When it was announced that Gary Owers was preferred choice to succeed Kevin Nicholson as Torquay United more than a few eyebrows were raised.
Not least because of the names who had been linked with the position; a list that included names like Ronnie Moore, Mark Yates, Richard Money and Graham Westley - all of whom had a great track record of experience and pedigree in the game.
Owers, by contrast, was into a third season of what was a second spell as Bath City manager in the National League South and the Romans were just a point off the newly expanded top seven play-off zone.
He had previous experience of managing in the National League with Forest Green Rovers between 2005 and 2006 - during which time he helped Rovers to avoid relegation (these were the days before Dale Vince assumed control at the New Lawn and made money freely available) before being sacked early on in the 2006-07 campaign.
In addition to this, he had also held coaching roles with Bristol City and Plymouth Argyle - as first team coach to Derek McInnes and assistant manager to John Sheridan respectively - as well recruitment roles with Scottish Premier League sides Motherwell and Partick Thistle. So, on the face of it, he appeared to possess the three credentials that former chairman Tony Boyce believed that every prospective Torquay United manager should possess: contacts, contacts and contacts.
Nevertheless Owers was unveiled as manager, with his former Bristol City teammate Martin Kuhl named as his assistant, in what was described as a new chapter by general manager Geoff Harrop.
However, there was six-match gap in between Owers taking the reins and Nicholson's dismissal and during this time the Gulls conceded a number of costly late goals. It was trait that continued early into Owers' reign of a brief time in away fixtures against Barrow and Dagenham & Redbridge, which ended in a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 defeat respectively.
These results were then followed by a 4-0 home win over Maidenhead United, their first under Owers, and the corner appeared to be turning for United. This was followed by more promising results, including 1-0 win away at Ebbsfleet United after which Owers made a quote that would later come back to haunt him as declared that 'We're not rubbish anymore.' Although to be fair to Owers, it wasn't a great night of predictions as his opposite number - former United loanee Daryl McMahon - said that the Gulls wouldn't get relegated.
As far as Owers' relationship with the fans was concerned, the high point arguably proved to be a 3-0 home win over Leyton Orient - courtesy of goals from Josh McQuoid, Luke Young and Jamie Reid - during which chants of 'Gary Owers' Yellow Army' could be heard emanating from the Popular Side.
Following in the footsteps of a manager as popular as Kevin Nicholson was always going to be difficult for Owers to win over the fans, and it was an act that was made extra difficult by failing to fulfil the task that he was brought into achieve - to keep United in the National League.
One of United's biggest problems in the 2017-18 campaign was their ability to score goals, as it wasn't until the arrival of loan signings Elliot Romain, from Dagenham and Redbridge, and Rhys Healey, from Cardiff City, who managed goal scoring hauls of four and seven respectively (Healey's tally would see him finish the season as the Gulls' top scorer). Brett Williams also managed four goals after returning to Plainmoor in February 2018, which meant that United's most prolific strikers were players who didn't start the campaign with the club.
Another task facing Owers was the fact that smaller clubs in the National League who were outperforming United were starting to be seen as a more attractive proposition to potential signings.
This was emphasised by the decision of centre back Alex Davey, who was signed on loan from Cheltenham Town, to reject a permanent move to Plainmoor in January 2018 to sign for Boreham Wood.
Relegation to National League South was eventually confirmed for the Gulls with a 1-1 draw away at Hartlepool United in their final away game of the season in a game that Williams missed a penalty early on. It meant that the Gulls would be playing in regional non-league football for the first time since 1927.
This was then followed by a 4-3 defeat in their penultimate home fixture against Guiseley - a number of part-time sides that United have found difficult to overcome since their relegation from the Football League in 2014 - in which Romain missed from the spot early on before the Lions took the lead and went on to win.
Had either of those spot-kicks been converted and had United gone on to win those games in question, then the Gulls would have needed a win in their final game at home to Ebbsfleet to stay up.
However, whether they would have managed to overcome a Fleet side that needed a point to secure a play-off spot is a different matter - the eventual outcome was a 1-1 draw.
