Match Thread vs. Chesterfield 21.11.20 [NL]

[jackal2]

Just popped in to see how we did as my interest in Notts is in decline. I would much rather that a decent bloke (Ardley) found his form then that we go through the rigmarole of changing managers and crossing our fingers that the right decision was made.

Broadly speaking I agree. I don't want Neal Ardley to fail, partly because I do think he's a decent guy, but mainly because I think we desperately need stability in the manager's office and the club in general. As you say, if Ardley was sacked there is no guarantee that the successor will do better.

The frustration is that - so far - the manager doesn't seem to be learning the pretty stark and obvious lesson that his current tactics are making his team too vulnerable. We're too reliant on playing one way and the opposition know we're there to be got at. Only a last minute "Hail Mary" effort got us out of a sticky situation today.

Think about the successful Notts managers like Sirrel, Warnock and Allardyce and their tactics were designed to play to the strengths of their players and disguise their weaknesses. I fear that Ardley's tactics too often do the precise opposite, giving our opponents more of a shot at beating us than they should have.

Hopefully, we will emerge from today's game with the best possible outcome - three points AND a recognition by the manager that he has to change things up. If that's the case and we start winning more games with what is undoubtedly a very strong squad for this level, then everyone should be happy.