TALKING POINTS
Dom Roman
@DomRoman
Dom discusses the NLS game
BACK HOME
Torquay United return to Plainmoor on Saturday. In discussing United’s recent run, the home form has been described by Gary Johnson as pretty good, maybe that’s in comparison to the wretched away form, but a defeat to Truro, draw against Eastbourne and narrow win over Dover is not exactly sparkling is it? Keep grabbing at those straws GJ! What did those three games have in common? Sloppy play, dodgy defending and not testing the opposition keeper nearly enough. United need to up their game in all areas of the pitch, because St Albans City are a better team than Truro, Eastbourne and Dover, and could well punish us if we put in another poor performance. Another defeat and even Dom Mee will struggling to keep his questioning upbeat.
THE OPPOSITION
St Albans come to Plainmoor after 4 wins in 5 games, but also without a manager, with David Noble leaving for Wealdstone last week and Harry Wheeler (ex-Maidstone and Billericay) in temporary charge. They have players who have found their form in recent times, and that’s a big concern as we head into this game. This includes Zane Banton and Shaun Jeffers. Jeffers is a very experienced striker who has bagged plenty of goals at this level, whilst Banton is pinpointed as a key man on our Opposition Q&A and will be dangerous attacking from wing back. Other players include George Hoddle in midfield, Michael Johnson in goal and new boy Jake Burger who has moved on loan from Luton Town this week and is described as versatile and someone who ‘likes to get on the ball and find forward passes’.
THE LINE-UP
There could be a number of changes from the Worthing defeat. Dean Moxey and Will Jenkins Davies will definitely be missing through suspension, and Mark Halstead and Ross Marshall both picked up knocks which make them doubts for this one. After sitting out last week’s game Asa Hall comes back into the reckoning, Finley Craske managed the 2nd half last weekend, whilst Duane Ofori-Acheampong also looks likely to make the squad after injury and Rhys Lovett would automatically step in for Halstead. If Marshall is fit then I guess he will slot alongside Tomlinson at CB, whilst Craske takes the right back role…without Ross, young Callum Thomas could be handed a start. The key appears to be Tom Lapslie and Brad Ash at the moment, they are looking to give United a spark and drag us out of this rut with their energy and enthusiasm, let’s hope the others step up to the task.
BIG FEBRUARY
8 GAMES IN FEBRUARY…CRIKEY! The tiring grind of watching Torquay this season is real, so eight games in 25 days is a proper challenge of attrition for the Yellow Army. The only way to curb some of the frustration that supporters are hurting with, is wins, and making us feel that the end game of promotion is indeed possible. At the moment you can see online and hear on the terraces the annoyance everybody is feeling with their club and with their manager, and you can sense that supporters patience has been worn to the brink. The Community Day will sugar coat the attendance figure this weekend, but add more poor performances and more unfriendly soundbites from the manager this month, and many supporters will simply stop making the effort to attend. Pressure on TUFC to perform.