Over the course of the season, United used 41 players - a figure that was only bettered by the 1995-96 season (42) and the 2006-07 campaign (43) - which included 16 loan signings, 11 of which were signed by Owers. Aside from Davey, Romain and Healey, only Bristol City starlet Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Aaron Barnes from Charlton Athletic and Colchester United (who loaned him back to the Gulls after he moved to the Weston Community Stadium) proved to be consistent performers. Whether all of the 11 loanees signed by Owers were his number targets remains to be seen - possibly not.
Over the summer, Owers had the opportunity to build a new squad ready to win promotion back to the National League at the first attempt - it was a task that he approached with much vigour and despite losing his assistant Kuhl in pre-season to an academy coaching position at Bisham Abbey.
However, once again United found goals hard to come by as the only managed five in their opening nine matches and had failed to win any of their four away games. Home defeats against Hampton and Richmond and Chippenham Town both saw the team leave the field to chants of 'Owers Out' and in an away match at Gloucester City he had a cup of coffee thrown over him - an act which, regardless of the situation, shouldn't be tolerated.
It was the latter of those two aforementioned home defeats which prompted chairman Clarke Osborne to act, a decision that comes a month after York City, a former Football League contemporary of United's who currently reside in National League North, decided to part company with Owers' former Sunderland teammate Martin Gray.
The decision brings the failure to of a club of the Gulls' stature to retain National League status and potential failure to retain it into sharp focus.
Whoever United appoint as Owers' successor will need to bring some much needed stability to the club, as he will be the Gulls' seventh manager in as many years since Paul Buckle's departure to Bristol Rovers in 2011.
Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Monday, 10 September 2018
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHIPPENHAM TOWN
1. Chippenham proved to be yet another 'Guiseley'.
They came, they scored, they conquered and came away with three points. Chippenham Town joined the long list of part-time clubs who have come away from Plainmoor after claiming victory.
Such teams have proved to be an achilles heel for the Gulls over the last four years and United, who now slip to 14th in the National League South, will need to learn their lessons quickly.
2. The pressure on Gary Owers increases.
Following the full time whistle, the Gulls exited the field to a loud chorus of boos and chants of 'Owers Out', as the Plainmoor faithful vented their fury at manager Gary Owers. This was not the first occurrence of fans unrest directed at Owers - it was a repeat of the scenes that followed their defeat to Hampton and Richmond. And then of course there was 'Coffeegate' away to Gloucester City.
A first away win of the season at Hungerford Town could not come at a better time.
3. Is Jack Compton the one that got away for the Gulls?
After having trials with United in 2008 and 2017 under Paul Buckle and Kevin Nicholson respectively, and being linked with the Gulls since the arrival of Owers, who he played under at Bath City, Jack Compton could be regarded as the one that got away by Torquay United fans.
Not only did Compton, whose dad Paul played for, managed and coached the Gulls and his maternal grandfather Jack Philbin played for the club in the 1930s, provide the service for Matt Smith's header from a 26th minute, he also curled a long range effort over the bar shortly afterwards.
The Plainmoor faithful can only wonder what might have been if United had been able to make him an offer that he couldn't refuse.
4. Could more experience at the back helped the Gulls cause?
On Saturday, Torquay United lined up with George Essuman (21) and Kyle Cameron (also 21) as centre backs. Every goal that United have conceded at home so far this season has been from the result of a set piece.
United have only kept one clean sheet at home since Jakob Sokolik and Jean Yves Koue Niate have been out injured, and if messrs Essuman and Cameron had a more experienced alongside them to advise them and organise things could the Gulls backline have held out?
5. Yan Klukowski finally wins a game at Plainmoor!
Former United midfielder Yan Klukowski made a late cameo for Chippenham against the Gulls on Saturday, and it was the first time that he had featured in a winning side at Plainmoor. During his year with United last season he featured in a opening day draw with Tranmere Rovers and two defeats against Boreham Wood and Solihull Moors.
They came, they scored, they conquered and came away with three points. Chippenham Town joined the long list of part-time clubs who have come away from Plainmoor after claiming victory.
Such teams have proved to be an achilles heel for the Gulls over the last four years and United, who now slip to 14th in the National League South, will need to learn their lessons quickly.
