TOUGH QUESTIONS

[Dave_Pougher]

Tough questions need to asked and answered in the post mortem of our losing precious league status.

Personally I would like to know first of all what Bill Phillips does it's been pointed out to me he does what he does voluntarily but human nature being what it is I can't help noticing that we went down hill when he came in, maybe a coincidence but having it explained what a man does and what his interest is who's entire experience is non league would clear that one up for me.

Secondly, We have players here who have been great servants to the club who's contracts are up at the end of the season. In my opnion if we are a league club those contracts would not be renewed, most notably Nicholson. Why was he brought back? That for me has been CH biggest error. Teams for nearly two years have targeted our left back position, if he's there at all he's easily beaten, don't even get me started on his corners. What I wish to know is will these players have their contracts renewed if we drop into the conference?

For the rest of this sad season I would like CH to toughen up and at least make a fight of it before I start losing respect for him too.

[lucy6lucy]

With regards nicho, I feel it's because he does actually care for the club. No disrespect but those on loan will say hey ho, I'm back to my parent club, thanks.

http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/K ... story.html

[AustrianAndyGull]

Tough questions need to asked and answered in the post mortem of our losing precious league status.

Personally I would like to know first of all what Bill Phillips does it's been pointed out to me he does what he does voluntarily but human nature being what it is I can't help noticing that we went down hill when he came in, maybe a coincidence but having it explained what a man does and what his interest is who's entire experience is non league would clear that one up for me.

Secondly, We have players here who have been great servants to the club who's contracts are up at the end of the season. In my opnion if we are a league club those contracts would not be renewed, most notably Nicholson. Why was he brought back? That for me has been CH biggest error. Teams for nearly two years have targeted our left back position, if he's there at all he's easily beaten, don't even get me started on his corners. What I wish to know is will these players have their contracts renewed if we drop into the conference?

For the rest of this sad season I would like CH to toughen up and at least make a fight of it before I start losing respect for him too.

I wouldn't say that Dave or you'll have people coughing into their Horlicks.

Very valid though and right to ask that question. Hargreaves is the manager now and although if anyone is to blame if we go down it won't be him. He could however be doing a bit more than I think he is at the moment but that's just my feeling. I know what he has to work with and he has also gone down the loan route too much in a desperate attempt to change it but he presumably thought that was the best chance of getting us out of it so I can't complain about that. Just to say I'd give our youth a chance because some of our loanees clearly don't appear to care.

I wish some of the desperation was seen in the form of relevant and decisive substitutions in matches at the appropriate moments though. Instead of making changes at half time against Accy and going for broke he waited until they scored and even left it until after that before subs were made. At Hartlepool we went a goal down and it clearly again wasn't working so instead of trying to grasp the nettle by making half time subs in an attempt to salvage something he waits and waits and waits and waits and then we find ourselves 3 down before he decides to make a double sub. When I went to Oxford we were bloody awful and completely clueless and he waits until the 72nd minute before bringing on Chappell and then waits another 10 minutes before bringing on Goodwin and then brings on Bodin with 2 minutes to go.

It is these margins that we need to exploit and make work for us and Chris has shocked me to be honest in his laid back approach to our predicament. I'm sure some will come on and say how can I have a go at Hargreaves so soon I say don't be an idiot and look at what I have written first. I don't blame Hargreaves for our demise but he's the boss now and I have to admit to being a little disappointed and surprised. I didn't expect the earth but I did expect a bit more fight and batten down the hatches mentality from him of all people not least the players.

I appreciate he has a very very tough and near impossible job but for whatever reason it hasn't worked.

[aldershotgull]

With regards nicho, I feel it's because he does actually care for the club. No disrespect but those on loan will say hey ho, I'm back to my parent club, thanks.

Totally agree. Seeing Nicho after the game yesterday, he looked like a guy that could burst into tears at any minute. Skill or lack thereof aside, the permanent players (regardless of contract expiry) get what it means and although I am sure the loanees care to an extent, they have the luxury of returning to their parent club at the end of the season in a higher division.

[Dave_Pougher]

With regards nicho, I feel it's because he does actually care for the club. No disrespect but those on loan will say hey ho, I'm back to my parent club, thanks.

I have absolutely no doubt of that and given the opportunity to come back I don't blame him for doing so. But it is obvious to most he hasn't been good enough for a long time and I do I'm afraid have to question if his and other players interests lie in us remaining a league club.

[aldershotgull]

I have absolutely no doubt of that and given the opportunity to come back I don't blame him for doing so. But it is obvious to most he hasn't been good enough for a long time and I do I'm afraid have to question if his and other players interests lie in us remaining a league club.

I think his interests lie in us remaining a league club. He said yesterday he has 13 games to save the season and his career. Despite all the will in the world though, he is not L2 standard and as you said, hasn't been for a while. With TC injured though, what can we do? Yet another loanee or someone who on the face of it, appears to actually care?

[tommyg]

I'm not sure what Bill Phillips brings to the table, but he arrived at the club in the summer of 2010. We finished in the play-offs the first two seasons he was here so to say it went downhill as soon as he turned up is a bit wide of the mark.

As for Nicholson, he played well yesterday and was excellent against Burton. Cruise has had chances this season to make that position his own but hasn't impressed. Long-term I don't know where Nicholson's future lies. If Jesus produces a miracle and we stay up then I wouldn't renew his contract. If we go down then I'd be torn. Part of me would want a fresh start but I think he could still be a very good player at Conference level.

[AustrianAndyGull]

I also think that too about Nico tommy. He has bundles of experience including in the conference and up against supposedly inferior opposition (without trying to disrespect some conference sides) and with a new set up and a progressive approach to football next season then I feel also he would be a key player for us. Having seen Cruise quite a bit now I much prefer Nico. So we either get a new full back in or let Nico have the position in the conference if that is where we will be next season.

[Forest gull]

Well done Nicho. Quality

[aldershotgull]

13 games to save a season, and how many has CH been in charge for? Looking at the clubs position when CH arrived and if the club gets relegated, i think future possible employers will ask him the question 'what went wrong?'I wonder what his response would be?

Really?!

What went wrong was he was brought in when the club has already well on the way down, confidence, morale was rock bottom and there are far too many sub standard players on the books

[aldershotgull]

Lets see how the rest of the season goes. I am not a CH defender nor will I jump on his back over a situation that is largely not his fault.

[ferrarilover]

And the next question will be 'if you couldn't raise moral and get players playing at Torquay why could you here? You had the best part of half a season (if this conversation occurred at the end of this season), you brought your own players in (albeit on loan), but that didn't do anything. We are not blessed with money and so its a similar situation here.'

"I did my best with what I had in extremely tough conditions. We didn't have a match at home for over a month after I was appointed. It was impossible to get any momentum going. We beat Wimbledon, then we have our next two games called off. In that time, one of our opponents goes from a run of 7619 straight losses to signing 673 new players as well as a new management and coaching team. We then beat Portsmouth away and, guess what, our next match is off, so the momentum goes again. We then get done by the worst referee in England, and go away to the league leaders, where we're the better side for an hour, until our goalkeeper makes a 1-in-a-lifetime fluke kick and they steal the game 3-1. We're rotten against Accrington, but then everyone has bad days. We get a decent point against Burton and a couple of returning players play very well. We then go to Hartlepool and get beaten 3-0 which isn't a great result, but then, we are bottom of the Football League.
As for the suggestion that I've brought in my own players, well, anyone with half a brain knows that's nonsense. What I've been allowed to do is scrape the bottom of the barrel for the rejects that literally no other club wants. I went after John Marquis, but was heavily outbid by Northampton Town.
At Torquay, I was a brand new manager. Literally everything I did was new. I've had that experience now and I've got a couple of tricks in my locker. I'm no Alex Ferguson, but I do have the ability to motivate and encourage players, as shown by the fact that we did compete and perform in at least some of the matches for which I was in charge.
I appreciate that you're not blessed with money, Mr Chairman, but then you must manage your expectations accordingly. If you feel you can find someone who can do better than me on a zero budget, please appoint them. If you're struggling for candidates, I hear there are a load of experts to be found at Torquayfans.com. Happy to help."

