A closer look at Torquay United ahead of match with Southend United

Torquay are currently 22nd in the table. What have you made of the season so far?

"A rollercoaster once again.

"It's very much like last year. It's one where Gary Johnson is left scrambling in the new year to try and patch up an underperforming squad with loan and free agents to make up for poor recruitment in the summer.

"In the first half of the season, not a lot went right.

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"We were struggling to score and there were underwhelming displays.

"Despite optimism in the first couple of weeks in terms of results, they were very much Halstead-inspired as we struggled.

"The second half of the campaign so far has seen a new group of players, and fortunes have improved to see us having a fighting chance.

"All in all, it's a dreadfully disappointing first half currently being patched by a slightly improved second."

What do you think the main problems have been for the team this term?

"Once again, replacing key men with a poor standard of player.

"We lost Armstrong, Duke-McKenna, Lewis, Lemonheigh-Evans, Little, Mcdonald etc and in their place we have added largely players who are lower end National League players.

"Hence it it no surprise we are where we are.

"There's a reason, for example, why Brett McGavin and Ryan Hanson went down with King's Lynn and Dover Athletic last season.

"The other key problem has been a stubborn manager.

"Refusing to make changes to a side clearly not performing, instilling trust for too long in players nowhere not good enough, playing people out of position simply to fit a system - wingers at wing-back, for example.

"It has been a real hard watch.

"Adaptability is key but unfortunately it is the Johnson way or no way.

"Not signing a winger in the summer meant we were forced playing a system with square pegs in round holes.

"Plus, we lost some of the best attacking players in the division.

"Little, Lemonheigh-Evans and Duke-McKenna went and we replaced creative midfielders with players unable to create resulting in strikers getting no service."

How confident are you of staying up?

"Against Yeovil on New Year's Day we were two points adrift yet we are three now, and yet I'm more confident now than I was then.

"We've added well to our squad, found a system that largely works, started getting results and there has been improvement.

"We certainly look a tougher team to play against.

"Will we stay up? My gut still says no, we won't. I'd like to think GJ track record will shine through and we will stay up.

"Ultimately, I feel we will have to hope there's four teams worse rather than staying up on our own merit."

Who is the dangerman?

"Aaron Jarvis, nine goals this term, thriving without Goodwin.

"Hard working, and selfless he's the Non League Giroud.

"He' our only recognised centre-forward and so is vital to our team.

"Tom Lapslie is our little tenacious terrier in the middle of the park, mind your ankles!

"He snaps into challenges and is a player that should be playing in the EFL, and one that has added a goal to his game of late too.

"No nonsense, shorts up by his ears and black boots - our reliable performer.

"Nico Lawrence signed on loan from Southampton from Nathan Jones, Johnson's old player at Yeovil.

"He's transformed our defence. Cool, composed and classy. Experienced beyond his years.

"Mark Halstead, every week he seems to be in the TOTW.

"Last year no one was a fan of him, this year he has saved us so many points I've lost count."

What's the team news?

"Kieron Evans was sent off against Dorking so won't feature. Ryan Hanson (unfortunately) or Ben Wyatt likely to start in his place.

"Dan Martin returned recently from long injury lay-off so he may get a start.

"I imagine he may come in at left-back with Marshall dropped.

"Collins may have returned from concussion protocol but James Crole is still injured by all accounts."