FL2: Torquay United vs York City - 5th October 2013

In my mind, these problems started with the Board last season. They have shown themselves to be niave and amateurish since Ling went sick. They gave him no money to replace players, asked him to keep the team together while they spent the money elsewhere, could not make a decision between them in letting Taylor take over. Then when all is nearly lost, in desparation appoint Knill. They then sack Ling, an appalling decision, and are so seduced by the fact TUFC are still a league club, offer the managers job to Knill. Knill had no credentials, except for his time at Bury, and without Ryan Lowe, that outcome would have been very different. Knill then starts the season talking about `after 10 games` he will know where his team is and be judged on that. People actually thought he knew what he was talking about! Well 10 games in and I reckon the pragmatic amongst us know whats coming next. Knill will continue with his niave tactics, we will remain in the relegation zone and the Board will sit and hope something will make it all better. The Board have done good things within the club, but at the expense of the most crucial and critical areas, players and manager. I will still go to Wycome next week but I do not believe the result will be any different than today. The sad thing is, I doubt Knill, the players and the Board will either. How ironic they got rid of the only one that had a clue about running a football club because they thought they could save some money. Again, no doom and gloom here. Just a sensible and pragmatic point of view.

I hope people do not start making excuses for Knill. See it as it is. If this continues we will be relegated. The Board won`t sack Knill because they are just as useless. This is his team, players and tactics. Look at his record. Any excuse making will make this a catastrophic season. If we go down again we will never come back up. Please, Knill is just not worth it.

If true, are we talking Pearce also being absent for a significant period of time? That would be disastrous with poke and Downes also out.

I fear relegation is coming.... there is nothing about the squad, and has mentioned we will not get back.

We all fear relegation perhaps more than most with our resources. However, injuries are really hammering us and making us look poor.

Nice to say hello to Frankfurt today, just a pity you had such a poor game to see after such a long trip.




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It is extremely sad that so far performances have not been setting the world alight, with only occasional glimpses of adequacy. I still believe we will prevail but feel more than ever that this is a season of transition with a major exodus of former stalwarts likely. To at least prevent dropping down the table (and there is not far to go) we need to find some consistency and inspiration - I really hope AK and CB have it within their skill set to install such factors into the team! also believe we need a dose of good luck since so far in this campaign this has been somewhat rare!

We all have our own ideas as to why we are continuing to struggle for results and any sort of consistency.
I have been baNging on about his for weeks but for what its worth this is what I think.
My argument is that any decent side builds from a strong and stable back line and a tough competetive midfield that gives the opposition little room to play. After that is established the forwards can get on with their job of scoring a few goals. Missing our two main center backs played a part in yeterday's result but it doesn't tell the whole story or hide the fact that we have become pushovers with the tactics employed by the manager. Playing four conventional forwards that do not defend very well in front of two very average midfielders who fail to get any sort of service to the front men with any imagination or flare. Is it any wonder we nevr show any forward consistency and fail to pressurise teams for any length of time. All our attacks are broken up and just peter out.
First and foremost you MUST be hard to beat and score against no matter how dour it may sometimes appear playing a more solid and slightly defensive system with a more conventional three/four man midfield may just pave a way out of this mess. It didn't surprise me how open the game was yesterday on occasions it was frightening how both sides gave space to each other it was no wonder we looked as if we may score in the first half with our break aways that predictably just petered out to nothing.
Right now we need some combativness and more solidity all over the pitch, the sort we managed somehow to find at the end of last season very little was on show yesterday. The heads dropped and a few, including the captain were looking to each other for excuses and answers.
The way this side is set up week to week leaves me with a feeling of dread we have a squad top heavy with forwards who are failing to produce, a set of midfielders who would fail to shine in the Conference compounded by the fact we have now lost both of our central defenders who have at least, up until yesterday been able to keep things respectable and steady the ship to a degree.
From my point of view as a supporter I want to know why our players looked like they were just going through the motions at times, expecting someone else to produce something and not taking enough individual responsibility right from the off. Where are he winners and the characters that can lift us? Sorry to say we had nobody to rouse the troops. Lee Mansell is struggling enough with his own game given this new responsibility of carrying the fight in the middle of the park. Looked fine alongside some decent midfielders and complemented the likes of O'kane but his limited abilities have been well and truly aid bare under Alan Knill.
Does anybody remember these words from Thea Bristow? "Knill Can Motivate" I didnt see any evidence yesterday he looked a forlorn figure on the touchline with no answers. In my humble opinion if he doesn't start to look at this set up honestly and with his eyes wide open we will continue to ship goals and get drubbed every week.
Incidentally does anyone know why Pearce was missing yesterday cannot find anything anywhere as to illness or injury.