2. The pressure on Gary Owers increases.
Following the full time whistle, the Gulls exited the field to a loud chorus of boos and chants of 'Owers Out', as the Plainmoor faithful vented their fury at manager Gary Owers. This was not the first occurrence of fans unrest directed at Owers - it was a repeat of the scenes that followed their defeat to Hampton and Richmond. And then of course there was 'Coffeegate' away to Gloucester City.
A first away win of the season at Hungerford Town could not come at a better time.
3. Is Jack Compton the one that got away for the Gulls?
After having trials with United in 2008 and 2017 under Paul Buckle and Kevin Nicholson respectively, and being linked with the Gulls since the arrival of Owers, who he played under at Bath City, Jack Compton could be regarded as the one that got away by Torquay United fans.
Not only did Compton, whose dad Paul played for, managed and coached the Gulls and his maternal grandfather Jack Philbin played for the club in the 1930s, provide the service for Matt Smith's header from a 26th minute, he also curled a long range effort over the bar shortly afterwards.
The Plainmoor faithful can only wonder what might have been if United had been able to make him an offer that he couldn't refuse.
4. Could more experience at the back helped the Gulls cause?
On Saturday, Torquay United lined up with George Essuman (21) and Kyle Cameron (also 21) as centre backs. Every goal that United have conceded at home so far this season has been from the result of a set piece.
United have only kept one clean sheet at home since Jakob Sokolik and Jean Yves Koue Niate have been out injured, and if messrs Essuman and Cameron had a more experienced alongside them to advise them and organise things could the Gulls backline have held out?
5. Yan Klukowski finally wins a game at Plainmoor!
Former United midfielder Yan Klukowski made a late cameo for Chippenham against the Gulls on Saturday, and it was the first time that he had featured in a winning side at Plainmoor. During his year with United last season he featured in a opening day draw with Tranmere Rovers and two defeats against Boreham Wood and Solihull Moors.
Saturday, 8 September 2018
NEW LOOK LADY GLOVERS READY TO START SECOND WSL TOP FLIGHT CAMPAIGN
It will a new look Yeovil Town Ladies side that commences their second Women's Super League campaign against Reading Women on Sunday.
The game will also mark the Lady Glovers' transition from part-time football to full-time football, as they aim to improve upon the two points which they gained from their debut campaign.
Yeovil haven't won a game in any competition since they beat Sheffield FC to clinch the Women's Super League Two title and have only scored 14 goals and conceding 104 goals.
However, the Lady Glovers, now managed by former Millwall Lionesses manager Lee Burch after his predecessor Jamie Sherwood became Director of Football as he was unable to commit to managing Yeovil on a full time basis, will be more determine than ever to better that statistic.
Burch, who won the Women's Super League Two manager of the year award after guiding the Lionesses to the league title - but were denied promotion after failing to meet the new WSL Licence criteria, has enticed a number of his former players to the Lady Glovers, including right-back Amy Goddard, left-back Megan Alexander, midfielders Bonnie Horwood and Ellie Mason and forward Amber Gaylor.
As well as the new, they were also joined by the 'old' as Hannah Short and Emily Donovan - who were both with the Lady Glovers win WSL Two in 2016 - both returned to Yeovil after spending the 2017-18 season with Oxford United Ladies.
Other new arrivals include Olivia Fergusson who arrives from Bristol City Women.
Familiar faces still with the Lady Glovers include long serving defender Nicola Cousins, the evergreen Annie Heatherson and goalkeeper Megan Walsh, who could yet force her way into the mind for Lionesses manager Phil Neville ahead of next summer's Women's World Cup.
Amongst the other changes at the club, the Lady Glovers also have a new home as they will now be playing their home games at Dorchester Town's Avenue Stadium after playing at Huish Park (Yeovil Town), the Viridor Stadium (Taunton Town) and the Woodspring Stadium (Weston Super Mare).
Regardless of whether they are able to better their record of the previous season, but there's one thing that can be guarantee that the players will remain true to the club's motto of 'Achieve by Unity.'
