Torquay United v Bradford City - League Two - 18/02/2012

[Glostergull]

Yellow4life. Your in severe danger of being cemented into the foundations too. stop making predictions. Grrrrr

[PlainmoorRoar]

Lets face it if we played Bradford every game we would get relagated

Hoofing the ball to that **** fagan

Then just fouling every foward player we had

Eunan had a very poor game and we missed Lathrope SO much, just no midfield

McPhee was crap, Howe should have started, and the Ref was utter utter SH*TE


At Least 2 loan players in please!!

[tktufc91]

Can't win them all, Bradford sounded dangerous today and had chances to score more. We hit the woodwork in the second half and maybe a draw would have been a fair result.

Still, time to get back to the training ground and start up another run, starting at Gillingham next week.

[torquaylegend]

bradford city are the best side we've played at home this season lads, no excuses :/

[Yellow4life]

bradford city are the best side we've played at home this season lads, no excuses :/

Any chance your a Bradford fan, first defeat in 10...

[ferrarilover]

Jesus, that was bloody awful, we haven't played as badly as that for months.

Anyone know what Fagan's problem is, or is he just an arsehole?

Too many passengers today, Eunan terrible, Atieno dreadful, everyone else just far too slow. Officials useless, Bradford came to bully and spoil and the bloody referee allowed them to do it. Lost every single aerial battle, Howe needed to come on after about 5 minutes, not 55.

Not disappointed to lose, we were never going to win all out games from Christmas to May, but to play so badly when we know we can do so much better is really sad.

Matt.

[bengull]

Records are there to be broken, and today Torquay United have a chance to equal one of their most impressive. Fourteen years ago, 'The Gulls' led by Kevin Hodges, won eight league games in a row. Helped by the goals of a young Jason Roberts and club legend Rodney Jack, Torquay got to the brink of automatic promotion that season but had it cruelly snatched away from them via defeat to Leyton Orient on the last day of the season. I was lucky enough to witness that impressive run, and I am lucky enough to watch the current incumbents of the Yellow Shirt set out to equal the record. Torquay United can win their eighth game in a row today by beating Bradford at fortress Plainmoor.

Torquay have not lost a game at home in four months, in fact since our last home defeat, a 5-2 shellacking to Gillingham, our home record reads a mightily impressive: played nine, won eight, drew one, scored fourteen, conceded one. Bradford will not be looking forward to the long trip south today, they will be facing a team high on confidence having beaten two of the top six in the last seven days. Bradford are poised dangerously above the relegation zone and need the points to improve their disappointing season just as badly as we want them to improve our dream-like season. Torquay will be keen to erase the bad memories of the return fixture at Valley Parade earlier this season when they lost 1-0 to Bradford despite playing most of the match with a man advantage. It was what has turned out to be a very rare bad day at the office for Martin Ling's troops.


One bit of key team sheet news is the injury to midfield lynchpin Damon Lathrope, who was substituted at Cheltenham in midweek. Chris McPhee took his place and did an admirable job closing down and being combative in the midfield and is rightly expected to keep his place. Taiwo Atieno, whose fine form recently has been rewarded with a call up to the Kenyan national team, is likely to continue as the figurehead to the attack; continuity being the key to our recent excellent form and confidence coursing through every man in yellow.

And so to a very wet Plainmoor, Torquay lined up as expected, 4-3-3, McPhee and Atieno starting, shooting towards the away end in the first half. Bradford, in their all black away kit, started the brightest of the two teams, taking the game to their hosts. Fagan, an old-fashioned centre forward, caused Torquay a fair few problems, but it was the home side who took the lead against the run of play. Irish Maestro Eunan O'Kane found himself in a bit of space on the right wing and his low centre was met on the run, first time, by Danny Stevens, whose low shot nestled into the corner, it was a lovely finish and indicative of the confidence flowing through the team. Sadly that was as good as it got for Torquay in the first half.

For the next twenty minutes TUFC were guilty of losing their shape and some defensive instability that has been absent from our play for so long. In particular we got over-run in the midfield, not necessarily because Chris McPhee is a poor replacement, but because Damon Lathrope is such an expert in the position he plays. The ability to break up the attack and then play the sensible pass was severely lacking today and as such much of our passing throughout the team was disjointed, this acted as a catalyst for some pretty ordinary defending in the first half. Torquay could have cleared their lines on at least four occasions before Fagan finally slid the ball into the net for his first, and was afforded way too much room to be able to confidently fire past Olejnik high into the net for the second. Two goals in three minutes left Plainmoor completely shell-shocked and Torquay with much work to do.

