UNITED SQUAD IS GOOD ENOUGH
Monday, September 01, 2008, 09:07
"You can never tell with these things, but I don't foresee any activity," said Buckle.
There is more chance of a departure from Plainmoor, but even that is a slight one.
Buckle's 21-man squad – goalkeeper Martin Rice is on loan at Truro City - includes eight summer signings.
Buckle reported that the only approach for any of his players recently has been last week's one by Crawley boss Steve Evans for winger Danny Stevens.
That overture was rejected out of hand.
There was some speculation pre-season that at least one of United's roster of central defenders might leave, and the absence from the side of Steve Woods and Chris Robertson in early games led to rumours about the futures of those players.
But both Woods and Robertson have started in both Torquay's last two games, and Buckle commented: "It just shows how quickly things can change for players."
Clubs have until midnight tonight – the Blue Square Premier deadline was extended by 24 hours to fall in line with Premier and Football League clubs – to do their transfer business, and then they have to wait until January before they can make their next permanent signings.
United picked up no new injuries in last Thursday night's 1-1 draw with York City.
The Gulls go to Kidderminster Harriers this Thursday night with, with defender Chris Todd hopeful of being fit after missing three games with a groin strain, the only absentee at Aggborough should be midfielder Tyrone Thompson.
Thompson completes a three-match suspension this week.
United had a scout at Kidderminster's 2-1 home win over Rushden on Saturday, while first team coach Shaun North watched next Sunday's Plainmoor opponents, Northwich Victoria, in their 5-2 defeat at Crawley.
Meanwhile, Ebbsfleet United striker John Akinde was poised to sign for Bristol City today in a £140,000 deal.
The 19-year old scored 12 goals in 34 games for United's BSP rivals. Nearly 7,500 members of Fleet's owners 'myfootballclub.co.uk' took part in a vote to decide his future. Over 80 percent voted in favour of selling him.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE have signed Scottish international striker Paul Gallacher on a season-long loan from Blackburn Rovers.
But the added firepower was not enough to halt the Pilgrims' poor form in front of goal at Burnley on Saturday.
However, the Greens got the defensive basics right as they held out for a 0-0 draw at Turf Moor, and boss Paul Sturrock said: "We tried a different system and it seemed to benefit the players.
"It simplified their game and we have a lot of players trying to find their sea-legs in the Championship.
"We won't be able to play like that every week system-wise, but we now have two weeks to start thinking about scoring goals."
EXETER CITY rued a succession of missed chances which cost them their first home points of the League Two season against Luton Town on Saturday.
So far this season, the Grecians have only picked up points on their travels, and that statistic remained intact when Sam Parkin's 47th minute bullet-header earned the Hatters a 1-0 win at St James' Park.
Ryan Harley saw a couple of good efforts fly over the bar in the first half, while Richard Logan had a header cleared off the line after the break.
A late City siege saw the hosts pile on the pressure, but they couldn't find a way through to rescue a point.
Boss Paul Tisdale said: "For the first 20 minutes we were sensational but we just didn't finish it off around the box.
"I was impressed with our confidence and belief to pass the ball and play it, but we have now lost two home games that we shouldn't have lost."

Comment on this story