Are we actually going anywhere?

[BCnotts18]

Probably an odd thing to say considering where we are in the league, but I don't think we're actually going anywhere with this squad or under SM.

It might just be frustration from our poor our home performances have been over the last few months, but in a way, I already can't wait for this season to be done with. Last nights "display" reminded me so much of some of our displays in the national league under NA and IB, and just as I had towards the end of their seasons (more so Ardley's second one), I have a disheartening feeling that we're just sleepwalking to an inevitable playoff failure, just as we did in those two seasons.

Yeah, we're probably good enough to just about get a playoff place, but we seem so far off what we should need for automatic promotion, and given our poor record against other teams in the top 7, I unfortunately can't see anything but a playoff semi-final defeat, and while that will technically count as progress, it'll be so disappointing given how poor the league is this season.

Hopefully we'll actually look like a team befitting of our league position on Saturday for once, and put some of my fears to rest.

[TheBlackHorse]

... talk about pushing yourself into failure! Come on you spineless moaners! We have an injury-hit squad in the play-offs. SM can only juggle with the options let alone carry out a clear demolition of other teams. The players need to cut out some of the nonsense they do from time to time; and simply apply some of the ruthless tactics back onto other teams. Ref's have a lot to answer for ... no protection for us, eh ..

[slack_pie]

I agree that this Notts side feels like the L2 equivalent of the IB sides in the National League, where we were clearly one of the better teams but not quite good enough to get over the line. I expect we'll lose in the playoffs like we did under IB. If everyone's fully fit, we're good for the top three, but for whatever reason, we have an endless injury list.

Still a lot of football to be played, but we need to start beating the teams around us to stand a chance of automatics. I think what's important is that we're better than last season. Continuous improvement will eventually lead to promotion, whether this season, next season, or the one after. The bros are playing the long game.

[durhampie]

It would help if we were more pro-active instead of waiting for the opposition to make their substitutions. Also a little encouragement from the side lines wouldnt go a miss, instead of standing with your hands in pockets.. Both Johnson and Edwards should not have come out for the second half, they were both dreadful.
We are not going to get promoted with SM has head coach, he obviously just not up to it...
If we dont get promoted he needs sacking in the summer..

[countygump]

It would help if we were more pro-active instead of waiting for the opposition to make their substitutions. Also a little encouragement from the side lines wouldnt go a miss, instead of standing with your hands in pockets.. Both Johnson and Edwards should not have come out for the second half, they were both dreadful.
We are not going to get promoted with SM has head coach, he obviously just not up to it...
If we dont get promoted he needs sacking in the summer..

Edwards seems to have gone from a decent player to a reluctant passenger who's forgotten how to make a forward pass. 'Bar injuries', we do look like a side that could finish top 3. But we never seem to be 'bar injuries'.

[nw6pie]

I wouldn't go that far, and I definitely don't think the Bros will either. Given how poor our squad looks beyond the first 11, I can't imagine our budget is even top 7, nevermind top 3.

If we fall out of the playoffs all together though, then I can see how SM can stay.

Based on previous comments at forums, our budget is definitely not top three. Sounds like we’re in the next bunch of ‘healthy’ budgets, along with a few other teams.

[slack_pie]

It would help if we were more pro-active instead of waiting for the opposition to make their substitutions. Also a little encouragement from the side lines wouldnt go a miss, instead of standing with your hands in pockets.. Both Johnson and Edwards should not have come out for the second half, they were both dreadful.
We are not going to get promoted with SM has head coach, he obviously just not up to it...
If we dont get promoted he needs sacking in the summer..

What's the deal with Cundy? Surely he's a better option than Johnson. And if not, why is he here?

[BigFatPie]

After Saturday its hard to see us picking up enough points at home for autos, given weve still got a lot of half decent sides to play.

At the start of the season we were almost exclusively reliant on 4 players for all our creativity and goalscoring threat, Didzy, Jatta, JJ and Crowley. If at least 3 of those started you pretty much knew we were in for a good day.

Obviously now one has gone, one has been injured the vast majority of the season, and one is 37 and seems to be forever picking up small knocks. Our record with just Jatta starting must be pretty abysmal. Whitaker has shown some very early signs that he may take up some slack and we all know what Abbot can do when he gets near the box, but unless at least one of Didzy and JJ come back fit and firing soon I dont think were going anywhere this year.

[MarcusCole]

I have to agree with a lot of what has been written here. I think out biggest problem is we seem to be missing something, we won't take a risk. how many times do we get a chance to break through the opposition and get a chance on goal only for the player to make the easier choice and pass the ball backwards or sidewards and break the momentum.

We are easy to play against as it is guaranteed as if you push our players they will make the easy choice to keep the ball rather than a choice that could lose it. We will get pushed back by smart teams who will cut down the forward options. we definitely seem to want to walk the ball into the opposition area.

So to sum it up, we are predictable, timid and slow. That is not a successful combination.

[Med Pie]

What's the deal with Cundy? Surely he's a better option than Johnson. And if not, why is he here?

The first thing he did last night, under no pressure, was miscontrol an easy pass which he still should have kept in, even after that, were it not for the fact that he miss-controled it again!