FL2: Accrington Stanley v Torquay 26 Feb 2011

Concerning Danny Potter and his very positive comments on the Official Site - it would be really nice to know his true commitment to the Club and if the rumours that he put in a transfer request recently are not true - it is very easy to write nice words but far more difficult to give a "statement" of facts.

I just had a look back at the team that started in the 0-0 draw at Plainmoor back in September.

Bevan
Nicho
Ellis
Branston
Robertson
Steven
Wroe
Mansell
Carlisle
Zebs
Gritts

Probably only four of the above will start and Mansell will be in a different position. Our midfield didn't really fire that day and although we were top of the league at that point, I feel that we have a better side now!

I think what has been written is what all TUFC fans would want to be being said by any of our players, its upbeat and putting out the message the players are united and can handle set backs and want to aim as high as possible.

Did Danny Potter ask to go on the transfer list? I know there was a rumour going around he did, it was even being suggested its the reason Bucks has started giving him some first team action.

Do I believe that? not to sure about the transfer list part, but I would want our manager picking his side on merit and who he believes will give us the best possible chance of winning the match.

I would not be surprised if Danny Potter may have been a bit frustrated since he has been here, while he knew Scott Bevan was going to be Bucks first choice keeper, we would still have hoped he had a part to play in the first team from time to time.

Its hard for any player to work hard in training week in and week out and end up only ever watching the first team play and not actually playing and part in a game other than keeping the bench warm.

It must be even worse for the keeper that is second choice as there is only one goal keepers position up for grabs in any match. No football players wants to end up being at any club where they never get first team action. We have seen it so many times when players not making the first team ask to go on the transfer list.

Once again as we have been talking this week about BALANCE, that is something Paul Buckle has to do as far as his players are concerned. Trying to keep everyone happy and give them the right balance that will keep them happy and working hard in training, has to be a very hard thing to do.

Even more so for players who are not Bucks first choice ones, but if the right balance can't be found that makes the player still feel its worthwhile staying at the club, then its understandable if he decides he might be better off and at least getting some first team action at another club.

I don't think I would be getting to excited or bulling myself up to much if I had three clean sheets from the first three games I played in the first team, if as was the case, I did not have one serious save to make in those games.

He has put his hands up and admitted there was a spell in the Cheltenham match he did not do as well as he would have liked. I'm sure its something he would have learned from as lets be honest here, in most cases making mistakes and learning from them is the way it is for everybody.

While I don't want him to be the man of the match today and only because that would mean we were the team under constant attack etc, I hope he has a fine game today and justifies Paul Buckles decision to start him and not Scott Bevan. That is if that is what Paul Buckle decides to do.

Well if anyone at Tuesdays game thinks that Potter is a better keeper than Beavon they must be related to Buckle.
Beavon singlehandedly kept us in the game against Crawley. Two stunning penalty saves - and thank you very much - your dropped. If that isn't a bizarre decision then I don't know what is.
We were reliant on Branston at Cheltenham as he was constantly heading the ball out of ourt six yard box. Potter did not look confident and did not come off his line much - when he did, his punching the ball looked dodgy and cost us in the end.

Still think Bevan will start

Edit: Potter starting

Hooray !! Nico's Back in .............

Torquay
16 Potter
03 Nicholson
04 Ellis
05 Robertson
18 Oastler
23 Branston
06 Stanley
07 Mansell
08 Kee
09 Robinson
26 Zebroski
Substitutes
01 Bevan, 02 Rowe-Turner, 10 O'Kane, 11 Gilligan, 19 Stevens, 22 Lathrope, 14 Macklin

Shithole of a pitch up in the bleak north.....Radio Devon going down every 5 mins.....

An afternoon of frustration awaits..... ;D