Torquay United Fans Forum

Yep Speiss should, and I think will start. He looked good tonight and I've heard great things about him from a County supporting mate, who said his downturn in form last season was a lot down to his confidence being shot in a couple of loan deals. He reckons a regular starting role and a set of new surroundings and he could be a terrific signing for us.

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On a side note, where has all this negativity come from regarding Speiss? He's looked good so far, has a terrific pedigree (he also had a trial at Liverpool earlier last season, same as Lavercombe) and fits the budget.

Good teams can have players fighting for the jersey. I remember that was the remit when we had both Poke and Bevan, and the same thing occured with Dearden and van Heusden. Both teams with those 'keepers in competition were good.

A good performance from us today.

We started a little slowly, I think perhaps due to the fact Exeter came out of the blocks quickly with some nice passing football and scored after about a minute and a half. I missed part of the goal but it looked like a defensive error as we failed to get the ball away, leaving it to the guy on the edge of the box to slot it away. We grew into the game though, and the work-rate really upped in the second half, with City struggling to deal with it or break us down once we got settled.

Speiss had a good game. Exeter's attack was far more fluid that Argyle's, meaning he was called on a few times and did pretty well I thought. I'd be surprised if he didn't start the season as number 1. We returned to four at the back, with Smith sliding over to right back where I thought he did pretty well. I like the look of Angus and Exodus as our back two. If anything, they are lacking a little in pace, but both are your classic no-nonsense defenders who will be able to deal with all but the best of attacks in this division. Butler is a top find. Good going forward, calm in defence, plenty of pace and a footballing head on his shoulders - really impressed with him so far. Overall then the defence looks fine - I think Cox knows what he's doing in this regard and we'll be tough to beat at the very least.

The midfield too switched in shape. Against Argyle we had both Kellerman and Fenwick behind Young who was pushed behind the striker, but today we started off with Richards and Fenwick in a flat two; perhaps more due to necessity. Given they were playing against some experienced but quality schemers in the middle such as Ryan Harley and Matt Oakley I thought they did well. Both got stuck in a lot, Fenwick especially looks like a really strong signing. He's happy to get involved in the tackle but also passes very well, and sprayed it out wide well for the two wingers. Richards too looked more comfortable and confident than at the end of last season and did alright himself. Shame Kellerman and Young are injured as else I'd be lamenting on how strong our midfield looks, but unfortunately I imagine we'll be looking for someone else to come in and fill the void. Chaney came on in the second half as we moved to a three man midfield, and he assumed the role that Young took last game of playing just in front of the other two. He didn't really have the chance to do anything of note, but ran around a bit and put himself about. Perhaps he'll get a chance before we move to get anyone else in?

On the wings we had the impressive Shephard Murembedzi (who scored the first) and Ryan Brobbel, a Northern Ireland u21 international who spent last year on loan at Hartlepool and had previously played at York. Shephard obviously has a lot of talent and skill, and his confidence shone through taking on his man as much as he could. Delivered the odd decent ball if I remember correctly too, so I'm pretty happy with him. He tried a little too much at times, but as long as he's running players he'll always bring something to the team. The chap on the other wing was good too. He was a right footer playing on the left, so the natural thing to do was for him to cut in and I was worried he was going to be a little too predictable in that regard. However, it was from taking it past the man and standing up a ball at the back post with his wrong foot that our first goal came from, so it looks as though he's got the ability in his locker to mix it up. He was taken off after about an hour and I'd be surprised if that's the last we see of him. Given the fact we're likely looking to whip crosses in I'd rather have a left footer on the left, but regardless I would say this guy is certainly good enough. He took it past his man a couple of times and cut in with some decent passes too. A cut above having Cameron on that wing certainly.

Up front we started with Fairhurst and Briscoe. While they both are no doubt talented players, they both seem very similar in approach. Good with the ball to feet, but don't really have the dynamism, pace or height to really make an impact as a pairing. I could see one partnering another striker, but together it didn't really work. There was the odd nice exchange of passing, but I think we need something else up there. Could Lavelle-Moore be the answer? He came on and scored with his first touch to make the game 2-1, flicking an Exodus throw in past the keeper. It's of course difficult to make decisions on players on the basis of half an hour in a friendly but I must say I thought this guy looked decent. Won a lot in the air (although that wasn't difficult against the two Exeter centre halves) and had a decent touch and pass to other players around him. It's a shame he didn't start this game or come on a bit earlier against Argyle as I'd have liked a better look at him, but he could be the target man we're looking for.

So in summary, pretty good. I thought City looked more dangerous going forward than Argyle, yet will far poorer organised at the back. City will no doubt play better football, but I would put my money on Argyle finishing ahead of them simply because of their strong defence and a reliable goalscorer in Reid. If they tighten up at the back I see no reason City couldn't challenge for the play-offs, but they'll need to improve. A similar finish to last season for them both.

It's a testament then to the job Mr Cox and board have done so far in getting this team to this position, and I think we should approach the coming season with optimism. I think if I had to put my finger on the improvement I've seen from last season it'd be the intensity. We press quickly and we attack more quickly - we look to be a more 'in your face' kind of outfit, and I can see that being more effective.

