I was at Plainmoor last night and this is the first chance I've had to post a few feelings on the match.So here's my tuppence worth.
Firstly, TUFC was not prepared for the Green Army IMO. Don't get many away fans in the National League South unless Plainmoor happens to be the home stadium for Truro and you're playing Truro away! Having said that, I had a great time and I hope that Torquay get back in the league ASAP. On the basis of what I saw, they have a very good chance of doing so. Gary Johnson is the perfect manager for them.
My overall feeling is that Torquay had the look of a team who has a settled system and players that are very familiar with one another. Argyle were clearly struggling to get to grips with their new system and, at times, the slow build-up from the goalkeeper through the back three to Edwards and beyond was painful. Torquay pressed right up to Argyle's back three and I question the ability of some of the current CBs to pass incisively to allow the system to work. Having said that, when the system worked, our wing-backs were often able to find space in behind the TQ defence and it was just the final ball that was missing. Moore looked more comfortable as a WB. Riley looked OK to me. ASB is a very frustrating player - I really like him as a player but he may never fulfill his potential. For me, the best WB on the night was McFadzean - he looked really sharp when he came on - skillful and pacey.
As has been said elsewhere, I don't understand the negative comments re: Sarcevic. His powerful running in the midfield was one of the highlights of the first-half for me and helped Argyle to link the build-up out of defence to the strikers. He looks like he needs to improve his fitness granted, and did fade in the second half. But surely that's what the pre-season is designed to achieve? Edwards looked like a very tidy player. The youngsters performed well on the whole. I think the two young keepers are fine at League Two level and should push each other for a first-team place. Expect a mistake here and there but great athleticism and shot-stopping ability. They commanded their area pretty well.
Lolos looks like a young player who is ready for his chance in the first-team squad. I think he would be a great asset coming off the bench to inject some energy and directness to Argyle's attacks. I'm sure he will be 3rd or 4th in the pecking order (at least) but would like to see him in Trophy games in the least. Great finish. No other strikers really caught my eye. Would have been interesting to see Taylor out there. Telford needs the ball to feet and that is where the WBs need to be better at providing the final ball when they do get in behind the defence. Joel Grant did not have a good game but I think he is a good squad player at League Two level and will score some important goals this season.
Mayor was badly missed and I think that he is going to shoulder an immense responsibility on this showing in travelling with the ball to provide a link from back to front, as Sarcevic was able to do on a few occasions.
Aimson would have made a difference to the back three - I am told he has very good pace. If that is the case, then we need to sign a no-nonsense, aggressive CB to complement the other two. Someone who dominates the crosses and set-pieces and who is tenacious in breaking up open attacks - Coughlan style. So I agree with other comments that we need another CB, another striker, and perhaps another CM if possible.
Overall, I enjoyed my evening in the English Riviera. Would be nice to draw TQ in an early round of the FA Cup so we can show their fans how Argyle will have evolved under RL. I have faith that this new team will be exciting and will play an attractive brand of football not seen at Home Park in years. There are going to be goals, goals, goals... at both ends!
COYG :scarf: