rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 28, 2014 7:21:56 GMT
A pity that we were unable to hold on for wins in our last two home games as Eastleigh are the form side in the division and we will be under a degree of pressure. They last lost 1-0 away at Barnet on October 4th, since then, 5 wins and a draw away at Forest Green is a decent return! Although just above us, Eastleigh have games in hand, partly after visiting Lincoln suffered a hotel fire, leaving them unable to pick up their kit, resulting in the postponement of the match!
Eastleigh have a quality squad with a lot of familiar faces, some of whom, have worn yellow recently. Chris Todd earned a lot of admirers here and I think everyone, including our manager will be pleased to see him back playing football! Craig Stanley also earned his plaudits here and many were sad to see him leave. Partnering him in midfield is Jai Reason, played against us for Cambridge in the Wembley play off final. He has scored five from midfield.
Up front, Eastleigh have a lot of quality with Ben Strevens leading the charge with 6 goals, scored 29 with Crawley in their conference promotion season. They also have Fleetwood who has hit the back of the net only 4 times but previously scored 28 times at this level with Forest Green! McAllister will be familiar with many having spent two years at Exeter but also partnering Strevens at Crawley. James Constable is also likely to feature to complete a formidable front four with 20 goals between them! Jack Midson is also on the books!!!!
Our defence will need to be on top form against that lot. Interesting to see whether MacDonald comes back in but think The physicality of Downes and even Pearce may be preferred. We have looked so much better with Berry in the side and Cruise will probably return for this. In midfield, hope Chappell is fit to give us options on the wing but suspect that there will not be any other changes. Bowman and Briscoe will no doubt start up front for what should be a cracking match!!!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 11:30:15 GMT
I've noticed that humour is not at a high level at the moment...not that it ever is! So something to cheer you all up...if that's possible!
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Post by hullgull on Nov 28, 2014 14:55:56 GMT
I've noticed that humour is not at a high level at the moment...not that it ever is! So something to cheer you all up...if that's possible!
Hi del......always happy and crrazy in hullgulls world.......si |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 28, 2014 15:45:30 GMT
I've noticed that humour is not at a high level at the moment...not that it ever is! So something to cheer you all up...if that's possible!
Hi del......always happy and crrazy in hullgulls world.......si
I think more crazy than happy Simon! 
Hey...how long have those bloody smillies been there?
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 29, 2014 8:35:53 GMT
link -I see that Hargreaves is looking to maybe start McQuilkin as he rotates tired players. Not sure that Richards has kept up to the level played at the start of the season?
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petef
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Post by petef on Nov 29, 2014 10:54:16 GMT
Maybe Courtney Richards deserves a rest but would sooner see him start with Young and McQuilkin maybe at the expense of Courtney Cameron. Defensive midfield has been our weakness as we always seem to leave ourselves wide open to counter attack leaving the defense stretched and exposed.
This is the big question in tactics in my opinion do we play to our obvious strengths and play four forwards that are perhaps limited defensively or play tighter in the middle with more caution when we go forward. Last week I saw evidence of a change in approach from Hargreaves but unfortunately the end result was the same. Not sure how we set up in the week but we failed to score which has been our strength all season. Reckon a tough tackling defensive midfielder sitting in between the back line and Young would be a possible solution giving more license to Richards and Young to push on. Not sure McQuilkin is that type of player though but has something about him and he is desperate to play and win a contract. Maybe Richards to play the deeper role.
To the game and its another tough one that will again expose our weaknesses if we are not at the races. With with fondly remembered Chris Todd in their squad and Constable, who always seems to score against us the result looks inevitable. Greavsy in interview on Youtube as always talks sense, listening to it you can really appreciate how his hands are tied financially and is doing everything he can to shuffle and deal though it appears to be a pretty hopeless task and until he can unload the higher earners that are on "high risk" two year contracts hes going to struggle in the transfer market.
