Torquay United Fans Forum

portugull wrote: ↑04 Sep 2024, 21:45 Dave thank you for your comments. Much appreciated.

I do not see it as PW needing help from us Fans but it is all about finding an edge over our opponents.

Brian Clough was great at exploiting weakness in the opposition. I do think we need to work on Free Kick and Corner routines because they do work but as you say even at Premier League level they are no guarantee of a goal.

I am going to see during September if I can spot my favourite and send it to Paul Wotton and see if he responds.

Nothing ventured nothing gained. It is worth a try.

No problem, as long as you realise no diss respect was meant to you, if see something I don't agree with I'm going to nothing less than honest in my response to it.

It would worth looking back at how all 3 goals v Chippenham were scored, would suggest being more threatening from corners, set pieces and crossing into the box is something PW and his coaching team have already worked on.

And best of luck, if you get a response lets us all know.

Well that was the most comfortable 90 minutes so far this season, and the most complete performance of the season so far . But was that down to our good play, or down to Chippenham being very poor? My honest answer would be a bit of both, however our squad tonight every single one of them are deserving of great credit.

Paul Wotton clearly unhappy at his teams tempo v Aveley seems to have really got into the squad, because the team have started this match like a F1 car, after calls for PW to watch Match of the Day for ideas, tonight thankfully I think the Chippenham boss seems have used MOTD as a coaching manual, as his Chippenham side tried to play out from the back in Man City style.

This for played right into our hands, as they didn't have the ability to do so, and not only have we seen our team match them with a high press, we've seen our team do so with a very high energy, so no surprise two early goals soon followed, we'd see our the Chippenham post hit also, from a tactical point of view I was shocked and as TUFC fan thankful that Chippenham didn't ditch that tactic at all, rather try than to play their way back into the game from 2 down, by defending with greater numbers and bypassing our midfield.

As the half wore on, and Chippenham continued in vain to play our from the back, TUFC would gain success from the high press, as Chippenham barely if ever troubled our team past the half way line, it seemed only a matter of time before their ran ragged back line would be breached again, and duly was as Untied went in 3 up at the break.

Second half was always going to be more difficult, 3 up at home very easy to withdraw a bit from the game, and Chippenham who were always going change things about, and try and restore some pride. Chippenham did play with a bit more purpose and energy in the second half, however it would take till 67th minute for them to get their first meaningful shot away, which had Hamon in the Torquay goal scrambling and no doubt would have found the net if on target, but flew wide, whilst Chippenham did pick a few corners after the break, asked a few questions of our back line, never really had us in much trouble through out the game.

As Paul Wotton rang the changes in the second half it did get us going again as an attacking force, Crosbie would have added a 4th goal but for an outstanding and well timed challenge from the Chippenham defender, and I think it was Ash who certainly should have added the 4th, but for a weak finish making his shot easy to save, TUFC largely continued win many 50/50 battles, and carve out some openings just couldn't find a way through to add to the first half.

This was an outstanding night for the club, to get a gate of plus 3000 again, on a Tuesday night with many exiles unable to attend and some schools in the area re-opening their doors tomorrow, just shows once again what great fans we've got and they were here all along, also I was surprised to see the Gulls nest more busy tonight than Saturday, both before and after the game, the tills certainly kept a ringing.

Well that was the most comfortable 90 minutes so far this season, and the most complete performance of the season so far . But was that down to our good play, or down to Chippenham being very poor? My honest answer would be a bit of both, however our squad tonight every single one of them are deserving of great credit.

Paul Wotton clearly unhappy at his teams tempo v Aveley seems to have really got into the squad, because the team have started this match like a F1 car, after calls for PW to watch Match of the Day for ideas, tonight thankfully I think the Chippenham boss seems have used MOTD as a coaching manual, as his Chippenham side tried to play out from the back in Man City style.

This for played right into our hands, as they didn't have the ability to do so, and not only have we seen our team match them with a high press, we've seen our team do so with a very high energy, so no surprise two early goals soon followed, we'd see our the Chippenham post hit also, from a tactical point of view I was shocked and as TUFC fan thankful that Chippenham didn't ditch that tactic at all, rather try than to play their way back into the game from 2 down, by defending with greater numbers and bypassing our midfield.

