TUFC v Notts County Sat 9th April KO 3pm
Posted: 10 Apr 2022, 07:55
Just being honest, when the team sheets were passed around in the Gulls nest, looking at the two starting line ups, I felt our team could match Notts County for a period, but the striking difference was the two substitute bench's, even commented with friends that there might be a need to race into a 2 goal lead and hopefully hang on, as they had options to bring off the bench, that could change the game, where as, we didn't.
Torquay started with three at the back, personally wondered whether this was the right tactic, and my fears grow as with Notts County very first attack, they opened us up like a can of spam, maybe a useful early wake up call, as my fears proved unfounded, as, in an attacking sense that was about as good as it got for Notts County in the first half.
The speed of our passing, tempo of play, and movement off the ball just too hot for County to handle, our pressing with out the ball was, as good as I've seen all season, never allowing Notts to settle, think there needs to be praise on the game management as well, we've seen our team come out of the blocks quickly before, maybe trying to keep the high intensity going for to long a period, only to tire with out many options on the bench, yesterday the team seemed to settle into a good rhythm, and slow the game down at the right time.
County were expecting a tough game, but I think our start to the game had them completely rattled, their discipline started to slide, even arguments between County players, as they misplaced passes, and conceded possession to easily. Wootton, Arter, Rodrigues anonymous in the first half, until his substitution I hadn't realised Vincent, who'd been a stand out performer at his time on loan at Torquay was even on the pitch. Our first half goals as good as you'll see, individual brilliance of Little, and the approach play for the second wouldn't have been misplaced in a higher league, well deserved lead at the break.
Think we all knew Notts would come out after the break and play a lot better than their first half showing, the introduction of Nemane started to cause us problem instantly, think we all knew the next goal in this game could be crucial, and we saw a big moment in the 50th minute when Sam appeared to miss an open goal from a Nemane cross, the arrival of Martin, perhaps forced by Wearne's injury, however would have been the correct change anyway, took away the threat of Nemane, Martin who for me hasn't always had the praise from us fans he's deserved, stopped nemane from using his pace to get behind our defence.
County would continue to have a lot more attacking joy through out the second half, MacDonald flawless in goal, Lewis immense at the back, along with Wynter, Moxey and Martin, either dealt with the threat, or throw themselves in front of everything County had in an attacking sense, however there was nothing anyone on the pitch could do about Wootton's goal.
This is where us fans wanted to see the team stand up and be counted, often found wanting in some games, but not today, as the fans who'd provided an electric atmosphere through out the game, got behind the team, and the players soon got control back, Connor Evans would add another two goals off superb quality completing one of the best hat tricks I've seen from a Torquay player, and Little, and it's such a shame that, there are still some fans in certain quarters criticising him at every point, dumped half of County's defence on the floor to add a 5th.
The comedy moment came when we saw from the popside Gary Johnson, jumping up and down, succeeding in get getting the entire Bristow's bench bouncing with the popside, this felt good, it felt right, the fans were outstanding, and there wasn't single player in a yellow jersey than didn't go above and beyond, hard act to follow, but we need another 8 performances like this one, and great day at the office.
I wouldn't argue with Connor Evans Motm award, however, now Lapslie is fit, we're seeing the best of him, he optimises everything you want to see from a player at this level, never gives up, first to every loose ball, plays with total passion, he's the player that makes us tick, maybe the find, and player of the season contender along with Little.
Torquay started with three at the back, personally wondered whether this was the right tactic, and my fears grow as with Notts County very first attack, they opened us up like a can of spam, maybe a useful early wake up call, as my fears proved unfounded, as, in an attacking sense that was about as good as it got for Notts County in the first half.
The speed of our passing, tempo of play, and movement off the ball just too hot for County to handle, our pressing with out the ball was, as good as I've seen all season, never allowing Notts to settle, think there needs to be praise on the game management as well, we've seen our team come out of the blocks quickly before, maybe trying to keep the high intensity going for to long a period, only to tire with out many options on the bench, yesterday the team seemed to settle into a good rhythm, and slow the game down at the right time.
County were expecting a tough game, but I think our start to the game had them completely rattled, their discipline started to slide, even arguments between County players, as they misplaced passes, and conceded possession to easily. Wootton, Arter, Rodrigues anonymous in the first half, until his substitution I hadn't realised Vincent, who'd been a stand out performer at his time on loan at Torquay was even on the pitch. Our first half goals as good as you'll see, individual brilliance of Little, and the approach play for the second wouldn't have been misplaced in a higher league, well deserved lead at the break.
Think we all knew Notts would come out after the break and play a lot better than their first half showing, the introduction of Nemane started to cause us problem instantly, think we all knew the next goal in this game could be crucial, and we saw a big moment in the 50th minute when Sam appeared to miss an open goal from a Nemane cross, the arrival of Martin, perhaps forced by Wearne's injury, however would have been the correct change anyway, took away the threat of Nemane, Martin who for me hasn't always had the praise from us fans he's deserved, stopped nemane from using his pace to get behind our defence.
County would continue to have a lot more attacking joy through out the second half, MacDonald flawless in goal, Lewis immense at the back, along with Wynter, Moxey and Martin, either dealt with the threat, or throw themselves in front of everything County had in an attacking sense, however there was nothing anyone on the pitch could do about Wootton's goal.
This is where us fans wanted to see the team stand up and be counted, often found wanting in some games, but not today, as the fans who'd provided an electric atmosphere through out the game, got behind the team, and the players soon got control back, Connor Evans would add another two goals off superb quality completing one of the best hat tricks I've seen from a Torquay player, and Little, and it's such a shame that, there are still some fans in certain quarters criticising him at every point, dumped half of County's defence on the floor to add a 5th.
The comedy moment came when we saw from the popside Gary Johnson, jumping up and down, succeeding in get getting the entire Bristow's bench bouncing with the popside, this felt good, it felt right, the fans were outstanding, and there wasn't single player in a yellow jersey than didn't go above and beyond, hard act to follow, but we need another 8 performances like this one, and great day at the office.
I wouldn't argue with Connor Evans Motm award, however, now Lapslie is fit, we're seeing the best of him, he optimises everything you want to see from a player at this level, never gives up, first to every loose ball, plays with total passion, he's the player that makes us tick, maybe the find, and player of the season contender along with Little.