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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2014 13:25:41 GMT
bristolgull
I think you're right bristolgull. In fact I like to think that a lot of the 'Manse isn't fit to sweep the terraces' versus the 'Manse is the greatest legend in the history of TUFC' debate that is being carried on here and elsewhere, is fuelled by exaggerated claims from both sides, again mainly in jest.
Myself, like most of us, could opt for a 'balanced view' and acknowledge that Manse has lost a bit of pace, maybe never was the world beater I've claimed he was, and that Rovers won't be getting as good a player as they would have if they'd acquired him a few seasons back. But for this one it's a jousting match that pits one high horse against another, and I'm hoping Manse doesn't come up with a series of inept performances that sees me knocked off mine too early in the season.
Manse, as I said in another thread, was more use to the team when we didn't have the ball. At the lower levels, where opponents first touch is poor, a 'headless chicken' who can keep that up for 90 minutes can be very useful to a team. Put him in the Premier League or La Liga and he'll neither get a touch or make a tackle, as better players can move the ball on quickly and accurately. As we saw in the World Cup for Argentina with a player such as Javier Mascherano, you can have someone whose main strengths come to the fore when you don't have possession, but so much more guile and talent is required to perform the task at top level than we ever witness from players on show at Plainmoor.
Manse, Nico, Damon Lathrope....Billy Bodin, it will be interesting to see where and how they get on next season, and no doubt will help reignite some old debates. It will be especially fascinating to hear what those Rovers fans you know have to say. Personally I expect them to be complaining about the wait for a new batch of 'Mansell 7' shirts to arrive at the club shop, and why the huge demand wasn't properly anticipated.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2014 15:17:32 GMT
CAPTAIN OF ROVERS ALREADY !!
It only seems like five minutes since Cap'n Manse set sail to join the Pirates, yet already his magnificent leadership skills have been recognised, and the Captain's armband awarded to Manse.
After Friday night's friendly game against Coventry City, Rovers manager Darrell Clarke stated "Lee Mansell passed a fitness test earlier so we put him on the bench and got 45 minutes, which is a timely boost". The news that Manse might be fit enough to play some part also saw a respectable 1821 spectators turn up to get a glimpse of their new hero.
Rovers went in at half time with a 1-0 lead. Manse came on for the second half, and Rovers promptly ended up losing the game 1-2. But let's not dwell on that (smiley). Of far greater significance is the information contained within the Rovers official site's match report: 'Two half time substitutes saw Rovers switch shape back to a traditional 4-4-2 for the start of the second half. Ollie Clarke made way for Jake Gosling and Mark McChrystal handed the captains armband over to Lee Mansell'.
The new boy, not yet fully fit, yet already getting to wear the Captain's armband. A truly magnificent start to Manse's Rovers career, and one that will come as little surprise to his many admirers among the TUFC faithful.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 2, 2014 16:58:35 GMT
Great update AJ and looking forward to seeing how his season progresses!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2014 13:25:29 GMT
I always enjoy the musings of Alpine Joe but I don't get this continual love-in of LM.
His loss may prove to be one we regret, if we see him perform stoically for our rivals but equally it may prove that we were right to let him go, if he becomes a liability over the season. To be honest, although he turns 32 next month, I think it will fall somewhere in between.
He is fully deserving of a round of applause when he returns to Plainmoor but that's it, He chose to leave and we let him so there is no reason to give him a particularly warm welcome. He is now like all opposition players, in that he will be coming back to try to inflict damage on us after all.
Whilst I wish him no misfortune, my interest in his form, fitness and performance levels ended when he left.
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Aug 3, 2014 15:09:20 GMT
Alpine offers some balance to the Judas calling knuckleheads such as myself. In that respect, this love-in is well overdue.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 3, 2014 15:49:16 GMT
And I always enjoy the musings of floridagull. In fact I made that very point in a post not too long ago on another Forum when someone enquired as to his whereabouts.
