TT PREVIEW

Miles discusses his team

SEASON SO FAR

Where to start… it’s been catastrophic so far from start to finish. Just when you think we can’t get any worse, we seem to find a way to add to our suffering. 6 wins all season is nothing short of embarrassing, especially with only 2 of those coming at the once formidable Priory Lane. The lane has been a revolving door of players and now management.

Sacking Tommy was definitely the right call as he couldn’t find any consistency with results and we were a shambles defensively. Which ironically was the only good part of our game under Matt Gray. Having a new interim or permanent gaffer gives the fan base a bit more hope as it can’t get much worse than our recent form…

RECENT FORM

Speaking of recent form, we have 1 win in 9 league games since the turn of the calendar year. The win against Maidstone last week looks to have been a flash in the pan unfortunately; as we followed the win up with 2 poor performances away at Weston and Chesham. The Sports haven’t managed to string together 2 wins all season either.

REASONS FOR STRUGGLES

Losing one of the best managers that Borough and arguably step 2 have ever seen in Adam Murray is the main reason for our downfall. Adam was a special manager who made us hard to beat and we were starting to really click in the last couple of months of the season going forwards too. His departure was a shock to the entire fanbase given that he publicly stated that he wanted a new deal during last season’s run in. The board have a lot to answer for here and for subsequent appointments.

Matt Gray came in with great pedigree having won the National League with Sutton. However a combination of an archaic style of play, that led to most of our players getting neck ache from the number of pointless long balls we played, and poor recruitment in the summer meant he didn’t last longer than mid October after achieving no league wins.

The problems have snowballed from there really and we never got going under Tommy. Especially after losing Peterborough loanee and top scorer, Pemi Aderoju.

Fans are now disillusioned and at boiling point with the club as we stare down the barrel of relegation for the first time in 15 years.

HIGHLIGHTS

The 5-2 away win at Dover in front of a 4000+ crowd was definitely the highlight. That day we thought we’d turned a corner and the atmosphere in the away end was special. The 6-0 win vs Hampton after losing, of course, to Torquay by a similar margin the week before was a crazy game to remember too.

THE GAME AT PLAINMOOR

A tough, tough one to take. To be a laughing stock amongst the non league game and online in general was a dark day for the club. We haven’t been smashed like that for a long time. Luckily I didn’t waste my time and money to make the journey but I know a lot of people who did and they won’t forget that day for sure, which we call the nightmare at Plainmoor.

KEY PLAYERS

Our midfield two of May and Eastmond are solid, as both have experience playing in the football league. They have only recently started to play together and both need their minutes managing but they definitely make a strong spine to the team when available

After scoring in this fixture last year, George Alexander is always a threat to the opposition. He’s had barely any service this year and been injured which has naturally lead to a massive drop off in goals but give him a chance or two and he will punish you.

AVOIDING THE DROP?

Honestly, no, sadly I don’t see us staying up. When we were in a similar position 2 years ago we were on an upward trajectory with all of the club pulling in the right direction. Currently managerless and toxicity being rife between fans and the board, we have never been more disconnected as a club in my life time. We need to string some results together fast if we have any chance of catching the likes of Bath with 5 games in hand.

BEST OPPOSITION

Feel like you’ve set me up to say you guys…! You were clinical that day and put on a masterclass in the final third so you have to be up there.

Horsham also impressed me in both games we’ve had against them. They do the basics very well and are a strong team so it’s no surprise to see them fighting for playoffs.

PRE-MATCH

The Sports Bar is the main clubhouse and welcomes home and away fans. The football will be on in there as well with a good atmosphere pre kick off. Inside the ground, we have a couple of food outlets and drinks containers that offer a variety of options.

Borough welcomes all Gulls fans to Priory Lane on Saturday.

PREDICTION

Torquays small blip recently and a potential new manager bounce has given me some hope. However I think your quality and cohesion will shine through for a 2-1 Torquay win.