As the half wore on, and Chippenham continued in vain to play our from the back, TUFC would gain success from the high press, as Chippenham barely if ever troubled our team past the half way line, it seemed only a matter of time before their ran ragged back line would be breached again, and duly was as Untied went in 3 up at the break.

Second half was always going to be more difficult, 3 up at home very easy to withdraw a bit from the game, and Chippenham who were always going change things about, and try and restore some pride. Chippenham did play with a bit more purpose and energy in the second half, however it would take till 67th minute for them to get their first meaningful shot away, which had Hamon in the Torquay goal scrambling and no doubt would have found the net if on target, but flew wide, whilst Chippenham did pick a few corners after the break, asked a few questions of our back line, never really had us in much trouble through out the game.

As Paul Wotton rang the changes in the second half it did get us going again as an attacking force, Crosbie would have added a 4th goal but for an outstanding and well timed challenge from the Chippenham defender, and I think it was Ash who certainly should have added the 4th, but for a weak finish making his shot easy to save, TUFC largely continued win many 50/50 battles, and carve out some openings just couldn't find a way through to add to the first half.

This was an outstanding night for the club, to get a gate of plus 3000 again, on a Tuesday night with many exiles unable to attend and some schools in the area re-opening their doors tomorrow, just shows once again what great fans we've got and they were here all along, also I was surprised to see the Gulls nest more busy tonight than Saturday, both before and after the game, the tills certainly kept a ringing.

Yes the defences we're coming up against aren't full premier league superstars but nor are we here at TUFC, so when it comes to attacking set plays and free kicks it's still NLS V NLS in terms of quality.

I watched the Newcastle v Spurs game, Spurs tried a number of fancy corner routines, one where a player made a darting run from the near post to come short and laid the ball of to another player on the edge of box for instance, they also tried a number of weird and wonderful free kick routines, the point is none ended up in goal for Spurs or in fact troubled Pope in the Newcastle goal.

It doesn't matter how much you work on the training ground it's down to the players on the day, if your players are stood there like tree stumps while the corner taker can't get the ball past the first defender, or drops the ball straight into the gloves of a very grateful opposition goalkeeper your not going to threaten much.

Doesn't need over complicating, a lot of teams have a couple players stood away from the defensive line, who make a run into the box attacking the space behind the defence as the corner kick is taken, can be very effective if the ball breaks loose.

And it is totally laughable to suggest someone of PW's stature with over 500 professional games mainly at Plymouth and Southampton, playing under various managers and coaching staff, also someone who holds the UEFA 'A' coaching licence needs help from us fans, or to use Match of the day as a coaching manual, he's going to know how to coach structured set plays and free kicks.

Now we're six games in there is a current form picture emerging we can use for a reference point. So far our visitors like us are unbeaten in their last four games, although Torquay have one more win, Chippenham have won away at Weymouth and Drawn at Chelmsford, losing at Dorking.

Chippenham's goal difference stands at 7-6 +1 whilst ours stands at 9-6 +3 , even though Torquay sit 5 points ahead in the current league table each teams records are fairly even.

I fancy a very narrow win, and hoping that Chippenham may come after us a bit than Aveley.

TUFC 2 V 1 Chippenham

Not a lot I can add, yes it was frustrating, more so because they only thing Aveley did well in an attacking sense, was to hit a one in an odd occasion perfect free kick, and that is probabaly the main reason why the team haven't gone home with all the points.

I have no problem at all with our team retaining possession, football is not just about every pass being a forward one, any forward pass whether it be short or long needs and aim and some purpose to it, the one thing Aveley did well yesterday was to set up in a very compact defensive shape and they held that shape well through out, they parked the bus and posed us the problem of breaking it down.

Where our team fell short was, the execution in the final third wasn't good enough, and the movement off the ball at times was non existent , often forcing the midfield players to hang onto the ball, with no other option but to go backwards and sideways.

On the balance of play and chances, thought a TUFC win was deserved, so 2 points dropped, however in the previous game the team nicked a win when they probabaly only deserved a draw, so maybe these things do balance out in the end.

Portugulls posts and opinions are always heartfelt, genuine and honest, so my post in response is in no way meant to show any disrespect.

There is no comparison that can be made between watching the premier league on match of the day, and being a professional manager in the NLS. For a start your premier league manger has a specialist coach for everything, from those who specialise in set plays, to injury prevention, diet and lifestyle and beyond, PW doesn't have that luxury.

