TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom discusses the Boxing Day draw

XMAS SCRAPS

If the wins over Weston-super-Mare and Farnborough rightfully gave us real confidence that Torquay United will be sailing on top of the National League South next April, then the Hemel and Weymouth games have brought us back down to earth a little. In some ways this doesn’t make sense, if we’re comfortably beating play-off contenders then surely we should also be comfortably beating two lowly teams that have barely scrapped out any wins between them in months? But it’s often been the hard working underdogs that have given United trouble this season, and so it proved again on Boxing Day. Much like Hemel, Weymouth were compact, reasonably organised, committed to the task of making life difficult for the Gulls and were also ready to attack when allowed the chance. We still managed two goals, but you can’t always count on the defence to stand firm and sometimes you need a 3rd, and Wotton’s men couldn’t grab it on this occasion. In truth the spirited Terras were worthy of their point.

HIGHLIGHTS – JENKINS DAVIES GOAL – YOUTUBE CLIP

LACKING SHARPNESS

Much of our attacking intent fell short in the final third, with Jordan Young one of the main culprits, losing the ball on numerous occasions as a defender got tight, whilst United struggled continually to knit together passes around the box. The pitch felt slow and bobbly which didn’t help, but all in all the poor distribution and control in possession made the game a tough watch. We are of course talking about somewhat limited National League South players, but the likes of Young, Mussa, WJD, Wood, Hasani and Morgan have the technique to do better and also be more adventurous with their movement. Much of United’s success this season has been based on a solid defensive unit and their ability to battle out results, if we can just develop sharper cohesion in attacking areas (with Morgan perhaps starting) then games like this one will be won.

HIGHLIGHTS – GOODSHIP FIRST GOAL – YOUTUBE CLIP

THE MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER IN THE SQUAD

One of the main requests for Gulls supporters this Xmas, if pushed, would be unwrapping a capable deputy for Cody Cooke (2nd request = more bar staff serving in Boots and Gulls Nest!!). The striker was again on the scoresheet at the Bob Lucas, nodding in a lovely curling cross from Jordan Young, and as usual he did what he could upfront in the face of plenty of physical pressure. A new signing would have to A) Be strong and experienced enough to make difference in the squad & B) Be happy spending much of his time sat next to Paul Wotton on the bench. Someone who ticks those boxes could be difficult to find. We suffered a downturn in form during 2020-21 after Danny Wright was injured on Boxing Day, thankfully Cooke did not suffer anything similar this time around, but as concerns go, it’s probably the biggest we have at this time. The most important player in the squad? It feels like it.

HIGHLIGHTS – CODY COOKE GOAL – YOUTUBE CLIP

KEEPING FOCUS ON THE PITCH & PERSPECTIVE IN THE STANDS

Drawing 2-2 at the bottom team is a quick reminder for the Gulls that they need to keep focus in every single game if this title is to be won. You could just feel our concentration dropping in periods of the Boxing Day clash, with some very sloppy passing giving the home team encouragement to push toward and too many gaps appearing as the game opened up. Thankfully the team hasn’t lost it’s focus too many times this season, and I’m sure they’ll be geared up for New Year’s Day. Meanwhile it’s understandable to feel disappointed at the result, but there’s no need for any panic stations as we head into 2025. Quite the opposite in fact! We’re perched handily at the top of the table, with the right people in place to attack the New Year with all the gusto that I attacked the turkey sandwiches. Now what day is it again…