On so many instances this season Torquay have got themselves in the lead and held on heroically for the three points, not once however have we come from behind to win and sadly in truth it sort of looked inevitable the moment we went behind. Bradford changed their style from the football which garnered them the lead, to playing ugly in order to preserve it. We should not be disappointed or surprised at this: they need the points far more than we do. However it was not enjoyable to watch the time wasting antics and intimidating provocation from the Bantams for the majority of the match. The officials did little to help the situation too, on too many occasions a clear foul was not given, or a throw-in awarded wrong way. Simple little decisions which grate on you more and more as the game progresses led to a very frustrating afternoon.

On several occasions this season, Martin Ling's half time team talk has inspired a better second half performance. Sadly we never really got going in the second half as Bradford stifled us: the chances we did create were ultimately wasted. We seldom tested the Bradford keeper which was possibly the most disappointing fact, too many wayward shots troubled the spectators and not the goal-frame. Mark Ellis came closest, his towering header at the back post cannoned off the post and away to safety

At the other end, Bradford's finishing showed that not only were we losing to a very poor team, but that Bradford are down near the bottom of the table on merit. Kyle Reid's two shots on goal when in space, both ended up nearer to the corner flag than on target, and Fagan with a glorious chance to seal victory, one on one with Olejnik fired over. There were several instances of Torquay being sloppy with possession and so nearly being punished for their neglect, some excellent crosses into the Torquay box only needed a final touch to make the game safe, thankfully for Torquay the lead was not extended and as long as that was the case, I always believed there was one last chance to equalise within us.

Rene Howe came on for Atieno- whose constant bullying from the Bradford defence incredulously went unpunished all afternoon- but he struggled to get into the game. Young Ashley Yeoman came on for the last ten minutes in order to shake things up as Torquay reverted to 4-4-2 and though he looked very lively he too failed to make the difference. A promising cameo though, and maybe worth another look in a future fixture.Mark Ellis moved upfront for the last five minutes in search for the game-saving goal. A paltry three minutes were added, when in truth six would have been a more accurate interpretation of how much time Bradford wasted, and though most of injury time was spent attacking, we just couldn't manufacture a worthwhile shot at goal and Bradford held on for a much needed three points and became the first team to complete the double over us this season.

So, Torquay suffered their first loss in two months, and in doing so ended their marvellous run of victories in 2012 and clean sheets at home. This however should be viewed as a cause of celebration, and not disappointment. We have come a long way this season and seven wins in a row is a monumental achievement by all concerned, and although we did not equal our record today, I think the achievement is just as spectacular given the improvement of league two football in today's climate, and that we have not been able to call upon the services of a premier league player in the making to aid our attack. The team spirit will see us bounce back from this defeat quickly I am sure, starting with a difficult looking trip to Gillingham next week.

It is so tight at the top, and our run of seven victories has served to see us lose not too much ground on those above us. I guess the feeling of despondency I have is because I have become accustomed to the feeling of winning recently, coupled with the fact we lost today to a very poor team with far greater resources than us. However in spite of today's setback it has been a privilege to be a Torquay United fan this season and am sure the manager has it in him to put it right next week. As for me, a few beers tonight, and a look at the league table in the morning, will put a smile back on my face. Fifth in the league, two points off automatic promotion, and three points off top: it really isn't so bad!

[AlexGulls]

Lets face it if we played Bradford every game we would get relagated

Hoofing the ball to that t**t fagan

Then just fouling every foward player we had

Eunan had a very poor game and we missed Lathrope SO much, just no midfield

McPhee was crap, Howe should have started, and the Ref was utter utter SH*TE


At Least 2 loan players in please!!

I disagree that McPhee was "Crap" I thought he did alright. Tackling wise he was good passing he could do with improving and keeping it simple rather than some of the more fancy stuff he was trying and failing with.

As for the game once Bradford went ahead they put ten men behind the ball and just kept trying to get the ball to Reid and Fagan who were there only real threats and the two proper chances they had they took. Once Ellis' chance came off the post it was evident that it wasnt going to be our day.

This will be a test to see how we bounce back from this now. Hopefully we can bounce back straight away like we did against Swindon after the Accrington game. Rather than going through another dodgy patch.

