TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom discusses talking points ahead of the game up north

BOUNCING BACK?

Fine margins on Tuesday night. If Ryan Hanson’s header goes in, we are all elated and feeling good about a trip to picturesque York. But in grim Gulls reality, it was a late punch to the stomach, a cruel stab to the heart that saw all 3 points go back to Maidenhead (don’t get me started on that defending again!). How do the lads bounce back from this gutting experience? It won’t be easy, but characters such as Aaron Downes, Dean Moxey, Asa Hall, Tom Lapslie and Aaron Jarvis will be doing their best around the training ground to lift morale. Chin up lads, forget Tuesday and concentrate on getting something this weekend. Time to find our bottle.

STRIKE PARTNERSHIP

Tuesday night did bring with it two splendid goals, two goals tucked in amongst a lot of low quality play, effort clearly not matched by skill levels! But the pluses of the front two were there to be seen, and the Jarvis/Goodwin partnership could bear fruit. Let’s face it with our woeful defending we need goals! Aaron Jarvis was full of intent and energy, showing exactly why Gary Johnson brought him down to Plainmoor. Meanwhile his attacking compatriot Will Goodwin has all the determination of a young chap wanting to make it in the game, plus a finishing touch to boot. Providing these two with opportunities, whether it be early balls over the top, crosses into the box or something more intricate, is vital this Saturday.

PRESSURE ON GARY JOHNSON

Gary Johnson has a great CV and has done excellent things at Torquay United, but even a man of his stature has to come under fire when the team he has built is rock bottom of the league. Can he keep his job if we keep losing games? Only the TUFC hierarchy (George) will know that, and we are all pinning our hopes on results turning in our favour. Unfortunately at the moment he sounds like he’s struggling for the right answers, struggling for players and struggling to stay upbeat. Lose on Saturday and the GJ OUT shouts get louder. Is he the man to take us forward? Even with all his power at the club and apparent harmonious relationship with the owners, he has to prove it…and prove it soon.

THE LINE-UP

Not only a loss on Tuesday, but also a smattering of injuries, including a bad one to the unlucky Kieron Evans, who was just beginning to get into his stride at Plainmoor. Marshall and Donnellan also hobbled off (Shaun seems to be constantly hobbling), joining Evans, Hall, Crowe and Andrews on the side-lines. Unless there’s reinforcements Gary Johnson will have very few options, and could include Ollie Tomlinson in defence, whilst Brett McGavin will most likely re-emerge in the starting line-up. Without Evans, we have no other attacking midfielders/wingers to speak of, whilst also having no striking back ups for Jarvis and Goodwin. A threadbare squad that desperately needs more….of everything.

THE OPPOSITION

York City must be pleased with their start to life back in the 5th tier. With some excellent results and bumper crowds, ‘The Minstermen’ are experiencing a similar surge of momentum that we enjoyed back in 2019. Their success so far has been built on solid foundations at the back (an impressive 11 goals conceded in 12 games) and the goals of Lenell John-Lewis, meanwhile attacking midfielder Maz Kouhyar already has 6 assists to his name. That doesn’t mean we should fear this team, but with our defence wobbling badly and a squad down to it’s bare bones, the home side will definitely fancy their chances. The Gulls travel in hope more than expectation, safe journeys to all you lovely Yellows making the trip up north.