⚽ Match Thread vs. Mansfield Town FC 14.10.23 [EFL L2]

[SwalePie]

John Bostock captains the side in the absence of Kyle Cameron

25038

[BCnotts18]

John Bostock captains the side in the absence of Kyle Cameron

25038

Our lack of depth is really showing today😬

[TSANHO]

Our lack of depth is really showing today😬

Does look a bit thin!

Cameron injured I presume? Jones, Randall and Chicks also injured?

[SmiffyPie]

That looks a weak matchday squad.

[BCnotts18]

Does look a bit thin!

Cameron injured I presume? Jones, Randall and Chicks also injured?

Unfortunately Randall seems to be constantly injured.

[The_Pie_Man]

Gulp.

Gutted to be missing today - come on boys! Do us proud!

[SlockyNCFC]

I'm watching this one from Kobe, Japan. Beer obtained from the convenience store, match pass purchased for the stream. COYP!

[Proactive not Reactive]

Unfortunately Randall seems to be constantly injured.
I would say it’s the same injury from pre-season

[WarsopPie]

Our lack of depth is really showing today😬

Of all the games this season when we didn’t want the squad depth to be exposed🤦*♂️.
On a serious note plenty of trouble in royal children notts have given them a good spanking apparently least we’ve won something today.

[OchPie]

Slocombe over Stone is interesting.

Is that Charlie Gill on the bench? Played in the Derby game? Huh.

[the_anticlough]

Who will be in the middle of 3? He does well there, but I hope it isn't RB today. He's versatile and picks up new positions quickly, so I hope he covers for Cameron

[the_anticlough]

notts have given them a good spanking .

What! the royal children?

[DuckPie]

Cameron & Jones will be a big loss today

[spacemunky]

Bit nervous for this one and more so after seeing our lineup.

COYP!

[OP67]

Surprised not to see Jones make the bench at least. Certainly looking a little thin on the ground :s

[SmiffyPie]

Where was the shouting during the silence from?

[OP67]

GET IN!!!!! Crowley

[OchPie]

GET INNNNNNNNNNNNN

Lovely by Nemane too

[ForeignLegion]

A disaster waiting to happen.

[OP67]

1-1 We're just awful at the back, needs to be sorted in January!!

[SmiffyPie]

What the f... is wrong with Bostock? Bloody prat!

[OchPie]

Oops. We're playing some nice stuff but they are bullying us.

[spacemunky]

Well...it was never going to finish 1-0.

[ForeignLegion]

Shambolic Sunday morning stuff

[irish_pie]

The most expected goal in history... we are lethal in attack and shocking in defense 😞

[OP67]

All Mansfield now by the sounds of it and all I can hear on the radio is Mansfield fans singing!

[BJPIE]

Is it the ****ing armband that makes you a cheat??? I abhor that **** well done ref. Williams has to stop his players doing that!!!

[ForeignLegion]

Only one team in it

[BCnotts18]

We seriously need to improve in the second half, I kind of already knew we aren't anywhere near as good as our position suggests, but at home in a big game I thought we'd play a hell of a lot better than we are🙃

[upthemaggies]

Mansfield look like a team from a higher division. Very disappointed with Notts.

[OchPie]

Thought we stepped it up in the last ten minutes and in shot terms it feels more likely we'd be ahead after that goalline clearance, but on balance of play you couldn't complain if we were behind.

[marky]

Not good enough, we really do need to stop sh.tting ourselves whenever they get within 25 yards of our goal but we can still win this.

[ForeignLegion]

I’ll take 1-1 here, although I reckon 1-3 if they keep going as they are

[spacemunky]

Better from us to finish off the half.*

I'm almost glad we didn't finish that chance and are still level going into the 2nd. Probably just a Notts thing lol.

[keldsyke]

Just seen Crowley’s elbow, lucky boy

[drillerpie]

Last few games we've started we'll then got stuck in an infinite 'pass round the back then launch it' doom loop. This has happened again today.

Players are not really moving much to offer an angle so if the pressing is half decent we end up doing some nervy keep ball then kicking it long.

When we do manage to play out we look good, but for about 30 mins of that half we really struggled.

[the_anticlough]

Fitness is going to be an important factor today. Will all their pressing hurt them later on?

Clear grab on Bostock's arm for their goal. The ref may have been blind-sided but the lino should have picked that up.

[legs77]

Missing Cameron badly his ability on the ball left sided is showing.

Maybe put Bostock LCB or go to back 4 ???

I doubt we do any of those things but its an option.

[hissingdwarf]

Not the best half. Rawlinson has been playing well. Looks positive, where as Brindley looks so negative. This passing back at every opportunity is the difference. They’ve been positive with movements. We haven’t.
Bench doesn’t look strong enough to change the game either
Need a lot more second half.

[keldsyke]

Fitness is going to be an important factor today. Will all their pressing hurt them later on?

Clear grab on Bostock's arm for their goal. The ref may have been blind-sided but the lino should have picked that up.

That was no foul, Bostock and Cameron need to man up, you can’t rely on the ref every time

[upthemaggies]

If we manage to score in the 2nd half, it will be the first time we've scored more than 1 at home to Stags in a league game since Gudjon Thordarson was in charge.

[Scamps]

Just seen Crowley’s elbow, lucky boy
Very fortunate for him that the ref never seen it ,he would have been off

[BanjoPie]

Fitness is going to be an important factor today. Will all their pressing hurt them later on?

Clear grab on Bostock's arm for their goal. The ref may have been blind-sided but the lino should have picked that up.

Bostock clearly doing a Cameron!

[BanjoPie]

Better from us to finish off the half.*

I'm almost glad we didn't finish that chance and are still level going into the 2nd. Probably just a Notts thing lol.

:?

[the_anticlough]

That was no foul, Bostock and Cameron need to man up, you can’t rely on the ref every time

Grabbing and tugging an opponent on the upper arm has to be a foul. How can that be within the rules?

Cameron's not playing today btw

[marky]

If there was VAR the first half would probably still have about 10 minutes left, they would have checked Mansfield's goal, Crowley's elbow or non elbow and also when Langstaff went down just before half time.

[ThaiPie]

That was no foul, Bostock and Cameron need to man up, you can’t rely on the ref every time

Stone for Slocombe. Would be harsh but helpful, Slocombes long clearances are too easy for the big Mansfield defenders.

The rest of the team have got to stop giving the ball away.

[Scamps]

Just seen Crowley’s elbow, lucky boy


Where was the shouting during the silence from?
There shouldnt have been a minutes silence in the first place its sport not politics and the israel palestine problem is too complex for most of us to comprehend

[keldsyke]

Grabbing and tugging an opponent on the upper arm has to be a foul. How can that be within the rules?

Cameron's not playing today btw

I know Cameron’s not playing but others have pointed out it s what you see too much from Cameron, hence the sarcasm.

[OchPie]

The ref has been letting quite a lot go - I was even surprised he gave us a free kick when their player pushed Brindley out the way near the end of the half.

There was a foul on Langstaff in the box after the ball was lost, but it would have been the softest penalty ever. And while it looked a foul on Bostock in the build up to their goal, it was also soft enough that he should never have expected it to be given.

[keldsyke]

The ref has been letting quite a lot go - I was even surprised he gave us a free kick when their player pushed Brindley out the way near the end of the half.

There was a foul on Langstaff in the box after the ball was lost, but it would have been the softest penalty ever. And while it looked a foul on Bostock in the build up to their goal, it was also soft enough that he should never have expected it to be given.

Agree, with Cameron especially in previous games, there’s this hope / expectation that the ref will blow up, but as biased Notts supporters it’s embarrassing at times even to us and there will be times it will cost us.

[SmiffyPie]

If JOB comes on for 35 minutes we are shafted.

[BCnotts18]

Bostock adding to the ever growing injury list...

[BCnotts18]

Seems to be nothing but one way traffic again this half

[OP67]

Well that was coming, 2-1 Mansfield!!!!

[BCnotts18]

Well that was coming, 2-1 Mansfield!!!!

We're lucky its only two

[BJPIE]

Crowley magnificent. The rest rubbish.

[OP67]

We're lucky its only two

It's all over now, 3-1 Mansfield!!!!

[OchPie]

You can see why they were being talked about for the autos. They are quick, relentless and solid at the back. The better team is winning this.

[BJPIE]

1-3 against a team can't score

[ForeignLegion]

Out muscled, out everythinged. Complete garbage.

[SmiffyPie]

Oh dear oh dear oh dear

[OP67]

Out muscled, out everythinged. Complete garbage.

Absolutely, could end up 4, 5 or 6 -1 at this rate, we're useless all over the field. Well done non league Nigel, spot on tactic.

[The_Pie_Man]

Not good enough.

Too many players have, once again in a big match, conveniently gone missing.

[ForeignLegion]

Although, this is a solid L2 team they’re up against. Much work to do to get to that level.

[BCnotts18]

It's all over now, 3-1 Mansfield!!!!

Thats our season over then, the moment we come up against a half decent side we get completely outplayed.

