Torquay United ready for big test against Plymouth Argyle...

Torquay United ready for big test against Plymouth Argyle

After the games against Newport and Buckland Athletic, the match against Argyle, who were demoted from the

Championship the previous season, will be an additional step up.

After winning the last one handily, Torquay United will face a more difficult test of their National League South title

credentials tonight when they play Plymouth Argyle.

The Gulls scored all three of their goals in the opening forty-five minutes of their 3-1 victory over League One outfit

Newport County on Saturday, dominating the first half of their home friendly. Both teams then made numerous

changes in the second half. However, following the games against Buckland Athletic and Newport, the meeting

versus Argyle, who were demoted from the Championship the previous season, will be an additional step up.

Wotton said, after the Newport win, ahead of the Argyle friendly and Friday night’s home game against a

young Exeter City team: “We’ll take it a game at a time. The recovery time from today to Wednesday will be

absolutely fine. The recovery time from Wednesday obviously isn’t – and it’s not perfect.

However, it allows us to give the team some excellent minutes—75, 80, 85, and possibly even 90. Only three games

remain, so we don’t have a million games remaining. We are on pace for that because I am a strong believer in

limiting the number of preseason games because I dislike playing too many games.

“We have two games in three days from Wednesday to Friday, so it will be a good week for us as we focus on getting

better and playing again. We must adjust to Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday-Saturday-Tuesday because we are aware of

how fiercely competitive and unrelenting the National League South is. Thus, it’s not a negative thing.

Torquay dominated the first half against Newport, with new signing and captain Matt Worthington making his debut

and impressing in midfield. Goals by Dylan Morgan, Jordan Dyer and Louis Dennis made it 3-0 by half time – and

Newport only scored right at the end after both teams had made lots of changes. Argyle will be a different

proposition.

Argyle come to Plainmoor after being relegated from the Championship, with a new manager, Tom Cleverly, and

Wotton expects a high-tempo game.

“The Football League starts a week before us so they start on August 2, so they’ll be full tilt,” said Wotton. “They will

be a little bit further ahead of us in sharpness and fitness, probably – they should be.

I therefore anticipate a move higher. Buckland was a step up today, and I anticipate Newport will be a step up on

Wednesday. It’s critical that we continue to push ourselves against more formidable challenges.

Naturally, it’s always fantastic because of my fondness for Plymouth Argyle. Everything will be OK since they will

bring a large number of people, the game will take place at night, and the pitch will be smooth. It’s a game to

anticipate.

On August 2, the preseason finale will take place at Weymouth, which is currently in the Southern League.