TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom discusses the key points

TOTTON WIN

I had mixed feelings after the Totton game. The positives were a United team bagging 3 goals and 3 points at home again (which is the most important thing of course), and showing determination to bounce back in a second half where we were decidedly under the cosh. Paul Wotton stated that it was a game we wouldn’t have won last season, and he was probably right! On the flipside and on a more negative slant I’d also like Torquay to not drop so deep when we’re leading. It felt like we were just inviting pressure from Totton and had they scored a 2nd before we did, then they would have fancied an away win. The defence has also looked jittery in the early weeks, and the Rendell/Lee tandem ruffled our feathers with their strength and knowhow. The away team had more chances and more shots, so some things to work on. And of course there was also another injury!

BUT it was a good win against a team who won’t be easy to beat this season. My cup is half full…honest!

TEAM SELECTION

Paul Wotton is definitely working on loan options, and we will need them asap! With Fish, Dolan, Morgan, Dennis and Everton all on the side-lines and Carson on loan, United’s squad has been stretched to it’s limit already. The news on Sonny Blu was particularly disappointing and I wish him well on his recovery. I’d imagine Jordan Dyer will return for this one, whilst Dan Hayfield is a shoe-in to make the first XI, so overall the starting line-up will still have strength, but the bench will offer very little!

MATT JAY

Tuesday’s game bypassed Matt Jay at times. He was always willing to get involved but the nature of Totton’s defensive pressing and Torquay’s attacks gave him very little to work with. United were definitely more dangerous when Morgan and Young attacked down the wings, and Foulston and Thomas were enthusiastic runners on the overlap. But Matt is a clever player and he knows how to find space around the penalty area, honed from years of experience at a higher level. His finish took a small deflection I think and the keeper would have been kicking himself to let it in at his near post, but it did not matter to us, it was a big goal. It would be no surprise if MJ found another at Horsham, with United’s attack depleted, his importance to PW has risen very quickly indeed.

THE OPPOSITION

Horsham have only one point to their name after 3 games, a draw at Chesham on Tuesday night. But they have given a good account of themselves so far, and will be expecting a vocal crowd for the visit of Torquay United. Our opposition Q&A highlights midfielders James Hammond and Charlie Hester-Cook as the players to watch out for, and their battle with Worthington and Sundire could be the key to the game. These type of fixtures are rarely easy for the Gulls. It’s always more difficult to stamp your authority at these grounds and we do struggle to keep composure and keep the ball on the floor. Unlike last week at Maidstone, Paul Wotton will want United to be tight defensively at the start, leaving us the opportunity to strike first, and players like Jay/Young/Cooke can always deliver. Whilst injuries are a concern, this is still a game that Torquay should be winning, let’s hope for a bumper Bank Holiday weekend 6 points!