Torquay United boss Paul Buckle has admitted he still has a lot to learn about managing in the Football League.

Buckle's side are just two places above the relegation zone in League Two, and without a win since Boxing Day.

The 39-year-old told BBC Spotlight: "I'm making mistakes every day, of course I am, but it's my first job and I've got loads to learn.

"It's a tough time but we must be thankful we're back in the Football League," he added.

With six defeats and two draws since beating Hereford 1-0 at home on 26 December, Buckle agreed there is cause for concern at Plainmoor.

My heart's at this football club Paul Buckle

"It's been a tough season," he said. "We've had spells before where we haven't done well over a period of two or three games, but nothing like this.

"We've played well in games but got nothing and that's been hard to take.

"But that's football and I think as a manager you have to take the rough and the smooth, so it's been a good learning curve for me and one that I'm getting through."

The drop in the Gulls' form has coincided with a major re-shaping of Torquay's squad, with the experienced trio of Chris Hargreaves, Tim Sills and Chris Todd all leaving the club.

But Buckle believes the restructuring of his side was something that could not have been avoided.

"No I haven't [got any regrets]," he said. "We were second from bottom and we were struggling.

606: DEBATE I don't agree with his transfer policy one bit (still angry about Hargreaves) but it would be an awful time to sack Buckle yellow1989

"We were holding on in games and barely staying in games, so we needed to make changes and we've done that."

Buckle added that he knows his side face a challenging fight to retain their Football League status, but says he is determined to remain at Plainmoor.

"My heart's at this football club," he said. "There was interest earlier on in the season about me moving on, but I remained loyal and stayed.

"I'm going to make mistakes everyday and my players are going to make mistakes but I can assure you that they're honest ones."

Torquay are back in league action on Friday night with an away fixture against promotion chasing Rotherham.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version