Match Thread vs. Hartlepool Utd. 28.12.20 [NL]

[MAD_MAGPIE]

A really, really frustrating game to watch. We were poor in the first half and deserved to be behind because they were quicker and sharper all over the pitch, but in the second half we did enough to deserve the win. The officials should have been wearing yellow shirts in the second half, they gave every decision that was even slightly borderline Hartlepool's way.

We didn't deserve to come away from this game with nothing, but the big question for the manager to answer is why did we only play to our potential for 45 minutes rather than the full 90? We have the players to be a good team, but we don't do it often enough.

Absolutely spot on. That is the most frustrating thing about this team. They are capable, they can play some excellent football we have seen it. But we either play to our highest standards in patches or halves, and the most annoying of all is that we have a tendency to go up a level when we go behind. Like today. Why did we not start the game like we did the second half? Is it the tactics, instructions or is it the scoreline forcing us go up a gear or two?

It's consistency that wins titles and that is an area in our performances that we lack.

[BanjoPie]

The good news is that Boston won again today and could be challenging for promotion - another fantastic derby to look forward to

[i961pie]

Totally inept officiating. He didn't see anything wrong with the challenge on Wootton but when Sam was chasing back and his hand clashed with the hand of the player he was running alongside, the ref gave it even though it was off the ball.

Not to mention the goal ruled out when it looked level at worst, and the offside against Enzio all alone 12 yards out when he was a yard on.

We played well in the second half and dominated the last 30mins (maybe worth remembering that Hartlepool played 2 days ago though, to put that in context), but the first half was poor - we were second to too many balls and our midfield two, for whatever reason, couldn't lay a glove on them. Crawford will have enjoyed winning the 60/40 ball in Doyle's favour and leaving something on him for good measure.

Turner set a new record for two cluster****s in one half of football, although I have some sympathy for the sending off as he was stood still and had he not axe-kicked their striker in the face their guy would've nodded it past him and been through on goal.

Can't realistically see how we get automatic promotion this season.

Come on Driller, his hand clashed with the hand of the player???
Sam was outpaced they were breaking clear and he put his hand on his shoulder and pulled him back. Even Stall and Charlie agreed.
Not defending the officials but even the offside against us was borderline and we didn't have a view along the line on the stream.
We can blame the officials all we like but we had loads of chances to win that game and wasted them.

[Robertomac]

We're a long way off being anywhere near consistent enough to challenge and our record against the top teams gives me no confidence in the playoffs.

[Elite_Pie]

Come on Driller, his hand clashed with the hand of the player???
Sam was outpaced they were breaking clear and he put his hand on his shoulder and pulled him back. Even Stall and Charlie agreed.
Not defending the officials but even the offside against us was borderline and we didn't have a view along the line on the stream.
We can blame the officials all we like but we had loads of chances to win that game and wasted them.

I would mention two decisions today concerning Kyle Wootton. I doubt many will remember the first, because it was very early in the game when he was chasing a hopeful through ball. Their defender got there before him and put it out for a corner, but the ref awarded them a free kick. The replay showed that Wootton had made no contact at all with the defender, but he went down and got the free kick. The second was one most will remember, because Wootton got the wrong side of their defender just outside the box who put both hands on Wootton's shoulders to stop him going past. That was as blatant a free kick to us and yellow card to them as you could hope to see, but the ref waved play on. I think our problems go deeper than poor officials, but I think they cost us today.

[MancMagpie]

Average 1st half. 2nd half Hartlepool were very lucky TBH. I've never seen a more one sided game. Should have been like that from the out set though. Maybe not playing on boxing day actually worked against us as we weren't up to match fitness 1st half. Officials were terrible. Hartlepool have completely robbed us there, along with the officials. Makes me wonder what we would have got decision wise with 5-6k Notts fans screaming at them...

[upthemaggies]

19 goals in 14 games.
Only three seasons since the Trust days have we scored fewer goals after 14 games. One of those being the last relegation season (17), another the Kiwomya-Derry relegation scrap (also 17). The other, surprisingly, was Moniz with 18.

Defensively 13 goals conceded in 14 is the 3rd best start this century.

[Robertomac]

Come on Driller, his hand clashed with the hand of the player???
Sam was outpaced they were breaking clear and he put his hand on his shoulder and pulled him back. Even Stall and Charlie agreed.
Not defending the officials but even the offside against us was borderline and we didn't have a view along the line on the stream.
We can blame the officials all we like but we had loads of chances to win that game and wasted them.

On the replay from the Family Stand, it looked a very poor decision with minimal contact and the ref bought it.

I don't think the officials cost us the game today, but they certainly contributed.

[magpie_mania]

On the replay from the Family Stand, it looked a very poor decision with minimal contact and the ref bought it.

I don't think the officials cost us the game today, but they certainly contributed.

That's what I thought about the Sam decision, but I do think they have cost us at least 1 point.

Many poor decisions today, and without any bias, virtually all against us.

[drillerpie]

Come on Driller, his hand clashed with the hand of the player???
Sam was outpaced they were breaking clear and he put his hand on his shoulder and pulled him back. Even Stall and Charlie agreed.
Not defending the officials but even the offside against us was borderline and we didn't have a view along the line on the stream.
We can blame the officials all we like but we had loads of chances to win that game and wasted them.

I didn't see Sam's hand go on the other guy's shoulder to be honest. I thought Sam was catching up with him rather than being outpaced too, but anyway the point I was making is that Sam's was off the ball and a much less clear foul than the one on Wootton.

Also thought Wootton was lucky to escape a card when he wiped out their centre back's standing leg.

Agree that we had enough chances to win.