We'll be outside the playoffs by the end of this month and be lucky to finish in the top 10 come the end of the season. At the end of the day we simply aren't anywhere near the teams at the top of this league.

[upthemaggies]

Based on this match, Stags should finish a good 10 points clear of Notts.

[OP67]

Thats our season over then, the moment we come up against a half decent side we get completely outplayed.

We'll be outside the playoffs by the end of this month and be lucky to finish in the top 10 come the end of the season. At the end of the day we simply aren't anywhere near the teams at the top of this league.

I think we'll still stay in the play offs but not auto's. Stockport will be top and Mansfield will be in one of the other 2 spots at this showing.

[tommopie8]

Oh dear oh dear oh dear

Awful. So much for dominating games. Passing it around the back and watching Slocombe **** it to no-one.

This one's on LW.

[BCnotts18]

It's literally men against boys. Everyone from LW down through the coaching staff and down to the players should be ashamed of themselves today, absolute turd.

[BJPIE]

The defence is the difference!!!!
Over to you Mssrs Reedtz
4 defenders required please.
Yes we've been woeful all over bar Crowley but we CANNOT defend

[OP67]

Has Crowley come back out in the 2nd half???

[OP67]

4-1 Mansfield, slaughtering!!!!!

[ForeignLegion]

Awful. So much for dominating games. Passing it around the back and watching Slocombe **** it to no-one.

This one's on LW.

It is dreadful to watch.

[BCnotts18]

Beyond a joke now

[The_Pie_Man]

I don’t care who we’re playing, losing 4-1 at home to anyone in our league is unacceptable.

[BanjoPie]

Not our day today - TBH, a fair result!

[keldsyke]

Well that’s the bench mark we need to gauge ourselves to for promotion, as a lot of us have been saying, defensively we are not good enough and naive at best. We all knew where we are weak, needed to have been addressed in the summer, you stand still you go backwards, will be interesting to hear what the recent apologists for the defence have to say now… BTW thought the ref had a good game

[SmiffyPie]

It will be interesting to see anyone defending this defence after this garbage.

[marky]

Love Luke Williams he's a great manager but his in game management today has been disgusting. Awful stupid tactics. He best not come out after the match talking a load of bollux either.

[tommopie8]

Oh they will.

[SmiffyPie]

Not our day today - TBH, a fair result!A bit more than just not our day BP.

[BanjoPie]

Do we lack height? - I think we need someone for Langstaff to feed off

[MarcusCole]

Walked out, utter garbage all over

Slocombe doesn't play for us for a reason, he is a complete and utter turd of a player. When I see his name on the teamsheet I know we will lose. Brindley, seems to be in two minds if he is on the pitch or not.

[WarsopPie]

Our lack of depth is really showing today😬

Squad depth been badly exposed today aswell as the quality of certain players.
That performance today in a local derby where everyone should be motivated is totally unacceptable.

[marky]

It will be interesting to see anyone defending this defence after this garbage.

Literally no on e can defend our defence it's shocking and everyone can see it.

[irish_pie]

Absolutely shocking, unfortunately LW has to gut that back line... Cameron just ain't up to league level...the rest ain't covered themselves in any glory either...a complete shambles 🙄

[legs77]

Defence has been poor but we've played into their hands.

We should have switched at HT for something different.

We badly need Cameron/Jones back for balance and to attack on both sides properly.

[marky]

Bet Clough can't believe how easy we've made it for them.

[upthemaggies]

I'm having flashbacks of losing 0-4 to Fword after we got promoted at Wembley in 91.

[marky]

I'm having flashbacks of losing 0-4 to Fword after we got promoted at Wembley in 91.

I'm having flashbacks of 1-4 against Coventry last time we were on Sky, good job we're not on again any time soon ..... oh.

[The_Pie_Man]

Conceding 4 goals once and 5 twice in 13 games should set alarm bells off in every household related to Notts, particularly the board, management and players.

[SmiffyPie]

Surprising how a result can completely knacker your weekend!

[countygump]

Conceding 4 goals once and 5 twice in 13 games should set alarm bells off in every household related to Notts, particularly the board, management and players.

Oops, I picked a good day to decide not to go.

[BanjoPie]

Surprised Austin was subbed!

[marky]

Hate to say it but I honestly think these tactics are some of the worst I've ever seen it's like the bad days of Fullarton, Kiwomya etc.

[upthemaggies]

Stall "When Notts have a bad day defensively, it's a really bad day"

[marky]

Look at us 4-1 down and we're aimlessly pratting around with it at the back.

[BanjoPie]

Absolutely shocking, unfortunately LW has to gut that back line... Cameron just ain't up to league level...the rest ain't covered themselves in any glory either...a complete shambles ��

Cameron not in the team today:?

[countygump]

Stall "When Notts have a bad day defensively, it's a really bad day"

We were all crying out for better defenders and a keeper at the start of this season, no surprise there.

[OchPie]

The most frustrating thing has been just how simple their goals have been. Yes we've been outplayed and have sorely missed Jones in particular and Bostock too when he went off, but at least two of their goals weren't about our formation, they were just terrible defending.

[upthemaggies]

Will be interesting to see how Gillingham (our next opponents) get on this afternoon at Walsall. They still have the caretaker in charge but Steve Bruce remains 1/1 favourite to take the job, it would be doubly tough to go there if Bruce has just taken over, though if the caretaker is still in charge it will probably be because he's won three on the trot.

[BanjoPie]

AS good as Langstaff is, would we be better with Scott up top when he’s fit?

[keldsyke]

The most frustrating thing has been just how simple their goals have been. Yes we've been outplayed and have sorely missed Jones in particular and Bostock too when he went off, but at least two of their goals weren't about our formation, they were just terrible defending.

The result doesn’t matter, what really matters is how much possession we had?

[legs77]

AS good as Langstaff is, would we be better with Scott up top when he’s fit?

No.

[Notts78]

What a horrible day. A piss poor performance. No sugar coating that the better team won.

[legs77]

Im angry at the performance most it was passive/weak.

We need to bounce back next week and hopefully a few are back.

[meoldlaner]

Beaten in every position on the pitch.
Bad day

[countygump]

The result doesn’t matter, what really matters is how much possession we had?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67037347

[keldsyke]

Only Sutton in the bottom 3 have conceded more than we have.

[marky]

Laughable that we're still above them after that, won't be for long though.

[WarsopPie]

No.

Why what did he do today again in a big game?

[keldsyke]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67037347

Proves my sarcastic point, means nothing at all what matters is the result, you can read data how you want to interpret it.

[BCnotts18]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67037347

Those stats are absolutely embarrassing.

[tommopie8]

Whoever on the board and recruitment think having absolutely no cover in midfield except a 36 year old is acceptable needs their head testing.

Whoever decided Slocombe is the keeper to trust in big games needs to watch his Wembley performance.

We've been absolutely dicked by a team who has won 1 away game all season until today.

Langstaff may as well be bloody Gavin Gordon for the service he gets this season.

[legs77]

Only Sutton in the bottom 3 have conceded more than we have.

Yep nearly 2 goals a game but on a positive nobody has scored more than us.

Today we gifted them chances with sideways passes behind players and also the weird tactic of Slocombe kicking it to 5ft 5 Nemane.

Hope Slocombe isnt in next week he scares the sh*t out of me.

[countygump]

Only Sutton in the bottom 3 have conceded more than we have.

Possession
Home66%Away34%
Shots
Home9Away21
Shots on Target
Home2Away9
Corners
Home5Away6
Fouls
Home4Away10

Ouch........

[upthemaggies]

No surprise that was Stags' biggest ever win at Meadow Lane.
Before today, they'd only once won on our patch by more than 1 goal in any competition and that was 2-0 in 2015.

Nobody would have ruled out their chances of taking the 3 points today, but 4-1 is a real kick in the nads. Won't be easy to bounce back from this.

[legs77]

Why what did he do today again in a big game?

Not much like the rest of em.

The big game jibe is kids stuff look how many goals he scores they are all big games.

Scott isnt a better player or fit for us in that role is my opinion.

[marky]

Why what did he do today again in a big game?

You could argue what did Mcgoldrick do?

[cher1]

We were embarrassingly bad, it's the first match I've watched on TV, normally just listen, and the defending was absolutely dire. Have we been that hapless - and just lucky - previously?

The Stags fully deserved their win, well done to them.

Us? We've got the second worst defensive record in the division right now, obviously we've played an extra game, but even with the attacking options we have, it's not possible to keep scoring more than the opposition when we're letting in so many at the other end. It's a real worry. Have we got the players to defend better (or even adequately) if we played a different formation? Or are they simply not good enough at the back?

[KeepTheMagpieFlyingH]

Yep nearly 2 goals a game but on a positive nobody has scored more than us.

Today we gifted them chances with sideways passes behind players and also the weird tactic of Slocombe kicking it to 5ft 5 Nemane.

Hope Slocombe isnt in next week he scares the sh*t out of me.


I was thinking the same. We take short corners to obviously retain possession yet instruct to go long from the keeper and put our smallest player in constant aerial duels.

