TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade

@tufcchris

Chris discusses the Trophy game

THE TROPHY

Saturday sees the first instalment of our FA Trophy campaign for 2023/24. And let’s be honest, the draw couldn’t have been anymore unkind at this stage of the competition than the NLS leaders on a run of 14 consecutive wins now could it? But a home game is always what you want and gives us the best opportunity to progress. Anybody that was at Plainmoor last week will know the scale of the task that awaits us on Saturday. The Yeovil train has been unstoppable and has run over everything in its way in recent months, and the challenge will be how we can stop that.

INJURIES

The squad has been really depleted in recent weeks through a combination of injuries and suspension. It’s unclear (as ever) who will be back at the weekend, but the goalkeeping situation looks to be clearing. We’ve had Lovett for the injured Halstead and Filip Chalupniczak for the injured Lovett in recent weeks, but it looks like the number one Mark Halstead could be back at the weekend. It seems like Tom Lapslie could be absent for a few more weeks yet (again), and Ross Marshall may be available after sustaining a dead leg against the same opponents last week. The promising debut of Ethon Archer at Havant last week won’t be followed up this weekend due to being cup tied, but Brett McGavin does return from suspension.

EARLY GOAL

Now, I like a stat. But this one has now been tickling me for weeks and weeks and weeks and weeks. Since Saturday 5 August in fact. That was the last time that we scored a goal in the first thirty minutes of a game against NLS opposition (we did manage it in the FA Cup!). An absolutely staggering stat and frankly one that I am bored of repeating. So it’s time to do something about it this weekend. We simply aren’t starting games quickly enough, and allow teams onto us by being second to everything. The first ten minutes against Yeovil last week were promising but delivered no goals. We need to find a way to get onto the front foot, into opposition territory and get ahead. It makes such a difference in games and means that you aren’t chasing games and can control the narrative.

THE OPPOSITION

What a run Yeovil are on. 14 consecutive wins is incredible at any level, and that standard of consistency should be applauded. But we need to find a way to unpick the lock and get into the next round. Yeovil sustained a couple of injuries during their midweek 4-2 win over Farnborough and may look to rotate a few players. The depth of their squad could be tested at the weekend. But whatever eleven that they put onto the pitch will be a strong one and we will need to be at our best.

IMPORTANT RUN

This is the start of an important and busy run between now and Christmas for the Yellows. Progression to the next round of the Trophy would be an excellent way to embark of a run of three more away games in the league as we head towards December. Consistency is something that we have really lacked, and this time of the season is a good time to find it. A spell of fewer injuries wouldn’t hurt either, as being able to select a consistent eleven really helps.