Post by Macmoish on Oct 8, 2010 10:01:14 GMT
"...[Torquay] United have also had a look at young QPR defender Joe Oastler, 20, who was training with them at yesterday's Plainmoor session."
This is South Devon - Boss Paul Buckle urges Gulls to pull the trigger
By chris rogers crogers@heraldexpress.co.uk
MANAGER Paul Buckle has full confidence in his Torquay United side to produce the goals their recent eye-catching performances deserve when they travel to Crewe Alexandra tomorrow (3pm).
The Gulls have played some fantastic passing football in recent weeks but, with only three goals to show from their previous six League Two outings, a finishing touch has been the one thing letting them down.
After holding a special training session for his players at Plainmoor yesterday, Buckle believes it's only a matter of time before the goals start to flow.
"We've had this sort of spell before a couple of seasons ago when we seemed to be hitting posts and missing chances," he said.
"We've got out of it before and I feel the way out now is to remain positive, keep working hard with the players, and it will come.
"I'm saying to the players 'don't be afraid to pull the trigger when you get into a good position ... really mean it, and go for goal'.
"That's the one thing missing from our game at the moment, as we've played some really good stuff.
"We're just looking for that finished article but I'm sure it will come.
"We're playing such good football that we're creating good opportunities and it's really only been the width of a post that's kept us out, or a good goalkeeping performance against us."
Buckle arranged yesterday's session on the Plainmoor pitch to get extra hours in on a top-notch playing surface.
"There's no game here for a few days so we've come for some quality, especially with the way we are passing the ball at the moment," Buckle added.
A lack of goals certainly isn't a problem for Crewe Alexandra at the moment — they have netted 15 goals in their last six outings, including last Saturday's 5-5 draw at Chesterfield and Tuesday night's 4-2 win over Macclesfield Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
"A very good passing side, an excellent experienced manager (Dario Gradi) and a team who have scored nine goals in their last two games," said Buckle of tomorrow's opponents.
"We know we can be very solid when we haven't got the ball, so we're going to need all of that plus we're going to try and attack Crewe.
"I can see a really good game of football coming up."
Damon Lathrope is still Buckle's only injury absentee so, him aside, the Gulls boss will have a full squad to pick from.
United have also had a look at young QPR defender Joe Oastler, 20, who was training with them at yesterday's Plainmoor session.
Crewe, fuelled as usual by the flow of talent from the club's long-established and admired Academy, have picked up after losing their first two league matches.
No fewer than ten of Gradi's current squad came through the Gresty Road youth scheme.
With those 15 goals scored in their last six matches, Crewe feel they are well enough off in attack to consider loaning Calvin Zola, who cost £200,000 a couple of years ago, out to divisional rivals Bradford City.
Joint top-scorer Shaun Miller was left out in midweek to rest a groin strain, but he should be available tomorrow.
However he may find it hard to displace strikers Clayton Donaldson and Joel Grant, who formed a decent-looking partnership in the JPT win.
Crewe are particularly strong in a homegrown midfield, where Ashley Westwood, 20, is a major threat.
But the Alex have conceded ten goals in their last five games, so United will fancy their chances of ending their own lean spell in front of goal.
There is no fixture for United's Youth team this weekend.
But the young Gulls have been drawn away to South-East group qualifiers Stevenage in the next round of the Puma FA Alliance Cup (October 30).
www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/sport/BOSS-URGES-GULLS-PULL-TRIGGER/article-2735076-detail/article.html
Joe Oastler
This is South Devon - Boss Paul Buckle urges Gulls to pull the trigger
By chris rogers crogers@heraldexpress.co.uk
MANAGER Paul Buckle has full confidence in his Torquay United side to produce the goals their recent eye-catching performances deserve when they travel to Crewe Alexandra tomorrow (3pm).
The Gulls have played some fantastic passing football in recent weeks but, with only three goals to show from their previous six League Two outings, a finishing touch has been the one thing letting them down.
After holding a special training session for his players at Plainmoor yesterday, Buckle believes it's only a matter of time before the goals start to flow.
"We've had this sort of spell before a couple of seasons ago when we seemed to be hitting posts and missing chances," he said.
"We've got out of it before and I feel the way out now is to remain positive, keep working hard with the players, and it will come.
"I'm saying to the players 'don't be afraid to pull the trigger when you get into a good position ... really mean it, and go for goal'.
"That's the one thing missing from our game at the moment, as we've played some really good stuff.
"We're just looking for that finished article but I'm sure it will come.
"We're playing such good football that we're creating good opportunities and it's really only been the width of a post that's kept us out, or a good goalkeeping performance against us."
Buckle arranged yesterday's session on the Plainmoor pitch to get extra hours in on a top-notch playing surface.
"There's no game here for a few days so we've come for some quality, especially with the way we are passing the ball at the moment," Buckle added.
A lack of goals certainly isn't a problem for Crewe Alexandra at the moment — they have netted 15 goals in their last six outings, including last Saturday's 5-5 draw at Chesterfield and Tuesday night's 4-2 win over Macclesfield Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
"A very good passing side, an excellent experienced manager (Dario Gradi) and a team who have scored nine goals in their last two games," said Buckle of tomorrow's opponents.
"We know we can be very solid when we haven't got the ball, so we're going to need all of that plus we're going to try and attack Crewe.
"I can see a really good game of football coming up."
Damon Lathrope is still Buckle's only injury absentee so, him aside, the Gulls boss will have a full squad to pick from.
United have also had a look at young QPR defender Joe Oastler, 20, who was training with them at yesterday's Plainmoor session.
Crewe, fuelled as usual by the flow of talent from the club's long-established and admired Academy, have picked up after losing their first two league matches.
No fewer than ten of Gradi's current squad came through the Gresty Road youth scheme.
With those 15 goals scored in their last six matches, Crewe feel they are well enough off in attack to consider loaning Calvin Zola, who cost £200,000 a couple of years ago, out to divisional rivals Bradford City.
Joint top-scorer Shaun Miller was left out in midweek to rest a groin strain, but he should be available tomorrow.
However he may find it hard to displace strikers Clayton Donaldson and Joel Grant, who formed a decent-looking partnership in the JPT win.
Crewe are particularly strong in a homegrown midfield, where Ashley Westwood, 20, is a major threat.
But the Alex have conceded ten goals in their last five games, so United will fancy their chances of ending their own lean spell in front of goal.
There is no fixture for United's Youth team this weekend.
But the young Gulls have been drawn away to South-East group qualifiers Stevenage in the next round of the Puma FA Alliance Cup (October 30).
www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/sport/BOSS-URGES-GULLS-PULL-TRIGGER/article-2735076-detail/article.html
Joe Oastler