Torquay United Fans Forum

Nick Potkins wrote: ↑09 Dec 2017, 17:51 The talk about being out of it by Christmas was ridiculous.
Mid table talk was even worse.
Just do the maths, this is going to be a struggle to the end.
We need goals and need others pulled into the struggle (Eastleigh).

Yes agreed, I have been saying this for several weeks now on 2 forums and it still falls on mainly deaf ears. We have a huge amount to catch up to get anywhere near the 50 point (safety mark). We need to perform at least as an upper mid table team for the rest of the season to stand any chance of survival. We clearly still have not got the goal power in the team currently to achieve this. In fact we will do very well if we are still in with a chance at the end. This sadly is the reality of the situation.

I've just checked how many points the team 4th. from bottom have ended up with over previous seasons. I was quite surprised how varied their points total have been since the National League went to 46 games. The 4th. from bottom team has finished with between 41 points (once) to 51 points (twice). 46 points was the most popular (3 times).

It is difficult to therefore gauge how many points Torquay will need to survive this season. It could be a false sense of security to think only something in the late 40's will be enough. That's why so many fans only feel secure if their club gets over 50 points. As stated above, if we perform as an upper mid table team for the rest of the season we will definitely be ok and we may even survive if we perform a little worse than that. Interesting...

Davis
Dorel
Davey
Reid
McGinty

Now we have played precisely half the season, 23 games, it is an appropriate time to grasp what sort of form we will need to survive relegation this season. If we assume we need 50 points to survive which is normally enough to escape relegation we still need 32 points from our remaining 23 games. If you double 32 points that makes 64 points. If you see where 64 points gets you over a complete season it is typically just over half way, between 10th. to 12th. position.

In other words we need to perform at least as an upper mid table team for the rest of the season in order to just survive relegation. Our recent improvement in form would suggest we are capable of this but we certainly cannot afford to slip back to losing habits. I think it will be a close call.

desperado wrote: ↑04 Nov 2017, 16:14 Owers and Kuhl may only have been here 7 weeks but the pressure is really on them to get some wins soon
50 points seems an incredibly tough ask. 28 games to go, we need for instance 10 wins 9 draws and only 9 defeats
a win and a draw every 3 games, cant see it happening at present

I tried to point this out a few weeks ago on this site and another one and it mainly fell on deaf ears. I will repeat myself again, history tells us we need at least 50 points to survive and to achieve that we need to perform as a top half team. That is the constant for every season whereas the variables are the other teams form around us which you cannot predict. Traditionally some bottom 4 teams get out of trouble and some mid table teams get into trouble. It is a false sense of security just following the teams just above Torquay and thinking 1 or 2 wins will see us out of trouble.

It is like when you run a marathon you do not worry about the other runners around you, you are only focused on your own personal time. You know if you run a decent time you will be out of the bottom pack of runners. Others runners are the variables and may speed up or slow down.

As for Owers and Kurl, I like the professional job they are doing but there has been a load of chopping and changing and results have only marginally improved. Unless we find a striker who can regularly score and have more leadership when we fall a goal down, we will not accumulate enough points and will fall well short. At this point in time we are still long way from putting in the type of form for the rest of the season to survive - that sadly is the reality of the situation. Well done to Desperado for pointing this out.

Well said, Jeff. I'm pleased someone agrees with me on this. We are still way off track from getting to the 50 point and a chance of the safety mark. History tells us we WILL need around 50. Going above Solihull is a good psychological lift to be off the bottom but in the grand scheme of things we have loads of catching up to do and desperately need wins in the coming weeks. Remember other teams around us will win as well!

Good thread that shows the big task ahead to just survive relegation. Let's say we need 50 points to survive, we need 46 points from the remaining 33 games = 1.39 per game (I calculated 1.33 when Owers took over). Over 46 games, 1.39 would give you 64 points over a whole season. In the last 5 seasons in the National League this would finish between 10th. to 12th. position.