Your NLS manager doesn't have the benefit of working with players regardless of nationality who are at the top of the game, most of the teams in the top half of the premier league are packed full of international players, who've been semi-finalists, finalists, winners of the world cup and continental championships, they are so because, their speed of thought, decision making, technical ability, consistency, athleticism are attributes where they score 7/10 or above, so the coaching staff can work on fancy free kick routines , and take players out of their comfort zones knowing some where along the line during the match they'll execute well, as seen by Aston Villa for their first goal yesterday.

Don't get me wrong all players in the NLS have ability, they are good players, you don't even get to that level with out some form of ability, but they are limited in one or more, in some cases all of the attributes I list above that's why they are in the lower reaches of the game , managers and coaching staff at this level know they have to keep things more simple, trying fancy set plays would be very much like asking a baby to run, isn't going to end well, trying out smart the opposition by switching tactics isn't going to work out either, you have to play to your strengths and hope that's enough to take home the points.

Your right about having an edge, part of the problem yesterday, was crossing into the box was too slow, when it's delayed you give the opposition defence time to hold their shape, and their keeper to get set, for crossing and set plays to be effective, you have to try and force defenders out of sharp/position, or force them to defend facing their own goal, or draw the keeper out. PW will have seen it, will work on it.

Football fans are knowledgeable when it comes to football, but to a point, we have a professional manager and coaching set up, with the qualifications and experience of playing the game professionally, there's nothing we as fans can teach or add to what they know already, thankfully in PW we have someone who does respect our knowledge, often says there is lots to work on and fans can and will see it, unlike GJ who had a smug arrogance, of I'm the professional manager, I'm the dog that wags the tail , what do you know, I'm grateful for that.

We as fans have to recognise, our squad only met in late June many haven't played together before, there's in-experience in this squad, they will grow, they will get better, we as fans just need a bit of patience and to stick with it, would it surprise any of us, if our team is anywhere near the promotion picture in the new year if some more money was been available to help over line ?

UnitedinDevon wrote: ↑31 Aug 2024, 20:20 Judging by the moronic comments I heard today I wouldn't want any fan suggestions, I'll leave the tactics to the manager

Pointless discussion regarding free kicks specifically today, we didn't have one in a position like Aveley!

We must stand in the same area, I heard the same moronic comments and shouts, the worst was when Threlkeld received the ball with his back to the Aveley goal, facing our own goal, with an Aveley player touch tight behind him, so couldn't turn, there was no sideways options , so did the absolute basic thing of playing the way he was facing, only to be met with howls, of 'no, play it forwards' to which my own reaction was, how could he from that position ?

Your right about their free kick, I'd also add the Aveley player has hit a 1 in 100 inch perfect free kick, if he'd have taken it another 99 times wouldn't get anywhere near.

Don't think any of us truly underestimates any team in this league, it's early doors and few teams are in false positions at both ends of the league, thankfully PW seems to be more proactive than his very lazy predecessor so I'm sure they'll be a plan for their better players today.

That said home advantage likely to be another huge crowd, and you have to take into account the start both teams have made to the season, think we go into this clear favourites (which of course means nothing)

TUFC 3 V 1 Aveley

Only able to follow part of the game due to work commitments today. I can see the team haven't played well today, but I don't see this as any reality check, no team at any level is going to play well in every game, no team can be expected to win every game, just because we have new owners and are in the NLS doesn't mean a thing, our team still has to earn the right to win.

I'm sure there will be games where we'll witness a much better performance and see our team lose, the only thing that matters when 46 games are done, is results.

Fantastic win.

At work tomorrow hoping to get home in time to follow the game, they've had few close games before picking up their first win away Saturday, so not expecting anything other than a hard afternoon, got a feeling might get a win here.

Chesham 1 v 2 TUFC

There's not much about the game I can say that hasn't already been said, I totally agree it did take the team a while to grow into the match, Dorking pass and move the ball very well, early doors they were causing our defence so many problems, it is right to say for all their slick passing moves they didn't test Hamon.

