JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW 2021 IN AND OUTS

Plymouth Argyle: 

In: Niall Ennis (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ryan Hardie (Blackpool), Adam Lewis (Liverpool, loan), Sam Woods (Crystal Palace, loan)

Out: Niall Canavan (Bradford City), Dominic Telford (Newport County), Callum Dyson (Stevenage, loan), Frank Nouble (Colchester United, loan), Scott Wootton (Wigan Athletic, loan)

Plymouth Argyle has looked to strengthen his forward line with the acquistion of Niall Ennis and has moved to secure the signature of Ryan Hardie on a permanent basis from Blackpool.  There have also been a number of departures from Home Park with Niall Canavan and Dominic Telford joining Bradford City and Newport County respectively and Callum Dyson moves to Stevenage on loan.

Exeter City:

In: Sam Stubbs (Fleetwood Town), Jokull Andresson (Reading, loan), Robbie Willmott (Newport County)

Out: Lewis Ward (Portsmouth, loan), Nicky Law (Indy 11), 

The capture of central defender of central defender Sam Stubbs, the son of former Bolton, Celtic and Everton defender Alan, has been the only new arrival at St James Park. Goalkeeper Lewis Ward has joined Portsmouth on loan. This was followed by the surprise move of the window when it was announced that influential midfielder Nicky Law would be leaving the Grecians with immediate effect to accept a dual player-coach role with Indie 100 in the USA. He leaves the club with the blessing of manager Matt Taylor. 

Icelandic goalkeeper Jokull Andresson returns to St James Park on loan from Reading and Robbie Willmott also arrives on loan from Newport County.

Torquay United: 

In: Rob Street (Crystal Palace, loan), Max Sheaf (Hull City, loan), James Hamon (Truro City), Joe Lewis (Swansea City) 

Out: None

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has looked to strengthen his side with the loan additions of Rob Street from Crystal Palace and Max Sheaf from Hull City. Johnson has also drafted in former Exeter City goalkeeper James Hamon on loan from Truro City as cover for the injured Lucas Covolan. Versatile defender Joe Lewis has returned to United on a permanent basis from Swansea City, after spending 28 games on loan at Plainmoor from the Swans in the 2019-20 season.

Yeovil Town: 

In: Reuben Reid (Cheltenham Town), Max Hunt (Carlisle United), Alex Bradley (Lincoln City)

Out: Daniel Leadbitter (Newport County, loan agreement ended)

Yeovil Town's movement in the transfer market has seen striker Reuben Reid return to Huish Park for a second spell and Max Hunt and Alex Bradley turn their loan deals from Carlisle United and Lincoln City respectively into permanent ones. Right-back Daniel Leadbitter has returned to Newport County after it was decided by manager Darren Sarll to end his season-long loan agreement early.

FUNDING GAP

After National Leagues North and South were paused for a fortnight, the uncertainty hanging over the National League continues as the loans instead grants debate gathers pace. 

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport have announced a £10million winter survival funding - which will be available to clubs at Steps 3-6. Clubs at Steps 1 and 2 will receive loans but can apply for grants if their future is at stake and loans are unaffordable. 

How many clubs in the National League will meet the new criteria for the loans no one can be completely sure at the moment. A number of the local MPs for National Leagues, including Torbay's Kevin Foster (Torquay United/Conservative) and Toby Perkins (Chesterfield/Labour), have written letters to the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport urging him to make the support for National League clubs available as grants rather than loans. 

With no matchday income coming into each of the 23 clubs in the National League - save for money raised from livestreams, any advertising and sponsorship earned through them and merchandise available for sale online - they have limited means of earning any income. 

Initially, the funding in the autumn had been made available through loans which saw the better supported teams in the National League, which include Torquay United, received £95,000 a month for October, November and December.

If the funding issue isn't resolved then it could result in the early suspension of the National League, which, in turn, would lead to clubs furloughing their players - at the expense of the taxpayer, which would be of a potentially greater expense to the government. 

