OPPOSITION Q&A
Luke discusses the Shaymen ahead of the game at Plainmoor
ABOUT ME
I currently run a National League podcast (@lukewalsh-vnlpodcast1799), streaming every Thursday from 7pm on YouTube, Whilst also recording some extra footage for bonus interviews with pundits and fans connected to the National League.
SEASON SO FAR
It’s been a season of highs and lows so far for Halifax. After a tough start to the season Chris Millington has certainly done a great job to turn the form around since October with us sitting 3 points outside the playoff spots. However, we still lack consistency away from home, which could be our downfall come the end of the season.
HIGHLIGHTS
For me personally, attending 18 games this season, it has to be Solihull Moors away, when we defeated them 1-0. I felt that it spoke volumes of what the side is capable of, especially with Halifax being the first side to defeat Solihull away from home this season.
KEY PLAYERS
Although Dieseruvwe hasn’t been prolific as such this season on the scoring front, he is always going to be threat, especially considering how vulnerable Torquay have been from set pieces this season. Fortunately Spence was one of the stars from last season who Pete Wild didn’t manage to up root and take with him to Barrow. Kian missed the first few games with injury and the form seemed to swiftly change when he returned to the starting line-up on a consistent basis. He has certainly matured a lot under Millington’s management in the midfield position. Jamie Cook is another player who has become a regular this season for Halifax, unlike last season. Cook is a direct winger who contributes significantly with goals/assists.
RECENT FORM
Recently our form has been inconsistent. Picking 7 points up in our last 5 games. Those wins coming against Dorking and Chesterfield. A positive stat for Torquay, is that Halifax haven’t won away from home since late October.
THE MANAGER
The manager has gained a lot of experience since the start of the season, which has been crucial during key situations in games where we may have possibly dropped points or even suffered losses earlier on in the season. It seems that Millington is finally getting the best out of his players at home which is making the Shay a fortress.
LINE-UP/TACTICS
Most likely we will play a 4-5-1 with Dieseruvwe playing as the loan striker. We like to play it out to the wings and get crosses into Dieseruvwe.
AWAY FOLLOWING
Unfortunately with no direct travel service to Torquay supplied by the club, and the unpredictability of trains at the moment, I wouldn’t expect many supporters to travel down. If I was to give an estimation I would go with somewhere between 70-100.
STRENGTHS & WEAKNESSES
Strengths wise, I like to think that we are very good footballing side that like to play on the front foot. We are also very solid defensively too. Weaknesses, we are known to switch off during key moments of the game. I also feel that we are really poor in the final 3rd, and lack creativity for us to really push on this season.
PREDICTION
Although Torquay are struggling significantly, I always see Plainmoor as a hard place to go. Although with Torquay’s current position I still feel 3 points is a must to improve our away form. I am going to go for a narrow 0-1 Halifax win.
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