Salvage time

[Jack]

OK you have all convinced me. We are doomed! We couldn't perform against two of the toughest teams in the division namely Gateshead and Tranmere. If we can't mix it with the tough guys we aren't going to win games
So what can we salvage from this miserable season. There is still more than 1/3 of it left.
The first thing is to show a bit more determination on the field. Our captain is far too passive on the field and doesn't push his team mates to exert themselves. We may not have a natural leader on the books so perhaps Nicho needs to find one from among the free agents who are available at the moment. He could also move the armband around from game to game to see if anyone can step up to the mark.
The second thing to do is to "cut the crap" from the website. I think the daftest headline we have seen was the one last week about Murombedzi but others may no different. The pre match ones are also far too optimistic and need to be toned down and also recognise that our opponents aren't just waiting to be rolled over. There is a danger that the manager and players believe all this stuff and don't prepare for games properly. It certainly raises expectations amongst supporters who react badly as they did on Saturday evening when we didn't "kick on" or whatever else we were supposed to do.
No doubt there are other things to do but we need to move forward playing with effort in every game and communicating sensibly with diehard supporters.

[ferrarilover]

We need to make registering for this place harder. Clearly even the stupidest man in the world can manage.

I liked it when we used to get adults on here who had developed the ability to think before they posted.

Glory days.

Matt.

Added in 2 seconds:
We need to make registering for this place harder. Clearly even the stupidest man in the world can manage.

I liked it when we used to get adults on here who had developed the ability to think before they posted.

Glory days.

Matt

[tomogull]

We need to make registering for this place harder. Clearly even the stupidest man in the world can manage. I liked it when we used to get adults on here who had developed the ability to think before they posted. Glory days.
Matt.

That's rather unfair, Matt. You're obviously having a bad Monday morning ! I'm not sure who you're having a pop at, but if it's Jack, I think you're wide of the mark. Jack's postings (as this one) are well reasoned and he never resorts to slagging off other posters. I can't remember the 'good old days' when everyone 'had the ability to think before they posted' but by and large, the postings since, say, the Gateshead defeat have been okay (although some may not concur with your views). There have been few personal insults or rabid postings.

As for 'even the stupidest man can manage' - I have worked under several managers, men and women, and have managed myself. It is not an easy job. I would say that there are fewer good than bad managers in all walks of life.

[Jerry]

We need to make registering for this place harder. Clearly even the stupidest man in the world can manage.

I liked it when we used to get adults on here who had developed the ability to think before they posted.

Glory days.

Matt.

Added in 2 seconds:
We need to make registering for this place harder. Clearly even the stupidest man in the world can manage.

I liked it when we used to get adults on here who had developed the ability to think before they posted.

Glory days.

Matt

Ah yes the glory days...when the site was populated by posters who could manage not to double post.

[ferrarilover]

I don't know what you mean, Jezza, no double posting here. Have you been at the Mothers' Ruin? =D

Matt.

Added in 45 minutes 3 seconds:

Jack's postings (as this one) are well reasoned

Let us investigate this, since it was exactly the opposite that I was suggesting in my first post in the thread.

OK you have all convinced me. We are doomed!

A gag to begin with. Fine. I might actually like this lad.

We couldn't perform against two of the toughest teams in the division namely Gateshead and Tranmere.

Annoyingly, I wasn't at Tranmere, but talk of us not performing against Gateshead is cobblers <insert "no, that's Northampton" gag here>. We turned them into absolutely nothing more than 11 clodders. They were dreadful and we were comfortably the better side throughout. We'll play worse and win in the coming few months.

If we can't mix it with the tough guys we aren't going to win games

This is doubly inaccurate. Firstly, we have comprehensively outplayed FGR twice, Cheltenham, Wrexham and Gateshead, all since the Christmas period and secondly, we need to beat the teams around us to stand a chance of staying up. February is the month for that.

Our captain is far too passive on the field

You mean apart from the 11 (?) bookings? Nicky Wroe was a passive captain, Gus is not. He's no Roy Keane, but he does what he has to in the role. It's doubly hard for him, having his boss stood 30 feet to his left all the time. How is Gus to marshal the defence as captain with Nico out there doing the same as manager.

He could also move the armband around from game to game to see if anyone can step up to the mark.

The worst idea since ideas began. If you've seen any professional sport ever, you'll know why. If you've ever experienced management at any level, on either side, in any walk of life, you'll know why.

The second thing to do is to "cut the crap" from the website.

This was the bit where the voices in my head started urging me to kill and kill again. What does this even mean? Let's have a look at the last ten articles posted on the OS (I'm genuinely doing this blind, I haven't been to the OS for ages.)

We have, in headlines:

Make matchday extra special
Admission prices for the FA Trophy game
Ready to kick on
Marsh exit
Attendance v Gateshead
United fall despite being on top
Torquay 0 Gateshead 2
High Spirits
Tranmere 2 Torquay 1
Corporate Raffle

And a bonus 11th, since it's there, New club shop opening hours.

So, we've got two match reports, two pre-match summaries, details on a departing player, confirmation of some changes to the admission for a game where the prices have changed, one post match reaction, two adverts on behalf of the corporate division, one correction to an error made by the press association and one notice of changes to the opening times of the club shop.

What among that is crap?