The danger with any decision to suspend the season would be that it isn't clear how many games would need to be have played in order to determine the outcome of the campaign on PPG (points per game). The number of games completed in the 2019-20 National League season, which was suspended following the UK government's first lockdown ranged from 35 to 39, but in the current season it ranges from 14 to 19.

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VS SUTTON

1. Street shows glimpses of quality. 

After his much anticipated loan signing from Crystal Palace, United fans watching via the club's livestream finally got to see Rob Street in action for the first time. The Eagles starlet entered the fray as a half-time substitute for Josh Umerah and he showed glimpses of quality. Firstly he had a looping header that cleared the crossbar in the 51st minute and then he held the ball up to enable Ben Whitfield and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to have shots from distance, which both forced saves from Sutton Dean Bouzanis. He also found himself ploughed a lone furrow up front following Moxey's dismissal, as United manager Gary Johnson switched to a 4-4-1 system that saw Armani Little drop back from playing as a number 10 into a midfield two with Lemonheigh-Evans, before Little was replaced by Jake Andrews. 

2. Swan Lewis migrates to Plainmoor. 

United's clash with Sutton also marked the second 'debut' of versatile defender Joe Lewis. The Wales Under-21 international completed a permanent move from Championship side Swansea City to sign for the Gulls on a permanent basis. Lewis, who made 28 appearances for the Gulls in the 2020-21 in a variety of positions, started out at right-back but would later find himself finishing the game at left-back following the dismissal of Dean Moxey for two yellow cards, and Plymouth Argyle loanee Adam Randell switched from centre midfield to right-back. With Moxey set to be suspended on Saturday against Barnet, could Lewis get the nod at left-back?

3. Three successive clean sheets. 

For the third time in a row, goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald kept a clean sheet, which follows United's 4-0 win away at Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy and their goalless draw against Notts County. It is often said that defence wins championships at the highest level of the game, and that could yet prove to be the case in the National League. 

4. Mind the gap. 

By drawing 0-0 with Sutton, United maintained the nine-point gap that they currently have over the U's. However, Sutton United could still draw level with the Gulls if they were to win the three games in hand over them. Nevertheless, games in hand don't necessarily equate to points in hand and with trips to fellow promotion chasers Hartlepool United and Stockport County coming up in their next two fixtures, it would be a big ask for them not to drop points in those fixtures. 

5. United yet to lose with ten men in 2020-21. 

In their previous two fixtures where they have been reduced to ten men - at home to Boreham Wood and away to King's Lynn Town - United managed to avoid defeat on both occasions. They drew 1-1 with Boreham Wood after Adam Randell received two yellow cards and held on to draw 0-0 at King's Lynn when the same fate befell skipper Asa Hall. They managed to complete the hat-trick following Moxey's dismissal - again for two yellows - against Sutton. 

6. Playing without fans. 

When Torquay United last played a home fixture, it was on New Year's Day against Yeovil Town when they won 6-1 in front of a crowd of over a thousand in a socially distanced atmosphere. Since then, Devon has returned to Tier 3 of Covid-19 restrictions, so it was a case of returning to where they were at the start of the season without fans.

GULLS PREPARE FOR SUTTON SHOWDOWN

While the National Leagues North and South opted to suspend their respective seasons for the time being, Torquay United and the rest of National League will carry on as the Gulls face the second of two big fixtures. 

Tomorrow nights visit of Sutton United to Plainmoor may not have the same level of importance as their trip to Woking in April 2019 in National League South - certainly not at this stage of the season - but it does carry a certain level of significance. 

United hold a nine-point lead over the U's who have three games in hand on Gary Johnson's side. If they were to win each of those fixtures it would see them draw level with the Gulls. Although, even if they were able to do that, United's goal difference would still be superior to theirs.

After claiming what Johnson described as 'a good point on the road against Notts County' on Saturday, when the Gulls drew 0-0 with the Magpies. Despite goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald making a couple of important saves - United managed to carve out a couple of chances themselves, most notably when Josh Umerah failed to connect fully with a low cross from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in the second half. 

