FC: Kidderminster Harriers vs Torquay Utd, 1 Nov 2014

Sorry Ditmar, I am disappointed my prediction did not come true. I thought they would have bounced back.

So where was Briscoe today, injured or doing a half time draw somewhere?

was there to witness our classy side perform for exactly 300 seconds at the end of the game.We have become a shambles of a poor side,pretty sure our late goal stopped a chorus of boos at the final whistle.We did zilch for 85 minutes,and didnt look at all interested.Nicholson enjoyed his goal,celebrating with clenched fists,who can blame him? but it was again pathetic non existent defending by our lot.Boring,predictable,classless are words that spring to mind on us.If we had got a draw it would of been thoroughly undeserved.25 points to safety,8 wins and a draw,as it stands this lot aint going to do that.Very soon home games will finish with a chorus of boos,whatever is going on in the dressing room and on the famous training pitch aint working.Fans leaving well before the end too,a sign that the natives are getting restless,frankly though i think our team dont care and lack any passion.Twas shameful of them

It really worries me to read loyal's match report. I witnessed last weeks display which lacked any kind of fight, guts or guile. Surely this week was slightly better, a reaction as CH wanted? Apparently not. As Pete asks, what is going on?? Seems like there is something rotten in the state of plainmoor - needs to be addressed soon before we slip further into the habit of losing which we so effortlessly did last season.

Oh dear. This is my second attempt at writing about yesterday. The first ended in failure over a cup of tea in Worcester at six o'clock last night. I couldn't come up with a single positive thought. Nor strike a word of optimism.

I remain unable. I might as well reflect back to what I said this time last week - the morning after Aldershot - and fill this space with a large "DITTO". That would save considerable trouble. And, should matters continue in this fashion, I shall cease to say much at all. There's a limited number of times you can repeat yourself.

Yesterday was crap. You've probably gathered that by now. Put the last two Saturdays together and there's a certain awfulness that I've not experienced in such quick succession for a very long time. Mind you, I skipped the last two seasons at Plainmoor.

I can't quite get my head around it. The Grimsby home game was only a fortnight ago. That was hugely entertaining. A few of the side's deficiencies were exposed; they certainly finished the game poorly. Yet there was plenty to admire during that game. I thought, perhaps, it was a sign the rest of the season would conform to something approximating to a win one, draw one, lose one rate of progress.

Sadly, there's been little to admire from the last two games. We've been something of a rabble; low on confidence, lacking in the basics. I can't speak with the conviction of others about why this is the case. But here's two little things I've noticed from the two games: poor decision-making on the pitch; a succession of unforced errors. Why should this be?

It's easy to mock the idea that somehow we might have a "nicer" time in the Conference. I know too that my attitude to football is different to many people's. Watching Torquay United is only part of my interest; I probably see as many (if not more) games that don't involve Torquay United (Marlow for me next Saturday?). This makes me rather mellow these days; less prone to anger or bitterness. I've probably become rather "soft" about the whole business of Torquay United. My hopes for this season were simple once I accepted there was little prospect of a barnstorming return to the Football League. Get the club in reasonable shape (either under the existing or new ownership); have a particularly sound Plainmoor season (which would culminate in heartfelt applause after the final game); enjoy a decent cup run or two; warm to a new set of players from whom favourites would emerge.

That may not sound much to others. It'll do for me. I'm not sure for how long. This season certainly; probably another; possibly a third.

A month ago, it felt comfortably attainable. Now what? After we'd won six games on the trot, a wise man advised of the possibility of almost as bad a run ensuing. Let me see: six defeats out of seven including the FA Cup. That's right, isn't it?

This challenges the faith because we are not accustomed to the Conference going wrong. It makes hoping for the best - and trying to quieten or ignore the doubters - appear akin to closing your eyes and sticking your fingers in your ears. Endless analysis can be both thought-provoking and tiresome. You can change your outlook; stick to your guns; opt out. I'm veering all over the place and, as for this site, I've almost (but not quite) vowed to stay out of it all and concentrate solely on the history stuff. Ha! A promise I've probably not kept before.

Unfortunately, however, for this observer the impression is that stasis appears to envelop the club. That may not be the reality; it may merely be a perception. Yet what is perceived can often be hard to shift. Small (and not so small) things, such as six successive wins, can blow the odour away. But not, you sense, for long.

A negativity for me is, that after these last two matches, I find myself hardening my attitude towards the manager and the players. I spoke last week of not wishing to become involved in a kneejerk reaction. It is, after all, only the start of November. Consequently I hope we're talking of (a) a learning curve and (b) being able to learn and do something about it.

What I saw yesterday were a couple of team changes which rather surprised me. I thought Niall Thompson did well enough. He had something to play for and it showed. But that's different to saying he's "the answer". Equally I don't believe we've found the answer in goal. Nor do I think that either player substituted at halftime has much to offer the club in future. That's unfortunate. I applauded the signing of one; championed the cause and development of the other.

Elsewhere I saw casualness and ineptitude all over the pitch. We often glibly dismiss the efforts of players and profess to know more about them than we actually do. It's noticeable this belief that certain players "don't care" is gaining currency. Think about it and it's quite a slur. It's usually based on fitting the evidence to match what you want to be true. But there are occasions when you do wonder. Last night at 6pm I considered this too strong a statement to make: "There are honest players who look shot to pieces; there are other players whose efforts are shooting their team mates to pieces".

Too strong? I suspect so. But, at the moment, I have my doubts. I need reassurance.

Will I be following Stefano up the road to my local rugby club? No. Nor will I desert Torquay United and suddenly start supporting another football club. I really can't stomach the convert who immediately starts gushing on about "we" and "us". But I will keep to my mixture of both watching Torquay United and other football. I've never wanted just to watch Torquay United; nor have I wished to be forever a neutral without a club of my own. In truth my precise point on the spectrum has varied over time. Now, for a whole host of reasons (including age), I may actually be at a point where having a need to support a football club may be diminishing. I remain "interested" but can no longer be sure that I, let alone anyone else, actually cares. That's my journey through life. I'd be joining Stefano shortly on bus pass adventures were it not for them changing the blasted age regulations.

In the meantime I think it's time for me to freshen matters up with a change of scenery. I shall investigate a transfer from the Popular Side to the Bench. I understand a place is available breathing over Alpine Joe's shoulder. Now that would set my pulses racing again. I saw his confounded "Wyre Forest UKIP" sign yesterday. It was just along from "Wyre Forest Pest Control". Ah, to put one to work on the other.

Excellent post as usual Barton and I wish I had the ability to write as clearly as you. I would add that I haven't abandoned Torquay United. They are still the club I follow and yesterday, although I was working until late afternoon so didn't follow things as they happened, it was the only result I looked for before going out. Details of other results Argyle, Exeter, Ivybridge FC, Ivybridge RFC, were gleaned in the pub. I have had many seasons where I have only seen two or three games because of work commitments (our last stint in the Conference coincided with a 4 year stretch in Italy) but absenteeism never made me lose interest. I too enjoy other sports and activities though and I do not feel it compulsory to attend every game. Both of my local football and rugby clubs are good clubs and make for an enjoyable afternnon, point to point racing is always good and plenty of it locally particularly the events at the beautiful Fleet estate, and on Saturday 22nd November I shall miss the Gateshead game as I will be on the train in the opposite direction to the 16th Celtic Beer festival at the St Austell Brewery. I will look out for Alpine on my journey!

Keep up the excellent objective posts as it is posters like yourself, Alpine, and Jon on this site. and Merse, Penfolds, Chris H, JMGull on BTPR amongst others on both sites that will ensure my interest in the club is maintained.