TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom looks ahead to the away trip

BOUNCING BACK FROM BORO

After the joy of Enfield at home, Saturday’s away trip brought supporters back down to earth as we fell to a narrow defeat at Farnborough. It was always going to be a tougher game for Wotton’s team. On another day the Gulls could have salvaged a draw or even battled out a victory, but the Boro are no mugs and will beat many teams at home this season (and away), so whilst losing was disappointing it should not raise any panic buttons to be pushed! We are, after all, only two games into a new season with a squad who have been mainly pieced together in the last 2 months. Relationships are still being forged and creases in our play will continue to need ironing out, that’s inevitable. With Football of course, there is always a chance before long to bounce back, and that takes us to Twerton Park…

PLAYMAKERS

I think one of the most obvious talking points from the first two games is the use of Omar Mussa, and his early substitution both times for Lirak Hasani. Although I liked what I saw from Omar against Enfield, he’s got a lot to prove in a Yellow shirt and clearly needs to get fitter and sharper in the coming weeks. The attacking midfielder can be a difference maker, but NLS teams are now stronger and faster than ever, so he’ll need to earn the right to play, as will the whole Torquay team, and Farnborough’s physicality gave us plenty to think about on Saturday afternoon. Meanwhile Hasani does look up to speed, so I can envisage him coming into the line-up for the Bath game. More unassuming than Mussa, the ex-Gateshead man is less direct and less likely to beat two or three defenders, but has nice movement and the eye for a defence splitting pass around the penalty area. Maybe we’ll see both in the line-up at some point, the onus is certainly on these guys to make something happen behind the strikers.

THE LINE-UP

Despite reverting to 4-3-3 at the weekend, it would be a surprise if Paul Wotton didn’t stick to his preferred 3-5-2 formation, and the most likely change on Tuesday night is the already discussed switch from Omar Mussa to Lirak Hasani. Matt Carson and Oscar Threlkeld also came off early on Saturday so both could be doubts for this one. Paul Wotton will be wary of giving Threlkeld too many minutes after his previous injury problems, in which case Roddy Collins is an energetic deputy, whilst Jay Foulston could move into Carson’s wing back role if necessary.

CODY COOKE (AND EX-BATH TEAM MATES)

One player who did do well at Farnborough was Cody Cooke, who won plenty of challenges against the opposition centre back and worked hard to give his team mates a viable option up top. Wotton will be keen to get players in and around the striker to make the most of these knock downs and create more chances at goal. The ex-Bath man has been unlucky not to score in the first two matches, and whilst the Romans know him very well, bagging a goal versus a former club happens so often (usually against us!), it would be no shock to see him open his account on Tuesday night. The ex-Bath bunch of Cooke, Hayfield and Dyer will be revved up for this one, and could all play key roles for United.

THE OPPOSITION

Jerry Gill has been manager at Bath City since October 2017, and has led the team to the NLS play-offs on a few occasions, including last season when they finished 6th. If someone mentions Bath City (a) to me I’m instantly transported back to the chaos of January 2018 only a few months after Gill had taken the reins. The Yellow Army travelled in big numbers, but the Gulls threw away a 2-1 lead with Jake Andrews missing a penalty and some late chances going begging. It was some atmosphere though, and a reminder of happier days under Gary Johnson. Last season we lost again (1-0) on a much more subdued afternoon, so we do owe them one at Twerton Park! The Romans have started in similar fashion to the Gulls, with one win and one loss on their record, and boast two very experienced strikers in the form of Alex Fisher and Scott Wilson. If our defence handle those two well and United can strike the first blow it could well be our evening. Another tough away day for Wotton’s team though, let’s hope this one goes our way.

ON YOUR BIKE!

And finally, well done to Gulls supporter Alan Wills who has cycled between Farnborough and Bath in aid of Prostate Cancer. Great effort Al! You can donate HERE