Paul Wotton: ‘We are ticking a lot of boxes’

Recruitment has been the obvious priority for Torquay United manager Paul Wotton in his first month in charge and the former Truro boss is already pleased with some of the new faces through the doors of Plainmoor.

“I’m really happy with the business so far, we’ve signed good players and good characters. It’s all looking promising at the moment but we’re far from finished,” said Wotton.

When it comes to experience and character, Oscar Threlkeld fits the bill. Having played under Wotton during their time at Plymouth Argyle, the Torquay manager knows exactly what he will get from the versatile midfielder.

“Oscar is someone I’ve known for a long time, I coached him when I was assistant manager at Plymouth and he’s exactly what we want,” he said. “He’s a very talented football player and he’s got the right character as well.

“Oscar is at an age where he wants to play regular football and hopefully he can do that at Torquay.”

At the other end of the experience scale is striker Jadyn Crosbie. The 20 year-old has arrived from Mangotsfield, where his awesome scoring record attracted the attention of a number of clubs.

“Jadyn is somebody who has been on my radar for a while and I’ve tried to sign him before,” added Wotton. “We beat off a lot of competition for him because his goalscoring record, at whatever level, is there for all to see.

“He’s ambitious and hungry, and a good size as well. He’s six foot two, he’s quick, brave and he scores goals. Hopefully, with full-time coaching and training, he can take the next step up at this level.

“You need a certain amount of physicality to make it in football and if you’re not physically big, you have to be technically superb. Jadyn’s both, he’s a good size and can handle men’s football, but also exciting technically. I’m very excited by the signing.”

As well as physicality, the natural component Wotton wants in his team is pace, and at both ends of the pitch.

“Pace is probably the biggest natural asset you can have as a footballer and every team is looking for electric pace, not just in forward areas, because it’s important you can move at the back as well,” he said.

“We’re still looking to recruit in certain positions and pace is definitely an important natural asset. Everyone is looking for pace up front and you obviously need pace at the back to counter that.

“Football is so quick nowadays and, thankfully, players weren’t as quick when I played. If you’re not quick, you have to read the game better, and if you are quick, you can recover from mistakes.”

While the recruitment process will continue over the coming weeks, Wotton and his new crop of players have a target date for the start of pre-season.

The Gulls currently have four games booked in for the summer schedule: Buckland away on July 12, Plymouth Argyle at home on July 27, Exeter City at home on July 27 and Tiverton Town away on August 3.

It is probably a fair assumption to say another game will be slotted in between Buckland and Argyle, but time on the training pitch is more important to the boss.

“We will back in for training on June 27, which gives us just over six weeks to get ready,” said Wotton. “I never do longer than that and I’m not a believer in tons of pre-season games.

“All pre-seasons are important but this one is vital for us. We will have a new bunch of players and we’ve all got to get used to each other, the way we train, the way we act and how hard we work.

“Players have to get used to me and the same the other way around. We have to use this pre-season to bond and being on the training ground will be vital, which is the reason we haven’t got loads of games.”

Despite the incredibly busy start to his tenure and the daunting nature of recruiting a brand new squad, Wotton is clearly enjoying the ride.

“We are getting there as a football club, we’ve ticked a lot of boxes, still more to tick, but everyone is pulling in the same direction,” he said. “It’s all very positive at the moment, exciting to have a clean slate, but also a bit daunting.

“It’s not easy to sign so many players but definitely two feet straight into the task.”