1. A big presence up front is still required.
Torquay United manager Gary Owers said spoken of his desire to sign a big centre forward to aid the Gulls cause, and United are still crying out for one. Rookie striker Alex Fletcher, currently on loan from Plymouth Argyle, gave an admirable account of himself as a lone striker against Eastleigh, but he still looked as though he needed a strike partner with a greater physical presence to play alongside him to get the best out of him.
Pilgrims' boss Derek Adams has announced this week that former Gulls striker Nathan Blissett is set to leave Home Park. However, despite speculation linking Blissett moves to Macclesfield Town and Wrexham, the former Kidderminster and Bristol Rovers frontman is still at Home Park - a return to Plainmoor for Blissett remains possible.
2. Luke Young is showing the way and the rest of the midfield need to follow.
Luke Young's 34th minute equaliser was his fourth goal of the current campaign, which makes him United's joint-second top scorer with Ruairi Keating. However, if the Gulls are going to mount a 'great escape' bid for the third successive season, Young's fellow midfield colleague Jake Gosling, who set up Young for long range strike, nearly found the target himself twice. His first chance came in the opening minute - 51 seconds to be precise - when he headed a Michee Efete cross over the bar; the second came on 51 minutes after he was set up by Young, but missed the target as his shot sailed wide. If Gosling and loan signings Tommy O'Sullivan and George Dowling, who already has one goal to his name already this season, can find the target then the goals will soon flow.
3. Situation vacant for new penalty taker?
After Jamie Reid missed from the penalty spot in the 79th minute, Owers has to decide whether to stick with Reid as his designated penalty taker or maybe hold a competition in training to find a new one.
4. Michee Efete can do an excellent job at right-back.
Although he was first brought to Plainmoor by caretaker manager Robbie Herrera as a centre back from Norwich City, Michee Efete produced an outstanding display at right-back against Eastleigh. With Jazzi Barnum-Bobb having returned to Newport County following his loan spell, and Ryan Higgins currently on compassionate leave, the only option that Owers has for the right-back position other than Efete is Aaron Barnes, who recently joined on loan from Charlton Athletic, and no doubt Efete, who will remain at Plainmoor until the end of the season, will provide him with plenty of competition.
5. Time is of the essence.
With 17 games left to play, Torquay United now need in the region of a minimum of 30 points to retain their National League status - which equates to the equivalent of ten wins.
Owers stated afterwards that he felt that the Gulls deserved at least a point against Eastleigh but draws will only help their situation so far, as the three points awarded for a win are now fast becoming a necessity.
Sunday, 14 January 2018
Monday, 8 January 2018
GLOVERS DRAW MANCHESTER UNITED FOR A THIRD TIME
For the third time in their history, Yeovil Town will face Manchester United in the FA Cup after they were drawn at home to the Red Devils in the fourth round of the 2017-18 competition.
The most recent previous meeting between the two came in the 2014-15 campaign in the third round when the Red Devils - then managed by Louis Van Gaal - triumphed 2-0 with goals from Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria.
Their first encounter famously came in the fifth round in the 1948-49 season when the Glovers went down 8-0 in a tie that was played at Maine Road, as Old Trafford was still being repaired from Second World War bomb damage, after Yeovil pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of the competition in the previous round to defeat Sunderland.
It wouldn't be a great surprise if Glovers manager Darren Way, who was part of Gary Johnson's backroom staff in the 2014-15 meeting, gives current Bristol City boss and former Yeovil midfield colleague Lee Johnson a phone call in the next few days.
Johnson junior, of course, guided his Robins' side to victory over Jose Mourinho's United in the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup - which was arguably the shock result of the season so far.
He would probably also be willing to give him tips about what variety of wine to buy for his post match drink with the Portuguese too!
The most recent previous meeting between the two came in the 2014-15 campaign in the third round when the Red Devils - then managed by Louis Van Gaal - triumphed 2-0 with goals from Ander Herrera and Angel Di Maria.
Their first encounter famously came in the fifth round in the 1948-49 season when the Glovers went down 8-0 in a tie that was played at Maine Road, as Old Trafford was still being repaired from Second World War bomb damage, after Yeovil pulled off one of the greatest upsets in the history of the competition in the previous round to defeat Sunderland.
It wouldn't be a great surprise if Glovers manager Darren Way, who was part of Gary Johnson's backroom staff in the 2014-15 meeting, gives current Bristol City boss and former Yeovil midfield colleague Lee Johnson a phone call in the next few days.