[Colorado Gull]

Football’s a funny ol’ game! From the highs at Cheltenham to the low at home to Bradford, the winning run comes to an end. It wasn’t the 8th win but we must go on from here and keep our heads up. Who would have thought it!? We get 3 points from Shrewsbury and Cheltenham but can’t get even 1 point from Bradford. This game we all love can get us scratching our heads at time, but let’s get into the match report.

First of all I thought that the Bradford support was poor today. Yes its 300 miles away but a club that size, with a big home support, they really should have brought more than they did, in my opinion. The Yellow Army were ok today. More singers have rejoined the middle, which made a good noise singing “yellow army”. While the younger fans were still down the end of the pop trying to make an atmosphere. After 7 wins on the bounce, I personally was a little anxious to see how we would get on today and I did have a funny feeling that Bradford may get something from the game.

The game started with Bradford on the attack winning a corner. They started very brightly and went forward with pace. The danger from the corner ended when the ball was in the hands of Bobby. Later, Bradford had the ball again and a City player tried to play a through ball. However Nicholson intercepted it well and passed the ball to Danny. Stevens then ran forward on the wing, he lost control of the ball and tried to knock it forward. But the Bradford defender got in the way and the ball went out for a throw, although it was given to Bradford, a mistake from the referee. After this both teams were playing in the midfield trying to start and attack. But nothing was happening from both teams.

Mcphee got the ball in the middle and passed to Eunan O’Kane. He then passed the ball Atieno, he moved and passed to Mansell then over to Nicholson. Kevin Nicholson then played a nice one two to Danny and then ran on to take a shot at goal. His shot went well over the bar, a nice move made but no award came at the end of it. Down the other end Saah was caught the wrong side of the player he was marking. The Bradford forward then ran forward, played in an attempted cross but it was deflected out for a corner. Fortunately the corner caused no pressure on the defence. This ended this attack. Morris then retrieved the ball moments after the corner, he was tackled on the wing and the ball went out for a throw in. Eunan got the ball and passed back to Oastler. He put a nice ball to Danny but the goal keeper got it. Up the other end a little later on, Bradford had a shot at goal, but it rattled off the side netting.

The ball ended up at the feet of Ian Morris when Bobby took the goal kick. He was fighting with the Bradford right back to get the ball. In the end it was out for a throw in to Torquay. A through ball was played to Danny Stevens and he scored, the ball went into the corner of the net, 1-0! After the goal, a foul was awarded to Bradford from a foul by Morris, it was debatable to say the least. It was about 35 yards out and it was struck fantastically well by the Bradford player, Bobby had to tip it over the bar for a corner. This corner came to no result, but a few minutes later the team from Yorkshire did get on the score sheet. It was a bit of a scramble in the box and our defence did not clear the ball away and a shot came from Bradford and it was a goal, 1-1. Just a few minutes later the visitors got another goal! It was a very nice move from left to right and the Bradford player who scored had a little too much space and he shot home, 2-1.

Torquay were not getting the ball down and playing football, there were too many long balls for my liking. Bradford were all out there and just going for it, they had nothing to lose. After the second goal Nicholson got the ball on the left, he beat two players and passed to Taiwo. It came back to Nicholson and he passed it to Eunan this time. He went passed, one, two, three players but shot well wide. A few moments later a free kick was given to Torquay in the middle of the park. Nicholson took it but it was cleared and Bradford went on to try and get another attack going, this thankfully didn’t happen. Taiwo Atieno was fouled a little later on with two Bradford defenders all over him. The ball was played short from the free kick and we played it backwards by Eunan when he retrieved the ball from Oastler at the free kick. It was passed around the midfield very nicely but nothing was created. After this passing display the ball came into the hands of the Bradford goal keeper, he kicked the ball out of his hands and it went a fair old way. There was a big gap at the back but luckily Saah ran back to tackle well and the ball went out for a goal kick.

There were too many big balls being played by Torquay and this was not working for two reasons. Taiwo Atieno was not big and was not strong enough to hold the ball up, because of the second reason which was the two big central defenders from Bradford was winning a lot of balls and clearing away the danger. Bradford were still going on the attack causing our defence to defend and it didn’t seem like they were on top form today. Plus our passing wasn’t great and at times it looked like we were not switched on and not concentrating. This sums up the first half and it was a shock to Torquay fans. We weren’t very good and losing for the first time in a long time, but we weren’t playing awful, just not playing like we have been. The Torquay fans all hoped that Ling could get the players going to try and get something from this game.

