Vital Reading meets Torquay!

So the season is underway, how did you get on, on Saturday? Were you happy with your performance?

Picked up a fine 3-0 victory against a much fancied Northampton Town side. A tremendous result for us, 3 different scorers and the club record clean sheet run is still intact.

How did your pre season go? Who have you added to the squad?

Pre season was a very good one for Torquay, 1 defeat (3-1 to QPR) other than that big wins against the local sides Bovey Tracey and Tiverton Town, coupled with really good wins against Yeovil (1-0) Plymouth (3-1) and Bristol City (2-1) The only disappointment really from a playing side was the loss of Mustapha Carayol a young flying winger we lost to Lincoln. Of course the major news was the sudden death of our vice Chairman Paul Bristow which was awful. Players in we brought in Danny Potter a keeper from Cambridge, Damon Lathrope a young midfielder from Norwich, Guy Branston, ‘The Pickler` joined from Burton, he was on loan last season to us and was superb , Lloyd Macklin a young winger from Swindon, Martin Gritton an old fashioned number 9 has rejoined the club for a 2nd spell from Chesterfield and our main signing was a young centre forward from Leicester Billy Kee. A few league 1 clubs including Exeter wanted him but for some reason he chose to come to Torquay. Big things expected from him.

Are you happy with those signings?

Yes very. I think we are still light on defensive full back cover and still a central midfielder light. However as with most things League 2 the budgets are a lot tighter and unlike Reading there is no way Torquay can carry a 25-30man squad. We have 19 first team players to pick from and to be fair Buckle has bought wisely. He`s got one or two experienced heads in like Branston mixed in with the young potential like Kee and Lathrope.

How are you expecting to line up on Wednesday? Full strength side?

He might tinker a touch but having said that Buckle doesn`t often change a winning team. He MIGHT give Potter a game in goal, Kee a go from the start and possibly bring young Eunan O`Kane in for Danny Stevens wide right. If I had to bet though I think he`ll go the same as Saturday with one change. Martin Gritton picked up a whack Saturday so Billy Kee to start up front.

Who is the player we should look out for?

I`ve mentioned Kee, his partner Elliot Benyon is a much improved all round front man with a real eye for goal. I`m going to pick one of our more experienced players though, our left back Kevin Nicholson. He has a huge long throw that is a weapon for us, but he is also our dead ball specialist. The best left foot in the lower leagues. Very much like one of your former players Nicky Shorey.

Where should our fans head for a pre match beer?

The ground isn`t right in the town centre so if you are in the town centre there is the usual pub fare with a bus to and from the ground. What I would suggest is head to the club bar Boots and Laces. It welcomes away fans, has local ales and ciders on tap, big screens and usually a bit of food on.

Finally, give us a score predicition?

I`m more confident than I was a week ago that Torquay will give Reading a game. Torquay play a very in your face style, our defenders like defending, we chuck the ball in the box a lot and we work very hard. I`ll still go for Reading to win the game but if they aren`t right Torquay can beat them. 1-2 Reading.