1. Desperately missing Romain.
On loan striker Elliott Romain was missing from the Gulls' line-up against his parent club Dagenham & Redbridge and it showed. United had been trying to tie-up a permanent deal for Romain, who is on loan at Plainmoor from the Daggers for the remainder of the season and he would have been set to follow several of his teammate out of the Victoria Ground - a list that includes Sam Ling, Morgan Ferrier, Scott Doe and Corey Whitely.
Romain's work rate and hold up play was badly missed by a Gulls' side who never really got going, but whether he would have made a difference had he played no one will ever be sure, nevertheless the saying ' you don't realise what you had until it's gone' sprang to mind for many yesterday.
Hopefully he will be back in the side, and adding to his two goals in four games so far this season on Tuesday night against Sutton United.
2. The fans played their part.
With a crowd of 1,931, of which 82 were of a Dagenham & Redbridge persuasion, the Plainmoor faithful once again showed incredible loyalty to the side in light of their recent troubles.
This also compares favourably with the crowds of United's other relegation rivals, FC Halifax vs Ebbsfleet 1,762, Chester FC vs Eastleigh 1,604, Guiseley vs Maidenhead United 777 and Solihull Moors vs Dover Athletic 679. Gary Owers' side will need the fans to be the Gulls' 12th man between now and the end of the campaign if they are to pull off a third 'Great Escape.'
3. Young players go through peaks and troughs.
In recent weeks, young loanees George Dowling and Aaron Barnes, who are on loan from Bristol City and Charlton Athletic respectively, have been on the score sheet for the Gulls. Dowling scored his second of the season in United's 3-1 win against Barrow at Plainmoor a fortnight ago and Barnes scored his first goal in senior football with a 35-yard strike in a 2-1 victory over Maidenhead United last week.
Against the Daggers Dowling produced a sub-dued display, possibly to avoid receiving a second yellow card to go with the first one that he received in the eighth minute, and Barnes was substituted on 56 minutes for Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.
The United faithful will need to be patient with this pair, and United's other young loanees, and hopefully they will be continuing their footballing education in the Football League next season with a Great Escape with the Gulls on their CVs.
4. Jakob Sololik brings United up to 40.
Czech defender Jakob Sololik, formerly with Liverpool, Southend United, Yeovil Town and Plymouth Argyle, became the 40th player to be used by the Gulls during the 2017-18 season.
Sololik has signed a deal until the end of the season and slotted in United's back three in place of the injured Josh Gowling.
With Gowling set to miss out on Tuesday night against with the ankle injury that he sustained against Maidenhead United, the former Czech Republic youth international will get a further chance to stake a claim for a regular spot in the Gulls' back three.
5. Old boy returns to haunt the Gulls.
Over the years, several former players have returned to Plainmoor to haunt the Gulls, ranging from Aaron Downes in the 2015-16 season to Giancarlo Gallifuoco and Josh Rees in more recent times.
However, on Saturday, former Gulls' winger Dan Sparkes added his name to that list, as he produced a virtuoso display which saw him provide the assist for the Daggers' second goal from a free-kick that was headed home by skipper Craig Robson. A number of Sparkes' former teammates have left the Victoria Ground in recent weeks, whether he joins the list himself remains to be seen.
