FC: Torquay United v Lincoln 7:45pm 24 February 2015 -OFF!!!

loyalgull

Loyalgull makes mention of the club seemingly being obsessed with the F.A Trophy, and I can understand how it might have come across that way. If we go back a month or two with results having taken a dip, the only players we could attract were those willing to play for nothing, and a lonely Thea apparently up the creek without a paddle, concerns that Luke Young would be sold, young Levi possibly heading back to Ireland, and a disciplinary record giving cause for concern, then any positive at all, even if it was a hatful of goals over lesser opponents in an Trophy tie was always going to be seized upon and milked to the maximum.

The home tie with F.C United was bigged up, and why not, there's not been much colour and noise at Plainmoor for a while. And now with the team only 90 minutes away from Wembley, I can see the publicity machine being justifiably cranked up to try and bring in a decent crowd to support the team on Saturday.

So while the club may have put the emphasis on the Trophy, highlighting those victories and successes, and naturally opting to give more coverage to good news than bad news, I've personally not got the impression that either the players, or especially the Manager, have in any way prioritised it over the battle for league points.

I think we can put a strong team out on Tuesday night, and will definitely 'give it a go'. Had we been in a situation whereby Chris named a team for Tuesday with Yeoman and Benyon as his attackers, then it would be easier to point and say 'ah, yes, a weakened team as he's holding some back for the Trophy'. If we bring Dawson in I don't see that as a major weakening. The inspirational Aaron Downes is almost back to full fitness, and do the new signings of Campbell and Reid not have enough quality to be played without it being seen as weakening the team ? Come to that, if someone is brought in to replace Courtney Cameron on Tuesday night, would that diminish our 'full strength' or boost it ?

Just at the moment, and no further injures permitting, Chris has a few options to shuffle the pack and still maintain a decent looking side (on paper at last). The promotion and F.A Trophy double is almost definitely beyond him, but then he hasn't completed his first full season as a Manager yet, plus the club has apparently been a bit rudderless behind the scenes, and he's only been able to cover the bus fare to players who'll turn up to play for us. Full strength on Tuesday and full strength on Saturday is my guess, although that doesn't necessarily demand the same starting eleven on both occasions.

Support your local Tarzan !

Well, it looks like they have the same hairdresser so well within the bounds of possibility that they may have met!

It will be interesting to see our starting lineup.

In addition to Saturday's starting XI, any of Dawson, Downes, Cruise, Chapell, Briscoe, Reid and Campbell could come in without really weakening the team. More a case of squad rotation than playing an understrength team - and places for Saturday are very much up for grabs.

I expect we will start both games with a 4-4-2 formation.

Dawson at right back? Cup-tied for Saturday of course. Downes back and MacDonald or Gueguen at right back? Or rest MacDonald? Cruise for Ives?

I'd guess Young and Richards in centre midfield but how about Gueguen as a foil for Young? Can do the tackling and comfortable on the ball.

Campbell and Bowman? Reid and Bowman? Rest Bowman - Campbell and Reid?

Ajala on one flank - unless he is rested for Saturday. Who on the other? Reid? Chapell? Cameron? Briscoe?

Plenty of options.

Does anybody seriously think we would have won promotion if we'd been knocked out in the Trophy first round?

This ridiculous assertion that we have deliberately chosen to try to win the Trophy rather than get promoted grinds my gears.

We will not be promoted - we are not good enough.

Does that mean we should all put on a hair shirt, moan and whinge and refuse to participate in a cup run?

First match in what seems months - is there a pitch inspection due?

Looks like we have accidentally left the hoses on!!! If the Wrexham game goes ahead then doubt they will be too happy!!!

Exactly.

And yet, the late postponement is being bandied as further evidence that we do not want promotion and that everyone who is happy to go along and enjoy the ride of a minor cup run, is somehow a half-witted imbecile who likes to conga in a banana suit.