The Gulls v Welling (Home) 12/08/2014

[ferrarilover]

Felt so rude at forgetting to mentioning it, that I came back to say nothing more than I enjoyed meeting Norman last evening. The jolliest of fellows, he should be on everyone's Christmas card list.

Matt.

[tomogull]

Not that I want to be negative after a 3-0 win, but I really can't fathom how anyone who was at the game could give any of our defenders (+ Harding, the de facto DM, who goes missing more than lord Lucan) anything other than the bottom five places in team ranking.

We looked good going forward, but we were an utter shambles defensively in the second half. Luckily the bottom half of the conference is rubbish, so they missed all the chances they had, but really a decent team would have drew 3-3. Just look at the BBC stats; they only had three less shots and one less shot on target (and they hit the post). And a good amount of those shots were from decent positions too.

Still, you can only beat what's in front of you, and that we did. I am happy that I have walked away from the ground for once thinking about a win, rather than missed chances and what might have been. Pearse will improve the defence further, but oh for someone to sign tonge and loan us a left back!

The defence was very shaky once again but I thought Downes saved us on several occasions with last ditch tackles whilst all others crumbled around him. I think it must have been Angus McDonald's mum who chose the Man of the Match tonight.

[brucie]

A very difficult game to assess how we are actually. Not much atmosphere - I think the crowd were in shock that we managed to win three nil.
Actually Welling were not quite as bad as I thought thye would be and played some neat football going forward in the second half and could quite easily have scored a couple. We could quite easily have scored seven so make of that what you will.
Luke Young was the best player on the pitch by a mile. Downes had a stormer at the back. I am not convinced by Macdougall who got man of the match. Bowman looked really good in the first half before fading in the second half. Briscoe was disappointing and Cameron seems to think he is Ronaldo.
Actuallly I think the 14 year old ref had not officiated in front of a crowd of more than 50 before because he gave us everything.
Cameron had practically run the ball out for a goal kick - I was gobsmacked the ref gave a penalty - he then refused a stonewall hand ball in the box for Welling.
I do not understand Hargreaves inclusion of O Archie at the expense of Yeoman on saturday and Benyon tonight - he looks like the world's worst footballer tonight. Love or hate Benyon he would have been far more useful coming on as a sub as his hard running style would have given their tiring defence far more problems.
O Archie stood still and let the ball bounce off his shins every time the ball went near him.
A very odd game - it should be noted that the return of pearce should make a massive difference to our defence but on this evidence evry game will be a goal fest

[tomogull]

I'm worried - your post more or less reflects mine, Brucie. I'm going to bed for a lie down .......

[lucy6lucy]

Christ, can't we just enjoy a 3-0 win, wasn't at the match but surely the pressure on the players to get a result tonight was immense and the main objective. WE are 2 games into a new season, performance levels will no doubt improve, the result was the main priority tonight. And that has been achieved. Rovers lost 2-0 at Barnet , only drew on Saturday, imagine the pressure they are under. I tbh don't care at this stage how the performance was, it's about the result. Players are stilling learning each other's attributes, manager formations. Come Saturday we should on paper be on 6 points, I would be very happy with that return. COYY

[SteveDeckchair]

Plenty of positives to take from last night's game. First half we were exciting to watch at times and had lots of quality possession. Second half, Welling looked like a completely different side and really took the game to us. We held out though and a clean sheet is a big plus for our at times shaky back four and Martin Rice especially.

The first goal was really well worked and Bowman showed great composure to round the keep and shoot into an empty net. The penalty was soft and Cameron looked like he was running the ball out of play. People were laughing where we were as it didn't even look like the defender touched him. Anyhow, Cameron finished it really well , to right corner, unstoppable. Best penalty I've seen at TQ1 for a long time.

We could indeed have had two our three more, but that's the way it goes sometimes
and a two goal lead at half time is a good position to be in.

Welling caused us loads of problems in the second half and the game deteriorated from a Torquay perspective. We held out though and managed to score the third just as Welling pressure was looking like a goal was imminent. A well taken goal where Ajala cutout a pass across the back four and nicked in front of the keeper to lift it over him.

That effectively ended the match but we still had to defend doggedly to keep them out. Downes was a tower at the back and Rice made a couple of crucial saves towards the end, one down to his right was pure class and stored a certain goal. We held on though for a deserved win against a side that are more than capable of causing an upset with their pace and movement, as per the second half.

First time Ihave seen a few of these players and I must say that although it is clear we are a work in progress, the signs are there that with a young team, we are just going to get better and better over the next couple of years. Very pleasing.

I thought Cruise played absolutely fine. One mistake second half but other than that, no problems. Briscoe looked comfortable on the ball but a touch unfit. Young and Harding looked good in spells, definitely better with the ball than without it but both put their boot in to some tackles. Cameron was excellent first half, went a bit quiet second, maybe he was asked to drop a touch deeper? Bowman looks quality at this level and how nice to see a target man bringing the ball down on his chest and driving at the back four? Yeoman did ok but I think his sharpness will come and we will then stay tosee the player we know he can be.

Overall, very pleased and hopeful for the season. How nice to see a three goal win at Plainmoor?

One other thing. Some people's attitude with regards it only being Welling, part time, pub team etc. People have very short memories from the last time we were in the conference when teams like this on their day are more than capable of making a dent in your season. Yes there will be much better quality opposition to play this season, but let's enjoy the victories and not getotoo down about the losses.

