Gary Johnson: 'This is not a mug's league'

Gary Johnson spelled it out before Torquay United set off for Dover Athletic last week (writes Dave Thomas).
"This is not a mug's league," he said as the Gulls prepared to start life back in the National League South, adding: "We're the ones who everyone will see as a free hit."
What Johnson was talking about, and what most United supporters already knew from past experience, had little to do with whether this team is better, fitter or tactically superior than the rest of the mostly part-time division.
It has everything to do with handling the pressure of being favourites. Not just for the title, but each and every week.
United were possibly the best side in the history of the 'Conference' South when they lifted the championship in 2019, but what really enabled them eventually to win it by ten points was their mental toughness.
The East Thurrocks, Concord Rangers, Dulwich Hamlets and Billericay Towns couldn't wait to get stuck into Torquay five years ago, especially on their own grounds.
United beat them all on feisty midweek nights and Saturday afternoons, mainly because they refused to be fazed by some often strong-arm tactics, faced the opposition down and eventually ran and played them off their feet.
There were still some hiccups along the way, at places like Bath City and Welling, but Johnson's side, led by current captain Asa Hall, always picked themselves up quickly and got back on the proverbial horse.
But that pressure never relented as each week went by, United not finally overtaking Woking at the top of the table until a typically resilient, pragmatic 1-0 win on the mudflats of Canvey Island (Concord) on March 23.
Dover's pre-season had been so problematic that the Crabble Ground announcer struggled to get the names of several new players right last weekend and, when Hall gave United a 2-0 lead midway through the first half, the locals feared they could be in for a hammering.
But if you take your foot off the throat of any opposition at these levels, you're asking for trouble.
The best Torquay team that most of us have seen for the last 40-odd years lost at home to non-League Burton Albion in the FA Cup before going on to win automatic promotion under Leroy Rosenior (2004).
Sure enough, as soon as even Dover's hastily assembled side sensed that the Gulls had gone off the boil, the script was torn up.
At least United emerged with a point. What about Yeovil Town?
Second-favourite status, full-time training and a clutch of experienced new signings counted for nothing as Hemel Hempstead Town turned them over (1-0).
It won't get any easier. Ambitious Worthing will be rubbing their hands at the prospect of visiting Plainmoor this Saturday. United had better get used to it…