Every club in the world produces match reports. It's basically the primary function of the website.
Similarly, every club publishes pre and post match statements from the players and management.
We've had an explanation from the club as to why they were forced to let go our top scorer.
They're advertising some revenue streams for the club which also happen to be beneficial to those who may with to have a meal before the match or take part in a corporate raffle.
They're passing on vital information such as changed admission costs and opening times.

What would you have them do? Not advertise the money making elements? I seem to recall the last Board failed to promote the Membership Scheme and were roundly (and rightly) badmouthed for it ON THIS VERY FORUM!
How about not producing match reports?
Perhaps the prices for the FA Trophy game should be kept a secret?
Maybe we should not tell anyone that the club shop won't be open as expected. I'm sure all the people reporting their wasted time and effort will do wonders for the club's position.
Maybe the Board should refuse to comment on or explain the reasoning behind some of the less popular or immediately obvious decisions (such as to sell Marsh)? Again, the previous Board did this and were given dogs abuse for it. Again, the majority of that abuse was both justified and made here, on http://www.torquayfans.com/forum.

We've had months and years of whinging about poor communication from the club. The club starts communicating with fans and there is now more whinging.

The plain fact is that very little goes on at Torquay United, or any other club of our stature. At Man United, there's loads to report from their international scouting network, 1000s of youth and reserve squads, international sponsorship and corporate deals and the myriad other things that a vast multinational corporation has to spend its time on day-to-day. At Torquay, we turn up, train, go home. Steve Breed pays the gas bill and has a cup of tea while the cleaner runs a hoover round once a week. That's pretty much it. The rest is just the daily grind (Breedy, mate, I'm sure you'll read this. I know you do MUCH more than this, but none of it is worth reporting on. Keep up the excellent work).

I think the daftest headline we have seen was the one last week about Murombedzi

You mean the one which was posted a clear 24 hours before anyone, even Dave himself, knew he was leaving the club. I've spoken to the club about this and they wish to offer the following statement:

"The Board of Torquay United would like to apologise to random internet gobshite Jack for the recent story relating to Dave Mourememembezedizizi, which appeared on our official website. The truth is that our crystal ball was in for its annual service and polish, rendering us completely unable to predict the future. Our efforts to sign one on a month's emergency loan from Peterborough United were frustrated by unusual electrical activity in the upper atmosphere. We thank fans for their understanding during this harrowing time and ask that our privacy is respected."

Happy now?

The pre match ones are also far too optimistic and need to be toned down and also recognise that our opponents aren't just waiting to be rolled over.

End on a joke, that's always a good idea. Ending on two is even better.

There is a danger that the manager and players believe all this stuff and don't prepare for games properly.

Oh, turns out you knew about the two joke thing. Kudos.

It certainly raises expectations amongst supporters who react badly as they did on Saturday evening when we didn't "kick on" or whatever else we were supposed to do.

Alright, Billy **** Connolly, calm down. Two was enough. This isn't a bloody Jongleurs.

So no, Tomo, I'd say on this occasion Jack The Lad has failed miserably in his attempts at offering a "well reasoned" post and has, in preference, posted a load of old shite and a couple of (admittedly amusing) one liners.

Matt.

[davidcaldwell123]

Meanwhile back to football !

Added in 1 minute 8 seconds:

Meanwhile back to football !

[Dazza]

We sunk when we let Marsh go. Nothing to salvage here. Look forward to next season when under a proper manager.

[Richinns]

We sunk when we let Marsh go. Nothing to salvage here. Look forward to next season when under a proper manager.

Looks like I need to see a doctor as I remember being 9 points from safety when he was with us.

[Gullscorer]

We need to make registering for this place harder. Clearly even the stupidest man in the world can manage.
I liked it when we used to get adults on here who had developed the ability to think before they posted.
Glory days.
Matt

There are still a few of us left, Matt.. :~D

[Jack]

FAO Matt

Hi Matt,

Apologies for not getting back to you yesterday but I was busy and out last evening as well.
I have scanned your response so I have got the general gist of it.
I have to confess that my original posting was done fairly hurriedly and I made not have made some comments as clear as I might have done.
With regards to the remaining games we have finished playing the better footballing sides and most of our remaining games are against the hard, tough sides, some of who will be playing for their lives as well. We will be better placed if we have a dry Spring because we are a better team on drier, firmer pitches. If it stays wet I am not sure that we have the personnel to compete and grind out results.
On the captaincy issue we will probably have to agree to disagree. That is what Forums are about after all. I think that we are burdening young players with the captaincy before they are ready for it. Last season it was Luke Young and this year it is Angus.
With the website I don't have an issue with the facts, it is the fiction that I find a bit juvenile. I thought that the SM story was daft from the outset and would if he was still here. It left me with the impression that he was a regular in the starting line up, beating his fullback at will and putting in a stream of inviting crosses into the box. In truth he had one moment of glory against Wrexham which put £6k in the coffers so we should all be grateful for that.
In summary I just want the non fact website items to be more realistic and adult.

Jack

[brucie]

Another rubbish thread - we won't salvage anything because we picking up less points than our rivals. What is written on the website is the least of our worries.

On the subject of "cutting the crap" well don't start threads like this.

[tomogull]

Another rubbish thread - we won't salvage anything because we picking up less points than our rivals. What is written on the website is the least of our worries.

On the subject of "cutting the crap" well don't start threads like this.

Well, Jack - if nothing else re this thread, you've achieved something that hasn't been done in 20 years. You've got Brucie agreeing with Matt Ferrarilover !!!! :B