Originally Posted by
nw6pie
Two things stand out for me…
1. Unlike the previous four seasons, there are no gimmes in League 2. Pretty much all of our games have been competitive (the 3-0 win against Newport being the biggest win; the less said about Sutton and Mansfield the better), and I wonder if that intensity has been a factor in the number of injuries we’ve been picking up. It’s rare that we’ve been able to take key players off this season with a game done and dusted.
The need for greater squad depth has been the biggest eye-opener for me so far. You basically need two strong first XIs and can’t carry anyone. It will take us a while to gain that strength in depth, which our rivals at the top all seem to have. Also, if you lose two players to season-long injuries, you really need to replace them if/when you can.
2. Think of the trademark Notts goal and it invariably involves a wing back putting a cross in and Langstaff/McGoldrick/Crowley getting on the end of it. Stop the wing backs getting in behind, though, and we can look toothless and struggle to create anything.
Jodi Jones has been excellent on the left-hand side, but for me his quality and attacking threat casts Aaron Nemane and TAR’s output in an unflattering light. AN was one of my favourite players last season, but he seems to be struggling a little to make the step up. Not sure why it is, but he seems to be lacking a little confidence at this level. Tobi always makes me smile when I see him on camera, but he feels like a defender learning how to attack (he never gives me the impression that he’s comfortable on the ball in an attacking sense).
Given how important this position is for us offensively, we might need to sign an upgrade in January (or next summer, at least).
Edit note - And I’ve just learned that I can’t count - should say 16 games in the subject heading!