I perceived that consumers of TUFC Forums were being fed a continual diet of Cap'n Manse bashing posts, and wondered whether there might be a gap in the market for a more pro Manse perspective. As a businessman in the 'Land of the Free', floridagull with the valid points he makes in the post above, will also have concluded that I'm probably catering for a niche market.
It's some light hearted over the top praise for Cap'n Manse, available to anyone who feels the need for an antidote to counteract the effects of months of reading over the top criticism of our former Captain.
It was only yesterday when reading this about another club's legendary midfielder, that I hoped it would mirror Manse's relationship to Torquay United.
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin does not believe midfielder Frank Lampard's reputation as a Blues legend will be damaged by his move to Premier League rivals Manchester City.
Lampard, 36, was released by Chelsea in the summer and signed for Major League Soccer side New York City in July.
He has joined City on loan and Nevin said: "It won't damage the way Chelsea fans feel about him long term."
Chelsea fans' groups agreed, saying they will "not begrudge" him the move.
"You always get one or two idiots but the majority of fans will not go against him" Chelsea Supporters' Group chair Trizia Fiorellino said.
LINK - Lampard/Mansell Legends Both
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2014 16:33:28 GMT
I do have a 'Cap'n Mickey welcomes you on board' banner, from a recent Disney cruise, that someone may be able to adapt for LM's return.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 7, 2014 18:02:22 GMT
New Season Special Offer For TFF Members: 'Two Legends For The Price Of One!
Cap'n Manse has magnanimously consented to share the 'A Legend Departs' thread with his old pal, the equally legendary Kevin Nicholson.
Contacting the Cap'n this afternoon he told me:'Although I was initially promised that the thread would be used for my glorification alone, I do realise that my old friend Kev is held in almost as high esteem as I am. If I can do anything to help Gulls fans take their mind off the current boardroom crisis that could be ripping the club apart just days before the new season starts, then I still feel a duty to do so, and therefore gladly agree that news of Kev's progress at Kidderminster Harriers can appear on this marvellous, and no doubt exceeding popular thread'
So it's two for the price of one as we have two minutes of Kev confessing that a two year contract at Harriers would have been rather nice. Plus an answer to that age old question...are young footballers hungrier than those nearing the end of their playing career ?
LINK - Legend Nicholson Update
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Aug 7, 2014 23:26:59 GMT
Very pleased for Nico. No Judas like his mate feckin' off to our nearest Conference rivals. Hope he earns a longer better deal in the coming months. Has clearly shed some weight for his next challenge.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2014 18:19:47 GMT
* LEGEND WATCH *
Two games in, and it's time to check on the progress of our old friends Nico & Cap'n Manse at their respective new clubs.
Nico's experience and legendary defensive qualities have resulted in the Kidderminster defence being able to boast successive clean sheets, as Harriers sit just one place outside of the play off positions. Nico himself playing a significant part in last night's impressive 3-0 home win.
'Dunkley was a threat throughout and nearly doubled the advantage just ahead of the hour mark when he dived to meet Kevin Nicholson's deep cross from the left but directed the ball wide.
Storer's flag-kick on the left was short to Nicholson who sent one of many dangerous crosses into the goalmouth where Dunkley was on hand to head home again.
Reid and Nicholson then combined on the left with the latter setting up Johnson who fired wide of the near post before he completed the scoring in the closing stages of the game'
Not such good fortune for Cap'n Manse, who although able to marshall his troops to effectively keep out Grimsby on Saturday, wasn't able to prevent Rovers slipping to a 2-0 defeat at Barnett last night. Rovers manager Darrell Clarke later complaining to the Bristol Evening Post that the Ref watched as his side were elbowed out of it:
The manager suffered a further setback when Tom Lockyer caught an elbow in the face and was replaced as blood gushed from his mouth.
“Tom’s teeth are all over the place,” said Clarke, “but we never got a decision from the referee (Robert Whitton) all night. You expect the referee to be fair and I don’t think he was very fair to us at all.”