[countygump]

Not that we were bad then, it's Mansfield who were very good, mmmmm.....

[drillerpie]

I honestly can't think of a single positive to take from that. The complete opposite of what you want to see in a derby game.

For me that's the worst day of the season so far. At least at Sutton we had the excuse of being away from home and down to ten men.

After the goal we barely even did anything. I can't believe I was so hyped for that game and then I've just watched an hour and a half of our defenders and keeper playing low tempo keep ball before launching it to Nemane.

Our passing game never really looked like getting us out. Our long ball game was awful. If that's plan A and plan B, we need a plan C quickly.

Our goals conceded were sloppy, and it seems like we only have 2 or 3 ways of creating a chance. Performance always drops when one of Palmer or Bostock goes off.

Actually I've thought of a positive - Mansfied are a good team and we won't play them every week, but this performance should give LW plenty to think about.

[marky]

Exactly the sort of result and performance where if Ray Trew or Alan Hardy were still the owner then you would fear for the manager.

[the_anticlough]

Agree with OchPie about the officiating. They were allowed to get away with a lot of hands and arms.

Even so, we collapsed and not necessarily just at the back, nothing was working or happening ahead.

LW's is a positional-based system. Cloughie did his homework and where our players are on the pitch can be too predictable, especially when we can't win the individual battles.

Overall no complaints though, we were well-beaten by the better side.

[SmiffyPie]

Taking the dog for a walk.

[Notts78]

Not that we were bad then, it's Mansfield who were very good, mmmmm.....

A combo of both. Tactically they were miles better than us. Forced us to go long, to dwarves.
I dont think Cargill and Flint will have easier days than today… we have them practice and then let them have a free header from corners.

[drillerpie]

AS good as Langstaff is, would we be better with Scott up top when he’s fit?

Not as a replacement but to play with Langstaff - yes. He gives us a bit of something different.

[BanjoPie]

Hate to say it but I honestly think these tactics are some of the worst I've ever seen it's like the bad days of Fullarton, Kiwomya etc.

You are fullarcrap!

[legs77]

Not that we were bad then, it's Mansfield who were very good, mmmmm.....

Its abit of both Gump.

Mansfield pretty much had a box midfield to stop us playing through them we didnt adjust and got worse as the game went on.

No point having 3 CBs if one cant carry it well which was what happened today id have gone to a back 4 or put Bostock there at HT.

Whats done is done though we need to respond at Gillingham.

[marky]

I rate Scott very highly but there's no way you would drop Langstaff for him.

[countygump]

Exactly the sort of result and performance where if Ray Trew or Alan Hardy were still the owner then you would fear for the manager.

30 pts needed, I'll be counting them down.........

[drillerpie]

We were embarrassingly bad, it's the first match I've watched on TV, normally just listen, and the defending was absolutely dire. Have we been that hapless - and just lucky - previously?


We usually rely on the opposition missing one or two good chances and being better in attack than we were today. But yes, we concede a lot of sloppy goals.

[Notts78]

Hopefully those that slate Cameron will realise what a miss he was today.

[marky]

Watching that today it's the first time this season I'm starting to think we might not get promotion this season.

[countygump]

Hopefully those that slate Cameron will realise what a miss he was today.

You would have imagined the back 3 we had on the pitch should be able to defend corners and dead ball situ's. Apparently not..

[countygump]

Watching that today it's the first time this season I'm starting to think we might not get promotion this season.

I'm not particularly bothered about promo THIS season. As long as we don't trouble the drop zone and take note of where we need to improve. In fact matches like today may well do us a favour by pointing out where we DESPERATELY need to improve.

[CamPie]

There shouldnt have been a minutes silence in the first place its sport not politics and the israel palestine problem is too complex for most of us to comprehend

A minutes silence was respect for innocent people killed on both sides of a complex conflict - it was not political.

[upthemaggies]

Watching that today it's the first time this season I'm starting to think we might not get promotion this season.

If offered 7th before today, I think many would have had to think about it, hoping we could grab 3rd. After that result, I imagine most would snatch 7th in a heart beat now.

I thought LW sounded a bit shell shocked. He's expressed his displeasure after we've won games but today he just seemed to accept they were a much better side and that we don't have the experience of playing against teams at that level to know how to deal with it.

We did turn Swindon over, though they haven't been anything better than average away so far.

Average goals against per game is now 1.92, which is identical to Wrexham.

[tommopie8]

A combo of both. Tactically they were miles better than us. Forced us to go long, to dwarves.
I dont think Cargill and Flint will have easier days than today… we have them practice and then let them have a free header from corners.

It was a good delivery but why has Slocombe not come for it? Only going off memory but looked quite a floated ball and didn't notice and particular pressure on him.

[Riverleeno]

i'm not particularly bothered about promo this season. As long as we don't trouble the drop zone and take note of where we need to improve .in fact matches like today may well do us a favour by pointing out where we desperately need to improve.
yes

coyp

[Notts78]

You would have imagined the back 3 we had on the pitch should be able to defend corners and dead ball situ's. Apparently not..

Why? They had 2 centre backs that are 6ft 5…. We have Brindley and Baldwin who just about scrape 6ft and Rawlo who is 6ft 2…. The issue is all the other players we have that aerially are inept.

[upthemaggies]

David Jackson just now on RN asking Stall if that result was damaging and do Notts need to re-think what they do.
Stall saying we need to do it better.

[the_anticlough]

I think Rawlo should keep his place next weekend. He did OK

If Bostock's out, it's a real worry.

[BanjoPie]

I’m sure LW & Notts players will learn from today and become stronger

[irish_pie]

Well if you could of dreamed up a more nightmare result I don't think it was possible, pretty pathetic performance today with the odd bright spot... if it were anyone but Mansfield it would be a little easier to take, LW has serious work to do judging by that shambles 🤔 😳

[marky]

Swindon winning already XD

[Scamps]

Just seen Crowley’s elbow, lucky boy


Well if you could of dreamed up a more nightmare result I don't think it was possible, pretty pathetic performance today with the odd bright spot... if it were anyone but Mansfield it would be a little easier to take, LW has serious work to do judging by that shambles 🤔 😳
There was a post earlier this week which said we hadnt played a team like notts yet thing is we play exactly the same style the big difference between us is we can defend

[countygump]

There was a post earlier this week which said we hadnt played a team like notts yet thing is we play exactly the same style the big difference between us is we can defend

True, Notts can't defend for toffee, we all know that. What we sort of rely on is out-scoring the opposition, but not today, obviously.

[DuckPie]

That was no foul, Bostock and Cameron need to man up, you can’t rely on the ref every time

Embarrassing criticising a player not even on the pitch

[countygump]

https://youtu.be/CHhJrUxLgdU

[TSANHO]

Don’t criticise the defence, they won promotion last year 😂🤦*♂️

In all seriousness, Mansfield are just much better than us. Tactically they had our pants down and did everything that exposes are very clear weaknesses. Let’s not kid ourselves, that result has been coming for a few weeks….I even predicted a 1-3 loss, so not far off.

Feels bad tonight obviously but there’s no need to panic. It is about levels. We’ve come up a division and have, on the whole, acquitted ourselves very well.….and now we can clearly see what level we have to be at to go up another level to push for promotion from this level.

It’s clear where our weaknesses are, let’s see what the club do about it…..but it will take time. Let’s take a minute to remember where we were this time last year before berating the players and manager eh.

Edit: we didn’t win the league 😂

[Stagnificent]

Stags perspective. Obviously I'm delighted with the win and the way we tactically imposed ourselves on Notts today, but I wouldn't be too downhearted if I were you.

There are positives there in the way you get it wide and run at fullbacks. It didn't happen today, but against most teams (as you've already seen) it will work. Goalkeeper is a worry. Not sure why Stone isn't in. He's a solid keeper from my memory of him at Stags. I think your manager was naive today and didn't have an answer to our strategy, but you'll be just fine over a season.

[keldsyke]

Embarrassing criticising a player not even on the pitch

Not really, we see it week in week out when he plays, issues like this need addressing otherwise you don’t improve, it’s obvious to most that Cameron is the main culprit of this behaviour.

[keldsyke]

Don’t criticise the defence, they won the league last year 😂🤦*♂️

In all seriousness, Mansfield are just much better than us. Tactically they had our pants down and did everything that exposes are very clear weaknesses. Let’s not kid ourselves, that result has been coming for a few weeks….I even predicted a 1-3 loss, so not far off.

Feels bad tonight obviously but there’s no need to panic. It is about levels. We’ve come up a division and have, on the whole, acquitted ourselves very well.….and now we can clearly see what level we have to be at to go up another level to push for promotion from this level.

It’s clear where our weaknesses are, let’s see what the club do about it…..but it will take time. Let’s take a minute to remember where we were this time last year before berating the players and manager eh.

Great post

[Stagnificent]

Don’t criticise the defence, they won the league last year 😂🤦*♂️

In all seriousness, Mansfield are just much better than us. Tactically they had our pants down and did everything that exposes are very clear weaknesses. Let’s not kid ourselves, that result has been coming for a few weeks….I even predicted a 1-3 loss, so not far off.

