Fellow promotion contenders Concord Rangers come to Plainmoor on Saturday in what is another important game for United (kick-off 3pm).
TUFC manager Gary Johnson is eager for his team to maintain the standards that saw them come out 4-1 winners over St Albans on Tuesday night.
“It’s another key game, we’ve had a few of them recently,” said Johnson at his weekly press call. “The boys have got to realise that. I made sure they didn’t rest on their laurels yesterday. I think they thought they was going to get a massive pat on the back for the performance. I did mention that but in training I made sure that I didn’t want them going below that standard of energy, and team spirit. The running that they put in; I don’t want them having a rest on Saturday.”
The Yellow Army enjoyed watching a dominant performance from their team against St Albans. There is a balance to be struck in order to achieve results according to the Gaffer.
“We outplayed for most of the time a team that has been doing very well in the league. It’s about how we play and that’s important to me, and that’s important to me. It’s about how we stop the opposition playing; we’ve got to try and make sure our strengths come out and we alleviate their strengths. That’s why sometimes teams don’t look as good as maybe they could be.
“We’ve got to continue improving, of course we have, and we will do. Even if we reach the top of the league we’ll still keep improving because you’ve got to be looking for the following season in case you get promoted you’ve got to be ready, so I don’t have to find twenty players in the summer. These players have to prove themselves to earn another contract if we go up to the next level.
“We certainly look to the next level and then you look ahead to the next one once you get there. It’s stages. A club can’t go up three levels up, it has to build up, build the infrastructure, build the team, build the confidence, build the crowd. That’s how you have to do it. I’ve done that a couple of times at different clubs. You can’t say “give me five years and I’ll get you in the conference”, because nobody wants to hear that. You can’t say to your supporters “we’ll consolidate for a couple of years”, because they don’t want to hear that either. You’ve got to do as quick as you can but as clever as you can, and as educated as you can. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
Johnson is hoping that the atmosphere in Plainmoor can be even better considering the challenge that Concord Rangers pose.
“They are on the same points as us, it becomes another not quite six-pointer but it’s an important game and they have got experience. They’ve got quite a few experienced players that we’ve got to be wary of.
Ryan Dickson is a doubt for Saturday’s match and will be assessed before the match. Opi Edwards looks likely to take a place in the match day squad. George Essuman may return to training late next week. Alex Bass is still recovering from a ligament injury. Jakub Sokolik has received a setback after picking up a knee ligament injury and will be out for the near to mid-term.
National League South | Torquay United Vs Concord Rangers | 17/11/18 | 3pm KO | To purchase and print your ticket before arriving click here. Fans will not be able to choose their seats on the day but will still be able to pay at the turnstile. We encourage everyone who is able, to buy and print/download tickets in advance.