Torquay United Fans Forum

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, but I did find it interesting that Knill is staying in Torbay for the next week 'for a holiday'. Handy.

So in today's Football League paper Alan Knill says he's available and open to offers. Was his wave after the game after the singing of 'Alan Knill's Yellow Army' one of goodbye?
The BBC reports that Martin Ling is in talks with the Board tomorrow.
I don't believe it's clear cut that Ling will continue otherwise the message would be that Ling is returning to his post. 'In talks' about what I wonder? Simon Baker is quoted as saying 'We'll sort things out'. That does not sound like an employer telling an employee carry on as before.
Once the Manager is decided there is the big question of the retained list. How can Ling decide this when he's been absent and the team under Knill has played a completely different brand of football?
For example is Elliot Benyon the type of player Ling would want? My guess is that the majority of fans would welcome Elliot back as our player but would Ling?
Football League safety may be guaranteed but next week is likely to be another turbulent one.

Back home after today's 3-3 draw and since I started this particular thread I think I should add my comments.
For me Alan Knill and Chris Brass have shown what we can achieve with atttacking football. Also very interesting that after the game the crowd were singing 'Alan Knill's yellow army'
So what's going to be decided next week?
Martin Ling staying on as manager cannot be guararnteed.
Mrs Bristow has her frst big decision.

nickbrod wrote:Ever since the Southend away game when Chris Brass appeared in the pre-match warm-up I've questioned why the OS hasn't recognised his presence.
So earlier today David Thomas wrote a piece for the HE about news that Torquay's managerial situation is to be confirmed next week after Saturday's crucial stay up or go down fixture and then strangely over an hour ago the OS acknowledges for the first time the role of Chris Brass helping Alan Knill.
What's going on? A connection or just a co-incidence?
For my money Knill and Brass are a winning combination yet Martin Ling remains our contracted Manager. Something has to give so next week's announcement is going to be very interesting.

It's really not going to be interesting, Martin returning to work is hardly riveting ?

I am really grateful to both of them for getting us to a position where safety is in our own hands in the last game of the season. I thought we were doomed before Knill and Brass came, a team with zero confidence that expected to lose each game. If we stay in the League, I will be even more grateful!

If it turns out that Lingy doesn't come back, I would be delighted if Knill and Brass would take the reins on a more permanent basis.

Ever since the Southend away game when Chris Brass appeared in the pre-match warm-up I've questioned why the OS hasn't recognised his presence.
So earlier today David Thomas wrote a piece for the HE about news that Torquay's managerial situation is to be confirmed next week after Saturday's crucial stay up or go down fixture and then strangely over an hour ago the OS acknowledges for the first time the role of Chris Brass helping Alan Knill.
What's going on? A connection or just a co-incidence?
For my money Knill and Brass are a winning combination yet Martin Ling remains our contracted Manager. Something has to give so next week's announcement is going to be very interesting.

Definitely not received nothing! Hopefully come to Bury and do the same!,

'Torquay exile here and been in Bury many years and been supporting them to long for my sins! You've got a good double act in Knill and Brassy wish they would come back here! Actually bumped into Brassy in Manchester this weekend and he said he was loving being back in South Devon ( I remember his loan playing days!!) said he was doing job for nothing as he remembered chance Torquay gave him as a youngster and didn't want to see them go out of the league!'
There was a RUMOUR going round that Brass was not receiving any money; maybe this one was true! Even more credit to him then!

Well in this period he achieved exactly the same points total as Alan knill.

But what was Lings record for his first 13 games ? I'm asking this because in his last games he was most probably suffering the effects of his illness so a fairer reflection would be on his first 13 games the same as knill.[/quote]


In Lings first 13 league games he gained 15 pts (3 wins, 6 draws, and 4 defeats) as well as the defeats in the Carling Cup and JPT.

Torquay exile here and been in Bury many years and been supporting them to long for my sins! You've got a good double act in Knill and Brassy wish they would come back here! Actually bumped into Brassy in Manchester this weekend and he said he was loving being back in South Devon ( I remember his loan playing days!!) said he was doing job for nothing as he remembered chance Torquay gave him as a youngster and didn't want to see them go out of the league! Try and keep hold of them wish we'd done more to as he also said wouldn't have left if we had tried! Good Luck Saturday and will enjoy my trip home next year!

Dockers Pal wrote:Comparing Knills 13 games with the first 13 games of Ward at Bristol R, Sheridan at Argyle, Hill at Rochdale and the 12 of Scott at Shots, - Knill gained 15 pts, Hill gained 15pts, Sheridan gained 23pts, Ward gained 24pts and Scott gained 14pts (over 12 games). Knill return is nothing special.
In Lings last 13 games he gained 16pts plus the defeat to Harrogate.

But what was Lings record for his first 13 games ? I'm asking this because in his last games he was most probably suffering the effects of his illness so a fairer reflection would be on his first 13 games the same as knill.

It's odd, I don't remember this criticism when we were playing in the same style under Ling, but winning games.

Matt.

I made that point. They have nearly kept us up, by trying to win games. Ling didnt try to win games.