The game will also mark the Lady Glovers' transition from part-time football to full-time football, as they aim to improve upon the two points which they gained from their debut campaign.
Yeovil haven't won a game in any competition since they beat Sheffield FC to clinch the Women's Super League Two title and have only scored 14 goals and conceding 104 goals.
However, the Lady Glovers, now managed by former Millwall Lionesses manager Lee Burch after his predecessor Jamie Sherwood became Director of Football as he was unable to commit to managing Yeovil on a full time basis, will be more determine than ever to better that statistic.
Burch, who won the Women's Super League Two manager of the year award after guiding the Lionesses to the league title - but were denied promotion after failing to meet the new WSL Licence criteria, has enticed a number of his former players to the Lady Glovers, including right-back Amy Goddard, left-back Megan Alexander, midfielders Bonnie Horwood and Ellie Mason and forward Amber Gaylor.
As well as the new, they were also joined by the 'old' as Hannah Short and Emily Donovan - who were both with the Lady Glovers win WSL Two in 2016 - both returned to Yeovil after spending the 2017-18 season with Oxford United Ladies.
Other new arrivals include Olivia Fergusson who arrives from Bristol City Women.
Familiar faces still with the Lady Glovers include long serving defender Nicola Cousins, the evergreen Annie Heatherson and goalkeeper Megan Walsh, who could yet force her way into the mind for Lionesses manager Phil Neville ahead of next summer's Women's World Cup.
Amongst the other changes at the club, the Lady Glovers also have a new home as they will now be playing their home games at Dorchester Town's Avenue Stadium after playing at Huish Park (Yeovil Town), the Viridor Stadium (Taunton Town) and the Woodspring Stadium (Weston Super Mare).
Regardless of whether they are able to better their record of the previous season, but there's one thing that can be guarantee that the players will remain true to the club's motto of 'Achieve by Unity.'
Saturday, 1 September 2018
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD
1. Jake Andrews added a badly needed touch of flair to the Gulls side.
Those Gulls fans who witnessed their pre-season friendly against Bristol City's Under-23 side would have no doubt gone home with the memory of Jake Andrews' sweetly struck free-kick which found the top corner fresh in their mind. Those same supporters would have no doubt been very happy to have seen Torquay United secure his signature this week on a loan deal.
His debut for the Gulls proved to be equally memorable as his pass provided the assist for Jamie Reid's opener and his corner picked out Asa Hall to head home his first for the club, as he added a touch of flair to a side that was crying out for some extra invention - especially in the second half when United switched to 4-4-2.
2. The pace of Opi Edwards made a big difference as well.
As well as Andrews, Opi Edwards - who was also on target for Bristol City's Under-23's on the same night in question - made a big impact on his debut as he gave the Gulls an injection of extra pace. If at any point in the game the Hemel Hempstead players felt that they were up against two players it wouldn't have come as a great surprise such were the levels of energy shown by Edwards.
Not only did he support the attack, he was also willing to track back and help out defensively as evidenced by the way he snuffed out an overlapping run from Tudors' left-back Callum Martin and helped the Gulls to win a goal kick in the process. His performance, in addition to that of Andrews, would no doubt have been pleasing for Bristol City loans manager Brian Tinnion.
3. Jamie Reid ends the Gulls' goal scoring drought.
Jamie Reid picked the perfect time to score his opening goal of the campaign - which ended 474 minutes without a goal for the Gulls, a figure which equates to six hours and 57 minutes.
Although United's goals against column reads three, their goals for column also read three before the start of today, so if they can marry scoring more goals with a resolute defence then United will start to rise up the table.
Hopefully this will also see Reid, who scored three goals in five appearances on loan at Truro City in the National League South in the 2015-16 season from Exeter City, find the back of the net on a more consistent basis.
4. Alex Bass once again proved to be revelation between the sticks.
United once again had Portsmouth loanee Alex Bass to thank for helping them to keep another clean sheet. Bass made a number of important saves, most notably in the first half when he recovered in time - despite being off his line - to turn a 35-yard effort from Tudors striker Steve Cawley over the bar.
