1. Results are more important than performances at this stage.
The stats for Torquay United's fledgling Vanarama National League South campaign currently read: played 2, won 1, drawn 1, lost 0, scored one, conceded none. However, the Gulls ride their luck against on Tuesday night against a Bath City that produced a fine, passing display and who hit the bar early in the second half through midfielder Andy Watkins.
Nevertheless, in previous seasons the Gulls' display haven't always been as finely tuned as they could be. In their early encounters of the 2011-12 season under Martin Ling, the Gulls drew 2-2 on the opening day of the campaign - in a game that saw Bobby Olejnik made a number of important saves to ensure that United came away with a point. A fortnight later, the big Austrian was instrumental in ensuring that the Gulls also lost 3-1 to Crawley Town. Ling would eventually guide the Gulls to the play-offs, and Gary Owers will need to oversee a similar level of improve in the United side of 2018-19.
2. Ryan Dickson is the Gulls' new set piece king.
Following Luke Young's summer departure to Wrexham, another former Plymouth Argyle midfield schemer has taken over the mantle of taking United's set pieces. Dickson, a close season arrival from Yeovil Town, took nearly all of the Gulls' free-kicks and corners last night against Bath and was voted as the man of the match by the match sponsors. Much of United's good play went through him and hopefully that will continue to be the case for the remainder of the campaign.
3. Shaun MacDonald's form is providing Owers with a selection headache.
Gary Owers will be facing a selection headache when Alex Bass, currently on loan from Portsmouth, returns to full fitness after Shaun MacDonald's display against Bath City, and also against Chelmsford City. MacDonald was voted in the National League South team of the week for his display in the county town of Essex and he followed it up with another fine display against Bath where he made a number of important saves and clearances. Owers now faces a choice similar to the one facing Leroy Rosenior during the 2003-04 promotion winning season, when he was faced with the choice of playing either Kevin Dearden or Arjan Van Heusden between the sticks.
4. Liam Davis picked the perfect time to score his first goal for the club.
The only thing missing from Liam Davis' first season with the Gulls was a goal, but he picked the perfect time to open his account for the club. Skipper Brett Williams teed up substitute Ruairi Keating for a cross which was blocked. The Bath defence then failed to clear the danger as the ball fell to Davis who fired a low drive into the bottom corner in the 80th minute to score his first goal for nearly five years. This ultimately proved to be the difference in what was a closely fought contest with the Romans to earn Gary Owers a victory against his former club. There appears to be an abundance of talented left-backs in the National League South so far this season, as Bath left-back Anthony Straker was a key player for the Romans and Billericay left-back Callum Kennedy was amongst their stand-out performers in the opening day win over Truro City.
5. Support for the Gulls remains strong.
Despite United's relegation to National League South last season, support for the Gulls remains strong, which was evidenced last night with the match attendance of 2,151 - a figure that was the sixth highest across the Vanarama National League, North and South divisions. Only Wrexham vs AFC Fylde (5,777), Chesterfield vs Aldershot (4,930), Leyton Orient vs Ebbsfleet United (4,710), Hartlepool United vs Harrogate Town (3,623) and York City versus Stockport County in National League North (3,218) attracted higher attendances and, with the Gulls currently unbeaten, a similar crowd could follow on Saturday against East Thurrock United.
