Torquay United V Grays 24th March 2009

Sorry, I rarely look at the screen when I'm listening to the commentary...................looks like you've got your answer now anyway!

Disappointing - maybe the pressure, maybe a bad day at the office, maybe tactics? Must get second or third - the Burton matches may be key!
Maybe, maybe, maybe.
Would like to see the ball along the ground though...

Fair point Ospel.
I too feel happier to have more away games left. I think we'll get far more points from them, hopefully including a final away win 3 miles from me

That comment from Buckle really annoyed me tonight. Yes it wasn't the best atmosphere but no need to mention it 5 times. I know alot of the noise comes from the younger element by the half way line but i think they were niave in thinking this would be a spanking. Like Merse says alot of these teams are now filled with decent loan players to get them out of a hole and are battling for their lives, which Grays did. But to constantly blame the crowd when there was no inspiration on the field (bar the first 25 mins) looks a bit desperate to me.

Dsane is the most frustrating player I have ever had the displeasure to watch. Going through the motions in tracking back, and tackling with his toes or fouling by edging in with his hips. He seems to think is enough.

Opertunities to run down the flanks not taken. (if you cant do anything with it flank it a win throw)
Loose passes a plenty
Geting in other players way when a shout is given
Mind you his goal was well taken but that seems to equate in his mind that a good job was done.

You have to work hard for the team to be appreciated in my sides and Roscoe aint that, by a country mile.

Rant over

Merse,

May I correct you? We're already 8 games unbeaten. This run includes 5 wins and 3 draws, not bad at all. Wat's dissapointing is that these 3 draws were all at Plainmoor.

Buckle's comments about the crowd were that it was very quiet at Plainmoor tonight.

An attendence of 1,996 wasn't that bad for a tuesday night and definately a lot better than recent midweek games. I've heard and read Buckle making comments about how the crowd had spurred the lads on when there were even less people at Plainmoor.

Can we blame the credit crunch?

Roll on Mansfield (who so far haven't lost at home this year) and keep the run going!

Pretty unconvincing performance tonight against a plucky Grays side. Crowd 1,996, about 15 from Grays, sponsors MOTM Nicholson. I'm afraid it was difficult to pick a Torquay player who did play well, apart from the lively Stevens who came on for the last 20 minutes.

First half kicking towards the Family Stand, which is not normally a good sign, Torquay started very brightly and put Grays under sustained pressure. There were plenty of corners, long throws, and scrambles in the penalty area. Torquay were playing quite gung-ho with Toddy and Robertson going up the set-pieces, and leaving us quite exposed at the back. Unfortunately the ball did not fall right inside the box and each time Grays just survived. Having said that Grays keeper did not have a shot to save. After 15 minutes Grays attacked themselves and were quite pacy. Carlisle playing at left midfield had looked Torquay's best player but sadly he faded badly during the match. Grays improved and created a couple of clear chances but they missed the target.

Grays took the lead from a free-kick outside the penalty box but right in line with the goal. The ball was floated over and their short number 9 headed in. Not great marking. The longer the first half went on, Torquay were lacking in ideas. Sills went off with an injury and was replaced by Green. Half-time 0-1.

In the first minute of the second half Torquay should have scored. A well worked move put Benyon through on the right, he pulled the ball back to Wroe 6 yards out, who blazed the ball over. That rather summed up Wroe's night. Shortly afterwards Torquay equalised rather out of the blue thanks to Dsane who was now playing left midfield, with Carlisle going right. Dsane cut in from about 25 yards out and unleashed a beautiful shot past the keeper.

The rest of the match was pretty even with neither side carving out clear chances. Torquay's play was pretty laboured and moves often broke down due to poor passing. Only when Stevens came on did we look a threat again, but there were too many poor performances from too many players to deserve a winner.

Nicholson hit a rocket of a free-kick late on that was well tipped over from their keeper. In fact Grays keeper handled well all evening.

As for tonight's performances it does not make good reading. Bevan did not have much to do but his handling was fine. I am unconvinced with the current back four which you feel is there for the taking. And it is clear we ARE missing Woods who is very good at tidying up at the back. Ok so Todd and Robertson offer more from set-pieces in attack, but the current back four look too slow. We need to get Mansell back at right-back as we miss his energy and pace. Hodges had a bit of a stinker tonight giving the ball away, Nicholson's deliveries weren't their normal high standard. It was great to see Toddy back who was greeted by a welcoming line of supporters on the pitch as he came out. There's no doubting his bravery getting stuck in but the defence did not look solid and lacks leadership without Woods.

In midfield Wroe gave away the ball too often, Hargreaves was quiet. Dsane and Carlisle swapped wings more than once during the match. Carlisle had a great opening on the left, but his play then became sloppy and often gave the ball awayl. Dsane scored a great goal but did not offer too much else. Stevens was our most creative source when he came on for Dsane and went to right wing.

In attack Sills went off injured which gave an opportunity to Green which he did not take. Benyon was also quiet but was involved in our better moves.

So not a good performance tonight and we need to show a lot more immagination if we are going to do anything this season. We can't just rely on scoring from set-pieces, or nicking a goal at the death. And I fear the loss of Woods is going to come back to haunt us. I hope I am proved wrong ofcourse.