They said that a week is a long time in politics and it can also be just as lengthy in football.
Seven days ago, Gary Owers and Martin Kuhl were preparing their Torquay United side to face fellow strugglers Leyton Orient after having successfully seen off National League leaders Sutton United.
Now, after sealing a convincing 3-0 over Orient, they have the current league leaders Aldershot Town in what will be a third meeting so far this season with the Shots. It will also be the fourth time in the current calendar year that the two sides have faced each as they played out a 1-1 draw at the EBB Stadium towards the end of the 2016-17 season.
Those two previous encounters in the current campaign have both seen Aldershot come out on top by a single goal winning margin (3-2 in the league under Owers predecessor Kevin Nicholson and 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round).
Nevertheless a point, or possibly even all three, against the Shots would be seen as a measure of real progress for the Gulls under Owers, as they have now closed the gap to safety at the time of writing to five points. A win would also give United a third successive victory in the league.
Next up for the Gulls after their reunion with the Shots they travel to Tranmere who they haven't beaten since September 1988. Their next league outing after their trip to Merseyside is a home fixture with Gateshead on a Tuesday night.
Three points against the Heed, another of Owers' former clubs - would set them up nicely for a double header against Eastleigh on Boxing Day and New Year's Day - with a trip to Boreham Wood in between - who are only eight points ahead of the Gulls.
