Herald Express (Torbay, Brixham & South Hams Edition)
Johnson sets the bar high for players after cup defeat
Torquay United manager Gary Johnson says he is not prepared to accept anything less than ‘outstanding’ as his personal approval rating as he tries to put an FA Cup exit behind the Gulls and drive them towards promotion back to the National League this season.
Johnson not only refused to accept that United were unlucky after a disputed penalty saw them knocked out of the Cup (0-1) by NL South rivals Woking, but he challenged his squad to overcome the pressures that come with being the team that everyone at this level wants to beat.
Speaking before last night’s home game against St Albans City, Johnson said: “We had a long day on Monday, and I’ve had to give them a little jolt, just to let them know that I’m not going to accept anything below what I think is outstanding.
“Your reputation goes ahead of you. People know us now as a decent football team with a lot of energy, but when other teams are trying to stop us playing, we have to deal with that.
“There was individual energy, but not the team energy required to beat a Woking team which didn’t have many shots or opportunities, but did have more combinations in their play, and that disappointed me.
“When opposition goalkeepers are getting booked for time-wasting, it tells a story, but it’s not the whole story.
“My job is to put out a team that entertains – I would rather win 5-4 than 1-0 – and the boys have got to be good enough to entertain as well as win.
“Our fans have been fantastic – I thought Saturday’s gate (2,419) was unbelievable with no season-tickets and everyone paying – but we must make our supporters believe that this side is going somewhere.”
The Cup defeat sent £36,000 in prizemoney back to Surrey instead of Plainmoor, and that extra cash would have come in useful as Johnson tries to strengthen his squad.
He has made four signings – defender Jamie Sendles-White, midfielder Kalvin Lumbombo Kalala and loan duo Saikou Janneh and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans from Bristol City.
Johnson was not expecting to add to that list before the St Albans game, but there may well be more before Concord Rangers visit Plainmoor on Saturday. In the wake of the FA Cup disappointment, the FA Trophy draw has sent United to Basingstoke Town of the Southern League Premier (South) Division in the Third Qualifying Round (Nov 24).