Much has been made over the summer of the spells in non-league football enjoyed by Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope, which helped them to make the England squad for last summer's World Cup in Russia. It might be early days yet for Bass, but there is every chance that his career could follow a similar trajectory.
5. Success achieved in the light of absences.
It is also worth noting that United's win over Hemel Hempstead was achieved despite the Gulls missing a number of players who would have been in contention to start had they been fit. Central defenders Jakub Sokolik and Jean Yves Koue Niate would probably have featured in defence and midfield duo Samir Nabi and Ryan Dickson could have been involved as well.
Where the latter two will fit into the side in the light of the displays of Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards will surely give manager Gary Owers something to think about.
Those Gulls fans who witnessed their pre-season friendly against Bristol City's Under-23 side would have no doubt gone home with the memory of Jake Andrews' sweetly struck free-kick which found the top corner fresh in their mind. Those same supporters would have no doubt been very happy to have seen Torquay United secure his signature this week on a loan deal.
His debut for the Gulls proved to be equally memorable as his pass provided the assist for Jamie Reid's opener and his corner picked out Asa Hall to head home his first for the club, as he added a touch of flair to a side that was crying out for some extra invention - especially in the second half when United switched to 4-4-2.
2. The pace of Opi Edwards made a big difference as well.
As well as Andrews, Opi Edwards - who was also on target for Bristol City's Under-23's on the same night in question - made a big impact on his debut as he gave the Gulls an injection of extra pace. If at any point in the game the Hemel Hempstead players felt that they were up against two players it wouldn't have come as a great surprise such were the levels of energy shown by Edwards.
Not only did he support the attack, he was also willing to track back and help out defensively as evidenced by the way he snuffed out an overlapping run from Tudors' left-back Callum Martin and helped the Gulls to win a goal kick in the process. His performance, in addition to that of Andrews, would no doubt have been pleasing for Bristol City loans manager Brian Tinnion.
3. Jamie Reid ends the Gulls' goal scoring drought.
Jamie Reid picked the perfect time to score his opening goal of the campaign - which ended 474 minutes without a goal for the Gulls, a figure which equates to six hours and 57 minutes.
Although United's goals against column reads three, their goals for column also read three before the start of today, so if they can marry scoring more goals with a resolute defence then United will start to rise up the table.
Hopefully this will also see Reid, who scored three goals in five appearances on loan at Truro City in the National League South in the 2015-16 season from Exeter City, find the back of the net on a more consistent basis.
4. Alex Bass once again proved to be revelation between the sticks.
United once again had Portsmouth loanee Alex Bass to thank for helping them to keep another clean sheet. Bass made a number of important saves, most notably in the first half when he recovered in time - despite being off his line - to turn a 35-yard effort from Tudors striker Steve Cawley over the bar.
Much has been made over the summer of the spells in non-league football enjoyed by Jordan Pickford and Nick Pope, which helped them to make the England squad for last summer's World Cup in Russia. It might be early days yet for Bass, but there is every chance that his career could follow a similar trajectory.
5. Success achieved in the light of absences.
It is also worth noting that United's win over Hemel Hempstead was achieved despite the Gulls missing a number of players who would have been in contention to start had they been fit. Central defenders Jakub Sokolik and Jean Yves Koue Niate would probably have featured in defence and midfield duo Samir Nabi and Ryan Dickson could have been involved as well.
Where the latter two will fit into the side in the light of the displays of Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards will surely give manager Gary Owers something to think about.
GULLS RETURN TO WINNING WAYS AGAINST TUDORS
Second half goals from Jamie Reid and Asa Hall were enough
to see Torquay United end their goal drought against Hemel Hempstead as the
Gulls returned to winning ways.
United hadn’t scored for 397 minutes heading into the game but they found their stride early on, as Bristol City loanee duo Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards combined to tee up Chris Regis for a shot that the ex-Port Vale man blasted over on nine minutes.
The Gulls' persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Reid slotted home from close range following good build up play from Regis and Andrews.
United hadn’t scored for 397 minutes heading into the game but they found their stride early on, as Bristol City loanee duo Jake Andrews and Opi Edwards combined to tee up Chris Regis for a shot that the ex-Port Vale man blasted over on nine minutes.
