TALKING POINTS
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Chris Wade
@tufcchris
Chris discusses the NLS game
MIDWEEK DISAPPOINTMENT
It was a real shame that Tuesday night’s trip to Taunton was postponed after an inspection at 1330. When you are winning games, you just want to keep playing and keep winning, and although it would have been a tough test, this group of players will feel that they can take anything on right now. That challenge will have to wait until February, but we turn our heads to a difficult trip to Chelmsford and the chance to complete our first double of the season.
MISSING MCGAVIN
One of the key factors of this weekend will be the absence of Shooter, Brett McGavin. He has become an absolutely vital cog in the Yellow wheel, taking the ball of the centre back, driving forward or picking a pass. His frankly ridiculous dismissal against Hemel Hempstead last weekend was right in front of where I was sat and it was as clear as day that the whistle did not go before he booted the ball up the pitch. I have no clue what the referee was doing, other than he seemed desperate to dish out as many cards as possible. With the injury situation currently, the replacement will be a challenge and how to build them into the system. I can see Will Jenkins Davies picking up that ball carrier role, with perhaps Dillon De Silva coming into midfield. There really aren’t many options.
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AWAY FORM
Back to back four goal hauls at Eastbourne in the NLS and Frome in the FA Trophy have given the away record a better look than it has up to now. Both of those performances were full of attacking verve and good goals. But the record against sides in the top half is nowhere close to good enough and needs to get better. The aforementioned selection challenges won’t help that, but the core from last week should still be capable of bringing back all 3 points.
ETHON’S IMPACT
The performance of new boy Ethon Archer was a highlight of the three points last week. He has been taking some time to adjust to professional football and the requirements of the day to day role, but he clearly has pace and ability and it was great to see that last week. He has the ability to move with the ball and carry it up the pitch, and he also looks to have a goal in him, with him claiming his first Torquay goal last week (ish). He will be sure to have another opportunity on Saturday.
THE OPPOSITION
A record of won 8 drawn 8 lost 6 shows the inconsistencies that have been an issue for the Clarets this season. 2 wins and 3 defeats from the last five also highlights this. But it was a very good game at Plainmoor earlier in the season, where a very late own goal saw the points stay in Devon. It is a very open stadium with a running track around the outside, so United will have to get to the pace of conditions early and impose themselves on the game. 3 points for Christmas anybody?
COYY – CHRIS
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