PSF: Torquay United v Plymouth Arygle - 7:45pm. 22 July 2014

No goals in a game where Argyle came to Plainmoor and wore yellow. Before it started Jon was ahead of Chelston and myself. He was spotting who was missing from our ranks; we were yet to distinguish between the two sides. Three minutes of the game gone and I nearly made the faux pas of commenting upon how much "their" centre-back looked like Aaron Downes. Another crowd of around a thousand I'd guess; Argyle fans behind the goal and in the seats. Not a rowdy group by any means. Chelston kindly have me a lift to the station afterwards. There were twenty or thirty Argyle fans on the train with no sign, this time, of the "element". The young women who alighted at Teignmouth were rowdier.

As a spectacle the match blew hot and cold as each team enjoyed spells of dominance. If you were bothered about the score, it could have gone either way. By it going neither way, it was just about right. The more astute observer may be able to explain the little tactical variations and experiments which occurred during the ninety minutes. I suspect it was a "coaches' game" as these friendlies so often are. Real enough without being entirely above board.

But enough again of things from which to take heart; signs too that it could become lean and fallow when it doesn't go so smoothly. That obvious point repeated: we probably need a few more comings and goings in order to achieve a better equilibrium. "Balance", the more I think about it, is probably the operative word both in terms of personnel and formation.

Jon again discussed potatoes. He also expressed his concern that by playing (in his estimation) a 4-2-4 formation - as opposed to 4-4-2 - we are susceptible to being "overrun" in midfield. The wide players - Briscoe and Cameron last night - are attacking rather than all-purpose; the Young and Harding pairing needs to be immediately successful and constantly sustained. Assuming, I suppose, there's not a sudden flurry of interest in Harding. Then we could be talking about an AN Other (or two) who could be a different type of player altogether.

A development against Argyle was that the players wore different numbers than they did against Walsall. They also had names on their shirts suggesting these will be the actual squad numbers. Tonge, Downes, McDonald and Cruise across the back. McDonald wearing 21 with Cruise doubling last season's - and Saturday's - number to 42 (although I'm not sure about the finality of that one). Good grief, if my shirt number had shown such rapid inflation I'd be a worried man. Unless, of course, Tom Cruise has a penchant for multiples of twenty-one. Otherwise, as we've mused before, there may be a vacancy at left-back which still needs filling.

Harding (6) and Young (8) in the middle; the aforementioned Briscoe (7) and Cameron (11) out wide. I hope I've got these numbers right.

Then up front. The admirable Bowman wearing 9; I sense already he has assumed the destiny (or poisoned chalice) of being our absolute striking and "leading-the-line" fulcrum. When he's on-song we should be enjoying our football; when he's absent, shackled or off-colour it may be less rosy. Bowman was initially paired alongside Benyon (17 if my memory serves me correctly) with the Cryuffesque, numerically anyway, Yeoman (14) coming on later. Bowman + Benyon/Yeoman with Hawley as Factor X who may or may not be around. All combinations look better with Bowman than without.

It's that man again. Toby Ajala put in another purposeful performance as a second-half substitute. More explosive runs; more expansive passes. It was a blur; I think he had the figure twenty on his back. I just hope he isn't one of those tidy players who is no use at all between September and April. He seems too good to be true at the moment.

But back to Jon's 4-2-4 or 4-4-2. On the basis of last night's line-up nine elements might already be in place. That's on the basis of Tonge not going anywhere; McDonald adequately deputising for Pearce; Ajala or Cameron dependant on whatever may happen to the latter. That leaves left-back and a regular partner for Bowman. Unless we're going to see a rotation? My preference at the moment would be the Cryuff of the South Hams. You may argue for a shift to 4-2-3-1 (or similar) but (a) I'm not sure if that's the "Manager's Choice" and (b) there's presently a missing category of player to stop putting this into effect.

Two-and-a-bit weeks to go. We're learning something of what to expect or anticipate. Maybe a few twists and turns to come. I can't help feeling that Gateshead will teach us an awful, awful lot more. What an intriguing start; the word "barometer" leaps to mind. A good result against the Heed could set an extremely positive mood. Thereafter there's judgements to be made from a set of home games against teams which are unlikely to be "contenders". Fascinating times.

Thanks for your thoughts Barts and this LINK has some of Hargreaves. I also see that a impromptu match has been arranged for Bideford tonight.