Next Season

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Originally Posted by Glad2BeAPie

In his interview he said that Aldershot had big strong pacey forwards that caused us problems, I wonder If he thinks it's what Notts need.

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Not if he cant defend from corners....

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Originally Posted by kill_the_drum

It’s probably an unpopular opinion after yesterday but I wouldn’t change much next season.
The football is good, we score enough goals and I generally enjoy watching this team.
I like IB’s assessment of a game, even when we lose.
We just need to add that bite. Players that do a job when we don’t have the ball. I thought we’d fixed it with Arter but he just isn’t mobile enough.

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I agree with this.

No need to rip it up and start again but just add the bits that are missing. Some steel and fight in midfield and some better CBs

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Originally Posted by DaveSmithRules

Yesterday's result (and many this season) we're not good enough. But I think we're a bit in danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater here.

The recruitment over the last 18months has actually been pretty good imo. Which is why we're currently in 5th place - only 4 wins off top in a season where the top 2 have got significantly more points than in previous seasons.

I'd try to keep the nucleus of this squad together. We just need a bit of backbone. We need to prioritise experienced NL energetic, competitive and aggressive first-team-ready signings at GK, CB (to play alongside Cameron), CM (to replace Arter) and CF (to replace Wootton).

I'd consider selling and replacing CR or RR if the right offer comes in for them. And the key question for me about IB is not whether he can win the play-offs, but if he can learn from his mistakes and build a team who can play a bit more rough and direct when needed.

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This ^^

IB would be fine to carry on if the impression is he learns, can admit mistakes and will add what's needed. I don't believe he gives that impression at all.

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Originally Posted by DaveSmithRules

Yesterday's result (and many this season) we're not good enough. But I think we're a bit in danger of throwing the baby out with the bathwater here.

The recruitment over the last 18months has actually been pretty good imo. Which is why we're currently in 5th place - only 4 wins off top in a season where the top 2 have got significantly more points than in previous seasons.

I'd try to keep the nucleus of this squad together. We just need a bit of backbone. We need to prioritise experienced NL energetic, competitive and aggressive first-team-ready signings at GK, CB (to play alongside Cameron), CM (to replace Arter) and CF (to replace Wootton).

I'd consider selling and replacing CR or RR if the right offer comes in for them. And the key question for me about IB is not whether he can win the play-offs, but if he can learn from his mistakes and build a team who can play a bit more rough and direct when needed.

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His philosophy is, and always will be to play the ball out from the back. That has been our downfall away from home this season. He will not change that method of play. Next season IF he is still here, everything will be pretty much the same, tippy tappy, you to me, me to you..

The last we need to do is the classic 'big clear out' , we don't need to rip it up and start again!

That should only apply after a relegation season or a season of struggle which hasn't occured since relegation. When you finish in the playoffs it needs more fine tuning, some key and different type of player additions and maintaining a good core from this season (where possible).

Plus as suggested a different and more contrasting game plan away from home. It's obvious that it hasn't worked this season as the very average away record has shown and as I've seen with my own eyes.

Yesterday's game was the perfect example of it not working and it's been repeated throughout the season away from Meadow Lane.

Player wise I don’t think this squad is too far off. As others have said, we need a top class centre half, a top class midfielder and another striker(2 if Wootton goes).

It’s not so much the playing staff, it’s the oft mentioned energy and intensity we lack, how many times have we needed to go a goal down before starting to play, how many late winners have we scored (Grimsby? Any others?) how many times have we lost to supposedly inferior opponents who our rivals have well beaten?

That only comes from the manager and his coaching staff. If I were the owner that’s where I’d be looking to change things.

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Originally Posted by laddo

The last we need to do is the classic 'big clear out' , we don't need to rip it up and start again!

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True, we've tried the nuclear option in the past and it works no better than the 'do nothing' option.

After a 3-1 defeat to lowly Aldershot it's tempting to think everything is wrong, but four months ago a team selected from the same squad looked very impressive beating Wrexham 3-1. There's plenty of talent and quality in this squad of players, but we need to add some physical and mental strength and leadership to the existing nucleus to address the weaknesses that lead to results like yesterday's.

The biggest question mark in my mind right now is whether Ian Burchnall privately recognises this fact and will address it in the summer so his team has the flexibility to play more than one way, or whether rigid adherence to a purist footballing philosophy is more important to him than winning games. I hope for his sake that it's the former, even if he isn't able or willing to be so candid in public right now.

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Originally Posted by laddo

The last we need to do is the classic 'big clear out' , we don't need to rip it up and start again!

That should only apply after a relegation season or a season of struggle which hasn't occured since relegation. When you finish in the playoffs it needs more fine tuning, some key and different type of player additions and maintaining a good core from this season (where possible).

Plus as suggested a different and more contrasting game plan away from home. It's obvious that it hasn't worked this season as the very average away record has shown and as I've seen with my own eyes.

Yesterday's game was the perfect example of it not working and it's been repeated throughout the season away from Meadow Lane.

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There will inevitably be a clear-out due to the amount of players being out of contract. Also i wouldn't be surprised if the likes of Roberts, Rodrigues and Palmer wanted a move on. I would also get rid of the two static statues, who do nothing but stand all match with there hands in the pockets...

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Originally Posted by durhampie

There will inevitably be a clear-out due to the amount of players being out of contract. Also i wouldn't be surprised if the likes of Roberts, Rodrigues and Palmer wanted a move on. I would also get rid of the two static statues, who do nothing but stand all match with there hands in the pockets...

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Yes that's usual at this level and lower league. If Roberts left and Rodrigues and Palmer stayed I would be happy. Those three names who you say most likely would want to leave and move up a division illustrates how much better the recruitment has been. We'd actually get a decent fee for a player leaving the club. That may take a few days to sink in for some supporters.

If you would get rid of the head coach and his assistant, who would you bring in to replace them, shout lots and throw their arms about a bit? The wanting rid of a management team is the easy bit.