TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade- @tufcchris

Chris discusses the key points

6 OF THE BEST?

Ever since Paul Wotton arrived at Torquay United, our home form has been very good. 5 wins out of 5 is a perfect start to a season and we need to keep it going for as long as possible. This has included challenging games against Totton, Dover and Ebbsfleet United. This Saturday will be no different, as Dagenham and Redbridge come to town. A team that a lot of people fancied before a ball has been kicked find themselves in the bottom four after 10 games, but that won’t cloud the preparation as we go for 6 from 6.

CLEAN (CLEANO) SHEET SUCCESS

As penned by me previously in these pages, keeping clean sheets gives you a pretty good chance of success. In this team, that is particularly true. Given the plethora of attacking talent at Paul’s disposal after a bout of early season injuries, having a nil on the opposition gives a great chance. The home form has been built on scoring goals so far, but that changed for a tight 1-0 in the last game. Another followed at Salisbury, but we’ll want to be better in certain situations at home. This team creates chances and is a joy to watch.

ATTACKING OPTIONS

Considering where the squad was with injuries a few weeks ago, we now have a range of options and all could start. QPR loanee Cian Dillon started last week, but I expect to see Cody Cooke back into the central striker role this weekend. Louis Dennis has been sublime in recent weeks, and Callum Dolan has slotted right in on the left of the attack. But there are options, especially with Dylan Morgan now back to fitness. Predicting the starting eleven is certainly not straight forward.

2 POINTS PER GAME

For a long time, two points per game has been seen as the benchmark for success in league football. 20 points from 10 games is a good start along that journey. It almost feels like it’s worth more than that after our injury issues. It’s also the exact same number as last season. But the exciting part is that there is so much more to come from this team now that almost everybody is back. Three wins from three is a good run, but title winning teams go on long unbeaten runs, and that has to be the next target. With some challenging away games coming up, every point gained at home is key.

THE OPPOSITION

Dagenham come to Plainmoor in a bit of a pickle. One win and seven points from the opening ten games is not what gaffer Lee Bradbury would have been hoping for, and the pressure must be on him. They have also only scored one goal per game. They will want a statement victory to get themselves going and we need to make sure that we are not it. Ex Newcastle and Liverpool Andy Carroll returns from suspension and may well feature, but managing the whole game is key. Let’s get on the front foot, get ahead and make it 6 from 6.