NLS: Torquay United v Tonbridge Angels 3pm 9/11/24

Oh dear, it looks like another shocking referee decision that robbed us of a win. As time was running out and Torquay were finally putting some pressure on Tonbridge, a free kick was floated in from the left and loan signing Jeffers ghosted in like a proper centre forward at the back post and headed in. It looks pretty clear from video clips (including my own from the Popside posted on Torquay Talk Twitter) that when the free kick was taken, Jeffers was ONSIDE. So it seems Torquay were again denied a goal from the officials. So this is yet another shocking decision we have had against us this season?

But let not this poor decision disguise our poor performance today. It was a shockingly dull game of football to watch. Torquay played with one lone striker in Ash for a home again! Ash was isolated and has no physical presence to win any battles. Torquay had no meaningful goal attempts until around 50 minutes when Mussa hit the side netting from close range. Torquay's game consisted of short passes trying to play their way through Tonbridge. Invariably the game was played in midfield and our players who could hurt the opposition like Mussa and Jenkins-Davis were typically playing very deep. We rarely got anywhere near the Tonbridge goal and our set pieces deliveries were typically poor. Tonbridge offered very little threat themselves so it was tepid stuff to watch.

As a general observation it seems even at this level the players are trying to play the Man City way - patient, passing football trying to unlock defences. The trouble is in Torquay's case our players don't really have the skill set to carry this brand of football out and it is frustrating to watch. When we did build a good move typically it was let down by a poor pass.

Torquay finally applied some pressure in the last 10 minutes but apart from the disallowed goal we didn't really carve out any proper chances. It was all a little frantic as the clock was running down. I wish Wotton used Jeffers earlier as one glance at him made you realise he has the physical attributes of a proper centre forward, unlike Ash. He only had about 10 minutes to make his mark and we had been crying out for someone like him all game. Wotton is far too defensive and conservative for my liking. In the week, Torquay only started playing with tempo and were a threat against Salisbury in the latter stages and only a penalty saved us from our blushes. Today we did not do enough to earn a win. It was a frustrating and dull game of football and our high crowds deserve better.

While I don’t disagree that the majority of the game was dull I think we need to bear in mind that we have a team that was built almost from scratch - there was only one player on the books.

Coupled with that, not only were Bryn a new regime recruiting when other clubs had already started but another three weeks were wasted when the first (and mysterious) first bidders faffed around before disappearing into thin air. It’s not surprising then that Paul Wotton has said repeatedly that the team is nowhere near where he wants us to be.

I’d say that the addition of Young and Jeffers not only shows the calibre of player that he knows we need but gives a clue to how he would have built the squad had he not been limited by the incumbencies mentioned above.

That is fair comment, Bobgull. Under the circumstances we have done very well to get in a play-off position and in the mix for promotion. You just feel that this season the league is there for the taking and any team that finds that extra level have every chance of winning the league. I still would not rule out someone like Dorking finding that extra gear.

I would sum up our season so far as being solid but unspectacular. We don't give many goals away in general but we don't score many either and nearly every game is tight and cagey and low scoring. The challenge for Wotton is how to break down these resolute teams like Tonbridge yesterday. I guess it is striking the balance of taking more risks in the final third but at the same time still keeping it solid at the back.

Yes, it is good to see we are gradually improving the squad as the season progresses like with Young and loan signing Jeffers and let us hope our results improve as a result with better options available.