SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ALTRINCHAM

1. Danny Wright's absence was strongly felt by the Gulls. 

While much was made of the inclusion of Connor Lemonheigh-Evans as a 'false nine' by Torquay United manager Gary Johnson against Altrincham, the absence of what many of the Plainmoor faithful regard as the Gulls' 'real number nine' Danny Wright was strongly felt. At the time of writing, Wright is still United's leading scorer with eight goals - despite not featuring since sustaining a hamstring injury on Boxing Day against Yeovil Town. It's not just his goals that United miss when Wright is unavailable; they also miss his hold up play which helps to bring the likes of Lemonheigh-Evans, Aaron Nemane and Ben Whitfield into play - enabling them to score the goals that they have scored from midfield this season. With Wright's understudy Josh Umerah also unavailable, it was perhaps no surprise that United looked unrecognisable from the side that looked so dominant earlier in the season.

2. Kyle Cameron a threat in both boxes. 

One of the few positives to emerge for United last night was the display of Kyle Cameron at centre back. Cameron was on target with the Gulls' opener in the 22nd minute, which was his fourth of the campaign.Former Scotland Under-21 international Cameron has now scored more goals in the 2020-21 campaign than in his two previous campaigns with the Gulls combined - he scored once in the 2018-19 season in National League and twice in the 2019-20 campaign in the National League. He would later assume the captain's armband in the 60th minute, when Asa Hall was substituted, and looked generally solid throughout. 

3. Substitutions prove it's a squad game for United. 

The introduction of Billy Waters, Rob Street and Jake Andrews in the 60th, 62nd and 64th miinutes for Asa Hall, Armani Little and Aaron Nemane demonstrated further evidence the importance of squad rotation for United. With United being required to play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday on a regular basis - due to Covid postponements and re-arranged fixtures due to the Gulls' FA Trophy commitments - in the remainder of the 2020-21 season the depth of the squad becomes more important for Johnson. He will also need to manage his use of some of his more senior players, such as Hall, Gary Warren and Dean Moxey and also Danny Wright when he returns as well.

4. A second home league defeat of the campaign for the Gulls.

By coming away from Plainmoor with three points, Altrincham become only the second National League team to inflict a defeat on United in the league this season. Their only previous defeat came against Dagenham & Redbridge last November. When the Gulls won automatic promotion under Leroy Rosenior in the 2003-04 season, they only lost two home games over the course of the campaign (Rochdale and Huddersfield Town). Therefore if United want to return to the Football League as National League champions, they can't afford too many slip ups at home. On the same token, last night's victory was Altrincham's sixth on the road and it also takes them to fourth in the league table. 

5. Gap reverts to nine points. 

The gap between first and second in the National League has now reverted back to being nine points, after Sutton United won 2-0 away at ten man Stockport County. A Ben Hinchcliffe own goal and a second half effort from Isaac Olaofe proved to be decisive for the U's against a Hatters' side reduced to ten men when Liam Hogan received a straight red card in the 57th minute. Sutton also have three games in hand, which if they managed to win all three of them would put them level on points with the Gulls - although United have a superior goal difference to the Ambers. 

6. Arrangement of the game a sign both sides are keen to play on. 

Torquay United and Altrincham had originally been due to play each this Saturday, but the fixture was brought forward as United are set to play Southport in the FA Trophy instead. The fact that the two teams were keen to play this match at the earliest opportunity possibly reflects the fact that they both wish to complete as many games as possible this season. Clubs in the National League and National Leagues North and South have been asked to vote on whether to end their respective campaigns - in the wake of the argument over the funding for clubs in the National League system. United have played 20 league games this season, while Altrincham have played the highest number of games, having played 21.

JANUARY TRANSFER WINDOW 2021 IN AND OUTS

Plymouth Argyle: 

In: Niall Ennis (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ryan Hardie (Blackpool), Adam Lewis (Liverpool, loan), Sam Woods (Crystal Palace, loan)

Out: Niall Canavan (Bradford City), Dominic Telford (Newport County), Callum Dyson (Stevenage, loan), Frank Nouble (Colchester United, loan), Scott Wootton (Wigan Athletic, loan)

Plymouth Argyle has looked to strengthen his forward line with the acquistion of Niall Ennis and has moved to secure the signature of Ryan Hardie on a permanent basis from Blackpool.  There have also been a number of departures from Home Park with Niall Canavan and Dominic Telford joining Bradford City and Newport County respectively and Callum Dyson moves to Stevenage on loan.

