Torquay United v Halifax

[arcadia]

We played some good football up to the penalty box but did not create enough chances with the possession we had. I thought the substitutions were a bit late and Andrews perhaps should have started in a 4-4-2 I think we accommodated a couple of players to play 3-5-1-1 every time we try playing 3 centre halves we end up in trouble.
Looking back I would say we made progress on the pitch once we switched to 4-4-2.
It looks as though Garry has signed two good players but please start with 4-4-2

[Hammdog2601]

Anyone on Bristows... was it a new signing sat in the blue Vanarama jumper. The guy who looked like Kalala but wasn’t him

[Tommy17]

I think it was Ntumba Massanka from Chorley FC, my grandson said he was training with the team last week.
Why did we not start with Keating.?? Ben Whifield is not the answer up front with Reidy.
I think the two new signings looks good but Warren doesn't look fully fit, and I thought taking Cameron off was a bit harsh.

[Hammdog2601]

I think it was Ntumba Massanka from Chorley FC, my grandson said he was training with the team last week.
Why did we not start with Keating.?? Ben Whifield is not the answer up front with Reidy.
I think the two new signings looks good but Warren doesn't look fully fit, and I thought taking Cameron off was a bit harsh.

**** CHORLEY. Cba

[desperado]

A smash and grab win for Halifax, thought we looked more solid at the back. The usual deflected goal was crucial.The two new defenders look good signings.

[TUST_Member_Rob]

Have to say first half we passed the ball well and were far better than Halifax

However we lacked a cutting edge upfront and we were made to pay for that in the 2nd half

Reid had no effect but couldn't do much with 0 support, I thought Nemane and a decent game and I like Whitfield but for me you can't play both. It would have been better to have started Keating up top with Reid.

Secondly 5 at the back DOES NOT WORK! We have cried out for an experienced CB to play with Cameron, we get one in and balls it up with the wrong formation especially with Lewis doing his best out of position.

Disappointed in Johnson not changing it after we went 1-0 down, it shouldn't have taken as long as it did.

[arcadia]

Have to say first half we passed the ball well and were far better than Halifax

However we lacked a cutting edge upfront and we were made to pay for that in the 2nd half

Reid had no effect but couldn't do much with 0 support, I thought Nemane and a decent game and I like Whitfield but for me you can't play both. It would have been better to have started Keating up top with Reid.

Secondly 5 at the back DOES NOT WORK! We have cried out for an experienced CB to play with Cameron, we get one in and balls it up with the wrong formation especially with Lewis doing his best out of position.

Disappointed in Johnson not changing it after we went 1-0 down, it shouldn't have taken as long as it did.

You watched the same game as me we had Keating on the bench who could have roughed up the big centre half and give Reid a breather. Andrews was needed as there is a goal in him.

[Tommy17]

I total agree arcadia, I have questioned GJ team selection for the last few games.
What has Keating done?? or have to do to get a chance.
I am still confident in GJ but I am starting to think if he falls out with you there is no going back.

[culmstockgull]

Have to disagree with TUST Bob, I think Nemane comes out of the same mould as Buse, runs a lot , huffs and puffs and achieves nothing, he is not creative enough to be a midfielder, certainly does not have the pace to be a winger, so what do you do with him, I thought the game was there for the taking but we had no forward threat, we continually tried to pass it into the net when the world was screaming for someone to leather it. Our new left back and centre half were very good and way above our league and its a long time since our defence has looked so solid. After their fourth booking I was surprised that Keating was not brought on to rough them up, It doesn't take a genius to see that he will be on his bike at the end of the season as Johnson just does not fancy him.
Only good thing is this was just a competitive training game with no points lost, if we can bring in a goal scorer this week I would be a lot happier.

[Louis]

[TUST_Member_Rob]

Have to disagree with TUST Bob, I think Nemane comes out of the same mould as Buse, runs a lot , huffs and puffs and achieves nothing, he is not creative enough to be a midfielder, certainly does not have the pace to be a winger, so what do you do with him, I thought the game was there for the taking but we had no forward threat, we continually tried to pass it into the net when the world was screaming for someone to leather it. Our new left back and centre half were very good and way above our league and its a long time since our defence has looked so solid. After their fourth booking I was surprised that Keating was not brought on to rough them up, It doesn't take a genius to see that he will be on his bike at the end of the season as Johnson just does not fancy him.
Only good thing is this was just a competitive training game with no points lost, if we can bring in a goal scorer this week I would be a lot happier.

He does lack some end product however we had pretty much 0 end product the whole game!

however he was involved in most of the first half good play, he and whitfield are both players i wouldnt tie down to a position, they are best when they can free roam, i dont see how you can carry both in one XI though!

Agree RE the CB & LB they are welcomed, i dont know whether its being harsh but i felt Covolan may have done slightly better with the deflected goal? it wasnt hit overly hard and he seemed slow to react

[Willowgull]

I really don't understand what difference Keating would have made? He clearly isn't good enough for this level of football. Ruiri wouldn't have made any difference. He has had enough chances in the last 2 years and hasn't been able to force his way in. Granted he works hard but poor first touch and no end product. GJ clearly doesn't rate him. Like Culmstock Gull says he will be off on the summer.

[Hammdog2601]

I really don't understand what difference Keating would have made? He clearly isn't good enough for this level of football. Ruiri wouldn't have made any difference. He has had enough chances in the last 2 years and hasn't been able to force his way in. Granted he works hard but poor first touch and no end product. GJ clearly doesn't rate him. Like Culmstock Gull says he will be off on the summer.

Keating came on and bullied them, he’s not gonna score goals but his physical presence UPFRONT. He’ll hold the ball up and actually gives a ****. The 2 players who care were on the bench Keating & Jake

[Willowgull]

I wasn't at the game today but I have seen enough of Keating to know he is not the answer. We need another forward who will make the right runs into the box and get goals. Ive been willing him to succeed because of the effort he does put in. Yes, he works very hard and he does care but we won't get promoted with him up top.

[Modgull]

Agree with those who thought this a better performance than for some weeks. The new players fitted in well and had good games. The team looked much better balanced. However, once again we were bullied by a more street-wise opposition who took their chances - they only had 6 attempts, 4 on target and 2 goals whereas we had 16 attempts, 8 on target with just one goal. Each keeper made two good saves but generally the finishing was poor in comparison with the approach play.

A word on the officials - they were good today. I thought the referee did well to pick up on the time wasting so early and tried to keep the game flowing.