Johnson junior, of course, guided his Robins' side to victory over Jose Mourinho's United in the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup - which was arguably the shock result of the season so far.
He would probably also be willing to give him tips about what variety of wine to buy for his post match drink with the Portuguese too!
Sunday, 7 January 2018
TOUMANI SIGNS OFF IN STYLE
French midfielder Toumani Diagouraga ended his short term stay with Plymouth Argyle as he opened the scoring in the Pilgrims' 3-0 win over Bury, a result that moves Argyle into the top half of the table.
Diagouraga headed home his third goal in 15 games for the Pilgrims in the 14th minute when he headed home a free-kick from David Fox.
Argyle then doubled their lead three minutes before the break when Graham Carey saw his penalty saved by Shakers keeper Connor Ripley, but he reacted quickest to the rebound to score his eighth goal of the campaign.
The game was then effectively ended as a contest on 78 minutes when the ball fell to Antoni Sarcevic who slotted home his first goal of the campaign, after the visitors had earlier been reduced to ten men following the dismissal of substitute Ryan Lowe.
Afterwards it was announced that Diagouraga would be leaving Home Park to join Fleetwood Town to be nearer to his young family and Pilgrims manager Derek Adams paid tribute to his displays for the club.
“It looks like he (Diagouraga) has played his last game for us and he’s moving on,” said Adams.
Diagouraga headed home his third goal in 15 games for the Pilgrims in the 14th minute when he headed home a free-kick from David Fox.
Argyle then doubled their lead three minutes before the break when Graham Carey saw his penalty saved by Shakers keeper Connor Ripley, but he reacted quickest to the rebound to score his eighth goal of the campaign.
The game was then effectively ended as a contest on 78 minutes when the ball fell to Antoni Sarcevic who slotted home his first goal of the campaign, after the visitors had earlier been reduced to ten men following the dismissal of substitute Ryan Lowe.
Afterwards it was announced that Diagouraga would be leaving Home Park to join Fleetwood Town to be nearer to his young family and Pilgrims manager Derek Adams paid tribute to his displays for the club.
“It looks like he (Diagouraga) has played his last game for us and he’s moving on,” said Adams.
“He’s done well for us and we are delighted with the
contribution that he has made to the football club and in the games he’s played
he’s done exceptionally well. We would have liked to have kept him but he has
chosen to move further north."
THE GLOVERS MARCH ON BUT THE GRECIANS BOW OUT
Yeovil Town are now the lowest ranking side left in the 2017-18 FA Cup after they lived up to their giant killing reputation by knocking out League One side Bradford City.
The two sides were separated by 39 league places at kick-off time, but it was the Glovers of League Two who sealed their place in their fourth round with goals from new loan signing Marcus Barnes and Jordan Green.
However, Exeter City, who famously took Liverpool to a replay in the 2015-16 season, bowed out of the competition against West Bromwich Albion, now managed by Alan Pardew who led West Ham United and Crystal Palace to the final at Wembley in 2006 and 2016 respectively.
The Baggies, the 1968 cup winners, needed first half strikes from Solomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez and were close to adding to the advantage three minutes before the half-time break as Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu had a penalty saved by Grecians keeper Christy Pym.
The two sides were separated by 39 league places at kick-off time, but it was the Glovers of League Two who sealed their place in their fourth round with goals from new loan signing Marcus Barnes and Jordan Green.
However, Exeter City, who famously took Liverpool to a replay in the 2015-16 season, bowed out of the competition against West Bromwich Albion, now managed by Alan Pardew who led West Ham United and Crystal Palace to the final at Wembley in 2006 and 2016 respectively.
The Baggies, the 1968 cup winners, needed first half strikes from Solomon Rondon and Jay Rodriguez and were close to adding to the advantage three minutes before the half-time break as Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu had a penalty saved by Grecians keeper Christy Pym.
Thursday, 4 January 2018
THE GULLS ARE AT A CROSSROADS HEADING INTO 2018
For the third season in succession, Torquay United find themselves in a National League relegation battle.
Keen observers of the club's history will surely know that the Gulls have experienced a great deal of volatility and turbulence; in the 1956-57 season United missed out on promotion to the 'old' Division Two to Ipswich Town on goal average, a year later they finished 21st in Division Three South and became founder members of the newly formed Division Four.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, United enjoyed the most successful spell in their history. However, by the 1974-75 season the then Chairman Tony Boyce stated that the Gulls were in danger out going out of business in an appeal to the South Devon public and Torbay Council.
