TALKING POINTS

Alan Wills

@alanjwills

Alan discusses the win in Somerset

AWAY DAY PERFORMANCES

With our beloved Gulls being in a league consisting of only southern clubs, I consider myself somewhat fortunate to have only missed five league and cup games away from home this season.

Most of these away days have been really fun experiences, tarnished only by 90 minutes of football.

This point was perfectly underlined by my mate Steve, who made the trip to Bath to join the Yellow Army at his first away game this season, but decided instead to go sightseeing to avoid the inevitable 90 minutes of disappointment.

It’s fair to say that consistency has eluded this current Torquay United team away from home this season. In most matches on their travels, you could guarantee them giving away easy goals, and not creating many chances to score themselves.

However, with a run of four consecutive away matches to save themselves, they managed to reduce the goals conceded to an absolute minimum (alas, not nil) and scored some well worked goals themselves.

Games against Truro (in Gloucestershire) and this one against Taunton (in Somerset) were very similar in that respect.

Both were characterised by very vocal support from the Yellow Army drowning out the home fans, as our team raced into a 2-0 league in the first half, and tried to reduce any damage in the second half, and an unfathomable amount of injury time.

All in all, a satisfying end at sunny Taunton to a season of away travels which, on the pitch at least, promised much but delivered little.

PLAYER INJURIES, AWARDS, RETAINED LIST..

The pre-match pub talk at Taunton was all about the players.

Would key players Aaron Jarvis or Kevin Dawson make their return from injury (again)? What about Duane Ofori-Acheompong? Lewis Collins?

The only one to appear on the team sheet was the latter, but alas, Lewis only lasted 2 minutes as a second half substitute, before being promptly substituted himself following a head injury which is likely to keep him out of the final game.

Whether we’ll see any of the others, including Dan Martin next Saturday is anyone’s guess.

With it being such a poor and injury savaged season, it’s difficult to know whom to choose for the player of the year vote.

Ethon Archer has made a late claim with his recent tricky performances, particularly against Truro and now Taunton, and he looks like he could cement a regular place next season as he is likely on at least a 1 year contract.

Brett McGavin reminded everyone at Taunton that despite his limitations, he has scored nine mostly spectacular goals this year, so is definitely worth a shout.

Stalwarts like Asa Hall and Dean Moxey have shown their experience to full effect at Taunton and other recent games, so would attract a number of votes.

Arkell Jude-Boyd must be the favourite for young player of the year even though he joined the club on loan quite late this season. He has made a massive impact with his runs, goals and never-say-die attitude and is surely a star of the future.

As for the retained list, I’m sure we’ll hear soon whom is out of contract. I imagine it’s most of them, with the probable exception of more recent additions, Ethon Archer and Austen Booth.

Close-season “marquee” signings Brad Ash, Jack Stobbs, Lewis Collins, Finley Craske and Kevin Dawson may also have been given two year contracts.

We clearly need to strengthen all areas of the team though, particularly in central defence with an experienced “brick house” at the back likely a priority.

OWNERSHIP

Now that Torquay United have secured their safety from relegation at Taunton, the fans talk has quickly turned to whom the “preferred bidder” is that the administrators selected last week, and when it will be announced.

One would hope that the relevant authorities get on with the job of approving any takeover, so that the club can exit administration.

Surely the first action then would be to sort out a new permanent manager, so preparations can begin for next season.

I’m not speculating on whom the new owner might be, but I hope that they have the clubs interests at heart, and there is plenty of fan involvement.