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Dom Roman
@DomRoman
The squad number reaches 16 at TUFC, meaning we’re not far off completing a squad of around 20 to tackle the NLS. Let’s talk about it shall we….
GOALKEEPERS
Rhys Lovett was the latest 22/23 band member to commit to the Gulls again for 23/24, and whilst it’s hard to get too excited about a reserve goalkeeper, that’s a decent bit of business from Torquay. With Mark Halstead a very capable number 1 and United’s budget limited, I think Lovett is about the best we can hope for as an understudy. He did okay during his spell in goal last season, not the most commanding or confident, but he is someone who is NLS quality and someone who we should be able to turn to without too many concerns.
DEFENDERS
No update on defenders since the first edition of this blog, and a high priority for Gary Johnson must be a centre back who can help knit together the back 3 or 4. We have Ross Marshall and Ollie Tomlinson wanting to step in alongside Donnellan and Moxey, but the aim should be for a defensive stalwart who is more assured than those two…if not of the quality of Nico Lawrence! Additionally to that at least one full back is required, someone who can cover right and left back positions would be handy, and also slot into wing back. Not asking much is it?
REQUIREMENTS: CENTRE BACK & FULL BACK
WING BACKS/WINGERS
Jack Stobbs remains the only natural winger at the club and despite Lewis Collins filling in well at wing back last season, it’ll be important to boost options in this area. The squad could still do with more legs, players who can get us from A to B quicker, whether this will be from the bench or in the first XI. This could come through permanently or by loan. You can’t help thinking that Gary Johnson is looking for a repeat of 18-19 when the Bristol City youngsters added energy and variety to a workmanlike squad…well it worked pretty well last time around.
REQUIREMENTS: 1 X WINGER/WING BACK
MIDFIELDERS
One of the biggest questions this summer is what part Ryan Hanson and Brett McGavin will have to play in the coming season. Both have huge amounts to prove, and with Tom Lapslie and Asa Hall prone to injury these midfield back ups could well be needed for decent portions of 23/24. Alternatively Gary Johnson could cast aside one or both of them on loan and at least one new midfielder will be brought in to spice up the midfield. The use in pre-season of Hanson and McGavin, not to mention the real identities of Trialists A, B, C & D, will be telling!
ATTACKERS
Gary Johnson has mentioned the merits of Aaron Jarvis and Bradley Ash in attack, and even with the manager’s habit of bluffing that’s a good sign that Jarv is hanging around to lead our line in the NLS. But….we have yet to hear from the big man, so something could still happen on this score. Lewis Collins is a strong signing to compliment our attack and I’m surprised that he hasn’t gone to a National League team, credit to GJ for getting him onboard once more. He’s energetic and versatile, and could bag around 10-15 goals next season if used far enough up the field (I doubt Lewis has come to Plainmoor to play as a wing back, but time will tell). One more striker would help our cause, you can never have enough firepower.
REQUIREMENTS: 1 X STRIKER
THE FORMATIONS
3-5-2
Halstead
Donnellan – CB – Moxey
Stobbs – Hall – Dawson – Lapslie – Collins
Jarvis – Ash
4-4-2
Halstead
Donnellan – CB – Moxey – LB
Stobbs – Dawson – Lapslie/Hall – Collins
Jarvis – Ash
4-3-3
Halstead
Donnellan – CB – Moxey – LB
Dawson – Hall – Lapslie
Collins – Jarvis – Ash
COYY – DOM
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