Torquay United and Cheltenham Town possess a number of similarities, both sides have experienced relegation from the Football League in recent seasons and both overhauled their squads over the summer.
However, that is where the similarities begin and end - as on Saturday the Robins - managed by former Yeovil manager Gary Johnson - ran out as 3-0 winners against the Gulls, despite only playing with ten men for over 80 minutes after the eighth minute dismissal of George McLennan.
Johnson has acquired 18 new players over the close season, including former Torquay defender Aaron Downes - who opened the scoring for Cheltenham, whilst Cox has brought in 16 new faces to the Launa Windows Stadium in total.
But the size in budget available to Johnson was evident, but Cox refused to use that an excuse stating 'I'm not going to use the budget as an excuse. We haven't had the mental strength to see things through in several games so far now. So it's tough love now.
"There is no long term in football; it's about the here and now, and I want us to achieve as quickly as possible."
Another factor that Cox hasn't used as an excuse is the continued absence of skipper Luke Young, which would be seen as a big blow to any team in the Vanarama National League as on his day Young has proved himself to be one of the best players in the division full stop - let alone his own position.
As a manager, Cox is no stranger to success having led Mansfield Town to promotion back into the Football League in 2013 - in the space of two seasons - after guiding them to a Play-off spot in his first season in charge.
If Cox is eventually able to emulate that level of achievement with the Gulls - it will mean that the likelihood is he will still be at the helm at the Launa Windows Stadium in two, possibly three years down the line, as he would have been successful during that time period.
Also, during his tenure at Field Mill, the Stags were often slow starters who finished each full campaign strongly, so the Gulls' faithful shouldn't lose faith yet.
Sunday 30 August 2015
Wednesday 19 August 2015
SUBSTITUTEGATE AND THE CASE OF THE MYSTERIOUS SEVEN
Some things in life have to be seen to be believed - and the 'substitutegate' affair at the Launa Windows Stadium between Torquay United and Woking was definitely one of them.
On 65 minutes, the Gulls went to make their first change of the evening as new signing Simon Heslop looked set to enter the field to make his debut - but as the fourth official put his board up it appeared that number '17' Alex Fisher was set to be the player making way for the former Oxford United and Mansfield Town midfielder.
However, it soon transpired that there had been a mistake; the Torquay management team of manager Paul Cox, his assistant John Ramshaw and goalkeeper coach Kenny Veysey pointed out that it should have been number '7' Louis Briscoe exiting the field of play instead of Fisher.
The fourth official then realised his mistake and Briscoe made way, but then the fourth official showed referee Brett Huxtable the piece of paper, which showed the instructions for the substitution and a U-turn was made.
However, despite their protests, the fourth official and referee Huxtable both stuck to their guns and Cox ended up being sent to the stands.
Briscoe was later replaced by Tyrone Marsh.
The laws of the game regarding substitutions state the following:
In all matches, the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior to the start of the match. Any substitute whose name is not given to the referee at this time may not take part in the match.
To replace a player with a substitute, the following conditions must be observed:
• the referee must be informed before any proposed substitution is made
• the substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee
• the substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match
• the substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
• from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced becomes a substituted player
• the substituted player takes no further part in the match, except where return substitutions are permitted
• all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not
The final extract would conclude that Huxtable's decision was right, but the use of logic would suggest that the Gulls' managerial staff were right in the protests.
Firstly, with the game still in the balance at 0-0 - Torquay were eventually beaten by a last minute strike, it would have made more sense to replace Briscoe - an attacking midfielder, who was playing in the hole behind the front two, had only just returned from injury - with Heslop than it would do to substitute leading scorer Fisher.
Secondly, Briscoe had only just returned from injury against FC Halifax at the weekend, which he failed to last the full 90 minutes - thus reflecting a lack of match fitness.
Had the latter two points been taken into consideration, then maybe Fisher could have been allowed to carry on.
But perhaps the whole sorry saga could act as a precinct for a change in the law regarding substitutions - allowing managers greater flexibility when situations like this emerge.
