TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom discusses the key points

BACK AT IT

After what feels like a long period of time, the Gulls are finally back in action, making the 112 mile trip to Salisbury this weekend and looking to grab their first away day 3 points of the season. The Yellow Army will travel in good numbers and with the home side placed in 23rd with no wins in 9 games, the pressure is on to deliver! Paul Wotton clearly did not welcome reminders of the away struggles in the presser this week, but if we want to be fighting it out at the very top, then we simply have to do better. There may be some rust after 2 weeks off, however the squad is healthier than it has been in a while, so there should be no excuses heading into this one.

TEAM SELECTION

With Sonny Blu Lo-Everton returning from injury, he could well win back his place in midfield alongside Matt Worthington, unless PW believes Dan Hayfield is the better option. Keane Anderson has returned to Aldershot, the loanee did well enough during his time at Plainmoor and we thank him for his efforts. On the left hand side of the attack PW has a choice of sticking with Callum Dolan or recalling Dylan Morgan. Dolan certainly showed his class against Ebbsfleet, but Morgan adds pace that we have been missing on our away adventures. Otherwise new striker Cian Dillon will hope for a taste of the action after his arrival from QPR. Young loan forwards do generally struggle with the transition to men’s football, any impact he can make in his month at the club would be a nice bonus.

BACKING UP THE EBBSFLEET CLEAN SHEET

The defence rightly received praise after the Ebbsfleet clean sheet and it’s important that they bring the same level of performance to Salisbury. The home team may well be struggling, but any complacency and lack of concentration could hand them a goal and a confidence boost, we only have to look back on previous games to illustrate that. If the Gulls approach the game in the right manner defensively, then we can set the platform for forwards like Dennis, Cooke, Young, Dolan and Morgan to create chances down the other end. It’s time for United to discover a winning mindset on their travels.

THE OPPOSITION

Salisbury FC only just avoided relegation last season from the NLS, and it looks like they are in for another year of struggle after a tough start to 2025/26. 9 games, 5 draws and 4 defeats with only 5 goals scored is form that makes the Gulls firm favourites (a tag that is worrying in itself!), but in their last home game they did hold Dorking to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup (before losing 4-2 in the replay), so that result alone is a warning to United. As so often, scoring the first goal could be key in this one. A quick start, a victory and a jolly journey home for the Yellow Army would be very welcome indeed!