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Post by geddingtongull on Nov 29, 2014 12:53:14 GMT
Loved the Peter Kay bit which certainly cheered me up.
Can't understand this players are tired business. I thought last week too many players looked as though they were struggling before half time.
Is it something to do with the training or are they just unfit!!!
Sorry this just annoys me. As an old supporter I remember the days when players like Colin Bettany never missed a game for several seasons and there was no 5 subs on the bench.
Moan over.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Nov 29, 2014 13:23:56 GMT
I confidently predict that this will be the first ever match between Torquay and Eastleigh not to be decided on penalties. 2-0 to them on penalty shootouts. The second game was decided by Ricey missing his penalty! www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/doubting-Gulls-work-ethic/story-12354703-detail/story.htmlFOR THE SECOND time in four days, Torquay United lost a penalty shoot-out to Conference South club Eastleigh at Bideford yesterday, and this time it cost them the Errea South-West Challenge Cup.
A packed programme — the Gulls were reinstated in the Errea tournament late on Friday night — saw them play four matches from Thursday night to yesterday afternoon, and three games in two days over the weekend.
FIRST, United thought they were out of the Errea competition when they drew their second group game 0-0 with Eastleigh and then lost 3-2 on penalties.
But Crystal Palace, after beating Bideford to reach the last four, pulled out late on Friday night claiming an injury crisis. The organisers asked United to take their place.
Then United had the little matter of a scheduled Plainmoor friendly against a talent-packed young Chelsea XI, who beat a strong-looking Gulls side 1-0 in a highly entertaining game on Saturday afternoon.
Then, the rest of the Torquay squad headed back up to North Devon to draw 1-1 with League One side Yeovil Town in the Errea semi-final — and beat them 5-3 on penalties.
Finally, the whole of manager Paul Buckle's squad returned to Bideford's Sports Ground, either to play or support their colleagues in the Errea Final yesterday afternoon.
This time United, after dominating the match, hauled back a 2-0 deficit to draw 2-2 with Eastleigh with late goals by trainee Ashley Yeoman and Mustapha Carayol.
Fit-again Roscoe Dsane, playing his second match in 24 hours after a shoulder operation, also missed a great chance of the winner a minute from time.
In the shoot-out the Hampshire side converted all five of their spot-kicks. United scored their first four penalties, only for goalkeeper Martin Rice to pull the fifth one just wide.
Rice had also missed a penalty in the first match against Eastleigh. But he had scored in the semi-final shoot-out against Yeovil.
During the course of the weekend Buckle's resources were stretched to the limit.
He started with what most fans took to be close to his current 'first' team against Chelsea.
In the Errea semi-final and final, he made certain that all his other senior pros saw plenty of action, and he also gave chances to striker Yeoman and defender Cameron Kelly, two of the club's new intake of youth trainees.
Yeoman, especially, caught the eye.
Buckle said: “We didn't plan to play so many games in such a short time, but there were lots of plusses from it, and hopefully we will reap the rewards in the future.
“The players and their attitude were absolutely brilliant in all the matches.
“In the final against Eastleigh, their first goal was a penalty, no argument about that, and their second was a great free-kick.
“We dominated for long spells, but maybe lacked a finish here and there.
“Roscoe (Dsane) had a chance at the end, but he was so tired by then, and I'm just delighted that he got two games under his belt after being out for a long time.
“There was no way I could have got two games like that into him under normal circumstances.
“Mustapha Carayol also scored again, which was good.
“We didn't lose a game in the tournament in normal time.
“To draw against Yeovil's first team and then win the shoot-out was a real achievement.
“And I think everyone enjoyed the Chelsea match too.
“The players need a couple of days off now, but I'm clearer in my mind about what we need to work on.
“The last ten or 12 days of training will really sharpen us up.”
United's last pre-season game is away to Truro City on Friday night, and then the build-up to the opening of the Blue Square Premier season, at Histon on August 9, will begin.