On 65 minutes, the Gulls went to make their first change of the evening as new signing Simon Heslop looked set to enter the field to make his debut - but as the fourth official put his board up it appeared that number '17' Alex Fisher was set to be the player making way for the former Oxford United and Mansfield Town midfielder.
However, it soon transpired that there had been a mistake; the Torquay management team of manager Paul Cox, his assistant John Ramshaw and goalkeeper coach Kenny Veysey pointed out that it should have been number '7' Louis Briscoe exiting the field of play instead of Fisher.
The fourth official then realised his mistake and Briscoe made way, but then the fourth official showed referee Brett Huxtable the piece of paper, which showed the instructions for the substitution and a U-turn was made.
However, despite their protests, the fourth official and referee Huxtable both stuck to their guns and Cox ended up being sent to the stands.
Briscoe was later replaced by Tyrone Marsh.
The laws of the game regarding substitutions state the following:
In all matches, the names of the substitutes must be given to the referee prior to the start of the match. Any substitute whose name is not given to the referee at this time may not take part in the match.
To replace a player with a substitute, the following conditions must be observed:
• the referee must be informed before any proposed substitution is made
• the substitute only enters the field of play after the player being replaced has left and after receiving a signal from the referee
• the substitute only enters the field of play at the halfway line and during a stoppage in the match
• the substitution is completed when a substitute enters the field of play
• from that moment, the substitute becomes a player and the player he has replaced becomes a substituted player
• the substituted player takes no further part in the match, except where return substitutions are permitted
• all substitutes are subject to the authority and jurisdiction of the referee, whether called upon to play or not
The final extract would conclude that Huxtable's decision was right, but the use of logic would suggest that the Gulls' managerial staff were right in the protests.
Firstly, with the game still in the balance at 0-0 - Torquay were eventually beaten by a last minute strike, it would have made more sense to replace Briscoe - an attacking midfielder, who was playing in the hole behind the front two, had only just returned from injury - with Heslop than it would do to substitute leading scorer Fisher.
Secondly, Briscoe had only just returned from injury against FC Halifax at the weekend, which he failed to last the full 90 minutes - thus reflecting a lack of match fitness.
Had the latter two points been taken into consideration, then maybe Fisher could have been allowed to carry on.
But perhaps the whole sorry saga could act as a precinct for a change in the law regarding substitutions - allowing managers greater flexibility when situations like this emerge.
Sunday 9 August 2015
A DAY OF MANY FIRSTS
As yesterday's game between Torquay United and Macclesfield Town marked Paul Cox's first game and win in charge of the Gulls, we will now look back at a number of other firsts that have occurred in meetings between United and the Silkmen.
Saturday August 9th 1997 Macclesfield 2 Torquay United 1
After winning the Conference title in the 1996-97 season, Macclesfield Town won promotion to the Football League - two years after being denied entry to the league due to their Moss Rose was deemed not up to league standards. Their first league meeting was at home to the Gulls - a match which they won 2-1 with goals from Efe Sodje and Richard Landon after Andy Gurney replied for United.
The Gulls' side included a whole host of debutants, including Gurney, Paul Gibbs and Jamie Robinson, as well as a young midfielder plucked from Western League side Torrington Town by the name of Kevin Hill. It was to be the first of a club record 474 appearances that would make for Torquay over a period of 11 years.
Saturday December 1st 2001 Torquay 1 Macclesfield 2
A double from future England striker Rickie Lambert was instrumental in securing this win for the Silkmen, whilst Kevin Hill replied for the Gulls. This game also saw a notable individual make their debut for the Gulls in midfielder Jason Fowler. After starting his career with Bristol City and then moving onto Cardiff City - where he won promotion in the 1998-99 season - Fowler would play an instrumental role in helping United win automatic promotion from Division Three in the 2003-04 season under Leroy Rosenior.
Monday April 17th 2006 Macclesfield 0 Torquay 2
Following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Cheltenham Town on Easter Saturday 2006, Torquay United were staring relegation to the Conference in the face. However, under manager Ian Atkins, who had been working as a consultant with previous manager John Cornforth, the Gulls completed what could be best described as 'the greatest comeback since Lazarus' , as they four of their remaining five league fixtures. The first of those victories came on Easter Monday as United defeated the Silkmen 2-0 at Moss Rose thanks to a brace from Jo Kuffour; this then set the Gulls up nicely for subsequent wins over Wrexham, Stockport County and Carlisle United before they made their safety mathematically certain with a final day draw against Boston United.
