Torquay United v Southend United - 14/12/13

[IlshamSchmilsham]

It was with no little trepidation that I watched Martin Rice take his place in the Torquay goal against Wimbledon at the start of this season, and it is to his considerable credit that he has subsequently proved to be an able deputy for Michael Poke, in the process putting in a succession of MOM performances. However, the key point for me is the impact that the return of Poke appeared to have on the outfield players, and in particular the four defenders. There was a confidence and calmness at the back that I have not really witnessed before this season, and while there is little to choose between the two keepers when it comes to shot stopping (and perhaps distribution) it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Poke inspires more confidence in those around him. I think that this may in part be due to his better handling skills and positional sense, but communication and less tangible attributes like body language and "presence" also play a part. I think it unlikely that Knill would have replaced Rice (who had done little wrong) without discussing the idea with the likes of Mansell and Downes, and I would not be surprised to learn (not that we ever will, or indeed should) that they too felt that a change might just help to solidify things at the back. Time may tell us otherwise, and I agree with earlier posters that the selection of three "proper" midfielders was an equally significant adjustment, but the return of a fit Michael Poke might just represent the turning point in our season. Let's all hope so.

Dave B (an infrequent poster!)

[ferrarilover]

You base this on....one win.

This is the problem, where the gullible think after one win, all is suddenly well. We are still bottom. Still adrift with a need for promotion form to get us out of this. If Knill does achieve that all well and good but he will only be achieving a fraction of what he was supposed to be anyway. On his record, prior and so far, he has been a terrible appointment. For the majority, one win is not going to suddenly persuade people that all is rosy and that the team is about to embark on some promotion challenge.

Just when you think mankind has reached its lowest ebb, over the horizon comes Hector to plunge new depths...

I've amended my post, you know, in the vain hope that you might be able to keep up.

Matt.

I had tried being nicer to people, ignoring things I thought were stupid and avoiding confrontation. This is what we were left with...

[Southampton Gull]

It was with no little trepidation that I watched Martin Rice take his place in the Torquay goal against Wimbledon at the start of this season, and it is to his considerable credit that he has subsequently proved to be an able deputy for Michael Poke, in the process putting in a succession of MOM performances. However, the key point for me is the impact that the return of Poke appeared to have on the outfield players, and in particular the four defenders. There was a confidence and calmness at the back that I have not really witnessed before this season, and while there is little to choose between the two keepers when it comes to shot stopping (and perhaps distribution) it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that Poke inspires more confidence in those around him. I think that this may in part be due to his better handling skills and positional sense, but communication and less tangible attributes like body language and "presence" also play a part. I think it unlikely that Knill would have replaced Rice (who had done little wrong) without discussing the idea with the likes of Mansell and Downes, and I would not be surprised to learn (not that we ever will, or indeed should) that they too felt that a change might just help to solidify things at the back. Time may tell us otherwise, and I agree with earlier posters that the selection of three "proper" midfielders was an equally significant adjustment, but the return of a fit Michael Poke might just represent the turning point in our season. Let's all hope so.

Dave B (an infrequent poster!)

Agree totally and respect for putting it in a far better way than I ever could.

[ferrarilover]

Ok, what I should have said was:

Hector, old boy, you've misunderstood. I've changed my post to better reflect the true sentiment which I was attempting to convey.

No need to lose my shit for the sake of a simple misunderstanding.

Matt.

[hector]

Ok, what I should have said was:

Hector, old boy, you've misunderstood. I've changed my post to better reflect the true sentiment which I was attempting to convey.

No need to lose my sh*t for the sake of a simple misunderstanding.

Matt.

It was the 'when we start winning things' aspect of your post...that was the laughable bit...unless you were being sarcastic.

[arcadia]

Everybody on here has the right to state their opinion just the same as everyone has the right to disagree with it. Sorry if you feel picked on just because I disagreed with yet another attack on the manager by you. It actually seems that you don't like your opinions challenged, well if you try to pass off your opinions as facts then be ready to expect some scrutiny.

Reading your opinions I'd be surpised if you had watched many games and if you look on previous posts i've supported Knill when I've thought he was right.

[Sunnysideup]

On his record, prior and so far, he has been a terrible appointment.

