From The Gulls Nest

It's all kicked off..

2009-07-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

..quite literally in fact.

Pre-season has well and truly started - and in some style too. The 4-0 victory over Buckland Athletic was as comfortable as pre-season friendlies get, with Mustafa Carayol and trialist Ben Joyce notching up a brace each in what was an impressive start to the new season.

Indeed, Joyce was so impressive that the former Swindon striker has been snapped up permanently. It sounds like a perfectly acceptable signing to me - he's young, quick, and there's definitely some raw potential to work with there. I still feel a proven goalscorer is required, though.

The signings don't end there though. Guy Branston could be on his way to Plainmoor as early as this weekend - is he the strong, uncompromising centre-back we've been lacking since the days of Craig Taylor? Sure, he won't be pretty, and he has the face only a mother can love, but when have centre-backs at this level needed to be anything but solid? Branston's been there, done that, and got the t-shirt at L2 level. A solid signing in my book, if it does come off.

Of course, the signing of Branston would suggest that Chris Robertson is indeed on his way out of Plainmoor. Not that I'm too bothered - I'd much rather have the experience and know-how of 'The Pickler' anyway.

Another player who might be on his way out is Nicky Wroe, who, according to reports, has attracted the interest of the likes of MK Dons, Rotherham United, and, whisper it, Exeter City. It seems Wroey doesn't actually want to leave, but, with Buckle having his budget slashed, in order to raise cash to bring other players in, the sale of our star playmaker might be required. Indeed, to lose him would be a great shame, and replacing a midfielder of his quality would be no easy task - but if the proceeds of his sale make the squad stronger, rather than just the team, then it would make sense. In my eyes, £100,000 for the midfielder would represent good business - as much as it pains me to say it.

Trust in the Management is what's needed here. After all, haven't they earned that right?

Decision time for Robertson..

2009-06-26T13:25:00.000-07:00

With no sign of any new players coming in, the last thing we need right now is a long drawn out transfer saga regarding our very own Chris Robertson. Will he stay? Will he go? Quite frankly, I'm beginning to lose patience.

Burton Albion are clearly keen on the defender - perhaps more so now that their number one target, Ian Breckin, has decided to rejoin Chesterfield. It's a move that would make sense for Robbo too - a move that would bring him closer to his Nottingham roots, and, perhaps, guarantee first team football.

And maybe that's what it comes down to. Robertson has hardly been a first team regular at Plainmoor over the last two years, and when the 22 year old has been playing, it's generally been in his less favoured position of right back - a position where he clearly isn't comfortable, though his performances there have been admirable.

But now, he finds himself playing regulary, in the heart of the defence, and, more importantly, back in the Football League. It's been a long journey back there, and indeed for Robertson - one of the five originals who started our journey into non-league, and helped us back to where we belong. It would be a shame to lose his services now.

Either way, it's all due to get sorted at the weekend, where showdown talks with Paul Buckle await. Here's hoping for some positive news.

Green on his way out of Plainmoor..

2009-06-23T16:33:00.000-07:00

After 29 games and just four goals, Matt Green is on his way back to Oxford on a season long loan - just 12 months after turning down the U's to join us at Plainmoor.

Good move? Bad move? I'm leaning towards the former. I imagine Oxford are paying a large chunk of his 'sizeable' wages (he came here for the bigger paycheck, afterall..) and should Green play and score regulary, his profile will become bigger and the potential fee will rise accordingly. Everyone's a winner, then.

We saw two sides to Green. Strong showings in the FA Cup against the likes Blackpool and Coventry made many Gulls fans think he had serious potential. His match winning goal against Blackpool was one of real quality, but it was the way he unsettled Championship defences with his pace and power that really made an impression.

Unfortunately, it was form he couldn't replicate. A lack of composure in front of goal, which in turn led to a poor goal return, ultimately paved the way to his departure from Plainmoor.

And what about his antics off the field? Rumours of bust-up's with Paul Buckle probably had much to do with his omission from the starting XI, and his sulky attitude at Wembley left a sour taste. Indeed, it seems that Green is a player with Football League potential; but as things stand, his career will be hampered by his Non-League attitude.

So where does this leave us? Admittedly, we're a bit short on fire power as things stand. Tim Sills, as good as he's been for us, has a record in the Football League that won't be giving League Two defences sleepless nights. And Elliot Benyon is still young, raw, and unproven at this level.

Yep, it's fair to say that goals could be a problem next year, as things stand. Bring back David Graham, anyone?

An introduction..

2009-06-23T16:19:00.000-07:00

Well, it would be rude not to introduce myself, wouldn't it?

The more astute ones amongst you are probably aware that by clicking onto this very site, you've found a blog dedicated to the goings on at Torquay United, and it's been created by yours truly, Shaun Murphy. Welcome to you.

I'm an aspiring Sports Journalist, studying Sports Writing at Southampton Solent University.

But what makes me qualified to write about the trials and tribulations of Torquay United?

Well, I've been a fan of the Gulls for years now - ever since I can remember in fact. And throughout that time I've seen my fair share of drama.

I've been there through most of the highs - from THAT dramatic last day escape at Underhill to the sheer ecstasy of promotion at Roots Hall in 2004.

Then, of course, there was Wembley. The day where we finally made it back into the Football League after a two year absence. And what a day it was.

There's been lows too - and plenty of them. Relegations? Try two of them - Layer Road and our very own Plainmoor saw us sink to League Two and the depths of Non-League respectively.

Throw in a couple of other Wembley appearances, some pulsating cup-ties, play-off heartbreak, a con-man chairman, a manager who quite literally lasted 10 minutes, and some long away days (Rochdale on a cold Tuesday night, I was there!) and you could say I've earned my stripes as a fan, so to speak.

So there you have it. This is my chance to let off steam about anything and everything TUFC related, be it Buckle's latest blunder, or Nicky Wroe's latest masterclass in midfield. Rarely is there a dull moment at Plainmoor, and with our return to League Two fast approaching, now seemed as good a time as any to begin my delirious ramblings.

Enjoy.