Torquay United Fans Forum

Hi all

Due to international travel (work not leisure!) I have got to very few games over the last two seasons having previously been a season ticket holder. However, based on previous knowledge I am surprised to see Martin Rice as No1. I accept money is clearly tight but trying to develop a successful team with an obviously inadequate keeper is rank mis management in my opinion.

I appreciate he may have surpassed expectation last season but

1. This was coming from a (presumably) low expectation, and
2. In a poor side it is, ironically easier to look reasonable in goal as you get more shots to save and you are judged relative to the poor performers around you.

In prior years that Rice was on the books, it was a disaster if Rice was deputising because then, as now, his decision making was poor, his command of the box was erratic and his authority at set pieces was weak.

I can't comment too much on this season other than televised games and you tube highlights but clearly he has been directly responsible for a number of goals and I have no doubt indirectly responsible due to a lack of faith the team have in him.

Regardless of the above, the primary reason for writing this is what I witnessed on Saturday watching just my second game of the season. Twice in the second half when lining up the wall for free kicks, I witnessed, from The Bench, Hargreaves overruling him on the positioning of the wall as Rice was getting no response from his players. To be fair to the keeper, his confidence must be shot if this is happening but for me is a clear indication that his boss does not believe in him. It would seem Seabright is not favoured either.

Therefore, if we are to make only one more signing all season, make it a competent keeper, spend the necessary money and do it as quickly as is allowable. We will not be promoted with at best, a below average keeper.

I appreciate all players do and will continue to make mistakes, but the keeper holds a unique and critical key to a team's success.

I feel really sorry for the lad - he is clearly a 100%er and cares for TUFC, probably as much as any player, but we have to be honest to our club and to him.

I think Hargreaves is naive at times and has a lot to learn, but does have the potential to improve and is building a team in that image. But I am afraid that Rice will not improve from his current performance level and until this is addressed we will remain outside the play off places. I believe the great early season run owed much to the quality of the opposition, and we are now being properly tested.

I wish I didn't love this little club so much!

SuperNickyWroe wrote: no.

To be fair he was praised on Saturday for doing exactly the same when it worked......

Mansell reportedly excellent for Bristol Rovers today..[/quote]

I saw the game. I can report he wasn't.