The sale of goalkeeper Mike Mahoney to Newcastle United for £30,000 proved to be a timely lifesaver.
Fast forward to the mid-1980's, Dave Webb took over ownership of the club from Boyce which proved to be the start of a period of decline which saw the Gulls survive as a Football League club in the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons through the old re-election system.
A year later the canine intervention of Bryn the Police Dog inspired another Great Escape against Crewe Alexandra, as he sunk his teeth into Jim McNichol. The extra time added on enabled Paul Dobson to score the all important equaliser to ensure that the Gulls didn't become the first club to be automatically relegated from the Football League.
This period was followed by the appointment of Cyril Knowles as manager, who led the Gulls to the brink of promotion in the 1987-88 campaign which saw them miss out in a two-legged Play-off final against Swansea City.
Then a year later United reached the Sherpa Van Trophy final where they were defeated by Bolton Wanderers after seeing off a Steve Bull-led Wolves in the Southern Area final. By the end of the year, Knowles had left Plainmoor and was replaced by former Plymouth Argyle manager Dave Smith.
Two years later, the Gulls' 25-year wait for promotion came to an end as United beat Blackpool on penalties, after drawing 2-2 in normal time, but this was followed by immediate relegation and the intervention of Neil Warnock as caretaker manager spared the Gulls a second consecutive demotion in the 1992-93 season.
The following season, under Warnock's successor Don O'Riordan, United reached the Play-offs again but lost to Preston North End in the semi-finals. However, two years later Stevenage Borough's ground not being up to league standard saved United from relegation to the Conference.
However, under Kevin Hodges, United reached the Play-offs again in the 1997-98 season where they beaten 1-0 by Colchester United at Wembley.
There was more last day drama at the end of the 2000-01 campaign for the Gulls, as they faced Barnet at Underhill in a final day decider which United won 3-2 with goals from Jason Rees, Kevin Hill and David Graham.
Three years later United travelled to the South East in different circumstances, under the management of Leroy Rosenior, as they faced Southend United in a bid to secure automatic promotion at the expense of Huddersfield Town.
A 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Steve Woods and David Graham clinched third place in Division Three and condemned Huddersfield to the Play-offs, as United went up automatically for the first time since 1966.
Sadly, as in the 1991-92 season, the Gulls stay in the third tier of English football lasted for only one season and it took another Great Escape under Ian Atkins in the following 2005-06 campaign to prevent them from dropping into non-league football.
Nevertheless it turned out to be a stay of execution as the 2006-07 season saw United drop out of the league for the first time ever in a season that saw them appoint three managers (Atkins, Lubos Kubik and Keith Curle) as well as three chairman (Mike Bateson, Chris Roberts and Keith Richardson before Bateson returned to the helm).
This was then followed by Leroy Rosenior's infamous ten minute spell as manager as a new consortium headed by Alex Rowe, which included lottery winner Paul Bristow, bought the club and appointed Paul Buckle as manager.
Two years, in 2009, the Gulls were back in the Football League as they defeated Cambridge United 2-0 at Wembley through goals from Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills.
The Gulls continued to progress on their return to the league as they reached the 2011 League Two Play-off final where they were beaten 1-0 by Stevenage - in what was Paul Buckle's last game in charge as he left for Bristol Rovers.
Nevertheless after the appointment of Martin Ling as Buckle's replacement, United continued to progress as they reached the Play-offs again - after missing out on automatic promotion - in the 2011-12 season, as they were beaten by Cheltenham Town in the semi-finals.
Unfortunately, following the departure of Ling and his successor Alan Knill, United would drop out of the Football League again at the end of the 2013-14 season.
A year later, the board which was made up of the consortium that took over the club in 2007, and now headed by Thea Bristow, the widow of Paul, handed over ownership of the club to a local board headed by Dave Phillips, with former striker Dean Edwards as Director of Football.
The new changes also saw former Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox appointed as manager in succession to Hargreaves, but Cox only lasted for ten matches as he resigned over a contract dispute.
He was succeeded as manager by Kevin Nicholson who, after an indifferent start, led the Gulls to safety after being 12 points adrift by mid-February, which was secured with a 2-0 win over Bromley in their penultimate away game of the 2015-16 campaign.
The following season, in which current owners Gaming International assumed ownership of the club, United found themselves in another relegation battle. However, three successive wins against Braintree Town, Dover Athletic and North Ferriby United saw the Gulls maintain their National League.
