By glynley, on May 22nd, 2012
Good news to start – Damon Lathrope has signed a new contract. He’s been excellent this year and I actually voted for him as Player Of The Year (though big batlle in my head with Mansell, Olejnik and Ellis).
Ashley Yeoman has been given a year to prove himself. Ling touting him as a possible O’Kane / Benyon replacement. Seen him a couple of times for the reserves. Will reserve judgement.
Lloyd Macklin has been transfer listed, which is no surprise, but Ling was very critical of his attitude in his statement
Chris McPhee has also been listed, which is again no surprise. Torquay have a very small squad, so player like Macklin, McPhee and Rowe-Turner who are constantly on the periphery always likely to have to make way for others pushing for the first team.
Ellis offered a new contract but Ling doesn’t sound massively hopeful of keeping him. Sounds like vultures are swooping…
By glynley, on April 28th, 2012
My friend Tim and I are running the Torbay Half Marathon on Sunday 24th June, in aid of Hospiscare. They provide wonderful support, free of charge, for terminally ill patients in their final days in Exeter, mid and east Devon, and were incredible for Tim’s mum when she finally succumbed to cancer two years ago.
They can’t give this kind of support to the people who need it without the generous support from donations.
We’ve got a JustGiving page. You can sponsor us here: www.justgiving.com/timandglyn
And you can learn more about Hospiscare at www.hospiscare.co.uk
Thanks very much.
By glynley, on April 15th, 2012
 A very quick one today.
A close game yesterday, and 0-0 probably the right result in the end. Southend brought a very physical game to Plainmoor, which Torquay have found difficult before (notably home to Bradford earlier in the season).
Quality was lacking from both sides on a very difficult day in torrential rain. Southend hit the crossbar form a free kick, and Jarvis went close for Torquay, but chances were few and far between. There was no lack of effort however.
Shrewsbury’s win makes them favourites now for 2nd place, and leaves it virtually as a straight battle between Torquay and Crawley for 3rd. Presuming that Crawley can get past Northampton on Tuesday in their game in hand, it will leave both clubs level on points with 3 games left, but Crawley having the superior goal difference.
It will go down to the wire.
By glynley, on April 9th, 2012
 Oxford-2-2-Torquay Just back from a long day on the coach to watch Torquay away at Oxford. Tense game today. The way things panned out, I am perfectly happy to come away with a point, although sadly other results didn’t go our way.
Torquay got off to a great start when Rene Howe pounced on an error by an Oxford defender and calmly slotted under the keeper. Torquay had another chance soon after but O’Kane blazed over from 10 yards, similar to Aaron Ramsey’s effort yesterday.
But Oxford came strongly back into the match, and apart from the goal there was very little to separate the sides at half time.
Oxford came out the better in the second half and equalised direct from a corner as the blustering wind (3-sided ground an intentional tactic?) confused Olejnik and the ball went straight in.
Torquay has a goal disallowed for offside after Howe had rounded the keeper, had his shot blocked and then squared the rebound for O’Kane to slot in on the line. Torquay fans were largely irate but I thought it was just offside. Still awaiting the TV replay though.
Oxford scored a neat second, working the ball well out to the right. A terrific cross in from the right back met with a bullet header. Chances continued to come fro Oxford, as Torquay’s usually tight midfield three allowed too many shots from the edge of the box.
Pressure started to show, and eventually Ian Morris was sent off for two quick fire yellow cards – one for a poor challenge and one for getting involved in a fracas. This seemed to galvanise Torquay though and Taiwo Atieno, on for the injured / exhausted Howe, scored just before the end with what seemed like another keeper error – the ball squirming under the crossbar afetr the keeper got his hand to Atieno’s shot.
All in all, a draw a good result for Torquay. They now need to regroup before facing Southend at home on Saturday.
By glynley, on April 3rd, 2012
The plans floated at the weekend to enable the security services to be able to log every email, phone call and internet hit of UK citizens is an extremely concerning development, and totally at odds with the beliefs of the Liberal Democrats. I’m sure, if you’ve got to my blog, you’ve been following the story and already know the widely-held views of Liberal Democrats members – that the ‘Snooping Law’ as it has been told, flies in the face of liberal views on the amount of knowledge the state should know about its citizens, without justification. I won’t go over old ground.
Just to add a couple of things…
Snooping
This is simply a process spying on our private relationships, within our own homes. A person’s private use of technology within their own home should be allowed the same levels of privacy as a citizen’s right to have guests at their home. The Government does not have the right to know who we speak to, when and for how long. The fact that these interactions take place over electronic media are no different to conversations wholly taking place within the privacy of a citizen’s own home. I understand that the content of conversations would not be monitored, but that is not defence enough. The actual fact of conversations taking place at all should not be recorded.
