TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris looks ahead to the NLS game

HOME FORM HOLDING US UP

After two quite frankly disappointing draws away from home this week, we return to Plainmoor on Saturday in search of our eighth consecutive win on home soil. The away record is solid if unspectacular, so the need for the consistency to remain at home intensifies. All kinds of challenges have been overcome and that ability to find a way is both key but also important to find away from home too. Despite a deflated feel amongst some in recent days, the title charge is still very much on.

DEFENSIVE HEADACHE

Tuesday 2-2 draw at Slough came at a cost. Skipper Oscar Threlkeld was withdrawn at half time and defenders Jordan Dyer and Jay Foulsdon limped off on the second half. The squad has been pretty settled in recent weeks but some decisions need to be made ahead of this weekend. I expect to see Ed Palmer restored to centre back alongside Sam Dreyer, and left back is an interesting decision. Matty Carson had a difficult night on Tuesday, so mid-week goal getter Dean Moxey may get the nod on Saturday.

MAXIMISING ATTACKING AREAS

The frustration on the road this week has been that we have played just fine but lacked quality on the final third. Jordan Young continues to impress but we have had more than enough opportunity and situations to have secured more than three goals. We haven’t scored bundles of goals at home, so it was good to notch three last time out. The players have the attacking quality and are undoubtedly good enough to make more of our opportunities, so making the right decision at the right time needs to improve.

NEW MANNY

The glaringly obvious space in the squad has been a support for Cody Cooke. That was plugged on Thursday with the arrival of Emmanuel Ilesanmi from Championship Derby County. The footage that I can find of him shows him to be strong and physical with a good eye for goal and he knows how to finish. We really need to forward addition to come off, and now would be a good time for that. Good luck Manny.

WELCOME MATT

There is no doubt that the arrival of Matt Jay will give everybody at the club a boost. To sign a proven winner and leader at any level is great to see, so to have him on board at this vital stage of the season is fantastic. He brings a wealth of leadership and experience, something which the young squad doesn’t have a huge amount of. The fact that he has joined on a 2 and half year deal shows the commitment to our project from both him and the club. He may need a little time to get up to match sharpness as he hasn’t been playing a large amount, but the quality he can bring to an already threatening attacking line up can only be a positive. It will also be fascinating to see how he fits into the team shape, and if his inclusion changes how we set up in certain games.

THE OPPOSITION

Hampton & Richmond have been somewhat curious this season, with their results very much coming in fits and starts. They had been on a good run until Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat at hew league leaders Boredom Wood. The sit just one place behind Torquay in the form table and will represent another tough challenge at Plainmoor. With the frustration of Tuesday in their hearts, with the words of Paul Wotton in their ears and the focus on three points, let’s roar the team to three points on Saturday.