TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

Dom discusses the Boxing Day game

LOOKING FOR XMAS CHEER

The Chelmsford game was always going to be a tough one for this injury depleted Torquay side, and so it proved. The line-up looked lightweight prior to kick off and the Clarets just had too much strength for them to handle. Disappointing? Yes. But it’s been a decent run considering those injuries, and what’s most important now is we bounce back. No offence to Truro City, but playing them twice over this period is another sobering reminder of how low we’ve sunk in the football pyramid – where once it was Exeter, Plymouth or Bristol Rovers, now it’s the White Tigers. Only a win will suffice on Boxing Day that’s for sure.

THE OPPOSITION

Paul Wotton’s Truro team may just give us some problems in these two games, because in their last 5 they’ve won 4, beating Havant, Weston, St Albans and Chelmsford. Upfront they have Tyler Harvey, a player who is capable of scoring against any team in this league, including a Xmas cracker against Havant last time out. Other familiar names include ex-Gulls Ed Palmer and James Hamon. With United lacking squad numbers and a shadow of the team that faced them in 2018, the White Tigers will quietly fancy their chances of an upset I’m sure.

DEFENCE

Our form has improved in recent weeks and the team have been working harder for each other, but defensively the Gulls continue to offer up chances and continue to concede goals. No sooner had Gary Johnson crowed about our set piece defending, then we conceded two set piece goals, whilst players are doing okay individually at the back but nobody is really taking charge. The result has been very few clean sheets this season, and some of those were against lower division opponents. Would a big commanding Centre Back sort this out? Yes, maybe, but in the meantime Johnson and Downes need to work it out.

RETURN OF MCGAVIN

One man who will be raring to go after his suspension is Brett McGavin, and Shooter’s presence should help improve matters. The midfielder has become pivotal for the Gulls in the last few months, with his ability to get on the ball and keep us calm in possession, and of course his spectacular goals! After no shots on target against Chelmsford, United have to tidy things up in possession, and with the diminutive Theo Williams as our main striker, keep the ball on the deck!

GETTING BEHIND THE YOUNG GULLS

With many of the experienced players out, the team is very youthful and it’s therefore very important we get behind them in the coming games. Despite the poor quality at Chelmsford, there was effort from the lads, and at Plainmoor we should hopefully be able to put in a better performance. New signing Osman Foyo is one of those young lads, and I’m looking forward to seeing what this guy has got, but whoever is involved, let’s make our voices heard and encourage them onto 3 points. Merry Xmas to all!