TT PREVIEW

Dom Roman – @DomRoman

UNSETTLED TIMES

Four weeks ago we all felt rather optimistic about the Gulls, the squad looked strong, the manager was saying the right things and making us believe that we were heading in the right direction, and a win over Horsham in the opener at Plainmoor felt inevitable. Since then things have unravelled rather quickly, with stuttering performances, no cutting edge in attack, tactical confusion and key players moving on, meaning 6 games in we sit in 19th place wondering when our fortunes will turn around. The pressure is on Jimmy Ball now, but also on the current squad to show why they are full time footballers and work harder to push us up the table. Season’s can turn on big goals and big performances, so everything can look rosier very quickly in football, but no sugar-coating it, there is a number of problems to address at the moment, so any win however it’s achieved, would be very welcome indeed.

THE LINE-UP

The departure of Sam Dreyer (a player who has all the attributes to become a strong EFL CB) leaves us short defensively, and it sounds like we should expect a new CB…or two…at any time. One of those additions will no doubt slot straight into the starting line-up after Tyler Hill’s uncomfortable appearance there last Saturday. I have sympathy for Tyler, he’s looked nervy since arriving and is just a 20 year-old looking to establish himself in the squad. Let’s not write someone like him off, back in 2018 Ben Wynter’s first season at United started in similar fashion. Otherwise Dan Hayfield remains suspended so we’re not blessed with too many options in midfield, whilst last weeks subs Morton (who has looked livelier than most), Jay, Westenforf and Cooke could all come into the line-up as Jimmy Ball seeks to find his best XI. And we’ve also now got our new signing Angelo Cappello to add to the mix (welcome Angelo!). It’ll be interesting to see if Jordan Young stays in the squad after the presser comments, and tactically I think we’ve all questioned what’s been happening from week to week, meaning these are unsettled times all-round at United.

LOOKING FOR LEADERSHIP

The captain Matt Worthington has been on the receiving of plenty of criticism and it was him and Dom Bernard who faced the rather repetitive questioning after the Farnham defeat. Worthington’s credentials are sound, he did captain Yeovil to the title after all and when on form, he’s a strong National League South midfielder. The question is does he command authority on the pitch, does he lead by example and do his team mates react well to his leadership? To truly know the answers to those questions you’d have to ask the other players, but it certainly feels like Torquay lack leaders at the moment, Jake Wannell aside, we are soft and lacking in professionalism, and that hurts. Stand up and be counted lads, otherwise there will be more defeats very soon.

THE OPPOSITION

Newly promoted Folkestone have had a great start to the season under ex-Tonbridge and Maidstone boss Jay Saunders, with 11 points from 5 games and no defeats just yet, they will be looking forward to the game at Plainmoor and will bring a decent following as well by the sounds of it. This game shouldn’t fill the Yellow Army with trepidation, but it does, and with confidence low and none of our attackers on song we need something…anything to lift our spirits! The basics of organisation, hard work and commitment would be good to start with, and then perhaps a slice of luck to help us grab a morale boosting 3 points. It would be a perfect time to remind us all why we all do this, and why this season could still be a successful one.