A win for United over the U's would also maintain their 100% record against teams in the promotion/play-off picture. So far in the 2020-21 campaign, the Gulls have beaten third placed Hartlepool United (5-0) fourth placed Stockport County (1-0) and sixth placed FC Halifax Town (2-1). They are yet to face fifth placed Altrincham or seventh place Solihull Moors - which has already been postponed twice due to Covid-19.

DECISION TIME LOOMS FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

Torquay United's promotion hopes could be derailed over the latest funding crisis to grip the National League. 

Earlier in the season, clubs in the National League and National Leagues North and South received grants from the National Lottery - United were one of several NL clubs to receive £95,000 per month, the highest payment awarded under the scheme. However, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are proposing that the next tranche of payments will be in the form of loans, instead of grants, which many clubs have said that they cannot afford to take on. 

All 67 NL clubs have now been given three options by the League Board, and a decision on the way forward is expected within a few days.  

The £10 million first package of grants, sponsored by the Government but drawn from the National Lottery, covered only the first three months of the season.  

Now the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is offering a second round of money, but in loans, which clubs say they cannot afford to take on, not grants.  

The NL Board’s three options are:  

1 - Clubs to accept loans direct, to be paid back over 10 years at 2% interest;  

2 - The League to take on the loan and then pass money on to clubs who would pay it back in future or through reduced central share payments;  

3 - Suspend the season.  

A number of clubs from National League South - namely Concord Rangers, Havant & Waterlooville - have stated that they are not prepared to play this coming Saturday, and at least 15 other clubs from Step (NLN/NLS) have said they would prefer to suspend the season. A number of other teams who are struggling to fulfill their fixtures because of Covid-19 enforced postponements might also see a suspension of the campaign as a favourable option. 

However, if the National League itself is suspended it would threaten the 'elite' status awarded to the National League System in the first lockdown that allowed the end of season play-offs to take place. Also, if the league was suspended with only around a third of fixtures completed by most teams how would it effect the promotion and relegation issues between League Two and the National League? 

Also, with the National League only operating with 23 teams in the 2020-21 campaign - one team short of its normal compliment of 24 - following the demise of Bury and Macclesfield Town in recent years, the league would be forced to continue with an odd number for another season. 

The National League have already met with representatives from member clubs and due to meet again to discuss the proposals going forward. 

It is also worth not forgetting that the 2020-21 season was able to start in the wake of the promise of the grants, after it was delayed until October as that was the time that the original ban on spectators attending matches was due to be lifted - until the government decided on a U-turn. Many clubs have stated that they would not have agreed to start the season if the funding had been in the form of loans rather than grants.

100 NOT OUT FOR JOHNSON AS GULLS HIT FOUR AGAINST BOREHAM WOOD

Torquay United marked Gary Johnson's 100th game as manager of the Gulls in the best possible way as they hit four past Boreham Wood to book their place in the Last 16 of the FA Trophy. 

After a goalless first half, United took the lead in the 49th minute when skipper Asa Hall, who was part of Johnson's Cheltenham Town side who won the National League title in the 2015-16 season, found the target with a shot on the turn with his seventh goal of the campaign. 

With eight minutes to go, substitute Billy Waters - another of Johnson's Cheltenham class of 2015-16 - doubled United's lead, after he was teed up by Ben Whitfield. 

A minute later, Waters turned provider as he set up Plymouth Argyle loanee Adam Randell for the Gulls' third of the evening, which effectively ended the game as a contest. 

However, the scoring wasn't finished there as a ball into the box from Whitfield fell to Waters, who then set up Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to tap home from close range with his sixth goal of the campaign. 

It was United's 59th win under Johnson in all competitions; they will travel to Southport for the next round of the competition on February 6.