In other words for the remainder of the season we have to perform like an upper mid table team JUST TO HAVE A CHANCE TO SURVIVE! This is a tough ask but not out of the question, yet anyway.

It does annoy when posters casually say that we have loads of points to play for, it's only October or we are only 3 wins from safety. You have to take in account that other teams will pick up points as well! The longer this winless run continues the harder the task to survive will become. It is vital we start picking up wins now and at least get draws. Portugull is spot on when he is says October is a vital month and let's get to Plainmoor to support the team. Even by November our fate may be realistically more or less sealed such is our perilous position.

1. K Moore - scored all important goal, won headers, physical and hungry
2. Young - great deliveries from corners that set up goal and work rate
3. Sparkes - we have missed his quality especially when used on left wing
4. B. Moore - important saves when we could not clear our lines and decisive from crosses normally opting to punch
5. McGimty - some important tackles in the box, good hunger and his distribution was better. Did not just hoof it.

Absolutely dire! I thought before the game that this could be a pivotal match that shapes our season and our worst nightmares were realised this afternoon. Take away sponsors MOTM Williams quality goal in the first half and what you were left with was a performance as dreadful as anything I've seen over the years at Plainmoor. We were ponderous throughout without pace, shape, energy, totally predictable, mistake ridden and it was a case if a poor Southport side could capitalise on our incompetence. They did and deserved to. Once their second goal went in you knew the game was up for Torquay.

Crowd a dismal 1,400+, with around 50 from Southport. The fans are dwindling away and changes have to be made. When I was driving away from the match I felt pity seeing those Torquay fans making their way home, including young families with children with Torquay scarves and tops. So many fans make such an effort for the club and all we are getting back is a shambles to endure week after week. We are meant to be a full time professional football club but the standard on show is so embarrassingly poor - misplaced passes, poor control, poor shooting etc. Nicholson might be a nice bloke and passionate about our club but he is way out of his depth this season. His signings, tactics, the players bizarre lack of fitness in the second half etc. Of course it is not just Nicholson's fault. Like Nicholson, our board might be passionate but they have not got the required expertise to run the club. Christ knows, what's in store for the club in the next few weeks. Who will be running the club, how will they pay the bills? The club is in an awful state everywhere from top to bottom.

Torquay started off poorly and until Williams goal on 25 minutes it was the poorest I've seen this season. Williams goal however was sheer quality and was the best goal I've seen this season and right up there with the best Torquay goals in recent seasons. Williams jinked past a couple of defenders with tight control of the ball and as another defender was about to close him down around 25 yards out, Williams let fly with a swerving low powerful shot out of the keepers reach into the corner of the net. This did wake up Torquay a bit but there was little sustained pressure and the rest of the half was an even affair. Southport created the clearer chances but Moore looked assured in goal with his shot stopping and handling. As usual Torquay did not did not seriously threaten and there never seems to be an attacker in the right place at the right time to anticipate a goal scoring opportunity. There is no coordination between the players.

The second half went the same way as all our other second half performances this season and it's now beyond a joke. Southport built up some good pressure and it was rare Torquay got out of their own half. Nicholson's predictable substitution around 60 minutes for Chaney replacing Ward actually made things worse and it was only a case if Southport had enough ability to punish Torquay. Their first goal you felt was coming and was a delicate chip over the stranded Moore. Moore stood and watched the ball go over him. Surely he stood at least have tried to back pedal and make some attempt? Southport's winner came down our right where right back Gallifuoco was beaten easily in our box. A hard, low shot beat Moore at his near post. Moore got a hand to it but was not firm enough. Moore possibly could have done better with both goals, but like last week against Aldershot, we can't expect him to bail us out every week. Our whole outfield players, with one or two exceptions like Young, were dreadful.

Talking of Young near the end Torquay had a free kick just outside the penalty box in a dangerous position with Young and Richards over the ball. Perfect Young territory you felt and a chance to get an equaliser? Guess what happened, Richards took the free-kick and shot weakly into the wall. What a waste! Young's deliveries from corners all game had been our main danger all game. In contrast Richards goal attempts all match were an embarrassment. Who makes these decisions? In desperation Torquay, in added time, mustered up a couple of goal attempts with their keeper tipping over a Reid effort. All too little, too late and Southport deserved their win.

