Just like Ancient Rome, a League Two promotion winning side isn't something that can be built in the space of a single day.
It's something that requires careful, sound judgment and- even in the current climate of managerial upheaval- a supportive board of directors.
This is a task that Alan Knill, John Sheridan and Paul Tisdale are all undertaking at the moment at Torquay United, Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City respectively.
All three men have previous experience of performing such a task, Knill with Bury in the 2010-11 season (before he handed the reigns to Ritchie Barker to take charge at Scunthorpe), Sheridan with Chesterfield during the same campaign and Tisdale with the Grecians in the 2008-09 season.
Now all three men are looking to repeat their previous feat in the South West.
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Sheridan is currently looking to help the Pilgrims to live up to a word so often associated with the club- potential.
Since he replaced Carl Fletcher last January, Sheridan has successfully steered Argyle away from the foot of the League Two and dreaded drop into the Conference.
This season, for the first time in the space of five years, the 'Green Army' can now look towards the top half of the table and dream of top ten finish or even the possibility of a Play-Off spot after five consecutive relegation battles across three different leagues.
The Pilgrims currently lie in 12th place, following a 1-0 home victory over Bristol Rovers, and now have a settled squad, much of which has been put together by Sheridan himself.
At Plainmoor, Alan Knill became Torquay United on a permanent basis during the summer after the dismissal of Martin Ling.
Knill had taken charge on a interim basis in February, after Ling went on a leave of absence suffering from a stress-related illness, and, with the help of his assistant- ex-Gulls loanee- Chris Brass, guided Torquay away from the drop zone.
Given the level of investment in the club from the Consortium, which purchased the club from former Chairman Mike Bateson, relegation from the Football League last season would have had serious consequences for the club.
Following the end of the campaign, Knill released seven players and also saw Ryan Jarvis, Brian Saah and Rene Howe leave Plainmoor for pastures new.
However, Knill has spent the summer rebuilding the Gulls squad and with the addition of a number of new faces, including exciting wide men Jordan Chapell and Courtney Cameron, experienced striker Karl Hawley and promising defender Krystian Pearce, Torquay are now aiming to improve on last season's 19th place finish and eventually assemble a side that will challenge for promotion in the future.
Whilst Sheridan and Knill chose major surgery during the close season, Paul Tisdale opted for a nip-and-tuck job at St James Park.
Sam Parkin and Doug Bergvist, who was later loaned out to Welling United, were Tisdale's only summer captures, and they were later followed with the signing in August-after the season started- with the arrival of David Wheeler from Staines Town.
The Grecians have clearly benefited from this level of continuity as they currently lie in 5th place in League Two with an unbeaten home record, which so far reads as played three, won three.
Going into the current campaign, fans of Devon football will no doubt view the achievements last season of Yeovil Town, who reached the Championship for the first time in their history, and Bradford City, who became the first club from the Football League's bottom tier to reach the League Cup for over 50 years, as a cause for optimism for their own team's aspirations.
Between now and the end of May, we will find out whether those dreams will come true or not.
Thursday, 12 September 2013
Thursday, 5 September 2013
ARGYLE MAKE JOHNSTONE'S PAINT PROGRESS
Plymouth Argyle are now the South West's sole representative in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after they overcame Cheltenham Town on penalties.
Rommy Boco, Lewis Alessandra and debutant Hamza Bencherif all found the target for the Pilgrims during 90 minutes against the Robins at the Abbey Business Stadium as the tie headed to a spot-kick decider.
Boco and Alessandra were on target again for Argyle with their opening two penalties before skipper Conor Hourihane and another debutant Jamie Reckord successfully converted their respective kicks before Marvin Morgan coolly slotted home the fifth and decisive penalty.
Torquay United didn't enjoy the same fortune as they were eliminated 5-3 on penalties by Portsmouth after drawing 0-0 after 90 minutes. Gulls' captain Lee Mansell missed Torquay's third penalty, after Karl Hawley and Callum Ball had scored the Gulls' first two spot-kicks, which ultimately proved to be costly.
However, Torquay do have a chance for revenge on October 26th when they host Pompey in their first league fixture between the two sides in over 30 years.
Exeter City were also knocked out of the competition after they were beaten 2-0 by Wycombe Wanderers at St James' Park. with Matt McClure and Anthony Stewart scoring for the Chairboys.
Elsewhere in the competition, former Argyle loanee Joe Bryan scored the winner for Bristol City in their 2-1 win over City rivals Rovers at Ashton Gate, in the game that was marred by crowd trouble.
Rommy Boco, Lewis Alessandra and debutant Hamza Bencherif all found the target for the Pilgrims during 90 minutes against the Robins at the Abbey Business Stadium as the tie headed to a spot-kick decider.