Two minutes later, Tudors striker Steve Cawley attempted an
audacious effort from 35-yards out, but Gulls keeper Alex Bass tipped his
effort over for a corner.
The post came to United’s rescue in the 27th
minute as Herschel Sanchez-Watt nodded a free-kick from Tudors skipper Jordan
Parkes against the upright.
Seven minutes later, Tudors keeper Laurie Walker was forced
into making his first serious save of the match when he got his fingertips to
an angled effort from Andrews.
After the break, Parkes tested Bass
with a free-kick, in the opening minute of the second half, which the Gulls keeper gathered comfortably.
Two minutes later, Jamie Reid made a bursting run into the
penalty area before finding Edwards, who saw his effort turned behind for a
corner as United upped the ante.
On 59 minutes, Owers made his first change of the afternoon
as Williams made way for Ruairi Keating and Hall took possession of the captain’s
armband.
Edwards and Andrews combined again in the 67th
minute to set up Keating, who nodded the ball straight at Walker. The Gulls' persistence paid off in the 77th minute when Reid slotted home from close range following good build up play from Regis and Andrews.
With six minutes to go, Gulls stand-in skipper Hall
connected with a corner from Andrews to double United’s lead with his first
goal for the club to make the result safe to ease the pressure on manager Gary Owers.
Monday, 27 August 2018
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED'S BANK HOLIDAY FIXTURES WITH HAMPTON AND RICHMOND AND GLOUCESTER CITY
1. Hampton and Richmond were another 'Guiseley' in the Gulls' midst.
Torquay United's final home league defeat of the 2017-18 campaign came against part-time Guiseley and their first home league loss of the 2018-19 came against another part-time outfit in the form of Hampton and Richmond. Overcoming determined part-time opposition like Guiseley, who United failed to beat in six attempts - a sequence which included five defeats, has been an achilles heel for the Gulls in the past three years prior to their relegation to National League South. Both Hampton & Richmond's goals were as a result of set pieces as they dug in to come away from Plainmoor with all three points. It's a problem that United need to solve, in addition to dealing dealing with the extra burden of being the biggest club in the league.
2. United need goals badly.
As mentioned in a previous article on this site, former Gulls manager Dave Smith to win promotion in the lower leagues you need to score goals, and United have now gone 397 minutes since they last scored a goal - when Ruairi Keating headed home Liam Davis' cross against East Thurrock in the 53rd minute. Indeed it was Keating who came closest to scoring for United against Hampton & Richmond in the 58th minute, after coming off the bench at half-time, with a shot that hit the post and bounced clear.
So far this season this season, United manager Gary Owers hasn't managed to find a strike partnership that works so far this season from a combination that includes Keating, Jamie Reid and Brett Williams - who were all retained from last season - and new summer signing Andre Wright.
On Saturday against Hampton and Richmond, Owers opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Williams playing as the central of the three frontmen with Reid and Jason Banton either side of him.
If there's anything that we can learn from that is that Williams isn't suited to playing as a loan striker - a role that requires a particular set of skills.
What Owers wouldn't give for two strikers who could deliver the returns of Elliot Romain and Rhys Healey, who found the back of the net four and seven times respectively whilst on loan at Plainmoor last season. Nevertheless, the Gulls' goal scoring statistics need to change, and change quickly, if United are going to challenge at the right end of the table where many believe a team of their stature as a former Football League club should be challenging.
3. Relying on the defence isn't enough.
Following on from the previous point about goal scoring, Saturday's defeat to Hampton and Richmond was the first time that United have conceded more than one goal in a game this season.
As they are currently finding goals hard to come by - conceding them at the other end leaves them facing an uphill task.
Their clean sheet against Gloucester City on Easter Monday was their fifth in seven league matches for the Gulls, but they cannot be expected to be relied upon to keep one every week.
4. Captaincy switch.
After deciding to drop current skipper Brett Williams to the bench for Easter Monday's clash against Gloucester City, Gary Owers handed the captain's armband to midfielder Asa Hall.
