BOTTOM OF THE TABLE UNITED NEED A RESULT ON SATURDAY AND TIME TO HEAR FROM THE OWNER.
UNDER - 18s SCORE EIGHT AND THE WOMEN’S SIDE WIN AGAIN
Predictably a 6-0 drubbing away from home has led to a lot of head scratching and vitriolic comments on social media as United sunk to bottom of the National League, on goal difference, as money bags Wrexham ran riot.
Wrexham are not title favourites for nothing and their victory was the fifth consecutive home one of the new season with a goal tally of: For 20, Against 3. Judge the squad after the first ten games say most managers and Gary Johnson was no different.
So, after ten games being in the relegation zone is not what the owner, directors or management team pictured back in August when newly relegated Oldham Athletic came to Plainmoor on the opening day.
Win your home games and, at the very least, draw away and you have a good recipe for a promotion push. Sadly, until Saturday, United’s away results were far superior to home performances.
Johnson has been around long enough to know that United’s start is unacceptable and he has the experience to know how to fix it - as long as the owner is prepared to continue to bankroll the club. A few words of encouragement from Clarke Osborne would be timely.
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This coming Saturday throws up a match of real significance: Firstly, because it will be a real test of United’s support - will further fans have drained away leaving only the die-hards and secondly, because a home win is long overdue and the three points could take the team out of the bottom four.
In fact, Torquay’s last home win was on May 7, defeating Chesterfield 2-0 with goals from Duke-McKenna and a Little penalty.
Where do we go from here? Well, as the saying goes, the only way is up.
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Who would have predicted a six-pointer, relegation battle at the beginning of October as Scunthorpe United come to town? The last time United played them at Plainmoor was a League 2 fixture in April 2014 with the visitors winning 1-0.
You have to go back to February 2004 to find a home win against The Iron, a 1-0 win thanks to an early Matt Hockley goal.
United lined up that afternoon: Dearden, Hockley, Taylor, Woods, Canoville, McGlinchey, Fowler, Hill, Russell, Graham, Gritton.
Used subs were: Bedeau, Wills, Woozley.
What would we give for these players now!
And let’s not discuss Scunthorpe’s visit in 1995 … 1-8.
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Non- League Crowd Watch: Wrexham had the biggest attendance, 9,970 for the visit of the Gulls and home fans got their money’s worth. Next best was 6,759 at York City, followed by Bromley’s 3,628. In National North Hereford’s 3-0 win was watched by 1,908 but in the Northern Premier 2,331 turned up at South Shields.
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Steve Elswood’s Torquay United Women recorded back-to-back wins coming back from a goal down at Forest Green with goals from Tracey Cross and Daisy Self to clinch victory.
And what about the amazing 47,367 who were at the Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal women trounce Tottenham Women 4-0 in the Women’s Super League.
Meanwhile, United’s Under-18s hit eight in a 8-1 Devon Youth Cup win over Central Youth Under-18. Then on Monday evening they recorded a 3-1 hard fought win in the FA Youth Cup 2nd Round Qualifying at Falmouth Town with goals from Jayden Gilbert, Ben Aldous and Isaac McCue.
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As this column reported a couple of weeks ago, lower league sides are seriously considering early kick-offs to avoid floodlight use and Mansfield Town are the first EFL side to announce this. A club spokesman saying, “The club is endeavouring to mitigate the forthcoming, considerable increase in energy bills.”
Another hidden rising cost is for teams’ hotel overnight stays. Whereas one night for a squad in a hotel last season cost £2,000 to £3,000 it is more than £4,000 now.
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Another topic raised by Fans’ Zone has been the issue of heading and on Sunday, backed by the charity ‘Head For Change’, there was a second match where no heading was allowed following a trial last year.
Alan Shearer is leading a campaign to have temporary rather than permanent concussion substitutes, so that doctors have more time to make an assessment, rather like the 10 minute head injury assessment in rugby.
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Fans be warned. The FA, the Premier League and EFL announced last week that fans caught carrying or activating pyrotechnics or smoke bombs, or entering the pitch without permission, would receive a minimum one year stadium ban.
This is because of an increase in fan disorder last season right through from the Premier League to the National League. The Police say that anyone who commits a criminal offence either outside or inside a football ground can expect to face the consequences of their actions.
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From the replies, the return of live streaming cannot come fast enough. Reader Rob Chandler’s reaction was typical of many when he says, “I live a good three and a half hour’s drive from Plainmoor and would subscribe to live streaming and be prepared to pay more than the entrance fee.” Hopefully, the club are dusting off their equipment and planning ahead.
Performances are not great but Saturday’s match followed swiftly by the visit of Maidenhead on Tuesday night are matches which need the Yellow Army as the 12th man.
Would you still watch football if there was no heading? What are your thoughts? Send them to: fanszone.tu@gmail.com or Twitter: @FanszoneT.
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