As far as I'm concerned enough is enough and changes have to be made. Yet again we are relegation material and it is a matter of time before we are in the bottom four, just like last season. I don't know what changes are in store about the ownership of the club and when we may find out but things just cannot continue as they are. Like the Stranglers song, something better change.

It was a bit of a minor miracle we came away with a point today after sustained Aldershot pressure and goal attempts. But thanks to a master class in goalkeeping from Brendan "USA" Moore, Torquay stole a point. Time and again Aldershot pulled the trigger and expected to score and yet Moore was equal to everything - flying saves, smothering one-on-ones, impeccable handling on crosses etc. There were no wobbles at all from sponsors MOTM Moore today and it was just as well, otherwise it would have been a comfortable win for a talented Aldershot side with options a plenty. Torquay on the other hand were hampered by two first half injuries and had very few options on the bench to turn to. We were already stretched for player options going into today's game with injuries to Blissett, Sparkes. Crowd only 1,788 with 273 (if I remember rightly) from Aldershot.

I thought the atmosphere was quite subdued today and there were only "yellow army" chants in the last 20 odd minutes. Until Torquay's enforced injuries late in the first half, it was a pretty even game. Torquay's approach play at times was very good and arguably we shaded it possession wise. The difference between the sides was that for all of Torquay's good approach play, we did not trouble their keeper. Williams had our best chance with a mazy run into the box but the ball was just taken away from him as he was about the shoot. It's like we look a decent side around 30 yards out but there is no end product. Typically a pass would go astray or a shot would be off target or powder puff. Luke Young had a disappointing match today and who else can we rely on to score? Reid's shooting was weak. Aldershot on the other hand looked like scoring and only Moore's acrobatics kept them out, including one fine tip over.

As the first half wore on Aldershot took more control of the game. Torquay's injuries changed the whole dynamics of the game with Ward replacing Verma (hamstring) and King Kev replacing Lathrope (groin). This meant a huge reshuffle in Torquay's defence with Nicholson left back, McGinty and Rowe-Turner in central defence and Gallifuoco going to right back. Not even Labour's recent reshuffles were this disruptive! By this stage Aldershot had seriously taken over and Torquay were camped in their own half. I dare not look but Torquay survived to half time.

As expected Aldershot dominated the second half and used all their subs in the second half including ex-Gull Iffy Allen. How I would love to see some one like Iffy Allen in a Torquay shirt. It must be lovely to have a winger in your team! There were waves of Aldershot attacks but good old "USA" was equal to all of them when called upon. There was the usual Torquay dodgy play giving the ball away cheaply and it was rare Torquay had an attack. Rowe-Turner surprisingly did well at centre back with some decent clearances and King Kev used his experience to good effect, getting injured on one occasion when bravely winning the ball in the box. McGinty was clumsy at times and Gallifuoco had a tough job marking the tricky Mensah on their left. Torquay had a couple of attacks and a corner near the end and somehow Torquay gained an improbable point.

Credit has to be giving for the players digging in and getting a draw but the reality is that it was our goalkeeper who was our star performer. Our on field players worked hard but there was not a lot of quality on show. Torquay's lack of options on the bench are woeful and our squad is far too thin with injuries kicking in. For a full-time team with crowds of around 2,000, similar to Aldershot, our squad has never been weaker. Surely we can get one or two on loan? What about our right back on loan from Plymouth? It's desperate times and today drawing 0-0 at home felt like we had just won the league. I wished we had Aldershot's resources...

A deserved 2-0 win today with some very good play at times. It was not all plain sailing as York themselves had some very clear chances in the second half and a better team you feel could have punished Torquay for some familiar defensive frailties like Lincoln did last week. Crowd a good atmosphere but 1,989 a little disappointing, 100 odd from York. Sponsors MOTM going to two goal hero Blissett.

