Originally Posted by
Proactive not Reactive
Anticlough I don’t think you’re far off with your assessment
First of all we all know the scissors,paper,rock game unfortunately Mansfield were scissors to our paper
Mansfield have been a very solid Division 2 for a few years and probably unlucky they haven’t been promoted and this summer have strengthened again and should be automatic this season
We are newbies and still on a learning curve and most would be happy if we made the playoffs(took us 4 years to get out of NL)
Mansfield were very good tactically,they pressed us and man marked us so even though Slocombe’s kicking wasn’t brilliant but who does he aim for ? their back 4 were all a lot bigger than our players and one of the key things were Didzy is our outlet for the long ball but the 2 centre backs are 6ft 6’’ and 6ft 2.5’’ the only other aerial outlet is TAR who was introduced 10 minutes too late.
The only real criticism I had of the defence was that Brindley had a good few opportunities to run forward with the ball which then creates the space for other players but for whatever reason kept turning back - Rawlinson went forward twice in the first half(and he doesn’t have the tools Brindley has) and we created 2 chances from that,
Regarding the 2 goals from corners very clever from Mansfield dinking them in without pace and hung in the air with 2 centre backs coming onto it - our tallest centre back is 6ft 1’
They took a longer corner just before and JOB was lucky not to concede a penalty as he hauled one of their players down
For me we have to accept that they were bigger and stronger than us and yes we were bullied 2nd half but how do you stop that if they are bigger and stronger than you ?
Bostock gave the first goal away(or was he fouled ?) but he was missed when he went off
The two wing backs were disappointing especially Nemane he needed to just push the ball in front of him and just run(his best attribute ) and not try to dribble,Austin unfortunately doesn’t have the pace or skill to be very effective Jones was a big miss today.
LW is doing wonders with the players and we are doing great with our squad - 6 players injured is a lot for most clubs especially for us with our small squad.
I know during preseason we offered 6 figure fees for two 6ft 4’’ plus centre backs so it’s not for lack of trying that we haven’t brought defenders in but for me we can’t bring anymore small players in for any position.
Not too happy with the Supporters(the clue is in the title) the Kop were probably the quietest they have been this season and embarrassing the number of Notts fans walked out when the 4th goal went in.
The team never stopped trying,they weren’t good enough today and they will know that and they have given us enough pleasure over the last season and a quarter for us to support them when they are having a bad time ?