TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris looks ahead to the NLS game

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING

Our home form has no doubt kept us in the upper escalations of the league, and we head to Plainmoor looking keep our excellent home form going. Last Saturday’s 2-0 win against Eastbourne was symptomatic of the way we have gone about our home matches, with a solid back line and staying in games, with the goal coming in the end near the end. Staying in the game is key, and defensive solidity hasn’t been a major issue at home. It feels like we chase a lot of games at the moment, so getting in front earlier would be nice.

A CASE FOR THE DEFENCE

The ongoing injury issues look like causing some headaches again this week. With Jay Foulston and Jordan Dyer absent, the move to a back three has worked this week. Finley Craske has looked at his most comfortable on the left side of a three, and I would expect to see that again on Saturday. Subject to appeal, Sam Dreyer has a suspension looming at Chelmsford next week, so the unit at the back needs to keep sharp. The role of the wider wing backs has helped get us up the pitch too.

DAN PROVES HIS WORTH

Dan Hayfield is a player that I have been exceptionally impressed with this season. I have seen some negative comments on his performance, but he is quietly effective in every game. Starting Tuesday on the bench was a rarity for him, as his fitness has been very good. Paul said afterwards that he wanted energy off the bench, and his gorgeous pass through in injury time brought the foul and point saving penalty. His work rate is excellent and he shuts opposition down, as well as chasing full backs into corners. His contribution is going to be key in the run in.

MUSSA PUSHING FOR A START

The debate on the role of Omar Mussa goes on, but he was once again outstanding off the bench on Tuesday, even gaining him the TT Player of The Match for his 30 minute cameo. He enables us to attack in different ways, and his quality and control on the ball has got us out and wide in the closing stages of games. Whether there is enough end product continues to be a source of discussion, but his delicious finish in added time last week again shows what he can do. Will he get a start again on Saturday? The fan in me hopes so.

THE OPPOSITION

Saturday’s opposition Hornchurch head to Devon on the back of an inconsistent run and sit in 15^th place. Their season can be encapsulated in their last 6 matches; 2 defeats, then 2 draws and then 2 wins, including Tuesday’s impressive 2-1 home win against Boreham Wood. Their matches don’t tend to have buckets of goals, with a goal difference of plus one having scored 34 and conceded 33. So Saturday may be another occasion where we need to be patient, keep moving the ball and wait for the moment to pounce. With one win in our last six league games, it feels like a must-win home game.