Torquay United Fans Forum

Group 2 for me I liked ling

forevertufc wrote: Thats fair enough Dave, personaly, allways liked Martin Ling, liked his style of management to, not going to try and convince you any other way, as we spoke about it a few times.

However to me, it depends on what this mystery illness was, and when or if the illness actually impacted on his ability to do the job. Heard a pretty convicing story about what the likely illness was, which I now believe was never true, as it's the sort of thing you do not ever fully recover from, then I speak to someone, who through his job has cause to be in certain places around the ground, who tells me there was plenty of evidence to suggest, there was more to a certain rumour than meets the eye.

If thats is true, and I can't say it is, Martin Ling got everything he deserved, if not and he was treated badly, whats stopping Martin Ling from coming out and clearing his name, nothing, not all the tea in China would stop me from doing that.

Can nobody accept he had an illness that was stress related and that all the rumours about having a drink problem are bull shit and people are clinging to this in order to justify what has probably turned out to be a poor decision to dispose of his services. He does not have to clear his name and why would he bother anyway, Torquay is in his past now and I don't suppose he gives a toss. We've made our bed so we need to lie in it not cast unfounded rumours around, let it go you didn't want him he's moved on..........

1 & 2 for me, I like the squad, AK I hope will work it out and our luck will turn. But Ling had that amazing season
that is hard to forget, and how we got to where we are now.

Group 1. I think Knill will get it right in time. I think he's made some decent signings, and has a desire to win games. When the team has gelled properly, we'll be comfortably mid-table, which is a little over par.

I lost interest in watching Ling's team. He tried to preach a passing game, but if you never attempt to attack the opposition, what good is that? Whilst I concede what I witnessed on Saturday was worse than anything I saw under Ling, I'm hopeful it was no more than a (very) bad day. Time will tell.

Southampton Gull wrote:His "illness" would have impacted before he stepped down though Dave, so current form from that particular part of his reign is unjust IMHO.

Thats fair enough Dave, personaly, allways liked Martin Ling, liked his style of management to, not going to try and convince you any other way, as we spoke about it a few times.

However to me, it depends on what this mystery illness was, and when or if the illness actually impacted on his ability to do the job. Heard a pretty convicing story about what the likely illness was, which I now believe was never true, as it's the sort of thing you do not ever fully recover from, then I speak to someone, who through his job has cause to be in certain places around the ground, who tells me there was plenty of evidence to suggest, there was more to a certain rumour than meets the eye.

If thats is true, and I can't say it is, Martin Ling got everything he deserved, if not and he was treated badly, whats stopping Martin Ling from coming out and clearing his name, nothing, not all the tea in China would stop me from doing that.

It is indeed Richard Money, or Dr Who if you believe anything Hector says

Surely it's "Tricky Dicky" Money??

Heritage gull wrote: Jez George. He was the junior development manager and I think an assistant to Paul Cardin after Gary Brabin got the flick. Jez has been 1st team manager for a couple of years now, or thereabouts.
HG

Wow, must have a long-term vision and stuck with him during the lean times.

hector wrote:But, I wonder, who it is who is managing the unmanageable, Cambridge, to current runaway success? (although the league table doesn't count, I forgot, so really they are crap!)

Jez George. He was the junior development manager and I think an assistant to Paul Cardin after Gary Brabin got the flick. Jez has been 1st team manager for a couple of years now, or thereabouts.
HG

To be fair don't get drawn into knill's I'm running with a smaller squad myth. Lingy had 24 signed players last year. Knill said I will go with 17 established pros and a couple of youngsters who I can develop and use the loan market. He has 22 signed players in our squad plus loanees there's no difference at all.

Here's another thing. Ling had a biggish squad filled with so called mediocre players. Knill went for a smaller squad and quality.......We now have a problem with the smaller squad also is Knill's fully fit team better than Lings?

exiledgull wrote:How can you compare Knill and Ling,

It's not Knills fault the likes of Lathrope/Craig etc arent good enoug and we are carrying them! Along with other players. This is hardly Knills team and we need to be patient but unfortunately I think it's be patient until the end of the year. With budget cuts and previous regimes, the next 5 managers will all have the same problems no money/no squad a few injuries and your in trouble.

We all see the game differently and are entitled to our own opinions of course, but to say Lathrope and Craig are not good enough and we are carrying them is in my opinion, nonsense. They are not being played because they are not Knill's signings - simple as that. Harding was signed as a defensive midfielder but Lathrope is much better in that role as he proved two seasons ago when we reached the play offs. Craig just isn't given an opportunity. Last Saturday cried out for a change of tactics in the second half but Knill persisted with the same formation which York comfortably contained. It would be in Nathan Craig's best interest to leave the club and move on to somewhere where he would get a game. I for one would wish him well.

Group 2 for me. Ling is better than Knill and Ling brought in better players than Knill. I think the problem with the club has is poor running from above. Whoever employed Knill must be held accountable. There must have been someone better.

Agree with most of that exiled and indeed the Harding scenario. I haven't seen him play since Fleetwood where also at Northampton and Morecambe he was truly awful and I commented accordingly however reports suggest he is steadily improving and I am so pleased if this is the case. If he had a bad game or two then maybe let it ride but Harding had 5, 6 7 on the spin and so I wouldn't criticise anyone on here for complaining about him for that.

If we leave out Rice / Poke

Mansell, Bodin and Cruise are the regular starters outfield for us which aren't his signings. I presume Knill is playing Bodin because Cameron is just not up to it. He isn't playing Craig because presumably he thinks the same and presumably he thinks the same of Lathrope who only comes on when we've got problems.

Downes I omitted because it's a no brainer that he's get in regardless of who the manager was he is that good at this level.

So over half the side are Knills signings and add Downes and Poke/ Rice then you can count on one hand the players Ling has left behind that get in the side on a regular basis. Is that not Knills fault then?

I'm not trying to knock Knill although it is pointless saying that to some as that will get ignored but i'm trying to put my side of the argument. Ling to his credit made some superb signings for us whilst Knill has made a fair few with only Chappell likely to turn out to be a gem. Pearce has something if he stays fit an gets better both on and off the pitch and the rest are poor.

How can you compare Knill and Ling,

The rumours I have heard are that Ling had 400k larger budget than Knill! The players we released were experienced pros and we have replaced with kids due to funds. It's hard to compare with this in mind. I think Knill will keep us up comfortably, but the board need to help him out a bit. We have a wafer thin squad and we have injuries. How can we compete?

We are playing a very strong Wycombe team on Saturday and we have no centre halves! If we get a point we have done wonders. When to be fair if we lose by only 2 we've done alright. We all saw the first half against York and we looked strong. Harding goes off (who gets a hammering from people on here) we leak goals and then it's Knills fault.

It's not Knills fault the likes of Lathrope/Craig etc arent good enoug and we are carrying them! Along with other players. This is hardly Knills team and we need to be patient but unfortunately I think it's be patient until the end of the year. With budget cuts and previous regimes, the next 5 managers will all have the same problems no money/no squad a few injuries and your in trouble.