just the ramblings of a bloke called Dave.

[Fonda]

Which kind of supports the original post. Money was spent elsewhere - meaning the budget given to the manager for players wasn't what it might have been.

On that issue though, we do have reasonably capable strikers. But if you don't create chances for them, there's not much they can do.

[AustrianAndyGull]

When we had Rene he was obviously a talented footballer in most of the games I saw under Ling, Rene could get or look like getting a goal from nothing despite us creating bugger all and spending 89 minutes of games defending. This time around we still create nothing and still concede and we don't have a Rene so in a sense Nick is correct in saying that we need a proven goalscorer who can get goals from nothing. The thing with pinning our hopes on this at this stage of the season is that it isn't going to happen in a million years. Therefore we need to create waves of attacking opportunities for the strikers we DO have who aren't as good and may need 3, 4 , 5 or so chances at goal before one goes in. So yes Nick is right but his idea of solving the problem is impractical and impossible and also Fonda is right because we have some fairly competent attackers on their day but if we aren't plying them with service and support then they aren't going to score. Both of you are right and I am now going to apply for a job as a politician.

[Sunnysideup]

Benners had what, one clear chance and put it away against Burton?
He spent most of the game (quite capably) chasing down balls pumped into the right channel. As a consequence, when he looked for someone in the box to give it to, we were a bit light. Give him balls in an attacking position and a good percentage will go in.
Despite Hector's (as usual) whining that he cant hit a barn door from the inside and only got a move up the ladder due to one lucky season, he hit 14 the season he moved, 15 the season before and 12 the season before that. He knows where the net is and can convert chances. He cant convert them if he's out by the corner flag though....

Forever and Fonda were pretty much spot on with their summations though. With hindsight, the board bit off too much in one go with the stand and the training ground and neglected the most important bit.

[Behind-the-Gulls]

Don't forget it was Martin Ling that said a new training ground was essential if we were to progress as a club and lobbied the Board very hard to make it a priority.

[Gullscorer]

Don't forget it was Martin Ling that said a new training ground was essential if we were to progress as a club and lobbied the Board very hard to make it a priority.

Martin wasn't to know, of course, that the Seal Hayne ground is prone to waterlogging. However, other people should have known. The Devon soil is loaded with clay in many places which limits drainage and the soil's ability to soak up rain, and makes the ground very muddy.

[AustrianAndyGull]

Maybe we should have gone for plastic pitches...................... :Oops:

[Gullscorer]

Maybe we should have gone for plastic pitches...................... :Oops:

And plastic raincoats.. :~D

[exilegull]

I can't help thinking that the main reason we are down where we are is overuse of the loan system. Of all we have had in on loan, for me only O'Connor and now Labadie have actually considerably improved the team and it's no coincidence both are longer term. Marquis and McCallum did well but I to me, the short term gain is not worth the disruption and has prevented having a settled team, and has resulted in our own players not getting match sharpness. Benyon is totally ineffective as a bit part player but has shown in the past that given a run of games he gets goals - I believe that Hawley would be the same. Our own players are clearly not a top half team, but I believe if we had played with a more settled line-up, given Chappell, Cameron, Bodin, Hawley, Benyon and Lathrope regular match-time we wouldn't be so far adrift. Ling, had it right - he didn't panic in that first season during the bad spell, kept the team intact with some small tactical changes, made one loan signing and team found their feet and climbed the table.

[chunkygull]

I can't help thinking that the main reason we are down where we are is overuse of the loan system. Of all we have had in on loan, for me only O'Connor and now Labadie have actually considerably improved the team and it's no coincidence both are longer term. Marquis and McCallum did well but I to me, the short term gain is not worth the disruption and has prevented having a settled team, and has resulted in our own players not getting match sharpness. Benyon is totally ineffective as a bit part player but has shown in the past that given a run of games he gets goals - I believe that Hawley would be the same. Our own players are clearly not a top half team, but I believe if we had played with a more settled line-up, given Chappell, Cameron, Bodin, Hawley, Benyon and Lathrope regular match-time we wouldn't be so far adrift. Ling, had it right - he didn't panic in that first season during the bad spell, kept the team intact with some small tactical changes, made one loan signing and team found their feet and climbed the table.

[Glostergull]

And plastic raincoats.. :~D

I little squeeky plastic Docks. Like AustrianAnthea plays with in his bath.

[Dave]

http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/S ... z2ujltVsdi Just put this link on another thread, put it here as well, as it's relevant, and proves my point, did it on the cheap, and now look where it's put us.