TALKING POINTS
Dom Roman
@DomRoman
Dom discusses the draw at Plainmoor
GREAT START
Let’s start with some positives! The two goals that United tucked away in the first 20 minutes were both excellent in their own right. I have discussed the virtues of Ethon Archer in the last few days and suggested that we needed to get him touches in the box, and that’s how the 1st goal came about. Quick feet from the lad and a smart pass to set the chance up for Jack Stobbs, who timed his run well and slotted home. The 2nd was even better and is comfortably one of the best worked team goals we’ve scored this season. An accurate long ball to Ash, calm control, then an inch perfect whipped cross from Stobbs, matched by a fine finish from Jude-Boyd. The sort of exciting play we’d hope to see from the Gulls this season, with smart touches, busy movement, accurate passing and clinical finishes. Suddenly the game of Football appeared easier and the lads looked like proper professional footballers. Unfortunately it wouldn’t last…
REVERTING TO TYPE
At 2-0 Torquay had the Seagulls by the throat and should have pushed on from there to win the match, no excuses this was a game in the palm of their hands. But this poor United team continually struggle to manage games, and as Weston started to find their passing rhythm, the Gulls drifted backwards alarmingly and allowed them space to get a foothold in the game, with Halstead letting a low shot slip underneath him (again) to make it 2-1. Firmer and more aggressive leadership was required at this point, but United stopped doing what they had done well in the first 20 minutes and cowered under pressure from the away team, with ex-Gull Reuben Reid at the forefront as Weston woke up and picked us apart.
BALL WATCHING
Defensively both teams were a mess, especially in the first half, and when the Seagulls moved forward with purpose, they found gaps with ease. There is a real lack of communication within the team (and has been for 3 years), but what we do have in abundance is the ability to watch the ball rather than the man! On numerous occasions a Weston attacker would move into space, and United would fail to track them. This happened in all areas of the defensive third, and it beggared belief how many times WSM could find a team-mate unmarked in the box. Just because players are back in defensive positions doesn’t mean they are doing their jobs, and never was that more apparent than on Easter Monday. A proper shambles to be honest.
ETHON ARCHER
Archer got positive reviews for his performance at Yeovil and deservedly so. He never shies from the action and is also keen to have a good go at the opposition, which was shown when he skinned the full back on Monday and assisted sweetly for Stobbs. But WSM also exploited his weaknesses after that, namely how he over-commits for the ball, fails to track runs and also likes too much time in possession. His partnership with AJB looked threatening going forward but was a real issue in defensive situations, so you can see why Downes has preferred other options in recent weeks in the hope of making the team harder to beat. I don’t like to be too harsh on Archer mind, he’s just a young raw player who needs time and most importantly good coaching to progress. The potential is certainly there.
UPFRONT
‘Brad Ash can’t play on his own upfront’ is the general consensus amongst United supporters, and there is a fair bit of truth in that. If Torquay push forward, use the ball smartly and the midfielders move well around the striker it can work though, and it often did for the first 20 minutes against Weston. But as soon as the midfield/defence retreat backwards and the ball starts going direct (stop kicking it long Asa!), Ash is going to obviously struggle because he’s not strong or skilful enough to hold onto the ball (often dallying on it rather than using it quickly). The temptation may be to chuck Acheampong up alongside him, but teams so often pack the midfield these days, I’m not sure that would be the answer…well not a good one anyway! Attacking wise we did at least score 3 goals, so priority must be given this week to somehow tightening up that leaky defensive unit. Welling are another dangerous team, so we will have to be markedly better without the ball to get anything up there, otherwise yet more away day blues are on their way.
ARKELL JUDE-BOYD
If we had found more characters like AJB in the last few years then results would not have been as painful! Defensively AJB didn’t have a great game, his over enthusiastic challenge allowed WSM to break down the right for their 2nd goal, whilst his partnership with Archer was confused defensively – but we can forgive him that because of the energy and drive he brings to the team from the 1st minute to the last. He is simply desperate to make things happen on the pitch and would not let an injury deter him from pushing the team on. Two goals from an impressive young guy who has been United’s best player since arriving and someone who should have a bright future in the game.
COYY – DOM
OTHER ARTICLES
TT PARTNERS
TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – ETSY – YOUTUBE – FACEBOOK
TORQUAYTALK 