Footnote: It shouldn't be forgotten that nine of yesterday's starting line-up were making their debuts for the Gulls, as well as two second half substitutes.
Saturday August 9th 1997 Macclesfield 2 Torquay United 1
After winning the Conference title in the 1996-97 season, Macclesfield Town won promotion to the Football League - two years after being denied entry to the league due to their Moss Rose was deemed not up to league standards. Their first league meeting was at home to the Gulls - a match which they won 2-1 with goals from Efe Sodje and Richard Landon after Andy Gurney replied for United.
The Gulls' side included a whole host of debutants, including Gurney, Paul Gibbs and Jamie Robinson, as well as a young midfielder plucked from Western League side Torrington Town by the name of Kevin Hill. It was to be the first of a club record 474 appearances that would make for Torquay over a period of 11 years.
Saturday December 1st 2001 Torquay 1 Macclesfield 2
A double from future England striker Rickie Lambert was instrumental in securing this win for the Silkmen, whilst Kevin Hill replied for the Gulls. This game also saw a notable individual make their debut for the Gulls in midfielder Jason Fowler. After starting his career with Bristol City and then moving onto Cardiff City - where he won promotion in the 1998-99 season - Fowler would play an instrumental role in helping United win automatic promotion from Division Three in the 2003-04 season under Leroy Rosenior.
Monday April 17th 2006 Macclesfield 0 Torquay 2
Following a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Cheltenham Town on Easter Saturday 2006, Torquay United were staring relegation to the Conference in the face. However, under manager Ian Atkins, who had been working as a consultant with previous manager John Cornforth, the Gulls completed what could be best described as 'the greatest comeback since Lazarus' , as they four of their remaining five league fixtures. The first of those victories came on Easter Monday as United defeated the Silkmen 2-0 at Moss Rose thanks to a brace from Jo Kuffour; this then set the Gulls up nicely for subsequent wins over Wrexham, Stockport County and Carlisle United before they made their safety mathematically certain with a final day draw against Boston United.
Footnote: It shouldn't be forgotten that nine of yesterday's starting line-up were making their debuts for the Gulls, as well as two second half substitutes.
Friday 7 August 2015
SEASON PREVIEW 2015-16: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Promotion from League Two is the aim for new Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams on the eve of the 2015-16 season, after the Pilgrims missed out in the Play-offs last season.
Should he achieve this target, then Adams will see himself join a list that includes two of his fellow countrymen - Dave Smith and Paul Sturrock - on the list of managers who have led Argyle to promotion.
Adams arrives south of the border with an impressive CV, largely built on his previous spells in charge of Ross County - during which time he led the Staggies to the Scottish Cup final in 2010, after beating Celtic in the semi-finals. He also guided them to the Scottish Premier League for the first time in their history in the 2011-12 season.
After inheriting a strong defensive unit from his predecessor John Sheridan, which includes goalkeeper Luke McCormick and centre backs Curtis Nelson, Carl McHugh and Peter Hartley, Adams has spent the summer adding some more attacking flair with his new signings.
Jake Jervis and Graham Carey both arrive from his previous club Ross County; it is hoped that Carey will provide a source of goals from midfield, which is one area where the Pilgrims have been lacking in since the departure of Conor Hourihane to Barnsley in 2014.
The well-travelled Jervis, who has also had a brief spell playing in Turkey, looks set to fill the void left by the departure of Lewis Alessandra to Rochdale, and the arrivals of Josh Simpson and Gregg Wylde will add plenty of width to Adams' squad.
Left-back Gary Sawyer also returns to Home Park five years after he was released by Paul Mariner in 2010.
Whilst much of Argyle's success under Sheridan was built on the foundations of a solid defence, a strong attacking looks set to form the basis of any future progress that the Pilgrims are likely to make under Adams.
