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It's probably fair to say that Turner is first choice for Ardley. Yes, he had a 'bit of a mare' at Wembley and Ardley picked who he felt was right for the job at the time. Rawlinson only secured the CB role due to Turner's injury, and it proved to be a blessing in disguise. (Sorry Ben, I really like you as a person and a player but something clicked with Rawlinson and Lacey.)
The question is.... Will Rawlinson get a look in this season? I don't want to see him a right back. I want to see him beside Lacey developing the great partnership they had last season. What will Ardley do? Surely, when players and fans vote somebody player of the season, you can't leave them out? Could he?
I rated him all season and sung his praises in match ratings etc. but what will Ardley do now? Play a back 3? You can't leave out the player of the season?
Same with Dion.. a fan favourite who can get sidelined when 'gaffer knows best'.
Discuss!!!!
P.S. It wasn't all Turner's fault at Wembley. I've painfully watched the whole match again and it's clear that Harrogate exploited Bagan as the weakness. If he stops that first cross, they don't score. All their play comes down the left side of Notts.
Anyway, what we saying? (about Rawlo and not the playoffs)
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I don't think Turner is first choice. He was picked against Barnet to deal with the height of McCallum (I think that's the chaps name anyway?) Ardley then kept a team that won comfortably for the final.Originally Posted by MancMagpie
Like you say, we really need decent left back cover because McCrory seems to pick a lot of injuries up or even a new first choice left back that let's McCrory be 4th centre back and back up left back saving on budget.
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We are likely to be playing Sat-Tue-Sat-Tue for a couple of months at the start of the season so I would imagine the squad will be rotated to suit. Turner will no doubt pick up an injury at some point early on as well.
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This. I think we should just rejoice in the fact that we suddenly have depth in the centre-half position after six or seven years of having no dominant centre-halves whatsoever. It's not that long ago we were having to drag Mike Edwards out of virtual retirement to fill the gaps.
Ben Turner had some very good games before he got injured and definitely ticked the "dominant centre-half" box. I thought we would really miss him, but it's a tribute to Rawlinson and Lacey that we barely blinked. Connell was my player of the season and I'm sure all three will be important players next season. Turner did have a 'mare at Wembley and it was probably one game too many on his comeback, but you won't find many (of any) better centre-halves with his pedigree at this level.
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What will Ardley do? He’ll rotate his squad, that’s what. He’s been telling us this is his policy for at least a year now and I see no reason to doubt him.
We’re lucky to have plenty of choice for the central defensive positions, which will make this policy a viable one. The midfield looks like it is nearly complete too. But we still need to add good quality in the strikers and full backs to enable rotation there too.
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No doubt DKE and Brindley will rotate at right-back, and DKE can play left-back too, but we definitely need another natural left-back, first to cover for McCrory and then challenge him when he's fit again. And yes, the quality of the replacement we find for Kristian Dennis could have a bog influence on our chances this season.
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While there’ll be plenty of squad rotation, two players have to be first choice centre halves. Should be Rawlinson and Lacey. I thought Turner was average at best before the playoff final and nothing happened in that game to change my view.
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True, if we don't get a good replacement our chances could go down the pan.
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If you take the time to look at statistics Notts had the meanest defence in the division last season. I would love it if @nottscountystats NCFCOG could show us the meanest pairing with or without Rawlinson or Turner and so on.
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My concern is that Turner is one of Ardley’s ‘undroppables’ much like Rose & Doyle were last season. One of those players who are very rarely substituted even when they’re having a shocker.
I like Turner and he did well for Notts last season. However, he had a nightmare in the play-off final, yet remained on the pitch despite Ardley having the option to bring on Rawlinson.
We currently have three good centre backs at Notts but I do hope Rawlinson is utilised better than he was in the play-off final!
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