TALKING POINTS

Ben Wade

Ben discusses the key points

DENNIS THE MENACE

Louis Dennis has definitely proven to be TUFC’s signing of the season so far. It was a superb grab being able to snatch Dennis who is an experienced attacker with EFL quality that he has shown time and again for the Gulls. Since the start of November, the No. 7 has been in red-hot form scoring 10 goals in 8 games. He is a man who has thrived in the striker role in the absence of the talismanic Cody Cooke. Cody was our top goal-scorer by some distance last campaign and he has been unfortunate to be ruled out for a prolonged period and is coming back from injury now after being a used substitute at Totton and on Boxing Day. With Cooke hopefully returning to the starting line-up soon, maybe even on Tuesday Night, Dennis could be slotting into his preferred position in behind the physical presence of Cooke.

UNPREDICTABLE AWAY DISPLAYS

Despite picking up our away form in recent fixtures, you still feel there is a sense of unease looming in the squad when we go away from Plainmoor. This especially comes off a disappointing result and performance at South Coast side Totton where we conceded a poor goal with a wide man alone at the back stick to pass the ball into the empty net. At Bath, we will need another front foot start, like the Weston game, taking it to the opposition from the off. Wotton’s team also seem to struggle in grounds with little atmosphere just like the Totton ground. Let’s hope the Yellow Army can make some noise on Tuesday and power The Gulls towards the top of the table.

STARTING XI OPTIONS

Coming off the back of a huge win in front of 5,000 at Plainmoor on Friday, you would maybe expect there to be little or no movement in the lineup. However, with the possibility of Cooke pushing for a spot in the eleven and the outside chance of captain Worthington being available on the subs bench. Callum Dolan returned to the starting XI on Boxing Day but gave a lacklustre display, so Morgan replacing him on the left would not be surprise. If Cody Cooke is to return to the eleven to face his former club, then Matt Jay will likely make way for him in a move that would see Dennis play in the No. 10. Paul Wotton certainly has many options and the squad is looking in fine fettle.

STURDY IN DEFENCE

Stand-in captain Dreyer has been at the heart of our defensive unit alongside ever-present since September Jordan Dyer. These two quality centre backs are the base of a team who have conceded only 6 goals in the last 6 games. If Dyer and Dreyer get caught out, keeper James Hamon often pops up to make a tidy save. Solid, dependable Jay Foulston hardly ever makes mistakes and is a very good left back at this level. Jordan Thomas completes the four at the back with Denzel Akyeampong his deputy. If United are to make a title challenge in the New Year, these five will be absolutely crucial in making that step up from last season into first place.

THE OPPOSITION

Bath City, nicknamed ‘The Romans’, lie 18^th in the National League South table. This puts them just three points away from the drop zone. Despite having conceded only 4 more goals than Torquay so far this season, Bath have won 2 of the last 6 games. This puts The Romans marginally higher than their league position in the form guide as they sit 15^th in the last 6 games. Twerton Park has never proven to be an easy away day for The Gulls in recent seasons, three points would be great to carry on from success on Friday.