TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom discusses talking points ahead of the game at Plainmoor

A PLAINMOOR WIN

It’s almost 6 months since our last competitive win at Plainmoor…SIX MONTHS! Back then it was a 2-0 victory over a Kabongo-less Chesterfield, with Duke-McKenna and Little scoring 2nd half goals. So far this season at home base it has been a shambles, 3 points from 7 games, and we are all left pondering when that will change. Runs like these get in the heads of the management team, the players and also the supporters. Early misplaced passes and shots feel worse when you’re struggling badly, and I think the Yellow Army have been very patient considering what we’ve been subjected to. We see work rate I guess, and we see triers….what we really need is 3 points, desperately.

A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

The defending at Altrincham/Eastleigh was enough to prompt Gary Johnson to bring in not one, but two defenders, namely Charlton youngster Lucas Ness and ‘there’s only one’ Mark Ellis, who after all these years away from Torquay is still only 34! Ross Marshall, Ali Omar and most recently Chin Okoli, have all been given chances this season to impress, and despite some decent outings, it’s become clear they aren’t currently up to scratch. Ellis will give us leadership, aggression and commitment at the back, and can only be an improvement on Marshall and Omar, whilst Ness will benefit from having his experience alongside him. If the back line can give us more security and organisation, and make us more difficult to play against, then we should be able to gain footholds in games and scrap out points.

ELLIS V EFFIONG

What’s the key battles for this evening? Well, Mark Ellis V Inih Effiong could have a big influence on which way the game sways. Effiong is a proper handful, 6′ 4″ and an excellent focal point for Shots attacks. He’s played for numerous clubs, include Woking last season and scored on Saturday as Shots’ good run of form continued. It’s a battle that won’t phase Mark Ellis, who’ll relish getting stuck in and heading the ball as far as he possibly can! It feels like many moons ago when he was learning his trade under Paul Buckle and often struggling to find a place in the line-up. A big heart and always enthusiastic, I’m sure the Yellow Army will give him a warm reception on his return. I’m hoping Mark can make a big difference to a Gulls team bereft of confidence.

STEPHEN WEARNE

The Return of Wearne! The news that Stephen Wearne has rejoined on loan from Grimsby is very welcome indeed. Wearne did well last season for the Gulls, working hard on the wing to create chances and scoring some goals as well. His inclusion will give us more attacking variety and poise in the final third. Having barely appeared for Grimsby in recent weeks, it might be asking too much for Stephen to come in and suddenly be a game changer for us, but having him onboard can only be a good thing as we head into a busy November.

THE OPPOSITION

Aldershot sit in 14th place with 20 points from 16 games. Mark Molesley was dismissed a few weeks ago, and with an interim team including Terry Brown, Ross McNeilly and James Edmonds, Shots have found form with 3 wins on the trot. Notable players for them include Tyler Cordner at centre back (he’s also joint top scorer!), Inih Effiong as mentioned, and a certain Frank Vincent who is on loan from Notts County. York, Yeovil and Dorking have all been turned over, leaving them in good nick for the game at Plainmoor. All in all we seem to be playing this team at the wrong time, but no excuses should be made, it’s another winnable game for the Gulls. Here’s hoping!