Views on Torquay vs. Hartlepool from a neutral

PAFCStan · Post by **PAFCStan** » 31 Aug 2013, 22:26

Hello everyone, I attended the Torquay vs. Hartlepool game today as a neutral, as I couldn't afford the trip up to see my team Argyle play Morecambe, and Torquay is an easy, quick and cheap train journey from Plymouth. I just thought that you might want to get some views on the game from, I guess, a more neutral perspective. Second time I've been to Plainmoor and I went in the 'Bristow's Bench' stand, as last time, but in the home rather than away section on this occasion.

In my opinion your best player was Callum Ball, excellent striker, worked hard, good touch and big, really good all-round and looked too good for this level today. Your right-back Tonge was excellent defensively and decent going forward. Centre-backs were alright, I think Downes (looks older than 28 btw) exuded more confidence though. Nicholson looked like a liability to me, too slow and carried by the other three.

Central midfield was the weakest area, neither Mansell nor Harding (especially the latter) were particularly good, especially when facing an opposing midfield that included the god-awful Simon Walton. Bodin occasionally looked dangerous but all-in-all flattered to deceive, and Chappel was exciting, quick but his crossing needs improvement - I see a lot of potential there. Hawley was good in the air for someone of his size but didn't look like he was going to threaten with goals, and was overshadowed in my opinion by Ball.

In terms of subs, Cameron played very similarly to Bodin, seemed a bit more selfish though. You were much better when Knill brought on Lathrope for Harding, passing was much better. Benyon only made one noteworthy contribution, and it wasn't really a positive one.

While Hartlepool were awful, I don't think you looked a bad side and could and should have won. There are a few players I'd take from you for Argyle, namely Tonge, Chappel, Ball and possibly Hawley and even Bodin too. Solid mid-table side for me you are, definitely better than last season.

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 31 Aug 2013, 22:48

Yuo can come again PAFCStan. That's an excellent summary of the game and I agree 100%

Ippop · Post by **Ippop** » 01 Sep 2013, 00:02

Great summary, will settle for your predictions

Dutchgull · Post by **Dutchgull** » 01 Sep 2013, 00:23

Thanks for your views. Its very interesting to see a neutral view of things as its so easy for "Gulls supporters" to pick on the usual targets but an objective opinion can reveal so much more..

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 01 Sep 2013, 11:08

I'm not convinced he had unveiled anything new. Bodin hopeless, Nico a liability, everyone else pretty good, with the exception of Harding and Manse. It's like reading a combination of my match report and the rest of this board for the last 6 months. What it has done is confirm that it's not just a select few of us who can see that Bodin isn't worth 70p, let alone 70 grand, nor that Nico is miles past his sell by date and that NTFC have stitched us right up with Harding.

A delightful summary of a very strange match, for which we are thankful.

Matt.

gullintwoplaces · Post by **gullintwoplaces** » 01 Sep 2013, 11:35

Very good summary from a neutral, a far better summary than the nonsense posted by a couple of alleged Torquay fans (you know who) on the match thread.

AustrianAndyGull · Post by **AustrianAndyGull** » 01 Sep 2013, 14:35

Thanks for the input stan, always good to get a neutrals perspective and it also helps us who weren't able to get to the game. I'd like to say good luck to Argyle this season but you know I can't.

lucy6lucy · Post by **lucy6lucy** » 01 Sep 2013, 16:26

Very good analysis, however why would he bother going unless he is a scout. How many of you torquay based fans who cant afford fleetwood travel next week will wake up next sat and go and watch plymouth or exeter and give your rivals money. Strange person.

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 01 Sep 2013, 17:28

Nope, been to Argyle a few times when I haven't been able to make away games. Will likely go next week for that exact reason.

Matt.

taxilady · Post by **taxilady** » 01 Sep 2013, 17:32

occasionally go to St James Park...it's my nearest ground.

robbotufc · Post by **robbotufc** » 01 Sep 2013, 20:21

was at the Bristol Rovers v York City last saturday when the gulls were at Northampton,plus last season was at Home Park for 4 matches

,got no problem with watching other local rivals...

