TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DOVER ATHLETIC

1. McGavin's eighth of the season.

When it comes to deciding who scored Torquay United's best goal of the 2023-24 campaign, there's likely to be one competition for Brett McGavin and one for everyone else. 

McGavin's eighth goal of the campaign, which he struck from 30 yards after a cross from Ethon Archer fell into his path in the 59th minute, proved to be the difference. And he almost netted towards the end when his free-kick from the edge of the penalty area on 90 minutes was turned around the post by Dover keeper Daniel Jinadu. If that had gone in, he would have been level with Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash in United's goalscoring charts. 

2. Dan Martin makes a promising return at left-back. 

Dan Martin's time at Plainmoor has been very much stop, start due to a combination of injuries and illness. However, he returned to the Gulls' starting line-up with an industrious display on the left hand side of United's defence. 

The former Cardiff City youngster was solid defensively and looked strong going forward. He even found himself through on goal in the 56th minute, with a shot that he fired straight at Jinadu in the Dover goal. 

3. Ollie Tomlinson and Dean Moxey looked strong as a centre back pairing. 

Once again, United's centre back pairing of Ollie Tomlinson and Dean Moxey put on a good show in the centre of the Gulls' defence. Admittedly, Dover didn't offer a huge threat in attack, but Tomlinson, not the most physically imposing of centre backs, displayed good positional sense and Moxey once again read the game well and made an important tackle in the 10th minute to deny Dover striker George Nikaj. 

4. Returns for Brad Ash and Tom Lapslie. 

United's injury list in the 2023-24 campaign has been lengthy, with the Gulls missing as many as nine players at one point. 

Two of those who have experienced particularly lengthy absences have been Brad Ash, who hadn't featured for United since their 3-1 win over Weymouth in early December. 

Ash started out as a lone striker while Lapslie returned from the bench as a replacement for skipper Asa Hall. United's record with Lapslie in the side prior to their meeting with Dover had read played 15, won 11, drawn once and lost three times. That record has now been extended to played 16, won 12, draw one and lost three.

5. Managing expectations. 

Torquay's last spell in National League South saw them dominate teams en route to winning the title. However, after losing ten out their 26 league encounters, United look destined for the play-offs and trail leaders Yeovil Town by 18 points. 

A section of the Gulls's support were calling for manager Gary Johnson to be sacked, many still angry about the club's relegation at the end of the 2022-23 campaign. 

While some fans would have thought that United could have beaten Dover by a bigger margin, it is worth noting that the Lilywhites have drawn twice with Bath City and beaten Aveley, two teams who are both in contention for a play-off place with the Gulls. 

Second place, which would guarantee home advantage for the play-off semi final and the final, should they reach it, is still up for grabs. And with more players set to return from injury, including Aaron Jarvis and Kevin Dawson, there is potential for the Gulls to finish the season with a flourish.

FOSTER LOOKING TO CONTINUE PILGRIMS' PROGRESS

 After seeing Steven Schumacher leave Home Park to take charge of Stoke City, Plymouth Argyle turned to former England Under-20 coach Ian Foster as his successor. 

Foster, 47, had spent most of playing career in non-league and the lower reaches of the Football League with Hereford, Barrow, Kidderminster Harriers and Chester before moving into coaching. 

As a manager, he started with Galway United in 2009,  who he kept in the League of Ireland Premier Division before moving on to Dundalk. While with Dundalk, he led them into the Europa League before returning to England in 2012 to take up a role at Coventry City's Under-18 side and he oversaw the development of James Maddison, Callum Wilson and Cyrus Christie amongst others. 

He was then appointed as first team coach at Portsmouth under Paul Cook. Foster then began coaching for the FA, working with the England Under-17, Under-18, Under-19 and Under-20 sides over a number of years and also served alongside Phil Neville during his spell as England Women's manager. 

In 2023, he left the FA to work as Steven Gerrard's assistant in the Saudi Professional League at Al-Ettifaq before he returned to England to take charge of the Pilgrims.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS EASTBOURNE BOROUGH

 1. First draw since the opening day. 

United's draw with Eastbourne Borough was their first draw of the 2023-24 season since the opening day of the campaign when they drew 2-2 with Dover Athletic. 

2. Tom Lapslie a big miss.

There are stats that show the difference between when Tom Lapslie appears for United and when he doesn't. The Gulls have won 11 of the 15 games he has featured in, drawn one and lost three. 

Without Lapslie's drive and dynamism, United lacked any bite in the centre of the park and when they conceded possession, they often struggled to win the ball back. 

