OWERS LOOKING TO KICKSTART GULLS' RESURRECTION AT EASTER TIME

Torquay United head into the Easter weekend of 2018 looking to turn around their National League survival hopes with a resurrection of biblicial proportions.

The Gulls head to Chester FC, who are level on 31 points with United, on Good Friday ten points adrift with eight games left and then face another 'six-pointer' on Easter Monday with Woking, who are seemingly in free-fall - having only won twice in their last 17 games.

Whilst the size of the task in hand may appear gargantuan - it is worth noting that after this stage of the season in the 2015-16 campaign the Gulls went and won four games from six (Gateshead, Chester FC, Altrincham and Bromley) the latter of which secured their survival with two games to spare.

In 2017-18, the immediate task facing United manager Gary Owers is to guide the Gulls to four wins from their next six, which are against Chester (A), Woking (H), Dover Athletic (A), AFC Fylde (H), FC Halifax Town (H) and Hartlepool United (A).

From that list - only Dover, who count former Gulls' defender Giancarlo Gallifuoco amongst their numbers, find themselves in the newly expanded play-off zone. Also Hartlepool - who were facing the threat of Administration until recently - have experienced a new lease of life since being taken over by a consortium headed by Teeside businessman and former Darlington chairman Raj Singh and Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling.

It is highly likely on current form that the Pools could be safe by the time United travel to Victoria Park in their penultimate fixture of the season.

With the Gulls' current points tally, achieving survival following the run of the aforementioned fixtures would seem unlikely - especially with the respective points totals of their rivals - so another two wins in their final two games against Guiseley and Ebbsfleet United - both at home - would also be required.

If United are going to stand a fighting chance scoring goals will be vital to the prospects of Owers' men. At least one of United's two current main strikers Elliott Romain (three) and Brett Williams (two) will have to overhaul the Gulls' current joint-leading scorer's Jamie Reid and Luke Young (five) if a 'great escape three' is to be completed.

Then there is the early Easter present delivered to Owers in the form of Rhys Healey, who was delivered not by the Easter Bunny but Cardiff City manager and former Gulls' caretaker boss Neil Warnock instead.

Healey has a proven pedigree of scoring goals in League Two during a loan spell with Newport County last season and was also believed to be a target for Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams in the 2016-17 campaign.

Don't bet against him making a small, but significant impact between now and the end of April.

INTERNATIONAL ROUND-UP MARCH 2018

Jake Gosling (Torquay United) - Gibraltar

By starring for Gibraltar in their 1-0 friendly victory over Latvia - their second in international football - Jake Gosling joins the likes of Gregory Goodridge (Barbados), Rodney Jack (St Vincent and the Grenadines), Tony Bedeau (Grenada) and Taiwo Atieno (Kenya) in playing international football whilst with the Gulls. Notts County's Liam Walker scored the decisive goal for the Rock in the 89th minute, which sealed their first win in four years, whilst Gosling's teammates back home in South Devon were dealing with the frustration of their National League clash with bottom side Guiseley being postponed. It was also the 12th time that Gosling - who qualifies to play for Gibraltar through his father - has represented his country.

Bevis Mugabi (Yeovil Town) - Uganda

Former Southampton youngster Mugabi marked his full international debut for Uganda by playing 88 minutes in a 3-1 victory over Sao Tome and Principe. According to local reports Mugabi left the field to a standing ovation when he was replaced.

Rhys Browne (Yeovil Town) - Antigua

In his eighth appearance for Antigua, Rhys Browne helped them to secure a creditable draw with Jamaica. With ninety places separating the two sides in the FIFA rankings - the 'Reggae Boyz' are ranked 49th, whilst Antigua are ranked 139th - Jamaica took the lead through an own goal from Akeem Thomas before Peter Byers netted a last minute equaliser.

Corey Whelan (Yeovil Town) - Republic of Ireland Under-21

Liverpool loanee Corey Whelan featured in the opening 72 minutes of the Republic of Ireland Under-21's 3-1 friendly victory over Iceland Under-21's. Derry City's Rory Hale opened the scoring for the Republic before QPR's Ryan Manning added a second. Iceland pulled one back through Stefan Alexander Ljubcic before Ronan Hale - also of Derry City and the brother of Rory - rounded off the scoring with Ireland's third. Shaun Donnellan - who is also on loan at Huish Park from West Bromwich Albion - didn't feature.

