TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris looks ahead to the game at Plainmoor

BACK TO PLAINMOOR

Saturday sees Torquay return to Plainmoor for the first time on a Saturday since 21 September (much to the annoyance of my 7 year old son!). Whilst Tuesday nights under the lights are always special, there is also something special about a Saturday afternoon and all that it brings. They are also important financially for clubs too. The attendances at Plainmoor so far this season have been nothing short of incredible, so more of that at the weekend could roar us onto success.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIRST GOAL

Far too often this season already, including in the previous three games, we have conceded the first goal. As Paul Wotton noted during this week, statistically you won’t lose 72% of the time when you score the first goal. We haven’t started games very well in recent games, and have regularly surrounded possession to the opposition and let them get a foot hold in the game before being able to impose ourselves on them. Our home form has been good and we remain unbeaten, but we need to get on the front foot early and get the first goal at the weekend to enable us to dictate the pace of the game, which in turn stops the opposition slowing the game down.

STOPPING THE SHOTS!

Another recent trend has been the amount of shots and goals that we are conceding from outside of the penalty box. The last two games have seen frighteningly similar goals from outside of the box. The fact that Hornchurch entered our box once last week and we lost 2-1 shows the importance of defending the edge of the box as well as inside it. We have defended well this season and have repelled crosses and balls across the box well. But the midfield will need to be vigilant to the edge of the box to stop the risk reappearing again this weekend.

NEW ARRIVAL

There is no doubt that there will be a buzz around Plainmoor on Saturday with the first opportunity to see new signing Jordan Young. The reaction to his arrival has been as significant as I can remember for a new player, and it would be awesome for him to hit the ground running. He brings pace, positivity and drive to a forward line that has lacked it at times. A player of his quality isn’t often available, and he signed for Torquay over other suitors. His ability to move with the ball and provide a goal threat is exciting to consider and will be another interesting element to the coming weeks.

THE OPPOSITION

Chelmsford come to Plainmoor on the back of 4 wins in their last 6 games, so it will not be an easy task. Former Gulls favorite Kalvin Kalala will want to put in a good performance, along with former loanee and current form man Osman Foyo. As mentioned, the first goal will be important, along with the feel good factor that a new signing brings. But we shouldn’t be afraid of anybody in this league and have to impose ourselves on them from the off. This is that start of a very busy November, and it would be good to start it with three more points on Saturday.