The size of our squad is only an advantage if it's a strong squad - and I'm not sure it is. I think we have a very good 16-man squad if everyone is fit, but I'm not sure about the rest. Yes, it's a chance to give some of the youngsters a chance, but young players are notoriously inconsistent (so they may fit in well, thinking about it). We also need players like Booty and Rawlinson to step up and show they are worth a place in the side. Then there are the unknowns like Shields, who we have seen precious little of yet, but hopefully he can pressure Enzio into performing better, or replace him.
Biggest worry aside from this spate of injuries is that fact that we have scored three goals in our last four games, all of them from Kyle Wootton. If he gets injured, we really will be in a mess.
I would say it's almost certainly a stronger squad than most teams have at this level. We have players like Tootle, a seasoned league-level right back, not even making the bench; or Crawford, a highly rated player who has proven himself at this level, also nowhere near the match-day squad.
All teams get injuries that weaken their team. It just so happens that our best two players (Turner and JO are sidelined, but that was always going to happen. We should still have enough to get results against teams with smaller squads and smaller budgets. As others have said, these injuries will be used as an excuse if we play rubbish tomorrow.
This is a shame. Only last week JOB was getting rave reviews for his performance against Halifax. With players of JOB's character you know if they go down and stay down there is something really wrong and it turns out this was the case.
He has been one of Neal Ardley's best signings, and I hope he makes a speedy recovery as he will be missed.
Never the less for whatever reasons the owners have still selected your Reliant Robins above the your so called Rolls Royce's maybe they should have consulted you B4 making any appointments. There is no Science in appointing a manager some slot in and some do not rather as with players, I have been watching Notts since 1950, the one thing you will never change is football. What manager or players work at some clubs do not work at others.
Of course you may know better whom am I to judge.
Apparently Ardley is looking at a list of short term targets to fill in the gaps left by Graham and O'Brien, i guess players like Bird, Tootle,, Dunn and Crawford will just have to wait to be included in first team action.
ffs why doesnt he let them go if he doesn't rate them
Crawford and Tootle are effectively up for transfer but no-one seems to want them. Dunn was out of his depth last time out, he may come good but maybe not. Bird is on the bench and may get his chance at some point.
I don't think we have cover at the club of a standard to cover Doyle and O'Brien both being out. Rose eats through the work but along with Bakayogo his passing has been pretty dreadful for much of the season.
If we're going to play it through the thirds you need midfielders who can link the play and I can't think of any combination of players either a midfield four or a holding midfield diamond that would consistently string three passes together without Doyle or O'Brien to be honest.