Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball spoke openly about the start to the season, his footballing philosophy, competition within the squad and his ambitions for the Club during an extensive supporters’ Q&A at Plainmoor on Tuesday evening.
Tuesday’s Fans Forum saw Ball take questions from supporters in the room and online, covering everything from tactics and squad depth to Jordan Dyer’s injury, set-pieces, young players and the reaction to Saturday’s defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge.
Reflecting on United’s opening weeks, Ball admitted his overriding emotion had been frustration, although he highlighted the victory at Tonbridge and the performance against Weston-super-Mare as encouraging signs.
“I really truly believe we’re close,” he told supporters. “I truly believe that once we click, we will grow from there massively.”
Ball also made clear that he would not allow an indifferent start to lower the standards he expects from his players.
Responding to a supporter who suggested United had perhaps not played as badly as some results suggested, Ball replied: “Not being bad ain’t good enough.”
He added: “I want great. I don’t want good. And I demand it every day.”
Ball went further on his ambitions for the Club: “I’m here to win a league and then, after about 20 minutes of enjoying that, I’ll be here to win another league.”
One of the longest exchanges of the evening followed a question about United’s patient build-up play and the frustration sometimes felt in the stands when the ball moves sideways rather than forward.
Ball explained that the intention is to move opposition teams across and up and down the pitch, creating space to attack, but acknowledged United need to be quicker and more penetrative when those opportunities appear.
“I don’t like safe players. I want brave players,” he said, while stressing that bravery also means making the right decision at the right moment.
He said the objective was to play with possession and attacking intent while maintaining enough defensive security to deal with the counterattack — something United needed to improve following the goals conceded at Dagenham.
Discussing that defeat, Ball revealed there had been some frank conversations with his players on the journey home.
He explained that he and assistant Darren Way immediately begin looking at what can be improved after every match and that he had spent considerable time speaking individually with players after Dagenham.
Ball also clarified the mood behind his forthright post-match interview.
“My feeling after the game was anger,” he said. “I was angry that we sent amazing fans home with nothing.”
He described the travelling Yellow Army as “incredible” and said their commitment was never taken for granted.
Asked whether United had assembled an unusually large squad, Ball rejected that description.
“I’ve got 21 outfielders,” he said, pointing to comparable numbers at Weston-super-Mare and Dagenham & Redbridge. “We’ve got an adequate squad.”
Ball said the experience of last season, when injuries left United severely depleted during a critical part of the campaign, had underlined the need for depth.
But he made clear that reputation would count for little when selecting his team.
Players had to “grab the shirt” when opportunities came, citing Harry Shield and Kian Jenkins as examples of younger players who had forced their way into contention.
“It’s not my job to pick them,” Ball said. “It’s their job to get picked.”
An online question also asked whether United would seek to replace the injured Jordan Dyer.
“You can’t replace Jordan Dyer,” Ball responded, describing the defender as “a wonderful human being and a great kid”.
However, he confirmed the Club is considering whether additional defensive cover will be required.
“We’ll be prudent. We won’t rush. We will do our homework and make sure we get in a financially sensible option and somebody who can make us better.”
Ball also discussed United’s work on set-pieces, the development of the Club’s young players and his ability to deploy different formations depending on the opposition.
The manager finished by paying tribute to the extraordinary commitment of United’s travelling support, saying the numbers and noise generated away from home were a “massive sense of pride”.
“The effort it takes for fans and the financial output to travel week in, week out to support your team — it’s not lost on me and it’s very much appreciated,” he said.
Supporters can watch Jimmy Ball’s Q&A — and the entire Fans’ Forum — back now on TUFC TV on YouTube.