Which prior record would that be? The one where Bury did well under him for three seasons?

Or perhaps keeping Rotherham up despite a points deduction, and then have another points deduction the following season which they managed to pull back before the board sold his best players from under him midseason?

[Alpine Joe]

IlshamSchmilsham

I think it unlikely that Knill would have replaced Rice (who had done little wrong) without discussing the idea with the likes of Mansell and Downes, and I would not be surprised to learn (not that we ever will, or indeed should) that they too felt that a change might just help

Yes, we'll probably never know for sure, but in that two weeks without a first team fixture it wouldn't surprise me if Knill wasn't also forced to see sense regarding his tactics and formation as well as who should be wearing the goalkeepers jersey. Whether Knill had to have his arm twisted to agree to a Road to Damascus conversion, we might not find out, but it matters little if common sense has finally prevailed and a system that suits the players has been adopted.

[tomogull]

It was the 'when we start winning things' aspect of your post...that was the laughable bit...unless you were being sarcastic.

Hector is right. Although we all agree it was a much better performance, it is just ONE WIN. Now if we get at least a point at D & R and three points on Boxing Day, then we can start to believe that we have turned a corner.

[ferrarilover]

It was the 'when we start winning things' aspect of your post...that was the laughable bit...unless you were being sarcastic.

And had that been what I'd said, I would concur entirely. I even put it in the biggest, reddest letters I could. Is it me...?

Matt.

[wodger of awabia]

Hector is right. Although we all agree it was a much better performance, it is just ONE WIN. Now if we get at least a point at D & R and three points on Boxing Day, then we can start to believe that we have turned a corner.

Well a draw would be good as long as the other teams in the sh#t lose, if they win then we are 2 points more adrift. Away draws are fine if you are mid table & help to "cement" an already stable league position. Unfortunately we don't have that luxury.

[ferrarilover]

We do, quite happily, have that 'luxury'. It's December and we're two points from safety.
Hector's general point about it being just one good result and vaguely acceptable performance (despite his misguided reason for making it) is one which I made a while back (and was, as you'd expect, criticised for).

There's no point in heaping pressure on the team by heading to D&R with the attitude that only a win (away at a team three points outside the Playoffs) will do. A point will suit us fine. If we can stop Murphy scoring, so much the better for morale. Those would be my two targets for the match. A creditable and deserved draw and keeping at bay the top scorer in the division.

Pick on the more likely matches. Exeter are a weird side, a bit like York. They either win comfortably or they get hammered. They came off 7 losses (or whatever) on Saturday by scoring three goals in half an hour against the form side in England. Plymouth away is hardly a daunting task and nor is Rovers at home.

I think it's unlikely that we'll win all our December/new year games (although not impossible, by any means) and the most likely failure among the upcoming games is Saturday.

A point, all things considered, is a fine result.

Matt.

[brucie]

I actually think we could win on saturday - Dagenham are doing better this season but generally the league is rubbish.
They are a side who we should look to be beating - think there was more pressure on the Southend game.
It might have been only one win but it was a good one. Unfortunately I don't think three derby games on the bounce are what we really need.
Dagenham could be the key game - win that one (and it is winnable) then that really sets us up nicely.

[wodger of awabia]

We do, quite happily, have that 'luxury'. It's December and we're two points from safety.
Hector's general point about it being just one good result and vaguely acceptable performance (despite his misguided reason for making it) is one which I made a while back (and was, as you'd expect, criticised for).

There's no point in heaping pressure on the team by heading to D&R with the attitude that only a win (away at a team three points outside the Playoffs) will do. A point will suit us fine. If we can stop Murphy scoring, so much the better for morale. Those would be my two targets for the match. A creditable and deserved draw and keeping at bay the top scorer in the division.

Pick on the more likely matches. Exeter are a weird side, a bit like York. They either win comfortably or they get hammered. They came off 7 losses (or whatever) on Saturday by scoring three goals in half an hour against the form side in England. Plymouth away is hardly a daunting task and nor is Rovers at home.

I think it's unlikely that we'll win all our December/new year games (although not impossible, by any means) and the most likely failure among the upcoming games is Saturday.

A point, all things considered, is a fine result.

Matt.

Well done! two 1st. of April in one year........how novel!

[ferrarilover]

What?