Notts County Squad 2018-19

[jacobncfc]

Kellett was a left back coming through as a youngster, but I don't think we've signed him as one. He's been either a left winger or a number ten for the last couples of season so reckon he's for there, but with the added bonus of being able to cover at left back if Jones gets injured.

I agree with those who say that we're probably going to go 3-5-2 - can't really see any other way that our signings make sense. Something like this:-

Fitzsimons
Duffy - Brisley - ?
Tootle - Hewitt - O'Connor (?) - Jones
Kellett
Hemmings - Dennis

I think that Sam Osborne will probably play more of a role this season too. The rules have been changed so that we have to have one academy product in the matchday squad each week, and he seems to be the furthest along after impressing on loan at Grantham Town in the second half of last season.

[the_anticlough]

Kellett was a left back coming through as a youngster, but I don't think we've signed him as one. He's been either a left winger or a number ten for the last couples of season so reckon he's for there, but with the added bonus of being able to cover at left back if Jones gets injured.

I agree with those who say that we're probably going to go 3-5-2 - can't really see any other way that our signings make sense. Something like this:-

Fitzsimons
Duffy - Brisley - ?
Tootle - Hewitt - O'Connor (?) - Jones
Kellett
Hemmings - Dennis

I think that Sam Osborne will probably play more of a role this season too. The rules have been changed so that we have to have one academy product in the matchday squad each week, and he seems to be the furthest along after impressing on loan at Grantham Town in the second half of last season.

I would hate to see another 5-3-2, it never sticks does it? Tootle and Jones are not wing backs, they're full backs. If you consider yourself a promotion contender, why would you line up with 5 defenders on the pitch against Morecambe, Macclesfield, Yeovil? It's been tried so many times over the years and always fails for the same reason, the manager sees it as an opportunity to pick 5 recognised defenders (plus 2 defensive midfielders?!), we concede ground and initiative to the opposition and drive the fans nuts in the process.
Who knows which way KN wants to line up next season. I'd like to see a 433, stick with 442 or a midfield diamond, using the new attacking players we're signing.

[Notts78]

I would hate to see another 5-3-2, it never sticks does it? Tootle and Jones are not wing backs, they're full backs. If you consider yourself a promotion contender, why would you line up with 5 defenders on the pitch against Morecambe, Macclesfield, Yeovil? It's been tried so many times over the years and always fails for the same reason, the manager sees it as an opportunity to pick 5 recognised defenders (plus 2 defensive midfielders?!), we concede ground and initiative to the opposition and drive the fans nuts in the process.
Who knows which way KN wants to line up next season. I'd like to see a 433, stick with 442 or a midfield diamond, using the new attacking players we're signing.

It really depends on the players and how they are set up. Dan Jones is better going forward than he is at defending, therefore IMO he is better as a wing back.
3-5-2 can be successful wit teams like Man City and Barcelona adopting it. Neither play with stodgy full backs and neither play with 2 holding midfielders. The emphasis for both is having more possession. Not suggesting we are either BTW.
Will it work for England in the WC as it seems our formation of choice?

[i961pie]

Although we had the 4th best defence last season when ever we came up against a quick passing side like Coventry we looked slow.
We need another 2 defenders especially a centre back imo. I like Jones going forward but he is not a great defender, but if Kellet plays in front of him they could cover each other.

[LaxtonLad]

Although we had the 4th best defence last season when ever we came up against a quick passing side like Coventry we looked slow.
We need another 2 defenders especially a centre back imo. I like Jones going forward but he is not a great defender, but if Kellet plays in front of him they could cover each other.

Our defenders were trying, and mostly succeeding, to defend. The quick passing sides like Coventry were quickly passing through our midfield and it's there where we should be putting in a bit of muscle, or bite, a la Neal Bishop. Not that I'm wishing he was back, we are quite rightly looking to to get the average age down below Dad's Army's, it's just that we were not intimidating enough - too timidly backing off - and we know what the Kop thought of that!

