TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris looks ahead to the big game

HANDLING THE PRESSURE

One of the biggest challenges of playing in games of this size is who can handle the pressure the best. Paul Wotton has said for weeks that if you don’t want to be in promotion battles and playing to succeed something, then you are probably in the wrong game. The good will and passion of the Yellow Army has been felt for weeks and has been all across the Bay this week. Selling a game of this scale out in less than seven days shows how far the club has come in the last 14 months. This is an opportunity to showcase the very best of our wonderful club.

TEAM SELECTION

I am not expecting to see anything surprising from Paul with his team selection on Saturday. The starting eleven has been fairly settled in the closing weeks of the season. In the absence of the hamstrung Jordan Dyer, Ed Palmer will deputise again, a role he did very well at Hemel Hempstead last week. Omar Mussa has been impressive in a deeper role in recent weeks, so expect to see him start in there alongside Lirak Hasani and Dan Hayfield. The front three of Jordan Young, Cody Cooke and Matt Jay has produced all season, and especially in the run in. They have the quality to really affect games of this magnitude, and United will need them to do just that.

DEFENCE STABILITY

The afore-mentioned Palmer will have a vital role on Saturday. Years of playing Luke Garrard’s Boreham Wood tells us that they will be strong, physical and direct. We saw this at Plainmoor earlier in the season. They have a powerful long throw with Chris Bush, and have the ability to scrap it out. The back four will need to be alert and attentive to the risk, as well as being defensively organised, with set pieces being a major part of how they play. All areas of the pitch need to be on it.

DONATE TO TT

THE TT SITE NOW HAS A DONATIONS PAGE here

Any donations much appreciated.

ATTACKING INCISION

The front three have been incredible this season. Cody Rabbit Cooke has led the line superbly all season, Player of The Year Jordan Young has oozed quality since he arrived from Yeovil, and Matt Jay has added class, experience and guile since his arrival in the New Year. Jay in particular will be important, as he has experienced occasions like these before. He will know how to manage occasions like these and will need to lead his colleagues to victory. Taking your chances is key in big games, and hopefully their quality will come out.

THE OPPOSITION

What a season Boreham Wood have had? Relegated from the National League this time last year and with long term manager Luke Garrard departed, a poor start saw Garrard back in the hot seat by the end of September. Peaks and troughs in form led to them being in and around the play offs all season, but they looked to be dipping out of contention at the start of April. But five consecutive wins saw them in to the play offs, and Tuesday’s remarkable 4-3 win over Dorking booked their trip to Devon. Make no mistake, they will be ready.

LET’S DO THIS

Think back to March 2024. Think about how you felt. Think about how you feel reading this ahead of a big occasion at Plainmoor. Think about how you have engaged with the club this season, the money you have spent to back the club, the good times and joy the club has brought you this season. Think about the hours you have spent thinking about Torquay United, hoping for promotion and willing all of the money and heart the Bryn Consortium have shown to have been for a place in the National League. All of that has been for this, for here and now. So embrace it, try and enjoy it, roar your heart out, and let’s get to that final. COME ON!!!!