We face one of our favourites this weekend when the Gulls fly into town.  This type of Gull doesn't crap on us though, we do that to them.

In six League meetings with them we have only dropped four points out of a possible eighteen and have yet to drop a point at home to them.  Strictly speaking we shouldn't have beaten them two seasons ago but the ref awarded us a dubious last minute penalty and Tony Bird buried it to give us a 1-0 win.

This season Torquay look like being on the receiving end of another defeat with us improving by the minute and their away record being none too good.  Apart from an opening day win at Northampton they have only won once more away from home and that came at local rivals, Yeovil, at the end of September.

They did us a favour last weekend when they beat Cheltenham at Plainmoor.  That 3-1 win, combined with our win at Rochdale, put us back above the 'Nam in the League.

Two of the Gull's goals came from their hottest property, David Graham.  He has been the subject of some transfer speculation this week with Plymouth having been in talks with him that came to nothing, so far, and Walsall also rumoured to be watching him closely.

Torquay have just signed an old friend of ours.  Narada Bernard has just signed for them from our FA Cup opponents, Woking, and should be available to play tomorrow.  He was on trial here just before the beginning of this season but never really impressed me although other fans seemed to like him.

I always thought that he was a bit too lightweight and was easily knocked off the ball.  He was always loathe to take a player on too.

They'll be without a couple of players with David Woozley and Martin Gritton both out long term.  Joe Broad has just returned to training after missing a few games and David Graham, Arjan van Heusden and Steve Woods have all been carrying injuries this week but should be fit to face us.


Jan almost has the luxury of a full squad to pick from with the only change being that of Stuart Brock who has come down with a flu bug.  John Danby will take his place and in doing so will be making his debut.  He has made two appearances as substitute before.

Graham Ward will be missing because he's on International duty with Northern Ireland, and Nick Heath has gone out on loan to Cinderford, where ever that is.

Steve Burton has signed a one month extension to his loan here and will be expected to start and make the now fit Scott Stamps fight to regain his place in the side.

Some other news concerning two old Harriers favourites is that Andy Bishop has gone out on loan to Rochdale in place of another ex Harrier, Mikael Antoine-Curier, who left the 'Dale earlier this week.

The other bit of news is that Richie Appleby is set to come back to Aggborough after being told by his boss at Hull City, Peter Taylor, that he can leave.  Richie has been out injured most of the time while at Hull and is yet to play for them this season due to a curious foot injury.  Known in the medical trade as an 'imaginary Abdou strain'.

If he does come back to Harrier Land then it's doubtful whether he'll be fit enough to play for the first month.  If he can prove his fitness then he'll be a big help in getting to the play-offs.  If he's not fit, nor ever will be, Jan'll look a bit daft.

Teams

Harriers from:
Danby, Stamps, Gadsby, Hatswell, Burton, Ayres, Coleman, Smith, Hinton, D Williams, Parrish, Bennett, Betts, Ward, Shilton, Henriksen, White, J Williams, Lewis.

Torquay from:
Van Heusden, Hazell, Canoville, Taylor, Russell, Bedeau, Fowler, Graham, Hill, Hockley, Wills, Benefield, McGlinchey, Woods, Killoughery, Camara, Dearden, Corderoy, Bond, Bernard, Stevens, Skinner, Broad.