Feels bad tonight obviously but there’s no need to panic. It is about levels. We’ve come up a division and have, on the whole, acquitted ourselves very well.….and now we can clearly see what level we have to be at to go up another level to push for promotion from this level.

It’s clear where our weaknesses are, let’s see what the club do about it…..but it will take time. Let’s take a minute to remember where we were this time last year before berating the players and manager eh.

Very sensible post. A woman on my bus was just calling for the manager's head. You've got the right attitude. We've been in this league 10 years and not gone up. You've started brilliantly and if the right corrections are made over the season, there's no reason you shouldn't be up there.

[upthemaggies]

Gillingham fall behind at Walsall.

Wrexham 0-2 down at home to lowly Salford!

[legs77]

https://youtu.be/CHhJrUxLgdU

Very fair and accurate interview from LW.

No BS which I am glad to hear.

[Carlton_Pie]

Gillingham fall behind at Walsall.

Wrexham 0-2 down at home to lowly Salford!

Sack the managers!

[Carlton_Pie]

Hopefully those that slate Cameron will realise what a miss he was today.

yep, we couldn't get out down the left hand side without Cameron and Jones.

Mansfield did their homework and we struggled to transition the ball through the lines

[Robertomac]

Why do we never turn up against Mansfield?

I honestly thought we followed on from where we left off at Barrow. We looked lethargic, slow, weak and didn't want to battle. We were always trying to slow it down, when we needed to up the tempo. As good as I thought they were, I also think they won't get an easier 3pts this season. Not enough energy or desire, too pedestrian and not enough urgency.

I'm really annoyed by that performance.

[countygump]

https://youtu.be/LJz-izU6AvE

[Stall is God]

Let’s face it, Mansfield are a long established decent side at this level. They’re not that easy on the eye at times but they are effective. They stopped us playing whilst their defence was outstanding and they have elements that we should aspire to. I love our style of play, win or lose, so wouldn’t want to change that but we are lacking a bit of physicality and height. In Luke we trust, though…

[jackal2]

Mansfield were by far the better side. Over the past 2-3 years they've been building a team to win promotion from this division and do well in the next, which has included dealing with setbacks, and on today's evidence they're near to completion. We're effectively five or so months into the same journey and today you could see the difference in development. Both teams were trying to play good football, but Mansfield were physically far bigger, taller, faster and more battle-hardened and they simply imposed themselves on us. The phrase 'men against boys' is such a cliche, but a fair description of today's game.

I thought the only players to come out of the game with any credit today (for us) were Dan Crowley and Connell Rawlinson. Anything good creatively seems to go through Crowley, while Rawlinson was a minor revelation (relative to my expectations) in the 'Cameron' role. It seems strange to praise a defender when you've lost 1-4, but Connell's defensive instincts are generally better than Cameron's, and his willingness and ability to carry the ball forward at some pace and pick out a good pass was a pleasant surprise. I haven't seen that degree of quality from him before. Unfortunately and crucially we were missing Jodi Jones, but it would be interesting to see how the two combine.

At the opposite end of the scale I thought Richard Brindley was abysmal, not just when defending under pressure, but for his total unwillingness to play a positive pass or attack wide open space throughout the game. Time and time again he took a step forward, checked back and played the safe backward pass, refusing to take any responsibility at all. Aden Baldwin too was poor. There was one remarkable moment in the second half where Baldwin collected the ball in front of the penalty area and was so busy moaning and gesticulating at all those around him that he almost forgot he had the ball at his feet!

Bostock I thought did okay until he got injured, and Langstaff toiled away up front as best he could in very difficult circumstances, but nobody else could claim to have made a net positive contribution. We looked physically weak and painfully small throughout the game and could not win enough of the ball to get a foothold.

Something that was evident in the second half against Swindon, but throughout most of the 90 minutes today was the lack of personnel to play a Plan B if Plan A doesn't work. A mixture of Mansfield's press and our own diminishing confidence in possession forced the goalkeeper to kick long on multiple occasions, but we have nobody big and robust enough in a midfield or forward position to challenge for the ball. McGoldrick has made a decent fist of doing so in some games, but he certainly isn't an orthodox centre-forward, which we desperately needed today to hold the ball up front in order to begin playing in their half. If you can't build from the back and are forced to go a bit more direct, you've got to have enough physical presence to compete.

One (or two) bad results doesn't change everthing. Notts County are a good team in this league - we didn't get to the top of the division after 10 games by accident, but today Mansfield ruthlessly exposed what we're missing and what we'll need, recruitment-wise over the next year or so, to become as strong (in every sense) as the clearly are. You win or you learn, and today we hopefully learned what improvements we need in the next phase of our development. I said last week that I thought Luke Williams was beginning to reach decisions on which players can improve sufficiently to make the next part of "the journey" with us, and which ones have probably "maxed out" on their potential. I suspect today will have helped him make a few more decisions in that regard.

[Elite_Pie]

That was hard to take, we weren't just outplayed but outfought as well and the scoreline actually flattered us. It's only one game though, and we usually save our worst performance of the season for when we play them. If they really are that much better than us, they will go up as Champions.

[the_anticlough]

Mansfield were by far the better side. Over the past 2-3 years they've been building a team to win promotion from this division and do well in the next, which has included dealing with setbacks, and on today's evidence they're near to completion. We're effectively five or so months into the same journey and today you could see the difference in development. Both teams were trying to play good football, but Mansfield were physically far bigger, taller, faster and more battle-hardened and they simply imposed themselves on us. The phrase 'men against boys' is such a cliche, but a fair description of today's game.

I thought the only players to come out of the game with any credit today (for us) were Dan Crowley and Connell Rawlinson. Anything good creatively seems to go through Crowley, while Rawlinson was a minor revelation (relative to my expectations) in the 'Cameron' role. It seems strange to praise a defender when you've lost 1-4, but Connell's defensive instincts are generally better than Cameron's, and his willingness and ability to carry the ball forward at some pace and pick out a good pass was a pleasant surprise. I haven't seen that degree of quality from him before. Unfortunately and crucially we were missing Jodi Jones, but it would be interesting to see how the two combine.

At the opposite end of the scale I thought Richard Brindley was abysmal, not just when defending under pressure, but for his total unwillingness to play a positive pass or attack wide open space throughout the game. Time and time again he took a step forward, checked back and played the safe backward pass, refusing to take any responsibility at all. Aden Baldwin too was poor. There was one remarkable moment in the second half where Baldwin collected the ball in front of the penalty area and was so busy moaning and gesticulating at all those around him that he almost forgot he had the ball at his feet!

Bostock I thought did okay until he got injured, and Langstaff toiled away up front as best he could in very difficult circumstances, but nobody else could claim to have made a net positive contribution. We looked physically weak and painfully small throughout the game and could not win enough of the ball to get a foothold.

Something that was evident in the second half against Swindon, but throughout most of the 90 minutes today was the lack of personnel to play a Plan B if Plan A doesn't work. A mixture of Mansfield's press and our own diminishing confidence in possession forced the goalkeeper to kick long on multiple occasions, but we have nobody big and robust enough in a midfield or forward position to challenge for the ball. McGoldrick has made a decent fist of doing so in some games, but he certainly isn't an orthodox centre-forward, which we desperately needed today to hold the ball up front in order to begin playing in their half. If you can't build from the back and are forced to go a bit more direct, you've got to have enough physical presence to compete.

One (or two) bad results doesn't change everthing. Notts County are a good team in this league - we didn't get to the top of the division after 10 games by accident, but today Mansfield ruthlessly exposed what we're missing and what we'll need, recruitment-wise over the next year or so, to become as strong (in every sense) as the clearly are. You win or you learn, and today we hopefully learned what improvements we need in the next phase of our development. I said last week that I thought Luke Williams was beginning to reach decisions on which players can improve sufficiently make the next part of "the journey" with us, and which ones have probably "maxed out" on their potential. I suspect today will have helped him make a few more decisions in that regard.

Excellent stuff, Jackal

[BigFatPie]

think most of us know where we’re weak and all that was proved today. Keepers aren’t great, defence, strength in depth. Knocked out of our stride by a good league 2 side.

Even so, bringing in Slocombe today was the first big clanger Williams has made. Stone’s long kicking isn’t great, but Slocombe’s today was awful.

[Robertomac]

think most of us know where we’re weak and all that was proved today. Keepers aren’t great, defence, strength in depth. Knocked out of our stride by a good league 2 side.

Even so, bringing in Slocombe today was the first big clanger Williams has made. Stone’s long kicking isn’t great, but Slocombe’s today was awful.

Agreed, but Slocombe's kicking on Tuesday night was much better than I've seen from Stone, so I can see why he got the nod.

[upthemaggies]

No Notts side since 1964 has ended a league campaign averaging more than 1.84 goals against per game.
Currently 1.92.

It's mid-October and we're only 6 goals short of conceding as many as we did in the entire 2009/10 Munto season.