[the_anticlough]

It really depends on the players and how they are set up. Dan Jones is better going forward than he is at defending, therefore IMO he is better as a wing back.
3-5-2 can be successful wit teams like Man City and Barcelona adopting it. Neither play with stodgy full backs and neither play with 2 holding midfielders. The emphasis for both is having more possession. Not suggesting we are either BTW.
Will it work for England in the WC as it seems our formation of choice?

I'll give you that Jones is closer to ticking the box than Tootle (I really don't know who would be the right wing-back). Don't you agree though that it's been tried many times over the years, that it never lasts and always fails for more or less the same reasons.

One day, someone at Notts could get it right by picking specialist wing backs, accepting that there's always 4+ defensive players behind the wing-back so he doesn't always have to be ready to play the full-back as well. 3-5-2 would mean picking midfielders for that role (with the main wing defending falling to the CB on that side with the other defenders sliding over). If they're full backs, it's really 5-3-2 with the manager telling us they're pushing forward while telling the 'wing backs' they've got full-back duties as well.

[Airborn Pie]

I'll give you that Jones is closer to ticking the box than Tootle (I really don't know who would be the right wing-back). Don't you agree though that it's been tried many times over the years, that it never lasts and always fails for more or less the same reasons.

One day, someone at Notts could get it right by picking specialist wing backs, accepting that there's always 4+ defensive players behind the wing-back so he doesn't always have to be ready to play the full-back as well. 3-5-2 would mean picking midfielders for that role (with the main wing defending falling to the CB on that side with the other defenders sliding over). If they're full backs, it's really 5-3-2 with the manager telling us they're pushing forward while telling the 'wing backs' they've got full-back duties as well.

The idea of wing backs, is to burst out occasionally and unpredictably to create uncertainty in the opposition defence. in a well drilled and disciplined team, someone will slot in to the gap he leaves behind him without pulling other defenders out of position.

[the_anticlough]

The idea of wing backs, is to burst out occasionally and unpredictably to create uncertainty in the opposition defence. in a well drilled and disciplined team, someone will slot in to the gap he leaves behind him without pulling other defenders out of position.

Occasionally and unpredictably?
A promotion chasing team needs to be on the front foot playing in the opposition's half. We shouldn't need a line of 5 defenders plus holding midfielders to play against Cheltenham, Forest Green and Yeovil. Or midfielders to drop in if we occasionally push a full back over the half way line. If I bought a season ticket and then saw 5 defenders on the team sheet, I'd be thinking 'oh s***'

[ncfcog]

I think I've said before I'm a really big fan of a 532/352 formation. It offers both attacking and defensive advantages. My concern would be that we don't stick to the script. To make this type of formation work successfully requires a lot of practice which means having to work with it constantly both home and away until it 'clicks'.

I can see us giving it a good go at home but will still expect KN to revert back to a more defensive 442 or even 451 away from home which will just confuse matters and inherit a degree of inconsistency.

[MagpieMike]

I think I've said before I'm a really big fan of a 532/352 formation. It offers both attacking and defensive advantages. My concern would be that we don't stick to the script. To make this type of formation work successfully requires a lot of practice which means having to work with it constantly both home and away until it 'clicks'.

I can see us giving it a good go at home but will still expect KN to revert back to a more defensive 442 or even 451 away from home which will just confuse matters and inherit a degree of inconsistency.

Personally I'm quite happy with 4-4-2 its more about having the right players. So far we look much stronger with the new signings. My only criticism of the defence is the lack of pace. I'd like Duffy to sign, but would prefer Duffy + faster younger CB, or Brisley + faster younger CB, rather than Brisley/Duffy. Suppose there is no chance of Hall as a permanent signing rather than another loan?

Agree that Kellett looks like a replacement for Grant. Not convinced by either Alessandra or Hawkridge, but they haven't had much of a strike force to aim at.

We do need one or two impact players. Maybe another out and out winger, a young loanee, and another striker as cover. We also probably need another goalkeeper.