Straight from the start of the second half, Eunan, Danny and Taiwo linked up from a throw in to try and start something for the Gulls. However there was no effort on goal and Oastler moved in the middle to get the ball back. But he missed it and that left a massive gap for the Bradford number 32, who played very well today, to go on forward. He played a cross in but it went out. A few moments later the ball was again in the Torquay half with Oastler and Morris needing to defend. The danger was over when Morris got the ball and ran forward and passed a nice through ball to Danny. Stevens then ran onwards and put in a cross, but it was right at the goal keeper. The Bradford keeper gingerly got the ball in his hands and the pressure was over. Eunan a few minutes later passed two players, had a shot at goal but it was easily saved. Later on we made a nice move starting from Saah. He made a long ball to Taiwo who was in a lot of space and then passed the ball to Danny, then to Mansell but the pass was too strong. Then Danny, Oastler and Eunan linked up but nothing was created. The ball was then definitely away when Oastler was tackled when trying to go forward again. The ball was then with Bradford and a free kick was given to the visitors because of a foul. The free kick was a good one with a nice cross, a good shot came from Bradford and it went just wide. After a kick from Bobby a foul was given to Torquay and it was played in but the danger was cleared. Mcphee tried to get a goal from an effort on goal, but his shot went wide.

The game was stop start because the referee gave a free kick to Bradford every time a Bradford player would fall over by the slightest of touches. The officials were not very good at all and would not allow the game to flow. Rene Howe came on for Taiwo Atieno. The ball was up the other end of the pitch but a Bradford player was offside and a free kick was given to Torquay. Bobby kicked the ball up field and after a few tackles from Bradford a free kick was eventually given to Torquay. Nicholson put in a cross and it came to Ellis at the back post who headed the ball onto the post and it went out for a corner. The corner came to nothing but afterwards Mcphee passed the ball to Eunan but it was too heavy. Mcphee then ran all the way back and tackled fairly, the ball then went out for a Bradford throw in. They had an attack from the throw in but it nothing came from it.

Rene Howe was doing better than Taiwo against the two big defenders and held the ball up well at times. But nothing came from the wings when Morris or Oastler put in a cross or shot at goal. Ashley Yeoman came on for Mcphee and Ling changed the formation to 4-4-2. Straight away Yeoman ran for a ball but a Bradford defender kicked the ball out of play for a corner just to be sure. The corner was poor and no pressure was created and the ball was soon up the other end with Bradford. They were on the break and a ball was played to the wing. The Bradford forward had a shot at goal but the ball went over the bar. Back on the Torquay attack and Danny got the ball on the wing, he moved inside but his shot was saved with ease. After an injury and a sub from Bradford Howe linked up with Ashley Yeoman who chipped a nice ball into the box. No-one was there but the ball went out for a corner to Torquay. The Corner was a poor one from Eunan and the danger was over. Oastler tried to get the ball back but he was too slow in doing so and lost the ball in the middle of the pitch. After he was awarded the man of the match award, Danny had a shot from a ball bouncing up but his shot was deflected over for another corner. The corner caused no danger for Bradford and we piled men forward for the three minutes of injury time. We put on the pressure but didn’t create a chance to score and when Bradford kicked the ball forward and won a corner, the referee soon blew his whistle and that was the end of the game.

So after all that (more than I thought) we didn’t get that 8th win and couldn’t even get a point. It was a bad day at the office, we didn’t play too well. Our passing, our defending, everything really was off the pace. The officials were not good and I thought that Bradford were a bit of a dirty side. They wasted time, went down after every touch and fouled a lot towards the end of the game. It was a bad day, but I hope that we go on from here with our heads held high on what we have achieved already this year. We have to go on to Gillingham with a right mind set, forget this set back and play the way we can, which is passing nicely on the deck and creating chances.

Team Performance: 6

Defence: 6
Midfield: 7
Attack: 6

Officials: 5

Individual ratings:

Bobby 7: Olejnik played well today even though he conceded two goals. He made some good saves and his kicking was good.

Oastler 6: He did ok defending but coming forward he wasn’t as affected as he has been. He linked up quite well, but put in some poor balls.

Saah 6: I thought Saah played ok today. He was a little off the pace at times at the back, but overall I think he defended ok.

Ellis 7: Same as Saah, but he did had a great chance to score when his header rattled off the post.

