Torquay United competing with market forces

As we move deeper into the month of speculation and rumour, Torquay United boss Gary Johnson remains confident of adding further quality to his squad for the second half of the season.

The January transfer window is notoriously awkward for recruitment at all levels of the game, and no different for United, who are seeking players with sufficient quality to help them achieve their promotion aspirations.  

The other factor to consider is the Plainmoor treatment room, which has been excessively busy over recent weeks, and the return of those injured players will also feel like a raft of new signings.

“We’ve been out there looking but it’s not easy because we’re competing with other teams,” said Johnson. “If you want to get back to the National League and the Football League, you’ve got to find National League and Football League players.

“Sometimes, they want to come, and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes, it is the agent or their wives, but we’re hoping to make a couple of signings in the next couple of weeks, if not before.

“We’ve probably been speaking to tens of players, rather than one or two, because a lot of them keep their options open in January. I’ve also got eight great ‘signings’ who are injured and we have to be aware of that. We can’t fill the squad just for numbers.”

Ahead of the trip to Hereford in the FA Trophy on Saturday, Johnson reflected on the weekend draw with Eastbourne Borough, when a late equaliser cost the Gulls all three points.

While the goal that made it 2-2 deep into injury time should have been flagged for offside, Johnson highlighted the dynamic between sloppiness in possession and the incredible running stats of his team.

He said: “We were disappointed to draw the game and it was two points dropped because we got ourselves into a good position. We were 2-1 up, everything was going well and a good atmosphere.

“That game was the most we have run, in terms of sprints, high-speed runs and total distance, since I’ve been here. The reason behind that was we worked hard to win the ball, then we gave it back, so we had to win it again.

“We want those high-speed runs and sprints when we’re in possession of the ball. We’ve got to do a lot better in retaining possession and we work on it every day.

“We needed to create more opportunities and, when we reviewed the game, most of them were disappointed but with this group of lads, not one of them is not trying.”