1. The Gulls are getting stronger defensively.
They might not have quite managed to pull off a third successive victory, but Torquay United manager Gary Owers can still make a lot of heart from the fact that the Gulls were able to complete three clean sheets in a row against Aldershot. Prior to their meeting with United, the Shots had scored eight times in the previous four league matches - but, of course, failed to find the target at Plainmoor.
2. Alex Davey should be near the top of the list of the loan players that Owers wants to keep.
Key to the Gulls' aforementioned defensive display yesterday was Alex Davey, who is currently on loan with the Gulls from Cheltenham Town. United's run of successive clean sheets had coincided with Davey's arrival, following an injury to Josh Gowling. He has slotted in seamlessly to the Gulls' back three alongside fellow loanee Michee Efete and current skipper Sean McGinty and has shown good composure on the ball as well as being dominant in the air.
3. Josh McQuoid was a major attacking threat.
After scoring against Leyton Orient last week, Northern Ireland international Josh McQuoid could have counted himself lucky not to have got on the score sheet again for the Gulls, particularly in the second half. On 62 minutes, he had a goal bound shot blocked and turned behind for a corner and two minutes later he agonisingly headed over after connecting with a superbly placed cross from left-back Liam Davis. The Yellow Army will be waiting to see if McQuoid can remain at Plainmoor beyond the end of his existing loan term.
4. Liam Davis continues to excel at left-back.
Once again Liam Davis produced an impressive performance at left-back in both an attacking sense and a defensive sense. He picked out McQuoid on a couple of crosses from the left wing, and he was a whisker away from scoring himself when his cross-cum-shot, after Ruairi Keating had hit the post in the 25th minute, flew across the face of goal.
5. United have the ability to raise their game against the top sides in the league.
Curiously, 28 of the 53 points that United won last season came against the top eight in the Vanarama National League and the rest against the other 15. Currently the Gulls have taken five against the present top eight in the league following yesterday's draw with Aldershot - in addition to a draw with Wrexham and their win at Sutton United. If United are to prove to be successful in their bid to beat the drop this season then it is a trait that will stand them in good stead if they are able to repeat it.
