Western Morning News (Saturday)
Johnson demands Gulls to put on a display on TV
GARY Johnson was assessing Torquay United’s injured players this week ahead of today’s National League game at Bromley, which is live on BT Sport.
Torquay’s squad is small but versatile, so Johnson knows he has cover in all positions - but with recent injuries to Mark Halstead, Armani Little, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Chiori Johnson, Alex Addai and Danny Wright, the manager has had quite a bit of juggling to do, meaning an unsettled side and some polarised displays.
After beating Wealdstone 5-0 at Plainmoor last weekend, the Gulls went to Boreham Wood and were a shadow of themselves again, losing there without really getting going until the final minutes, when it was far too late.
That was disappointing, and with the BT cameras now at Bromley for the 3pm kick off, Johnson will want to show the world how good his players actually are.
No, what he will want is for the players to show the world how good they actually are.
“You need to get two or three results on the trot,” said Johnson. “We got two wins and a draw and then that means you have got to make sure the next couple, you have got to win at least two out of three to keep your two points a game average.
“Because we need to get in the top half of that table, certainly before Christmas, so that you have always got a chance of getting into the top six or seven.
“The reason it was disappointing on Tuesday night is because the players do know each other and it’s about those good players bringing out their best game - and there wasn’t too many of them who brought out their best game on the day.
“Again, you have an opposition trying to stop you doing that, and Boreham Wood have been a decent side at home, so we are not going to win every game, but we have got to learn from every game; and the players have got to step up to the plate every time they play. They have got to play their fastest, strongest, and their best quality as often as they can.”
Bromley have had a good start to the season - they are sixth with five wins from 10 games. On Tuesday night they beat Weymouth 3-0 at home - to make it four wins on the bounce.
What’s more - they play on an artificial pitch so Torquay have been training on the 4G at South Devon College in Paignton this week.
Up front they have tried and tested non-league striker Michael Cheek, who has scored eight goals already this season, only failing to score in one of the eight games he has played. His league record since joining Bromley in May 2019 is 44 goals in 88 games - pretty impressive in anyone’s book. For sure, Torquay will need to keep him quiet to give themselves a chance.
Johnson said: “They work well on their Astro turf pitch because they are used to that, and they have got a strong squad.
“I look forward to all the games because I look forward to our team bringing out the best in us.”
Wright is definitely out for today’s game, but everyone else bar perhaps Addai should be fit to play or be on the bench.
Midfielder Jake Andrews, who has been catching up on training after catching Covid-19 during the summer, has been an unused substitute twice now - and he will be desperate to get on and have a go.