NL: Torquay United v Macclesfield 3pm 8th August 2015

Many similarities to the Exeter friendly.

We looked like getting outplayed early on, looked fragile at the back and rode our luck.

We stuck at it, kept our shape, kept our discipline, battled our way back in to the game and deserved to get a result.

Life was never going to be easy with a big budget cut and a young squad - a couple of whom had barely had the chance to meet their team mates. Throw in injuries to three of our best players and we had a mountain to climb - which we duly climbed.

Formation was 4-2-3-1 with Smith at right back, Richards and Carmichael holding with Fenwick in a freer role just in front, Murombedzi right and Fisher left with Quigley leading the line. Morphed to 4-5-1 when defending and 4-2-4 when attacking.

Murombedzi and Fisher swapped wings at half-time, Muromedzi came back to the right side when Fairhurst introduced on the left. Lavelle-Moore was a straight swap for Quigley.

I was slightly disappointed at the size of the crowd, but there was a really supportive atmosphere generated which was probably helpful in getting us over the line. A real sense of unity.

Given our incredibly tough August fixtures it was important for us to bag three points here if we are to avoid ending the month at or near the foot of the table - with a negative knock-on to support levels.

It is going to be a tough season and you cannot expect miracles from youngsters but we look like we will be organised, disciplined and competitive.

I don't think Fairhurst would have put in the shift that Fenwick did. We needed to battle out a result which called for more of a third midfielder than a second striker playing "in the hole". Gives us a bit less going forward, but certainly stiffens up the midfield.

Rob - he did pick up a slight injury that meant he missed the Plymouth game as reported HERE

However, did not return in the best shape and first appeared for us as a 54th minute sub against Tivvy town on 15/7 and Hector made the comment that he was seriously out of shape! Was on for the second half only against Newport on 18/7. First start was against Yeovil on 22/7 but subbed after 66 minutes. Not sure if he featured against Truro but that was not a full blooded game anyway. Did not feature against Plymouth but started against Exeter on 31/7 but again subbed at half time. Also started against Bideford and although not sure, think he was again subbed at half time when Malachi came on!

I cannot see any evidence that he has yet to feature for the full 90 minutes in a match for us....

Cheers. Recovering from injury is obviously fair enough. But I do naturally see him as key given his goals return last season. Perhaps he is just naturally of the physique other posters have mentioned.

In Cox we trust, Jon. Not a catchy but certainly eye-catching slogan, granted.