As like last season, a 4-1 loss against Southend United could yet again prove to be a turning point for Torquay United under Martin Ling.
The Gulls went down to defeat at Roots Hall in October of last year, which prompted Ling to implement a number of personnel changes, namely the switch from 4-4-2 to a flexible 4-1-4-1 system.
This move saw Rene Howe deployed as a lone front man and Damon Lathrope installed as a holding midfielder, a la Claude Makelele, in front of the defence to compliment the more attacking talents of skipper Lee Mansell and Irish playmaker Eunan O’Kane.
Ling’s plan worked to good effect as the Gulls won their next two games against AFC Wimbledon and Hereford United 4-0 and 2-0 respectively had Plainmoor buzzing again.
This proved to be the start of a run that saw them win 18 of their next 25 league encounters, which lifted them into contention for automatic promotion and helped Ling to win the League Two Manager of the Month awards for January & March 2012.
Only a late blip in their final half a dozen games saw Torquay miss out on a top three spot as they were forced to settle for the Play-Offs, where they were beaten by Cheltenham Town over two legs.
At the start of the current campaign, Ling continued with the system which had served him so well during the previous season.
However, a run of four games without a win that culminated in a 4-1 home defeat against Southend, thanks to doubles from former Gulls loanee Gavin Tomlin and Britt Assombalonga, prompted a re-think from Ling.
In their next league encounter against York City, he reverted to playing a 4-2-3-1 system with Billy Bodin and Danny Stevens playing on the flanks and, in the absence of captain Lee Mansell through suspension, summer signing Craig Easton was drafted into the centre of midfield to partner former Everton starlet Nathan Craig.
Up front Ryan Jarvis was brought into the side to provide support for Howe who had been playing as a lone forward up until that point.
The changes paid dividends as the Gulls won 2-0 with goals from Stevens and right back Joe Oastler and with Dagenham and Redbridge due to visit Plainmoor this Saturday, weather permitting of course, Torquay can feel confident of being able to pull off back-to-back victories, which could, once again, be a turning point in their season.
