TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris discusses the key points

BIG WEEK AHEAD

It’s back to the league this weekend after Saturday’s elimination from the FA Trophy against Maidstone. It is now the full focus for the rest of the 25/26 season, so it’s all systems go. It’s easy to forget in the frustration of last weekend that we have won the last two matches in National League South, and both away from home. Although the last home league match was a reverse, the performance was good. So, getting back to that level will be key this weekend in South Devon. A week that has 9 points available is always big, and this is the start of that.

SELECTION HEADACHE

There is no doubt that player availability is at the top of people’s discussion topics this week. Injuries have certainly been an issue in a way that they never were last season, and the current absences are hurting us. As discussed on this week’s Gull’s Eye View, I believe the squad to be of a higher quality this season, although quality over quantity is proving challenging with level of injuries. Matt Worthington, Louis Dennis and Callum Dolan missed out last weekend, so their return would be timely. There may yet be additions to the squad before Saturday.

LEAGUE POSITION

Three match weeks are massive in the National League structure. Things can change quickly, and currently sitting 4^th gives us a chance to close on the 8-point gap to the leaders Hornchurch. Two matches at Plainmoor give us an exciting opportunity to get 6 points in 4 days, starting with the visit of Eastbourne. I was intrigued to learn this week that we have the same number of points as at this stage last season, so we are in a decent position. The upturn in away form now has to be accompanied by some more home wins. 20 matches will have been played by 1700 next Saturday, so this is no doubt an important week.

THE OPPOSITION

Eastbourne have had a really difficult season and come to Plainmoor with just 2 NLS wins and 9 defeats in their opening 17 games. They are the joint second lowest scorers in the league and a fast early start from the Yellows will be key again. We have seen in a lot of games this season just how important the first goal of the game is, and it enables us to control the tempo of the game, especially at home. We need to impose ourselves on the opposition and show them how we play in our stadium.