Torquay United V Salisbury 25th August 2008

Sorry I never noticed that honest I just goggled some pictures, I will look for a new one tomorrow, If I can't find one with him in TUFC gear, hes going, that was not an anti= buckle remark, or one asking for him to be sacked. Sorry just felt I needed to make that clear. ;D

Excellent report Swangull and fully matched my observations.
I too was surprised by the attendance figure - it looked less than 2k
For the first time since his appointment Paul Buckle walked to the dugout before the game accompanied by silence as opposed to the normal applause he has previously enjoyed. That "reception" was repeated at half time.
At the end of the game I think it was unfair of anyone to boo. Certainly the result was disappointing but the performance was solid enough. It appeared to me that the booing was was directly related to the manager and not the team who were given a measure of warm applause as they left the pitch.
Have to say was surprised by the Man of the Match award. Perhaps gullfc is not too wide of the mark . I thought Hodges faded in the second half and along with Woods and Ellis (I cannot really believe I just typed that!) Mansell might have been in the frame.
Something to build on certainly but it will be a big game on Thursday with a poor crowd and the pressure is still on.

It was never rocket science to know you have to built the team from the back, Now that we have gone back to having defenders to defend, lets hope the midfield is worked on next, passing the ball to the forwards, all we have to do them is show them how to get it between the white posts and not on either side of them.

The point to emphasise as well again that we were much improved because Buckle selected players up for a physical battle. Our back 4 looked physically imposing especially with Ellis and Robertson's height, and we can always rely on Hargreaves and Mansell, when played in the middle, to get stuck in. Speaking to my friends who have seen most matches, too many of the new players it would seem don't seem up for a battle, and that is why we have been so poor. Add into the mix Stevens and Benyon, then we appear very weak, as much as I rate their skill levels at times.

I suppose it's a question of balance but I do agree with Merse, we need to win the physical battle first. I really missed Phillips physical presence today, and that is an example of a player who got stuck in AND could show skill. Come to think of it so could Zebroski. Unfortunately it seems too many of our players this season only possess skill OR physical endeavours.

First match seen this season and first post but thanks,Dave
for a great site

I thought it was a pretty awful game today.
Ok we did mix the play up in the first half and we should have
taken the couple of good chances we created but we're not looking like a team, no-one's running off the ball, no-one's making space
it's just perfunctory stuff and the longer it went on the more we went to the long ball.

You can see that Carlisle and Caryol can both play but they hardly ever get the ball and they pulled inside more and more.

After half an hour everything was a boot over the top or a flick-on
- why is no-one is holding the ball in the middle of the pitch and looking for a wide runner ?
I thought Sills played well in the first half but why is he tracking back into defence all the time - he was even defending throw-ins.

Why is no-one playing off Sills ? His strength is his headed deflections but no-one is anticipating them and they come to nothing.
I thought D'Sane was ineffective today - he's meant to have real speed but he was outpaced nearly every time by defenders covering - he reminded me of Bedau once his speed was gone -
and he just isn't sharp in the box - ok he may not be 100% fit
but should we be starting with him then ?
Yes, Benyon maybe is physically lightweight but he's sharp in the box and chases every half chance and Green would surely have a point to prove
To see that Salisbury are top tonight says it all.
They were very poor - not as good as last year when the 4-0 score flattered us - but they took their chance when it came.
Our back 4 looked solid enough, although Robertson is out of position out wide - as he always has been. When he came to the club he looked a great prospect as a centre back , always played the simple ball, never seemed to panic and could always lay the ball off to his wide defenders but Buckle just won't play him there.

When I think back to the opening game last season against Grays I think of the way the team seemed galvanised and chased down every back pass, pressured the keeper and the back 4, and it was such a change from the previous 2 seasons.
We don't do it now. We looked tired and everyone seemed to be looking for someone else to do something.
We need a settled side that plays together for 5 or 6 matches
but of course we need to know what that side is.
I can't excuse the manager for this. He has to know the players better than anyone. He has to get performances out of them
- that's what he has to learn . We aren't talking about 5 games
he's had a year now. Things went wrong before Christmas
and they aren't any better now. How many managers can you think of who are able to turn it around after a poor start ?
-a few but not many. The sides at the bottom of divisions in September are usually still there come March.

After years of driving back to Cornwall after another depressing
performance I've got you to thank, Dave for having a place to express an opinion other than listening to the drivel on Radio Devon.
Thanks.

Yes, Valentines night 2 seasons ago. Drew 0-0 with Barnet in a DIRE game, in pooring rain. Drive back to Helston in drizzle/fog through a desolate Cornwall with no Valentine present.

If i remember orrectly there was only 2000 supporters there that night as well.

I would echo that - if he HAS asked to be listed it displays a pretty poor sort of character.

Does he not fancy trying to win a place on the left of midfield? Does he not relish the challenge of proving in training that he is a more effective left back than Hodges (which I personally don't think he is by the way) and if he were to go where does that leave our currently undermanned fullback department?

No Mr Nicholson, YOU were one of the players who got us off to this bad start - you stay and clear up your own mess!