Exeter City:

In: Sam Stubbs (Fleetwood Town), Jokull Andresson (Reading, loan), Robbie Willmott (Newport County)

Out: Lewis Ward (Portsmouth, loan), Nicky Law (Indy 11), 

The capture of central defender of central defender Sam Stubbs, the son of former Bolton, Celtic and Everton defender Alan, has been the only new arrival at St James Park. Goalkeeper Lewis Ward has joined Portsmouth on loan. This was followed by the surprise move of the window when it was announced that influential midfielder Nicky Law would be leaving the Grecians with immediate effect to accept a dual player-coach role with Indie 100 in the USA. He leaves the club with the blessing of manager Matt Taylor. 

Icelandic goalkeeper Jokull Andresson returns to St James Park on loan from Reading and Robbie Willmott also arrives on loan from Newport County.

Torquay United: 

In: Rob Street (Crystal Palace, loan), Max Sheaf (Hull City, loan), James Hamon (Truro City), Joe Lewis (Swansea City) 

Out: None

Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has looked to strengthen his side with the loan additions of Rob Street from Crystal Palace and Max Sheaf from Hull City. Johnson has also drafted in former Exeter City goalkeeper James Hamon on loan from Truro City as cover for the injured Lucas Covolan. Versatile defender Joe Lewis has returned to United on a permanent basis from Swansea City, after spending 28 games on loan at Plainmoor from the Swans in the 2019-20 season.

Yeovil Town: 

In: Reuben Reid (Cheltenham Town), Max Hunt (Carlisle United), Alex Bradley (Lincoln City)

Out: Daniel Leadbitter (Newport County, loan agreement ended)

Yeovil Town's movement in the transfer market has seen striker Reuben Reid return to Huish Park for a second spell and Max Hunt and Alex Bradley turn their loan deals from Carlisle United and Lincoln City respectively into permanent ones. Right-back Daniel Leadbitter has returned to Newport County after it was decided by manager Darren Sarll to end his season-long loan agreement early.

FUNDING GAP

After National Leagues North and South were paused for a fortnight, the uncertainty hanging over the National League continues as the loans instead grants debate gathers pace. 

The Department of Culture, Media and Sport have announced a £10million winter survival funding - which will be available to clubs at Steps 3-6. Clubs at Steps 1 and 2 will receive loans but can apply for grants if their future is at stake and loans are unaffordable. 

How many clubs in the National League will meet the new criteria for the loans no one can be completely sure at the moment. A number of the local MPs for National Leagues, including Torbay's Kevin Foster (Torquay United/Conservative) and Toby Perkins (Chesterfield/Labour), have written letters to the Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport urging him to make the support for National League clubs available as grants rather than loans. 

With no matchday income coming into each of the 23 clubs in the National League - save for money raised from livestreams, any advertising and sponsorship earned through them and merchandise available for sale online - they have limited means of earning any income. 

Initially, the funding in the autumn had been made available through loans which saw the better supported teams in the National League, which include Torquay United, received £95,000 a month for October, November and December.

If the funding issue isn't resolved then it could result in the early suspension of the National League, which, in turn, would lead to clubs furloughing their players - at the expense of the taxpayer, which would be of a potentially greater expense to the government. 

The danger with any decision to suspend the season would be that it isn't clear how many games would need to be have played in order to determine the outcome of the campaign on PPG (points per game). The number of games completed in the 2019-20 National League season, which was suspended following the UK government's first lockdown ranged from 35 to 39, but in the current season it ranges from 14 to 19.

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VS SUTTON

1. Street shows glimpses of quality. 

After his much anticipated loan signing from Crystal Palace, United fans watching via the club's livestream finally got to see Rob Street in action for the first time. The Eagles starlet entered the fray as a half-time substitute for Josh Umerah and he showed glimpses of quality. Firstly he had a looping header that cleared the crossbar in the 51st minute and then he held the ball up to enable Ben Whitfield and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to have shots from distance, which both forced saves from Sutton Dean Bouzanis. He also found himself ploughed a lone furrow up front following Moxey's dismissal, as United manager Gary Johnson switched to a 4-4-1 system that saw Armani Little drop back from playing as a number 10 into a midfield two with Lemonheigh-Evans, before Little was replaced by Jake Andrews. 

