TT BLOG

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

FROM TITLE CHALLENGE TO TRANSITION?

After 2021, when the dust settled over the play-off defeat at Ashton Gate and some of the best players departed Torquay United, it was alarming, but under Gary Johnson at that time there was always hope and with a raft of new signings the belief was we could go again. What transpired was a transition season, then the transition turned to disaster and footballing wise we are yet to recover. Having lost Dreyer, Foulston, Morgan and Young, with Louis Dennis and Jordan Dyer out of the equation for different reasons, and with new signings taking time to adjust, it suddenly feels like another transition season is in progress.

Now I can confidently say that we won’t ultimately be relegated this time around and the structure around the club is a lot stronger in so many respects, but the words rebuild and transition just feel disappointing when the talk all summer long was about a title challenge, with Jimmy Ball remarking that the 2nd and 3rd placings from the last two season are failures in his book. Well, when you speak in those kind of terms you need to deliver, and so far the Gulls are certainly not doing that.

There was some undoubted context behind Saturday’s poor loss at Billericay, with the loss of Jake Wannell and Deon Moore a big blow to the squad. Wannell is a leader at the back who was our best performer before suspension and injury, whilst Moore can win battles upfront, gaining us territorial possession which can be so crucial away from home. He can also finish as well.

But the loss of key players can’t excuse the performance levels, Ricay outworked us in every department and were simply desperate to turn us over. We looked sloppy and under-prepared, coughing up possession for the first goal and reacting slowly for the second. Full-time players being out-manoeuvred by motivated part-timers, we’ve seen this too many times in the last year. JB was sure that his players would be fitter and stronger this season, but he seems to be struggling to get them to run and fight. 10 games into the season and the manager looks a bit lost, I want him to prove he’s not out of his depth, however his downbeat body language suggests he is.

Perhaps the warning signs were there in the summer, as new fresh-faced players were heralded with the word ‘potential’ and the squad depth flattered to deceive considering the possibility that a number of very good NLS players could leave. It felt like Jimmy Ball was the right man, however looking back perhaps he was just the right man at the right time as he used the new manager bounce to get results, with injured players returning and United (as they so often do) finding a spring in their step in the final stages of the season. Ian Atkins and Alan Knill were given the reins after successful periods and the harsh realities set in under them, now can Jimmy Ball avoid a similar fate?

The good news? It is only 10 games, there is much time to put this right, and there is also time for these youngsters to settle into life at Torquay United and make us a force in this division. I have no idea how this season will play out, but it is inevitable that United will find a run of form at some time and with the league so tight, we can rise up the NLS rankings very rapidly indeed.

Jimmy Balls needs to show us why he could be the man. I want to see more positivity and fire in his belly, the same goes for his team. The FA Cup beckons, fight tooth and nail for this one and Ricay memories can be banished, but the Yellow Army’s commitment needs to be matched by it’s football club on the pitch. Roll your sleeves up and get us to the 4th Qualifying Round, then we’ll all feel better.