TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

MORE IMPROVEMENT REQUIRED

Although it was nice to celebrate a win on Tuesday night (after the Worthing embarrassment it was hard to see us getting anything) and obviously better seeing smiles on faces, I don’t think anyone who attended the Chippenham game would say that the Gulls played well. The quality on show was, for the most part, still dreadfully poor, and the wasteful passing again hindered our attacking progress again and again. But what we did have was a more balanced formation and better work rate, with Tom Lapslie’s re-appearance giving us some energy and Dan Martin impressing on the overlap from left back. Add to that the strike pairing linking up and it was just enough to keep all 3 points in the Bay. Is it merely papering over the cracks until the next disappointment pokes it’s head out, or the start of a decent Gulls run? We’ll soon find out.

THE LINE-UP

Gameday signings have become a Gulls tradition, like over-priced food, the squeaky turnstiles, dodgy post-match interviews and last minute goals…so Gary Johnson may welcome one or two incomings before 3pm on Saturday. With fitness issues kicking in and many players appearing knackered already, the squad is looking quite bare. There will be no Asa Hall, Dean Moxey or Kevin Dawson, whilst the re-emerging Martin and Marshall went off early on Tuesday as the second half wore them out, and Jarvis & De Silva have both been carrying knocks…what a bunch! Dillon De Silva changed the tempo for United on Tuesday night, and it’s possible him and Jack Stobbs could make up an attacking right-hand side. Assuming Ross Marshall is fit to start again, Shaun Donnellan could move into midfield to partner Tom Lapslie. Whatever the reasons for our injury woes occurring yet again, this patched up team will have to fight hard and dig in to grab another win against a decent Saints team.

ST ALBANS CITY

St Albans City are managed by ex-Gary Johnson Bristol City stalwart David Noble! They’ve started the season with 2 wins out of 3, and are looking for another strong season after finishing in the play-offs last time around. It’s not a squad with particularly notable players, though there is one famous surname in the squad in the form of midfielder George Hoddle, second cousin of Glenn and on loan from Cambridge United. Leading from the back is CB Dan Bowry, whilst upfront Mitchell Weiss is the main man for the likes of Marshall and Tomlinson to curtail. The Saints have already pushed Yeovil all the way this season, and this looks likely to be another close game.

PRESSURE TO PERFORM

With the Worthing game fresh in everyone’s minds and emotions still high, you could feel the tension from the Yellow Army on Tuesday night, and there were some chants of Gary Out as the game rambled along. After relegation to the NLS and suitable backing from the owners, Gary Johnson simply has to deliver and it’s therefore been tough to see such similarities already from last season. Lacking imagination, ability and speed of thought, United just make playing football look so difficult, even against part-time teams, and with plenty of time and plenty of squad continuity, it’s hard to accept below-par performances. Even in the early stages of the season the pressure is very much on this management team to carve out a cohesive and winning formula, and so it should be. Even these owners have their limits….maybe!