TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

Dom discusses the NLS game

ONE GAME AT A TIME!

When Torquay United win this season, the post-game interviews usually focus on the team ‘getting a run of form together’, let’s stop messing and keep winning now is the narrative. But we really just need to take one game at a time, because this season’s rollercoaster of results does not point to the Gulls suddenly turning into the Invincibles! The next fixture is a good test after Tuesday’s fireworks and it’s 9th place Tonbridge Angels coming to Plainmoor looking to upset United and heap more pressure on Gary Johnson once again. This is a game the Plainmoor faithful will expect United to win, but the away team will have other ideas…

THE ANGELS

Ex-Maidstone manager Jay Saunders was appointed last year and has done well at Tonbridge, with a 9th position in the league last season followed up by a good start to 2023/24. Indeed the team are 7 matches unbeaten in the NLS, and matched United on Tuesday night with their own 4-1 win, against lowly Havant. Their two top scorers are midfielder Lewis Gard and Jordan Greenidge, the latter is a big target man who could cause problems for the likes of Tomlinson and Marshall. Angels’ captain is experienced midfielder Scott Wagstaff who played for a number of EFL clubs and will look to stamp his authority on the game. All in all a team that certainly should not be under-estimated and what will most likely be a much sterner test than Tuesday night.

THE LINE-UP

The news from the Yellow Army podcast of Callum Dolan returning to Fleetwood was a body blow this week, especially after his blockbuster goal at Priory Lane. He’s been a lovely player to watch and Gary Johnson will be hugely disappointed at losing him. Without that news I’d assume the side would be unchanged, but this could mean Lewis Collins moving back into midfield (with Theo Williams slotting back in), or Asa Hall/Ryan Hanson coming back in (if fit). Whatever the decision the United side is weakened, and that puts more pressure on Brett McGavin and Tom Lapslie to grab hold of the midfield.

SCORING FIRST!

The difference in results between Torquay scoring 1st or 2nd this season is stark! In 11 games where the Gulls have scored first, they have won 10 and drawn 1. In contrast scoring 2nd has lead to only 3 wins and 9 losses. What does this show? A lack of resilience springs to mind, United are okay when they can get in front and control matters, but when things have been going wrong, Gary Johnson and his team don’t often have the right answers. These stats need to level out if we are to start finding some kind of consistency.

WELL DONE TUST

Two games with completely different results and a lot of news from the club and TUST in recent days has made for an eventful week! It’s hard to get overly enthusiastic about the Clarke interview, club online forum or supporter steering group, but on a positive note these are steps in the right direction. Would these announcements have happened without the TUST’s push and us making noise as supporters, I doubt it very much! It shows we can make a difference together and keep asking for better from our football club. Well done to all involved, especially the TUST for their continued efforts. Let’s keep making our voices heard, whilst backing the team on the pitch, with hopefully 3 points tomorrow the reward.