TorquayFans.com | Torquay United Fans Forum

So there we have it another season of the Torquay style, never boring is it? But surely this season probably more than ever we have to take a long hard look at what happened what we want to happen and where we want to be this time next year and above all those in charge MUST let the support know what their expectations are, if the turth hurts then so be it.

After last seasons success the opportunity to be Devons top team for once was there, history there for the taking and we blew it, not only blew it we nearly faded into non league oblivion, why?

For me the turning point and the moment when it became obvious this season was going to be a struggle was when Bill Phillips took it upon himself to do a managers job and announce we wouldn't be signing anyone near the end of the transfer window. No coincidence then that seems to be the point when Martin Ling almost threw in the towel and decided safety was the best option. Prior to that his record was, whatever the critics say, respectable at the very least. I've had it reported to me that Bill Phillips is a non invested director (if thats the right terminology) ie he hasn't put any financial investment into the club, if thats the truth and I don't know if it is or not, then what does he bring/offer the club? How do these people get these positions. If I'm wrong somebody please put me right. He's made a big error of judgement, don't know what his reasons were but either he lets us know or resign. For me there is no other options and I have to say I'd prefer the latter for to continue with the same next season will mean the same, for a complete season, with obvious consequences.

Simon Baker was doing a pretty good job of chairman yesterday rather than a chairman whos just stepped down, running on the pitch presenting the departing Alan Knill to the pop talking to the TV cameras on the popside ect ect. His inactivity this season has also cost us dear. I have no doubt he wants the best for Torquay FC but if he feels that finances are that stretched that we can't make room to sign at least one of the managers requests then the paying support need to know, sometimes saying nothing is worse than saying the wrong thing or worse makes it appear you are out of your depth.I fully appreciate the investment the board have made particularly with youth development unlikely to see little or no return but league survival is an absolute must and will be harder I feel next term. If you feel your out of your depth Simon you must put the club first.

The first item on the agenda with the truthism obviously has to be the managers position. I have a bad feeling with the tradition at TUFC this just might be left until 10 mins before KO of next season. This has to be decided NOW. Surely the first basic criteria has to be they reside within the area!! However whatever your feelings with regard to either ML or AK trust me either are far and away better than the other third historic option thats been mentioned.

I enjoyed yesterday, I enjoyed it a lot, but this season when all said and done has been a very poor one which has cost us.

I agree with Mr. Pougher (and I expect Brucie does too).

Thanks,,, I think lol My point being if we don't address the issues brought about by the "post mortem" of this season then I fear we could be in a worse state this time next year esp given the start we had this season. Think we're all agreed that problems began when not a lot happened in the winter transfer window to freshen things up, consequently we were sussed out far too easily. Did ML ask to bring anyone in then? guess we'll never know but managers live and die by their decisions. Board members should never take it upon themselves to try and run the first team.

Dave_Pougher wrote: Think we're all agreed that problems began when not a lot happened in the winter transfer window to freshen things up, consequently we were sussed out far too easily. Did ML ask to bring anyone in then? .

There are at least two people on this site that have excellent sources within the club who have confirmed that Ling did ask for players in the January transfer window and was rebuffed.

Scott Brehaut wrote:There are at least two people on this site that have excellent sources within the club who have confirmed that Ling did ask for players in the January transfer window and was rebuffed.

All of which indicates to me that, rather than the fans criticising Martin Ling, which is easy to do since the manager is always in the public eye, certain other people within the shadows of the club ought to be perhaps considering their positions and making way for those able to make more knowledgeable and farsighted decisions.

They already have Gullscorer, it's now the Thea and Andy show, simple and wild have moved sideways.

forevertufc wrote:They already have Gullscorer, it's now the Thea and Andy show, simple and wild have moved sideways.

Yep, forgot that..

Scott Brehaut wrote: There are at least two people on this site that have excellent sources within the club who have confirmed that Ling did ask for players in the January transfer window and was rebuffed.

The question is then, why was Martin rebuffed?

1. Was the board already aware of Martin's illness and didn't want to release any funds to him in case he wasn't fully fit to undertake his duties, and therefore, wanted to make them available to any temporary successor (AK)?

2. Was there genuinely no money (given our poor cup run)?

3. Or was there another reason?

Steve

There was no money due to cash flow simple as, if you remember a lot of our games were called off due to our waterlogged pitch, and also us departing from the fa cup early. This was never going to be long term as the games would always have to be replayed but at the time we were not playing any home games and the wages still have to be paid. Then the transfer slammed shut !

Perhaps the board were scared Ling might piss the money up against a wall :-o

brucie wrote:Perhaps the board were scared Ling might piss the money up against a wall :-o

:slap:

He's trying to wind me up, do you have any evidence of that brucie or are you just chatting rubbish as usual.

brucie wrote:Perhaps the board were scared Ling might piss the money up against a wall :-o

Any Commission set up to find the truth is doomed to fail in its objective.

Besides truth (either side, back and front, top and bottom, inside and out) are fact and fiction.

Then there's perception, intuition, vision, viewpoint, opinion (similar to 'rsehole - everyone has one), other physical senses, sixth sense and other senses and viewpoints unfelt and unseen by basic ass in the grass mortals.

The truth is out there ?

This is TorquayFans.Com, not the effin X-Files.

Trojan 67 wrote:Any Commission set up to find the truth is doomed to fail in its objective.

Besides truth (either side, back and front, top and bottom, inside and out) are fact and fiction.

Then there's perception, intuition, vision, viewpoint, opinion (similar to 'rsehole - everyone has one), other physical senses, sixth sense and other senses and viewpoints unfelt and unseen by basic ass in the grass mortals.

The truth is out there ?

This is TorquayFans.Com, not the effin X-Files.

lol,,, good answer,, probably more a case of HE'S BEHIND YOU !!!

The main point I'd like answered is did ML give up when Bill Phillips said no, publicly? Not looking for a blame merchant, just where should our sympathies lie?

But your right, the truth is out there but Mulder and Scully would struggle with this one.