Hello Friends and welcome back to my Torquay story as I wrap things up for the end of 2010.
The festive season arrived early on The Riviera thanks to a 3-0 thumping of promotion candidates Southampton at The Plainmor Stadium. We totally outplayed The Saints from start to finish in what was one of our best performces of the season. Andrew Barrowman who had two goals disallowed for offside in the first half finally convinced the assistant referee he was onside and put us ahead on the hour with a powerful strike from a Livermore through ball. Constant pressure resulted in a goal for 17 year old Kamil Wiktorski who headed in from a corner and Livermore capped a brilliant individual performance with a 20 yard screamer 2 minutes from time. We managed to keep a clean sheet which was even more pleasing.
Next up was a trip to London to face Milwall who were huge favorites to win the game. I decided to switch to a 4-1-4-1 formation and although it wasn’t pretty we got the draw I was after.
The following game was at home to Gillingham who we had recently beaten in the FA Cup. Although my staff suggested a 4-5-1 formation as in the cup I reverted back to my favorable 4-4-2 line up as after all we were at home. The first half couldn’t end quick enough with the most interesting thing happening was the clock ticking over! After a harsh team talk Kamil Wiktorski broke the deadlock heading in from a corner after 52 minutes with Barrowman adding a second minutes later from a Nicky Wroe through ball. Gilingham rarely gave us any trouble after that and a Komora’s effort went narrowly wide to deny us a third goal.
Our Boxing Day fixutre saw us travel to Brentford and our on field performance very much suggested that we had all eaten too much turkey the day before and were still suffering from the after effects. Brentford weren’t much better either though took the lead with a long range effort just before half time. Kamil Wiktorski was again the hero for us heading in the equalizer 5 minutes from time and securing us at least a point.
The final game of the month was in front of our home fans at The Plainmoor Stadium. We got off to a fantastic start as Eckersley’s cross from the left flank was met by the head of Steve Irwin who glanced the ball into the corner of the net. It wasn’t too long before we double our lead as Komora flew past the Morecambe defence and finished with a low driving shot into the net. Kamil Wiktorski added a third before 20 minutes had gone by with a curling shot from a free kick 25 yards out. Kamil got another heading in from a corner and so we found ourselves 4-0 up inside 30 minutes. The score stayed the same unitl the interval but after the break Komora quickly added another as Shane Hooks forward pass split the Morecambe defence for Komora to pounce on . We weren’t able to add anymore but it was a great way to end the year.
Results at a glance
Current League Table
Remarkably we find ourselves sitting on top of the table as the year comes to a close. I say that as we have bounced around a bit in the standings over the last few weeks but nonetheless there we are in the lead.
Kamil Wiktorski has had a fabulous month and below is his profile which isn’t that bad for a youngster and he’s really established himself in the back four.
Here’s a look at our year end finances and at least we are in the black which is good news.
Janaury Fixtures
We have a sizeable amout of games next month beginning with a difficult FA Cup encounter with Coventry and then tough league games with Hartlepool and Norwich.
Thanks for reading.
Darren Smith
31 августа, 2010 at 18:22
Hey Kevin, a mixed bag of results there but on the whole very good. You’re still in prime contention for that promotion spot and I couldn’t call it either way yet. Hopefully you’ll guide Torquay to automatic promotion and not have to worry about thos play-offs. Well done mate.
Kevin
31 августа, 2010 at 18:35
Hi Darren
Automatic promotion would be great but I’d be happy with a play off spot. Have to find that centre back though.
hils
31 августа, 2010 at 19:52
Some good results there kevin,i would recommend Daniel Ayala from Liverpool.Good luck mate!!!!!!!!!!
Kevin
31 августа, 2010 at 20:04
Hello hils
Thanks for the tip but I did have Ayala at the start of the season and he only managed a 6.0 rating. Let me know if you have others!
hils
31 августа, 2010 at 20:19
Have you tried out Craig Cathcart,he is quite solid in defence. Otherwise,look at loan listed players.
Kevin
31 августа, 2010 at 20:34
Thanks…I’d forgotten about him. I’ll take a look when I get home.
Sears
31 августа, 2010 at 21:11
Hi Kevin
That was a good month, depsite playing some good teams. If you find that centre back your looking for, I think you can sneak a automatic promotion spot. Goodluck mate.
Kevin Mayo
1 сентября, 2010 at 00:25
Thanks Sears
You are right about the CB, that could be the key to going up or not.
Johnny Karp
1 сентября, 2010 at 08:05
Well done Kevin, great results there. That Polish youngster surely confirms all the hopes that were invested in him, he looks rock solid. You should offer him a new contract, a five-year deal would be nice :) I just remembered a good CB: Marc Muniesa.
Kevin Mayo
1 сентября, 2010 at 10:55
Thanks Johnny,
That’s a great idea regarding my Polish centre back and I’ll try for Muniesa as well next time I have the game loaded. The suggestions made by hils didn’t play out as nobody wanted to come including some others from my parent club Arsenal.This is tough.
Laxeyman
1 сентября, 2010 at 13:02
Hi Kevin, well done, that was another good month. The title race will be pretty close I’m sure, hopefully you can just beat the other challengers. Good luck!
Kevin
1 сентября, 2010 at 13:10
Hi Laxeyman
You are right, it is very close so I’m hoping for good results too against the likes of Norwich and Hartlepool.
Lye
1 сентября, 2010 at 13:17
Hi Kevin, it’s great to find you on top after half a season gone. I hope you can strengthen the squad once the transfer window opens. That will give you pole position for a promotion spot. I wish you can get it. Good luck.
Kevin
1 сентября, 2010 at 13:20
Cheers Lye,
My CB quest is not looking too good so far as many players refuse to come to Torquay. Low reputation I guess? Thanks for your well wishes.