LINK - One In The Teeth For Rovers
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 13, 2014 19:10:54 GMT
A timely update AJ! Exploring things a bit further I see Nico got some good write ups from their fans as well, just missing out on their Mom - link |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 0:53:42 GMT
Joe, please remind me again why Nico is playing in our league for one of our rivals. And playing well by the sound of it.
Obviously the 5,000 mile gap between you and I means I miss a lot of the local gossip but did we let him go or did he decide it was time for pastures new?
I'm sure the answer is on the forum somewhere but I know your answers are always eloquent and accurate.
Thank you in advance for your time.
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hector
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Post by hector on Aug 14, 2014 7:55:35 GMT
Nicholson was released and without anyone really exclaiming that he shouldn't be. He looked slow last season, and basically 'past it' and he seemed to accept that it was fair enough (there is a youtube video of him somewhere, after his release).
From what I can gather, he has worked very hard this post/pre season to get into better shape and in the pictures he does seem to have shed some pounds and has tweeted his thanks to staff at Winners Gym. So, he probably is in a position to play a little better than he was for us. We all know he has an effective left-foot and good long throw and perhaps the move has given him a new lease of life - plus the fact, he is fighting for a contract (he is currently on non-contract terms).
I don't think there are many fans who would begrudge him any success (other than those who blame him for the downfall of Knill - not that Knill needed any help there) and I am sure Nicho would get a good welcome back at Plainmoor. A parting of ways was definitely for the best however, even though we are still vulnerable at left-back.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 8:15:26 GMT
It does seem to happen that when some players leave they seem to be rejuvenated...I wonder if Nico would have shed those extra pounds if still playing for us though! I remember when the greatest player ever to put on a Torquay shirt went up the road and joined Bristol Rovers, when he returned to play us he looked sharper and fitter than I remembered him. I can still see him now thundering towards the Mini-Stand leaving all his ex team mates in his wake, except that little chap (smaller than li'l Danny I think), Mel somebody, who had to grab him round the waist to arrest his progress...Stubbsy was real pissed off!
Ahhhh, those were the days! |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 16:25:43 GMT
floridagull
As hector suggests, we've no reason to believe it was anything other than an amicable parting of the ways. From Hargreaves point of view, or any manager come to that, it can be a bit of a peculiar situation managing players who were formerly particularly close teammates of yours. Nico's own words explain that he understood the situation, and doesn't seem to bear any grudges
"I leave with no regrets, having had a great seven years," said Nicholson, who helped Torquay to promotion from the Conference Premier in 2009.
I genuinely hope that Greavsy gets things sorted and the club starts going the right way again.
I knew the writing was on the wall most of the season," said the former England C international.
Myself and Alan Knill didn't really get along and Greavsy's come in and wanted to go a different way and I have no problem with that".
Plenty of teams can start a season off well, when the weather is decent and the pitches are in good condition, but fail to sustain that through the winter months, mud heap pitches, and all that a 46 game season can throw at you. Nico's probably acquitted himself reasonably well in a couple of games, but that doesn't necessarily indicate that he'll have a cracking good season, or that we'll all be wishing we'd kept him at Plainmoor.
Filling the void at the moment is Tom Cruise, and I estimate that Floridagull will use his old 5,000 mile gap excuse to claim that he doesn't know about Tom's blisters ! Seeing pictures of Weymouth's rock hard pitch that was used for our pre season game with them, it's perhaps not a total surprise to read in Tuesday night's programme, Aaron Downes making mention of 'the horrendous blisters suffered by Tom Cruise this summer'.
Cruise I felt, won more than his fair share of headers on Tuesday night, and if some of his work with the ball at his feet hasn't been as good as we would have expected, then the selection of painful blisters he's suffered may still be having some lingering affect.
Even fewer thoughts will be given to departed legends if we're able to pick up another 3 points at home to Southport on Saturday.
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