1. Consistency is key for United going forward.
Despite their defeat to Hartlepool United - Torquay United's form over their past five league matches reads: played five, won two, drawn one and lost two.
That sequence includes impressive wins at home to Maidenhead United (4-0) and Ebbsfleet United (1-0) plus a 1-1 draw with FC Halifax Town. That run may represent progress for the Gulls, but what United really could do with is a sequence of fives matches where they can put together three or four wins. Had United maintained the performance levels which they displayed for the opening 45 minutes, during which time they could have counted themselves unlucky not to be ahead, then they could have come away with all three points. As Torquay head coach Gary Owers said afterwards: "Today could have been three wins, one draw and one defeat but we didn't get it so we are chasing again."
2. George Dowling is a class act in midfield.
After having only recently recovered from a hamstring injury, Bristol City loanee George Dowling was only fit to start the game from the bench but still managed to make a big impact when he came off the bench on 67 minutes. From the moment he entered the fray Dowling was hungry, committed and showed a bravery on the ball that belied his 18 years of age. It would be a major shock if he was not named in the starting eleven against Maidstone United just under a fortnight's time.
3. More striking options required.
With Rhys Murphy missing out with an ankle injury sustained against Ebbsfleet and Jon-Paul Pittman still absent through injury, Gary Owers currently finds himself limited in terms of attacking options and was unable to name any forwards amongst his five substitutes. It wouldn't be a huge surprise if a new arrival wasn't unveiled in time for their next league meeting with Maidstone.
4. More players could also be going out on loan
Given that the Gulls squad currently includes 23 players, which is arguably far too many for a club of United's stature, more players could be following the path of striker James Gray who recently left Plainmoor to join York City on a one-month loan deal. With no official reserve team, players such as Myles Anderson, Yan Klukowski and Sam Chaney who have recently returned to fitness are prime candidates for such a move in a bid to get precious minutes under their belts, as are Pittman and Jake Gosling who are also set to return from injury very soon too.
5. Scott Loach is still an excellent goalkeeper.
It may seem a bit odd to sing the praises of an opposition player in this column but yesterday's game left me wondering whether there really are 92 goalkeepers in the footballing pyramid better that Hartlepool's Scott Loach. The one-time Watford and England Under-21 goalkeeper, who was even called up to the England senior squad to provide cover in 2010, made the save of the day to deny Josh McQuoid on 15 minutes and also made several other key saves over the course of the afternoon to keep the Gulls at bay.
If Pools can keep him fit, and avoid any possible approaches from league clubs in the January transfer window, he could be the difference between them being involved in the National League play-off system or missing out altogether.
