TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

Dom discusses the NLS game

8TH V 24TH

After the defeat to Yeovil on Tuesday night, the Gulls have a perfect opportunity to bounce back four days later against a team with only one win all season, what can possibly go wrong?! In truth very little has gone right this season. Starting with 7 defeats in 16 games (5 in the last 7) was unthinkable back at the beginning of August (I am never getting excited by PSF results ever again), but here we are languishing in 8th place. The harsh reality is we are lucky to be 8th, as we’ve only managed 25 points due to early season heroics from Mark Halstead and some fortunate late winners. Performances have been, for the most part, dreadfully poor and not befitting of a full time team, so we must go to Havant, stamp our authority on this game and not only win, but win well.

THE LINE-UP

Tom Lapslie has missed 4 games so far in 23/24, and we haven’t won any of them. Unsurprisingly he was much missed against Yeovil the other night. Without him and Dawson, the midfield is sadly tepid and one-paced, and the Glovers were running rings around us at times. We need him back at Havant to lead the charge. Otherwise Dolan and Marshall are both doubts. Marshall was pushed to continue playing, even though he was clearly limping. Why do we do this to players? Hopefully Dolan makes it at least, whilst Dillon De Silva made a decent substitute appearance and could come into the reckoning from the start, as could Asa Hall (though the 3G is always a concern for the skipper). Upfront Bradley Ash and Theo Williams will most likely get another chance to forge a partnership. Havant’s defence has leaked an awful lot of goals this season, so there should be opportunities for both. And will we see new man Ethon Archer in this one? If things don’t go well then the Yellow Army will be demanding he gets a debut (interspersed with ‘Gary Out’ chants).

TT STAT ATTACK 23/24 NO.13 & POWER RANKINGS

THEO WILLIAMS

I like the look of Theo Williams, he didn’t stop chasing on Tuesday, despite being given very little quality service to work on, as the aggressive Yeovil defenders generally smothered the lad. When he did sniff out possession Theo was sharp and fast, and I’d like to think there will be goals from him. With the team low on confidence players like Williams and Dolan can make the difference, and give us cutting edge that’s been missing for weeks. In this league we should be able to play decent football and carve out chances through the middle and along the wings, but with the players not responding to this manager’s coaching methods this is an un-lovable grinding side that desperately needs someone like Williams to give us spark.

THE OPPOSITION

16 games, 1 win, 3 draws and 12 losses for The Hawks from Havant so far, which leaves them bottom of the table by 5 points. Would failing to beat Havant be one of the worst results in our history? Probably, but I lose track at the moment. Steve King’s team lost 3-0 at Worthing on Tuesday, but have signed strikers Ryan Seager and Kieran Phillips from Dorking and Kidderminster. Both strikers have scored goals in the past and with our defensive jitters, that’s a worry heading into this one. They also have a 3G pitch, which often means trouble for this Torquay United team. Despite those things, no bones about it, Havant are a team that we should be beating every day of the week.

THE STATEMENT (AND JOIN THE TRUST)

If Torquay United want to test our loyalty and patience to it’s limits, then they are doing a bang up job. George Edwards stated that he had no interest in Wednesday’s Fans’ Forum, but no sooner had the meeting finished, than the club were throwing their weight around and throwing out a statement mainly aimed at Trust chairman Nick Brodrick. This isn’t an ownership that wants to hear from supporters, they want to dictate to us and control the narrative, take our money whilst continuing to employ horribly underperforming management. More bad vibes and feeling to add to a season that has had plenty of them. Disappointing from the club, but not surprising, true colours being shown and supporters continually treated with disdain that doesn’t help anyone. Join TUST, and let’s get numbers up, the Yellow Army have more power if we’re United.