3. Three apiece for Dillon De Silva and Will Jenkins Davies.

By finding the target against Eastbourne, Dillon De Silva and Will Jenkins Davies have taken their respective tallies for the season to three goals. 

4. Gulls below the line. 

Results elsewhere have ensured that United have dropped out of the play-off zone and find themselves in eighth place. 

The Gulls have games in over the teams directly above them, two over seventh placed Aveley and one over sixth placed Bath City - who United are level on points with. However, the Gulls need to win those games, otherwise the plan going forward with become increasingly difficult for the club. 

5. Room for manoeuvre.

With Shaun Donnellan's transfer to Livingston now confirmed, there is now surely room to bring one or two additions. 

Leading scorers Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash are currently still injured and Theo Williams has returned to Fleetwood Town following his loan spell, so another attacking option could be the order of the day.

SCHUEY'S AT THE POTTERS' WHEEL - BUT WHAT DIRECTION WILL ARGYLE TAKE NEXT?

 'Can he do it on a cold Tuesday night in Stoke?' has become a well worn footballing cliche since Stoke City won promotion to the Premier League under Tony Pulis in the 2007-08 season and laid the foundations for a decade long stay in the division. 

Now, after making the same journey from Home Park to the Bet365 Stadium that Pulis made in the summer of 2006, Steven Schumacher has becomes the latest manager to accept the challenge of leading the Potters back into the top flight following their relegation at the end of the 2017-18 campaign. 

With a win ratio of 52.78% and after winning the League One title with a record 101 points in the 2022-23 season, it was perhaps only a matter of time before Schumacher was head hunted in the same manner that other Argyle managers such as Paul Sturrock, Tony Pulis, Ian Holloway and his predecessor and good friend Ryan Lowe were in the last two decades. 

Since the summer of 2018, several managers have tried to revive the Potters' fortunes, including Gary Rowett, Nathan Jones, former Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill and Alex Neil, but failed to. However, if Schumacher can implement the formula that served him so well with the Pilgrims. 

Where does this leave the Pilgrims? One man who will have a say in choosing Schumacher's successor will be Director of Football Neil Dewsnip, who was also responsible for selecting Schumacher as Ryan Lowe's replacement when he left to take charge of Preston North End. 

It is unlikely that new boss will be appointed until the New Year, so Dewsnip and first team coach Kevin Nancekivell will be overseeing the first team in the meantime. 

Names already mentioned include John Eustace, who was sacked by Birmingham City to make way for Wayne Rooney, Notts County manager Luke Williams and former Pilgrims boss Neil Warnock, who managed the club between 1995-1997, have already been linked with the post.  

Whoever the Pilgrims choose to appoint will be inheriting a core of talented young players that include summer signings Bali Mumba and Morgan Whittaker, goalkeeper Michael Cooper once he returns from injury and young central midfielder Adam Randell. 

 

 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

1. Dean Moxey scores winner in 'Gary time'

When it needed someone to step up when it mattered most, United skipper Dean Moxey duly delivered as he arrived to turn home Brett McGavin's cross in the 89th minute to seal a 3-2 for Torquay United against Hemel Hempstead Town. 

Moxey arrived at the back post, just when it was looking as though the Gulls might have to settle for a post, and found the back of the net for the first time this season to secure a fifth straight win for United. 

If ever you needed your captain to step up to the plate, then that was it.

2. The resurgence of Ryan Hanson.

After experiencing a challenging 2022-23 campaign, central midfielder Ryan Hanson is now beginning to put a consistent run of form together. 

The former Hull City youngster scored United's first goal as he slotted home after Theo Williams had seen his shot blocked. 

He also had a hand in the Gulls' second goal, as it was his through ball found Theo Williams, who saw his effort parried away by Hemel keeper Craig King before Ethon Archer bundled home United's equaliser. 

3. Ethon Archer is turning out to be a real find. 

A few eyebrows were raised by the Plainmoor faithful when United manager Gary Johnson signed Ethon Archer from Isthmian League side Three Bridges. However, Archer is now showing why Johnson was prepared to take a punt on him.

As well as scoring his first goal for the club when he bundled home the rebound from Theo Williams' saved effort, Archer proved to be a thorn in the side of Hemel Hempstead and was a constant threat for the Gulls. 

Expect him to make many more appearances between now and the end of the campaign. 

4. Theo Williams was a focal point up front.

With Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash both absent through injury, it was left to Theo Williams to lead United's forward line against Hemel Hempstead. 