2. Swan Lewis migrates to Plainmoor. 

United's clash with Sutton also marked the second 'debut' of versatile defender Joe Lewis. The Wales Under-21 international completed a permanent move from Championship side Swansea City to sign for the Gulls on a permanent basis. Lewis, who made 28 appearances for the Gulls in the 2020-21 in a variety of positions, started out at right-back but would later find himself finishing the game at left-back following the dismissal of Dean Moxey for two yellow cards, and Plymouth Argyle loanee Adam Randell switched from centre midfield to right-back. With Moxey set to be suspended on Saturday against Barnet, could Lewis get the nod at left-back?

3. Three successive clean sheets. 

For the third time in a row, goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald kept a clean sheet, which follows United's 4-0 win away at Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy and their goalless draw against Notts County. It is often said that defence wins championships at the highest level of the game, and that could yet prove to be the case in the National League. 

4. Mind the gap. 

By drawing 0-0 with Sutton, United maintained the nine-point gap that they currently have over the U's. However, Sutton United could still draw level with the Gulls if they were to win the three games in hand over them. Nevertheless, games in hand don't necessarily equate to points in hand and with trips to fellow promotion chasers Hartlepool United and Stockport County coming up in their next two fixtures, it would be a big ask for them not to drop points in those fixtures. 

5. United yet to lose with ten men in 2020-21. 

In their previous two fixtures where they have been reduced to ten men - at home to Boreham Wood and away to King's Lynn Town - United managed to avoid defeat on both occasions. They drew 1-1 with Boreham Wood after Adam Randell received two yellow cards and held on to draw 0-0 at King's Lynn when the same fate befell skipper Asa Hall. They managed to complete the hat-trick following Moxey's dismissal - again for two yellows - against Sutton. 

6. Playing without fans. 

When Torquay United last played a home fixture, it was on New Year's Day against Yeovil Town when they won 6-1 in front of a crowd of over a thousand in a socially distanced atmosphere. Since then, Devon has returned to Tier 3 of Covid-19 restrictions, so it was a case of returning to where they were at the start of the season without fans.

GULLS PREPARE FOR SUTTON SHOWDOWN

While the National Leagues North and South opted to suspend their respective seasons for the time being, Torquay United and the rest of National League will carry on as the Gulls face the second of two big fixtures. 

Tomorrow nights visit of Sutton United to Plainmoor may not have the same level of importance as their trip to Woking in April 2019 in National League South - certainly not at this stage of the season - but it does carry a certain level of significance. 

United hold a nine-point lead over the U's who have three games in hand on Gary Johnson's side. If they were to win each of those fixtures it would see them draw level with the Gulls. Although, even if they were able to do that, United's goal difference would still be superior to theirs.

After claiming what Johnson described as 'a good point on the road against Notts County' on Saturday, when the Gulls drew 0-0 with the Magpies. Despite goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald making a couple of important saves - United managed to carve out a couple of chances themselves, most notably when Josh Umerah failed to connect fully with a low cross from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in the second half. 

A win for United over the U's would also maintain their 100% record against teams in the promotion/play-off picture. So far in the 2020-21 campaign, the Gulls have beaten third placed Hartlepool United (5-0) fourth placed Stockport County (1-0) and sixth placed FC Halifax Town (2-1). They are yet to face fifth placed Altrincham or seventh place Solihull Moors - which has already been postponed twice due to Covid-19.

DECISION TIME LOOMS FOR THE NATIONAL LEAGUE

Torquay United's promotion hopes could be derailed over the latest funding crisis to grip the National League. 

Earlier in the season, clubs in the National League and National Leagues North and South received grants from the National Lottery - United were one of several NL clubs to receive £95,000 per month, the highest payment awarded under the scheme. However, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) are proposing that the next tranche of payments will be in the form of loans, instead of grants, which many clubs have said that they cannot afford to take on. 

All 67 NL clubs have now been given three options by the League Board, and a decision on the way forward is expected within a few days.  

The £10 million first package of grants, sponsored by the Government but drawn from the National Lottery, covered only the first three months of the season.  

Now the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is offering a second round of money, but in loans, which clubs say they cannot afford to take on, not grants.  

The NL Board’s three options are:  

1 - Clubs to accept loans direct, to be paid back over 10 years at 2% interest;  

2 - The League to take on the loan and then pass money on to clubs who would pay it back in future or through reduced central share payments;  

3 - Suspend the season.  

A number of clubs from National League South - namely Concord Rangers, Havant & Waterlooville - have stated that they are not prepared to play this coming Saturday, and at least 15 other clubs from Step (NLN/NLS) have said they would prefer to suspend the season. A number of other teams who are struggling to fulfill their fixtures because of Covid-19 enforced postponements might also see a suspension of the campaign as a favourable option. 

