Match Ratings @ Crewe

[the_anticlough]

Bass 6 - nutmegged for the first, but that happens
Macari 6 - OK, should've scored towards the end
Ness 7 - really looked the part, had to be sacrificed at HT
Platt 6 - we all know it wasn't a pen
Bedeau 6 - usual mixed bag, no lack of effort
Palmer 5 - Is what he does enough in L2 to influence games?
Abbott 6 - faded after a fair start
Tsaroulla 7 MoM - Our most positive player
Brown 6 - Nice touches, turns etc but not many
Austin 3 - Would like to give more, but can't
Scott 5 - Good to see him back, but can understand why he was subbed at HT
Subs
Gordon 5 - A bit disappointing this time
McGoldrick 6 - Put himslef about but not much came off for him

[freemuzzy]

Didn?t think anyone was outstanding but personally thought the pairing of Palmer and Abbott was one of the few really bright spots today. Think Palmer looks much better than he did a month ago; now just lacking the creative input of Crowley ahead of them.

The initial change to a 4-4-2 formation and the switch at half time back to our usual set-up both felt unnecessary, and like the core priority was being ?unpredictable?/keeping the opposition guessing?again.

But ultimately there wasn?t a lot in it - a crazy decision to leave no-one back at a corner when we?d largely controlled the first half, and an even crazier penalty decision from the ref. Otherwise it was a lack of creativity that cost us - we desperately need Crowley and/or Jones back asap.

Bass - 6
Macari - 6
Ness - 6
Platt - 6
Bedeau - 7
Tsaroulla - 7
Abbott - 7.5
Palmer - 7
Austin - 5
Scott - 5
Brown - 5.5
McGoldrick - 6.5
Gordon - 5.5

[TSANHO]

Both good scores and comments?think I?d be bang in the middle of them.

[durhampie]

Bass 6 - nutmegged for the first, but that happens
Macari 6 - OK, should've scored towards the end
Ness 7 - really looked the part, had to be sacrificed at HT
Platt 6 - we all know it wasn't a pen
Bedeau 6 - usual mixed bag, no lack of effort
Palmer 5 - Is what he does enough in L2 to influence games?
Abbott 6 - faded after a fair start
Tsaroulla 7 MoM - Our most positive player
Brown 6 - Nice touches, turns etc but not many
Austin 3 - Would like to give more, but can't
Scott 5 - Good to see him back, but can understand why he was subbed at HT
Subs
Gordon 5 - A bit disappointing this time
McGoldrick 6 - Put himslef about but not much came off for him

Pretty much agree with those, other than Ness, who i thought had a shocker..

[the_anticlough]

The initial change to a 4-4-2 formation and the switch at half time back to our usual set-up both felt unnecessary, and like the core priority was being ?unpredictable?/keeping the opposition guessing?again.

Something I've noticed about when we change shapes is that performance levels can drop because players 'feel out' their new roles and maybe forget about the usual expectations and standards of the regular roles. The new positions in the changed shape could be seen as a 'free hit'

[SmiffyPie]

Something I've noticed about when we change shapes is that performance levels can drop because players 'feel out' their new roles and maybe forget about the usual expectations and standards of the regular roles. The new positions in the changed shape could be seen as a 'free hit'

Combine that with L2 players playing in what is effectively a thrown together team. We have done well as it is and to me it just shows the spirit in the club.

[Boomerangpie]

Something I've noticed about when we change shapes is that performance levels can drop because players 'feel out' their new roles and maybe forget about the usual expectations and standards of the regular roles. The new positions in the changed shape could be seen as a 'free hit'

That is a very interesting and insightful observation. Will keep an eye out now it?s been highlighted

[jackal2]

The initial change to a 4-4-2 formation and the switch at half time back to our usual set-up both felt unnecessary, and like the core priority was being ?unpredictable?/keeping the opposition guessing?again.

When managers/coaches go down that route it never ends well. Psychologically it reveals that you're spending more time thinking about your opponent than you are about yourself, which is giving away some initiative before you've even kicked a ball, and increasing the mental workload on your players.

Of course I'm not saying you should disregard the opponent in your game planning - by all means see if you can make a tweak here and there to disrupt their rhythm - but literally ever manager who has succeeded at Notts over the past 40 years has a had a consistent tactical approach and has focused on maximising the strengths of their own team rather than trying to outwit the opponent. Let them worry about you.

[Boomerangpie]

Also known as an effective Plan A

[the_anticlough]

Will keep an eye out now it?s been highlighted

To add a bit more... when team's 'try out' a new shape/system in the players' minds there could be the idea that if things don't work out the system will be blamed and changed and not them, and it often seems to work out that way anyway