Nicholson 6: I thought that Nico had an off game today. He looked slow and his touch wasn’t as good as we’ve seen lately. He linked up well at times, but overall I thought that he didn’t have the best of games.

Mcphee 7: I thought that Mcphee played quite well today. His touch wasn’t that great but his defending was good today.

Eunan 7: I didn’t think O’Kane had the best of games today. He did link up well at times and showed skill when coming forward, but he did try and do things to clever at times and lost the ball.

Mansell 7: Manse put in all the effort today, tackling well but his touches weren’t great today and he lost possession a couple of times.

Morris 6: Ian did ok today, he linked up with a few players, but like others he was off the pace and lost the ball a few times.

Stevens 7: My MOTM also, he didn’t stop working down that wing linking up with players around him. He had a few shots and his goal was good, however at times he did lose the ball from the defenders.

Atieno 6: Taiwo had hard work today working against the Bradford central defenders and he didn’t hold the ball up too well because of that. He did link up with players at times, but he didn’t have a great game.

Howe 5: When he came on he did hold the ball up better than Taiwo and linked up with players around him at times.

Yeoman 5: I thought that Ash did ok when he came on, he chased down balls and put in a nice cross on the wing.

We go on to play Gillingham away next Saturday.

[cosmic74]

Well that was my last game of the season as I am off working until mid May, I would have hoped for a win to send me off on a high, but it wasn't to be. My view is like many others, the run was going to come to an end at some point, just a shame it had to be at home to a team nearer the foot of the table than the top half, however I am not too down beat as we are still having a great season and Martin, his staff and the the players can be truly proud of what thy have done so far.

I will just some up today's match briefly, we were undone by a hard working team (Bradford) and a poor Referee!! We weren't at our best, but I am not knocking any Torquay players commitment on the pitch today. I thought despite his little bit of cheating at times that Fagan was the best player on the park and probably the difference between the 2 teams. I thought we missed Lathrope today, as I think he protects the back four very well ( I never thought I would have said that 12 months ago, but credit where credits due). If I can be critical of some of our players today, I think it would be that a few individuals tried too hard at times in difficult conditions, such as O'Kane, Morris, Oastler and perhaps Stevens, although I would say I thought overall Stevens and Saah were the best Torquay players on the pitch today.

Like I say, it was my last game of the season today, however when I come back in May, if we have gained automatic promotion, Play-Offs or finished in a creditable top 12 position, I will still feel that we have done better than I predicted we would at the start of the season and I will be proud of Martin and the boys achievements.

Well done all at TUFC for their efforts so far this season and keeping me thoroughly entertained in the ten games that I have been home for that I have attended, and good luck for the rest of the season.

COYY

[Dave]

Well thats was a real slap in the face, and us brought right back down to earth, maybe it was needed as a result and performance today to give us all a real dose of realilty.

Bradford were the better team, first to everything and fully deserved there win, yep ref was as bad as i have seen, however in no way did we lose this game because of the ref, and all this McPhee was sh#t when he was here before and is still Sh#t, has got to stop, come how can any one put there hand on heart and say he was crap today nonsense.

McPhee along with Saah, Stevens, and usual captain's performance from Mansell were the only players who could walk off the pitch deserving of any credit today, tad harsh on Bobby maybe though.

McPhee never stopped working, broke up play time and time again, yes his passing should have been better , however did start a couple of good passing moves off, he looked comfortable in that position, and maybe with a few games under belt and some much needed confidence, could do a job for us there..so come leave him alone now, its getting boring.

One final note Fagan, what a complete and utter jumped arrogant prat, no need what so ever to taunt Torquay fans after he scored , there was no anti Fagan chants and mickey taking aimed at him, so why do what he did, and then he stood for a about 40 second looking at Nicho after he tried lobbing there keeper as if to say, fancy a stupid litle league 2 player trying some thing like that, well news for you Fagan, you are a stupid litle league 2 player yourself..pr@ck .

[Colorado Gull]

Great post forevertufc, completely agree mate! That's basically what I summed up in my match report, I did not see what Fagan did, sounds like he acted like a right k**b.

[Dave]

Cheers Danny, oh B,T,W, Matt, just been on there fourm, it appears one or two of them are finding your forum watch quote a tad amusing..you kind of asked for it

[budleigh]

There was always going to be a twist to this game, what with Fagan and Oliver in their side..

[Aussie]

There was always going to be a twist to this game, what with Fagan and Oliver in their side..

I suppose Oliver wanted more! Greedy b4rsteward!