Losing two defenders early on and having a completely ineffective strike force against a vibrant Torquay side intent on scoring as many goals as possible, it was an uphill fight from very early on. You cannot play Harrold in the second leg; I think you would be better off with me there. You have to get an early goal but keeping their strike force under control with Key driving them forward is going to be difficult. Good luck.
Still in Torquay tonight. Still miserable. We were abysmal from start to finish. Every now and again we have a no show performance and we managed another tonight. Worst one I've seen this season, we were second best everywhere. Yes we missed Sharps and Raven in defence. No excuses though. Canavan was dreadful, Wroe was dreadful, Collins was dreadful, Wright was dreadful - need I go on? The only players to emerge with any credit were Davis, Smith, Sadler and Sherriff and they all had their bad moments. At half time, I'd have settled for 2-0. That's how bad we were. Well done Gulls. The place was rocking and you deserved it tonight. We still have a slim chance but I hear we'll have to do it without Sharps. We need to score first and probably in the first half, to have any real chance. A season's work all but thrown away tonight.
We never play well in front of the cameras anyway. I tried watching it on frontrow but the lag was dreadful. don't think I missed much. Let's hope they have a epiphany on how to score goals and defend on that long coach ride home.
What's the rule on away goals. If Torquay score will that mean no extra time and you need 4 to win in 90 mins. I wish you luck but to be honest I think you are going to need it. But you never know in this game. It's not unheard of to come back from 2-0 down. If Shrews are up for it (I have to say they weren't at Torquay, apart from early on) anything is possible. Don't forget Torquay are very good at hitting the woodwork. All it needs is thicker woodwork, a few brilliant saves from your goalie, a missed penalty followed by an own goal to give you the lead and for every Shrews player to WANT it. Be first to the ball, give them no space, put someone up front who knows where the goal is. Why Harrold wasn't subbed I have no idea. Now get out there and make sure it's you at Old Trafford. I have politely left out any words that rhyme with duck or ducking. Feel free to insert where appropriate. It could be worse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw1rqMlPY7M
Scunny fans said Canavan was a 'cracking player' and although we were playing 2 left footers it sounded as if he cost us the game, not dissimilar to Aldershot Stuart Dunn's commentary made it sound as if we played ok but unfortuantely they did what we should have done- taken chances! Robinson made a nuisance of himself, Grandison was apparently good and that's it. All to do but hopefully Torquay can have an off day. And put Raven RB and move Grandison into the centre if Sharpsy cant play!
It sounded like Grandison couldn't cope with their left wingers, I'm guessing this is the sane one as last time.
Time to introduce our secret weapon. Nathan Elder from the bench to score the winner (and I am being serious).
I'm astonished if the commentary implied we played OK. We didn't. I can't remember seeing a worse performance from us this season (I didn't go to Torquay or Aldershot in the league though!). Torquay were better all over, our passing was poor and we were outpaced and outmuscled too easily. If Sharps is out, we have to get Raven fit to play. We looked very inexperienced without the skipper. Grandison didn't play well but he wasn't the worst. We'll probably have to stick with Canavan but hopefully he'll be ready to play on Friday - he looked like he'd just been roped in at the last minute from a local amateur team on Saturday. I'd seriously consider playing McIntyre too. We had no leadership once we'd lost Sharps. The nearest to it was Davis - and he's 19!
Surely it can't have been as bad as your performance at Aldershot? I was there that day and you were truly horrific. Away goals don't count extra in play off games which helps your boys out a bit.
I was at Torquay and didn't think Prince Harry was quite as anonymous as Collins, but thats just my opinion. For me they are too similar and all our strikers seem more effective coming on as subs????? Biggest concern for me was central midfield and of course the loss of Sharps (Canavan looked poor when he came on). I'd be tempted to go Prince Harry and Bradshaw up top (Bradshaw to get crowd and rest of team going), Grandison in the middle if raven fit, and possibly even macca into midfield in place of wroe (who has not turned up in either game with his former club for me). Not once did the central midfield get beyiond the front two as they were too busy firefighting. Regardless of who plays its more that we need to be up for it as a team. If I was GT I'd maybe have a couple of system surprises up my sleeve too in case we end up chasing it bigtime and can unleash the full array of attacking weaponry (!!??!! - or at least some numbers up top anyway). BTW - Macca surely too small for CB - about 5'9 tops and 10 stone wet through I'd have thought?
I think there will be several player changes come summer no matter what league we're in. It amazes me how over the last few years it has become increasingly common for a club to release 7 or 8 odd players in May/June. These players then sign for another club and the merry-go-round carries on.