In the current campaign the threat of part-time regional football for the first time since the 1926-27 season is once again looming large. It is not beyond current manager Gary Owers and his squad to keep United up and steer them away from relegation to National League South, but everyone at the club from the boardroom downwards needs to be pulling in the same direction.
And anyone who is not up for that fight is best advised to step aside.
Keen observers of the club's history will surely know that the Gulls have experienced a great deal of volatility and turbulence; in the 1956-57 season United missed out on promotion to the 'old' Division Two to Ipswich Town on goal average, a year later they finished 21st in Division Three South and became founder members of the newly formed Division Four.
In the late 1960's and early 1970's, United enjoyed the most successful spell in their history. However, by the 1974-75 season the then Chairman Tony Boyce stated that the Gulls were in danger out going out of business in an appeal to the South Devon public and Torbay Council.
The sale of goalkeeper Mike Mahoney to Newcastle United for £30,000 proved to be a timely lifesaver.
Fast forward to the mid-1980's, Dave Webb took over ownership of the club from Boyce which proved to be the start of a period of decline which saw the Gulls survive as a Football League club in the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons through the old re-election system.
A year later the canine intervention of Bryn the Police Dog inspired another Great Escape against Crewe Alexandra, as he sunk his teeth into Jim McNichol. The extra time added on enabled Paul Dobson to score the all important equaliser to ensure that the Gulls didn't become the first club to be automatically relegated from the Football League.
This period was followed by the appointment of Cyril Knowles as manager, who led the Gulls to the brink of promotion in the 1987-88 campaign which saw them miss out in a two-legged Play-off final against Swansea City.
Then a year later United reached the Sherpa Van Trophy final where they were defeated by Bolton Wanderers after seeing off a Steve Bull-led Wolves in the Southern Area final. By the end of the year, Knowles had left Plainmoor and was replaced by former Plymouth Argyle manager Dave Smith.
Two years later, the Gulls' 25-year wait for promotion came to an end as United beat Blackpool on penalties, after drawing 2-2 in normal time, but this was followed by immediate relegation and the intervention of Neil Warnock as caretaker manager spared the Gulls a second consecutive demotion in the 1992-93 season.
The following season, under Warnock's successor Don O'Riordan, United reached the Play-offs again but lost to Preston North End in the semi-finals. However, two years later Stevenage Borough's ground not being up to league standard saved United from relegation to the Conference.
However, under Kevin Hodges, United reached the Play-offs again in the 1997-98 season where they beaten 1-0 by Colchester United at Wembley.
There was more last day drama at the end of the 2000-01 campaign for the Gulls, as they faced Barnet at Underhill in a final day decider which United won 3-2 with goals from Jason Rees, Kevin Hill and David Graham.
Three years later United travelled to the South East in different circumstances, under the management of Leroy Rosenior, as they faced Southend United in a bid to secure automatic promotion at the expense of Huddersfield Town.
A 2-1 win courtesy of goals from Steve Woods and David Graham clinched third place in Division Three and condemned Huddersfield to the Play-offs, as United went up automatically for the first time since 1966.
Sadly, as in the 1991-92 season, the Gulls stay in the third tier of English football lasted for only one season and it took another Great Escape under Ian Atkins in the following 2005-06 campaign to prevent them from dropping into non-league football.
Nevertheless it turned out to be a stay of execution as the 2006-07 season saw United drop out of the league for the first time ever in a season that saw them appoint three managers (Atkins, Lubos Kubik and Keith Curle) as well as three chairman (Mike Bateson, Chris Roberts and Keith Richardson before Bateson returned to the helm).
This was then followed by Leroy Rosenior's infamous ten minute spell as manager as a new consortium headed by Alex Rowe, which included lottery winner Paul Bristow, bought the club and appointed Paul Buckle as manager.
Two years, in 2009, the Gulls were back in the Football League as they defeated Cambridge United 2-0 at Wembley through goals from Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills.
The Gulls continued to progress on their return to the league as they reached the 2011 League Two Play-off final where they were beaten 1-0 by Stevenage - in what was Paul Buckle's last game in charge as he left for Bristol Rovers.
Nevertheless after the appointment of Martin Ling as Buckle's replacement, United continued to progress as they reached the Play-offs again - after missing out on automatic promotion - in the 2011-12 season, as they were beaten by Cheltenham Town in the semi-finals.
