Paul Wotton: “You have to win at places like Dover if you want to be promoted”

Torquay United start the new year with an epic trip across the country to face Dover Athletic, as the race for promotion enters the second half of the season.

The Gulls were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw at Bath City in midweek and manager Paul Wotton is acutely aware that maximum points are required from these awkward away trips.

He has called on his team to be more ruthless at Dover than they were on Tuesday night.

“We started the game really well and had three great chances in the first half, but credit to Bath,” he said. “We’ve spoken about ruthlessness and quality in the final third.

“We didn’t put enough balls in the box, flitted about with the ball too much in wide areas. We’ve come away from home and our goalkeeper hasn’t had a save to make but we didn’t make their goalkeeper work enough in the second half.

“It comes down to ruthlessness in front of goal. It was a clean sheet and a point away from home, but I’m disappointed we didn’t win. We were just a bit tentative in the final third.”

While United sit fifth in the National League South table, they are five points behind in-form leaders Worthing, who are making a proper push for the automatic promotion slot. Dover, meanwhile, will be wary of not being dragged into a relegation scrap after three straight losses over Christmas.

“It is a monster trip to Dover and a nightmare for the fans as the first game in January,” added Wotton. “It’s not an ideal fixture but we have rested and recovered for the long trip.

“We will be ready for Saturday, everyone came through the Bath game and Dover will be another tough fixture. It is a place where, if you want to win the league, you need to win. A point away from home is always to be respected but you need wins to get promoted.

“There are 22 games left to play, we’re fit and strong, and just need to believe in ourselves a little bit more.”