TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

HOME COMFORTS

Dover (a) always had the potential to be a opening day banana skin and so it proved. It was a game that we should have won, two goals up and strolling, it was hard to believe that United didn’t put the game to bed. In the end it was a draw and a sharp reminder of what is required to win games, even in regional football. Now it’s back to Plainmoor and a chance to push that result to the back of our minds, and with an expectant home crowd in attendance the lads will surely be pushing hard to win their first game of 23/24. Anything less and murmurs of early season discontent will get a little louder.

TEAM SELECTION

With Stobbs and Dawson injured, Gary Johnson lacks a couple of players, but he does have two guys who could win a place in the starting line-up for Worthing (h). When fit there’s no doubt that Dean Moxey breezes straight back into the XI. His experience and assured presence was missed at Dover, with Donnellan, Craske and Tomlinson wobbling alarmingly. Meanwhile Dillon De Silva can add extra speed and variety to the Torquay attack, but considering we’ll probably stick to a 3-5-2 formation, there’s concerns that a wing back role won’t suit him. Indeed Will Jenkins Davies is not a natural fit for the wing back role either, but he’ll most likely get another chance to get used to it on Saturday! Defensively there were too many holes last weekend, so it’s important United get on the front foot, press well and play the game on their terms, otherwise Worthing could easily cause us problems.

AARON JARVIS

Aaron Jarvis hasn’t scored since the behind closed doors games, and will be keen to get off the mark at Plainmoor. The Ash/Jarvis combination (no I am not calling them Jash!) may take a little time to bear fruit together. Proper TUFC strike partnerships have struggled in recent years (Janneh/Reid being the last traditional pairing that was productive), with the team often playing better with a lone striker supported by attacking midfielders. I can’t imagine Gary Johnson has any other Plan than Jarvis/Ash, so it’s very important that this twosome find success, starting on Saturday afternoon would be nice.

THE OPPOSITION

Worthing FC finished 4th last season, losing in the semi-finals of the play-offs to Oxford City. and the club has had an excellent period of their history under manager Adam Hinshelwood, who took over in 2017. Amongst ‘The Rebels’ squad is a few ex-Gulls, namely Joe Felix, Ricky Aguiar and Aaran Racine. All three played fleetingly for United. Swindon youngster Aguiar arrived with a solid reputation during last season, but lacked strength and authority to make an impression, whilst defender Racine stands out as a player who lasted about 50 minutes in early 2017, fell over, gave away a penalty and suffered a serious injury. As debuts go, that’s disastrous even by Torquay standards! Apart from that their matchwinner in game one versus Tonbridge Angels was midfielder Nicky Wheeler. He scored a pearler against us for Dorking last season, so will need to be watched.

CHEERS!

It’s not just about watching the Football is it! It’s time to get back together with those people you only catch up with during the season, briefly discuss how your summer has been going (not bad, thanks) and then banter about everything Gulls. Whilst the events on the pitch have been rather depressing, after 34 years around the place my socials have never been better, and I enjoy catching up with more people than ever when I arrive at Plainmoor. To be honest if you’re counting on the Football and nothing else for happiness on a Saturday afternoon, then you’re probably doing it wrong! See you at Plainmoor, hoping for the best as always.

COYY – DOM

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OPPOSITION Q&A – Worthing FC by Peter Vale

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