TALKING POINTS
Dom Roman
@DomRoman
THE MAGIC OF THE CUP?
When the FA Cup draw for the 2nd Qualifying Round was about to be made there was very little anticipation around the Yellow Army, and understandably so. Entering at this stage is a sad illustration of how far we’ve stooped, especially when entry to the 1st Round proper used to be a rite of passage for us for so many years. But unfortunately that and our EFL place sits in the mists of time. However, the draw did give us something to stir interest and that’s Southern League team Wimborne being managed by ex-Gull Tim Sills, a fact that spices up the clash and adds extra intrigue. Check out our YouTube episode with the man himself this week, a fair dose of TUFC nostalgia mixed in with preview discussion with Tim on the Cup tie.
PROFESSIONAL APPROACH
Torquay United have been burnt plenty of times over the years in the Cup, and I’m sure Gary Johnson will be making it clear that complacency is not an option this weekend. Stay professional and focussed like the Chelmsford and Farnborough games and the Gulls should be able to triumph convincingly at the New Cuthbury and make their way through to the 3rd Qualifying Round. Let standards slip to something similar to Aveley (a), fail to work hard enough and fail to take the game to the Southern League team, and an upset is possible. The FA Cup always represents a chance to earn the club valuable prize money, therefore it should be taken very seriously indeed.
THE LINE-UP
Will the Torquay United team be unchanged for a 3rd game running? Yes probably! There are players like Hanson, Crowe, Collins, Pearce, De Silva and Martin who (if fit) would love a start at Wimborne, a chance to show the manager why they should be a first team player. But having had a week between games and the side coming off their best two performances of the season, the safe bets are on Gary Johnson sticking to the winning formula.
BRETT MCGAVIN
I backed Brett McGavin to have a strong year in the pre-season previews, and in all honesty poor early season performances pushed my confidence in him to it’s limits. But after the last two games suddenly we have a ‘McGavin redemption story’ on our hands! It’s helped that Gary Johnson has altered his tactics in recent weeks, a higher emphasis on passing the ball with patience on the ground suits Brett’s strengths as a footballer and makes it easier for him to influence games. Alongside calm distribution from BG there has also been industrious running, some strong tackles and best of all, a sweet volley from 25 yards that already looks a shoe-in for goal of the season. This is a critical point in the midfielder’s football career. He’s getting the Yellow Army onside and he’s finally looking comfortable in the Gulls line-up, so now is the time to make hay. Good luck to him.
TAKING CHANCES
If Aaron Jarvis and Bradley Ash have similar chances to score as they received against Chelmsford, then it’s inconceivable that they won’t take at least one of them! The positive thing is both strikers have been looking sharp and happy in the re-jigged formation (4-3-3/4-1-3-2), and with the likes of Will Jenkins Davies and Jack Stobbs keen to feed both of them, the chances should keep coming. It was also nice to see Lewis Collins return against Chelmsford and with loanee Luke Pearce raring to go, Torquay’s attacking options appear stronger, and that can only be a good thing.
COYY – DOM
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TORQUAYTALK 
Dom. I saw Wimborne play last week down at Exmouth Town in the Trophy. It was a 6 goal thriller, played in a very competitive atmosphere and hot conditions.
Even though Wimborne played the majority of the game with 10 men after a deserved straight Red (the whole crowd heard what he called the ref), the style of play that Sills has instilled in his team impressed me greatly. Exmouth struggled to cope with their organisation and speed of passing. It was only through the combination of the away team running out of steam and dogged ‘Muff Town’ determination that they
home team managed to snatch a late equaliser.
The game on Saturday will be an interesting watch, with two very different managerial styles of play on display. Will the ‘Magpies’ incisive passing and shoot from anywhere fare be enough to deal with the Gulls and their mixed performances so far. Time will tell. Enjoy the afternoon.
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