With Williams currently struggling for form - the question remains whether Hall might end up keeping the role permanently to help to allow Williams to focus on re-discovering his goal scoring touch. However, if Hall does retain the armband for next Saturday's visit of Hemel Hempstead it won't be the first time he has captained a side at Plainmoor, as he skippered his previous club Barrow for their visit to Plainmoor in the National League last February.
5. The growing unpopularity of Gary Owers.
Following their defeat to Hampton and Richmond, the Gulls side left the field to a chorus and chants of 'Owers Out'. This was then followed on Easter Monday against Gloucester City with an incident involving the use of flares on the pitch from the United fans who made the journey to Evesham and another unsavoury incident towards the end of the match which saw a fan throw a cup of hot coffee over Owers.
Sandwiched in between these two events was a poll run by Devon Live on whether Owers should be sacked, which prompted a response of 95% saying yes.
The actions of thIf the Gulls current poor form continues then not only will Owers come under increasing pressure, but General Manager Geoff Harrop and Chairman Clarke Osborne will also be facing the same pressure from the fans.
Torquay United's final home league defeat of the 2017-18 campaign came against part-time Guiseley and their first home league loss of the 2018-19 came against another part-time outfit in the form of Hampton and Richmond. Overcoming determined part-time opposition like Guiseley, who United failed to beat in six attempts - a sequence which included five defeats, has been an achilles heel for the Gulls in the past three years prior to their relegation to National League South. Both Hampton & Richmond's goals were as a result of set pieces as they dug in to come away from Plainmoor with all three points. It's a problem that United need to solve, in addition to dealing dealing with the extra burden of being the biggest club in the league.
2. United need goals badly.
As mentioned in a previous article on this site, former Gulls manager Dave Smith to win promotion in the lower leagues you need to score goals, and United have now gone 397 minutes since they last scored a goal - when Ruairi Keating headed home Liam Davis' cross against East Thurrock in the 53rd minute. Indeed it was Keating who came closest to scoring for United against Hampton & Richmond in the 58th minute, after coming off the bench at half-time, with a shot that hit the post and bounced clear.
So far this season this season, United manager Gary Owers hasn't managed to find a strike partnership that works so far this season from a combination that includes Keating, Jamie Reid and Brett Williams - who were all retained from last season - and new summer signing Andre Wright.
On Saturday against Hampton and Richmond, Owers opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Williams playing as the central of the three frontmen with Reid and Jason Banton either side of him.
If there's anything that we can learn from that is that Williams isn't suited to playing as a loan striker - a role that requires a particular set of skills.
What Owers wouldn't give for two strikers who could deliver the returns of Elliot Romain and Rhys Healey, who found the back of the net four and seven times respectively whilst on loan at Plainmoor last season. Nevertheless, the Gulls' goal scoring statistics need to change, and change quickly, if United are going to challenge at the right end of the table where many believe a team of their stature as a former Football League club should be challenging.
3. Relying on the defence isn't enough.
Following on from the previous point about goal scoring, Saturday's defeat to Hampton and Richmond was the first time that United have conceded more than one goal in a game this season.
As they are currently finding goals hard to come by - conceding them at the other end leaves them facing an uphill task.
Their clean sheet against Gloucester City on Easter Monday was their fifth in seven league matches for the Gulls, but they cannot be expected to be relied upon to keep one every week.
4. Captaincy switch.
After deciding to drop current skipper Brett Williams to the bench for Easter Monday's clash against Gloucester City, Gary Owers handed the captain's armband to midfielder Asa Hall.
With Williams currently struggling for form - the question remains whether Hall might end up keeping the role permanently to help to allow Williams to focus on re-discovering his goal scoring touch. However, if Hall does retain the armband for next Saturday's visit of Hemel Hempstead it won't be the first time he has captained a side at Plainmoor, as he skippered his previous club Barrow for their visit to Plainmoor in the National League last February.
5. The growing unpopularity of Gary Owers.
Following their defeat to Hampton and Richmond, the Gulls side left the field to a chorus and chants of 'Owers Out'. This was then followed on Easter Monday against Gloucester City with an incident involving the use of flares on the pitch from the United fans who made the journey to Evesham and another unsavoury incident towards the end of the match which saw a fan throw a cup of hot coffee over Owers.