[countygump]

Bringing in Slocombe today was the first big clanger Williams has made. Stone’s long kicking isn’t great, but Slocombe’s today was awful.

Well, he had a good game against Derby and his kicking was pretty good in that game as well. Lukey wasn't to know he'd have a stinker today? IMHAHO, neither keeper is good enough for this level.

[countygump]

No Notts side since 1964 has ended a league campaign averaging more than 1.84 goals against per game.
Currently 1.92.

It's mid-October and we're only 6 goals short of conceding as many as we did in the entire 2009/10 Munto season.

It's patently obvious where our problems lie? Don't change the system that's served us well, get better defenders.

[jackal2]

Agreed, but Slocombe's kicking on Tuesday night was much better than I've seen from Stone, so I can see why he got the nod.

It's rare for the Radar not to be 'on point', but Slocombe was in today because summer recruit Aidan Stone doesn't look convincing as a goalkeeper and seems to have lost confidence in his distribution. At present it looks like we've got two back-up keepers, but not the dominant presence between the sticks we would need to go to the next level. That said, it wasn't so long ago that the recruitment folks brought us the fairly brilliant Anthony Patterson on loan from Sunderland, so we should keep faith.

[spacemunky]

I'm not quite ready for the positivity thread just yet.

Today's match was always coming and our shortcomings, that everyone here knew about, were our downfall.

Can't blame the officials, the injuries, we just got beaten, badly, at home, by Mansfield.

[upthemaggies]

Gillingham 3-1 down, so I'd imagine there's a good chance now they will have a new manager in place in time for next Saturday.

[Carlton_Pie]

It's patently obvious where our problems lie? Don't change the system that's served us well, get better defenders.

We strengthened the attacking side pre season and I'd envisage we'd strengthen the defence in the next window. We also need some midfield cover for Palmer and Bostock

[countygump]

https://youtu.be/04XkYdDn4PY

[BigFatPie]

Agreed, but Slocombe's kicking on Tuesday night was much better than I've seen from Stone, so I can see why he got the nod.

I sort of ignore that trophy so can only go on the league and Stone didn’t deserve dropping after last Saturday when he was good.

[i961pie]

Mansfield were by far the better side. Over the past 2-3 years they've been building a team to win promotion from this division and do well in the next, which has included dealing with setbacks, and on today's evidence they're near to completion. We're effectively five or so months into the same journey and today you could see the difference in development. Both teams were trying to play good football, but Mansfield were physically far bigger, taller, faster and more battle-hardened and they simply imposed themselves on us. The phrase 'men against boys' is such a cliche, but a fair description of today's game.

I thought the only players to come out of the game with any credit today (for us) were Dan Crowley and Connell Rawlinson. Anything good creatively seems to go through Crowley, while Rawlinson was a minor revelation (relative to my expectations) in the 'Cameron' role. It seems strange to praise a defender when you've lost 1-4, but Connell's defensive instincts are generally better than Cameron's, and his willingness and ability to carry the ball forward at some pace and pick out a good pass was a pleasant surprise. I haven't seen that degree of quality from him before. Unfortunately and crucially we were missing Jodi Jones, but it would be interesting to see how the two combine.

At the opposite end of the scale I thought Richard Brindley was abysmal, not just when defending under pressure, but for his total unwillingness to play a positive pass or attack wide open space throughout the game. Time and time again he took a step forward, checked back and played the safe backward pass, refusing to take any responsibility at all. Aden Baldwin too was poor. There was one remarkable moment in the second half where Baldwin collected the ball in front of the penalty area and was so busy moaning and gesticulating at all those around him that he almost forgot he had the ball at his feet!

Bostock I thought did okay until he got injured, and Langstaff toiled away up front as best he could in very difficult circumstances, but nobody else could claim to have made a net positive contribution. We looked physically weak and painfully small throughout the game and could not win enough of the ball to get a foothold.

Something that was evident in the second half against Swindon, but throughout most of the 90 minutes today was the lack of personnel to play a Plan B if Plan A doesn't work. A mixture of Mansfield's press and our own diminishing confidence in possession forced the goalkeeper to kick long on multiple occasions, but we have nobody big and robust enough in a midfield or forward position to challenge for the ball. McGoldrick has made a decent fist of doing so in some games, but he certainly isn't an orthodox centre-forward, which we desperately needed today to hold the ball up front in order to begin playing in their half. If you can't build from the back and are forced to go a bit more direct, you've got to have enough physical presence to compete.

One (or two) bad results doesn't change everthing. Notts County are a good team in this league - we didn't get to the top of the division after 10 games by accident, but today Mansfield ruthlessly exposed what we're missing and what we'll need, recruitment-wise over the next year or so, to become as strong (in every sense) as the clearly are. You win or you learn, and today we hopefully learned what improvements we need in the next phase of our development. I said last week that I thought Luke Williams was beginning to reach decisions on which players can improve sufficiently to make the next part of "the journey" with us, and which ones have probably "maxed out" on their potential. I suspect today will have helped him make a few more decisions in that regard.

Rawlo and Crowley had a very good first half but Crowley especially disappeared after the break.
I said to my mate at 1-1 I would gladly take a point, this match really highlighted our lack of decent cover in a few positions.
So many on here
have pointed out this season our defence is not good enough for this league.

[DuckPie]

Hopefully those that slate Cameron will realise what a miss he was today.

Not even on the pitch today, and still getting stick🤷*♀️
totally missed Cameron & jones today

[upthemaggies]

Wrexham come from 2-0 down to lead 3-2.

[OchPie]

Even so, bringing in Slocombe today was the first big clanger Williams has made. Stone’s long kicking isn’t great, but Slocombe’s today was awful.

It's funny, after 15 or so minutes I was thinking to myself that Slocombe's long ball distribution was far better than Stone's.

I'm not even sure it was worse over the rest of the game, either - but I'm not sure Stone would have let all four in.

[i961pie]

Wrexham come from 2-0 down to lead 3-2.

We are the only team in the top six to lose.

[upthemaggies]

Two very good wins for Bradford City since they sacked Mark Hughes, suddenly into the mix just 4 points behind auto.

[matt_magpie]

Well beat today, we felt very light bench wise when I looked at the start, if we had freshened it up with some real quality on 60 mins it could have been different.
I’m still of the thought I will be very happy with top 7 and do believe with a bit of endeavour we can do that.

[SmiffyPie]

It's funny, after 15 or so minutes I was thinking to myself that Slocombe's long ball distribution was far better than Stone's.
I'm not even sure it was worse over the rest of the game, eitherI thought the same. SS managed to kick that bit shorter and was generally finding his target. Only problem was Nemane was the target and he was in front of a giant (and he can't/won't jump anyway, just sort of flops his body in the way).

[BJPIE]

It will be interesting to see anyone defending this defence after this garbage.


Hopefully those that slate Cameron will realise what a miss he was today.

That's *******s. He'd have been just as bad because generally he is, even against weaker opposition.

[upthemaggies]

All results in

Notts now down to 12th in the current form table

4th in the home results table
6th in the away results table

3rd on goals for per game
20th on goals against per game

Stockport have now won 7 on the trot. FGR get their first home points of the season at the 7th attempt. MKD now 8 without a win and rock bottom of the current form table.

[nw6pie]

Well beat today, we felt very light bench wise when I looked at the start, if we had freshened it up with some real quality on 60 mins it could have been different.
I’m still of the thought I will be very happy with top 7 and do believe with a bit of endeavour we can do that.

I would be very happy with top 7, but we’re going to have to strengthen in January to achieve that. We’re missing Scott to give us another option up front, have very few options in the middle of the park and the defensive problems are well documented.

We’ve exceeded pretty much everyone’s expectations so far, but today was a reality check against a very good L2 team.

[Robertomac]

20th on goals against per game


That's the biggest concern at this point in the season. Feels a bit like we've still got that soft underbelly that i hoped we'd lost 12 months back.

[the_anticlough]

That's *******s. He'd have been just as bad because generally he is, even against weaker opposition.

Crazed ramblings.

Of course you can't lay into a player who wasn't even in the squad today.

KC has put in a good run of performances in Sept/Oct so of course he was missed.
For the set piece goals for starters - as someone who would probably have been marking Cargill or Flint.

[StagManStan]

We were wondering why you didn't play Langstaff and Mcgoldrick?

[Davy500]

Stone for Slocombe. Would be harsh but helpful, Slocombes long clearances are too easy for the big Mansfield defenders.

The rest of the team have got to stop giving the ball away.

Cant blame Slocambe, they kept passing it back to him all the time

[Davy500]

It is dreadful to watch.

It was dreadfull ever since we scored in the 3rd minute, sitting back, always back to the goalkeeper

[Davy500]

1-3 against a team can't score

Bread and butter when defending a corner or set piece, be the first to the ball, Notts just stood watching. Its that thats annoyed me most about today, and the same thing twice

[marky]

We probably set a world record today for the amount of times we passed it back to Slocombe, even the Mansfield fans started sarcastically cheering at one point.

[the_anticlough]

We probably set a world record today for the amount of times we passed it back to Slocombe, even the Mansfield fans started sarcastically cheering at one point.

