1. Goals scored by midfielders and defenders could be as important as goals scored by strikers.
Of Torquay United's three goal scorers yesterday Sean McGinty scored his third of the season, George Dowling his second and Luke Young netted his fifth of the campaign to draw level with Jamie Reid as the club's top scorer with five. Perhaps the fact that five goals is the highest tally is perhaps symptomatic of the Gulls' struggles this season.
However, if they can chip in with a few more and if the recently returned Brett Williams and Elliot Romain can also score the goals that they threatened to at times yesterday, then the Gulls' fortunes could change dramatically.
2. Josh Gowling's leadership qualities could be vital to any long term revival in the Gulls' fortunes.
Your correspondent couldn't help noticing that before kick off, Josh Gowling gathered the players into a pre-match huddle whilst skipper Sean McGinty was doing the pre-match coin toss with referee Carl Brook and his Barrow counterpart Asa Hall.
Gowling had a reputation as a 'go-to man' during his time at Grimsby Town under Paul Hurst - as a player who could sort problems out before the manager had to deal with them - and if he can continue to perform this role under Gulls' manager Gary Owers then United will be all the better for it. It also brought back memories your correspondent has of Don O'Riordan doing a similar thing during the Gulls' great escape of 1993 under Neil Warnock.
3. The 3-5-2 formation works best for the Gulls.
Since reverting to 3-5-2 for last week's 1-1 draw with leaders Macclesfield Town, the system has continued to pay dividends for the Gulls with yesterday's victory over Barrow.
The formation of choice for Gary Owers has seen Conrad Balatoni, Josh Gowling and Sean McGinty play as a back three, who have clicked as a unit. Then in midfielder you have a midfield trio of Luke Young, George Dowling and Aaron Barnes, with Young as the playmaker, Dowling as the box-to-box player and Barnes as the holding player, who were also highly effective yesterday. Add to that the wing-back partnership of Michee Efete and Liam Davis and the strike duo of Brett Williams and Elliot Romain, United have good understandings all over the pitch.
4. Michee Efete's versatility is a great asset.
Since he was brought to Plainmoor on loan by then caretaker manager Robbie Herrera from Norwcih City, Michee Efete has played as a right-back, centre-back and - more recently - as a right wing-back. With his pace and athleticism, as well as good composure on the ball, he played all three roles successfully and he played a key role in setting up Luke Young for United's third goal yesterday. He surely must be one of the favourites for both the club's Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards, and will most probably be loaned out to a club in either League One or Two by the Canaries next season.
5. Winning games against the teams around them will be crucial for the Gulls.
Following yesterday's win, the Gulls now have 24 points and are seven points behind Barrow, who occupy the final place above the Vanarama National League relegation zone with 31.
In their remaining fixtures, United have to play fellow strugglers Guiseley and FC Halifax Town at home and have to travel to Leyton Orient, Chester FC, Solihull Moors and Hartlepool United.
Their results in the aforementioned fixtures will be crucial in aiding their survival prospects and those teams in question will also have games to play against each other. Another factor to take into consideration is Hartlepool's current financial worries. If the Pools were to go into Administration, the associated ten-point deduction would put them level on points with the Gulls, as they currently have 34.