Keep up the good work sir.

Thought I'd chime in with my thoughts on the Argyle game.

I thought overall we played ok, and made ourselves tough to break down with them only really getting chances through set pieces. I didn't think they looked particularly good though to be honest, and didn't test us too much in open play. They'll need to improve if they consider themselves a promotion team from that division.

Speiss didn't really have much to do, and so must start and play the Exeter game. I still have no clue if he's any good or not. I've heard he's a decent player though.

The defence is pretty good. Exodus was terrific and really grew into the game. Gus was pretty good too, although lost concentration a bit at the end. Smith is a little lightweight but clearly a decent player and hopefully playing in a three will help him out.

Butler did well enough on the left, and Courtney Richards did get better and better as time went on as right wing-back, and got more confident going forward towards the end. Obviously Hurst is the first choice there, but it looks as though Courtney could do a job.

The midfield three were impressive. Kellerman and Fenwick were just behind Young in midfield, and worked hard chasing down the ball, putting in good tackles and moving it around when they got it. Young didn't get the sort of space he needs and will most likely get in the Conference, but I feel this set-up that Cox is creating is designed to get the best out of him, and minimise the amount of tackling back and work he needs to do. With Kellerman and Fenwick behind him, he can focus on getting in better positions further on. Fenwick looks a good find, as does Kellerman, and I hope the latter signs on with us as this is a promising midfield three.

Up front was probably our weakest area. Marsh started ok but tailed off quickly. He didn't really receive any quality service that he requires, mostly down to a strong Argyle defensive unit with their number 20 in the middle of the park probably being the best player on the pitch. Briscoe did try hard and he's definitely slimmed a bit so well done to him, but without a presence up front we didn't ever really look like scoring. I imagine neither of these two will start the first game of the season up front, with Fairhurst and a big man being the ones to come in.

Overall very encouraging so far. We look much better set up than under Hargreaves it has to be said - I can't see us being tanked by the bottom few teams under Cox.

The fee doesn't have to be agreed first - a tribunal is then called upon.

brucie wrote:Ajala is league 2 standard and is good enough for your team. I doubt if you will get/have two wingers who are better than him.
If you don't want him I would be more than happy if he came back here.

Pretty much.

Even if he isn't playing well (which is often for lower league wingers), he still puts in a good bit of graft.

wivelgull wrote:I miss brucie.

brucie wrote:Yeoman had only been on the pitch five mins when he scored the winner at Tivvy easily flatfooting the keeper and waltzing round him. Confident finish

As if by magic...

Looks like it'll be Geohagan and MacDonald as the first choices.

I can see us signing one more versatile defender who can play along the backline, and then Odofin to round out the options.

Disappointing about Bowman.

I wonder why he's left, was it the management or the players' choice? Or did he simply get approached by a team close to his home who will no doubt be very competitive?

Either way, he leaves a big hole in the forward line. Given Cox's like of a target man upfront, our roster of Marsh, Yeoman, Prynn and Fairhurst is lacking somewhat in the height department. We have the pace of Marsh, the promise of Prynn, the finishing of Yeoman and the creativity of Fairhurst, a bully up front is required.

Having a look at a few players without a club, could Manset be someone we return to? He certainly has the physical attributes and could be the rough diamond we need to polish. The questions remain over whether we'd go back for someone who rejected us recently, and also whether he's good enough any more. He failed to score in 12 games for Cheltenham at the end of last season, but then again they had a poor team and I'm not sure how fussy we can be. I imagine that Bowman was on a decent wage though, and we could perhaps afford a decent player. I see Calvin Zola has also been released by Stevenage - unwieldly of course, but also a handful up front. I'm not sure if we could afford him or lure him down though.

I don't think you could begrudge him a move to a Championship club - especially one with a good record of developing young players.

Good luck Levi, hopefully you'll do well and net us a little sell on fee in the future.

I have about 6 or 7 teams better than us going into the new season, so I'd say a top half finish but outside the play-offs is a realistic ambition.

Pleased with this - you've got to take a chance with a few young flairy wingers. They don't all come off, but when they do, they win you matches on their own.

Fairhurst and Bowman will be the two up top at the start of the season, and for me that's as good as most in this league. Bowman has all the physical attributes that Cox values and to lead the line, and Fairhurst should be able to tuck in just behind as the second striker.

On the Yeoman debate, I'm on the fence. I don't mind him staying if it's on low wages, but we all know it'll be the same as last few seasons - promising pre-season but failing to both produce and be played in the league.

I find it surprising how negative our fans are in general of Billy.

He's a very talented player, but like all flairy wingers, he needs to be in a good team. That team last season was diabolical I must say, and no one stood out at all, let alone players in the position that require the most support. Injuries can't have helped either, nor the pressure of the price tag our fans put on him.

With good coaching in a settled team, there's no doubt he could play at a higher level - are we forgetting that first season we had him? He was brilliant because our manager had a system that suited and supported him.

Winning 6-0 at half time.

Probably Chris McPhee.