⚽ Match Thread vs. Grimsby Town FC 22.08.24 [EFL L2]

[the_anticlough]

Very well done lads!

re: some of the decisions = About time we had the rub of the green....

We have simply got to keep Crowley and JoJo.

I'll go a step further, and sorry MP, but I'd like to see Crowley keep the captaincy. He's more expressive than MP and it certainly seemed to sit well with him tonight.
I also think his of smiley, joyful-playing style as captain would lift the other players as well.

[jackal2]

Excellent performance tonight, helped by a fluid 3-4-3 formation that freed up the players to perform at their best rather than shackling them. I must admit, I was surprised to see Edwards playing further forward than Crowley, considering the goal threat Crowley brings, but it clearly didn't damage Crowley's ability to get into scoring positions, and the way he dictated play was outstanding.

The attacking play spoke for itself and we set a much higher tempo than against Fleetwood, but just as importantly, we were defensively proactive, with Platt, Bedeau and Macari snuffing out a lot of Grimsby's attacking moves early. As was said when they signed, Platt and Bedeau seem to win a lot more "first contact" challenges than their predecessors, and that's really important. Win those, and you have to make last ditch, body-on-the-line challenges as often.

Well done everyone, including Maynard.

[SmiffyPie]

A well deserved and very good performance.
(Jatta is a beast!).

[Davy500]

Absolutely, No amount of money can replace these guys..

Well JJ helped us get out of the National league - remember his cross that lead to the equaliser against Boreham wood in the play offs =

[Mud Pie]

far more expansive stylewise than the total control of 1st half Shrews game. I think we probably let Grimsby into it more than we should have, ironically considering how dominant we were. We definitely had the rub of the green where it mattered, but we made our own luck well by doing all the right things, and AJ could have had a hattrick.

Loved how freely Crowley and Jones were allowed to play, and the other thing about Edwards is how well he makes himself available to receive the ball, Palmer does it too. Can't think of a standout 'least good' player, but agree the 'understudy' midfielders faded a bit.

Overall, there was an energy and a tempo, and a joy of playing expressive football about the whole side tonight. Long may it continue!

Probably the best we've seen of SM, imo, he definitely gets a chunk of credit for tonight's setup and approach. But then he's probably got the best squad we've had since...? And Crowley was an inspiration, so... Jury on SM still muttering, but we just rampantly nailed our first home win of the season, so that's the main story I'd say. The season's off to a start. UPIES!

[Med Pie]

I managed to watch on sky here in Cyprus.

Goes without saying even with the rub of the green for a couple of goals, we were more than deserving of the points. Can't wait to see the starting eleven develop now around incoming players, should be an interesting and exciting time as surely not even SM can fail with this group of players, as long as we manage to keep JJ and Crowley. Crowley, who was out there, selling himself again and should be operating in the Championship, several comments on the BBC stated as much, we need to keep him and if we had to keep hold of one out of JJ and DC, it would be the latter but hopefully, we'll keep both and push for promotion.

There were still times last night when we sat a bit too deep and fannied about with the ball which rarely ends well and it was good to see the laces going through the ball a couple of times. I think we'll cause problems for anyone in this league but in order to hold on to JJ and Danno, we need to go up.

[kill_the_drum]

We were outstanding last night. We had the creative freedom of a Luke Williams side whilst looking defensively sound. WeÂ’re still playing out from the back, which I love, but will put a foot through the ball if needed.
The tempo was much better but I think that was more down to Grimsby. They tried to press us and failed which gave us freedom to get behind them.
Fleetwood set up completely different. They allowed us the ball in our half and sat deep. Creating tempo and moving the ball forwards quickly is so much harder.
Watching some of our players last night, it just baffles me the criticism our owners and recruitment staff are under from so called supporters.

[matt_magpie]

We were outstanding last night. We had the creative freedom of a Luke Williams side whilst looking defensively sound. WeÂ’re still playing out from the back, which I love, but will put a foot through the ball if needed.
The tempo was much better but I think that was more down to Grimsby. They tried to press us and failed which gave us freedom to get behind them.
Fleetwood set up completely different. They allowed us the ball in our half and sat deep. Creating tempo and moving the ball forwards quickly is so much harder.
Watching some of our players last night, it just baffles me the criticism our owners and recruitment staff are under from so called supporters.

That’s the bit I don’t get, people making assumptions before the players have hardly played, is the defence any better?, the midfield is worse etc etc.
It’s a great point about the way teams set up as both LW and IBs teams were criticised when playing against low blocks, the truth is it isn’t easy when this happens.
It’s early days still but what’s definitely evident over the 4 games is the players desire and effort has been spot on in my opinion.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

It was an outstanding performance last night and the best under Stuart Maynard and a good example and marker to set the standard for home games this season. I thought the creativity expressive and attacking football was a joy to behold when we had the ball and we made our dominance pay off and did so with purpose. When out of possession I liked the desire and hunger to try and win the ball back quickly and also we were smarter defensively and knew when to get rid rather than try and play it out.

Lots of really good individual performances as well starting with Captain Crowley. He was by far the best player on the pitch and it would be interesting to know how long he had on the ball because it must have been a lot. He bossed and ran the show and looked happy and confident and led by example. I hope we can keep hold of him for the season because if he performs like that week in week out he will be another who will follow in the path of Macca and Rodgirues and will go on to play in the championship. The same goes for JJ just complete and utter class and quality and again playing on the right and left a constant threat. The club have simply got to do everything possible to keep those two here to help us try and get to league one and if they go next summer to the championship so be it because like Macca before they will have earned it and deserve it.

There were other stand out performances as well. Jatta performed the Macca role well always making space for himself, always being in the right place and ready to pounce in the box. He was able to be an outlet and controlled the ball well. Definitely a 20 goal a season man there and there can surely be no more doubts about him being Maccas replacement. He will get better I feel the longer he has a run in the side.

Then there was EdwardÂ’s who deserves a mention. An interesting position he was playing mainly because he was further forward at times than Crowley but did an excellent job closing down the opposition and giving the Grimsby players someone else to think about. Looks physically fit and able and has pace as well.

The back line were solid and composed and I feel Macari has improved and having strong players like Platt and Bedeau alongside him will help him improve further. A shame we conceded which was from a high ball into the box. However I feel the more this defence play together the better they will become.

We have some potential in this squad as well with other young players like Hinchy and Grant who played their part and did well.

To top it all we had our second five figure crowd of the season and for an evening as well is just fantastic.

Some may say it was only one game and we should not get carried away which is true but criticism of the manager and recruitment would be unfair after what was on display last night.

We are a club I think that is in a healthy position and have the potential to do really well this season. We bettered our result away against Tranmere compared to last season, Fleetwood were in league one last season and we got a draw with them and Shrewsbury who are league one. Last night we bettered out our result at home against Grimsby compared to last season. Far too early to judge but there are signs we are a better side than last season.

[Med Pie]

We were outstanding last night. We had the creative freedom of a Luke Williams side whilst looking defensively sound. WeÂ’re still playing out from the back, which I love, but will put a foot through the ball if needed.
The tempo was much better but I think that was more down to Grimsby. They tried to press us and failed which gave us freedom to get behind them.
Fleetwood set up completely different. They allowed us the ball in our half and sat deep. Creating tempo and moving the ball forwards quickly is so much harder.
Watching some of our players last night, it just baffles me the criticism our owners and recruitment staff are under from so called supporters.

This is where we struggle but so do much better teams than Notts when they encounter this.

Whilst we did played very well, let's enjoy it without getting carried away, Grimsby will be strugglers again this year.