1. Josh Gowling is a natural leader
Over the years many rugged, commanding centre backs have turned out for Torquay United from Wes Saunders to Alex Watson to Craig Taylor to Guy Branston to Aaron Downes and Josh Gowling can add his name to that list.
A former teammate of manager Kevin Nicholson from their days at Kidderminster Harriers, Gowling was the 'go to' man' for Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst when the Mariners won promotion from the National League in the 2015-16 season. There are clear signs that he will perform a similar role for Nicholson in the 2017-18 campaign for the Gulls, in a display that earned him a place in the Non League Paper National League team of the week.
2. Ryan Clarke's experience in goal will make a big difference
Not since Andy Marriott have Torquay United had a goalkeeper in their mid-to late thirties - an age where many keepers reach their peak - between the sticks until the arrival in the summer of Ryan Clarke. Had Clarke's career taken a different path he could have joined the Gulls in 2006 when he was handed a trial by the then United manager Ian Atkins, after he was released by hometown club Bristol Rovers. However, he made his debut for the Gulls against Tranmere Rovers on Saturday and made a number of important saves to deny James Norwood and Liam Ridehalgh in the opening minutes, which helped him to win the sponsor's Man of the Match award.
3. Sam Chaney is an able understudy at left-back to Liam Davis
A longstanding heel problem has so far prevented Liam Davis from appearing in pre-season for the Gulls, let alone the full season. Nevertheless Sam Chaney - a midfielder by trade - has proved to be a more than capable understudy for Davis. He produced an assured display on Saturday against Tranmere and offered an extra option on the overlap, and even survived a strong challenge from Rovers right-back Adam Buxton.
4. The opening day attendance was a healthy figure
The crowd of 3,162 for the Gulls' opener with Tranmere was the fourth best attended fixture in the National League behind Wrexham vs Macclesfield Town (6,115), Hartlepool United (3,962) vs Dover Athletic and Sutton United vs Leyton Orient (3,198). It was also bigger than four League Two fixtures, including Accrington Stanley vs Colchester United (1,625), Crawley Town vs Port Vale (2,270), Morecambe vs Cheltenham Town (1,450) and Stevenage vs Newport County (2,650).
