TT PREVIEW

Gabriel talks about the Towners

SEASON SO FAR

So after promotion last term, this season was always going to be one of giddy optimism mixed with a heavy dose of reality. We’ve been fighting an uphill battle from the off, to be honest, having lost some key players towards the end of pre-season. There have been some flickers of hope (the performances away to Torquay and Dorking; wins over Bath, Weston & Weymouth), but we haven’t quite gone further than that. We have thrown an unmentionable number of goals – and points – away in the late throes of matches this season, but we’ve tightened up of late and seem to be gradually improving. Now we just need the results to match.

RECENT FORM

Well, the table certainly doesn’t lie in terms of results. What it perhaps doesn’t indicate is our slow but steady improvement over the past few weeks in terms of performances. Early-season drubbings by Slough and Maidstone put a huge dent in our goal difference, but we’ve since had something of a squad reshape, which the gaffer isn’t usually inclined to do, and we definitely have more steel about us than we did in the early weeks of the campaign. The top end has been a problem at times this season, though, and our toothlessness has undoubtedly cost us points.

HIGHLIGHTS

That Weston-super-Mare game back in August was incredible. There was so much anticipation around our first home match at this level, so to grind out a victory and show the spirit that we did, in brilliant sunshine, was such a joy. It’s pleasing that Weston have done as well as they have since, too; it should hopefully give our boys belief that they can test anyone in this league, in spite of where we currently find ourselves. The away day to Plainmoor on opening day also deserves a mention – just an unbelievable day, and lots to be proud of in spite of the result. Props to the lads for using my birthday to grab our only away win at Twerton Park as well!

KEY PLAYERS

Adam Thompson has been immense since coming into the back line. We’ve missed that kind of defensive experience and leadership, and he’s slowly building a partnership with ex-Cardiff trainee Xavier Benjamin and Welsh U19 skipper Dan Cox. Off the pitch, he’s a great bloke to have around the club as well. Our other Welsh youth international, Alfie Tuck, has been absolutely fantastic since joining on loan from QPR, slotting seamlessly into the midfield and demonstrating a composure on the ball well beyond his years, while agile forward Lennon Peake has really come into his own of late.

THE MANAGER

As with several managers, Gavin always has (at least) a plan B in terms of setup, as well as a preferred system. Last season, that first choice system was often a 4-4-2 with a reliance on positional discipline and shape. That morphed towards the end of the season into a back three (or five without the ball) with wing-backs providing width, and that’s what we’ve largely – but not exclusively – seen this year.

THE LINE-UP?

There was slight surprise at naming an unchanged team in midweek after battling to a point at Dorking. Not just because we ran ourselves into the ground, but because there’s a sense that we haven’t quite gelled into our very best version of ourselves. There are unlikely to be any wholesale alterations, but I’d maybe expect a reshuffle at the top end of the pitch and potentially in centre-mid.

PRE-MATCH REFRESHMENTS

The stadium is about 20-30 mins on foot from the centre of town, where you’ll find the most restaurants and pubs. The pubs on the canal – namely the Cricketer’s Arms and the Crown & Horseshoes – are among your best bets. There’s a Toby Carvery right on the junction to the stadium too if that’s your choosing.

BEST OPPOSITION

Slavi Spasov and Slough were absolutely ruthless when they came to us at the end of August. I reckon a few people are underestimating what Hampton & Richmond can do on their day, too. Josh Keeya (who we had for a fleeting spell last season) absolutely ran the show when we went to the Beveree in September.