Stats for Gary Johnson's first 100 games as Torquay United manager: 

Record per competition: 

National League South: P 33 W 24 D 4 L 5

National League: P 53 W 26 D 8 L 19

FA Cup: P 8 W 5 D 0 L 3

FA Trophy: P 6 W 4 D 0 L 2

Transfer activity: 

2018-19 In: Connor Lemonheigh-Evans & Saikou Janneh (Bristol City, loan), Kalvin Kalala (Cheltenham Town), Jamie Sendles-White (unattached), Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth, loan)

Out: Bobson Bawling (Oxford City), Chris Regis (Wealdstone), Brett Williams (Sutton United), Josh Gowling (Hereford FC), Jakub Sokolik

2019-20 In: Armani Little (Oxford United), Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth, loan), Robbie Cundy, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Opi Edwards & Saikou Janneh (Bristol City, loan), Matt Buse (Taunton Town), Lucas Covolan (Worthing FC), Joe Lewis (Swansea City, loan), Ben Whitfield (Port Vale), Manny Duku (Cheltenham Town) Ramarni Medford-Smith (Reading, loan), Amrit Bansal-McNulty (QPR, loan), Lloyd James (Forest Green Rovers, loan), Jared Lewington (Tiverton Town), Aaron Nemane (Unattached), Gary Warren (Exeter City, loan), Jackson Longridge (Bradford City, loan), Ade Azeez (Newport County, loan), 

Out: Jason Banton (Braintree Town), Jamie Sendles-White (Crawley Town), Jon-Paul Pittman, George Essuman (Concord Rangers), Ruairi Keating (Gateshead), Jean Yves Koue Niate (Aldershot Town), Manny Duku

2020-21 In: Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (Bristol City), Gary Warren & Dean Moxey (Exeter City), Danny Wright (Solihull Moors), Fraser Kerr (Hartlepool United), Andrew Nelson (Dundee), Billy Waters (Unattached), Josh Umerah (Ebbsfleet United), Louis Britton (Bristol City, loan), Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle, loan), Sam Sherring (AFC Bournemouth, loan), Rob Street (Crystal Palace), Max Sheaf (Hull City, loan)

Out: Ryan Dickson (Truro City), Jared Lewington (Tiverton Town), Josh Baxter (Dorchester Town), Jamie Reid (Mansfield Town), Kalvin Kalala

CONTACTS, CONTACTS AND CONTACTS

The late Tony Boyce, who served as chairman of Torquay United between 1964 and 1984, never met Gary Johnson. 

However, Boyce, who passed away in 2007 at the age of 77, would have given his seal of approval to the Gulls' appointment of Johnson as successor to Gary Owers in September 2018 had he been alive at the time.  Aware of the difficulty in attracting players to South Devon, Boyce always insisted that every prospective Gulls manager needed three qualities above all else, namely: 'contacts, contacts and contacts'. 

With over 30 years in management, which has seen him take charge of Cambridge United, Yeovil Town (twice), Bristol City, Peterborough United, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town and the Latvian national side, in addition to his two and a bit years as United manager, Johnson has those qualities in abundance.  

It has been quite a journey for both United and Johnson across those previous 99 matches. The Gulls have won 58 of them, as they have risen from 14th in National League South to the summit of the National League, with the National League South won in the 2018-19 campaign along the way.

On the eve of what will be Johnson's 100th match in charge of United, in their re-arranged FA Trophy tie away to Boreham Wood tomorrow, he utilised his connections to bring in midfielder Max Sheaf from Hull City, who are currently managed by Grant McCann, who was Johnson's captain at Peterborough. 

Earlier in his reign at Plainmoor, Johnson brought in the likes of Saikou Janneh, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Opi Edwards and Robbie Cundy on loan from Bristol City, when his son, Lee Johnson, was in charge at Ashton Gate. Janneh, Lemonheigh-Evans, and Edwards all played a role in helping United finish the 2018-19 season as National League South champions - the club's first league title for over 90 years. All three would return to Plainmoor during their 2019-20 National League campaign, and Lemonheigh-Evans has since joined the Gulls permanently, along with Jake Andrews who was originally signed by Owers. 

Whether we will see any loan players from Johnson junior's current club Sunderland only time will tell. 

