TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade

@tufcchris

Chris discusses the NLS game

EXPERIENCE

What last weekend’s 1-0 home victory of Hampton and Richmond showed is that there is no substitute for experience. The five most experienced players of Mark Halstead, Dean Moxey, Asa Hall, Kevin Dawson and Tom Lapslie started a league game together for the first time this season and it certainly showed. The leadership of captain Asa Hall was massive in the new role of centre of the back three, and the presence of the skipper alongside Dean Moxey gave Ross Marshall the reassurance and guidance that he needs. Whilst there are a whole number of reasons as to why this season has been challenging, injuries and the lack of availability of these five at the same time is right up there. It may be wishful thinking for these players to all stay fit for the final 7 games, but it would certainly be a big help.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

There must be real frustration for Asa Hall that his body has let him down at such regular intervals in the last two years. As when he is available, there is no doubting that he is key to a successful and functional team structure. His role in the centre of the back three showed his influence when the skipper is playing, and of course there was also his rather key contribution from the penalty spot. Whether or not he wants to keep playing after this season only he knows. But the option of a centre back cannot be discounted, as the running is nowhere near as important as it in the centre of midfield. Asa will need to be at his best at Huish Park, and he will determined to show his very best in the remaining games.

AWAY AGONY

Our away form has been frankly abysmal this season. There is no other word for it. Three away wins (curiously all on artificial surfaces) shows why we have struggled for any kind of consistency as the season has progressed. The lasty away win was five (FIVE) months ago at Eastbourne, so there is no kind of confidence going into these away games that are coming up. After Friday’s tough assignment, trips to Welling, Truro and Taunton are still to come. So there are more than enough points available to us, but we need to turn up away from home to stay away from danger. Friday is almost a free hit in the grand scheme of things, and anything from the match, given the respective league positions, would be a bonus.

THE OPPOSITION

There’s no doubt that the Glovers have been the outstanding team in the National League South this season. 83 points on the board leaves them three wins from promotion, and Friday is their first opportunity. A recent run of four matches without a win was ended with a 1-0 win at in-form Braintree, ending their run of fourteen games unbeaten. A certain Frank Nouble scored the winner. But that recent poor run included back to back home defeats, and as our resident Yeovil expert Sheridan Robins told us on Gulls Eye View during this week, the fans can get on their backs if they don’t get ahead early. So the first 20 to 30 minutes is key in keeping them quiet and then trying to get in front. But the victory last weekend and another home game on Monday means that we can just give it a good go, and I’m sure the fantastic Yellow Army will be there in numbers to cheer them along.