Torquay United Fans Forum

ferrarilover wrote:We need a catalyst for change. We need just one thing to go our way and we'll be alright. Think back over the last few years. We had that bloody penalty against Northwich Victoria at home, the one Sillsy shanked into the top corner, we never looked back. We had the Wimbledon game where we weren't all that good, but won 4-0 and shot up the league. We haven't had so much as a shread of luck this season. We haven't even had a penalty for getting on for a calendar year.
I'm not saying we're unlucky to be where we are, but we sure as hell haven't been given any help. Once again on Saturday, Rice barely touched the ball and we were soundly beaten by a side who scored three goals from four shots on target. I watch other matches and they seem to follow a largely similar pattern to ours, yet they finish 1-0 or 1-1, not a bloody 3-1 hammering.

We aren't getting slaughtered every week. Teams aren't taking the piss out of us, we aren't doing a Stockport of a few years ago and getting beaten 4 or 5 nil every week. We just need one spark to ignite what, I think we're all agreed, is a pretty good squad, into action.
Annoyingly, the 'easiest' way to do that might well be to get in a new manager, a clean slate and some different thinking.
Of course, a nice 5-0 win would do the same, or perhaps even a jammy 1-0 with a wholly undeserved penalty awarded in the 96th minute. Anything which will instil some confidence back into the club.

Perhaps this two week break will do it. Maybe they'll get 4 days off to be with their friends, they'll get to go out and sniff coke off a hooker or whatever it is they footballers do in their spare time and maybe that will work.

Matt.

or something as equally predictable - play bloody golf!

Well they were given a day off training today...

We need a catalyst for change. We need just one thing to go our way and we'll be alright. Think back over the last few years. We had that bloody penalty against Northwich Victoria at home, the one Sillsy shanked into the top corner, we never looked back. We had the Wimbledon game where we weren't all that good, but won 4-0 and shot up the league. We haven't had so much as a shread of luck this season. We haven't even had a penalty for getting on for a calendar year.
I'm not saying we're unlucky to be where we are, but we sure as hell haven't been given any help. Once again on Saturday, Rice barely touched the ball and we were soundly beaten by a side who scored three goals from four shots on target. I watch other matches and they seem to follow a largely similar pattern to ours, yet they finish 1-0 or 1-1, not a bloody 3-1 hammering.

We aren't getting slaughtered every week. Teams aren't taking the piss out of us, we aren't doing a Stockport of a few years ago and getting beaten 4 or 5 nil every week. We just need one spark to ignite what, I think we're all agreed, is a pretty good squad, into action.
Annoyingly, the 'easiest' way to do that might well be to get in a new manager, a clean slate and some different thinking.
Of course, a nice 5-0 win would do the same, or perhaps even a jammy 1-0 with a wholly undeserved penalty awarded in the 96th minute. Anything which will instil some confidence back into the club.

Perhaps this two week break will do it. Maybe they'll get 4 days off to be with their friends, they'll get to go out and sniff coke off a hooker or whatever it is they footballers do in their spare time and maybe that will work.

Matt.

Also Dave, I'm not criticising you for not going to many games, I myself generally only go to the away games but you have to understand the frustration, disappointment and anger of those fans that go home and away every week and watch what we have been served up. I finally saw a few people crack at the weekend in the away end and like you've already said, people who maybe you don't expect to but because they have it gives you the impression that it must be serious. Some even went to the bar mid second half because it was just that appalling once again and they'd just had enough. I was really sad on Saturday and sat down for the last 15, didn't even really acknowledge that Marquis had scored, I just wanted to go home even though it was a short journey for me for a change. I spend more than those that go on the coach because I travel alone and I have to foot the bill for the diesel, then the ticket etc and I felt violated by that on Saturday and the demeanour and attitude of Knill.

Getting up at the crack of dawn every other week and travelling 3,4,5 + hours in the cold and dark to get to dumps like Fleetwood, Accrington, Scunny, Morecambe, Bury, Rochdale and so on, the incessant rubbish on the pitch, the costs involved, the time spent, the days off work booked to go to Burton for the night game, the despair and the anger building. Seeing our manager motionless on the touchline making bad and bizarre decisions in front of their very eyes and not being able to do a thing about it, then trudging out of the ground to face a long journey back and not get in until late. This on the back of what happened last season too and I can totally understand why there maybe some resistance to adhering to the 'we're all in this together so let's support as one' notion.

