Western Morning News (Saturday)
Break chance for Gulls to ‘reiterate our game’
TORQUAY United manager Gary Johnson said he would be using the team’s break to ‘reiterate our game’ after the 2-1 defeat at Yeovil Town.
Torquay were beaten after conceding two goals in the closing three minutes of last Saturday’s game at Huish Park, but are still 11 points clear at the top of the National League.
With no game this weekend, Torquay will be keeping an eye on how Sutton United do at home against Altrincham in their first NL game for a month, and hoping that Hartlepool United fail to close the gap to eight points with a win in their home game against Wealdstone.
With Torquay’s next game at home against Solihull Moors on Tuesday night, Johnson said: “We will use the gap to reiterate our game, everything we do is about training for our game, to make sure everyone knows what they are doing and why they are doing it.
“And obviously, lads who took knocks, they’ll have time to recover.”
Johnson was planning to watch
Solihull’s home game against Chesterfield on Tuesday night, which they won 2-1 with an injury-time winner.
“The Solihull game has become a very important game now since our defeat at Yeovil,” said Johnson.
By the time Solihull head south from the Midlands, Torquay may have a new player in the ranks. Reports from South London suggest young Crystal Palace striker Rob Street has agreed to sign on loan until the end of the season.
The 19-year-old striker signed a full-time contract with the Premier League side last summer and has been impressing with decent performances for the club’s under-23s.
There has been no official announcement from either club but it wouldn’t be the first time Johnson has kept a loan signing quiet until the last minute – the club announced three just an hour before the first game of the season. With striker Danny Wright injured, the move would make sense for both parties, though.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle midfielder Adam Randell is likely to have his loan at Torquay United extended until the end of the season.
The 20-year-old, who initially signed for the Gulls on a one-month loan at the start of October before that deal was later extended until January, has been a first team regular for Gary Johnson’s side.
Randell has has made 14 starts and two substitute appearances, and scored one goal.
Argyle boss Ryan Lowe said: “I spoke to Gary Johnson... who is absolutely over the moon with him, and we are.
“We will follow those discussions up in the next few days and see where it’s at, but there is every chance Adam will stay there.
“He could potentially have another promotion on his CV hopefully if Torquay keep doing what they are doing.
“How good would that be? First year pro getting a promotion from League Two to League One (with Argyle), and then second year pro getting a promotion from the National League.
“We know Adam has got a big future at the football club with us, as well as a future at Torquay at the moment.”
Young Crystal Palace striker Rob Street