TT BLOG

Joe Uglow – @Joe_Ugs

Joe takes a look at some takeaways from the first 20 games under Paul Wotton

NOT A ONE TRICK PONY

20 league matches in and Paul Wotton is starting to show the Yellow Army that he isn’t wedded to the 3-5-2 formation that started the season. In fairness to Paul the early signs were there, as early as the second match away at Farnborough he switched to 4-3-3 in the second half but around the 15 match mark it remained to be seen how we could get the best out of our attacking players to build on our solid backline.

Now in the last few games a change to 4-3-3 has got the United attack ticking with 8 goals scored in two games, and a fast paced, quick-thinking approach suddenly being taken by the Yellows. There will no doubt be times where further formation shuffles are required but it’s been really refreshing to see Paul Wotton willing to move away from a formation he’s obviously more comfortable with.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CODY COOKE

A near ever-present at the heart of United’s attack, Cody has shown why we were willing to pay out money in the Summer to bring the Cornishman to Plainmoor. There simply is not another player in the United squad that can perform the role that Cooke does, and that’s probably the only position on the pitch we can say that. It’s so important that Cody remains fit as there wont be too many loanee options available to come in and play that big physical striker role, given that most academies favour the ball on the deck and subsequently the 6foot plus targetman role seems to be a dying breed in the modern day game.

WOTTON BUILDING ON A SOLID BASE

A main theme of our season so far has been our solidity at the back, Dreyer has been absolutely outstanding at the centre of it all, ably backed up by Jay Foulston & Jordan Dyer, and special mention to Ed Palmer for his stint at the back as well as numerous last 10 minute cameo’s. The solid defensive base has provided Paul Wotton with an excellent platform to build on, grinding out results at some difficult places to visit.

Now as we enter the second half of the season our full time status should start to show and with the tweaks to how we go forward starting to come to fruition, it feels like a real opportunity to kick on & push for one of those coveted top 3 spots.

MAKING PLAINMOOR A FORTRESS

A theme of recent seasons has been our fragility at home, as part-time teams turned up and rolled us over with barely a fight put up by Johnson’s wimps. That couldn’t be further from the truth about Wotton’s men, working hard for each other, and backed by a fantastic crowd, who’s numbers are more deserving of two levels higher. Not losing at home is essential to any promotion push, and although there’s probably been a couple more draws than we’d have liked, its excellent to see Plainmoor being seen as a fortress once again!

WIDE OPEN LEAGUE

20 games in and no one has ran away with it at the top yet, and in a league where anyone seems capable of beating anyone that’s unlikely to be the case. Weston-super-Mare had a fantastic start but having only played 4 of the top 9 are now starting to stutter against those sides around them. Truro are another side that have surpassed expectations and it makes for a fantastic New Years Day game at Plainmoor, if Torquay can come out on top, then United fans can start to dream of a top three finish. Dorking have got over their early season injury woes, and seem to be motoring now, their 7-1 win last week showed how much attacking power they possess and you’d expect to see them in one of the top three spots. Full time status should aid both Boreham Wood & Maidstone in the second half of the season, and you wouldn’t bet against either of them being up there or abouts come the final day. It’s certainly not an easy one to predict and will be a fascinating battle to see who ends up on top on April 26th.

THE YELLOW ARMY TURNING OUT IN FORCE

Whether it’s turning out in massive numbers, putting their hand in their pocket and investing in the football club or purchasing the various offerings that VX3 has served up this year the Yellow Army have answered the call. An average attendance of 3330 is fantastic and that’s before we even have a potential 5000+ NYD crowd. Even our lowest league attendance is more than any other team’s biggest attendance this season, and the Yellow Army just keep delivering for their club and the Bryn Consortium.

Shirt sales must be at least double of any previous season and its fantastic to see so many replica shirts not only worn on a matchday but around the local area in the week too.

There’s a real buzz about Plainmoor at the moment and long may it continue, I’m sure Paul Wotton and the boys appreciate their 12th man Home & Away.