And many of the 'Green Army' will no doubt be encouraged by their display in a pre-season friendly against Forest Green Rovers, which they won 5-3 after trailing 3-0 - the Pilgrims haven't a competitive after conceding first since they beat Barnet 2-1 on March 2nd 2013.
This will also add to the genuine feeling at Home Park that the Pilgrims can better their 7th placed finish of last season and finish the 2015-16 campaign in the top three.
Player to Watch: Graham Carey
In recent years, there has been a big Irish influence at Home Park through players such as Graham Coughlan, Tony Capaldi, Conor Hourihane, the recently departed Anthony O'Connor and current centre back Carl McHugh. Carey has become the latest player from the Emerald Isle to find their way to Home Park, and it is hoped that the central midfielder - who has won six caps for the Republic at Under-21 level, will chip in with a few extra goals from midfield.
In: Gary Sawyer (Leyton Orient), Jake Jervis (Ross County), Josh Simpson (Crawley Town), Graham Carey (Ross County), Gregg Wylde (St Mirren), Hiram Boateng (Crystal Palace loan), Craig Tanner (Reading)
Out: Lewis Alessandra (Rochdale), Anthony O'Connor (Burton Albion), Jason Banton (Wycombe Wanderers), Marvin Morgan (Havant & Waterlooville), Jamie Richards (Torquay United Non-Contract), River Allen (Gateshead), Matt Lecointe
Should he achieve this target, then Adams will see himself join a list that includes two of his fellow countrymen - Dave Smith and Paul Sturrock - on the list of managers who have led Argyle to promotion.
Adams arrives south of the border with an impressive CV, largely built on his previous spells in charge of Ross County - during which time he led the Staggies to the Scottish Cup final in 2010, after beating Celtic in the semi-finals. He also guided them to the Scottish Premier League for the first time in their history in the 2011-12 season.
After inheriting a strong defensive unit from his predecessor John Sheridan, which includes goalkeeper Luke McCormick and centre backs Curtis Nelson, Carl McHugh and Peter Hartley, Adams has spent the summer adding some more attacking flair with his new signings.
Jake Jervis and Graham Carey both arrive from his previous club Ross County; it is hoped that Carey will provide a source of goals from midfield, which is one area where the Pilgrims have been lacking in since the departure of Conor Hourihane to Barnsley in 2014.
The well-travelled Jervis, who has also had a brief spell playing in Turkey, looks set to fill the void left by the departure of Lewis Alessandra to Rochdale, and the arrivals of Josh Simpson and Gregg Wylde will add plenty of width to Adams' squad.
Left-back Gary Sawyer also returns to Home Park five years after he was released by Paul Mariner in 2010.
Whilst much of Argyle's success under Sheridan was built on the foundations of a solid defence, a strong attacking looks set to form the basis of any future progress that the Pilgrims are likely to make under Adams.
And many of the 'Green Army' will no doubt be encouraged by their display in a pre-season friendly against Forest Green Rovers, which they won 5-3 after trailing 3-0 - the Pilgrims haven't a competitive after conceding first since they beat Barnet 2-1 on March 2nd 2013.
This will also add to the genuine feeling at Home Park that the Pilgrims can better their 7th placed finish of last season and finish the 2015-16 campaign in the top three.
Player to Watch: Graham Carey
In recent years, there has been a big Irish influence at Home Park through players such as Graham Coughlan, Tony Capaldi, Conor Hourihane, the recently departed Anthony O'Connor and current centre back Carl McHugh. Carey has become the latest player from the Emerald Isle to find their way to Home Park, and it is hoped that the central midfielder - who has won six caps for the Republic at Under-21 level, will chip in with a few extra goals from midfield.
In: Gary Sawyer (Leyton Orient), Jake Jervis (Ross County), Josh Simpson (Crawley Town), Graham Carey (Ross County), Gregg Wylde (St Mirren), Hiram Boateng (Crystal Palace loan), Craig Tanner (Reading)
Out: Lewis Alessandra (Rochdale), Anthony O'Connor (Burton Albion), Jason Banton (Wycombe Wanderers), Marvin Morgan (Havant & Waterlooville), Jamie Richards (Torquay United Non-Contract), River Allen (Gateshead), Matt Lecointe
SEASON PREVIEW 2015-16: EXETER CITY
Whilst other clubs in the South West have opted for major
surgery of their squads and – in some cases – decided on a change of manager,
Exeter City have opted for a nip and tuck approach under Paul Tisdale.