Difficulties with coalition and Liberal Democrats principles
Being in coalition can be difficult. Clearly there are things which the Coalition Government is doing which do not sit comfortably with my social liberal principles. But I can live with them – sometimes only just – within the context of coalition. There are certain aspects of Conservative policy which do match with degrees of economic liberalism, and I can see merit in what the leadership is trying to achieve, even if I tink they are misguided in certain areas.
I am lucky enough to have a Liberal Democrat MP who, whilst supporting the Coalition, has amongst others opposed individual issues we should not be supporting, such as tuition fees or the NHS Bill.
But one issue where I can was confident that the Coalition would be able to protect is the issue of civil liberties. The Protection of Freedoms Bill has almost passed, which was a terrific step towards redressing the horrific steps against civil liberties perpetrated by Labour during their time in office. Liberal Democrat members also recently reinforced their beliefs in civil liberties and opposition to Labour’s actions at Spring Conference.
Abhorrence of Labour’s record
What makes the introduction of this policy even worse is that, if true, this is the kind of policy Labour would strongly support. The kind of policy which makes the overall idea of a Lib-Lab Coalition as abhorrent to me as a Lib-Con Coalition is to others.
Tim Farron, Lib Dem President, often says that he joined the Liberal Party in opposition to Thatcher, and the damage he could see her government doing to his community. Well, for our generation, a large proportion of people will have joined the Liberal Democrats, like myself, out of opposition for Labour’s treatment of its citizens, encroachments on civil liberties, restrictions on the right to protest, and support for illegal and unjustified wars. We believe the Liberal Democrats to be the party which stands up for the rights of the citizen to be free from the undue attention of the state machine.
There are many things Liberal Democrats in Government should do, including as part of coalition some things which we are uncomfortable with. But bringing in laws the previous Labour Government would have been proud of, which encroach on the freedom of the citizen, should be a line in the sand. I hope it remains one.
By glynley, on March 25th, 2012
Will keep this short this week – less of a report and more just some thoughts.
Formation
Torquay started with the regular 4-5-1 formation with limited success, but switched to 4-4-2 with half an hour to go in an attempt to change the game. And it worked. It made the team more attacking – two target men and wide players getting crosses in. The 4-5-1 doesn’t always allow this to happen with. I don’t think this is the fault of the wide players as such, but that they are played on their ‘opposite’ wings. This means they always have to come back onto their better foot to cross, and the moves lose momentum.
We should stick with the 4-5-1 as it has been successful, and especially away from home the 3 man centre midfield is excellent. It has of course been integral to our excellent defensive record. But I think we should play more with Stevens and Morris switched to their correct wings.
However at home, especially when there has been a need to attack more, the switch to 4-4-2 has been very effective. Against Port Vale on Saturday and Bristol Rovers on March 10th, the formation change has resulted in Torquay scoring two goals twice in quick succession. I wonder whether the 4-4-2 could be used more from the start, for home games.
Ian Morris
Apparently Ian Morris was being booed but some fans as he was substituted on Saturday. Have to say I didn’t hear too much, but then I was applauding. Morris didn’t have a great game on Saturday but his performances do not warrant booing. As per above, I believe he is playing out of position on the right. At the beginning of the Rovers game, when the wingers were on their ‘correct; wings, and after moving to the left when switching to 4-4-2, I thought he was very effective, probably the best player on the pitch.
Fans were getting frustrated on Saturday, but I believe it is the position doing a disservice to Morris, and not Morris to the team.
Still, failings or not we are second in the league, which is an unbelievable result so far. So let’s get behind the team, and every palyer, for the last 7 games.
By glynley, on February 11th, 2012
Yesterday the courts decided that prayers should not be included on the agenda for meetings of Bideford Town Council, in a ruling which could have impacts up and down the land.
Councils, as with meetings up and down the land, will largely consist of people of a wide range of faiths and no faith at all. Meetings such as Council meetings have no religious aim, and it is unsuitable to start such meeting with prayers, of any denomination.
I, and I am sure most secularists, do not argue that religious people should not be entitled to pray before Council meetings. Of course they should. But it should not be as part of the official Council agenda. It is perfectly fine for prayers to take place in a separate room before the meeting officially starts, or even in the Council chamber as long as Councillors are permitted to enter the chamber, after prayers, before the meeting officially starts.
The Houses of Parliament start each day with prayers, but there is no requirement on members to be in the chamber for prayers. This is an adequate compromise. Meetings of a religious nature should of course be entitled to include prayers.
Attack on Christianity
A lot is being made in the press of this ruling being part of a wider attack on Christianity, and an attempt to remove Christianity from public life. This is not true, in the way that it is being portrayed. Religion should have no part in official Government or civic business. Secularism demands that religious views cannot be legally imposed on people, and that religious people are entitled to follow personal religious instruction, as long as it does not contradict the laws of the country.
The right to worship is not diminished. In fact, it is fundamental to the laws of our country.
