FL2: Chesterfield v Torquay 29 Sept 2012

It is not my yardstick either. But it is Ling's. He is the one that has said the target his promotion. I think he's living on cloud cuckoo land


My point isn't about how good Davey may or may not be. It's about the idea that we can afford to have a small squad because we won't have injuries because he's a good physio, which is clearly bunk. Recovery times may be faster but good physios cannot stop injuries occurring in the first place

I've consistently maintained that I don't believe our squad is good enough or deep enough to get promoted. One of the arguments against that was Davey being a great physio. I think this disproves that

Lingy is a football manager. They tend to speak this type of langauge and are almost expected to do so. I don't really think it amounts to much.

In fact I'm okay with managers who say "I believe we're good enough to win promotion. That's what we're aiming for".

I'm rather sceptical of those who say "We will win promotion. We're the best team in the league. I guarantee it. Anything less is failure".



I think there's quite a difference between these two statements:

- "We're going with a smaller squad than normal because we've an excellent physio."

- "With a small squad, such as ours, it's helpful to have an extremely competent physio."

I'm not really sure who has been justifiying having a small squad because of the physio. Surely not the club?

However, I can see that the wording of Tim Herbert's press releases - which, because he's a decent press officer, will probably include some embellishment - may "big up" Damien Davey and give an impression of over-reliance. But that's a long way from saying that, for example, a physio is worth a player or two.

I’m expecting mid-table anonymity.

I’d hate to be complacent about that and get caught out!

That's a fair point.

When we were discussing Eric Webber I suggested that three successive 15th place finishes would have been more acceptable in the past than now.

That's actually exactly what I considered to be a fair return - over three years - when Martin Ling was appointed. That's because we're Torquay United. Not Plymouth Argyle or Bristol Rovers. Not even Chesterfield.

At the moment Lingy's ahead of that. A 15th place this season would probably be accepted by a majority of supporters. 15th in 2013/2014 could make the majority unhappy. And, by that time, last season's 5th place would be forgotten and increasingly unlikely to "buy" him a fourth season in the affections of many.

But that's the supporters, not the board. They may see it differently.

Not that we're at that point or I'm expecting such an outcome. I'm speaking hypothetically.

Sorry, but I have to ask - what is wrong with a target of promotion? I would have thought all teams should have a target of promotion when they start the season. The reality of that target might be quickly revised, and indeed Barnet already might be resetting their target to survival.

Of course, it does depend on how a manager deals with falling short of the target; but I also don't think you will attract a better quality of player if you tell them that you are targeting 3rd from bottom on goal difference rather than targeting promotion.

We made it to the play offs last season, aiming for less than that would have a direct effect on the motivation of the players, not to mention the fans.

Yes, with a sack-load of injuries Ling privately might be targeting something else now, but I doubt it. I think we should be targeting promotion and I still think we can get promotion. I won't be surprised if we don't get promoted, or if we fail even to trouble the play-off race but I still hope that we do get to the play offs at least.

I don't understand why you think its impossible (my interpretation of your "cloud cuckoo land") for us to get promoted. Four teams will go up, exactly why will we definitely not be one of those four?

He's apologised on his Twit account:

twitter.com/DominicFalconer

and also on another Torquay fans forum.

He does say that "As reports suggest that I was thrown out these are completely wrong I was advised to leave for my own safety, advice that I promptly took."

Well, he was escorted out of the away section and then from the stadium by a steward, so what is the difference between that and being thrown out of the ground?

It's a shame that there is some brain-dead day tripper come along and drop a big steaming turd like that to the detriment of our on-pitch performances.

People like this should really look at themselves and ask 'what do I do for the club?' and wonder whether their presence at our matches is of any benefit to the players. I'm sure they could do without this sort of 'support'......