TT BLOG

Clive Hayward – @Byehorse

Clive blogs about Jimmy Ball’s presser

This afternoon’s presser was always going to be all about the new gaffer, Jimmy Ball, who has made the move along the South Coast from Hampshire, where he had a successful spell at AFC Totton.

He made us smile early, explaining that he’s been finding his way around the ground making sure he won’t get lost on Tuesday, when United take on table-toppers Dorking:

“I’m sure Marc White will tell me where to go!”

He’s not a physically imposing man, and he explained that his voice is normally as hoarse as it was today. It’s a hereditary thing. Many fans will remember his Dad Alan, who won the World Cup aged only 21 and had a long, successful career at the very top of the game before managing at several levels, including an unhappy spell at Exeter.

Between sips from a TUFC mug, Jimmy gave us a first idea of what he is all about and showed a hint of steel.

The club’s statement welcoming Jimmy to Plainmoor spoke eloquently about his emotional intelligence and his ability to understand individuals and support their development. But his comments today showed that “tough love” is going to be in his toolkit too.

Injuries and Availability- “It’s about being big boys in a big boys’ league.”

When asked about injuries and availability he took a long pause before saying: “We’re looking ok.” He said that at this stage in the season some players are “hanging on” or “digging deep”, but he expects nothing less.

“It’s about being big boys in a big boys’ league.”

He described the aching and soreness that comes with a long season as: “A privilege”.

He was cagey on the specifics. He explained that he doesn’t want to rush players back: “It’s easy to get them back for one game and then lose them for three.”

“You don’t want to break them.”

Sam Dreyer is “close” to a return, despite still having “an ankle the size of a grapefruit.” No decision has yet been made on whether to bring him back at Dagenham.

There were titbits about squad members he already knows. He told us he had signed “Matty” Worthington aged 12, worked briefly with namesake Carson at Stoke and knows Dylan Morgan from Forest Green and Sam Dreyer from Stevenage.

Dagenham (a)

On Saturday’s trip to East London, Ball first expressed sympathy with Lee (“Bradders”) Bradbury, the former Pompey striker who was shown the door this week. He said that this means it’s something of an uncertain prospect, because he doesn’t know how interim boss Andy Carroll might set up.

In general, he said, he does like to do his homework on the opposition.

He was clear about one thing however: “We are going up there to win.”

Behind The Scenes

Ball confirmed that he will be bringing in an Assistant Coach soon, and said he thinks we will be pleased when we hear the name. He also explained that be introducing a strength & conditioning coach to work 2 days a week at the club.

At Totton, he worked under a Director of Football but doesn’t think that that is necessary here. He believes that a lot of the structure for the right processes is already in place at Torquay.

He will be looking to bring in an analyst though, He said that he had been quite surprised that a club of our size doesn’t already have one. He was, however, very clear that part of his remit is to ensure that budgets are stuck to and that we build solid foundations. If he gets success at Plainmoor, he knows that it will not be because we have thrown money at it.

“I’ve Been Ready For a While”

At times, it almost felt as though our new manager was still in his job interview. He gave us his career stats: and they are impressive. He told us that in 228 games his teams have only lost 40, have won about 130 and scored 400-odd goals.

He gently bridled at the notion that his previous career had been building up to getting his new job. He pointed out that he had got Forest Green to the League Two playoffs when he was appointed their interim manager towards the end of 2020/21 (they went out by the odd goal in nine against Newport). He drew parallels between that appointment and this, saying that the situations are similar.

In terms of AFC Totton, he reminded us that he has had two promotions in the last three seasons and described getting them to 50 points this early in the season as perhaps his best success so far.

He is certainly a seasoned playoff campaigner, and his record in them compares very well against most managers.

Maybe he can do it again. Based on his comments today, he certainly feels there is a fighting chance.