Whilst Liam Sercombe and Scot Bennett have flown the
Grecians nest - signing for Oxford United and Notts County respectively,
goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik, winger Lee Holmes and striker Will Hoskins arrived at
St James Park.
Last time Olejnik plied his trade in Devon was with Torquay
United in the 2011-12 season, when he kept 23 clean sheets in a campaign which
saw the Gulls reach the League Two Play-offs. His performances also earned him
a place in the League Two PFA team of the year.
Wide man Holmes joins from Preston North End in a deal that
sees him make his loan move last season permanent, and Hoskins will be looking
to jumpstart a career that has stalled in recent years due to injury.
Midfielder Manny Oyeleke has also joined from Brentford,
whilst central defender Troy Brown signed from Cheltenham Town.
Elsewhere in the Grecians squad, striker Tom Nichols has now
emerged as the standard bearer for the Grecians’ youth set-up following the
summer departures of Sercombe and Bennett.
Sercombe’s decision to join Oxford was particularly
significant, as he was the last player in the City squad to have been inherited
by Tisdale in 2006.
The money generated from the sale of Matt Grimes to Swansea
City has been invested wisely by the Grecians, and it is hoped by many that it
will help to aid a possible promotion push.
Whether the Grecians are able to do this may depend on how
prolific they are in front of goal. Should Nichols and Hoskins establish a
30-40 goal partnership between them, then the Grecians could be amongst the
leading contenders in the division.
City will start their 2015-16 campaign at home to Yeovil
Town on the date of the anniversary of the death of Adam Stansfield, who served
both clubs. Significantly Stansfield also found the target for the Grecians in
the last meeting between the two sides before his death in 2010.
Player to Watch: Will
Hoskins
Will Hoskins has been
transferred for over £1million in a career that has seen him appear for
Rotherham United, Watford, Bristol Rovers and Brighton and Hove Albion amongst
others.
However, in recent
years, injuries have hampered his progress in recent years and he will be
looking to kick-start his career with the Grecians and pass some of his
experience onto the likes of City’s young forward roster that includes Tom
Nichols, Jamie Reid and Ollie Watkins.
In: Manny Oyeleke
(Brentford), Bobby Olejnik (York City), Troy Brown (Cheltenham Town), Will
Hoskins (Oxford United)
Out: Liam Sercombe
(Oxford United), Scot Bennett (Notts County), Pat Baldwin (Weymouth Town), Connor
Riley-Lowe (Truro City loan)
Tuesday 4 August 2015
SEASON PREVIEW 2015-16: YEOVIL TOWN
In 2010, Yeovil Town manager Paul Sturrock took charge of Southend United after the Shrimpers had experienced two relegations in the space of three seasons, which had seen them drop from the Championship into League Two.
Within two years, the Shrimpers reached the play-offs after finishing fourth in League Two at the end of the 2011-12 season before reaching the Johnstone's Paint Trophy a year later - shortly after Sturrock's departure - and eventually won promotion under his successor Phil Brown.
If he could replicate his achievements with Southend in South Somerset, then it is likely that Sturrock would be held in the same regard as two of his predecessors at Huish Park: Gary Johnson and Russell Slade.
Like many experienced lower league managers, Sturrock has dipped into his book of contacts to sign a number of players who have played under him at a number of his former clubs. These include Ryan Dickson (Plymouth Argyle) who he has installed as club captain, Ben Tozer (Swindon Town) and Marc Laird (Southend), as Sturrock opted for an overhaul of his squad.
14 new faces have arrived at Huish Park over the course of the summer, as Sturrock targets what will be a fifth promotion as a manager should the Glovers achieve an immediate return to League One.
Depending on how quickly they can, Yeovil should be capable of achieving a top-half finish on their return to League Two, thus stopping the decline that has taken place over the previous two years.
