TT REVIEW

Rachel Malloch – @RachelVillavox

Rachel discusses the game at Plainmoor

BACK TO BACK

We only said goodbye with words…….incredibly it has been 4 games on now since Paul Wotton was relieved of his coaching duties and Neil Warnock and assistant Ronnie Jessop took over on an interim basis. 7 points from a possible 12 and back to back home wins after a wretched run of 2 points from a potential 22 has steadied the ship somewhat and what looked like an inevitable nose dive down the table, Torquay are now 4^th and 7 points adrift from impoverished Dorking (or so we are led to believe) who interestingly splashed out midweek on a loan deal for former Weston Super Mare lynchpin Sam Pearson, a player we had been rumoured to have been close to signing last season. He scored 90 seconds into his debut. Bully for him, and Dorking. See you on Tuesday night, 24^th March.

HAYFIELD OF GOLD

Another impressive performance from our midfield warrior Dan Hayfield, a goal and a goal line clearance, a first half shot that had the power of a trebuchet but the trajectory of a TEMU drone. That aside, his performances continue to imbue much needed strength and power in the middle, and a non-too shabby intervention into defensive duties. Very often touted as ‘under appreciated’ Dan has certainly become a fan’s favourite over the 2 seasons he has been at TQ1. The DHAS, for the uninitiated an acronym for The Dan Hayfield Appreciation Society, boasts a good 100+ supporters who not only sponsor him, carry the banner home and away, you can often see the flag proudly adorning the Pop Side terraces and every away game. With the introduction of Matt Worthington and Sonny Blu Lo Everton this season, he has found himself warming the bench, but in recent games, with injuries, suspensions, he has put in the displays of a no-nonsense battler, quite capable of popping up with an important goal and as was evident yesterday, a crucial header off the line in the final few minutes.

FEED THE FISH

Sonny Fish was brought in by Paul Wotton to work under the tutelage of Cody Cooke, a player who was immense last season contributing to a stack load of assists and 20+ goals. Sonny has had a stop start inventory to his career, a Crawley Town player loaned to various clubs and a player who Paul Wotton openly spoke of his admiration when he brought him to the club.

Coming back into the game following a serious knee injury, during the early stages of this season Sonny suffered another injury, this time to the other knee, rehabilitation and fitness issues have been a hindrance, Cody Cooke has likely played more games than perhaps his own fitness battles and injuries would have liked and never the twain with the tutelage plan, so to see the young lad run his socks off these last 2 games and getting a proper run out rather than the odd 10 minutes here and there, has reaped its delayed rewards and great run and shot on the turn to cap his first Torquay goal was met with a huge leap of celebration from both Sonny and the supporters.

Ronnie Jessop in his post match interview was equally delighted for him, remarking on his constant running and grafting, that perhaps his decision making could be tweaked somewhat but that he was really pleased for our centre forward. The mutterings on the terraces have been most of this season “there’s a player in him, and Paul Wotton saw it too”, and I for one am chuffed to bits for him grabbing his first goal.

NEW MANAGER ANNOUNCEMENT

The plot certainly thickened last week, the social media gossip machine was churning over like a clattering woollen mill, names flying around and one in particular seemed to be at the forefront, Neil Warnock’s press conference had intimated an announcement was close to hand, but nothing has materialised. Then a statement ‘From the Boardroom’ was released Saturday morning to confirm that and work was continuing behind the scenes to achieve the directive of appointing the right person for the role, and that these things cannot be handled too hastily but the process was advancing. Watch this space.

Neil Warnock and Ronnie Jessop have sculptured this depleted injury hit team with a good style of football, a good shape, movement, plenty ball to feet that compliments many of the squad here who are very good footballers and players have, dare I say it, looked a lot fitter since the veteran manager and his much valued assistant have come into work with the squad. There’s been a good response to Neil and Ronnie (Ebbsfleet away performance aside) and we can only hope that this mentality and physical approach to the remaining games continues in our mission to reach one of the play off spots.

COMMUNITY FUN

This micro-climate of the south west has certainly micro managed our need for waterproofs and umbrellas so far in 2026. A poor weather forecast put paid to the family fun day out on Plainmoor Green pre match moving the family fun stalls to the Wollens Away stand, but nothing could stop the colourful joy of the local community samba band who performed with gleeful smiles for the 3,200+ crowd in the ground. Wonderful pre-match entertainment for all, together with the Torquay United girls U7s team parade, a myriad of teams, mascots and the promotion of #HerGameToo.

DYER BY NAME BUT NOT BY NATURE

The sight of Jordan Dyer taking his rightful position in our back 4 was a sight for sore eyes, after Jay Foulston (who wears the captain’s armband with aplomb!) Jordan was the next signing to be revealed last season in one of those natty player signing videos and as one part of the Dyer Dreyer combo, his presence has been a glaring miss to our defence. Such a good player at this level and likely further up the levels too.