Unfortunately, following the departure of Ling and his successor Alan Knill, United would drop out of the Football League again at the end of the 2013-14 season.
A year later, the board which was made up of the consortium that took over the club in 2007, and now headed by Thea Bristow, the widow of Paul, handed over ownership of the club to a local board headed by Dave Phillips, with former striker Dean Edwards as Director of Football.
The new changes also saw former Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox appointed as manager in succession to Hargreaves, but Cox only lasted for ten matches as he resigned over a contract dispute.
He was succeeded as manager by Kevin Nicholson who, after an indifferent start, led the Gulls to safety after being 12 points adrift by mid-February, which was secured with a 2-0 win over Bromley in their penultimate away game of the 2015-16 campaign.
The following season, in which current owners Gaming International assumed ownership of the club, United found themselves in another relegation battle. However, three successive wins against Braintree Town, Dover Athletic and North Ferriby United saw the Gulls maintain their National League.
In the current campaign the threat of part-time regional football for the first time since the 1926-27 season is once again looming large. It is not beyond current manager Gary Owers and his squad to keep United up and steer them away from relegation to National League South, but everyone at the club from the boardroom downwards needs to be pulling in the same direction.
And anyone who is not up for that fight is best advised to step aside.
Friday, 29 December 2017
A PERMANENT MEMORIAL FOR IAN TWITCHIN?
Followers of Torquay United and South Devon football were left saddened by the passing of former Gulls' stalwart Ian Twitchin earlier this year.
Teignmouth-born Twitchin, who was 65, appeared 435 times for United between 1969 and 1981 after rising through the ranks as an apprentice at Plainmoor and appearing for England at Schoolboy level.
He is only one of five players ever to have made over 400 appearances for the Gulls - Ron Shaw, Dennis Lewis, Tommy Northcott and Kevin Hill are the other four.
Whilst he made his debut for United during one of the most successful eras in the club's history, which he remained one of the last remaining links with the Frank O'Farrell- Allan Brown years, in which the Gulls held in their own in what is now League One, until he was released at the end of the 1980-81 season.
Although Ian probably wasn't one of the most talented players to have ever pulled a Gulls shirt, he more than made up for it with his work-rate and tenacity. He was usually one of the leaders of the pack when the players were put through their paces on the notoriously gruelling Maidencombe run during pre-season training.
He was also perhaps unfortunate to have featured in a time in which the Gulls never seriously mounted a promotion challenge - aside from a few near misses towards the end of the 1970s under Mike Green, one of several managers that Ian served with distinction. However, he is one of several players from that spell who possibly deserved to be part of a promotion winning side, including goalkeeper John Turner, midfielder Clint Boulton and the deadly strike force of Steve Cooper and Les Lawrence.
As for ideas of how to honour him, they could range from an award for an outstanding young player to have progressed through the club's now revamped academy bearing his name - recognising local talent made good who have demonstrated the attributes that he himself displayed.
Or how about naming a stand after him, Bristow's Bench is already taken, but the Family Stand and Popular Side are up for grabs.
Either method would be a great way to give recognition to someone who gave the best year's of his life in the colours and the cause of Torquay United Football Club.
Teignmouth-born Twitchin, who was 65, appeared 435 times for United between 1969 and 1981 after rising through the ranks as an apprentice at Plainmoor and appearing for England at Schoolboy level.
He is only one of five players ever to have made over 400 appearances for the Gulls - Ron Shaw, Dennis Lewis, Tommy Northcott and Kevin Hill are the other four.
Whilst he made his debut for United during one of the most successful eras in the club's history, which he remained one of the last remaining links with the Frank O'Farrell- Allan Brown years, in which the Gulls held in their own in what is now League One, until he was released at the end of the 1980-81 season.
Although Ian probably wasn't one of the most talented players to have ever pulled a Gulls shirt, he more than made up for it with his work-rate and tenacity. He was usually one of the leaders of the pack when the players were put through their paces on the notoriously gruelling Maidencombe run during pre-season training.
He was also perhaps unfortunate to have featured in a time in which the Gulls never seriously mounted a promotion challenge - aside from a few near misses towards the end of the 1970s under Mike Green, one of several managers that Ian served with distinction. However, he is one of several players from that spell who possibly deserved to be part of a promotion winning side, including goalkeeper John Turner, midfielder Clint Boulton and the deadly strike force of Steve Cooper and Les Lawrence.