I think it had a lot to do with them going man-for-man all over the pitch, as LW said in his interview. This was similar to the B'Wood league game last season and we really struggled in that.

Slocs, Bostock and the back line found a few good balls through the lines, generally though it went back as you say. I think some players have to do a better job of making themselves available to receive - today that'd be Palmer, Nemane, Austin, Crowley (2nd half) and even Maca....trouble is they might be restricted by the precise positions they're instructed to take up and they might not have license to roam a bit.

They had us in a bit of a stranglehold. Nige knew LW wouldn't change his shape to something they're more comfortable with.

But if there's one word to describe today - for me it's 'over-powered'

[maddogslater]

If only Crowleys effort had not been cleared off the line just before halftime 🙄
Really need a quality central defender, midfield cover, Jimbo just doesn't cut it, a tall commanding keeper.

[1955pie]

Notts’ players to a man looked very, very tired. We have 6 injuries in a 19 man outfield squad. Are they being overworked in training?
I don’t think I can recall one long ball from Sam being won 1st ball. So why do it?
Why did the club give almost a quarter of the seats to the away team? I know some will say money but a lot of those Notts’ fans that left early won’t be coming back very soon. Hope I’m wrong but I bet it’s the same against Wrexham and Bradford.

[OchPie]

We probably set a world record today for the amount of times we passed it back to Slocombe, even the Mansfield fans started sarcastically cheering at one point.

I actually think 80% of the time it was a fair tactic as they were choking off our ball-players and leaving few options. Our few best moves came from quick distribution from Slocombe.

When the players tried to pass forward and there wasn't anything on, the ball came back with interest. The passes were cut out and they broke back in numbers.

I did think our off the ball movement looked much less impressive - I think Mansfield had a lot to do with that.

[Elite_Pie]

Notts’ players to a man looked very, very tired.

No reason we should be tired this early in the season but everything we did after the first ten minutes was timid and half-hearted, which isn't the way we usually play. Maybe we were beaten by a far better side, but then you realise that we're still a point above them and they've failed to win 8 of their 13 games. I can't explain why we were so poor, but we need a good response at Gillingham.

[upthemaggies]

It was dreadfull ever since we scored in the 3rd minute, sitting back, always back to the goalkeeper


The SKY commentators noted the home crowd growing restless with the sideways/backwards passing and I think that was at 1-1 or 1-2, not when we were out of the game.
Since LW took over we've never gone more than 2 home league games without a win, no consecutive defeats and not more than 1 game without scoring. The BT comms last season described the ML faithful as "patient" and "educated" but that has yet to be put to the test.

[LaxtonLad]

think most of us know where we’re weak and all that was proved today. Keepers aren’t great, defence, strength in depth. Knocked out of our stride by a good league 2 side.

Even so, bringing in Slocombe today was the first big clanger Williams has made. Stone’s long kicking isn’t great, but Slocombe’s today was awful.
He only had midgets to aim at and they were marked by comparative giants. Trying to play out from the back wasn’t working either, two or three or four sideways passes inevitably went back to Slocombe who then had to boot the ball clear, repeat ad infinitum. The lack of a plan B was glaringly obvious.

[1955pie]

No reason we should be tired this early in the season but everything we did after the first ten minutes was timid and half-hearted, which isn't the way we usually play. Maybe we were beaten by a far better side, but then you realise that we're still a point above them and they've failed to win 8 of their 13 games. I can't explain why we were so poor, but we need a good response at Gillingham.

They could be tired if they are being worked too hard in training. Also perhaps because we ha a very small squad. 6 injuries is starting to make me wonder.

[drillerpie]

The SKY commentators noted the home crowd growing restless with the sideways/backwards passing and I think that was at 1-1 or 1-2, not when we were out of the game.
Since LW took over we've never gone more than 2 home league games without a win, no consecutive defeats and not more than 1 game without scoring. The BT comms last season described the ML faithful as "patient" and "educated" but that has yet to be put to the test.

I think people get what we do now and why we do it. But today was a pretty stark example of how bad that kind of football can be when it goes wrong.

I mean we must have spent half the time we were in possession just passing it around our area. In a local Derby. Hopefully that doesn't mean the crowd has turned against our philosophy, rather just a case of terrible performance at the worst time.

[Dunce]

Excellent stuff, Jackal

Agreed

[upthemaggies]

I think people get what we do now and why we do it. But today was a pretty stark example of how bad that kind of football can be when it goes wrong.

I mean we must have spent half the time we were in possession just passing it around our area. In a local Derby. Hopefully that doesn't mean the crowd has turned against our philosophy, rather just a case of terrible performance at the worst time.

I suppose the worry has to be that other managers are going to be watching videos of Sutton, FGR, Colchester and Mansfield scoring for fun against us and work out what they need to do. Not all clubs will have the personal to do it, but we're now facing a tricky looking set of opponents.....

Sat.21.Oct gillingham (7th)
Tue.24.Oct NEWPORT CO. (20th)
Sat.28.Oct WREXHAM (5th)
Sat.11.Nov crewe alex. (4th)
Sat.18.Nov BRADFORD CITY (11th)
Sat.25.Nov wimbledon (8th)
Tue.28.Nov CRAWLEY TOWN (10th)

[Proactive not Reactive]

I think it had a lot to do with them going man-for-man all over the pitch, as LW said in his interview. This was similar to the B'Wood league game last season and we really struggled in that.

Slocs, Bostock and the back line found a few good balls through the lines, generally though it went back as you say. I think some players have to do a better job of making themselves available to receive - today that'd be Palmer, Nemane, Austin, Crowley (2nd half) and even Maca....trouble is they might be restricted by the precise positions they're instructed to take up and they might not have license to roam a bit.

They had us in a bit of a stranglehold. Nige knew LW wouldn't change his shape to something they're more comfortable with.

But if there's one word to describe today - for me it's 'over-powered'
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 ?

[legs77]

I think people get what we do now and why we do it. But today was a pretty stark example of how bad that kind of football can be when it goes wrong.

I mean we must have spent half the time we were in possession just passing it around our area. In a local Derby. Hopefully that doesn't mean the crowd has turned against our philosophy, rather just a case of terrible performance at the worst time.

I agree and when its bad its bad and can go very wrong but its risk v reward.

I see some suggest plan B which basically means a 6ft 2 lump up front and that can look bad very bad if he is hopeless watch Nolan side when we got found out it was awful to watch.

We wont go to that plan B under LW and im glad about that as it looks a threat at times but in reality we did nothing for decades doing it.

[nw6pie]

The concern at the moment is the level of performance in recent weeks - we’ve had one great 45 minutes against Swindon, and poor showings against Colchester, Barrow and now Mansfield. Let’s hope it’s a blip, but we’ve created very little in the last two league games.

[marshall55]

I actually think 80% of the time it was a fair tactic as they were choking off our ball-players and leaving few options. Our few best moves came from quick distribution from Slocombe.

When the players tried to pass forward and there wasn't anything on, the ball came back with interest. The passes were cut out and they broke back in numbers.

I did think our off the ball movement looked much less impressive - I think Mansfield had a lot to do with that.
Really frustrating when we did have opportunities we went backwards and Nemane one on one second half went down like a cheap whore he clearly had the pace to go on, we tend to look for cheap free kicks look at Bostock for their first for example

[Proactive not Reactive]

Bread and butter when defending a corner or set piece, be the first to the ball, Notts just stood watching. Its that thats annoyed me most about today, and the same thing twice
If the ball comes above your head and a 6ft 6’’ is challenging you who do you think will win the header ? and how do you stop him ?

[Davy500]

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 ?

I and my friends were some of the people that left when the 4th goal went in, for personel reasons, the game was lost, and we have a fair drive back home, not living locally, so we decided to leave before the mass exodus with a big crowd
But we will be back for the Wrexham match

[SmiffyPie]

We were wondering why you didn't play Langstaff and Mcgoldrick?

XD Good one.
We were resting them!

[the_anticlough]

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 ?

Interesting observations. Yes, we definitely missed Bostock when he went off.

To add a few bits...

Going back to the refereeing. Yes, they bullied us, but the ref allowed them to be very 'liberal' with their hands and arms. The one on Bostock was some sort of foul. It shouldn't have necessarily put him on the ground, although it did spin him around. Maris practically punched one of our players in the face. And the commentators said shoulder charge, but actually Bowery pushed Austin over with an extended right arm and that would've' been a penalty. They got away with a lot of rough-house stuff. Having said that, Crowley might have been sent off. But that only proves that the ref missed a lot of stuff.

That spot on the right-side of defence seems to have become something of a poisoned chalice in terms of performances and continuity. I'm not sure anyone's held the spot down for more than 2 or 3 games. Brindley, then Rawlo, then Baldwin, Brindley, Macari then Brindley again...

About the 'philosophy' that someone mentioned. Yes, the vast majority will be supporting what the club and LW wants to do.
If they didn't though.......anyone else have the feeling that demanding a change of approach would be the same as demanding a change of coach? He seems so committed to his footballing principles, I think LW would take and apply them elsewhere before he did anything radically different here. And then the club would bring in a similar coach anyway. If true, this is a good thing, it means we won't be zig-zagging Trew-style from one thing to the other.

