Western Morning News (Saturday)
Torquay travel to Grimsby knowing only a victory will do
TORQUAY United manager Gary Johnson says his team must ‘enjoy the big game’ at Grimsby Town today as they continue their chase for a National League play-off place.
After four wins on the spin, Torquay’s goalless draw at home against Eastleigh last Monday set them back, but the Gulls still moved above Boreham Wood and are sitting in ninth going to Blundell Park, where it is paramount they win three points with just six games of the season left to play.
As Johnson joked at Torquay’s press conference on Thursday, he and Aaron Downes have been trying to work out how to win seven games out of six.
In their last five games, Grimsby have the same record as Torquay – only one draw spoiling the copybook. They are sixth and nine points ahead of the Gulls. Their manager Paul Hurst is experienced, of course, having taken the Mariners up from the National League once already.
“We have done a lot of homework on them, of course, and Paul has got his way of playing – we have been up against each other over the years,” said Johnson.
“He has got a really solid group of lads that believe in themselves. They had a bit of a bad spell for a little while, but he has turned that around now and I think they have won five out of five or something, though we have won four out of five.
“They are formidable at home and the crowd will get behind them – and we have got to cope with that, cope with a decent team, and believe that we are a decent team.
“We are in a good run, even though we were disappointed with the nil-nil in the last game, so we have got to go there and perform.
“That’s what we are all in football for – enjoy the big games, and now they are big.” Indeed, after the Eastleigh stalemate, Torquay can’t really afford to drop any more points in the run-in. After Grimsby they have two games in three days over the May Bank Holiday weekend – Maidenhead United at home on Saturday, April 30, and Dagenham & Redbridge away on Monday, May 2.
Their final three games are at home to Chesterfield, away to runaway leaders Stockport County, and away again, at Southend United. It’s a tough run-in. The odds on Torquay reaching the play-offs are long. But don’t tell Johnson and the players that.
Injured duo Tom Laplsie and Chiori Johnson could be back in contention after missing the last game – with Lapslie unable to take part in the 1-0 win at Woking as well. He was expected to return on Monday - but wasn’t in the squad.
If those two are back it will be a huge boost for the manager with such a small squad often hampering his Plan A’s this season.
Dean Moxey, many people’s choice for player of the season this time around, came off early in the Eastleigh game, but his withdrawal was probably more to do with avoiding an injury than because of one.
The game is just as important for Grimsby. They will be vulnerable to dropping out of the play-off zone if their form dives now.
Hurst said he listened to Johnson’s post-match interview after the Eastleigh game. “They are a little bit behind us and three points is almost a must for them.
“I am expecting his team to come and want to win the game - whether that is from minute zero to 90. At some point I expect the game to be open. When that happens it can come down to the teams taking their chances when they arise.
“They have been very positive in their approach in the games that I have watched. They have got some good players and players that look like they are in form.”