TALKING POINTS

Sam Jones – @samuellejones

Sam discusses the game at Plainmoor

Well, that was frustrating. Another year, another damp squib of a finish for the Yellows as we look forward to another Year in the National League South. After all the club has been through in the past 18 months, this feels relatively tame compared to the existential threat posed by the previous regime. It’s funny, I don’t think I’ve ever felt more positive after a play-off defeat than I am at the moment, which is an odd thing to say, especially after the Ashton Gate-Gate. But, I’m monologuing. There was a match played, and points to be talked about. Shall we get into it?

UNITED FAIL TO DELIVER

The sun was shining, the pitch was a carpet and Plainmoor was bouncing. It was all set up to be another glorious day in the long and troubled history of Torquay United. But, as I’m sure you are all well aware by now, it wasn’t. To tell you the truth, Boreham Wood were much the better team and rose to the occasion much better than the Home side did. The 1-0 score line flattered Torquay, as Wood looked everything we’re not and strode imperiously through to the final.

United looked nervy from the first minute, unable to keep the ball as Wood broke at every opportunity. Their tandem of Abdulmalik, and Sousa tore through our absent midfield with ease. Ilesanmi at left back swatted us away like flies and Ashmore won’t have had many easier afternoons. There was no lack of effort from the Gulls, but a lack of quality and, crucially, imagination means we spend another year in the NLS. Did the occasion get to the players? Was there a hangover from just missing out on the title? Did the midweek game keep Boreham Wood sharp? Who knows. At least we get to live by the sea, rather than some non-descript North London suburb.

MISSING: MIDFIELDERS. LAST SEEN WEARING YELLOW

Boreham Wood outclassed United all over the pitch, but nowhere was it more obvious than in the midfield area. Wotton probably got the selection wrong, but the game really showed how one dimensional our midfield is. Threlkeld doesn’t have the legs to cover a top midfield anymore and looked like a red card waiting to happen. On the other hand, Hayfield does have the legs but didn’t do enough with the ball, and kept challenging his own players for headers for some reason. Hasani was the pick of the bunch, keeping the ball nicely and trying to make things happen but he’s got the strength of a wet paper bag.

The changes helped a bit, as Jenkins Davies brought some tenacity and Mussa tried to make things happen, but it wasn’t enough. If Wotton had started them, would the outcome have been different? Who knows. But what I do know is that it’s the area of the pitch that needs the most work in the summer. You only had to look at Tom Whelan in the Wood midfield to see what we were missing. A player who can protect the defence, break up play and then help drive the team forward. Where is a 30 year old Asa Hall when you need one?

PLAN B OR NOT PLAN B

Now, I will admit I have not seen us play that many times this season. But, through my inside sources, I have got a very profound understanding of what the Yellows have been like all season (i.e. I’ve stolen what has been said on various WhatsApp groups). What is very clear is that the squad is very limited. I think this essentially boils down to two main issues.

The first is that there are no real individual matchwinners in the squad. Unlike top United sides past, and I use the word top loosely, there is not a player who you feel will take the game by the scruff of the neck and drag us through. I’m thinking a Hargreaves, an O’Kane, a Hall etc… We’re a team where everything has to be clicking for us to win. Don’t get me wrong, there are some good players in the side. Dyer and Dreyer are probably among the best in the League. Jay and Young can pull a rabbit out of a hat and I would hate to play against Cooke. But none of them will win you games singlehandedly.

The second is a lack of variety in the players. Wotton got us to within touching distance of the title, but it felt there was only one way of playing. On top of that, the lack of options on the bench means that if its not working we end up replacing like for like. So basically if Plan A isn’t working, our approach is to do Plan A but better. That, or stick another big lump up top and try to win a few knock downs. It was clear that we could’ve done with a proper winger on Saturday to really drive at Wood, but instead we stick Ash and Palmer up top and hope for the best. If we want to go up next season, we need more options.

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THE FUTURE OF PAUL WOTTON

Now, I will say this up front. I see absolutely no reason to get rid of Paul Wotton in the summer. Ultimately, we did fall short and that does land on Wotton’s shoulders. However, he inherited just one contracted player and ended up building a squad that missed out on the title by three goals. He’s only been a manger for 5 or 6 years, and never at a club the size of United. Yes, I know Truro are above us now, but you know what I mean. Compared to John Askey and Luke Garrard, he’s in his infancy as a manger and will probably learn so much from this season. Now, if things start to go wrong next season then questions may need to be asked. But the last thing the club needs is more uncertainty with another change of manager.

I also want to give him huge credit for the way he faced up to the fans after full time. Some managers may have hidden within the squad, but he made sure to walk round the pitch on his own and clap each corner of the ground. It takes courage to face up like that. He’s a decent man, I hope he keeps improving as a manager and he deserves the chance to try again next season.

BIG SUMMER AHEAD

So, now the nonsense on the pitch has finished, its time to focus on what we all really enjoy: contract talk. Attention has already turned to next season and what the squad may look like moving forward. It’s crucial we keep the core of the squad so we can look to build upon it, especially as there are some talented players in there. At the back, Dyer, Dreyer and Foulston need to be kept. I’d keep Hasani, Hayfield (maybe Morgan) in the middle of the park. Up front Jay, Young and Cooke are must keeps as well. I’d also keep players like Hamon, Craske, Carson and Palmer as squad options but everyone else I can take or leave.

I’m not going to speculate on who exactly we bring in (as I haven’t the foggiest who is available) but what I do know is that we need strengthening all over the pitch. The midfield is the biggest concern, as mentioned before, as it feels too one dimensional and is easily bypassed. We also need pace, which has been a problem for years. The contrast between us and Boreham Wood on Saturday was staggering. Where Abdulmalik and Sousa could break at pace any time they wanted too, we looked slow and laboured moving up the pitch meaning plenty of time for the away side to reset defensively. But we also can’t just bring in carbon copies of players, as we need more variety as well.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Yes, losing in the play-offs suck. Yes, Boreham Wood are the most nothing club that has ever existed. But lets take a step back and look at the bigger picture. A year ago, we didn’t know if we would have a club at all and if we did, no idea who would own it. If you had offered us a second place finish and a defeat in the play-offs, I think we all would have taken it. Another season in the NLS is not ideal, but I’ve never been more optimistic about the future of the club. We have an incredibly loyal fanbase, who turn up through thick and thin to support the lads. We have owners who care about the club and want nothing but the best for it. And, crucially, we are out of administration meaning the financial foundations of the club are safe. We also have the best Fan Site of any team in the National League, but I am very biased of course. Now, to have a couple of months to digest what has been a turbulent period for the club and then onto Pre-Season. Buckland away anyone?