United's line-up in the Errea Semi-Final against Bideford on Saturday evening was: (4-4-2) Rice; Kelly, Robertson, Ellis, Nicholson; Yeoman, Adams, Woods. Carayol; Dsane, Benyon. Score 1-1 (Benyon pen), United won 5-3 on pens.
United's team in the Errea final against Eastleigh yesterday was: (4-3-3) Rice; Mansell, Robertson, Ellis, Nicholson; Thompson (Yeoman 75), Wroe (Green 46), Adams; Dsane, Benyon (Carayol 60), Stevens (Carlisle 46). Score 2-2 (Yeoman 83, Carayol 84), Eastleigh won 5-4 on pens.
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Post by hullgull on Nov 29, 2014 13:30:47 GMT
Afternoon campers........what's with all tired this tired palava.....load of gruddocks.....I love that word......lol.......better wake up then you gulls .....with Santa coming soon as well.....no ho ho ......lol.......anyway some old stalwart against us today in toddy and maybe Craig Stanley to.....no time for sentiment....get there you gulls and basically kick some booty....show what we can do........njoy your day guys......am on countdown now till Xmas .....can't wait......si
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2014 13:52:11 GMT
United's team in the Errea final against Eastleigh yesterday was: (4-3-3) Rice; Mansell, Robertson, Ellis, Nicholson; Thompson (Yeoman 75), Wroe (Green 46), Adams; Dsane, Benyon (Carayol 60), Stevens (Carlisle 46). Score 2-2 (Yeoman 83, Carayol 84), Eastleigh won 5-4 on pens. Good grief. I was there. My main memory is of nearly suffering a nasty accident by slipping down the stairs of the stand. At the time I put it down to new shoes. |
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Post by hullgull on Nov 29, 2014 16:59:23 GMT
Great day ........3 points........England beat them kangaroos.....and hull city getting beat........perfik.......njoy your night.....well done you yellows....si
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Nov 29, 2014 17:59:57 GMT
What a strike and burst of pace by Brisco to set up Bowmans goal.
Eastleigh with all that money you would have thought they would have had a decent goalie rather than SIX experienced strikers in the squad.
I know some don't like the officials getting stick or people going on about how bad they were, but Jeez todays collective of officials (is there a grammer school word for that - knobhead of officials perhaps) were pretty p*ss poor.I would seriously like to have sat down with the ref after the game and watched the game on dvd with him and asked him some questions. For example why book a Torquay player who had been pushed over by an Eastleigh player after play had stopped - raised hands, surely a sending off. Any who.
Right off the Hole in the Wall for a bite to eat and a few beers.
All in all a derserved win.
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 29, 2014 18:31:41 GMT
They were maybe a bit top heavy Phil and it went t#ts up for them?
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Nov 29, 2014 19:01:48 GMT
A strange game where we had the better chances but had to defend for long periods without Eastleigh creating much! A pity Toddy was only on the bench. Nice to see a return to action for Chappell and his pace gave the Eastleigh defence something to think about!
We started off flying. In the first minute, a nice ricochet fell kindly for Bowman who went through but was unable to slot home past their keeper who saved well to just concede a corner. Bowman made up for things a few minutes later. Receiving the ball in an advanced position, he was able to draw the defence to him and channel the ball out wide to Ajala. He was then able to penetrate deep into the area and the advantage of a right footer, is being able to cut inside which he duly did to fire home low to the far post!
Eastleigh then came back at us creating a lot of pressure but without making Rice have to do too much. He collected one whipped in cross well and a few dangerous free kicks passed without incident. Richards was guilty of giving the ball away on a couple of occasions just outside the area. Once when trying to control the ball when a hefty whack would have sufficed and another misplaced pass which needed Ives to make a last ditch tackle. Ironically, the best chance fell to Torquay. Some good play all round had the Eastleigh defence scrambling and when the ball came to Bowman, the goal looked at his mercy but his shot spooned off the outside of his foot.
