Regis gone

aussie  

'You never get a second chance to make a first impression' is how I think the saying goes, and in GJ's first home match in late September against Woking he hauled off the ineffectual Regis and Keating before half time. For those of us watching, it was clear that a few toys were already departing the Regis pram, and that a full blown half time tantrum could be brewing. I'm far from certain that Johnson has allowed Regis to pull on a Torquay shirt again.

By taking firm, or maybe excessively firm action with the first player that steps out of line, you are able to set down a marker as regards what you expect and what you will tolerate, that it's just not possible to introduce some months down the line. There may well have been more to be gained by sacrificing Regis, a player you weren't convinced about anyway, if the benefit is that you cut out all manner of potential problems and dissent from others long into the future.

Only speculation on my part of course, but if a bit part player is stupid enough to offer himself up to be the sacrificial lamb on your disciplinary altar, then you're far more inclined to wield the knife than if it's your star player who you badly need to keep.

For the moment, Johnson is in a very strong position, he's got strong backing from the fans and from his employers, and his weekend comments seem to indicate that he is confident  of being able to take the short cut of bringing in replacements for those not performing to the level required, rather that having to put an arm around the shoulder and only issue words of encouragement, which King Kev and others, knowing they had little option than to work with what they already had, were more likely to do.

A good firm push may have persuaded Regis to jump 

Good luck to Chris Regis,   i would have kept him in the squad,   expected to see him playing in the Trophy.   Certainly no shrinking violet imo !