TALKING POINTS

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

Chris discusses the key points

REGROUP AND GO AGAIN

Blimey, how football changes. After the Hornchurch match four weeks ago, we were top and focused on the title. Fast forward four weeks, one point from four matches and defeats to the bottom team twice and things feel a lot harder. But there is still a lot to play for, and this is by no means over. Performances haven’t been terrible, but the result is what matters in football and we have really struggled for points. But six of the last seven away from home now become six out of eight at home, which is a massive opportunity. That has to start on Saturday at Plainmoor against Chelmsford City.

INJURIES

At the start of February, we had a fully fit squad and we were ready to go. But the situation now is vastly different. With Callum Dolan, Jordan Dyer and Jordan Young already absent, midweek also gave us more challenges. There are too many being checked on ahead of the game to name them all here, but it looks like captain Sam Dreyer has sustained a bad injury, and he will be a huge loss. He has been such a rock since signing for us and replacing that will be difficult. But this is why you have a squad, and there is frankly nothing that we can do about. Put eleven people in Yellow on the pitch to get three points on Saturday is all that matters.

CURIOUS CODY

One of the puzzling things this month has been the absence of Cody Cooke from the starting eleven. This is two fold for me. He is a strong and physical target man, and a role that nobody else in the squad can play. His goals last year were a major reason as to why we got so close to the title. But it also frees Louis Dennis to play in behind. Louis is an exceptional footballer and has filled the main striking role very well for most of the season, but we have to free him up to influence games more. He can link the play, bring the wide players into the game and score goals from the number 10 position, but we need to get him back in there now. March is massive and we need our players in their best possible position.

INDIVIDUAL ERRORS

As simple as it sounds, eliminating individual errors is going to be massive. There is no hiding from the turning point on Tuesday night, and James Hamon will know that. It’s the lot of a goalkeeper that a mistake will generally lead to a goal and Tuesday’s changed the game. But nobody can influence that now, and all of the players have to arrive at Plainmoor on Saturday ready to go. We have to be the best that we can be in all areas and lift ourselves, as three points is vital right now. For league position, for confidence, for belief and for some forward momentum with a Tuesday night under the lights ahead of us on Tuesday.

THE OPPOSITION

Chelmsford City arrive at the weekend in decent form, but also a typical NLS record. Their last six games have seen a mixture of results, with three wins, two draws and also a 5-0 defeat. Kind of typical of this league. But we must fancy our chances against anybody at home, and our home form is now going to key in achieving our ultimate goal. The supporters are also key, and we must be together at this time. So let’s get as many as we can to Plainmoor on Saturday and get back on track.