Perhaps the perception that Christianity is being attacked comes from the fact that Christianity has for too long embedded into civic and political life when it should not have been. What is actually redressing what has been an incorrect imbalance for years is being seen as unfair by those who have seen their religion unjustly imposed on those who do not believe.
Christianity has no right to be included in civic life in ways that other religions or belief systems do not.
By glynley, on January 2nd, 2012
A terrific result for Torquay United in the second Devon Derby of the season, meaning the double over their rivals Argyle.
United started with the same team as against Oxford, except for Bodin (back from suspension) coming in to replace Morris (freshly on suspension).
In truth Argyle probably had the better of the first half, although the best chances fell to United, with a couple of headers well-saved.
The second half started fairly evenly but then Torquay started to get into gear, and scored twice in five minutes to really swing the game in their favour. The first was a good finish from a free kick by Billy Bodin after a nod down by Chris Robertson, the second an equally good finish by Lee Mansell after good work down the left between Nicholson and O’Kane. Some intricate passing following short throw-in resulted in Stevens finding Mansell excellently in space in the area, who slotted into the corner of the net.
Argyle pulled one back with a well worked headed goal, but the Torquay defence held strong to hold out for the win.
Defence
Torquay’s back line is playing terrifically well at the moment. The back five of Olejnik, Oastler, Ellis, Robertson and Nicholson rarely looks like conceding, and if Torquay get a lead, you can be quite confident of keeping the points. Nothing personal against him but I am concerned that Brian Saah’s return could affect this. Saah is a decent player, but I hope Martin Ling, whilst this run continues, knows when he is onto a good thing.
Going Forward
The displays going forward over Xmas have not been outstanding overall displays. We have missed Rene Howe up front, and the defence’s solidity has earned us the points. But the best chances for Torquay (Mansell’s goal today, Morris’ chance against Oxford among them) have come when we get the ball down and play, which the team are well capable of doing. We have some good ball players in the team – O’Kane, Stevens, Nicholson the standouts – and we should mould our style of play to suit them better.
Joe Oastler – my new star
Whilst most plaudits are going to O’Kane (deservedly), I have to give a mention to Joe Oastler, who has been excellent this season. The first few games I was unsure about him. He was being regularly skinned and caught out of position (especially away to Bristol Rovers). But he has been one of the best, most consistent performers of late, does not put a foot wrong, and has talent going forward. I know, like O’Kane, that he has dropped down from the youth system of a better club, but I think his future lies further up the leagues.
By glynley, on January 2nd, 2012
have not been blogging Torquay’s home games over Xmas – lazy of me. here’s the basis you need to know…
Good defence, two clean sheets, especially terrific against Swindon in a long rearguard action. Robertson and Ellis very solid. Oastler continues to impress at right back. I really like Olejnik in goal.
Atieno good at holding the ball up as a solo striker, but slow at moving the ball on.
Lots of chances created when the ball played along the floor, but does not happen enough. Playing with three central midfielders but they do need to work on their support of the strikers. Atieno was often left on his own. O’Kane especially should be asked to work higher up, out of the three (O’Kane, Mansell, Lathrope).
Anyway, off to Plymouth Argyle away this afternoon. Will write properly after that one.
By glynley, on December 14th, 2011
Last night’s meeting was well attended by local residents and interested local groups. We were introduced to the key players from the groups involved in the project and shown initial plans for the regeneration of the building, which would ensure that the building can once again be used for the purpose that it was originally created to for – to be a working cinema once again.
The new group looking at the cinema consists of the National Trust, Devon Historic Buildings Trust, the Dartmouth Steam Railway and Torbay Council. The cinema is currently owned by the Railway, who would be looking to sell it on to Devon Historic Buildings Trust. Eventually, the building would probably pass to the National Trust, who would run it. This would mean that the National Trust would have a living, breathing building in the heart of Paignton as part of their portfolio, which would be terrific for the local area.
To be a sustainable business, the Picture House will need to have multiple uses. The group are currently looking at the best uses for the building and have selected an architect, Levitate, to create designs. We were shown four possible options about what could happen to the building. These were all very provisional designs and more options could easily be created. All options include a cafe / bar area towards the back of the current seating, which would also allow the National Trust space to promote their other English Riviera properties. There would also be space upstairs for a small museum and training facilities, focusing on the heritage and significance of the building.
To ensure that the building could be used for wider activities than just cinema, such as putting on comedy events, dances and conferences, various options included enlarging the stage and introducing a temporary flat floor which could be placed over the rake where the seating normally goes.
The group are currently finalising ideas to discuss with English heritage, who must approve any works as the building is Grade II* listed. They are also putting together a funding bid and an ambitious but realistic fundraising plan to raise enough money to fully restore the building and secure its long term physical future. Different options on how best to create a sustainable business use for the building are currently under discussion.
There are long roads ahead, but all were agreed that a reopened Paignton Picture House would be good for the town, beneficial to the Dartmouth Steam Railway, and provide a much-needed new service to the people of Torbay and the wider area.
|
|