Boco and Alessandra were on target again for Argyle with their opening two penalties before skipper Conor Hourihane and another debutant Jamie Reckord successfully converted their respective kicks before Marvin Morgan coolly slotted home the fifth and decisive penalty.
Torquay United didn't enjoy the same fortune as they were eliminated 5-3 on penalties by Portsmouth after drawing 0-0 after 90 minutes. Gulls' captain Lee Mansell missed Torquay's third penalty, after Karl Hawley and Callum Ball had scored the Gulls' first two spot-kicks, which ultimately proved to be costly.
However, Torquay do have a chance for revenge on October 26th when they host Pompey in their first league fixture between the two sides in over 30 years.
Exeter City were also knocked out of the competition after they were beaten 2-0 by Wycombe Wanderers at St James' Park. with Matt McClure and Anthony Stewart scoring for the Chairboys.
Elsewhere in the competition, former Argyle loanee Joe Bryan scored the winner for Bristol City in their 2-1 win over City rivals Rovers at Ashton Gate, in the game that was marred by crowd trouble.
Monday, 2 September 2013
JUST FONTAINE FOR THE GLOVERS
Bristol City defender Liam Fontaine has linked up with Gary Johnson for a third time in his career after agreeing a loan move to Yeovil Town.
Fontaine, 27, first joined the Glovers in the 2004-05 season when Johnson brought him to Huish Park on loan from Fulham, where he made 15 appearances.
He later returned to South Somerset for a second loan spell during the following season, the 2005-06 campaign, and made a further 10 appearances for Yeovil.
After Johnson left Huish Park for Bristol City, he loaned Fontaine again from Craven Cottage later for the Robins before later making the move into a permanent one.
Whilst at Ashton Gate, Fontaine helped City win promotion to the Championship in the 2006-07 season and remained a regular for the Robins as they missed out on promotion to the Championship when they were beaten 1-0 by Hull City in the Championship Play-Off final in 2008.
His arrival now means that the Glovers currently have six loan players at the club with Wayne Hennessey, Alan Tate, Joe Ralls, Michael Ngoo and another Huish Park returnee Andy Williams all on their books, as well as Fontaine.
This now means Johnson faces the conundrum of leaving one of those six out of his squad of 18 on a match day, as Football League rules permit that only five loanees can be named in any one squad for any competitive fixture.
Fontaine, 27, first joined the Glovers in the 2004-05 season when Johnson brought him to Huish Park on loan from Fulham, where he made 15 appearances.
He later returned to South Somerset for a second loan spell during the following season, the 2005-06 campaign, and made a further 10 appearances for Yeovil.
After Johnson left Huish Park for Bristol City, he loaned Fontaine again from Craven Cottage later for the Robins before later making the move into a permanent one.
Whilst at Ashton Gate, Fontaine helped City win promotion to the Championship in the 2006-07 season and remained a regular for the Robins as they missed out on promotion to the Championship when they were beaten 1-0 by Hull City in the Championship Play-Off final in 2008.
His arrival now means that the Glovers currently have six loan players at the club with Wayne Hennessey, Alan Tate, Joe Ralls, Michael Ngoo and another Huish Park returnee Andy Williams all on their books, as well as Fontaine.
This now means Johnson faces the conundrum of leaving one of those six out of his squad of 18 on a match day, as Football League rules permit that only five loanees can be named in any one squad for any competitive fixture.
ARGYLE MAKE DOUBLE SWOOP
Whilst many clubs are busy concluding last minute deadline day deals, the only of the four South West professional clubs involved in signing any players, so far, has been Plymouth Argyle.
Pilgrims' boss John Sheridan has made two acquisitions in the form of Algerian midfielder Hamza Bencherif and the loan signing of left back Jamie Reckord from Wolves.
Bencherif, 25, has played in England since 2007 and put pen to paper on a short-term deal following a successful trial spell.
He has previously had stints with Nottingham Forest, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town and Notts County.
Reckord, 21, has represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 levels and also had loan spells with Northampton Town, Scunthorpe United and Coventry City and will remain at Home Park until the beginning of January 2014.
Both players will be available for tomorrow night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash with Cheltenham Town.
Pilgrims' boss John Sheridan has made two acquisitions in the form of Algerian midfielder Hamza Bencherif and the loan signing of left back Jamie Reckord from Wolves.
Bencherif, 25, has played in England since 2007 and put pen to paper on a short-term deal following a successful trial spell.
He has previously had stints with Nottingham Forest, Lincoln City, Macclesfield Town and Notts County.
Reckord, 21, has represented England at Under-16 and Under-17 levels and also had loan spells with Northampton Town, Scunthorpe United and Coventry City and will remain at Home Park until the beginning of January 2014.
Both players will be available for tomorrow night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy clash with Cheltenham Town.