And some fans who have commented on some of the anger aimed at Knill on Saturday too annoyed me. It was probably their first away game of the season and they suddenly felt they had a right to criticise others, some of which have been to every away game until now and given nothing but full, unbridled vocal support. These people commenting about this don't see this though, they just see a bit of abuse being dished out for the last 20 on Saturday, most of it not really that bad anyway, but they see this and make stupid comments like 'they were embarrassed to be a torquay fan on saturday' and stuff like this.

Maybe if they understood that it is mainly these die hard fans who keep the club afloat who quite understandably have finally had the camels back broken culminating at Scunthorpe then maybe they would keep quiet and not post such irresponsible comments.

I can't speak for the home fans at Plainmoor but I know for a fact that out of 8 away games I've been to the support to a man has been thoroughly exceptional and everyone at those games should be really proud of themselves and what they have tried to do.

What I am trying to say after all that is that we should all get behind the lads in every game regardless but I don't think it workable nor necessary for everyone to get behind Knill. So long as there is no more abuse from the terraces then that would be an acceptable truce, let Alan work in peace and without question whilst he is on the touchline. I think that is fair but I don't expect half of us to actually proactively support the man by shouting we love him and things. I accept that you will always get a proportion of fans who turn up for the odd home games to shout abuse and that won't change. Also it's about context. If I put a picture of a squirrel on facebook for example with an inoffensive comment about Knill then is that banter or personal abuse?

I just think that at the end of the day many of these fans are tired and close to giving up but I fully expect them to trawl to Dagenham with nothing but dread and bewilderment in their heads as to why they are even bothering. Knill has to start interacting with the fans and showing some support and appreciation because it should work both ways.

Personal abuse is not justified or acceptable but there should be a bit of understanding of how some people have got to this point other than just condemning everyone with a bad word to say as a cretin or something like (not directly saying you have - just some on here and on that other forums ).

Totally agree with both your posts Dave SG, I fully backed Alan Knill until this weekend, and agree as I've said above, he doesn't deserve the hate fuelled nonsense that has been thrown his way.

I've changed my stance for two reasons, one) the Plymouth game, was a very good performance one the team deserved to win, after the game however there were a lot of fans, not just young spitting utter poison towards Alan Knill, when a large % of the fan base has turned against the manager to that point, I seriously don't think even four straight wins will get some fans back on side, this anti Alan Knill mantra is so deeply embedded in some now nothing will change it.

And, Two) Yep a four point gap at this stage of the season is nothing to much to worry about, plenty of games and points to play for, however the all important Christmas period is drawing down on us and quick, right now there doesn't seem to be any sign of results turning in our favour, in fact some players look so short of confidence it's troubling, there are a lot of games coming up and we could, if not careful arrive on January 1st with a mountain to steep to climb.

Whilst I wish AK well, I just think now could be the right time for a new direction, and I mean new, not a recent ex-manager or an ex-player who might bring an old boys inner circle to the dressing with Messrs' Nicho and Manse.

Southampton Gull wrote: It's no longer a case of who is right or who is wrong it's reached the time where one way or another we all need to get behind the club.

Totally agree with this.

I've said my piece - let's move on and hope to move upwards!!!!

You made perfect sense, Andy. I wasn't referring to you personally although I'm mindful that you did create a number of threads, I'm just surprised at some of the people who share your viewpoint. People I would say are normally not given to asking for a manager to be sacked, that shows me that they consider the situation to be extremely serious, serious enough to make their stance public.

It's no longer a case of who is right or who is wrong it's reached the time where one way or another we all need to get behind the club.

If the club decide to back him and hope for the best, then yes, we as fans need to accept that and get on with backing the players, manager and Board.

However, there seems little evidence of any turnaround based on the results we are getting.

I'm going to get the "ah, but you haven't seen any games to judge him on" card thrown at me - and that's fair, but people don't need to be geniuses to see that things aren't great.
There are only so many times we can be unlucky. There are only so many times we can say that we are struggling with injuries to key players etc etc....sooner or later (preferably sooner!!) the excuses wear thin and action needs to be taken.

I am in no doubt that Knill's job has been made more difficult by some toys being thrown out of the pram by some senior players - those that should know better - and I accept that, however he has had lots of time, and lots of backing in the loan market to turn things around and, Plymouth aside, there seems to be little evidence that he will.

I don't attack posters for their views - and so I would be genuinely interested to know why those 6 people actually think we shouldn't sack Knill - is it based on money, or a genuine belief that Knill will turn it around.
If you don't want to say on here, I'm happy to discuss over PM.

Southampton Gull wrote:
Exactly what we should do if we are in no position to release him from his duties.

