United’s hybrid model works for Wotton

Manager Paul Wotton says that Torquay United’s ‘hybrid’ full-time/part-time training routine is working for him and the Gulls’ squad.

In the wake of United’s takeover by the Bryn Consortium this summer, new boss Wotton was given a ‘competitive’ but smaller budget than previous manager Gary Johnson had enjoyed.

It involved former Truro City chief Wotton signing a handful of part-time players to go with a majority of full-timers.

United’s weekly training schedule is adapted accordingly.

“Most weeks we train Monday and Friday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings,” Wotton reported.

“People call it hybrid, but I don’t see it like that. If you train four times a week, you’re full-time really.

“The only half-issue we’ve found is that when we train on Thursday evenings, it’s a balancing act how hard you work the players then and into Friday mornings.

“But so far it’s gone well.”

Wotton also praised United’s board for funding overnight stays for three of the club’s first four away games, and they are travelling up to Kent on Friday for this Saturday’s National League South match at Welling.

“The owners have been very supportive,” he said.

“I played for Plymouth for years, and you have some great times on the bus together.

“You do get to know different people’s characters, and the more time you spend together can only be a positive for me.”