TT PREVIEW

Chris Wade – @tufcchris

SATURDAYS ARE BACK

Hornchurch feels a long time ago, doesn’t it? The excitement, the hope, the proximity to glory. But I am a believer that you can’t influence what happened yesterday and look forward. Which is what the club has done very well in backing Jimmy Ball in his first summer as United boss. The fitness of the players looks sharp; pre-season has gone injury free and the squad is ready. The summer break is nice, but Saturdays aren’t quite the same, are they?

TEAM SELECTION

Seldom can there have been a first day with so little clue on who will start. The squad has been built to ensure that every position has multiple options and styles of play. That has been clear in pre season. Last week’s 2-1 win over Exeter has to be the best clue as to the starting eleven. Toby Savin looks to be the starting goalkeeper, with new signings Dom Bernard and Tyler Hill at full backs, with Sam Dreyer and Jake Wannell in the middle. Captain Matt Worthington will be partnered by Nash Sundire or possibly Dan Hayfield, with Jordan Young and Dylan Morgan in wide areas. It looks like returning Deon Moore and new forward Isaac Westerdorf. But this may not be correct! But now, more than ever, modern football is a squad game. And with five substitutes available, everybody is in the game.

ISAAC’S PROMISE

One of the most exciting elements to this season is going to be watching the development of Isaac Westerndorf. Signed from National League North club Oxford City, he has so much talent. He is strong, quick, direct and can finish, so how Jimmy harnesses his raw talent will be interesting. He doesn’t need to play 90 minutes every week with options off the bench, so we will be in for some exciting contributions I feel.

SOLID JAKE

I expect to see another of Jimmy’s preseason acquisitions in the starting eleven. Jake Wannell led National League Yeovil Town last season, featuring in 40 matches. So being able to attract him to our club is a sign of the ambitions on both sides. He has been good in pre-season, showing strength defensively and being able to use the ball. We have lacked competition for places in the back line in recent years, so his addition adds that.

THE OPPOSITION

The first opponents of 26-27 to visit Plainmoor are Horsham. A solid return to NLS football saw them finish 15^th with 59 points. They will be looking to kick on this season, and start with the near 400 mile round trip to the English Riveria. Jimmy will have done his homework, so it’s time to get started.

Here we go…..