TT PREVIEW

Sam Jones – @samuellejones

CUP UPS AND DOWNS

Two Cup games since our last League Game, with very mixed results. The defeat to Oxford City was disappointing, made even worse by the fact they get Leicester City at home in the next round. It is such a missed opportunity to get a big crowd at Plainmoor and rake in some of that sweet, sweet TV income. But alas, The Hoops get that while we have to watch it on TV. In other, more important, Cup News United put 11 (eleven) past Holsworthy in the St Luke’s Bowl midweek. Now, I know what you’re thinking, why am I even mentioning that? Well, its not often United score 11 goals in any competition and hopefully some of that confidence and goal scoring touch can translate into the League where the football actually matters.

DENNIS DEPARTURE

I might be in the ever decreasing minority, but I am still willing to cut Jimmy some slack for the way the squad was put together in the summer. My best bet is that the coaching staff expected a lot more of the bigger name players to leave earlier in summer meaning they could focus on finding replacements. However, as we all know, Dreyer, Young and Morgan all left within about 3 days of each other right at the end of August (or whenever it was) and suddenly there were all these gaps they had to fill. Reminds me a bit of the summer of 2021, where the club had to scramble to get anyone with a pair of boots down to the South West.

The last player of the expected departures was Louis Dennis, who the club has just announced has left for pastures new. After hardly appearing this season, its not a surprise the former Bromley star is no longer part of the club (Luke Browne also left after his loan expired, just thought that’s worth calling out). Despite Louis’s obvious talent his departure might be a blessing in disguise. If the rumours of discontent are to be believed, and he wanted out, it might be better for all parties concerned that he is no longer on our books and Jimmy and Darren can focus on the players who actually want to be here. Or maybe I am just clutching at straws…

BEST ELEVEN

And following on from my previous point…what is our best eleven? Deon Moore up front, Lo-Everton in midfield and Wannell in defence are the only shoe-ins but who else is in there? I would argue Savin in goal because of his experience, same with Bernard at right back and JBC on the wing as he seems a live wire, but then the other positions are anyone’s guess. Does Jay start, and if so, where? What about Hayfield and Worthington? And who else is making up the defence? The squad is deep in terms of pure numbers, but the jury is still out on whether most of the newer signings are up to the task. I don’t envy Jimmy trying to find out the best combinations, but that is why he paid the Big Bucks to do so. He needs to find a system and a best Line Up, and fast.

MAIDSTONE AT HOME

Now, is this weekend the biggest game of the season? 12 games into the NLS season and there is no question that its been very disappointing. We sit mid-table with no real form or identity and are about to play the current Leaders at home. This will be tough, but we are currently unbeaten at home in the League and really need to extend that record against The Stones. Time is surely running out for Jimmy Ball and Darren Way, with the Yellow Army getting increasingly frustrated by the displays on the pitch. This game won’t be easy, but Maidstone have lost two of their last five League games so maybe some cracks are beginning to show.

At time of writing, there are questions as to weather the game goes ahead as the Autumn storms batter the South West but lets hope our wonderful ground crew can get the pitch ready.