Jimmy Looks for United’s Response
Jimmy Ball has acknowledged that United’s performance at Billericay fell well below the standards required, while calling for his reshaped squad to build on the encouraging signs shown earlier in September.
Speaking at his weekly press conference yesterday(Thursday), the United manager accepted the criticism following last Saturday’s defeat and described a week of honest reflection and hard work at Plainmoor.
“[Last] Saturday at Billericay was absolutely not acceptable, and we know that,” he said. “We’re really disappointed by it.
“We’ve come in this week and worked hard, and we’ve been honest with each other. We weren’t good enough. We were far off it.”
For Jimmy, the task now is to turn that disappointment into a response.
“I don’t see a lot of point in life in general in dwelling on misfortune. You’ve got to act.”
Taking responsibility
Jimmy’s assessment included scrutiny of his own decisions, particularly the balance of the starting side in the absence of Jake Wannell, Cody Cooke and Deon Moore.
“I possibly went with a starting eleven that was too young for that occasion,” he said. “In hindsight, I should have gone with as much experience as I could have.”
He described the missing trio as big personalities and important presences within the group.
“You take those three players out of anybody’s team, they’re going to be different,” he added. “In hindsight, I threw the kids into the lion’s den, and I regret that.”
It was a candid reflection from a manager determined to learn from the afternoon alongside his players.
A changing squad
United’s opening months have involved more change than anticipated, with departures and injuries requiring Jimmy to reshape his side while the season was already under way.
“We lost two centre-backs and two attacking wide players within three weeks of the start of the season,” he explained. “Obviously, that’s not planned for.”
New arrivals have then had to settle into the squad and adapt to the expectations that come with representing Torquay United.
“I’m really pleased with the lads I’ve brought in,” Jimmy said. “I’m sure they’ll come good.”
He also pointed to a succession of injuries that have disrupted continuity, including problems affecting Isaac Westendorf and Sean Robertson, and Harry Shield’s broken toe.
“We never feel like we’ve got any rhythm, with the changes I’ve had to make every game.”
That context, however, does not change his expectations of the group.
“You can’t make an excuse out of it. We’ve got a good enough squad, and they’ve got to produce.
“I’m the first one to say I thought we’d have more points after ten games.”
Signs to build on
Jimmy believes September contained performances that show what the team can deliver.
He highlighted the determination needed to beat Folkestone, praised United’s display at Maidenhead and felt the Gulls had played well enough against Dorking to take all three points.
“I thought we were outstanding at Maidenhead,” he said. “I thought we played fantastically well against Dorking.”
The FA Cup victory over AFC Stoneham brought another positive, with Jimmy describing United’s approach as “thoroughly professional”.
The challenge is to make those standards consistent, particularly away from Plainmoor.
“Regardless of all of that, we’ve got to be better,” he said. “We have to find a way to win. We have to find a way to be mentally strong enough not to allow that to be an excuse.”
Honesty, belief and a determination to improve
Jimmy described a dressing room in which players are expected to take responsibility, but also given the opportunity to reflect, learn and move forward.
“There’s a lot of accountability in this dressing room. They’re good men. Really good men,” he said.
“We have an honest morning on Monday. It’s always an honest morning, win, lose or draw.”
Once those conversations have taken place, the focus shifts to the next challenge.
“You can’t keep hitting them with the same stick. It’s done.
“Then we move on with positivity and belief and the determination to be better. They’ve done that this week again.”
Jimmy told reporters that he understands the disappointment and the expectations surrounding the club. His response is to keep working, take responsibility and help his players turn their potential into performances the Yellow Army can get behind.
“I’m not going to sit here and make excuses about it, because that’s not who I am,” he said.
“I’m going to accept the criticism and carry on working hard.”
