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Dom Roman
@DomRoman
The Ed looks at who he would keep from the 23/24 Torquay squad
GOALKEEPERS
Mark Halstead. We did some polls this week on X (Twitter) and the judgement on Mark Halstead was a firm no from two thirds of voters. This seems slightly harsh on Mark, who was our best player for the first couple of months of the season before his form tailed off, but the opinions have clearly been swayed by his struggles in the 2nd half of 23/24. Would I keep him? I’ll say no. Give me a big new personality at the back, a presence that helps set the tone for what will be a new Torquay United defensive unit. VERDICT – NO
Rhys Lovett. Rhys has put in some good performances for the Gulls, but also shown why he’s a number 2 keeper in NLS football. If we get a strong number 1, then I wouldn’t mind if Rhys stayed. As reserve keepers go we could get much worse I am sure. VERDICT – YES AS BACKUP
FULL BACKS
Finley Craske is the forgotten man of Plainmoor. The lad looked like he could be a sound pick up for United last summer, but when the proper football started he struggled to make any impression at all, eventually succumbing to injuries that finished his season. Very hard to make a case for him remaining at Torquay…so I won’t. VERDICT – NO
Dan Martin should not have been signed back on last summer, but this was Gary Johnson taking the easy options and just bringing back all the players he’d had before. It’s been sad to see Martin’s struggles when he has played, with his injuries and problems with COVID clearly taking their toll. A shame for the lad who looked like he could be the real deal in 2021, but his future is surely elsewhere. VERDICT – NO
Dean Moxey would not let his advancing years hinder him last season, and the amount of minutes he managed was tremendous, showing just how much he still loves playing football. I am looking for a refreshed Torquay United squad though, and keeping on a player who will be 39 next season just wouldn’t make enough sense to me. VERDICT – NO
CENTRE BACKS
Austen Booth must have felt 10 feet tall after that goal at Plainmoor, and rightly so! I’m not convinced by his defensive play, and I don’t think he’s a first choice player in a decent Gulls team, but as a keen local lad who could help the squad by being a decent back-up around the defence and midfield, I’ll let him in. VERDICT – YES
Asa Hall is pencilled down here as a centre back as I think it’s clear that his days as a midfielder have finished! The skipper did well at CB, and has given us very good service in the last 6 years, so understandably plenty will want him to stay. For me it’s time to move on though, as finding new leaders and new energy in that Gulls dressing room is imperative. Thanks for the memories Asa, but it’s a no from me. VERDICT – NO
Ross Marshall finishing his career at Torquay suspended feels very apt indeed! The centre back has impressed at times, but has been a liability for most of his Torquay career, whilst also picking fights and arguments with supporters to boot. The easiest no here for one of the worst defenders to ever represent the Gulls. VERDICT – NO
Calum Thomas ended up making a few appearances for United last season, and during those minutes on the pitch he looked okay. A young local lad with potential to improve (and undoubtedly cheap), I’d give him another year. VERDICT – YES
Ollie Tomlinson falls into a similar category as Mark Halstead, with his better performances mainly coming at the start of 23/24, before he struggled in the second half. Still much to work on with this lad, but I like his overall attitude and I think improvement will come. A lad worth sticking with. VERDICT – YES
MIDFIELDERS/WINGERS
Ethon Archer is the easiest yes on here! That’s not to say the young lad has been consistently outstanding for us, but he’s shown more than enough to warrant the offer of another contract. Quick feet, busy with or without the ball, skilful and committed, a great example of how we can find a diamond if our scouts look hard enough. VERDICT – YES
Kevin Dawson had a nightmare season with injuries, and the decision taken by Gary Johnson to sign him onto a contract was frankly ridiculous. Any new contract for the midfielder would be far too risky, so this is a definite no. VERDICT – NO
Tom Lapslie is another player who suffers with fitness issues, though not to the extent of Dawson, it’s still a big concern going forward. I’ve enjoyed Tom’s energy and zest for life over the last 3 years, but I think it’s time for United to stabilise that midfield with fitter and stronger characters who we can rely on throughout the season. VERDICT – NO
Brett McGavin is one of the toughest players to appraise on this list. Pros – scored 9 belters this season, put in a number of good performances at Plainmoor and technically is one of the better midfielders in the league. Cons – too often went missing (especially away from home), gets outbattled and lacks any pace at all. Against my better judgement I’ll give Shooter the nod, but any new coach will have to push him harder. VERDICT – YES
Jack Stobbs was a yes for me weeks ago, mainly because he approaches games with the right mindset and he is capable of providing quality. But recently he’s not impressed at all, and at Plainmoor last Saturday Jack looked like someone who was switching off and ready to leave for pastures new. VERDICT – NO
Lewis Collins has already made a statement on Insta confirming his departure, a clear case of someone falling down the football pyramid and then falling out of love with football (last season it showed). Good luck to him, whatever his future holds. VERDICT – NO
STRIKERS
Duane Ofori-Acheampong did what he could for United this season, but we need to look to the future now and that shouldn’t include the big man. VERDICT – NO
Aaron Jarvis should have left last summer, and will just be hoping that National League teams are still interested in him. The trouble is he’s not been that good in the NLS and he’s picked up a few injuries along the way. So Jarv better have a persuasive agent! If motivated to stay I’d keep him so he gets a tentative yes, but I think we all expect the striker to move on. VERDICT – YES
Brad Ash had a very mixed season. There was too many chances missed, and too much dithering on the ball. But he also bagged 14 goals and looked motivated in every game to make something happen. He’s far from perfect but at National League South level Ash is a very capable player, and that’s good enough for me to say yes. VERDICT – YES
COYY – DOM
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Great Blog Dom,
I agree wholeheartedly with your appraisal.
Well done
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