Aldershot Preview and more from Ed @DomRoman as he talks #TUFC – plus the Prediction poll and TT Views

TT1 – Aldershot FA Cup Preview

Can we break the FA Cup hoodoo at the Recreation Ground?

At some point United will win an FA Cup game…

but I certainly wouldn’t bet on it happening this season. Aldershot started 17-18 brilliantly, but their form has become inconsistent since then (no wins in four) so the task is not insurmountable. The Shots play an expansive attacking game, and will come at United down both flanks – when we played them in August we couldn’t handle that.

Owers will have to get the team well drilled for battle…

and the players will need to put in a real shift at both ends. There may be holes to exploit (Maidenhead scored 3 last week) and some chances going begging; taking one of those at a key time will be crucial in getting some kind of result. We just haven’t been up for Cup games in recent years and I’m not sure why. That has to change pronto (mine and Luke’s predictions are below by the way…).

Incidentally the last time we won in the Cup was sadly nearly 6 years ago…

when Danny Stevens, Rene Howe and a certain Kevin Nicholson scored at Chesterfield to take Martin Ling’s team through – here’s the highlights from that glorious afternoon:

TT Quick Guide to Aldershot Town:

League Position: 8th

NL Record: Played: 15 Win: 6 Draws: 5 Lost: 4 For: 24 Agst: 17 Gl Diff: 7 Pts: 23

Manager: Gary Waddock

Top Goal-scorers: Shamir Fenelon and Matt McClure (4)

Last Three Results:

7th October DRAW: Maidenhead (Away) 3-3

3rd October DRAW: Dagenham (Home) 1-1

30th September LOST: Macclesfield (Away) 2-0

Head to Head Last Three:

8th August 17: Aldershot Town 3-2 Torquay United

8th April 17: Aldershot Town 1-1 Torquay United

22nd Oct 16: Torquay United 0-0 Aldershot Town

 

TT2 – The TT Predicton Poll and TT Views

TT VIEWS

 

TT3 – FA Cup Memories 

I’ve not seen United win many Cup ties over the years, and even when we did (the Buckle years) it rarely lead to a plum tie in the next round!

However, we’ve had our FA Cup moments; here’s my top three from supporting the Gulls:

1990 – United 1-0 West Ham:

I don’t remember much about the game, apart from it was rubbish weather and a nobody called Paul Hirons briefly became a somebody, when he toed in a winner down the away end. Oh and I also got some of the West Ham autographs on my programme! They weren’t a top division team at the time, but beating the Hammers was still special.

2005 – United 0-0 Birmingham City:

I remember this one better!  A big crowd for Premier League opposition, Heskey missing, Woodsy hitting the woodwork and being so close to taking City’s scalp in the 3rd round. It was an excellent performance, in an otherwise awful season back down in League Two.

2007 – United 4-1 Yeovil Town:

Buckle’s boys were flying high early that season and we gave Yeovil a real roasting in front of the BBC cameras (and Leroy commentating). Little Danny had one of his best games (scoring two), the atmosphere was electric, United were scoring goals for fun and the TUFC world was a enjoyable place to be – happy days!

TT4 – Dover Loss – Key Points

– Defence continues to be a problem.

We now have our first choice back four in place, but there are still issues. Higgins has many good attributes, but he does get caught watching the ball and he clearly needs guidance. The whole back four also need to be more aggressive and communicate, we have to cut out these silly goals (Dover’s 1st being another example).

– Murphy is not a natural lone striker.

Rhys really did try to impose himself on Saturday, showing for the ball and looking for space for a through ball. However he is not strong or skilful enough to play up there on his own, very few are to be fair. It was ok against Maidenhead where we could easily get support to him, but when teams push up and make life difficult we need more upfront.

– GG is flourishing at Dover.

I believe we were keen to bring back GG for 17-18, but his sights were always set on a move elsewhere. He looked very accomplished on Saturday alongside Parry, and appears to have matured into a capable defender who can pass the ball out – plus get on the end of a set piece. Another one that got away…

– Where’s the imagination?

We sorely lack players in and around the strikers who can create something out of nothing – that’s been the trouble ever since Eunan moved on. There’s very little creativity around and its all too predictable. Maybe George Dowling and the returning Jordan Lee (welcome back JL) will add some much needed va va voom…no pressure lads!

TT5 – TT Contributors

The contributors list is growing, with @NationalObsession’s John Cadigan scribing an excellent match verdict on the Daggers game – even if the result was typically agonising. So far this season, Luke Hunter, Karl Standeven and Sam Druiff have also taken their turns to provide insight on United matches – whilst Rob Dand covered the TULFC win at Plainmoor .

We always require more assistance so if you are going to an away game, or would like to provide anything else for the site, please get in touch with myself or that friendly Northern chap Luke Hunter (@lukehunter8) if you’d prefer!

 

Come on you yellows!

Dominic – TT Editor