SEASON PREVIEW 2022-23: EXETER CITY

After missing out in the play-offs on three separate occasions (2017, 2018 and 2020), Exeter City finally made it League One after finishing second behind Forest Green Rovers in the 2021-22 campaign. 

Manager Matt Taylor has made just two additions to his squad, but - at the same time - Taylor has managed to retain the majority of his side who finished as runners-up in League Two. 

Goalkeeper Jamal Blackman has agreed a one-year deal following his release by Huddersfield Town and Kegs Chauke has joined on a season-long loan from Southampton. 

Academy graduates such as skipper Matt Jay, midfielders Josh Key and Archie Collins and defenders Harry Kite and Alex Hartridge form the backbone of the Grecians' squad, along with players acquired from elsewhere such as Sam Nombe, Tim Dieng and Sam Stubbs. 

As a supported owned, City often have to do things differently from other clubs, but their previous spell in the third tier lasted three seasons (2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12). If they manage to survive in their first campaign back at this level, it could give them the foundation to remain there for a few more years.  

One thing the Grecians can definitely look forward to in 2022-23 is high gate receipts, with former Premier League sides Derby County, Ipswich Town, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton Athletic and Portsmouth all due to visit St James Park. Then there is the small matter of a Devon Derby with Plymouth Argyle too.

Player to Watch: Tim Dieng

With the experience of playing in League One with Bradford City, Oldham Athletic, Scunthorpe United and Southend United, Tim Dieng could use those experiences to help guide some of his younger teammates. After scoring 14 goals in 47 appearances in all competitions in 2021-22, which helped to earn him a place in the League Two team of the seaason, he will be keen to make a big impression at a higher level.

In: Jamal Blackman (Huddersfield Town), Kegs Chauke (Southampton, loan)

Out: George Ray (Barrow), Nigel Atangana (Eastleigh), 

 

SEASON PREVIEW 2022-23: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

As manager Steven Schumacher embarks on his first full season in charge of Plymouth Argyle, the Pilgrims will be targeting another tilt at the League One play-offs after falling short last term. 

Argyle went into the final day of the 2021-22 campaign needing to equal whatever result Wycombe Wanderers achieved before they capitulated at home to MK Dons, losing 0-5. It was a result that was uncharacteristic for the Pilgrims, who only conceded 19 goals at home over the course of the season at Home Park. 

As well as managing to hold onto Guinea Bissau midfielder Panutche Camara, Argyle have also managed to retain the services of their other big hitters, including goalkeeper Michael Cooper and strike duo Luke Jephcott and Ryan Hardie. 

Midfield playmaker Danny Mayor looks set to be a key player again for the Pilgrims, he was nominated for the League One player of the month award in March 2022. Also in the centre of midfield, Jordan Houghton and youth product Adam Randell, who has kicked on after spending the 2020-21 season on loan at Torquay United, could establish themselves as one of the leading central midfield pairing in the division.  

The 80 points that Argyle achieved last season must surely go down as the greatest points haul for a team not to achieve a play-off spot in League One. However, a similar return or even a slightly lower haul could be enough to see them reach the top six. 

Player to watch: Michael Cooper

After keeping 18 clean sheets in 46 appearances, Michael Cooper was named as the goalkeeper in the League One team of the season in the 2021-22 campaign. In addition to this, he also won the club's player of the year award - which capped a fine individual campaign for Cooper, who also earned plenty of plaudits for his display against Chelsea in the FA Cup. With 100 league appearances in his sights, Home Park surely remains the best for him to continue his career at the present time. 

In: Matt Butcher (Accrington Stanley), Mikel Miller (Rotherham United), Fin Azaz (Aston Villa), Bali Mumba (Norwich City, loan), Morgan Whittaker (Swansea City, loan), Nigel Lonwijk (Wolves, loan)

Out: Ollie Tomlinson (Torquay United), Ryan Law (Gillingham, loan)

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS EXETER CITY

Halstead plays out of his skin. 

United keeper Mark Halstead shrugged off conceding five goals in the Gulls' 5-0 midweek defeat to Plymouth Argyle with a man of the match display against Exeter City. The former Morecambe keeper made a string of crucial saves to keep Sam Nombe and Tim Dieng at bay, including one save from Dieng a minute before the break which he tipped onto the bar. 

Shaun MacDonald's return to Plainmoor saw Halstead spent much of last season warming the subs bench. However, when MacDonald, who won United's player of the year award for the 2021-22 campaign, went off injured against eventual champions in the Gulls' penultimate game of the season, which handed an opportunity to Halstead. He produced a creditable display against the Hatters, which United lost 1-0, and against Southend United on the final of the campaign which ended 1-1. 

He looks set to be between the sticks when the Gulls face Oldham Athletic on the opening day of the 2022-23 campaign.

Brett McGavin's first Plainmoor goal.  

It might have come in a friendly, but Brett McGavin's 81st minute volley could yet go down as the one of the most memorable goal that he will score in a Torquay United shirt. A free-kick from Kieron Evans caused havoc in the penalty box and Dean Moxey, who famously had two seperate spells with the Grecians, had a close range effort palmed away by City keeper Scott Brown into the path of McGavin who volleyed home. 

McGavin scored three goals in 36 appearances during his loan spell at King's Lynn Town from Ipswich Town lasr season, but he will surely be aiming to reach double figures for the Gulls in 2022-23. 

 A real game ahead of the real thing. 