Sunday, 1 September 2013
JOHNSTONE'S PAINT TROPHY PREVIEW
All three of Devon's professional sides may have crashed out of the Capital One Cup at the first round, but they will have another chance-and arguably a more genuine one- of reaching Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
We will now take an individual look at the prospects of Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Torquay United.
The Pilgrims travel to Whaddon Road in what will be manager John Sheridan's first match in the competition since he took charge at Home Park.
Sheridan has won the Trophy before, in 2012, whilst he was in charge of Chesterfield when the Spireites defeated Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town 1-0 in the final at Wembley.
He stated after the draw was made that he would be taking the competition 'very seriously' as it was a tournament that the Pilgrims stood a realistic chance of winning.
It will also be the second time that Argyle have faced the Robins in the competition. Their first meeting came in the 2001-02 season, when Argyle lost 2-1 after taking the lead through David Friio.
The second came in the 2010-11 campaign, under Peter Reid, when the Pilgrims won 2-0 with Steven MacLean and Craig Noone finding the target.
Another similar run in the competition this year would come as a timely boost to the club's finances which would, along with the windfall they recently received from Scott Golbourne's transfer to Wolves, possibly give manager Paul Tisdale extra room for manoeuvre in terms of squad strengthening.
The prospect of the Grecians making initial progress in the competition this term look particularly good as they currently have a 100% home record from their three home games this season.
However, five years on they play each other in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy
on equal terms as members of Skybet League Two.
The Gulls famously reached the final of the competition, under one of it's many previous guises as the Sherpa Van Trophy, in 1989 when they lost to Bolton Wanderers, after shocking Wolves in the Southern Area final second leg at Molineux, and would surely love to do so again.
It will also provide manager Alan Knill with a dress rehearsal for their league meeting at Plainmoor, which is due to take place at the end of October.
For Pompey a good run in the competition could help with their long term revival, as they aim to join the list of previous winners that includes Wolves, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic as well as their fierce local rivals Southampton.
Footnote: When Wolverhampton Wanderers enter the competition at the next stage, it will be the first time that they would have played in the competition since their Southern Area final defeat at the hands of the Gulls at Molineux in 1989.
We will now take an individual look at the prospects of Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Torquay United.
CHELTENHAM TOWN VS PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
The Pilgrims travel to Whaddon Road in what will be manager John Sheridan's first match in the competition since he took charge at Home Park.
Sheridan has won the Trophy before, in 2012, whilst he was in charge of Chesterfield when the Spireites defeated Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town 1-0 in the final at Wembley.
He stated after the draw was made that he would be taking the competition 'very seriously' as it was a tournament that the Pilgrims stood a realistic chance of winning.
It will also be the second time that Argyle have faced the Robins in the competition. Their first meeting came in the 2001-02 season, when Argyle lost 2-1 after taking the lead through David Friio.
The second came in the 2010-11 campaign, under Peter Reid, when the Pilgrims won 2-0 with Steven MacLean and Craig Noone finding the target.
EXETER CITY VS WYCOMBE WANDERERS
Exeter City's record in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy has seen them reach the Southern Area Final three times (1993, 2000 & 2011) but they have never reached the final. Another similar run in the competition this year would come as a timely boost to the club's finances which would, along with the windfall they recently received from Scott Golbourne's transfer to Wolves, possibly give manager Paul Tisdale extra room for manoeuvre in terms of squad strengthening.
The prospect of the Grecians making initial progress in the competition this term look particularly good as they currently have a 100% home record from their three home games this season.
TORQUAY UNITED VS PORTSMOUTH
In 2008, Torquay United and Portsmouth both played at Wembley, the Gulls
contested the FA Trophy final, which they lost to Ebbsfleet United, whilst
Portsmouth won the FA Cup against Cardiff City. The Gulls famously reached the final of the competition, under one of it's many previous guises as the Sherpa Van Trophy, in 1989 when they lost to Bolton Wanderers, after shocking Wolves in the Southern Area final second leg at Molineux, and would surely love to do so again.
It will also provide manager Alan Knill with a dress rehearsal for their league meeting at Plainmoor, which is due to take place at the end of October.
For Pompey a good run in the competition could help with their long term revival, as they aim to join the list of previous winners that includes Wolves, Birmingham City, Wigan Athletic as well as their fierce local rivals Southampton.
Footnote: When Wolverhampton Wanderers enter the competition at the next stage, it will be the first time that they would have played in the competition since their Southern Area final defeat at the hands of the Gulls at Molineux in 1989.
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
KNILL'S PASSING OUT PARADE
So far in his career in football, Torquay United manager Alan Knill has surpassed rapper Tinie Tempah, but has yet to emulate Leroy Rosenior.
In case the first part of the opening paragraph has left you stumped- here's an explanation. In his single, Pass Out Mr Tempah stated he had been to Southampton, but hadn't been to Scunthorpe- whereas Knill started his playing career with the Saints and went on to serve Scunny both as a player and as a manager.