Sturrock's new signings aren't the only major changes happening that have happened at Huish Park in the close season. The Glovers have also started up their youth set-up again, after it was closed under Sturrock's predecessor Gary Johnson.
Former Plymouth Argyle winger David Byrne has been appointed as the club's head of youth - he performed a similar role under Sturrock at Swindon - and former Torquay United youth coach Geoff Harrop takes on the role of academy manager.
Player to Watch: Iffy Allen
Signed from Barnet in the summer, Allen has impressed in pre-season on the left hand side of midfield for the Glovers. Sturrock has a good recent track record of unearthing talented wide players in the shape of Craig Noone and Yala Bolasie during his second spell with Plymouth Argyle, and many of the Huish Park faithful will be hoping that he can go on to enjoy the kind of career that the two aforementioned individuals have done.
In: Matty Dolan (Bradford City), Jordan Gibbons (Queens Park Rangers), Jack Compton (Hartlepool United), Oscar Sowumni (Ipswich Town), Ryan Dickson (Crawley Town), Stephen Arthurworrey (Fulham loan), Marc Laird (Tranmere Rovers), Ben Tozer (Northampton Town), Jamie Burrows (Rangers), Wes Fogden (Portsmouth), Iffy Allen (Barnet), Ryan Bird (Cambridge United), Alex Lacey (Luton Town), Mark Beck (Carlisle United), Shaun Jeffers (Newport County)
Out: Joe Edwards (Colchester United), Sam Foley (Port Vale), Kieffer Moore (Viking FK), Ajay Leitch-Smith (Port Vale), James Berrett (York City), James Hayter (Havant & Waterlooville), Sam Hoskins (Northampton Town), Adam Morgan (St Johnstone), Seth Nana-Tuwmasi & Nathan Ralph(Newport County), Joel Grant, Craig Eastmond, Fergus Bell, Alex Smith
Within two years, the Shrimpers reached the play-offs after finishing fourth in League Two at the end of the 2011-12 season before reaching the Johnstone's Paint Trophy a year later - shortly after Sturrock's departure - and eventually won promotion under his successor Phil Brown.
If he could replicate his achievements with Southend in South Somerset, then it is likely that Sturrock would be held in the same regard as two of his predecessors at Huish Park: Gary Johnson and Russell Slade.
Like many experienced lower league managers, Sturrock has dipped into his book of contacts to sign a number of players who have played under him at a number of his former clubs. These include Ryan Dickson (Plymouth Argyle) who he has installed as club captain, Ben Tozer (Swindon Town) and Marc Laird (Southend), as Sturrock opted for an overhaul of his squad.
14 new faces have arrived at Huish Park over the course of the summer, as Sturrock targets what will be a fifth promotion as a manager should the Glovers achieve an immediate return to League One.
Depending on how quickly they can, Yeovil should be capable of achieving a top-half finish on their return to League Two, thus stopping the decline that has taken place over the previous two years.
Sturrock's new signings aren't the only major changes happening that have happened at Huish Park in the close season. The Glovers have also started up their youth set-up again, after it was closed under Sturrock's predecessor Gary Johnson.
Former Plymouth Argyle winger David Byrne has been appointed as the club's head of youth - he performed a similar role under Sturrock at Swindon - and former Torquay United youth coach Geoff Harrop takes on the role of academy manager.
Player to Watch: Iffy Allen
Signed from Barnet in the summer, Allen has impressed in pre-season on the left hand side of midfield for the Glovers. Sturrock has a good recent track record of unearthing talented wide players in the shape of Craig Noone and Yala Bolasie during his second spell with Plymouth Argyle, and many of the Huish Park faithful will be hoping that he can go on to enjoy the kind of career that the two aforementioned individuals have done.
