FIVE DISCUSSIONS POINTS ON YOUR TEAM
1 – Aldershot Away
Last Saturday’s game was almost a perfect day! A relaxing and enjoyable trip with the Yellow Army on the Travel Club coach, followed by a cracking match in the sunshine and a first half lead through Ruairi. Then the second half was a blur of action; with injuries, chances, saves, penalty shouts and unfortunately a dreaded equaliser.
Our defence is by no means the worst, and showed plenty of organisation to keep out a lively Shots team. However more often that not there is one lapse of concentration, and this time it was Brendan allowing that free kick in. Sure it was a decent attempt, but he’ll know he could have saved that one. But hey that’s the life of a goalie; 2 or 3 minutes earlier he had made a wonderful save to keep it level!
The last 10 minutes were just about as good as United have got this season! Considering the injuries and energy sapping weather, it would have been understandable to just hold on for a point. But no, the boys pushed and pushed for a winner which could have made a huge difference. It wasn’t to be, and we remain in troubled waters (with York, Woking and Braintree the sharks).
2 – The Run-In
Here are the fixtures for the teams fighting with us to stay up, I think most fans know ours off by heart but I’ll repeat them anyway! I’ve also had a go at predicting the points they will pick up….
17th Guiseley 49 pts – Braintree (A) Tranmere (H) Bromley (A) Solihull (H) – Predicted Points 5
18th Solihull 48 pts – York (H) Macclesfield (A) Eastleigh (H) Guiseley (A) – Predicted Points 3
19th York 45 pts – Solihull (A) Wrexham (H) Woking (A) Forest Green (H) – Predicted Points 7
20th Woking 45 pts – Macclesfield (H) Chester (A) York (H) Dagenham (A) – Predicted Points 5
21st Braintree 45 pts – Guiseley (H) TUFC (A) Barrow (H) Aldershot (A) – Predicted Points 2
22nd United 44 pts – Lincoln (A) Braintree (H) Dover (A) North Ferriby (H) – Predicted Points 7
Final Totals:
Safe: Guiseley 54 pts, York 52 pts, United 51 pts, Solihull 51 pts
Relegated: Woking 50 pts and Braintree 47 pts
That’s all complete guess work of course. I think we’ll nick a point on one of the away trips, and with help from bigger home crowds win a crucial game against Braintree; followed by a very nervy three points versus North Ferriby! Solihull could well be dragged into it (they’ve been running on fumes for a while). It’s squeaky bum time that is for sure!
3 – Clarke Osbourne Interview
The interview with Clarke didn’t really tell us much did it? Credit to the interviewer though, he asked many of the questions that have been knocking around for a little while.
There was questionable answers regarding the signing of new players and our budget – a top half of the table budget? I don’t think so, we can barely fill the bench! No real denial of the speculation regarding Nico’s contract and the manager being asked to take some kind of cut to boost player funds – not reassuring at all on that front.
Further on we found out that Geoff Harrop our General Manager – does a lot of general managing! Some more confident responses following regarding the new ground – yes it will be built before anything happens to Plainmoor – was he ever likely to say any different? and the Youth Academy – see number 4.
So overall visible squirming at the start, the inevitable business speak and some avoidance of answers. Apathy and negativity from the supporters will remain until these owners really put their money where their mouth is, and can actually prove they are going to take the club forward.
4 – Torquay Academy
Speaking of progress, the first roots of a ‘Torquay Youth Academy’ are sprouting as a developing partnership with the Community Trust is announced (see the link below).
The super works from the Trust has continued this year, so that is good news for a change, and gives us at least a sniff of optimism for a bright future!
5 – Rowcroft Charity Match
And finally the Rowcroft Hospice Charity Match that been announced sounds great (see below for details), with 2004 Promotion heroes such as Alex Russell, Steve Woods and David Graham turning up – plus others such as Darren Moore and Wayne Thomas.
Now we all hope that Nico and the boys have escaped from the dreaded relegation trap-door by then; but whatever the outcome of the final four matches, I hope the match is well attended to support a very worthwhile local cause.
TORQUAYTALK 