Think our defence deserves a lot of credit apart from a few wobbly moments they defended very well through out, I did raise an eyebrow when Palmer was signed, but has to be said he was immense today and deserving of the motm, Dreyer so calm, can't see hanging on to him for long. As the half went on it was our team that finished the stronger, Palmer with a header cleared off the line and a long rage shot that just didn't dip in time, also Torquay forcing a fairly regulation save from Dorking's keeper, Torquay would go close with a header that some on the popside thought was in.

Second half I was a bit concerned at the start, thought our team came out a little slow, but an attacking run from Hassani breaking through midfield, not only had the effect of getting the crowd going again, but seemed to fire up a few of our players, there followed a period of Torquay dominance seeing us take the lead.

I've been to three of the four games so far, after the goal followed 15 minutes or so, of collectively the best I've seen from our new team, the energy and speed of our play was fantastic and really had Dorking on the ropes for while, however we all know Dorking are a class act at this level, they were always going to throw the kitchen sink at us in a bid to get into the game and they did push our team back in the last 15 minutes or so, and the miss of the season came with the very last act of the game, if the Dorking lad directs that header anywhere inside the post they pinch a draw, thankfully some how the lad missed.

All in all being fair Dorking should have took a point, but they didn't, I've seen it mentioned after other games, and here we are talking about Dorking might have had a couple missing through injury, to repeat my own message, I couldn't really couldn't careless who's out for our opponents, PW can only pick the best he has available to play against what's put in front of us, the team still have to go out there and earn the right to win, whilst I didn't fancy us today, that's what we've seen in this match and I'm delighted.

I'd also like to talk about how PW is rotating the squad, it's given me a real sense that PW absolutely has complete trust in every player he signed, unlike GJ who spent a Kings ransom a team who he clearly didn't trust half of the players he brought in.

I know I've touched on the unity at the club, just feel I have to go there again, don't know if others have the same feeling, from arriving at the ground, going in the gulls nest, to walking out on to the popside, the whole place just feels so different, happy smiling faces, a real buzz around conversations, and Hassani is right, every tackle, every defensive header won met with loud cheers, and to see fans in all home areas getting involved with supporting the team, it really does feel this club is going places now, and do feel whilst results are important for attendance figures, there will some real loyalty amongst the fans, I feel gates of 3000+ could well become the normal at TUFC

I see an update the CSI reached £50k in less than a full day, that's quite a phenomenal effort, personally will be buying into this before the weekend is done.

North Curry House wrote: ↑22 Aug 2024, 21:22 He can be dismissed for Gross Misconduct for not revealing that he was under investigation for those offences. I like the lad but we can not pay him for nothing. Maybe he could train with us and sign on when his sentence is served. Any chance of an appeal?....Just show some remorse, say sorry and get a shorter ban.

If we remember when Austen Booth signed a 2 year contract with TUFC, his contract at Taunton had to be paid off, of which Booth paid 50% out of his own pocket, I highly doubt he did that knowing he was investigation which could ultimately lead to a season long ban and potentially end any hope of a full time professional career.

No chance of any appeal, he's broken the rules, his ban is from all football related events, so doubt he can train with the team either, he'll have to take care of his fitness in his own time. In the statements made by the club it said that both the club and Austen Booth cooperated in full, can't imagine that Booth didn't do anything else but show the upmost remorse, as stated he broke the rules, and did so on 289 occasions, the ban is the ban.

The club still have a duty of care here, so can only hope they're giving all the support he needs, and if he does get a 2nd bite at the cherry, I have no doubt he'll come back stronger for it.

Ladies and gentlemen 2.1 isn't going to work out every week Having said that I'd take a 2.1 win right now. From at TUFC point of view 676 fans away at Bath Tuesday night was an outstanding effort, by our fanbase which is simply the best, this also shows the level of unity we now have at our club, not really interested in who Bath had fit or not, that was a first rate win as Bath always have strong teams at this level, even missing a few.

Dorking are a good and strong team at this level, this will no doubt be a tough afternoon for our team, and I'm hoping for more patience from all our fans, as the road ahead will have some bumps in it, but our team will grow, will develop, just have a sneaking suspicion this game may have come a bit too early our teams development.

Dorking to date have won away at Truro, beaten Chippenham and picked up a credible 2.2 draw v Boreham Wood, whilst I sadly fear defeat, hoping another big and loud crowd might be enough to squeeze out a draw, but I will be as happy as everyone else later to be proved wrong of course.

TUFC 1 v 1 Dorking