TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom discusses talking points ahead of the NL clash

BARNET (PART 2)

Mama mia, here we go again! Was last Saturday’s game entirely predictable? I thought so, the Gulls gave Barnet a game, it was close but the stronger play-off chasing team won out. All in all an even match up with one key moment sticking out, a 2nd Barnet goal given away two minutes after our equaliser. What followed was game management and strangulation of the game into a scrappy non-event that we could not dig out of. We have positive aspects to build on moving into this sequel, United matched up well in most areas, found space when they kept the ball on the ground and did create opportunities. We just have to concentrate throughout and make that key moment go our way this time. Plenty of running and effort from Torquay United players, however, can they find real belief and backbone to do better this time around against a team playing their 3rd away game in little over a week? We’ll see.

GULLS LINE-UP

What are the rotating options for Gary Johnson? Next question! Unless a new signing arrives or an injured player suddenly returns, then there’s a good chance the line-up will remain the same from last Saturday, with one likely change – Tope Fadahunsi coming in for Lewis Collins who took that nasty 1st half whack. I think many would like a shift in formation to 4 at the back, with Dillon De Silva reverting to his natural winger role. But having garnered some decent results since the turn of the year, a 3-5-2 will almost certainly stay in place and you can’t help but feel therefore that a similar game awaits.

BRETT MCGAVIN

Hands up, in the midst of the 2022 summer, with the sun shining and the Gulls rebooting for the season ahead, I thought Brett McGavin would be a terrific signing. He had confidence, passing ability and a finishing touch, there wasn’t much not to like. But it was clear once the proper action commenced that Brett wasn’t going to be pulling up trees in a Torquay shirt. There’s been some good moments, but let’s be honest it’s been mostly bad! A player too slow mentally to make decisions and too slow of foot to make hay in the tough midfields of the National League. McGavin returned for the first Barnet game and made little impression, other than frustrating the Yellow Army once again. If chosen for the upcoming fixtures, we need McGavin to deliver performances and quickly.

THE OPPOSITION

Barnet FC lost their first game since November on Tuesday, with Notts County putting them to the sword in a 2nd half comeback. I’m not sure that result will have an influence on the return fixture at Plainmoor, but having experienced two decent trips in the last week, perhaps the Bees will lose a little of their edge for this Saturday. The return of Ben Wynter never happened, and it appears that Wynts will not make this one either. Our defence will again have a tough test on their hands, facing Nicke Kabamba and the mountainous Harry Smith. This didn’t unnerve Nico Lawrence at the back, and generally Kabamba was quiet, but the winning goals were still theirs. The Bees are strong, direct and experts in time wasting, so our best solution to that is A) Playing football on the deck & B) Scoring first. Allow Barnet to gain the upper hand and dictate the style and tempo of the game once more, and we are asking for the same punishment.

FORGET DORKING FOR NOW

Much of the talk has centred around Dorking (a) in recent weeks, and that game does loom large on the horizon, but we must forget that one for now and give Barnet FC (h) all we’ve got. They may be play-off contenders, they may have beaten us last week but the margins were undeniably fine, and this game is not to be written off. A win could give us the confidence to get out of this mess – fingers crossed as usual and see you at Plainmoor.