In: Matty Dolan (Bradford City), Jordan Gibbons (Queens Park Rangers), Jack Compton (Hartlepool United), Oscar Sowumni (Ipswich Town), Ryan Dickson (Crawley Town), Stephen Arthurworrey (Fulham loan), Marc Laird (Tranmere Rovers), Ben Tozer (Northampton Town), Jamie Burrows (Rangers), Wes Fogden (Portsmouth), Iffy Allen (Barnet), Ryan Bird (Cambridge United), Alex Lacey (Luton Town), Mark Beck (Carlisle United), Shaun Jeffers (Newport County)
Out: Joe Edwards (Colchester United), Sam Foley (Port Vale), Kieffer Moore (Viking FK), Ajay Leitch-Smith (Port Vale), James Berrett (York City), James Hayter (Havant & Waterlooville), Sam Hoskins (Northampton Town), Adam Morgan (St Johnstone), Seth Nana-Tuwmasi & Nathan Ralph(Newport County), Joel Grant, Craig Eastmond, Fergus Bell, Alex Smith
Sunday 2 August 2015
SEASON PREVIEW 2015-16: TORQUAY UNITED
The task facing Torquay United manager Paul Cox ahead of the 2015-16 season should not be underestimated.
Several years of mis-management for the Gulls came to a head during the close season when a new consortium - headed by current chairman David Phillips - acquired the club from the previous board headed by Thea Bristow.
One of their first acts was to place former manager Chris Hargreaves - and his assistant Lee Hodges - on gardening leave. Former Mansfield Town manager Cox was quickly installed as his successor.
In his three-and-half years in charge of the Stags, Cox led Mansfield back into the Football League within the first two seasons of his reign before re-establishing them in League Two.
However, anyone expecting him to perform a quick fix at the Launa Windows Stadium will be in for a shock and it may take time for his methods to work.
Nevertheless that isn't something that is new for the Gulls, as many of the most successful teams to represent Torquay in recent years have been the result of long-term projects.
In 1998, Kevin Hodges led the Gulls to the Division Three Play-off final against Colchester United - not to mention the brink of automatic promotion - only two years after they were spared from relegation to the Conference due to Stevenage's ground not being up to Football League requirements.
Six years later, Leroy Rosenior guided Torquay to their first automatic promotion for 38 years in the 2003-04 campaign. However, the groundwork for the construction of this team had begun in 2001 under Leroy's predecessor, Roy McFarland, who picked up the pieces after their final day relegation decider victory over Barnet at the end of the 2000-01 season.
Three years on, following the Gulls' relegation to the Conference, in 2007 Paul Buckle started work on assembling the core of the side that would lead the club back into the league two years later.
A similar level of both time and patience will be required for Cox this time around, but there are some positive signs at the club.
In Luke Young, the Gulls possess one of the best central midfielders in the division and Angus MacDonald is amongst the best young defenders in the Conference.
Exodus Geohaghon and Louis Briscoe have both won the division with Mansfield under Cox in the 2012-13 season.
In an ideal world, Cox would probably like to add a couple more players in their mould to his squad.
Also, in Dan Butler - signed from Portsmouth - Cox has a player who could yet prove to be the heir to Kevin Nicholson in the left-back position, and James Hurst showed promising signs at right-back before picking up an injury.
A potential lack of power is likely to prevent the Gulls emerging as serious challengers; at the time of writing, a 'Tim Sills' esque striker is currently being sought by Cox to bolster a roster of strikers that includes former Macclesfield front man Waide Fairhurst, Tyrone Marsh, Ashley Yeoman and Liam Prynn.
At this stage of the season, it is fair to say that equalling or slightly bettering last season's 13th place finish would be regarded as a success. Anything more than that would be considered as a bonus, but the potential to build for the following season would be regarded as a major plus.
Player to Watch: Bayan Fenwick
Formerly with Lewes, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City, Fenwick impressed Paul Cox enough to earn a one-year contract during a pre-season trial. A high energy box-to-box midfielder with a good range of passing, Fenwick has already demonstrated to play at a level far higher than the Vanarama National League.