PAFCStan · Post by **PAFCStan** » 02 Sep 2013, 22:39

ferrarilover wrote:I'm not convinced he had unveiled anything new. Bodin hopeless, Nico a liability, everyone else pretty good, with the exception of Harding and Manse. It's like reading a combination of my match report and the rest of this board for the last 6 months. What it has done is confirm that it's not just a select few of us who can see that Bodin isn't worth 70p, let alone 70 grand, nor that Nico is miles past his sell by date and that NTFC have stitched us right up with Harding.

A delightful summary of a very strange match, for which we are thankful.

Matt.

Wouldn't have said Bodin's useless - merely lacking in end product. Our team at the moment is desperately lacking in true wingers - we mostly play with a striker on the right wing and an attacking midfielder on the left. In fact, youth players aside, we don't have any out-and-out wingers. Would I take Bodin at Argyle? I probably would - I see a lot of potential in him. That said, your right side of Tonge and Chapell is considerably stronger than the left side of Nicholson and Bodin. Ball actually provided the best stuff down that flank with his drifting, your best chance came when Ball crossed it in for Bodin from the left.

Mansell's dead-ball delivery is good, but that's not really enough to cement a place in any side these days. He just looks cumbersome and old, and Harding looks crap. They struggled to boss the middle of the park against a very poor Hartlepool central midfield - most teams in this division (including ourselves in all honesty) would give Mansell and Harding a very hard time. I know very little about one of Hartlepool's centre midfielders on Saturday (Dolan) but his partner Simon Walton is god-awful. Slow, clumsy, unfit, can neither attack nor defend, almost universally considered one of the worst captains in our history. It was a miracle how he managed to blag his way to a higher division when he left us.

PAFCStan · Post by **PAFCStan** » 02 Sep 2013, 22:42

lucy6lucy wrote:Very good analysis, however why would he bother going unless he is a scout. How many of you torquay based fans who cant afford fleetwood travel next week will wake up next sat and go and watch plymouth or exeter and give your rivals money. Strange person.

Guess we (Argyle fans) don't really see Torquay as a true, major rival. Not to sound cocky, but it's fairly obvious that our rivalry with Exeter is more heated, Torquay are definitely seen as secondary or tertiary rivals. Almost all Torquay fans would say that their rivalry with Exeter is of greater importance than that with Plymouth, too.

Dutchgull · Post by **Dutchgull** » 02 Sep 2013, 23:18

Nothing personal but I would much rather beat Plymouth than shitty City. It's the over the top media coverage that winds me up !
As for Gordon Sparkes well......urgh the most unprofessional "broadcaster" ever let loose with a microphone ! It was so enjoyable coming back from Gnome Park after winning the season before last and hearing him virtually crying on air !!

I know we are a small club and mostly friendly and harmless but it annoys me that we are not even seen as any ones rivals !!

Its the arrogance that gets me. World cup games at Gnome park yeah right. So delusional. Millions in debt about 17 wasn't it but who cares lets carry on as if it doesn't matter. City have done the same on a smaller scale but thankfully that situation hasn't happened at Plainmoor. A close call with Chris Roberts but we don't get the recognition we deserve for trying to run a club in the right way.

So for me beating the mighty green army (platoon) is always my seasons aim !

gullintwoplaces · Post by **gullintwoplaces** » 03 Sep 2013, 05:39

I love beating both of them. I don't mind the "big club" attitude so much, as it is funny really because it is all fur coat and no knickers. I can't abide Gordon Sparks though, I cringe when he speaks on the radio. He reminds me of Don Arnold (Don Argyle) from the local TV in years gone by. I actually find Exeter fans more annoying, they got right up their own backsides after their brief elevation to League 2. Good manager though in Tisdale.

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