The second part of the paragraph refers to the task he is undertaking at Plainmoor in trying to build a side that can lead the Gulls out of League Two and, of course, the last manager to this was Leroy Rosenior in the 2003-04 season.
However, if Saturday's result at the Sixfields Stadium, where Torquay beat Northampton Town 2-1 when a brace from Jordan Chapell cancelled out Jacob Blyth's early opener for the Cobblers, is an indicator of the progress made by the Gulls under Knill, then promotion could be an achievable goal in the long term.
Ironically, the last time the Gulls returned from Northampton victorious was on the opening day of the 2003-04 campaign, when a solitary Jason Fowler proved to be enough to seal the points.
Also, let's not forget that Knill knows what it takes to build a team capable of winning promotion from League Two. After all, he assembled the Bury side that won promotion in the 2010-11 season before he departed for a return to Glanford Park.
However, if Torquay can follow up their victory at the Sixfields Stadium with another three points against Hartlepool then they would further strengthen their credentials as possible dark horses this season.
In case the first part of the opening paragraph has left you stumped- here's an explanation. In his single, Pass Out Mr Tempah stated he had been to Southampton, but hadn't been to Scunthorpe- whereas Knill started his playing career with the Saints and went on to serve Scunny both as a player and as a manager.
The second part of the paragraph refers to the task he is undertaking at Plainmoor in trying to build a side that can lead the Gulls out of League Two and, of course, the last manager to this was Leroy Rosenior in the 2003-04 season.
However, if Saturday's result at the Sixfields Stadium, where Torquay beat Northampton Town 2-1 when a brace from Jordan Chapell cancelled out Jacob Blyth's early opener for the Cobblers, is an indicator of the progress made by the Gulls under Knill, then promotion could be an achievable goal in the long term.
Ironically, the last time the Gulls returned from Northampton victorious was on the opening day of the 2003-04 campaign, when a solitary Jason Fowler proved to be enough to seal the points.
Also, let's not forget that Knill knows what it takes to build a team capable of winning promotion from League Two. After all, he assembled the Bury side that won promotion in the 2010-11 season before he departed for a return to Glanford Park.
However, if Torquay can follow up their victory at the Sixfields Stadium with another three points against Hartlepool then they would further strengthen their credentials as possible dark horses this season.
Friday, 23 August 2013
RENEWING A PREVIOUS ACQUAINTANCE
Many of Yeovil Town's fixtures in the Championship this season will reflect just how far the Glovers have come in the last ten years, but their meeting Derby County will have its own added significance.
During their 2002-03 Conference title winning season, current Derby boss Nigel Clough brought his Burton Albion side, who he had lifted the Northern Premier League with in the previous season, to Huish Park.
Yeovil drew 1-1 with the Brewers at their old Eton Park ground before demolishing them 6-1 in the return fixture in Somerset in April 2003 as they looked to bring their 108-year wait for league football to an end.
Back to the present and today's Glovers will be handing a debut to Wales international goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey who arrived at Huish Park on loan from Wolves.
He was manager Gary Johnson's original target to replace broken hand victim Marek Stech, but Hennessey sustained an injury in the warm-up during Wales' recent friendly with the Republic of Ireland, in which Glovers' striker Paddy Madden made his debut for the Republic, forcing Johnson to look elsewhere.
Next on his list of targets was Manchester United rookie Sam Johnstone who, like Hennessey, then became the most recent victim of the Yeovil Town 'goalkeeper injury jinx', as he picked up a knock in the warm-up ahead of their visit to Burnley, but played the full 90 minutes through the pain barrier.
The fact that the Glovers have been able to attract this calibre of goalkeeper further illustrates just how far the club have come in recent times.
During their 2002-03 Conference title winning season, current Derby boss Nigel Clough brought his Burton Albion side, who he had lifted the Northern Premier League with in the previous season, to Huish Park.
Yeovil drew 1-1 with the Brewers at their old Eton Park ground before demolishing them 6-1 in the return fixture in Somerset in April 2003 as they looked to bring their 108-year wait for league football to an end.
Back to the present and today's Glovers will be handing a debut to Wales international goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey who arrived at Huish Park on loan from Wolves.
He was manager Gary Johnson's original target to replace broken hand victim Marek Stech, but Hennessey sustained an injury in the warm-up during Wales' recent friendly with the Republic of Ireland, in which Glovers' striker Paddy Madden made his debut for the Republic, forcing Johnson to look elsewhere.
Next on his list of targets was Manchester United rookie Sam Johnstone who, like Hennessey, then became the most recent victim of the Yeovil Town 'goalkeeper injury jinx', as he picked up a knock in the warm-up ahead of their visit to Burnley, but played the full 90 minutes through the pain barrier.
The fact that the Glovers have been able to attract this calibre of goalkeeper further illustrates just how far the club have come in recent times.
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