TT BLOG

Clive Hayward – @Byehorse

Clive blogs about Paul Wotton’s latest presser

SALISBURY (A)- “IT AIN’T A CRISIS & IT AIN’T A MUST WIN”

Paul Wotton’s weekly press conferences resumed today (Thursday). Here is a quick summary.

THE LAST 2 WEEKS

The enforced lay-off last weekend has had its positives as far as Paul is concerned:

“We’ve had really good training since the Ebbsfleet game: loads of time spent on the grass. Boys getting over injuries are 2 weeks’ fitter, 2 weeks’ better. Some of the players who have played an awful lot of minutes have had a little rest as well, so it’s been very positive.”

He was unconcerned about the Devon Bowl exit at Brixham, pointing out that it was 90 more minutes for winger Dylan Morgan ex-Yeovil midfielder Sunny Blu Lo Everton, who both completed the game uninjured.

FITNESS

Sunny Fish has made good progress over the past 2 weeks. He has been out on the grass and been joining in with some part of training.

“I’m not going to out a timeline (on his return) but it will be sooner rather than later.”

LOANS

Cian Dillon has joined Torquay on a 28-day loan from QPR, following a path trodden with distinction in recent seasons by Sinclair Armstrong and Stephen Duke-McKenna:

“He’s a Republic of Ireland under 21 international. He had a loan spell at Enfield last year and did well. Cian gives us something different in forward areas at the moment. He’s a strong runner, he’s quick, he’ll run in behind, he’s aggressive, scores goals and we’ve done well to get him.”

“What it does is, it just takes that extra pressure off Sonny Fish coming back too early.”

Paul was had some praise for departing midfielder Keane Anderson, who has returned to his parent club Aldershot:

“I think he done great for us, I really do. The end of his loan has coincided with Sunny Blu Lo Everon and Callum Dolan coming back to fitness. The best compliment I can give Keane is that he came in and did his job really well. It was a seamless transition really, I thank him for his efforts: I thought he was great.”

SALISBURY, AND OUR AWAY FORM

Paul reported back from last Saturday’s drawn FA Cup match between our next opponents and Dorking. He said it had been a competitive game- a typical cup tie:

“I learned what I needed to learn, so it was a beneficial trip.”

I feel certain that Paul is sick of being asked about away form. Both Alan Richardson from BBC Radio Devon and I brought it up this week. Realistically, given the club’s ambitions this season, it will remain an issue until or unless results improve. The manager is optimistic about that. He had this to say:

“We haven’t quite been consistent enough over 90 minutes to get the results we want.”

“We’ve worked on certain things. Certain things tactically, certain things surrounding our mindset on away games because it is difficult.”

Understandably, perhaps, he wasn’t prepared to elaborate on conversations he has had with players about the necessary mindset. He was also very clear that the away record of Played 4, drawn 2, lost 2 is not something that we need to panic about, and that he firmly believes it will improve:

“I’m under no illusions that the results away from home have to improve but I’m genuinely not sat here concerned by it. I’m not happy with them (the results), but I’m genuinely not concerned and I’m sure they will change sooner rather than later.”

“I don’t see any more pressure on the game on Saturday than on a normal game, and I definitely don’t see it as a must win.”

“Last year we finished fourth in the away (standings). This year I’m sure we will again, if not higher. After 4 away games drawing 2 and losing 2 I think it’s way too early…I get a bit flabbergasted by some things…it ain’t a crisis and it ain’t a must win.”