In: Tyrone Marsh (Oxford United), James Hurst (Hednesford Town), Dan Butler (Portsmouth), Shepherd Murombedzi (Reading), Waide Fairhurst (Macclesfield Town), Exodus Geohaghon (Stourbridge), Bayan Fenwick (Cardiff City), Nathan Smith (Port Vale loan), Fabien Speiss (Notts County), Alex Fisher (Mansfield Town)
Out: Krystian Pearce (Mansfield Town), Aaron Downes (Cheltenham Town), Ryan Bowman (Gateshead), Levi Ives (Bristol City), Ben Harding (Gosport Borough), Martin Rice and Aaron Dawson (Truro City), Jordan Chapell (Chester FC), Duane Ofori-Acheampong (Dover Athletic), James McQuilkin, Courtney Cameron, Elliot Benyon, Toby Ajala, Dale Tonge
Several years of mis-management for the Gulls came to a head during the close season when a new consortium - headed by current chairman David Phillips - acquired the club from the previous board headed by Thea Bristow.
One of their first acts was to place former manager Chris Hargreaves - and his assistant Lee Hodges - on gardening leave. Former Mansfield Town manager Cox was quickly installed as his successor.
In his three-and-half years in charge of the Stags, Cox led Mansfield back into the Football League within the first two seasons of his reign before re-establishing them in League Two.
However, anyone expecting him to perform a quick fix at the Launa Windows Stadium will be in for a shock and it may take time for his methods to work.
Nevertheless that isn't something that is new for the Gulls, as many of the most successful teams to represent Torquay in recent years have been the result of long-term projects.
In 1998, Kevin Hodges led the Gulls to the Division Three Play-off final against Colchester United - not to mention the brink of automatic promotion - only two years after they were spared from relegation to the Conference due to Stevenage's ground not being up to Football League requirements.
Six years later, Leroy Rosenior guided Torquay to their first automatic promotion for 38 years in the 2003-04 campaign. However, the groundwork for the construction of this team had begun in 2001 under Leroy's predecessor, Roy McFarland, who picked up the pieces after their final day relegation decider victory over Barnet at the end of the 2000-01 season.
Three years on, following the Gulls' relegation to the Conference, in 2007 Paul Buckle started work on assembling the core of the side that would lead the club back into the league two years later.
A similar level of both time and patience will be required for Cox this time around, but there are some positive signs at the club.
In Luke Young, the Gulls possess one of the best central midfielders in the division and Angus MacDonald is amongst the best young defenders in the Conference.
Exodus Geohaghon and Louis Briscoe have both won the division with Mansfield under Cox in the 2012-13 season.
In an ideal world, Cox would probably like to add a couple more players in their mould to his squad.
Also, in Dan Butler - signed from Portsmouth - Cox has a player who could yet prove to be the heir to Kevin Nicholson in the left-back position, and James Hurst showed promising signs at right-back before picking up an injury.
A potential lack of power is likely to prevent the Gulls emerging as serious challengers; at the time of writing, a 'Tim Sills' esque striker is currently being sought by Cox to bolster a roster of strikers that includes former Macclesfield front man Waide Fairhurst, Tyrone Marsh, Ashley Yeoman and Liam Prynn.
At this stage of the season, it is fair to say that equalling or slightly bettering last season's 13th place finish would be regarded as a success. Anything more than that would be considered as a bonus, but the potential to build for the following season would be regarded as a major plus.
Player to Watch: Bayan Fenwick
Formerly with Lewes, Crystal Palace and Cardiff City, Fenwick impressed Paul Cox enough to earn a one-year contract during a pre-season trial. A high energy box-to-box midfielder with a good range of passing, Fenwick has already demonstrated to play at a level far higher than the Vanarama National League.
In: Tyrone Marsh (Oxford United), James Hurst (Hednesford Town), Dan Butler (Portsmouth), Shepherd Murombedzi (Reading), Waide Fairhurst (Macclesfield Town), Exodus Geohaghon (Stourbridge), Bayan Fenwick (Cardiff City), Nathan Smith (Port Vale loan), Fabien Speiss (Notts County), Alex Fisher (Mansfield Town)
Out: Krystian Pearce (Mansfield Town), Aaron Downes (Cheltenham Town), Ryan Bowman (Gateshead), Levi Ives (Bristol City), Ben Harding (Gosport Borough), Martin Rice and Aaron Dawson (Truro City), Jordan Chapell (Chester FC), Duane Ofori-Acheampong (Dover Athletic), James McQuilkin, Courtney Cameron, Elliot Benyon, Toby Ajala, Dale Tonge
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