Since Torquay United were relegated from the Football League for the second time in the 2013-14 season, the Gulls haven't played a competitive game against either Exeter City or Plymouth Argyle. In fact, assistant manager Aaron Downes is the only member of either United's playing or coaching staff to have featured for the Gulls in a Devon derby, so for the majority of the United squad a game against Exeter is something of a novelty. In the end, it proved to be a competitive encounter in front of a crowd of 2,634 - and you never know, we may see a return to competitve league encounters between the two sides in the near future.

A nice problem to have.  

With skipper Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie both yet to make an appearance in pre-season, manager Gary Johnson will have to decide to restore them to the starting line-up for stick with Shaun Donnellan and Ryan Hanson. Then there is the question of where Cardiff City loanee Kieron Evans will feature. He started Saturday's game at left wing-back before moving into the centre of midfield after triallist A entered the fray. Then there's the question of who will feature up front; will Johnson go with Corie Andrews and Stoke City loanee Will Goodwin, or will one of them partner Aaron Jarvis when he returns from injury? 

It's a selection headache for Johnson - albeit a pleasant one!

 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS NEWPORT COUNTY

Brett McGavin adds a touch of class to midfield

During United's two league fixtures against King's Lynn Town last season, it is likely that Brett McGavin would have caught the eye of many Gulls fans who witnessed him in action. Therefore many of the Plainmoor faithful would have been delighted that Gary Johnson had managed to secure his signature when searching for a replacement for Armani Little and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, following his release by Ipswich Town. After impressing in United's previous two friendlies against Buckland Athletic and Exmouth Town, McGavin once again stood out for the Gulls against Newport County. He always displayed a eye for a pass and nearly provided an assist for Ross Marshall on 48 minutes when the former Stevenage defender connected with his free-kick, but he glanced his header wide. 

Mark Halstead's saves 

After spending much of last season playing as an understudy to Shaun MacDonald, Mark Halstead looks set to battle it out with new signing Rhys Lovett for the goalkeeper's position. The former Morecambe man staked his claim with two important saves; the first was deep in first half injury time to deny Newport left back Adam Lewis and the second came in the 70th minute when he tipped a free-kick from Omar Bogle onto the bar and over for a corner. 

Competitive and Spirited

Competitive and spirited was perhaps an apt way to describe the Gulls' encounter with Newport. Referees are often reluctant to issue yellow or red cards in pre-season friendlies, but referee Marc Whaley awarded two yellow cards to Torquay (Dylan Crowe and Alex Moyse) and one to Newport (Declan Drysdale). 

3-5-2 again

If Torquay United's pre-season friendlies to date are anything to go by then the Gulls will be following a similar tactical trend to some of their best sides in recent times by adopting a 3-5-2 formation. 

The 3-5-2 formation was employed to good effect by the late Cyril Knowles in the 1987-88 season and again by Kevin Hodges ten years later in 1997-98. It was also used by Don O'Riordan in the 1993-94 campaign and also on occasions by Wes Saunders, Roy McFarland and Leroy Rosenior. 

GULLS NEW SIGNINGS IN PROFILE

After weeks of speculation surrounding who Torquay United would sign following the departures of Armani Little (Forest Green Rovers), Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Joe Lewis (Stockport County), Danny Wright (Havant & Waterlooville) and Shaun MacDonald and Ben Wynter, we will now take a closer look at United's first batch of new signings.

Kieron Evans (Cardiff City) 

A Wales youth international, Kieron Evans had been widely tipped in the South Wales media to move to the Gulls on loan from Cardiff City throughout the summer, which has now been officially confirmed. Evans is rated fairly highly by the Bluebirds, and appeared five times for them in their 2021-22 Championship campaign. He also spent the second half of the season on loan with Linfield in Northern Ireland. 

Dylan Crowe (Ipswich Town) 

Former England Under-17 right back Tyler Crowe looks set to fill the void left by the departure of Ben Wynter after agreeing a move to Plainmoor after being released by Ipswich Town. Crowe made one appearance for the Tractor Boys in the EFL Trophy, and spent last season on loan at Leiston in the Southern Premier Division Central. He will certainly be looking to reignite his career with the Gulls. 

Ryan Hanson (Dover Athletic)

Defensive midfielder Ryan Hanson, 21, joins the Gulls from his hometown club Dover Athletic following their relegation from the National League at the end of the 2021-22 campaign. Hanson had started his career as a youth team player with Crystal Palace before joining Hull City in 2019. He initially joined Dover on loan, but later made the move permanent in the summer of 2021. Hanson also had a brief spell as captain of Andy Hessenthaler's side last season. 

Brett McGavin (Ipswich Town) 

The son of former Colchester United, Birmingham City and Wycombe Wanderers striker Steve McGavin, Brett McGavin is a name that Torquay United supporters will be familiar with from his loan spell with King's Lynn Town from Ipswich Town in the 2021-22 season. While on loan with the Linnets, McGavin junior impressed for King's Lynn against the Gulls at Plainmoor in October, 2021 and found the target with a stunning strike from 25 yards in their re-match at the Walks last March. He has also featured 11 times for the Tractor Boys and will bring a touch of class to the United midfield in the wake of Armani Little's departure to Forest Green Rovers. 

Aaron Jarvis (Scunthorpe United) 

Centre forward Aaron Jarvis started his career in non-league football with Basingstoke Town where he attracted the attentions of Luton Town, who offered him his first taste of full-time football. Loan spells with Boreham Wood and with Falkirk in Scotland followed before he joined Sutton United. Jarvis then made a return to the EFL with Scunthorpe United, and he joins the Gulls following his release by the Iron.