TALKING POINTS

Danny Burnell

THREE AT THE BACK

Three at the back works only if you have the personnel to play that formation. Nico Lawrence demonstrated that with ease at the back end of last season with a string of mature performances beyond his years. But it’s obvious to see we do not have that level of ability this campaign. Our back three on Saturday comprised, once again, of a utility midfield/full back man, a youngster with just a handful of Torquay appearances and an out-n-out young full-back. The defence was at sea for large parts of the Worthing game, with our opponents opening us up at will, not helped by the lack of midfield protection and attack-minded wingers unfamiliar with their defensive duties. Don’t be surprised to see another 3-5-2 setup come Tuesday, not least because the man in charge will not want to admit defeat against his latest ‘genius’ idea just 3 games into the new season. Play that system tonight, Chippenham will find plenty of opportunities to test Mark Halstead.

ATMOSPHERE

A goal for the visitors to take them in the lead will turn the atmosphere toxic, that’s a certainty. And who can blame them. It’s been months and months of inept management and sub-standard performances which has resulted in this once proud Football League side rotting in the depths of non-league regional football. At £20 a pop, Torquay are undoubtedly one of the most expensive teams to support in this division, and with every paying fan, comes a right to voice an opinion. Saturday proved just that with a chorus of boos at both Half Time & Full Time in what was a disaster, right up there with the 3-7 of Bromley on that ill-fated afternoon back in 2015. Of course, this is all hypothetical, and I hope to high end we start with some fire in our belly, and appease those long suffering fans with a performance of high (well, by NLS standards) quality!

UNDERESTIMATE THEM AT OUR PERIL

Played 2, won 2, scored 5. Much like Worthing, Chippenham will see us as a huge scalp, and they’ll not face a better time to play us. Sitting pretty at the top, they recorded an impressive 2-4 win at Havant, with Jake Evans taking many of the plaudits. In Chippenham, this is another side who made the Play-Offs last season, and will see that as a springboard to go one better and reach the promised land of the National League. They’ll be game for it, backed by a hardcore splattering of fans, but if they do their homework, which I’m sure they will, they may be in for a Tuesday night to remember. Not withstanding the Robins were the only side to record a league double over the Gulls’ in our last time down in this division.

MOBILITY & MOVEMENT

We’ve had many a midfielder over the years who aren’t particularly mobile. Alex Russell for one. But what made Russell perform was the man right next to him, Matt Hockley. The workhorse, the runner, the ball of energy. Since his arrival 6 years ago, Asa has had his partners do his running, and it works. Lapslie does it with usual positive effect, as did Dawson back in the Spring. Saturday comprised of a immobile midfield and a youngster fresh from the Plymouth youth teams. McGavin was static for the most part, and did nothing to effect the game. There was no energy, no urgency and certainly no quality in a game devoid of any ‘sparks’ from the home side. With Lapslie and the secretive Dawson on the sidelines, midfield energy is a must if Torquay are to upturn their fortunes.

WE ARE FULL TIME!

Any neutral at the Worthing game would have been forgiven for thinking the Home side were the part timers. Without sounding a ‘billy big b*******’, games against part time sides SHOULD be seen out with a minimum of fuss. Only one or two other sides boast the resources Torquay have at this level, and quite frankly, getting humiliated by a side who train 2 or 3 times a week, is unforgivable.