathetic, I’ve seen snails move faster than Brett McGavin and I struggle to understand why people want him next season. Asa’s passing was so poor, Moxey gave it his usual effort but looked knackered after an hour. Tomlinson was aimlessly clearing the ball without any real conviction. For a full time professional club, we really look like a bunch of amateurs out on the football pitch and it’s no surprise the Yellow Army have had enough.
Some players need to realise just how important this football club is to the supporters. Relegation to the Southern League is unthinkable and it’s almost like we’re just going through the motions. Did we think Mondays win at Truro was good enough? We as supporters have turned up in numbers to ensure wages are paid. Show us you’re up for the fight and do it for the supporters. We are entering the biggest week in our existence as a football club.
TUESDAY IS THE BIGGEST GAME IN OUR HISTORY
Taunton (a). It’s the definition of a relegation six pointer. If Torquay win, then we are safe as Taunton & Hemel play each other on the last day and both of them won’t be able to catch us. Draw or even worse lose…..its not worth thinking about. The team talk is easy. Do it for the supporters and do it for yourselves.
Do I think we’ll win on Tuesday? If Saturdays performance is anything to go by, let alone our piss poor away form, I’m not confident. But the Yellow Army will travel en mass up the M5 to support their team like they have done loyally all season and to their team proud.
Taunton host Weston & Hemel after us. A draw could still be enough but only if we beat already relegated Havant on the final day of the season. Safety is still in our hands. We can’t afford to have it out of our hands come Saturday afternoon.
THE YELLOW ARMY
I end this article with the only bright spark of this shambles of a season and that’s you Yellow Army. I wouldn’t begrudge anybody for giving up spending their hard earned money on following the Gulls away from home this season but once again you turned up in numbers that far exceeded my expectations.
712 were treated to a disgraceful performance that lacked any fight for the clubs NLS survival and quite frankly, if the club had any sense about them, they should cancel the end of season awards and instead award the Yellow Army with an award for their continued loyalty throughout this shambles of a season.
If anyone is in the market for our beautiful TT (a) Summer Hat, please send us a direct message on twitter and I’ll hand them over at our final two games of the season.
I’d also like to quickly thank you all who have supported us by watching and interacting on Gulls Eye View this season. I hope you all appreciate our honest views and that we speak for many of you our collective frustrations.
Let’s hope season 4 will be a much better time had by all!
Onto Taunton! COYY!
COYY – TOM
OTHER ARTICLES
TRANSFER SPECULATION 2024 by Joe Uglow
Joe discusses players who could join Torquay United
Read More
TT BLOG – Top 50 TUFC Players 2014-24 (20-11) by Steve Harris
Steve picks his top Gulls from the last 10 years
Read More
TT PARTNERS
TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – ETSY – YOUTUBE – FACEBOOK
TORQUAYTALK 