WARNOCK ASSISTS GULLS' SURVIVAL BID

As caretaker manager of Torquay United in 1993, Neil Warnock oversaw the Gulls' great escape which was secured with a 1-0 away win over Carlisle United.

Fast forward to 2018 and Warnock has once again attempt to assist United, as they battle against relegation from the Vanarama National League by sending Rhys Healey to Plainmoor on loan for the remainder of the campaign, who made his debut away at Solihull Moors at the weekend.

We will now look at a number of other players that Warnock has loaned to the Gulls during his long managerial career.


Phil Barnes (Sheffield United 2004-05)

After Icelandic goalkeeper Ole Gottskalksson went AWOL, Warnock came to the Gulls' assistance by loaning Phil Barnes to Leroy Rosenior's side as they battled to retain the League One that they won in the 2003-04 season. Barnes made five appearances for United, which saw them win two; draw two before he was recalled following an injury to the Blades' first choice keeper Paddy Kenny.
Leroy Rosenior would later sign Andy Marriott as a permanent replacement for Barnes, as the Gulls agonisingly missed out on staying up on the final day of the season against Colchester United.


Jordan Robertson and Lloyd Kerry (Sheffield United 2006-07)

Whilst he was manager of the Blades, Warnock also loaned Jordan Robertson and Lloyd Kerry at different times during the 2006-07 season, which was a campaign of great instability for the Gulls.
Three different managers took charge of the Gulls (Ian Atkins, Lubos Kubik and Keith Curle) and Warnock loaned Jordan Robertson to United under Atkins' reign. The young striker made six starts and five substitute appearances and scored four goals including a brace in a 2-1 FA Cup second round away win over Leyton Orient.
Central midfielder Lloyd Kerry was loaned to the Gulls in March under Keith Curle and started six games and made one further substitute appearance - scoring on his debut in a 3-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers.
The pair were two of 43 players used by United in all competitions during that season.

Romone Rose and Joe Oastler (Queens Park Rangers 2010-11)

Paul Buckle became the fourth Gulls manager to have loaned players to in the 2010-11 season when he sent Romone Rose and Joe Oastler to Plainmoor on loan from Queens Park Rangers. Wideman Rose made his debut away to Gillingham in October 2010 and scored his one and only goal for the Gulls after coming on as a substitute against Morecambe in the following week. He made three further appearances for United - starting one and two more as a sub - before returning to Loftus Road.
Oastler, however, would become a more permanent fixture for the Gulls as he remained at Plainmoor for the rest of the season - making 31 appearances in all competitions before signing a permanent two-year deal under Buckle's successor Martin Ling during the summer of 2012, following his release by Rangers.

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED'S AWAY WIN AT LEYTON ORIENT

1. A 'double' double for the Gulls.

Torquay United's 1-0 win over Leyton Orient at the Matchroom Stadium saw the Gulls complete their second league double of the 2017-18 season.
Elliott Romain's first half effort was enough to ensure that United followed up their 3-0 win over Orient at Plainmoor in November, which was secured courtesy of goals from Josh McQuoid, Luke Young and Jamie Reid.
The Gulls' other double came against Maidenhead United and United could add a third name to that list if they defeat Ebbsfleet United at home on the final day of the current campaign. Boreham Wood, Bromley, Dagenham & Redbridge and Maidstone United have beaten United home and away thus far this season.

2. Romain and Williams are key to United's survival prospects.

By scoring the game's deciding goal, Elliott Romain took his goal tally since arriving at Plainmoor on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge to three - which leaves him two behind current joint-leading scorers Jamie Reid and Luke Young with five.
It wouldn't be a great surprise if Romain manages to overhaul that figure - barring any injuries or recall by the Daggers, and don't bet against his strike partner Brett Williams getting in on the act as well. Williams, if you remember, netted four times in the Gulls' last three games of last season with braces against Braintree Town and Dover Athletic, which were instrumental in helping United pull off a second great escape.

