Defiant Johnson ready to 'put it right' at Plainmoor

Manager Gary Johnson insists that he’s the man to turn Torquay United into convincing promotion contenders, and all the signs are that the board is still behind him to do the job.
After successive Plainmoor defeats to Maidstone United (0-1/0-2), the Gulls are seventh in the National League South and out of the FA Cup, ahead of another home game against Welling United this Saturday.
Sections of the United crowd vented their frustrations after last weekend’s Cup loss, when Johnson’s side went out of the competition all too easily.
Johnson and CEO George Edwards are believed to have discussed options for improving things after sampling the atmosphere at the end of Saturday’s match.
That will surely have included, with a nod from owner Clarke Osborne, going into the transfer market to bolster a squad which looks short in more than one area.
Johnson, 68, who recently started his sixth year in charge, remains defiant, saying: “I am the one who can put it right, and wants to put it right.”
Loans are cheaper than permanent deals, but often riskier too, and Johnson – his brother Peter is the club’s Head of Recruitment - has made it clear in recent weeks that he’s been reluctant to make short-term signings to get over short-term issues.
But recent results and performances have not borne the stamp of potential title contenders in a division now led by Westcountry rivals, and fellow full-timers, Yeovil Town.
The Glovers also knocked National League Southend United out of the Cup at the weekend.
A new arrival or two this week would publicly confirm the board’s continued support for Johnson, whom they stuck with despite relegation last season.
After Welling, the Gulls’ fourth successive home game, United travel to Weston-super-Mare next Tuesday and Hampton & Richmond on Oct 28.
A visit from Yeovil is also looming on Nov 7.
Having lost to Maidstone with ten men in the league seven days before, they seldom tested their former goalkeeper Lucas Covolan last Saturday, failing to turn plenty of possession into enough chances.
The result also cemented Maidstone’s role as one of Torquay’s biggest ‘bogey’ clubs – in 15 league and cup games since they first met in the old Fourth Division in 1989, United’s record is now W2 D2 L11.