However, if the National League itself is suspended it would threaten the 'elite' status awarded to the National League System in the first lockdown that allowed the end of season play-offs to take place. Also, if the league was suspended with only around a third of fixtures completed by most teams how would it effect the promotion and relegation issues between League Two and the National League? 

Also, with the National League only operating with 23 teams in the 2020-21 campaign - one team short of its normal compliment of 24 - following the demise of Bury and Macclesfield Town in recent years, the league would be forced to continue with an odd number for another season. 

The National League have already met with representatives from member clubs and due to meet again to discuss the proposals going forward. 

It is also worth not forgetting that the 2020-21 season was able to start in the wake of the promise of the grants, after it was delayed until October as that was the time that the original ban on spectators attending matches was due to be lifted - until the government decided on a U-turn. Many clubs have stated that they would not have agreed to start the season if the funding had been in the form of loans rather than grants.

100 NOT OUT FOR JOHNSON AS GULLS HIT FOUR AGAINST BOREHAM WOOD

Torquay United marked Gary Johnson's 100th game as manager of the Gulls in the best possible way as they hit four past Boreham Wood to book their place in the Last 16 of the FA Trophy. 

After a goalless first half, United took the lead in the 49th minute when skipper Asa Hall, who was part of Johnson's Cheltenham Town side who won the National League title in the 2015-16 season, found the target with a shot on the turn with his seventh goal of the campaign. 

With eight minutes to go, substitute Billy Waters - another of Johnson's Cheltenham class of 2015-16 - doubled United's lead, after he was teed up by Ben Whitfield. 

A minute later, Waters turned provider as he set up Plymouth Argyle loanee Adam Randell for the Gulls' third of the evening, which effectively ended the game as a contest. 

However, the scoring wasn't finished there as a ball into the box from Whitfield fell to Waters, who then set up Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to tap home from close range with his sixth goal of the campaign. 

It was United's 59th win under Johnson in all competitions; they will travel to Southport for the next round of the competition on February 6.

Stats for Gary Johnson's first 100 games as Torquay United manager: 

Record per competition: 

National League South: P 33 W 24 D 4 L 5

National League: P 53 W 26 D 8 L 19

FA Cup: P 8 W 5 D 0 L 3

FA Trophy: P 6 W 4 D 0 L 2

Transfer activity: 

2018-19 In: Connor Lemonheigh-Evans & Saikou Janneh (Bristol City, loan), Kalvin Kalala (Cheltenham Town), Jamie Sendles-White (unattached), Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth, loan)

Out: Bobson Bawling (Oxford City), Chris Regis (Wealdstone), Brett Williams (Sutton United), Josh Gowling (Hereford FC), Jakub Sokolik

2019-20 In: Armani Little (Oxford United), Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth, loan), Robbie Cundy, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Opi Edwards & Saikou Janneh (Bristol City, loan), Matt Buse (Taunton Town), Lucas Covolan (Worthing FC), Joe Lewis (Swansea City, loan), Ben Whitfield (Port Vale), Manny Duku (Cheltenham Town) Ramarni Medford-Smith (Reading, loan), Amrit Bansal-McNulty (QPR, loan), Lloyd James (Forest Green Rovers, loan), Jared Lewington (Tiverton Town), Aaron Nemane (Unattached), Gary Warren (Exeter City, loan), Jackson Longridge (Bradford City, loan), Ade Azeez (Newport County, loan), 

Out: Jason Banton (Braintree Town), Jamie Sendles-White (Crawley Town), Jon-Paul Pittman, George Essuman (Concord Rangers), Ruairi Keating (Gateshead), Jean Yves Koue Niate (Aldershot Town), Manny Duku

2020-21 In: Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (Bristol City), Gary Warren & Dean Moxey (Exeter City), Danny Wright (Solihull Moors), Fraser Kerr (Hartlepool United), Andrew Nelson (Dundee), Billy Waters (Unattached), Josh Umerah (Ebbsfleet United), Louis Britton (Bristol City, loan), Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle, loan), Sam Sherring (AFC Bournemouth, loan), Rob Street (Crystal Palace), Max Sheaf (Hull City, loan)

Out: Ryan Dickson (Truro City), Jared Lewington (Tiverton Town), Josh Baxter (Dorchester Town), Jamie Reid (Mansfield Town), Kalvin Kalala