As for ideas of how to honour him, they could range from an award for an outstanding young player to have progressed through the club's now revamped academy bearing his name - recognising local talent made good who have demonstrated the attributes that he himself displayed.
Or how about naming a stand after him, Bristow's Bench is already taken, but the Family Stand and Popular Side are up for grabs.
Either method would be a great way to give recognition to someone who gave the best year's of his life in the colours and the cause of Torquay United Football Club.
Sunday, 24 December 2017
TORQUAY UNITED'S FOUR POINT PLAN FOR NATIONAL LEAGUE SURVIVAL
As Torquay United prepare for their Boxing Day trip to Eastleigh, we will now take a look a four major points which will aid the Gulls in their bid for National League survival.
1. It's better to win one game and lose one than to draw two.
One of former Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock's favourite sayings was that 'draws can kill you - it's better to win one and lose one than to draw two.' The ex Dundee United and Scotland striker's famous phrase is very apt for the situation that the Gulls find themselves in.
A win and loss in two successive games would yield a return of three points for the Gulls, whilst two draws offer a return of two. Also over a period of five matches, a run of two wins, two draws and a defeat brings with it a haul of eight points, in contrast to a sequence of three victories and two losses offers a return of nine. In their current position United need all the points that they can muster.
2. More goals are required from other positions and not just strikers.
United have been crying out for a prolific striker in a season that has seen Ruairi Keating and Jamie Reid top the club's goal scoring charts with four goals each - which is something that manager Gary Owers still looking to address.
However, more goals from defence and midfield will also help aid the Gulls' cause. So far in the current campaign Luke Young has chipped in with three from midfield, and Bristol City loanee George Dowling has also found the target.
Meanwhile skipper Sean McGinty is the only defender to have found the target after netting twice so far this season. The aforementioned individuals will have to add to their tally and others will also need to follow their example to help boost the survival prospects of Owers' side.
3. Results against the teams around them are important.
As well as Xmas double header against Eastleigh, the Gulls also have home matches against Barrow, Guiseley and FC Halifax coming up in the second half of the season, and they also have to travel to Leyton Orient, Solihull Moors and Chester FC. Positive results in these matches could yet prove to be vital for United to help close the gap between themselves and safety - especially in a division where anyone can beat anyone on any given day.
4. Plainmoor needs to be a fortress.
With only two wins and five draws from 13 home matches this season, United's home form is the second worst in the National League. The importance of winning in front of their own fans is something that Gulls boss Gary Owers will need to impress on his players as they enter 2018, and what better late Christmas present could the United squad provide for their fans than three points on New Year's Day against Eastleigh.
1. It's better to win one game and lose one than to draw two.
One of former Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock's favourite sayings was that 'draws can kill you - it's better to win one and lose one than to draw two.' The ex Dundee United and Scotland striker's famous phrase is very apt for the situation that the Gulls find themselves in.
A win and loss in two successive games would yield a return of three points for the Gulls, whilst two draws offer a return of two. Also over a period of five matches, a run of two wins, two draws and a defeat brings with it a haul of eight points, in contrast to a sequence of three victories and two losses offers a return of nine. In their current position United need all the points that they can muster.
2. More goals are required from other positions and not just strikers.
United have been crying out for a prolific striker in a season that has seen Ruairi Keating and Jamie Reid top the club's goal scoring charts with four goals each - which is something that manager Gary Owers still looking to address.
However, more goals from defence and midfield will also help aid the Gulls' cause. So far in the current campaign Luke Young has chipped in with three from midfield, and Bristol City loanee George Dowling has also found the target.
Meanwhile skipper Sean McGinty is the only defender to have found the target after netting twice so far this season. The aforementioned individuals will have to add to their tally and others will also need to follow their example to help boost the survival prospects of Owers' side.
3. Results against the teams around them are important.
As well as Xmas double header against Eastleigh, the Gulls also have home matches against Barrow, Guiseley and FC Halifax coming up in the second half of the season, and they also have to travel to Leyton Orient, Solihull Moors and Chester FC. Positive results in these matches could yet prove to be vital for United to help close the gap between themselves and safety - especially in a division where anyone can beat anyone on any given day.
4. Plainmoor needs to be a fortress.
With only two wins and five draws from 13 home matches this season, United's home form is the second worst in the National League. The importance of winning in front of their own fans is something that Gulls boss Gary Owers will need to impress on his players as they enter 2018, and what better late Christmas present could the United squad provide for their fans than three points on New Year's Day against Eastleigh.
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