WHEN Weymouth lost 3-0 to Yeovil in January, manager Brian Stock would have been well advised to avoid social media.
After the Terras went a ninth Vanarama National League game without victory, questions were vociferously raised over whether Stock was the right man to lead Weymouth.
One supporter called it “a step too far” for the former Wales international and argued a new manager was needed.
Others labelled the ex-Burnley, Doncaster and Bournemouth midfielder as the “wrong man” while some voiced their concern that “three years of hard work” was “being undone rapidly.”
There was also a swarm of discontent after Stock’s post-match comments appeared to suggest he was unaware of the game’s derby status.
We now know that was untrue, with his pre-match team talk based on the rivalry between the sides.
READ MORE: Stock praises resolute Terras after beating Stockport
Something key also happened pre-match.
Weymouth’s board had approved Stock’s long-held ambition to secure accommodation for players based from faraway.
This would enable Stock to tap into his bulging contacts book and pull off a number of impressive signings.
Signalling the first of six, goalkeeper Ethan Ross arrived on loan from Lincoln City but was blameless for all three Yeovil goals.
Later in the month, Stock pulled off the hugely impressive loan capture of Aston Villa centre-back Dom Revan – one week after he had marked Mo Salah out of the game on his senior debut against Liverpool.
Stock had beaten a number of League clubs to Revan’s signature and had excelled to such an extent during negotiations that both Revan and Villa chose Weymouth as their first choice.
Stock was not done there, though. He had also brought in Jacob Mensah – who would later form an almost immovable defensive partnership with Revan.
Former Barcelona youth star Joan Luque joined from Maidstone, while former Lens winger Pierre Fonkeu turned down Grimsby Town in favour of the Terras.
But perhaps the smartest bit of business was the loan of Andy Dallas from Cambridge United.
Ex-Rangers striker Dallas has gone on to score six goals in nine games.
His impact has been so big that Weymouth have built their tactics around his electric pace and runs off the shoulder, down the sides of centre-backs.
New players have arrived – and so have the results.
The tide has officially turned in favour of Stock, whose Weymouth side have collected 15 league points in 2021 so far, including four wins and three draws.
They have lost just four times in all competitions since the turn of the year, compared to 12 up to the Yeovil derby loss.
Finally, the critics have been silenced.
There were no negative comments to be seen following the exceptional 1-0 win over Stockport – a result that gave them the double over a side with tangible promotion aspirations, adding to a similarly eye-catching dismissal of Hartlepool.
Instead, “£10 well spent”, “fantastic defensive performance” and “professional display” were just some of the positive comments Weymouth received from their fanbase.
Weymouth’s board has been vindicated in standing by Stock, finding more money to fund the accommodation and new players.
But Stock is quickly proving to be a savvy manager, too.
He spent within the improved means the board gave him, bringing in six players – more than the initial three thought possible.
Stock has also made changes to training, introducing an extra Wednesday session for players that can manage a more full-time setup.
Three sessions on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday now make up the Terras’ training.
It means part-time Weymouth are within touching distance of conducting themselves as a full-time team.
Astute off the pitch, then, but also astute on it.
In Saturday’s win over Stockport alone, Stock forced the title-chasers to hunt the game by adopting two different formations.
Add to that the introduction of forward Ben Thomson, and it gave Weymouth an extra attacking threat on the counter, leaving Stockport with one eye on defence even as they probed for an equaliser.
Stock is now 28 games into his first managerial venture and the improvements are there for all to see.
Behind it all there is a measured, calculating and ice-cool approach from the Weymouth boss.
He has had to make difficult decisions including selecting seven players for furlough, letting keeper Jack Bycroft return to Southampton and sitting out Gerard Benfield for disciplinary reasons.
However, he is rarely ruffled by questions from the media, rarely loses his temper on the pitch – his red card after the 3-2 Wrexham loss apart – and is a calm presence on the touchline.
Stock is proving that he is the right man for Weymouth, after all.
CONTACT ME:
t: 01305 830999
e: neil.walton
@dorsetecho.co.uk
twitter: @EchoSportNeil
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