Torquay United Fans Forum

wodger of awabia wrote: Hi! R O T M,

Is N.C in the habit of inviting guest players to turn out for Derby Reserves? your site defines Saul Halpin & L.R.T as being "trialists"
Could it be that Clough & Buckle have struck up some sort of alliance, & Halpin & L.R.T have been invited up to further their "education". Perhaps Pringle had something to do with it.

Hi, looking at this article on your web site http://www.torquayunited.com/page/News/ ... 02,00.html it seems Clough and Buckle have a 'excellent relationship'

Our squad has been massively stripped under Clough (had to do it, too many big wage earners), which has left the reserves a bit thread bare to say the least.
As an example, we've signed Michael Boulding http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Boulding specifically to play in the reserves and rumour has it that one of the medical team has had to play in at least one fixture this season!

That said, it was a very strong reserves side Halpin played in. Leacock, Anderson, Addison, Croft, Bailey and Robinson are all established Championship players (the first 3 with Prem experience) so that would of been a nice side to play in for Halpin & L.R.T (not taking anything away from them).

Talking of buying players and then sending them out on loan to League 1 &2 (although not to the same team granted); this guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnaud_Mendy is pretty useful. Maybe as the Pringle deal didn't work out he could be next on your list?

Apparently Rowe-Turner is playing in the same game

Anything on this guy chaps ?

He's playing for our (Derby) reserves as I type. Is he any good? What type of player is he?

Fletch wrote:Run, he had an excellent game on Saturday, played in CM in a 4-4-2.

It doesn't surprise me Fletch. I said on this thread before he kicked a ball for you that he'd be a good signing. Clough's done exactly the same thing with Ben Davies from Notts County. One of Notts best players over the past couple of seasons in CM - we sign him a couple of months ago for £350K - Clough plays him right wing(!) He's now dropped, not even on the bench on Saturday.

Derbyshire wrote:Derby fan here we are rubbish again and Ben pringle certainly falls into the category of rubbish in the Chapionship. He came from Ilkeston Town and has not make the step up. Taking a chance on players from the non league does not usually work and in this case that is true. Mind you Derby are not far off being a non league club now anyway!!

It helps when Torquay play him in his correct position for a start youth. Clough kept playing him left wing or left back, it must be morale destroying for the lad. He was captain for our reserves this year, won young player of the season and when played in centre mid looked the part at that level. Watched him many times at Ilson Town as well when they were sniffing around the top 6 of the Conference North and he really stood out (he was only 19), which is why Clough got him.

Maybe the Championship is a step too far for now, but when/if he gets another pop at the Championship, he's got to be played in his correct position to give him a chance.

Sounds like Boris had a good debut then fellas? Good stuff. Did he play centre mid?

Richinns wrote:Thanks Run of the mill - sounds promising.
You have not got a Targetman of similiar ilk you could lend us have you!!???

Ha! We need one of those as well!! Still haven't replaced Rob Hulse

Hello, Derby fan here. Just thought you'd like a fans view on Ben Pringle. I think he'll be a good signing for you. We're having a shocking season (i'm sure you've noticed!) and this is mostly due to Clough playing most of his outfield players in the wrong positions - for no good reason. Since signing for us Clough has played Pringle at times wide left (!) and more recently left back! :0 .

Pringle is a center midfielder all day long. He's busy and always wants the ball and looks to link with others around him. He's a tidy player.

At the moment his confidence is shot (as is most of our squad) probably through being played out of position. Some Derby fans would probably see him as a failed signing for us but most would agree that he's still 'one for the future' and with the right manager, could develop.

All in all I hope he does well for you. I think he will. Good luck for the rest of the season.