[LaxtonLad]

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 ?

I agree with most of what you say PnR, but how else can fans show their dismay at such a shocking performance? They aren't a happy clappy congregation, smiling and cheering no matter what is fed to them. They didn't just see a loss, they saw a chance to wallop their neighbours disappear in a fashion not seen by the fans for years, bounced, we were.

To me our lot had "Play to instructions, don't deviate" written all over it.

[Elite_Pie]

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 ?

Nearly every team we play are bigger and stronger than us. You counter it by being sharper, quicker and cleverer. That's what we've done previously, but we didn't do it today.

[Elite_Pie]

If the ball comes above your head and a 6ft 6’’ is challenging you who do you think will win the header ? and how do you stop him ?

If you can't stop him, the least you can do is make it more difficult for him by offering a challenge.

Leaving a tall centre back unmarked so he can pick his spot is criminal defending.

[Magpies1959]

There is a difference between happy clappy, and supporting your team when things ain't going great. Some of our fans are like spoilt brats, first time we don't dominate, out come the boos and cat calls.
We all know it was a bad day at the office, but sit on your hands or worse, turn on the team, is poor.
Mansfield fans were lapping it up, very embarrassing.

[Elite_Pie]

That spot on the right-side of defence seems to have become something of a poisoned chalice in terms of performances and continuity. I'm not sure anyone's held the spot down for more than 2 or 3 games. Brindley, then Rawlo, then Baldwin, Brindley, Macari then Brindley again...

Brindley has looked really good in the middle of a back three, but poor when played on the right. Maybe Cameron's absence forced our formation today, but we looked dodgy all game.

[countygump]

If you can't stop him, the least you can do is make it more difficult for him by offering a challenge.

Leaving a tall centre back unmarked so he can pick his spot is criminal defending.

This^^^

At a very minimum, you should jump with the opposing player and make a challenge. if you can't win the header, at least try to put them off. Remember DKE? At 5ft 5ins he could often win headers against 6 footers. Sometimes it's not about how tall you are, but more about how much you are motivated.

[the_anticlough]

Brindley has looked really good in the middle of a back three, but poor when played on the right. Maybe Cameron's absence forced our formation today, but we looked dodgy all game.

True, but I was happy with Brindley being on the right, given the starting XI. That way at least 2 of the 3 were in their natural positions. Truth is, nobody has looked all that good on the right so far this season.

Having said that, both non-set-piece goals today came from the left. But most seem to agree Rawlo was alright today, the goals could just as easily have come from the right where they broke through a hell of a lot.

[Robertomac]

Rawlo was my MOTM today.

[Mark_Ross]

The concern at the moment is the level of performance in recent weeks - we’ve had one great 45 minutes against Swindon, and poor showings against Colchester, Barrow and now Mansfield. Let’s hope it’s a blip, but we’ve created very little in the last two league games.

It's a really bad day, no doubt. But let's put it into context. We have just come up from NL. We are doing okay over all. There's plenty of match days left in the season to sort things. U PIES !!

[marky]

If this was still the NL today would be a disaster as any defeat would be due to only 1 promotion place but we need to remember we're still up there, we can still go up this season.

[Pietastic]

If this was still the NL today would be a disaster as any defeat would be due to only 1 promotion place but we need to remember we're still up there, we can still go up this season.

It's just gutting though. We have become a team who fight, who play positively, who handle pressure games, who create chance after chance and today that was ALL missing. We hardly created anything and the defence was like the olden days. I'm all for being balanced and not losing perspective - it's just that was painful today!

[Elite_Pie]

It's just gutting though. We have become a team who fight, who play positively, who handle pressure games, who create chance after chance and today that was ALL missing. We hardly created anything and the defence was like the olden days. I'm all for being balanced and not losing perspective - it's just that was painful today!

Today was alien to everything we have seen under Luke Williams, but why do we always save these dire performances for when we play Mansfield?

[Pietastic]

Yeah good points.... We used to always bottle big/tv games - hopefully today was just because it was Mansfield B)

[matt_magpie]

Rawlo was my MOTM today.

I was really impressed impressed with his character today to get chucked in late notice on the left in a massive game.
I think today just showed what we’re against this season. I think Stockport and Mansfield will be top 3 come the end of the season.
Feels like that 3rd spot is up for grabs, Wrexham will probably go big in Jan if their still in touch.

[Stagnificent]

It's just gutting though. We have become a team who fight, who play positively, who handle pressure games, who create chance after chance and today that was ALL missing. We hardly created anything and the defence was like the olden days. I'm all for being balanced and not losing perspective - it's just that was painful today!

Excuse me for sounding full of it, but it was all because of how we forced our game plan on you. To be able to sustain the press and have the character to implement it so effectively after going behind early, was highly impressive by Stags. I'm not sure it mattered what mentality or level of quality or desire Notts brought today. Mansfield, on our game, are just better. Sorry.

[queenslandpie]

Excuse me for sounding full of it, but it was all because of how we forced our game plan on you. To be able to sustain the press and have the character to implement it so effectively after going behind early, was highly impressive by Stags. I'm not sure it mattered what mentality or level of quality or desire Notts brought today. Mansfield, on our game, are just better. Sorry.

Agree it was good stuff from Mansfailed. As King Luke said in his post match interview we need more exposure to playing teams like that and in the incoming weeks they will come for us. Can't see Stags outside of top 3 given games they have already played. Maybe after all the money spent and years and years of constant failure you will finally get out of the division. Must have been difficult for you B)

[Stagnificent]

Agree it was good stuff from Mansfailed. As King Luke said in his post match interview we need more exposure to playing teams like that and in the incoming weeks they will come for us. Can't see Stags outside of top 3 given games they have already played. Maybe after all the money spent and years and years of constant failure you will finally get out of the division. Must have been difficult for you B)

I wouldn't say failure. Relative to the conference years and Haslam, we've been stable, but very unlucky not to step up several times. We've had competitive budgets some years and mid table budgets others. This year I doubt we're anywhere near Stockport, Wrexham, Gills, Salford or even yourselves on budget. 'difficult' is relative. Losing at pub teams in the conference was difficult, but you know that all to well too. It's just great to be healthy and watching league football in front of big crowds.

[queenslandpie]

I wouldn't say failure. Relative to the conference years and Haslam, we've been stable, but very unlucky not to step up several times. We've had competitive budgets some years and mid table budgets others. This year I doubt we're anywhere near Stockport, Wrexham, Gills, Salford or even yourselves on budget. 'difficult' is relative. Losing at pub teams in the conference was difficult, but you know that all to well too. It's just great to be healthy and watching league football in front of big crowds.

I dont know why you think we have a good budget. I don't think that is the case at all. We didn't sign a lot of big names pre season in fact just 2 in Mcgoldrick and Crowley all the others who came in won't be on big $. Biggest mistake you made was sacking Flitcroft in my opinion after you lost in playoffs. Set you back years that.

[hissingdwarf]

The biggest issue for me is the fact that we’ve seen it coming. How many times will posters have to keep typing “ we all know about our defensive issues” or “our defensive frailties “?
Not a knee jerk reaction, but the lack of a plan B is a worry. Week in, week out, our defence always looks frail. So change it! Move to a flatter back 4 if needed. Do something to alleviate the pressure we regularly put ourselves under.

We’ve learnt to accept the passing back routine, but for christs sake, “our defence has mistakes in ‘em” is another regular.

Honestly think Cameron wouldn’t have made any difference at all today. In fact, I’d go as far as to say he would have made it worse. Rawlinson was probably the only man who came out of the game with a shred of dignity. He looked strong, he looked incisive with his passes and, most importantly, he moved the ball forwards when he had grass in front of him.
Brindley and Baldwin were so willing to keep the little triangles going and invite pressure they couldn’t deal with. Thought Baldwin made some great tackles today, but he embarrasses himself moaning about lack of options and forgets he’s got the bloody ball at his feet!

Everyone acknowledges LW did a fantastic job last season and has galvanised the club, but on a few occasions this season, I’m putting the blame at his door. Training should be designed to iron out errors. Formations should be able to change when needed. Substitutions should change the game.
If none of the above is happening, then we’re likely to keep conceding by large margins.

Yes, when we’re on it, we cut through teams like a knife, but we also spend large parts of games going backwards.

Sometimes the old stuff works. Ask Mansfield about their corner routines…compared to our short corner every time and it invariably going back to the half way or even deeper,

The small squad routine and siege mentality hasn’t helped. We need a better balance of recruitment and a big heading on the sheet of paper…
Must be tall, physically imposing and competitive…

[Stagnificent]

I dont know why you think we have a good budget. I don't think that is the case at all. We didn't sign a lot of big names pre season in fact just 2 in Mcgoldrick and Crowley all the others who came in won't be on big $. Biggest mistake you made was sacking Flitcroft in my opinion after you lost in playoffs. Set you back years that.