3. Bit part players with also have their part to play too.

Within a minute of coming off the bench in place of Josh Gowling on 36 minutes, Welsh midfielder Tommy O'Sullivan was producing the cross that led to Romain's goal. Prior to last night, former Wales Under-21 schemer O'Sullivan - on loan from Colchester United - hadn't featured since the Gulls' 4-0 hammering against Bromley at the end of January, and could yet have a bigger part to play between now and the end of the campaign. The same could also be said of fellow subs Jon-Paul Pittman and Reid and others who weren't involved such as Ruairi Keating and Jake Gosling.

4. Jakob Sokolik's versatility could turn out to be an asset for Gary Owers.

After featuring as a centre back since his arrival last month, Jakob Sokolik was deployed as a holding central midfielder to good effect against Orient. The former Yeovil Town and Plymouth Argyle man, who hails from the Czech Republic, started the game as a screening player in front of a back three of Conrad Balatoni, Josh Gowling and skipper Sean McGinty, which then became a back four, with wing-backs Aaron Barnes and Liam Davis playing as full backs, once Gowling went off injured.
The Czech turned out to be an important figure in helping the Gulls' keep their first clean sheet in 15 games, along with former Pilgrims' teammate Vincent Dorel, who once again made a number of top drawer saves.

5. Tuesday night is a good night for the Gulls.

Their victory over Leyton Orient was the Gulls' third away win on a Tuesday night this season from a possible four. United had previously beaten Ebbsfleet United and Sutton United and lost to Aldershot Town on their midweek travels. At home they have secured a win over Maidenhead United, drawn with Gateshead and lost to Sutton United and are set to play host to AFC Fylde on April 10th, 2018.

FAMINE FOLLOWS FEAST AGAIN FOR GULLS

Torquay United under Gary Owers has been characterised by a period of sustained positive followed by a slump, which continued following their most defeat against Maidstone United.

The Gulls' loss in Kent was their third in succession - following on from home losses against Dagenham & Redbridge and Sutton United before the big freeze -  which was secured by an 88th minute strike from Maidstone's Josh Hare - their first win since they beat United at Plainmoor last November.

Prior to this run the Gulls had been on a three-match unbeaten run, which consisted of a draw against leaders Macclesfield Town, a home win over fellow strugglers Barrow and an away victory over Maidenhead United that sealed their first double of the season.

These runs of form have been symptomatic of United's form this season, as in the October-November period a run three straight defeats against Hartlepool United, Maidstone and AFC Fylde were followed by victories over Sutton United and Leyton Orient and a draw against Aldershot Town.

They then failed to win any of their next nine fixtures in all competitions before beating Barrow in February.

However, despite their recent run, United are still in better form than many of the teams around them. Only themselves, FC Halifax and Solihull Moors have won more than once in their last five league encounters and the Gulls need to return to winning ways quickly - hopefully starting with Tuesday night away at Leyton Orient - or else it really will be too late for them.

HIGGINS FORCED TO RETIRE WITH HEART CONDITION

Torquay United right-back Ryan Higgins has been forced to retire from professional football after being diagnosed with a heart condition.

Former Everton starlet Higgins, who joined the Gulls last summer from Southport, appeared 18 times for United this season and made his decision after undergoing a series of tests after his sister was rushed to hospital last November.

"My sister was rushed to hospital with a heart condition back in November," said Higgins.

"I did briefly return to football but, after further investigation, the doctors informed us that my sister's condition was hereditary.

"It has been a long and difficult process, and we received the worst possible news last week, which confirmed I would have to retire from the game. It is obviously heart breaking news and something I will have to digest."

"Football has been my life and all I ever wanted to do since the age of four. It is too soon for me to know what the next step will be but I look forward to the next chapter in my life with a positive attitude," he added.

After coming through Everton's academy, Higgins had spells with Birmingham City, AFC Telford, Chester FC and Southport before joining United in 2017.

SHEZ VERSUS DEZ

The next challenge awaiting Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams as the Pilgrims aim to nail down a Play-off spot is an encounter with Fleetwood Town, managed by his predecessor as Argyle manager John Sheridan.

Former Republic of Ireland international Sheridan enhanced his reputation as a managerial 'firefighter' by helping to keep the Pilgrims in League Two during the 2012-13 season before helping the foundations for the success that they have enjoyed Adams in the subsequent 2013-14 and 2014-15 campaigns.

