Copy of Fan Zone 07/03/2026
- TUST
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
FAN ZONE
By Nick Brodrick, TUST's Chair and TUFC board member.
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FANS DIVIDED OVER WOTTON SACKING AS NEIL WARNOCK TAKES TEMPORARY ROLE
CLUB BOARD SIFTS THROUGH APPLICANTS TO DRAW UP SHORT LIST
UNITED WOMEN HIT EIGHT IN SOMERSET IN SEARCH OF TITLE
It’s been another busy week for us TUST appointed directors of the football club as both Danni and myself were fully involved in the board meetings discussing Paul Wotton’s position as manager. We appreciate that the decision to part company has divided the fan base for Paul, last season, got us so close to promotion but it was felt, despite having strong personal and emotional attachments to Paul, that the squad needed a change of leadership.
In the short term – and at the time of writing the length of short term is uncertain – we are fortunate to have the experience and calibre of Neil Warnock to guide the squad through this tricky patch.
Having at least four or five key players injured is a handicap but as Neil says, it’s a chance for others to step up and give a 100%, “that’s all I ask.”_______________________________________________________________________
Tuesday night’s match against relegation threatened Farnborough was always going to be a difficult challenge especially as they have recruited a number of decent additions in recent weeks and were fresh from a creditable 2-2 draw at fifth placed Ebbsfleet, who United play this Saturday.
The first half was a tough watch and despite a number of the squad posting messages on X over the weekend – Jordan Young’s sums up the mood: “Yesterday hurt (Saturday’s 5-0 defeat to Chelmsford), nowhere good enough from all of us. Apologies to the fans didn’t deserve to watch that. We know we let a lot of people down. On us to make it up.”Jay Foulston wrote, “We know we haven’t been good enough lately and it’s down to us to change that.” – and it took until into the second half before some confidence appeared.
But let’s face it a draw was disappointing and the gap behind leaders Dorking is looking too wide to close although with ten games to go anything can still happen.
For me the biggest plus from the night was the size of the crowd. That over 3,000 were inside Plainmoor after a 5-0 drubbing was a fantastic response and could only put down to the Warnock effect.
Incidentally, the last time United lost 5-0 at home was against Leyton Orient on January 18th 1930.
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Saturday’s performance was a nightmare that unfolded in front of our eyes following swiftly from defeats at Worthing and Eastbourne, in fact February was a month to forget.Realistically, as Neil Warnock said in his press call on Thursday, the title is going to be a step too far but a play- off place is still there.
He hinted too that he is likely to be in place for next Tuesday’s Plainmoor fixture with Salisbury and probably Saturdays with Chesham while there may even be a loan or two coming in. Even his long- time assistant, Ronnie Jepson, is likely to be alongside him in the dug-out at Ebbsfleet this afternoon.
Warnock is a canny operator who knows what to say to the press; he’s an expert story teller!
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Meanwhile the club have been sifting through a large field of applicants for the manager’s job with a view to sorting out a short list with interviews next week.
What are your views of the events of the week? Fanszone.tu@gmail.com.
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Non-League Crowd Watch: Saturday & Mid-Week: Southend 7,741, Scunthorpe 4,230, Morecambe 3,726, Southport 3,696, Hartlepool 3,574, Torquay 3,224.
In the National League clash Boreham Wood (4th) versus York City (1st) attracted only 1,801 with the Wood ending York’s 24 match unbeaten run, 3-2.
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Last Sunday United’s Women travelled to Somerset running out 8-0 winners at bottom side Bishops Lydeard including another Connie Pengelly hat-trick, following one the previous Sunday.
This Sunday the Women are at the Rec with the return fixture against Bishops Lydeard.
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A number of articles in the National press this week have been about the number of goals scored from set pieces, mostly corners, in the Premier League. Arsenal, in particular, seem to be the masters of this.
17.6 per cent of all goals scored so far, 138, are from corners. Arne Slot, Liverpool manager, said that set pieces were “the new reality of the Premier League this season” after his side scored three against West Ham while Arsenal scored three from corners against Chelsea.
At this point step forward Sonny Blu Lo-Everton’s direct strike against Farnborough. I think, though, that the Premier League issue with corners is the additional pushing, shoving, shirt pulling inside the six- yard box.
No doubt another topic for the International Football Association Board (IFAB) to sort out along with VAR.
Talking of Liverpool, even top sides can go to the bottom team (Wolves) and get beaten – it happens.
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Welsh international, Everton and Torquay goalkeeping legend Neville Southall returned to Plainmoor last night for a great night in The Cove telling a packed restaurant about his times at Bury, Everton, playing for Wales, working with disadvantaged children and of course playing in goal for Torquay under Wes Saunders.
Amongst his many stories Southall told of a Boxing Day match at Plymouth Argyle. Saunders’ United had found playing away a problem so he told the players in the dressing-room before kick-off to close their eyes and pretend they were playing at home! (It was an interesting anecdote but on checking if it was a match versus Plymouth it wasn’t on a Boxing Day!)
What he did say was “at Torquay you’re a proper football fan. I love this club.” Adding, “Team spirit pulls you through, what you’ve learnt this season you can fix next.”
With 10 matches, 9 after today, to go, nothing is decided yet. If you’re not at Northfleet, all ears will be listening.
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Thanks to all who have completed our consultation survey, at the last count over 730, which closed last night. We will now be analysing all your results and comments.
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