Torquay United Fans Forum

was in our local paper a few quotes from Knill, that the assistant (don't know his name) will have a strong input in the team as he's only seen the players 3 times.

If he copies the formation at Bury expect a formation that changes.

When out of possession 4231, the two sitting midfield players, and everyone expected to work hard to get behind the ball, but when you get the ball it ends up to like a 424 formation as everyone is expected to go forward! Which is why he likes his pace.

We use to play with a big man up top, with someone with a bit more skill behind him which was our Ryan Lowe. Everyone thinks he played up front with us when really he played just behind the striker.

One thing to expect the winger getting to the byline and then cutting it back a long the floor, for someone to hit it home. Most of Loweys goals came from that move.

Good luck today!

There was a big call from everyone for us to have Knilly back tonight!!!

He is always loved by the players, I dont know why as he comes across on Radio interviews badly.

If he does what he did at Bury, he will add some pace and make you very difficult to beat. I remember the days when we were a counter attacking team that destroyed teams constantly. In fact it was the 3-2 victory for us at your place, were we hit you on the break twice.

He will make you difficult to beat, add pace then its just a waiting game until he can find some flair and a goalscorer and that is how you end up getting promoted out of league two. Our team in League two could have easily competed at the top of League One, but unfortunately we sold a lot of our players for big money.

Just a quick one to those asking about the style of play that we played, here a few quotes from Twitter from a few of his players.

@cambelford " Gd Luck to Knilly at Torquay #topmanager #purefootball #passpasspass "

@joe_skarz "all the best to Alan Knill at Torquay! #totalfootball"

When he took over us in this position, he signed a few loans!

Elliott Bennett - Now plays in the Premiership!
Few Sodje - club legend and real hard man defender!
Darren Randolph - One of the best keepers in Scottish football.
Adam Rooney - Birmingham bought him for money last year I think from Inverness.

You can ask any fan his signings are what makes him the manager he is in this league especially.

He had a rule at Bury we're the goalkeeper could only play out from the back (during the summer months) then as the pitches got worse the keeper would kick it a bit longer. He always played football which is why some bury fans he never changed it as he always wanted to pass the ball.

Also to all the bury fans who say he never changed it, he didn't really have too as most weeks we won or were winning and in control for 90% of the game.

We always had pace out wide and he expects a lot of hard work from his wingers to get up and down. Expect your team to get quite dirty he likes his thugs e.g Sodje.

In league two you wouldn't want another manager in this position.

Hi All,

I hope you all the success's in the future,

I think Alan Knill is a great appointment for you guys, I personally would have him here down at Gigg. I am amazed some of you guys on here are complaining? He last managed a team in League two that was in second place, with a low budget! I remember coming down to your place last and we beat you 3-2 in a great game. I am confused as to why any team in League Two would not accept him, Yes he left us in a cloud of uncertainty and it left a bad taste in our mouths but as a manager he was very good. It didnt seem to work out at Scunthorpe for one reason or another although them staying up last season was seen as a success.

I also read on here that people say Knill would be no good in the current situation you find yourselves in, Knill took charge of us when we were second bottom of League two and guided us to safety with some great loan signings ( Expect this to be a regular occurrence he has a great eye for a signing), the following season we finished 4th and missed out on automatic promotion.

I know its for 2 months but its ideal for you guys, I am sure you will now be fine in the league.

Also I hope Martin Ling has a fast and speedy recovery.

Up the Shakers!