TALKING POINTS

Danny Burnell – @dannyburnell_92

A disappointing defeat on New Years Day was a massive blow to United’s chance of surviving. It’s worrying times for Gulls’ fans as I dissect the Huish Park defeat.

Didn’t play ‘that bad’

For what it’s worth, I don’t think we actually played that bad on Sunday. I’ve certainly seen us play worse and earn points, but that defeat just highlights the perilous position we find ourselves in. I’m not being unrealistic in saying that first half is as well as we can expect our current crop of players to play. And if that is indeed the case, and we can’t beat a very average Yeovil side, then we are well and truly (insert explicative!).

The one golden rule when you dominate a match and create chances aplenty, score when on top, that is especially important for a team in our current climate. The press in the first 45 was pleasing to see, as Wearne was dangerous down the left, and Evans created lots in midfield. As HT approached, there was hint of optimism in the air amongst the Yellow Army. As is with Torquay United Football Club, that optimism was short lived as Yeovil ran out (somehow) comfortable 2-0 winners. I reiterate the point, if that’s as well as we can play, and we still get beat, then the writing is well and truly on the wall.

Squad depth

That starting XI is about as strong as it’s going to get, minus possibly Ellis (if he’s still here). The worry is, that afore mentioned XI includes an aging Moxey, and aging Asa and an injury-prone Lapslie. You therefore, have to have capable and able replacements to come in. That we just haven’t got. The depth within this current squad is alarming. Yesterday, like with so many games this season, we had limited quality on the bench. Yeovil, on the other hand, brought on players who impacted the result. We resorted to a LB, a midfielder who has contributed the grand sum of zilch since joining and Andrews who, quite frankly, is way off the required mark. Loanees are having to make up half of our current XI, such was the poor recruitment of summer 2022.

Johnson promised reinforcements in his post match interview. One thing is for sure, this has to be his best transfer window of his career to pull us out this mess, because it’s become quite apparent, it’s GJ until the end of the season.

Respect the Yellow Army

‘You are either with us or against us’ was the standout line from Johnson’s post match interview. Quite frankly a disgraceful comment towards the fans and a total lack of respect. Another 802 fans, largely of whom were soaked from start to finish, spent hard earned money on watching their beloved team lose once again. There was also an apparent shrug of the shoulders when a ‘Johnson out’ chant gained momentum, but it’s been dire for months, the fans have every right to air their frustrations.

Win, lose or draw, as a manger you make sure you pay testament to the fans. As Downes did, as most of the players did. Fist bump when you win by all means, but show solidarity in defeat. It’s not a good look. Plenty of managers do it, and I hate it!

Beating those in and around you.

Oldham & Yeovil both home and away. Scunthorpe & Gateshead both at home. Maidstone away. Teams all in and around us, teams we need to be taking points off. 21 points up for grabs, 4 acquired. Pathetic. These teams aren’t very good, much like us, so beating them at home is crucial, something we regularly fail to do.

The second half of the season sees us travel to Kent, Scunny & Tyneside in what are without doubt ‘must-wins’. A situation we should have never have gotten ourselves into.

Ali Omar

He isn’t everyone’s keep of tea, but the lad played well yesterday. He’s been largely out of the team this season, but came into a back 3 and stepped up to the mark. He controlled the defence well, he marshalled the awkward Richards-Everton superbly, and he didn’t put a foot wrong.

Like most times he plays, he was the first to show gratitude to the supporters, and he was warmly received. My MOTM, and on that display a shoe-in starter against Halifax.

Well played Ali!