Torquay torn straight into York from the off and from a clever move earned a free kick just outside the penalty. Luke Young put the free-kick over the bar. Torquay looked quick and slick and on 6 minutes Luke Young passed the ball out to Sparkes on the right. An inviting cross was headed in by Blissett at close range. It was important that Torquay had turned their early superiority into a goal. York were unlucky not to equalize. LRT at left back was beaten too easily for my liking and York's shot crashed off the inside off the post. The rebound was put into an empty net but the player was stood in an offside position. Blissett's second goal on 29 minutes was a smart turn and volley after a Torquay effort was blocked and looped in the air to Blissett who crashed the ball home. Torquay were good value for the two goal lead. There were some good one touch pass and moves and our front two, Blissett and Reid, were a right handful and complement eachother very well. One memorable incident in the first half should be mentioned was when a Torquay player battled and won the ball near his own corner flag and set up a dangerous attacking move. What was remarkable about that I hear you ask? That player was none other than our main striker, Blissett himself. What commitment!

Torquay were a bit hit-and-miss in the second half as both teams had a hatful of chances. York did put plenty of effort in and at times seemed certain to score. Moore had a solid match apart from his wayward distribution at times. Moore did a great tip over save and York also hit the bar. Torquay's defenders did not help their cause at times with some sloppy defending. Gallifuoco misjudged the ball once or twice that let in York but they did not punish us. But at the other end Torquay had opportunities to wrap the game up. Sparkes shot weakly when through inside the penalty area. Unlike last week, Torquay used all 3 subs by the 78th. minute but it was only 18 year old loanee Scrivens who made an impact. He made one or two dashing runs down the right wing beating some defenders in the process. On one such occasion he pulled the ball back on the by-line but there was no-one in the right position to finish off. This summed up Torquay's second half performance. We were in some excellent position only for the final pass not to find a yellow shirt. If it was not for a two goal cushion, the last part of the match would have been nerve wracking as there were periods when Torquay could not get out of their own half and were under the cosh. Somehow we did not concede and Moore can take credit for that by having a commanding game.

So a deserved victory with some good passages of play and we look too good for any relegation worries. But we are still some way off from making a serous challenge at the right end. We did again go into our shell again for the last 20 minutes or so but this week we did not get punished for it and our players eg Gallifuoco or Rowe-Turner do have a mistake or two in them that may or may not be punished at this level. York today could not capitalise today on this.

My first viewing of the Gulls this season. The first thing to say that was crowd 2,279 (with only 37 away fans) was a marked improvement from last season's disappointing crowds and the atmosphere was decent. The big screen situated in the corner between the away and Pop side showed the action of the entire match live. As there was just one camera angle and no close ups I'm not convinced this added to the match day experience.

Torquay were slow to get going and seemed a bit off the pace and many areas in the team looked suspect. Torquay had a huge let off when McGinty outside the box in a central area was favourite to win the ball but was slow to respond. McGinty was robbed and then tugged onto their player just outside the penalty area. McGinty was shown only a yellow when many refs would have given red and Bromley shot the free-kick wide. That was not the only time Torquay had the jitters. Our fullbacks, Rowe-Turner and Verma were beaten too easily and keeper Moore confirmed his right is just for standing on by clearing a right foot back pass along the ground right to a Bromley player. We just survived that one. Moore, unlike last season, also spilled a couple of diving saves.

But the good news is that this squad is far stronger than what we had this time last season and we should not be embroiled in another relegation scrap. If we can pick up a class central defender we have a very strong spine to the team. In Moore, Young and Blissett we have quality through the team. Blissett has a lot more pace than I realized and is a real danger with the ball at his feet and winning many headers. Gerring might be a bit slow at times but he defends well being at the right place at the right time with several important clearances and now we know he can finish set pieces. Gerring also had our clearest chance before the goal but headed wide but at least he was in a dangerous position.