Sandwiched in between these two events was a poll run by Devon Live on whether Owers should be sacked, which prompted a response of 95% saying yes.
The actions of thIf the Gulls current poor form continues then not only will Owers come under increasing pressure, but General Manager Geoff Harrop and Chairman Clarke Osborne will also be facing the same pressure from the fans.
Wednesday, 22 August 2018
TISDALE VERSUS TAYLOR
It will be the case of the 'old' meeting the 'new' when Exeter City travel to Milton Keynes Dons on Saturday - an encounter that will see Grecians manager Matt Taylor face his predecessor Paul Tisdale.
As well as Tisdale, City will also be coming up against a number of other faces that are highly familiar with the Grecians faithful - including Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ryan Harley, Robbie Simpson and former loanee Lawson D'ath.
Off the field, City will also be crossing swords with former assistant manager Matt Oakley and goalkeeping coach Mel Gwinnett and Steve Perryman - who recently joined the Dons as a non-executive director.
These connections serve to add spice to a meeting between two sides that are currently unbeaten in League Two this season - the Grecians are currently top of the league whilst the Dons lie in fifth.
It also has the potential to illustrate the influence that Tisdale had over the Grecians following his 12 years in charge at St James Park - which is currently being continued thus far by Taylor - and the kind of impact he could have at Stadium:mk.
If ever there was a club that needed a change of image then it's the Dons; formed out of the demise of the 'old' Wimbledon in 2003 - the club have enjoyed a difficult existence since and are known in some circles as 'Franchise FC'.
This is reflected by the magazine When Saturday Comes, who include the Dons in their pre-season preview in which they quiz fans of each of the 92 clubs in the Premier League and the Football League alongside the caption ' no questions asked'.
During Tisdale's 12-year reign at St James Park, the Grecians gained a reputation of playing a passing game that was easy on the eye and for developing young players who they sold on for large transfer fees such as Matt Grimes, Ollie Watkins and Ethan Ampadu.
At Stadium:mk the potential exists for Tisdale to re-apply these principles to the Dons; during their short existence they have unearthed current Spurs and England midfielder Dele Alli and the possibility of producing other such talents - on a more frequent basis - remains strong.
If Tisdale succeeds then it could become harder for the wider footballing public to ignore the Dons and as Taylor's brief reign at St James Park has shown so far he can leave a strong legacy.
As well as Tisdale, City will also be coming up against a number of other faces that are highly familiar with the Grecians faithful - including Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ryan Harley, Robbie Simpson and former loanee Lawson D'ath.
Off the field, City will also be crossing swords with former assistant manager Matt Oakley and goalkeeping coach Mel Gwinnett and Steve Perryman - who recently joined the Dons as a non-executive director.
These connections serve to add spice to a meeting between two sides that are currently unbeaten in League Two this season - the Grecians are currently top of the league whilst the Dons lie in fifth.
It also has the potential to illustrate the influence that Tisdale had over the Grecians following his 12 years in charge at St James Park - which is currently being continued thus far by Taylor - and the kind of impact he could have at Stadium:mk.
If ever there was a club that needed a change of image then it's the Dons; formed out of the demise of the 'old' Wimbledon in 2003 - the club have enjoyed a difficult existence since and are known in some circles as 'Franchise FC'.
This is reflected by the magazine When Saturday Comes, who include the Dons in their pre-season preview in which they quiz fans of each of the 92 clubs in the Premier League and the Football League alongside the caption ' no questions asked'.
During Tisdale's 12-year reign at St James Park, the Grecians gained a reputation of playing a passing game that was easy on the eye and for developing young players who they sold on for large transfer fees such as Matt Grimes, Ollie Watkins and Ethan Ampadu.
At Stadium:mk the potential exists for Tisdale to re-apply these principles to the Dons; during their short existence they have unearthed current Spurs and England midfielder Dele Alli and the possibility of producing other such talents - on a more frequent basis - remains strong.
If Tisdale succeeds then it could become harder for the wider footballing public to ignore the Dons and as Taylor's brief reign at St James Park has shown so far he can leave a strong legacy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)