It would be fair to say on this fine Sunday evening, that I'm still gutted about yesterday's loss at home to the Gulls. Obviously the Torquay fans wanted to get one over the former manager and players, which makes it disappointing that we came out second best, but I genuinely felt we could and should have beaten them.
I was buoyed after the victory over AFC Wimbledon. It kept my Pre-Season optimism alive, for the first time in a number of years, which was nice heading in to our first home league game of the season. Putting aside the added spice to this fixture, I saw Torquay as opposition we could definitely defeat. We have some very good attacking players and although they will take time to gel and understand each other's games, we should still be causing teams problems. Defensively we have some solid individuals, but there are question marks over their ability to play as a unit at the moment. Saying that, I thought throughout the team we had enough about us to go out and win the game comfortably.
Clearly not though. We gifted Torquay their opening goal of the game and that is a major reason of concern. They looked lively early on but eventually got in to their stride of lumping the ball long to Rene Howe, a former Gas loanee, who was delighted to see his new side take the lead. Taiwo Atieno struck the ball home after being played onside in the penalty area by Rovers back-line, much to the disappointment of the fantastic 7 and a half thousand Gasheads.
The way we gifted our opposition a second goal though was embarrassing. Young Irishman Michael Smith attempted a pass back to Scott Bevan in goal, but he didn't realise Atieno was close by and the striker got to the ball first and was felled by our goalkeeper, giving Torquay a penalty. And, as written in the script, Rene Howe netted his goal against his former temporary employers by stroking his penalty in to the bottom corner.
A mountain to climb for the rest of the match, but you knew you could never rule out home goals with our attacking players. We huffed and puffed but never really got going until the second half, when Mustapha Carayol was brought to life on the left wing. His skilful and fast wing-play caused the Torquay back-line no end of trouble, but unfortunately didn't lead to a Rovers goal.
We did get one back though, when their goalkeeper Robert Olejnik parried an effort by Joe Anyinsah in to the air, where Byron Anthony was ready to nod home. It gave us a chance but unfortunately, it wasn't going to be our day, something which was epitomised by abysmal refereeing decisions by the man in black.
Mr Buckle needs to look at our defensive frailties and attempt to eradicate them, which I'm sure he can do. In my opinion, a new centre half should be brought in, if not to be first choice then for added competition, because Anthony, Virgo and Bolger won't be enough to last us a season. Bearing in mind Bolger is on loan, I'd hope some of the money we received for the sale of Chris Lines (get in there!) could be used on a permanent signing.
The good part of the opening stages of a new football season is that a team can put things right and get back to winning ways almost immediately, and Rovers can by defeating Gary Johnson's Northampton Town at The Mem on Tuesday evening. It should be a great midweek atmosphere and I'm sure Mr Johnson will get an, erm, tasty reception from the home faithful! Fingers crossed we can get another 3 points on the board!
Up the Gas!
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