NLS: Dover v Torquay United 3pm 05 August 2023.

Do we???

That was a feature of last season. Opponents knew we were vulnerable on the right side of defence and just kept attacking it, it was common knowledge throughout the league and God help us if it's common knowledge down among the part timers of the NLS.
Normally I would say it's only the first game wait and see what happens but we all thought this team of players would be well suited to this league and Dover are quite frankly a basket case of a club so today's result is very disappointing and gives cause for concern.
Two home games up next Worthing and Chippenham. If we don't get six points from those it's going to be a hard season and in addition we need to win those games well not just hack out narrow wins.

Congratulations to Dover, who have managed to get half their seasonal points average in the first game of the season. 👍

My previous Johnson out post was somewhat tongue in cheek. However my fear is that our tactical approach of " shit or bust " will be exposed even at this lower level.
Let's see where we are after 10 games.

Must say I'm a little bemused as to why the defensive frailties haven't been properly addressed.

Looking back over last season it was the main reason we were so poor for two thirds of it and paid the price.
If Halstead hadn't found his form after a poor initial period it would have been a darn sight worse.
Problem is GJ is set in his ways tactically and has always favoured an open attacking style which when on song is great to watch there's no denying but when its doesn't function as it didn't yesterday for 70 minutes we will always be left open to concede.

The squad has been calling out for a proper specialist central defender now ever since Cameron / Lewis departed. Nico Lawrence was a revelation and made a huge difference to our back line and the manager, it seems has decided to work with what he's got, Donelon, Tomlinson, Marshal, and Moxey in those central areas none of which fill me with any confidence either because the are inexperienced, not up tp it or simply not specialist central defenders.

Dover looked young, hungry, physical and full of pace and energy. Up against the likes of Hall, Mac Gavin and Laplsie once they cottoned on it was no wonder they they were bypassing our midfield with ease at times.
Compare with the backline we had the last time we were in this division, the back line Gary Johnson inherited, Kyle Cameron, Liam Davis, Ben Wynter, Niate who all also contributed at set pieces, there's simply no comparison in quality and that has to be a major concern.
Johnson builds his sides from the FRONT, I just feel its a dodgy game to play at any level and why at the moment at least I'm not as confident as many are of us dominating this division.

Bit harsh on Moxey, he played in a back three in the premiership.

Not intended as a criticism of Moxey whatsoever Rob, its a shame I included him in the same sentence for word economy... undoubtedly our best bet in a central role currently though I only recall him being a specialist left side wing back/midfielder and not a true specialist central defender.
I wonder how many games he will miss through injury and how much longer he can keep up with the younger forward players at 37.
I thought our lack of pace in the middle of the park was exposed by the weakest side in the division just as it was last season when McGavin Hall Lapslie were in the engine room .
Sometimes we can get away with it when the old heads are able to use their football brain on the pitch to make up, others times not as we saw yesterday.

Personally I'm not that enamored with our back line, even our first choice back line or our lack of pace and mobility in the middle.

Some may think otherwise I guess and we will have to wait and see if its going to be good enough to get us out of the division.

One things for sure their ain't going to much breathing space for the manager, with the knives already out and sharpened in some quarters which is just crazy after just one game.