TT PREVIEW

Ben Wade

SATURDAY

In the first game at Plainmoor of the 2024/25 campaign, the Gulls were defeated 2-0 by South Devon rivals Plymouth Argyle. There were many positives to take out of the fixture, but the amount of support given by the Yellow Army was clearly second to none. The squad that Wotton and Warnock have put together seems to be strong defensively, not conceding versus Tavistock or Buckland and just letting in two facing Championship opponents in Plymouth. All in all a solid start.

THE YELLOW ARMY

After the lows in particular last season, it is very warming and reassuring to see the amount of people wanting to go to the games and feeling optimistic about their club, and despite them being friendlies the Yellow Army have been in fine form. Like every season we need everyone’s support for TUFC at Plainmoor and away from home in the coming months. If there is anywhere near as much love and heart that was given on Saturday, the match up with Exeter should be an enjoyable evening.

POSITIONS & TACTICS

With a playing squad slightly over 20, with Warnock’s assistance, Paul Wotton has signed a lot of players who are proven to be capable at NLS level. The manager is most likely to play a 5-3-2/3-5-2 formation. The two wing backs give the width without wingers, and you’ve got defensive solidity and know-how at the back, especially through Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer. The three central midfielders appear energetic and can protect the backline and support the forwards. The two strikers need to run in behind, get into good positions and, when in those positions, be clinical. Overall there looks like a good balance amongst the squad. I feel like I trust Wotton, he’s brought in the correct players to do the jobs that the formation requires and we look well-set for the coming games.

THE GRECIANS

Our local rivals Exeter City finished 13th in EFL League One last season after what can only be described as an up and down campaign. The Grecians dramatically lost 4-1 here last year. It was a heated encounter involving a battering from the Gulls and a Sweeney sending off. Their busy pre-season schedule this year started with a trip up the M5 to Tiverton and then Weston-Super-Mare later in the week. Three days later, The Grecians beat Mousehole down in Cornwall. A comfortable victory over Yeovil at Huish Park followed, and Oxford/Bristol City away fixtures takes them into the fixture vs TUFC.

WHAT TO EXPECT

As it is the fourth friendly match for Torquay, the staff are still figuring out the team and getting valuable minutes into everyone’s legs. It is important to rotate and give everyone game time and get the squad match fit and firing for the Enfield Town game on 10 August. Tonight, you should expect an action-packed, competitive and occasionally heated match with the rivalry in mind, hopefully with solid Gulls performances and no injuries.