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Dom Roman
@DomRoman
The Ed discusses the attributes required from new signings
LEADERSHIP
There’s been numerous things missing from Torquay United in recent years, and leadership has been sorely lacking. This means leadership both on and off pitch, who people who set standards and demand better during games and in the days before and after them. I think that’s reflected in the performances, with the team able to win when everything was going in their favour, but unable to react to adversity and looking desperately around for leaders to grab things by the scruff of the neck to make sure the points don’t slip away. No offence to Asa Hall, he has been a good servant to the club but a skipper needs to be energized on the pitch week in week out to push the team forwards, and with his career coming to an end and injuries taking it’s toll, his influence has not been enough. Apart from that Tom Lapslie should be talking to team mates, but is more likely to be in the ear of the referee, whilst Dean Moxey is not a vocal player, preferring to lead by example and Mark Halstead never felt like a particularly vocal presence behind them. New leaders with fire in their bellies who set the tone in the dressing room and on the pitch should therefore be a priority.
ENERGY
Paul Wotton has already hinted about bringing in fit and energetic players into the squad, and that’s music to my ears. Dropping into the NLS and faced with the prospect of playing against part time players, I had hoped fitness wouldn’t be a problem, but the squad looked knackered by the time the winter months came along, and often those part timers would be running past us at will. It’s definitely time for United to cast off the injury prone tag that has blighted the squad during the Gary Johnson years, time to bring players in who aren’t phased by a Saturday/Tuesday double header and are ready to go toe to toe with the opposition for 90+ minutes. Moving freely on and off the ball, let’s hope for a fitter and stronger team for 24/25.
NO MORE MR NICE GUYS?
Torquay United had become a home for nice guy triers under Gary Johnson. Like the manager himself the team had lost it’s edge and whilst the players that arrived generally seemed like good guys, they weren’t going to make us successful again. I think we often get caught up with the personality of players in this age of social media, with someone like Ali Omar becoming well liked due to his cuddly and friendly nature, even though he wasn’t ultimately much good at Football! I’m looking for winners, so I’m not concerned about how nice they are and I get the feeling Paul Wotton won’t be either. I can see the team becoming pricklier and harder to play against next season, perhaps making less friends but winning more matches…which is always preferable.
CREATIVITY
One of the most notable elements to Torquay United last season, especially away from home, was the lack of creativity in the final third. This was partly due to the lack of imagination in the coaching and how players were no longer responding to Gary Johnson, but you also have to look at those players and wonder why they struggled so badly. You always need some ability to win football matches, players who have the composure to make things happen around the box, picking the right pass at the right time, and whilst we scored a reasonable amount of goals last season, the attacking interplay was a real problem. If we can find players of that ilk and mix them alongside what should be greater work ethic demanded by Paul Wotton, then our chances of progression will only increase. New signings who will have us bouncing again, now that would be nice.
FIREPOWER
A nice obvious one to finish! One of the numerous infuriating aspects of the last 2 years is the lack of strikers at Torquay, with the bench often lacking an option to change things up as the team slipped to another defeat. Whilst there are budgets to adhere to and squad balance to be considered, I’d like us to have four strikers to rotate from if possible, making sure we have enough firepower to cover injuries and hopefully become a real force in the NLS.
COYY – DOM
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