Williams for me provided the highlights of the match by belting a shot from about 25 yards out that crashed against the crossbar and sadly bounced on the top of the net and an impressive run beating a few players. He was substituted shortly afterwards, I think he was hobbling a bit? Sparks got involved in our best passing moves and likewise Chaney replacing the injured Lathrope at half-time.

Torquay deserved their first win of the season. Hopefully the team will gel more as the season goes on and players like McGinty, Rowe-Turner, Verma will improve with confidence. The squad is thin and we currently didn’t even have a spare central defender on the bench. If we get one or two key injuries then we could start to struggle. But the spirit looks good and when we click we play some good stuff. We might have weaknesses but we are far better placed than we were this time last season.

There was plenty of entertainment today and a bit of a shame Barrow equalized in added time. A draw was probably a fair scoreline. Barrow had the better chances in the 1st. half and led 1-0 but Torquay having made their 3 subs in the 2nd. half took control and seemed to be heading for a win. Anyway, a great atmosphere and a decent crowd of 2,874 with 100 or so from Barrow and everyone went home happy.

Most of the home crowd stayed behind after the match to celebrate the players lap of honour around the perimeter of the pitch. The supporters stayed off the pitch and there were plenty of handshakes exchanged and photos taken and a speech given by Nicholson. I thought it was very sporting that Paul Cox stood by the home dug-out and applauded our lap of honour. I noticed as well at the final whistle Nicholson and Cox had a handshake and big hug so it was good to see everyone ending up on friendly terms after all the trauma that's happened this season.

I thought Barrow looked very strong in the 1st. half. As you would expect from a Paul Cox team, they were strong, pressed the game and were very dangerous from set pieces, long throws included in their armoury. Barrow had countless corners in the 1st. half and it was mainly thanks to Moore, Torquay survived. There were numerous times the ball was in dangerous areas in our box and yet Barrow's goal was from a freak dodgy kick from Moore that hit Exodus on the back and went to their striker. He lobbed Moore beautifully. Torquay did create some decent chances as well at times, the pick being Harrad's audacious lob when their keeper was not in goal from way out that clipped the far post.

Ajala replacing Rees in the 2nd. half gave us more attacking impetus and Ajala did some great tackling as well. Richards scored arguably our goal of the season with an amazing shot from about 30 yards out into the top corner. A couple of minutes earlier I was just remarking to my son how anonymous Richards was! Torquay went up a gear and Chaney who replaced Allen showed delightful skill on the ball. Racchi who replaced Young showed his normal poise on the ball. Torquay's 2nd. goal was a beautifully worked goal. Chaney fed the ball to Butler on the left and his low cross was turned in powerfully by Blissett with a defender on him. Plainmoor erupted again and we were all in party mood. Barrow scored in added time and you have to say that during the whole match they had loads of chances so I cannot complain too much.

Today was a rare opportunity to relax and enjoy ourselves. Today's result was not so important but nevertheless the performance and quality of our goals were proof how far the team has progressed from those horrible dark days a few months ago. And well done to Paul Cox, his recent interview and his attitude today was very touching I thought. He seems an honourable person to me. I feel Barrow will be strong contenders next season.

This was always a tricky looking fixture against the "big boys" of the National League and today the Gulls fell just short in the end. It was a decent performance and a decent match to watch and Torquay created enough decent chances to earn at least a draw. It was no disgrace losing to Tranmere today but we all know points are all that matter in this situation. Crowd a decent 2,264 with 300+ from Tranmere, sponsors MOTM going to another commanding display at the back from MacDonald.

Tranmere put Torquay on the back foot for the first 10 minutes or so and played some great one touch passing in their build up. Torquay were hanging on in there,just. Racchi in front of our back 4 was having a great game with his composure on the ball and accurate passing. In one instance a Tranmere player was about to pull the trigger in the box and would have probably have scored but Racchi got his toe in first and nick the ball away to safety. Verma has adapted to right back well and as the half wore on Torquay came into the game. Chaney had a couple of decent efforts with one long range effort just whistling over the bar. Allen put himself around and was a threat whenever he was on the ball, whereas our other winger Ajala generally messed up what he was attempting to do. He still put in a decent shift and tackled well at times. MacDonald had our best chance of the half and his far post header just whisked across the goal and wide.