The second half continued in the same vein with Eastleigh again applying a lot of pressure without perhaps having the finesse to unlock our defence. They made a couple of substitutions on the hour without making much difference. The ref appeared to be intent on booking an entire defence. Pearce was hauled down in the Eastleigh area and picked up a yellow for his troubles!?
We had a lucky escape late on when a McAllister header bounced back off the bar. However, we capitalised on this a short time after. A long ball to their left wing saw Briscoe, now on our right, win a tussel which saw their winger dumped on his behind. With Eastleigh pushing up he had acres of space to run into and took the ball to the edge of the area and his shot was poorly Palmed back for Bowman to head the easiest goal he will probably score. So 2-0 and for once, not too tense a finale!
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Post by Swanny on Nov 29, 2014 19:33:53 GMT
A very pleasing performance today against strong opposition. It was arguably the best all round performance I have seen this season. We carved out some decent chances through good build up play and just as importantly looked solid today. It's been a long time since I've witnessed a home win with a clean sheet. Sponsors MOTM going to a commanding performance by Downes who won so many important headers in defence, Twitter MOTM going to Ajala who was our most dangerous offensive player today by some distance. Crowd a worrying 1,862 with around 100 from Eastleigh in the Bristow Bench.
The game was barely 30 seconds old when Bowman found himself clean through with just the keeper to beat. Bowman struck the ball at a good height for the keeper to parry out and it was a big chance missed. But 5 minutes later Bowman fed the ball to Ajala on the left just outside the penalty box who cut inside and beat a defender and let rip with a strong low shot that beat their keeper in the far corner. Eastleigh did have good spells of pressure in the first half and Ives had to make 2 crucial last ditch tackles to prevent clear chances for Eastleigh in the penalty box. Richards was careless in possession at times but our defence was holding strong. Rice had his best performance for a long time and showed some good decisive action in dealing with danger - on 1 occasion he raced outside his box to clear which is most unlike Rice normally. But Torquay created the clearer chances in the first half and Bowman near half-time was through on goal again at close range with the keeper to beat and had a lot of the goal to aim at. Sadly Bowman badly miscued his shot horribly and the ball went wide.
The second half went in a similiar fashion. Eastleigh had some good pressure but Torquay were handling it well and also had their dangerous moments. Briscoe put a dangerous low cross in from the right but Bowman got a touch to the ball with Ajala about to pull the trigger behind him and the chance went begging. Rice pulled off a diving save low down to his left. As the half wore on Eastleigh were cranking up the pressure. The turning point of the match was when a header crashed off the Torquay crossbar. At times it was a case of all hands on deck and all Torquay players were putting in a great shift in keeping out Eastleigh. MacDonald came on for the lively Chappel to shore things up at the back. I thought Chappel in his first match back from injury looked lively today on the right wing and it was just a shame his final ball was often wasted. Then on 86 minutes Briscoe robbed the ball off a Eastleigh player just inside their half on the right and raced towards goal. Briscoe unleashed a powerful shot that the keeper parried the ball into the air to a waiting Bowman who nodded into an empty net. The referee did not help Torquay's cause during the match by booking no less than 5 Torquay players for such trivial matters and yet let off Eastleigh players for more serious offences.
So it was a game that Torquay's back 4 finally looked solid throughout the match with Rice taking good command of his area. There was none of those horrible mix ups today. Ives and Berry seem decent full-backs, it's good to see full-backs who can defend and are mobile going forward. I thought Richards and Young by his very high standards were not at their best today. Young's shooting did not have the usual accuracy. Ajala was brilliant on the ball typically beating players, scored a great goal and tracked back and won some great tackles. Bowman's finishing was poor but worked hard in holding the ball up front. Briscoe had his dangerous moments and was brilliant creating Torquay's second goal late on which proved those supporters wrong who doubted his fitness to last a match. Both Torquay's goal today were quality and I look forward to seeing them on video.
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