TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris discusses the game at the Meadowbank

CRASKE’S CONTRIBUTION

Finley Craske has been a peripheral figure at times this season. He has had his issues with injuries, and hasn’t always been an automatic selection when he has been available. But a recent spell in a back three showed what he can do, and he came in at right back at Dorking to have one of his best games for the club. He stood up to the physicality of the hosts, and won the majority of his aerial dules. He wasn’t phased by any wing play, and was alert to every threat. It was a really solid performance, and he has given Paul Wotton something to think about ahead of next weekend’s visit of Bath City.

FOULSTON’S FITNESS

On the other side of the defence, Torquay Talk sponsored Jay Foulston returned to the starting eleven after a recent injury. He has been a vital part of the defence unit this season, and he has missed more games than any of us would have wanted this season. But he was back to his solid best at the weekend. He has very good situational awareness and was alert to all of the risks. He won some vital headers from set pieces, and showed why he has been an automatic pick when fit this season. His fitness is going to be key in the closing weeks of the season as we look to finish as high as possible.

INFLUENTIAL OSCAR

Oscar Threlkeld was excellent at the weekend. He has been in and out of the team since Christmas, but he was as good as he has been all season at Dorking. Breaking play up, playing simple passes and being vocal in central areas were key to the win. Having barely played for two years prior to his summer arrival at Plainmoor, he has been fit all season and was strong when he came on against Salisbury on Tuesday. Experienced leaders are key at the business end, so his previous career achievements will be key in managing the last 7 games.

TWO STRIKERS

The return to fitness of Cody Cooke is another key take away from the weekend. Cody has done the majority of the leg work as the centre forward this season, and the signing of Ozzy Zanzala was made to support him. But Cooke then picked up a sight knock and has missed the last ten days, leaving Ozzy to play minutes he perhaps wasn’t ready for yet. So, having Cody back for the closing weeks of the season will mean that we can have two fit centre forwards, as well as having a different way of playing if we need it.

KEEP ON GOING

A run of clear mid-weeks will help us recover, rest and spend some time on the training pitch. We now have 71 points with 7 games to go. How many points will win the title? How many points will be enough to finish in second or third? The four remaining home games look especially important, with the potential of ending up at a minimum of 83 points if all goes well in those. What is clear is that we can win away from home, with a win at Dorking being our third in a row. This week is a chance to rest, breath, review, analysis…..and go again at Plainmoor on Saturday. Let’s get as many people in there as we can, and roar us to the next phase of this fascinating story.