Another name who deserves a mention is Johnson's brother Pete, who serves as the Gulls head of recruitment, whose work often goes unseen, but involves many hours watching and assessing potential signings. 

Although he will be marking his century of matches as United boss in the FA Trophy, Johnson's primary aim remains winning promotion back into the Football League. With the Gulls now eight points clear at the top of the National League table, Johnson's focus in the slightly longer term will be to maintain that lead following United's next two league fixtures - away to seventh placed Notts County and home to Sutton United, who are currently third.

JOHNSON MAKES SHEAF SECOND JANUARY LOAN SIGNING

After signing Crystal Palace starlet Rob Street on loan in the January transfer window, Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has also moved to add Hull City central midfielder Max Sheaf in another loan deal. 

Gravesend-born Sheaf, 20, joined the Tigers at the age of 16, after previously being on the books of Premier League side Arsenal. He made his league debut for Hull on the final day of the 2018-19 season against Bristol City, when he came on as a late substitute for Fraizer Campbell. 

Since then Sheaf has made a further three appearances for the Tigers, all of which came in the EFL Trophy, before he enjoyed a successful loan spell at Cheltenham Town in the 2019-20 campaign. While at the Johnny Rocks Stadium, he made 22 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals - against Newport County in the EFL Trophy and Oldham Athletic and Walsall in League Two. Shjeaf joins the Gulls for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign. 

His brother, Ben Sheaf, is currently on loan at Championship side Coventry City from the Gunners.  

Tigers boss Grant McCann - who played under Johnson at Peterborough United and was also appointed as captain of the Posh by the current Gulls manager- will be no doubt be taking a close interest in his progress.

This news comes shortly after the Gulls confirmed the loan extensions of Adam Randell and Sam Sherring with Plymouth Argyle and AFC Bournemouth respectively.

JOHNSON CLOSES IN ON CENTURY OF MATCHES IN CHARGE OF THE GULLS

While many Torquay United fans are calculating how many points the Gulls could finish the 2020-21 season with under PPG (points per game) – should the campaign be suspended early because of Covid-19 - there is one stat that has slipped under the radar.

United's trip to Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy fourth round on Saturday will mark Gary Johnson's 100th game in charge of the Gulls in all competitions.

In terms of league placing United have made a huge strides under Johnson. Their 1-0 defeat at home to Chippenham Town in Gary Owers' final game in charge on September 8, 2018 left the Gulls in 14th in National League South. Within days Owers was relieved of his duties and Johnson was unveiled as United manager ahead of their trip to Hungerford Town on September 15, 2018, which the Gulls duly won 2-0. 

Johnson was later joined at Plainmoor by his brother, Pete, as his head of recruitment - a role that he has held under Johnson at a number of clubs, including Yeovil Town (twice), Bristol City, Peterborough United, Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town. He also drafted in former United centre back Aaron Downes, who was his captain when he led Cheltenham to the National League title in 2015-16, as his assistant. 

By the end of the 2018-19 campaign, the National League South had been clinched with three games to spare with a 2-0 home win over Eastbourne Borough on April 13, 2019. After consolidating their status in the National League in the shortened 2019-20 campaign, United are currently top of the National League at the time of writing - eight points clear of second placed Hartlepool United. 

This represents an increase in places of 38, and only Danny Cowley at Lincoln City (2016-2019) and the late Justin Edinburgh at Leyton Orient (2017 and 2019) can claim to have had an impact that is comparable to the one that Johnson has had at Plainmoor. If Johnson does indeed go on to lead the Gulls back into the Football League by the end of the 2020-21 season, he will have secured a seventh career promotion - which would put him one behind Neil Warnock who has eight - and a third at National League level - that would see him equal John Still's record of three promotions from the fifth tier.  

What is perhaps more remarkable is that Johnson is the first manager to reach the milestone since Paul Buckle, who took charge of United for 226 games in all competitions between 2007 and 2011. Kevin Nicholson came close to reaching a century of matches as Gulls boss, the former United left-back was eight short of the figure on 92 matches when he was dismissed early on in the 2017-18 campaign. 