That'll be his answer and it'll be right. Any more questions, or is the interview over?

Matt.

[hector]

"I did my best with what I had in extremely tough conditions. We didn't have a match at home for over a month after I was appointed. It was impossible to get any momentum going. We beat Wimbledon, then we have our next two games called off. In that time, one of our opponents goes from a run of 7619 straight losses to signing 673 new players as well as a new management and coaching team. We then beat Portsmouth away and, guess what, our next match is off, so the momentum goes again. We then get done by the worst referee in England, and go away to the league leaders, where we're the better side for an hour, until our goalkeeper makes a 1-in-a-lifetime fluke kick and they steal the game 3-1. We're rotten against Accrington, but then everyone has bad days. We get a decent point against Burton and a couple of returning players play very well. We then go to Hartlepool and get beaten 3-0 which isn't a great result, but then, we are bottom of the Football League.
As for the suggestion that I've brought in my own players, well, anyone with half a brain knows that's nonsense. What I've been allowed to do is scrape the bottom of the barrel for the rejects that literally no other club wants. I went after John Marquis, but was heavily outbid by Northampton Town.
At Torquay, I was a brand new manager. Literally everything I did was new. I've had that experience now and I've got a couple of tricks in my locker. I'm no Alex Ferguson, but I do have the ability to motivate and encourage players, as shown by the fact that we did compete and perform in at least some of the matches for which I was in charge.
I appreciate that you're not blessed with money, Mr Chairman, but then you must manage your expectations accordingly. If you feel you can find someone who can do better than me on a zero budget, please appoint them. If you're struggling for candidates, I hear there are a load of experts to be found at Torquayfans.com. Happy to help."

That'll be his answer and it'll be right. Any more questions, or is the interview over?

Matt.

Not sure if you are being sarcastic but I do think the 'no home game for a month' did impact on any momentum the appointment of CH may have generated.

[ferrarilover]

Edd asked a question of Jesus as if the latter were applying for a job and the former were a Chairman. I gave a suitable answer from Chris's point of view. No sarcasm needed (aside from the last line or two).

It did hit our chances, very much so. With a little match practice, we could well have seen off Oxford. If we'd have played Northants when we should have, we would undoubtedly have beaten them. Without the loss to the Cobblers fresh in the memory, we might well have beaten Accrington too. Add on those nine points and, so tight is this division, that we're officially "on the cusp of the playoffs." It's those sorts of margins which are going to see us relegated. In years gone by, teams have been 15 points adrift and relegated. This year, we might well be 15 points adrift of the playoffs and still go down.

Matt.

[hector]

Edd asked a question of Jesus as if the latter were applying for a job and the former were a Chairman. I gave a suitable answer from Chris's point of view. No sarcasm needed (aside from the last line or two).

It did hit our chances, very much so. With a little match practice, we could well have seen off Oxford. If we'd have played Northants when we should have, we would undoubtedly have beaten them. Without the loss to the Cobblers fresh in the memory, we might well have beaten Accrington too. Add on those nine points and, so tight is this division, that we're officially "on the cusp of the playoffs." It's those sorts of margins which are going to see us relegated. In years gone by, teams have been 15 points adrift and relegated. This year, we might well be 15 points adrift of the playoffs and still go down.

Matt.

Yes, it has been like for a couple of seasons, last year, even moreso, when there was just 18 points between relegated Barnet and promoted Bradford, a team relegated on 50+ points and the champions only getting 83, which wasn't even enough to finish 4th the year before. League 2 is just poor, much of a muchness, although we are particularly poor and there isn't a chance we will get to 50+ points.