Ironically Tranmere's goal came when Torquay were mainly on top when a header was powerfully planted in the corner of the net. Torquay used all their 3 subs in the 2nd. half and Racchi looked injured when he was replaced by Young. Chances came for Torquay, a Blissett shot was parried by their keeper, Davies. We had plenty of corners and crosses into the box and were "knocking on the Tranmere door". Even in added time a Young swerving free-kick was saved by the keepers legs and scrambled clear. It was harsh on Torquay, I've seen them play a lot worse and win and unlike the recent Eastleigh home match 0-1 defeat, today Torquay DID look like scoring.

We're looking a decent unit and today's bench looked strong regarding midfield and attacking options. We don't look like a relegation team anymore but let's hope we can pick up points soon, starting next Tuesday against Altrincham.

I thought you could sum up today in one word - inevitable. Yes we may have had the majority of the game but we rarely looked like scoring and Eastleigh contained us quite comfortably. We conceded a soft early goal from a free-kick and Eastleigh showed little adventure for the rest of the match and you could argue that they need not need to. I cannot comment too much on Torquay's makeshift defence as they did not have much to deal with although I suspect they could have done better defending Eastleigh's free kick that led to the goal. Gerring did a good header off the line in the second half but at times was clumsy on the ball. Verma at right back - well at least he is athletic but we will see how he copes defensively with attacking teams . Crowd 2,081 with about 100 from Eastleigh, sponsors MOTM Chaney who was our bright spark in the first half.

Torquay started brightly but were a goal down in 5 minutes from Eastleigh's first attack. A long range free-kick was put in low, alluded many players and turned in at the far post. It was a calamitous start for Torquay and after our 5-0 drubbing 2 days ago it was the last thing Torquay needed. In fairness, Torquay responded well and had the bulk of the first half. There was some good approach play but the fact was that we rarely worked their keeper. There were times when inviting low crosses went across the 6 yard area but there was no one in a white shirt (yes we played in our away strip again) to finish off. At the end of the 1st. half we finally had some proper goalmouth excitement when following a corner the ball was saved on the line twice. Chaney, who I believe was playing at the head of our diamond formation, showed some lovely neat ball control and was our biggest threat in the first half. There was decent effort from the team but the end product was missing.

The 2nd. half was a similar story with goalscoring chances few and far between. Butler put over a beautiful cross for Blissett for a clear header but mistimed it. Often after good approach play the final pass was poor. We used all our subs and Allen at least upped the tempo when he had the ball. Luke Young made a welcome return but played too deep for my liking. Surely he is the only player of ours who you would trust troubling their keeper in a scoring position. We tried some long range shots and one from MacDonald brought a good diving save from their keeper. The time ticked down and Eastleigh helped to run the clock down showing typical gamesmanship like taking an age to take a goal kick. Eastleigh should have sealed it a couple of times at the death but missed a couple of sitters. As for Torquay, I think we could still be playing now and we will still be waiting for a goal.

My thoughts after today - we are not good enough no matter how hard we try. We can't score and rarely look like scoring and at the other end I expect our makeshift defence without Berry will be found out against sterner opposition starting with Gateshead away on Saturday. It was good to have Racchi back today and I hope Smith will be back soon. I thought MacDonald was excellent today but again showed a lack of self disipline near the end of the match with Tubbs and was lucky to escape a yellow card. Chaney showed really good inventiveness today but was rightly subbed in the 2nd. half as he faded badly.

So it's been a disastrous Easter - 2 defeats, no goals scored, goal difference inferior to the other teams again, Berry out for the season, no decent options in defence. We are back to square one again in this horrific season and quite frankly we fully deserve to go down. The recent revival was a false dawn to delay the evitable. Well that's the way I see it. I've had enough of this misery week after week and the sooner this season finishes the better.