Since then he has performed similar feats with Newport County and Oldham Athletic to keep them in their respective divisions; he will be looking to steer the Cod Army away from the League One drop zone between now and the end of the season.

His first match in charge was 1-1 draw with Milton Keynes Dons, which ended a run of eight successive defeats, and he will be keen to get his first win on the board as soon as possible.

Argyle, on the other hand, haven't played a competitive fixture in the last fortnight after last week's trip to Rochdale was postponed due to the extreme snowy weather that has hit the country recently.

It will also be their second match since they returned from their mid-season break to Marbella - their first was a 1-0 home win over Bradford City. It will be interesting to see if the dividends of the decision to make the trip can continue to pay off for the Pilgrims despite their enforced break due to the weather.

As well as the 'Sheridan versus Adams' angle, there is also the sub-plot of Toumani Diagouraga's first competitive meeting with the Pilgrims since his move to Highbury in early January to be closer to his family, who are based up north.

During a three-month spell at Home Park, Diagouraga netted three times in 15 matches - the last of which came in his final appearance in a 3-0 home win over Bury - but he has so far failed to replicate that kind of form for the Cod Army and he is another individual with a point to prove going into his encounter.

THE LOWDOWN ON THE NATIONAL LEAGUE RELEGATION BATTLE

Going into their last 11 games of the season, Torquay United need to win at least six or seven of their remaining fixtures to remain in the Vanarama National League.

The Gulls currently have 27 points and require another 23 to realistically clinch their survival and a repeat of the form that they showed Ian Atkins in the 2005-06 season, when they defeated Macclesfield Town, Wrexham, Stockport County and eventual champions Carlisle United before an academic goalless draw on the final day of the season against Boston United made their League Two status mathematically certain, would go a long way to helping their cause.

50 points is usually a yard-stick for ensuring that a National League team retains their divisional status, but given that many teams have to play each other - including United - a slightly lower figure just might be enough.

But what of their relegation rivals who are still catchable?

In past seasons when the Gulls have battled against the drop there have been several teams who have gone down after being dragged into a relegation scrap later on in the campaign. Lincoln City in the 1986-87 season, Barnet in 2000-01 and Oxford United in the aforementioned 2005-06 campaign spring to mind as teams who have been sucked into trouble at dangerous times.

Whisper it quietly but Maidstone United could potentially fall into that category, as they are currently searching for their first league win since they defeated the Gulls at Plainmoor last November, and haven't tasted victory in their previous 17 fixtures.

The Stones, managed by Jay Saunders, are still to host United at the Gallagher Stadium and still have 'six-pointers' against Solihull Moors, Hartlepool United, Guiseley, Chester FC and FC Halifax to come as well. They will also have to face promotion contenders Macclesfield, Wrexham and Sutton United as well.

Hartlepool's off-the-field problems have been well documented this season and despite settling an outstanding tax bill with HMRC, their long term future remains uncertain. The Pools recently departing company with manager Craig Harrison and have only won once in their last 13 matches. They also have to play the Gulls, as well as other relegation fighters Maidstone, Guiseley and Solihull Moors - and not to mention a final day trip to Tranmere Rovers, who could be still vying for the title by that point.

FC Halifax have also been in poor form and have only tasted victory once in their last ten fixtures. They have to travel to Torquay and Maidstone in April and also have to face other 'six-pointers' in the form of clashes with Guiseley, Solihull as well as promotion candidates Sutton, Boreham Wood and Tranmere.

And Barrow, who lost 3-1 to the Gulls at Plainmoor last month, have only won one of their last eight matches - but have only lost twice having drawn five in that sequence. The Bluebirds also have to meet fellow strugglers Chester FC (on the final day of the campaign), as well as still to be rearranged postponed fixtures with Hartlepool and Guiseley. Title challengers Macclesfield and Aldershot also await them.

Of course if United have shown they can produce spells of results - their recent mini-run, which included a draw with Macclesfield, followed by wins over Barrow and Maidenhead United which were followed by back-to-back defeats againsr Dagenham & Redbridge and Sutton, shows they can win games, but a greater level of consistency will be required between now and the end of April.