I don't know about anyone else but I'm seriously tired and embarrassed at some of the things written about a manager of our Club. I don't ever remember this kind of witch hunt before and in my opinion some people need to take a long hard look at themselves before writing some of the poisonous diatribes I've seen on here of late.

I've been supportive of Alan Knill but even though I'm one of the few remaining fans that think he can turn it around I have been doubting my stance just recently. Sometimes you just can't wait any longer for someone to succeed but if as I say, we are not in a position to sack him then bloody well come out and put a stop to the hatred and viciousness and tell everyone he is staying put. Maybe then it might dawn on people how precarious our position is and we can all unite behind the Club before we end up losing it for good.

I agree with this Dave and amidst some not very nice stuff I have posted about Knill which I admit to doing and some of it was ott I did actually say the very same thing as you about Knill's position and the board. I'm not blaming the board in any way shape or form for appointing Knill and for how things have turned out but I feel that a little bit of communication would go a long way to easing fear and frustration amongst the fans.

If we aren't in a position to release Knill from the club then I don't expect the club to say that obviously as it would undermine Alan if he were to stay knowing the board would fire him if they had the cash. What I would like to see is some clarity of the situation so we can get on with things. The board know that Alan has been under a lot of pressure for a few months now and it is getting to crisis point therefore if they released a statement confirming they are 100% behind him and going nowhere then the more anti-Knill amongst us will have to stop the abuse. A lot won't but I personally don't see the point in clamouring for his exit once it has been made clear he is staying.

If he is staying then fine, just tell us board and people can calm down a bit and learn to accept that he is going nowhere. Maybe some of the vitriol will subside then. Even with Alan, I feel that if he was open and communicative with us and explained certain things to us then some of the anger and frustration would subside as we can see he is hurting, trying his hardest to put things right and giving us confidence in his ability. I know he doesn't have to do this but when we have zero communication, information and confidence coming from the board and management then it just creates confusion and anxiety which generally could be avoided with a bit of openness.

Am I making sense, I'm probably not but that is the way I look at it.

He's not THAT good

I'm No 6

Well said SG a lot of cringeworthy stuff has been said and posted. I was one of the five (last time I looked) to vote 'no' our manager should not be sacked, but you should be able to hold a view without the hatred that has come over from quite a few. The ridiculous number of threads on just one subject was amusing had there not been so much vitriol (albeit most of them got obliterated when a bug got into the system - I reckon Mr Herbert is better at computer stuff than he sometimes gets credit for! ).

teeboo100 wrote: Perhaps its time to back our manager till the end of the season regardless.

Exactly what we should do if we are in no position to release him from his duties.

I don't know about anyone else but I'm seriously tired and embarrassed at some of the things written about a manager of our Club. I don't ever remember this kind of witch hunt before and in my opinion some people need to take a long hard look at themselves before writing some of the poisonous diatribes I've seen on here of late.

I've been supportive of Alan Knill but even though I'm one of the few remaining fans that think he can turn it around I have been doubting my stance just recently. Sometimes you just can't wait any longer for someone to succeed but if as I say, we are not in a position to sack him then bloody well come out and put a stop to the hatred and viciousness and tell everyone he is staying put. Maybe then it might dawn on people how precarious our position is and we can all unite behind the Club before we end up losing it for good.

I agree with the last post. Some of the comments about Knill on numerous OP have been embarrassing. Also the bad feeling started so early and stoked up the general negativity. My view was that the Board had made a decision and invested in Knill and some patience was needed. However, like Forever, I now feel sufficient time has been given because I think the position is untenable and so the Board has to come to another decision soon.

that's the second of two very good posts teeboo, Alan Knill right now is feeling worse than any of us, he didn't come here to screw up our club, it's his livelihood on the line and his professional reputation destroyed, about as bad as it gets for a professional football manager, where does he go after failing at Torquay United, he doesn't deserve some of the hate fuelled nonsense being thrown his way.

Like Brucie I think it is a shame things haven't worked out for AK, for both parties, however we're at a crossroads, will back AK while he is our manager, but think a new direction is needed.

brucie has made a very good point there a few weeks ago i posted that i didn't think alan was very well of course the reply's where i was talking rubbish well ime afraid football management is a very stressful environment we as a club should have some experience in this field after the martin ling situation. Perhaps its time to back our manager till the end of the season regardless the away end was toxic on sat i personally would not like to sit in an away end again like it fans rowing bad feeling it was bloody awful. so if it was rough on us fans how did alan knill feel on the touch line ime guessing terrible.