TT TALKING POINTS
Danny Burnell – @dannyburnell_92
Hollywood meets Torbay, and here’s the pre match talking points for it. Wrexham (h).
WILL IT BE AL-WRIGHT?
When Wright went off injured 6 minutes into the Solihull match, the Gulls’ game plan was well and truly scuppered. Moors were a big physical side, in truth, Holman never stood a chance in the air, but the persistence to go long was ultimately our downfall. Like always, GJ will keep his cards close to his chest regarding injuries. We can merely speculate as to whom or whom may not run out the Plainmoor tunnel come twenty past two on Saturday afternoon. It would be a massive surprise if we see the blond pristine-haired striker partake in the game at all, which begs the question, who will step up. Holman & Lolos have proved ineffective thus far. Lemonheigh-Evans cuts an isolated figure up top when positioned there. Armstrong has been gone for a few weeks now, and a like for like replacement has yet to come to fruition. We always speculate, and always hope, but can GJ work his magic and pull off a super signing before the weekend? One thing is for certain, it won’t be from Sunderland…..
DEFENCE DUO
I must admit, when I saw both Lewis & Moxey were missing from the starting XI last Tuesday, I feared the worse. Albeit, the ever reliable Wynter and Ali Omar did well at Altrincham by all accounts, Solihull was always going to be a different kettle. To their credits, and particular Ali, they played well. Omar was MOTM material for sure and unlucky not to be named by the sponsors in my opinion. We didn’t miss Mox & Lewis the last couple of weeks, but then again…..we did! Players in the ilk of those two will always be big misses for the team. Dean’s experience is paramount to this team, and Joe has looked every bit a ‘Player of the Season’ candidate with his string of highly impressive performances (and goals to boot). Positive COVID tests for the two spared them the trip to Alty, but here’s hoping they are back in the fold come Saturday, and eager to go. A Mullin-less Wrexham front line is a huge plus, but £300k new signing Ollie Palmer will be looking to add to his debut goal. A physical player who will be looking to put his weight about, Lewis & Moxey are the ideal partnership to deal with such a threat.
GETTING BACK INTO THE FLOW OF THINGS
Earlier in January saw a 14 day hiatus for the Yellows. We’ve just had the mis-pleasure of a further 10 day break, and to make matters worse, off the back of a defeat. At least prior to our last siesta we picked up plenty of points over Christmas, so the break was well timed and very well deserved. This time round, GJ and the squad have had 10 days to think about that loss and put a plan in place to nullify their Welsh opponents. Dover, Barnet & Kings Lynn are all on the radar within the next month so a positive result on Saturday paves the way for another run of form as we enter the final furlong.
A BUMPER CROWD
I wouldn’t be surprised if the ground staff were out with the ol’ weed killer in the away end, as the North Wales contingent descend on the Bay. Such has been a time when the away end was full for a league fixture, it will be nice for a return of some proper ‘friendly’ (then again, maybe not) atmosphere. As always, the Pop will be in fine voice, and they will need to be, as 1,000+ away fans pack out Woollens’. Keeping them quiet will be Gary’s primary aim. Wrexham will come in expectation, rather than hope. They will expect to win, and rightly so when you out-spend Arsenal in the January transfer window. They aren’t blowing the league away as they, and everyone else thought they might, and October’s result at the racecourse shows they can be ‘got-at’. Maidenhead came away with something last weekend, as have Yeovil & Wealdstone in the past. A positive attitude, with a equally positive Gulls’ backing will be vital, as the 12th man tries to get them that crucial 3 points.
KEEPING TABS WITH THE CHASING PACK
Since we last played, we’ve dropped just the one position to 12th. Thankfully now, the table has a truer reflection as teams in and around us played their games in hand/s. 11 points off Solihull with the same games played is a big ask to make up, but a strong run of form can see Torquay gate crash that play-off party. Southend were keeping Dover company down at the bottom not so long ago, all of sudden, they’ve crept up to 13th. That mid-table ‘mini-league’ will chop and change frequently as the season intensifies, but keeping tabs with the Moors, Notts County’s & Dagenham’s of the world is key. Get within that DRS zone come April, mount that final push and lets see what happens! After all, we don’t do mid-table seasons……
COYY – Danny
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