TALKING POINTS

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

Dom discusses the key points

LETS TALK FOOTBALL!

The coach-gate situation probably created more discussion than the actually game over the weekend, and it’s continued to bubble on into the new working week! Now I have sympathy for the Travel Club, some of the most loyal supporters you’ll find, but the bigger picture is the football and we are entering into a critical point of the season. We’ve had three games that don’t point to United being title contenders and they’ve left the Yellow Army questioning Paul Wotton’s position again, but despite 9 losses and numerous away day disappointments, we do still sit in 2nd place in what is one of the most inconsistent leagues you’ll find…well since last season’s NLS league anyway! Plenty to play for, but can United find focus and form 3 days on from the Eastbourne debacle? We’ll soon find out.

HAPPIER AS UNDERDOGS?

By my reckoning we start this game as underdogs and that’s a tag that might suit Torquay United better. You only have to reflect over the last few games (I’ve seen us lose to bottom teams too many times to ever be confident in those fixtures) to see how expectation appears to affect us, and that’s so often been the case in my time supporting this crazy club. Having lost 4-2 to the bottom team, many will expect us to be turned over by a Worthing side that won 4-1 at the weekend, and whilst this may end up being correct, maybe the Gulls will bounce back with a performance that puts a spring back in our step (and stops us discussing coach legroom!).

DEFENSIVE JITTERS

There’s no denying that we’re missing the presence of Jordan Dyer in defence, and debutant Ed James had a day to forget on Saturday alongside Sam Dreyer, whilst Jay Foulston also had one of his poorest games for United. Now Sam Dreyer is an excellent centre back at NLS level, but he’s still a young lad needing some composure and direction alongside him, and whilst Ed Palmer has his limitations as a player, it would be a surprise if the veteran isn’t recalled for this one. In the right mood Worthing play fast and fluid football that can cut through defences at will, so United have to be ready to work hard and track runners from the off. An early goal for the opposition this winter almost feels inevitable, it’s a trend we need to change asap.

THE LINE-UP

The line-up could include Jordan Young again if he manages to recover from the injury he suffered against Maidenhead, otherwise I’d expect Ed Palmer to be recalled and perhaps we’ll see Cody Cooke return upfront. It’s been surprising that Cooke has not been used more in the last two games, he’s the sort of character who we can count on in these battles and he can score goals at crucial times. Otherwise the likes of Morgan, Jay and Hatch would love a chance from the off I’m sure. I’d like to see Morgan gain more minutes. He is consistently shifted in and out of the line-up, and is usually subbed first, despite often being one of our most dangerous players. Meanwhile the first name on the team-sheet at the moment should be Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, a classy player who is showing his quality week in week out, we need others to reach his levels.

THE OPPOSITION

For a little while it looked like Worthing FC could run away with the NLS this season, such was their scintillating form under returning boss Adam Hinshelwood. But the Rebels then stuttered, and stuttered again, and now find themselves in 4th position, 8 points behind leaders Dorking. They did however, get back to winning ways on Saturday, comfortably beating Slough 4-1 at Woodside Road.

Worthing always play on the front foot under Hinshelwood, and have the NLS top scorer in Brad Dolaghan up top, whilst the likes of Razzaq Coleman De Graft, Teddy Jenks and Jack Spong are more than capable of finding the net. The biggest question here is whether Torquay’s rear-guard can hold firm and set a platform for the likes of Dennis, Everton, Wilson, Young (if fit) and Morgan to get us something from the game? A big game awaits.

COYY – DOM

OPPOSITION Q&A WITH REBEL YELL PODCAST

1 – Hi there, so tell us a bit about yourself and the podcast? Hi the 3 of us, James, Spencer and Jacco do the podcast. It is a monthly podcast with a few standard items. Once in a while we record in front of a live audience. The last one we did was called the coffee cast. We like to try and mix things up a bit.

2- How would you quickly summarise the season so far? Season so far. l didn’t have the best of starts bit up and down. Then our manager left to go to Sutton. That all happened when we were about to record a podcast. That was a case of being at the right place at the right time. Not long after that Adam H was appointed again. Had a run of 13 matches winning. Then we started to struggle a bit. Not sure why.

3 – How’s your recent form been? Few losses and finally a win against Slough.

4 – What’s been your highlights? I think the highlights have been Adam returning and a few games where we winning 4 or 5 nil.

5 – Do you fancy your chances for promotion? When we had that amazing run I thought if we continue this we will win the league. But then the last few weeks it has been proven that anyone can beat anyone in this league. But still believe we can go up.

6 – Who’s your key players and why? Key player is a bit difficult to answer as every player adds something to the team. And in general it has been a team effort.

7 – Who’s been the best opposition you’ve faced? Best opposition for me has been Dorking. It was a great game to watch and 2 teams that went at each other for 90 mins.

8 – Tell us about the manager and what he brings to the club? Adam H has returned to club for the 3rd time. I think everyone knows his history at the club.

9 – It was a fantastic game at Plainmoor, what’s your prediction for this one? 3-1 Worthing.