1. Danny Wright's absence was strongly felt by the Gulls.
While much was made of the inclusion of Connor Lemonheigh-Evans as a 'false nine' by Torquay United manager Gary Johnson against Altrincham, the absence of what many of the Plainmoor faithful regard as the Gulls' 'real number nine' Danny Wright was strongly felt. At the time of writing, Wright is still United's leading scorer with eight goals - despite not featuring since sustaining a hamstring injury on Boxing Day against Yeovil Town. It's not just his goals that United miss when Wright is unavailable; they also miss his hold up play which helps to bring the likes of Lemonheigh-Evans, Aaron Nemane and Ben Whitfield into play - enabling them to score the goals that they have scored from midfield this season. With Wright's understudy Josh Umerah also unavailable, it was perhaps no surprise that United looked unrecognisable from the side that looked so dominant earlier in the season.
2. Kyle Cameron a threat in both boxes.
One of the few positives to emerge for United last night was the display of Kyle Cameron at centre back. Cameron was on target with the Gulls' opener in the 22nd minute, which was his fourth of the campaign.Former Scotland Under-21 international Cameron has now scored more goals in the 2020-21 campaign than in his two previous campaigns with the Gulls combined - he scored once in the 2018-19 season in National League and twice in the 2019-20 campaign in the National League. He would later assume the captain's armband in the 60th minute, when Asa Hall was substituted, and looked generally solid throughout.
3. Substitutions prove it's a squad game for United.
The introduction of Billy Waters, Rob Street and Jake Andrews in the 60th, 62nd and 64th miinutes for Asa Hall, Armani Little and Aaron Nemane demonstrated further evidence the importance of squad rotation for United. With United being required to play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday on a regular basis - due to Covid postponements and re-arranged fixtures due to the Gulls' FA Trophy commitments - in the remainder of the 2020-21 season the depth of the squad becomes more important for Johnson. He will also need to manage his use of some of his more senior players, such as Hall, Gary Warren and Dean Moxey and also Danny Wright when he returns as well.
4. A second home league defeat of the campaign for the Gulls.
By coming away from Plainmoor with three points, Altrincham become only the second National League team to inflict a defeat on United in the league this season. Their only previous defeat came against Dagenham & Redbridge last November. When the Gulls won automatic promotion under Leroy Rosenior in the 2003-04 season, they only lost two home games over the course of the campaign (Rochdale and Huddersfield Town). Therefore if United want to return to the Football League as National League champions, they can't afford too many slip ups at home. On the same token, last night's victory was Altrincham's sixth on the road and it also takes them to fourth in the league table.
5. Gap reverts to nine points.
The gap between first and second in the National League has now reverted back to being nine points, after Sutton United won 2-0 away at ten man Stockport County. A Ben Hinchcliffe own goal and a second half effort from Isaac Olaofe proved to be decisive for the U's against a Hatters' side reduced to ten men when Liam Hogan received a straight red card in the 57th minute. Sutton also have three games in hand, which if they managed to win all three of them would put them level on points with the Gulls - although United have a superior goal difference to the Ambers.
6. Arrangement of the game a sign both sides are keen to play on.
Torquay United and Altrincham had originally been due to play each this Saturday, but the fixture was brought forward as United are set to play Southport in the FA Trophy instead. The fact that the two teams were keen to play this match at the earliest opportunity possibly reflects the fact that they both wish to complete as many games as possible this season. Clubs in the National League and National Leagues North and South have been asked to vote on whether to end their respective campaigns - in the wake of the argument over the funding for clubs in the National League system. United have played 20 league games this season, while Altrincham have played the highest number of games, having played 21.
