Wotton on Totton: “Christmas is a time to pick up points for Torquay United”

Points are all that matter at any time of year, but especially in the busy Christmas period, and that starts at Totton today for Torquay United.

The Gulls defeated the Stags in the league back in August but did slip to a defeat at Totton in the FA Cup, and United manager Paul Wotton is acutely aware of the tough run ahead.

After Totton, United have a mouthwatering Boxing Day visit from promotion rivals Weston-super-Mare but then it is back on the road for difficult away fixtures at Bath and Dover.

“We’ve had two tough games against Totton already,” said Wotton. “We were excellent in the first half of the league game but the second half was really tough, and we didn’t play particularly well in the FA Cup game.

“The starting 11 today will be vastly different but I respect their manager, respect their football club and a good environment to play. The pitch is lovely and we’re looking forward to it.

“We have away games at Totton, Bath and Dover, so three very tricky games, obviously with the home game [against Weston-super-Mare on Boxing Day] in between that. It is the time of year where you can pick up points quickly and that will obviously be our aim.

“We’re on a good run of form but in the Tonbridge game, the first goal was clearly offside, which we’ve had an apology for. We weren’t quite at the levels we’ve been before but looking at the game statistically, we actually created more chances than we did against Eastbourne [a 7-0 win]. On another day, we win that game.

“It’s not always easy when you have a two-week break but it has given the boys a chance to go home and see their families because it’s not a normal time of the year for people involved in football.

“A couple of injuries have improved, the boys had a little break and training has been at a very high standard, so that break has helped.”