However, none of this will matter to Johnson if United fail to win on Saturday against Boreham Wood. 

Torquay United's record to date under Gary Johnson in all competitions: Played 99, won 58, drawn 12, lost 29.

PILGRIMS TO CROSS SWORDS WITH BLADES IN ROUND FOUR

After knocking out Huddersfield Town in the third round of the FA Cup, Plymouth Argyle will be heading to Yorkshire again in round four as they were drawn away to Premier League bottom club Sheffield United. 

Argyle's last meeting with the Blades came in the second round of the cup in the 2014-15 season at Bramall Lane.Sheffield United eventually won 3-0 in game that saw Jose Baxter, who would have a brief spell at Home Park under Pilgrims boss Ryan Lowe, net a brace of penalties with Marc McNulty scoring their third. However, their fourth round meeting will be taking place behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions, so Sheffield United won't be able to make home advantage in quite the same manner in which they did in 2014.

In recent years, the Pilgrims have also faced Blades manager Chris Wilder on numerous occasions in his previous roles as manager of Oxford United and Northampton Town. Indeed, it was a 1-1 draw with Wilder's Oxford side in their penultimate home game of the 2011-12 campaign that saw Argyle avoid relegation from League Two - in a season that earlier seen them exit Administration. 

Should Lowe's men pull off another upset in the white rose county, they will be at home to either Millwall or Bristol City in the fifth round.

UNITED AIMING TO REMAIN STREETS AHEAD WITH PALACE LOAN SIGNING

With experienced striker Danny Wright ruled out by the injury sustained in the Gulls' thumping win over Yeovil Town on Boxing Day, United boss Gary Johnson has moved to draft in Crystal Palace starlet Rob Street on loan as cover. 

Street, 18, who signed his first professional contract with the Eagles last summer, is a highly thought of at Selhurst Park. He has found the back of the net on a regular basis for Palace's Under-23 in the Premier League 2 in the 2020-21 campaign, including five goals in his last four appearances. 

Such is the regard is held in by the South London club that he has even been compared to former Arsenal and England striker Ian Wright, who made his name with the Eagles between 1985 and 1991 after being plucked from non-league side Greenwich Borough. 

He was also part of a clutch of the club's young players who were invited to train with the Palace first team squad by former England manager Roy Hodgson earlier this season. 

It is believed that Hodgson will allow Street to remain at Plainmoor for the remainder of the campaign, as he receives what will be his first taste of full-time senior football. 

Footnote: Gary and Pete Johnson both have a connection with Crystal Palace through their uncle John Griffin, who passed away earlier this year. A legendary scout in the London football scene, Griffin was responsible for discovering Ian Wright, Mark Bright and Nigel Martyn who were key figures in the Palace side who reached the 1991 FA Cup final, where they were beaten by Manchester United after a replay. His father, Ron Johnson, was also the physio at Selhurst Park under Terry Venables. 

ARGYLE THROUGH, BUT CITY BOW OUT

Plymouth Argyle will be in the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since the 2007-08 season, after they defeated Championship side Huddersfield Town 3-2 at the John Smith's Stadium. 

The Terriers took the lead in the fourth minute through Romoney Crichlow before Ryan Hardie levelled matters for the Pilgrims on 24 minutes. 

Eight minutes later, Huddersfield, who are chasing a play-off spot in the Championship, edged back in front as Aaron Rowe found the target. However, the Terriers, managed by Marc Bielsa's former right hand man at Leeds United Carlos Corberan, were pegged again three minutes before the break as Panutche Camara struck for Argyle. 

In the second half, the Pilgrims took the lead for the first time in the match in the 70th minute as Joe Edwards scored the goal which proved to be enough to book Argyle's place in the next round. 

However, the Pilgrims will not be joined by Exeter City as they were beaten 2-0 by Sheffield Wednesday. Adam Reach and Callum Paterson were on target for the Owls, who are currently without a manager following the departure from Hillsborough of ex-Argyle boss Tony Pulis.