TALKING POINTS
Dom Roman
@DomRoman
Dom discusses the NLS game
THE WAIT GOES ON
We continue to live in a world of uncertainty surrounding Torquay United’s future and their ownership, and as we enter Administration the debate moves to whether this is the best scenario for the Gulls (moving out of Clarke’s hands). Well I hope so, but I don’t think we’ll know until the decisions are made and we can start to move forwards as a football club. In the meantime the team have got four away games in a row to look forward to! Can Aaron Downes get the players focused and motivated enough with all that’s going on off the pitch? Five points clear of the relegation places, there should be enough buffer in the league and enough quality in the TUFC dressing room to make us safe before the last day fixture with Havant, but the proof, as always, will be in the pudding.
THE LINE-UP
Aaron Downes suggested that Kevin Dawson has a chance of returning this weekend, and that would be a considerable boost to our struggling midfield. Tom Lapslie and Brett McGavin looked jaded figures over Easter, one lacking full fitness and in an emotional whirl during football matches, whilst the other did not appear ready for a game of football in the 2nd half at Plainmoor on Monday. Dawson can help knit them together and make us more difficult to play against. Otherwise it’s whether Downes decides to put Ollie Tomlinson, Lewis Collins or Duane Acheampong back into the line-up to rejig things. After stout defence against Hampton, United’s defence was given the plaudits, but 6 goals conceded in the last two games has seen the same old problems occur, so whatever the line-up, Downes must find some improvement in that area.
MARK HALSTEAD
There have been some negative comments about Mark Halstead recently on social media, whilst he’s also commanded discussion on the Gull’s Eye View (See below!). Despite a very good start to the season, Mark’s form has been patchy at times. He is, of course, not helped time and time again by Torquay’s generous defensive unit, but the keeper just isn’t making saves you’d hope he would make. The first goal from Weston SM on Monday is a good example of that. The shot was well hit, but came from a decent way out and at an angle, in my opinion he should be saving that. Instead the ball went under the keeper and WSM were back in the game. Mark’s inability to adjust his feet quickly enough has been notable in the last few months, and whilst he’s still one of the better keepers at this level, he’s not excelling as we’d hoped (the end of that sentence relates to many of this squad!). We’ll need a stronger performance from him at Welling.
THE OPPOSITION
Welling United looked in big trouble in the early months of the season, but after appointing Rod Stringer at the end of January the Wings have not only improved, but moved clear of the relegation zone and even secured a victory away to league leaders Yeovil Town. Stringer has brought in a number of players and used all his previous managerial experience since arriving to steady the ship. In the Wings’ last game they drew 1-1 away at Maidstone, so this is undoubtedly going to be a tough prospect for United, especially with our dreadful away form. They boast one ex-Gull in Chiori Johnson, a utility player who spent the 2021-22 season at Plainmoor (after joining us from…Welling).
DO IT FOR THE YELLOW ARMY!
A number of our contributors are regular away followers of the Gulls and boy have they suffered this season! The Gulls on their travels have been consistently poor, more often than not finding themselves on the back foot, allowing the opposition to score first and then being unable to find a way back into the game. Welling United will fancy their chances, make no mistake about that, and United have to stand up and be counted. The Yellow Army deserve more for their dedication, 5 games left in one of the most difficult seasons to digest in our history, give them something to celebrate on their journeys home lads.
COYY – DOM
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