The Fleetwood Town loanee, who flanked by EthonArcher and Lewis Collins, proved to be an effective focal point for the Gulls' attack, and played a key role in United's first two goals. 

It was from his blocked shot that Ryan Hanson netted United's first goal and it was he who forced the save from which Archer bundled home United's leveller. 

It will be a role that he will be set to continue in in the coming weeks and months. 

5. United now up to second. 

As results elsewhere went in their favour, the Gulls have now moved up to second in the National League South table. 

United started the day in fourth place, but Maidstone United's 5-1 defeat to Worthing and Hampton and Richmond's goalless draw with league leaders Yeovil Town sees United sitting in second place, which will give them a big advantage in the play-offs should they find themselves occupying it at the end of the season.

Second spot will guarantee the Gulls home advantage in the play-off semi-finals and then in the final itself should they progress. 

TON UP FOR RANDELL

Plymouth Argyle midfielder Adam Randell picked the perfect way to mark his 100th appearance for the Pilgrims, as he struck with a 90th minute winner against Stoke City. 

For a boyhood Argyle fan Randell, who progressed through the club's youth ranks, the script could not have been written any better as he secured a 2-1 win over his hometown club. 

Randell joins a long line of Plymouth-born players who have endeared themselves to the 'Green Army' over the years and established themselves as first team regulars. The list includes the likes of Steve Davey, John Uzzell, Mickey Evans, Paul Wotton, Steve Adams, Joe Mason, not to mention Randell's teammate Michael Cooper. 

After signing his first professional contract in 2018, Randell made a smattering of appearances for the Pilgrims before joining Torquay United on a season-long loan deal in the 2020-21 campaign. He finished the season as the Gulls' young player of the year and also featured in their National League Play-off final defeat to Hartlepool United. 

On his return to Home Park, he soon became a regular in the Argyle line-up as he helped the Pilgrims to win promotion from League One with a record points haul of 101 and the final of the EFL Trophy in the 2022-23 campaign. 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS TONBRIDGE ANGELS

1. Dean Moxey's excellent display in the heart of United's defence. 

United defender Dean Moxey was like a Rolls Royce in the centre of the Gulls' defence. Not only did the Gulls' skipper make a number of crucial blocks, tackles and interceptions, his distribution was also outstanding as he seldom wasted a pass. 

He also played an important role in keeping Tonbridge Angels' leading scorer Jordan Greenidge quiet. 

2. Brad Ash makes it eight for the campaign. 

By scoring the winning goal for the Gulls, Brad Ash took his tally for the season to eight goals, which puts him one behind United's leading scorer Aaron Jarvis, who currently has nine to his name. 

Jack Stobbs teed up sub Dylan Crowe for a cross which found Ash, who struck to restore the Gulls' lead in the 61st minute - Francis Mampolo had cancelled out Dillon De Silva's tenth minute opener two minutes earlier. 

Ash is now almost half way to equalling his tally of 18 goals from last season with Weymouth, who United face on Tuesday night. 

3. Lewis Collins' cross for Dillon De Silva's opener. 

After making his move from Newport County permanent, following an impressive loan spell in the 2022-23 season, Lewis Collins' form for the Gulls had been indifferent, but he produced arguably his best display for United in 2023-24. 

On ten minutes, he latched onto a ball down the left wing from Jack Stobbs before producing a cross which found Dillon De Silva who scored the Gulls' opening goal.

4. McGavin's industriousness in midfield.

Since Brett McGavin's move to playing as a deep lying playmaker in front of the Gulls' back four, the former Ipswich Town starlet has been given more licence to express his ability. 

However, against Tonbridge Angels, he displayed a different side to his game, producing arguably his best display in terms of work rate. 

In addition to looking get on the ball and find a pass, he also made a number of important tackles and won numerous headers. 

5. The sit-in protest. 

Once the 90 minutes were up, around 150 United fans stayed behind as part of a sit in protest against the lack of communication from the club's board of directors.

In response to the threat of the protest, the club have announced an online fan's forum, whereby supporters can email questions to the club. There is also plans for an Independent Supporters Steering Group. Also, CEO George Edwards has met with Torquay United Supporter's Trust chairman Nick Broderick in the past week. 

In addition to this, United chairman Clarke Osborne also gave an interview to the Torbay Weekly editor Jim Parker. The interview itself was ground breaking, as Osborne rarely gives interviews. He is also rarely seen at United matches, which he indicates is down to his various business and family commitments. Nevertheless, if Osborne was to make an appearance on Boxing Day, when the Gulls' face Truro City, it would be seen as a genuine attempt to build bridges with the fanbase.