TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris looks ahead to the Trophy game

QUALITY WHEN YOU NEED IT

The evolution of the squad has continued in recent weeks, and the extra quality that has been brought ion was again highlighted on Wednesday at Plainmoor. Jordan Thomas was again excellent before his moment of madness and early departure, and Dylan Morgan was also bright on his full Torquay debut. It isn’t hard to see why he was signed, given his tight control and ability to travel with the ball. But it’s quality and flashes of it than can win games at any level, and that was shown by Jordan Young in the 80^th minute. His smooth running style, close control and lethal finish decided a tight game and took three more points. Moments like that will make all the difference as the season progresses.

DOMINANT DYER

I know I have said this before, but you can’t not be impressed by Jordan Dyer. He has been a colossus in recent weeks and was again on Wednesday. His good positional sense, sharp turn of speed and physical strength has been a feature of our most of our recent strong defensive displays, and this has been key to reaching the top of the table. He has worked well with Sam Dreyer, but when he was walking a disciplinary tightrope and withdrawn, Ed Palmer came on and forged a strong partnership with Dyer moving to left centre back. All successful teams are built on strong foundations, and Jordan has been nothing but impressive since his summer arrival from Bath City.

HELP OR HINDRANCE?

The age old debate of whether the FA Trophy is a help or not has resurfaced this week. Winning games of football is a habit, and that should never be underestimated. The momentum that can be gained is important, and that has be shown with victories over Truro City and Horsham at home so far. This will be an entirely different challenge against a side that were impressive in a league fixture earlier this season. But winning is important to keep the positive vibes going.

ROTATION

Whether or not Paul Wotton chooses to make some changes to keep the squad fresh will be an interesting plot to Saturday’s game. Sam Dreyer has so far not featured in either game in the competition, and there are options for minutes for some that haven’t been featuring of late including Ed Palmer, Lirak Hasani and Finlay Craske. I can’t think that he will want to change too much. The owners recently spoke of the importance of this competition to the club both financially and momentum wise, so I expect a close to full strength line up.

THE OPPOSITION

Worthing were perhaps the most impressive side to feature at Plainmoor so far this season. They have a unique style of play that plays out from the back and widens the pitch, and beating this press is important to getting into them in the top third. They are slowly gaining in the league table and now up to 4^th after four wins in the last six matches. But Saturday is very much a free hit for both teams to relax and try and make the last 16 of the FA Trophy. Let’s hope that we are in the hat on Monday afternoon.