Yes, sacking Flicker was a bad move. Had 2 dud managers after him, before Nige came in.

I assumed that with McGoldrick's reportedly high salary and your gates, etc, you'd have a good budget. Probably still bigger than ours. We've not splashed the cash this season, other than Flint and maybe Swann.

[queenslandpie]

Yes, sacking Flicker was a bad move. Had 2 dud managers after him, before Nige came in.

I assumed that with McGoldrick's reportedly high salary and your gates, etc, you'd have a good budget. Probably still bigger than ours. We've not splashed the cash this season, other than Flint and maybe Swann.

Yes I remember chuckling a lot at the time. McGoldrick came as he wanted to finish his career at Notts. Obviously I don't know the details but he had much more lucrative offers elsewhere I can be sure of that. One of our bigger earners I am sure but not on Wrexham type money I wouldn't have thought. These gates are not normal for us but I hope they continue. Our home average must be well over 10,000 now even in our last season in the top flight in the 90's when we were playing Man Utd etc I don't think it was that high. Attractive attacking football draws the crowds probably helped by the fact that dare I say it getting a ticket at Forest is pretty hard nowadays. Anyway good luck for the rest of the season pal.

[Willie-Wotsit]

As a neutral Wxm fan, I thought it was a very good game.

County started off with their now expected, passing game, but MTFC soon got to grips with the system.

A lot of other managers will have taken note on how to combat your pressing game....

Whether or not other teams can execute it as well as MTFC did, remains to be seen though... (I doubt it myself)

For us (& Notts fans though no doubt) the thing that gives me optimism going forward is, it's nothing like last season, where if one of us dropped points, it was a minor disaster, with only ONE going up automatically.

This season, there's more room for slip-ups.....

[Magpies1959]

Cheers Willie-Wotsit

[Kyle95]

Massive reality check for many tbh. I said in the summer we needed quality added in defence, otherwise we will finish mid-table i stand by that. Today also showed how much we rely on Jones and Cameron. He's not the best defender, but you'll struggle to find many better on the ball. Another thing i stand by is Bostock is our most important player. It's no surprise as soon as he left the pitch Mansfield dominated the midfield. As for the gaffer, he did a brilliant job last year but imo has come across quite naive\stubborn in recent weeks. Having Slocombe, Rawlinson, Brindley and O'Brien in an EFL side is 2023 is astonishingly bad. We need some new recruits and fast.

[Davy500]

Excuse me for sounding full of it, but it was all because of how we forced our game plan on you. To be able to sustain the press and have the character to implement it so effectively after going behind early, was highly impressive by Stags. I'm not sure it mattered what mentality or level of quality or desire Notts brought today. Mansfield, on our game, are just better. Sorry.

Course you are going to be full off it - i dont blame you -all fans enjoy days like this
For whatever reason Mansfield are a bogey team for us- and we had 2 of our best players missing and Bostock went off when it was still 1-1
mansfield just got lucky on the 2 set pieces that credited them with a healthy win , even your own supporters on their forum admitted the ball had dropped kindly for them in both halves
You will lose soon prob to a team in the bottom half,

[Davy500]

Agree it was good stuff from Mansfailed. As King Luke said in his post match interview we need more exposure to playing teams like that and in the incoming weeks they will come for us. Can't see Stags outside of top 3 given games they have already played. Maybe after all the money spent and years and years of constant failure you will finally get out of the division. Must have been difficult for you B)

With respect mansfield have barely been in the top 3 this season, often teams nearer the top struggle against teams near the bottom, so we will see how Mansfield get on , i am not convinced, as they draw to many, and just got the luck on the day against a team they always seem to do well against

[Davy500]

Excuse me for sounding full of it, but it was all because of how we forced our game plan on you. To be able to sustain the press and have the character to implement it so effectively after going behind early, was highly impressive by Stags. I'm not sure it mattered what mentality or level of quality or desire Notts brought today. Mansfield, on our game, are just better. Sorry.

Another thing -we have alaways been a bigger club than mansfield - we have played at the highrst level - something you will never do- and we have spent time in the top 2 tiers
How long has it taken Mansfield to get promoted to league 1 , bet we will do it sooner
And the maximum level for Mansfield is mid league 1, you will never go much beyond that, you dont have the fanbase or the owners to do it, but we do, so enjoy your temporary victory

[Scamps]

Another thing -we have alaways been a bigger club than mansfield - we have played at the highrst level - something you will never do- and we have spent time in the top 2 tiers
How long has it taken Mansfield to get promoted to league 1 , bet we will do it sooner
And the maximum level for Mansfield is mid league 1, you will never go much beyond that, you dont have the fanbase or the owners to do it, but we do, so enjoy your temporary victory

Your the type of notts fan that makes stags victory that much sweeter ,so far up your own backside ,living in the past most on here are fair and decent but your just a bitter loser

[PedroTheFisherman66]

Course you are going to be full off it - i dont blame you -all fans enjoy days like this
For whatever reason Mansfield are a bogey team for us- and we had 2 of our best players missing and Bostock went off when it was still 1-1
mansfield just got lucky on the 2 set pieces that credited them with a healthy win , even your own supporters on their forum admitted the ball had dropped kindly for them in both halves
You will lose soon prob to a team in the bottom half,
Don't they say you make your own luck.! Or the harder I practice the luckier I get !!?

[Mud Pie]

disappointing but not super surprising sadly. Mansfield have been a borderline bogey team for us for yonks, and we defo looked off the boil last week.

I think NC probably won the game tactically, but the question from Notts pov is how do we more consistantly keep the tempo that makes us unbeatable.

Agree with the posters above that we're looking a bit sluggish and whether overtraining is an issue. I mentioned it before about AN and DC, some statto will probably prove me wrong, but we often seem to be far less sparkly in the second halves of games

[TSANHO]

The biggest issue for me is the fact that we’ve seen it coming. How many times will posters have to keep typing “ we all know about our defensive issues” or “our defensive frailties “?
Not a knee jerk reaction, but the lack of a plan B is a worry. Week in, week out, our defence always looks frail. So change it! Move to a flatter back 4 if needed. Do something to alleviate the pressure we regularly put ourselves under.

We’ve learnt to accept the passing back routine, but for christs sake, “our defence has mistakes in ‘em” is another regular.

Honestly think Cameron wouldn’t have made any difference at all today. In fact, I’d go as far as to say he would have made it worse. Rawlinson was probably the only man who came out of the game with a shred of dignity. He looked strong, he looked incisive with his passes and, most importantly, he moved the ball forwards when he had grass in front of him.
Brindley and Baldwin were so willing to keep the little triangles going and invite pressure they couldn’t deal with. Thought Baldwin made some great tackles today, but he embarrasses himself moaning about lack of options and forgets he’s got the bloody ball at his feet!

Everyone acknowledges LW did a fantastic job last season and has galvanised the club, but on a few occasions this season, I’m putting the blame at his door. Training should be designed to iron out errors. Formations should be able to change when needed. Substitutions should change the game.
If none of the above is happening, then we’re likely to keep conceding by large margins.

Yes, when we’re on it, we cut through teams like a knife, but we also spend large parts of games going backwards.

Sometimes the old stuff works. Ask Mansfield about their corner routines…compared to our short corner every time and it invariably going back to the half way or even deeper,

The small squad routine and siege mentality hasn’t helped. We need a better balance of recruitment and a big heading on the sheet of paper…
Must be tall, physically imposing and competitive…

Sums it up well for me, good post.

[magpie_mania]

disappointing but not super surprising sadly. Mansfield have been a borderline bogey team for us for yonks, and we defo looked off the boil last week.

I think NC probably won the game tactically, but the question from Notts pov is how do we more consistantly keep the tempo that makes us unbeatable.

Agree with the posters above that we're looking a bit sluggish and whether overtraining is an issue. I mentioned it before about AN and DC, some statto will probably prove me wrong, but we often seem to be far less sparkly in the second halves of games

Consistently inconsistent seems to sum us up imo.

[Carlton_Pie]

They could be tired if they are being worked too hard in training. Also perhaps because we ha a very small squad. 6 injuries is starting to make me wonder.

And you have what evidence for that?

[i961pie]

Another thing -we have alaways been a bigger club than mansfield - we have played at the highrst level - something you will never do- and we have spent time in the top 2 tiers
How long has it taken Mansfield to get promoted to league 1 , bet we will do it sooner
And the maximum level for Mansfield is mid league 1, you will never go much beyond that, you dont have the fanbase or the owners to do it, but we do, so enjoy your temporary victory

Those grapes seem very sour today.

[queenslandpie]

Another thing -we have alaways been a bigger club than mansfield - we have played at the highrst level - something you will never do- and we have spent time in the top 2 tiers
How long has it taken Mansfield to get promoted to league 1 , bet we will do it sooner
And the maximum level for Mansfield is mid league 1, you will never go much beyond that, you dont have the fanbase or the owners to do it, but we do, so enjoy your temporary victory

I don't want to pee on your potatoes Davy but the last time we were in the championship I was smoking a bong pipe at Uni. been a while!