[bobby93]

Luke Young was a joy to watch in the first half. He was everywhere. What a performance. Downes put in a seasoned display, I have not been his biggest fan of late but he used every ounce of his experience last night to deal with what was in front of him. Those two had a great game, but in truth I thought everyone contributed and at times it felt like I was watching some of the best spells of TEAM football I've seen at Plainmoor for months. Lovely passing, working hard, lots of ideas. A proper striker's finish for the first goal from Bowman. Ajala looked dangerous when he came on.

Difficult to assess how this will set us up against more difficult opposition, but to be fair Welling had their moments and were unlucky with a couple of decisions. I think we have to address a few of the mistakes - some underhit passing etc, and enjoy the win.

Nice after so long to see a deserved victory, no matter who we're playing.

[hector]

Hector, my old fruit, if that was our defence playing well, we are bollocksed. Might as well book our place in the South Devon League now. Rice made at least 4 good saves and Welling's shonky forwards managed to fluff another couple.
You know me, Mr Optimistic, but I fear the worst if that was as good as it's likely to get.

Matt.

Well, you were at the game and I wasn't, so I'm happy to accept your view on it, especially - as you point out - you would normally be making excuses/seeing the positives, so if you say something about TUFC is bad, then I think it really must be!

[hector]

A very difficult game to assess how we are actually. Not much atmosphere - I think the crowd were in shock that we managed to win three nil.
Actually Welling were not quite as bad as I thought thye would be and played some neat football going forward in the second half and could quite easily have scored a couple. We could quite easily have scored seven so make of that what you will.
Luke Young was the best player on the pitch by a mile. Downes had a stormer at the back. I am not convinced by Macdougall who got man of the match. Bowman looked really good in the first half before fading in the second half. Briscoe was disappointing and Cameron seems to think he is Ronaldo.
Actuallly I think the 14 year old ref had not officiated in front of a crowd of more than 50 before because he gave us everything.
Cameron had practically run the ball out for a goal kick - I was gobsmacked the ref gave a penalty - he then refused a stonewall hand ball in the box for Welling.
I do not understand Hargreaves inclusion of O Archie at the expense of Yeoman on saturday and Benyon tonight - he looks like the world's worst footballer tonight. Love or hate Benyon he would have been far more useful coming on as a sub as his hard running style would have given their tiring defence far more problems.
O Archie stood still and let the ball bounce off his shins every time the ball went near him.
A very odd game - it should be noted that the return of pearce should make a massive difference to our defence but on this evidence evry game will be a goal fest

If O'Achie offered nothing, how is that any less than none-scoring specialist, Benyon? Do you seriously think that Benyon's 'hard-running' would give any defence any problem? He is slow and would have spent the time falling over! You say 'O Archie stood still and let the ball bounce off his shins every time the ball went near him.'. Hmmm - let me think. Who does that remind me of?

[Kit_robin]

Benyon gets a lot of very vocal criticism at matches, some of it is justified but some if it is way over the top. He now has no leeway and the tiniest of errors means he receives a barrage of abuse. I have some sympathy with him, as last year he was trying to act as a target man for long spells - never going to work. It was no surprise that when we had Marquis he put in a couple better performances.

Last night yeoman was pretty poor. He had 2 shots but was pushed off the ball very easily and did not link up at all with the midfield. He did not even provide the Benyon-bonus of pressing defenders. I said to the group around me that if Benyon had put in that performance the pop-side would have gone mad, but as it was someone (anyone) else apparently it's fine.

As for O'Achie - well I presume CH sees something to develop for the future, because in the three games I've seen him he is at present not showing anything to suggest he can cope at this level. I missed his cameo at Gateshead where he may have been better.

Personally, after last night, I would give serious consideration to whether Ajala could play with Bowman if Benyon and Yeoman can't provide goals.

[ethantufcbaker]

If anyone wasn't at the match, here's the penalty

[tommyg]

Benyon gets a lot of very vocal criticism at matches, some of it is justified but some if it is way over the top. He now has no leeway and the tiniest of errors means he receives a barrage of abuse. I have some sympathy with him, as last year he was trying to act as a target man for long spells - never going to work. It was no surprise that when we had Marquis he put in a couple better performances.

Last night yeoman was pretty poor. He had 2 shots but was pushed off the ball very easily and did not link up at all with the midfield. He did not even provide the Benyon-bonus of pressing defenders. I said to the group around me that if Benyon had put in that performance the pop-side would have gone mad, but as it was someone (anyone) else apparently it's fine.

As for O'Achie - well I presume CH sees something to develop for the future, because in the three games I've seen him he is at present not showing anything to suggest he can cope at this level. I missed his cameo at Gateshead where he may have been better.

Personally, after last night, I would give serious consideration to whether Ajala could play with Bowman if Benyon and Yeoman can't provide goals.

The difference between Benyon and Yeoman is Benyon has been consistently poor for the last 12 months. In 40 games (25 starts) last season he scored three goals. Yeoman netted the same number from nine matches (2 starts). If Hargreaves persists with 4-4-2 then I think Yeoman deserves a run of games.

[ethantufcbaker]

The difference between Benyon and Yeoman is Benyon has been consistently poor for the last 12 months. In 40 games (25 starts) last season he scored three goals. Yeoman netted the same number from nine matches (2 starts). If Hargreaves persists with 4-4-2 then I think Yeoman deserves a run of games.

This is the season if yeoman can cut it or not. At the end of last season he was good and scored a few important goals. So he does deserve to have a ran of game 5-10 starts to see if he can do it

[brucie]

Hector - you have an inbuilt hatred of Benyon. You weren't at the game but believe me if you think that Benyon would have offered less than O'Archie then your nuts. Benyon is the better player.

[Richinns]

Calm down people- the Benyon/O'Archie discussion is now a moot one seeing as Hawley is back and now in full training!