Highlights vs Wrexham

[AllNottsAreWe]

I’m probably on the glass half empty side of pragmatism at the minute. A bit like Anticlough says, I want to see signs that we can go and dominate teams, I don’t think that is unacceptable.

This may be unpopular but I don’t think we played well against Wrexham at all. They dominated us. They forced their style and tempo on us and created far more opportunities than we did. Had we gone in at the break 2-0 down there couldn’t be any complaints…and had their ‘offside’ goal rightly stood and the effort that went narrowly wide actually gone in, that’s exactly what would have happened.

Of course, ifs, buts and maybes don’t mean anything in the league table but I was concerned, still, with our lack of midfield presence and how easy it is for the opposition to bypass it with such little effort. Neither Palmer (as tidy as he is) and especially Francis are going to strike fear into any combative midfield. All this, of course, puts an added strain on the defence.

To be fair to the defence they stood up well to most of the air borne attacks but they still looked very vulnerable trying to play out of their six yard box, it was scary stuff at times. It may be unfair to use the phrase ‘polishing a turd’ but that’s what the score line did to our performance the other night.

At the end of last season we had glimpses of what we thought an IB team was all about, high pressing, winning the ball back early, plying in the opposition’s half, harrying the opposition and moving the ball quickly and purposely…and more often than not, forward.

Against Wrexham we looked more like the team that Ardley left behind than anything resembling what we thought we were going to see this term. Don’t forget, before the sending off, Torquay were also managing to dominate us and put us under pressure…the same Torquay who we’re smashed by both Woking and Altrincham at home. We couldn’t beat them with an extra man for 65 minutes.

Say what you want about gelling, being unbeaten, good signs in defence etc etc. The signs are there for all to see, this isn’t at present a promotion challenging side.

Agree with all that. I wish I had written it .

I think we will make the playoffs but nothing more.

We (the fans) seem very hopeful and reliant that R and R are going to be on their game, every game, which isn't going to happen.

Cal undoubtedly has plenty of talent but all this talk of the best player in the league, that's based on what exactly ?
And if it proves to be true he won't be at Notts anyway beyond this season.

Still think we need more of a midfield presence.

[the_anticlough]

We (the fans) seem very hopeful and reliant that R and R are going to be on their game, every game, which isn't going to happen.
.

And with good reason, it's our best shot to get out this league. We're not talking about every game, but both of them to have a very good season playing to their potential. If both fail to do that for one reason or another, what realistically is our ceiling this year?

It was interesting to me that IB brought them on at exactly the same time. I hope he isn't having to manage any rivalry between them (although no problem if they've both got pride), we already know they're talking over who takes free-kicks and penalties
What I hope they both realise is that there'll be times this season when ones on fire and the other is off his game and vice versa. It might even be that say Ruben carries more of the load in the first half of the season and Cal in the second. It's a long season, nobody's gonna show themselves to be the main man over the first 15 or 20 games.

[AllNottsAreWe]

And with good reason, it's our best shot to get out this league. We're not talking about every game, but both of them to have a very good season playing to their potential. If both fail to do that for one reason or another, what realistically is our ceiling this year?

It was interesting to me that IB brought them on at exactly the same time. I hope he isn't having to manage any rivalry between them (although no problem if they've both got pride), we already know they're talking over who takes free-kicks and penalties
What I hope they both realise is that there'll be times this season when ones on fire and the other is off his game and vice versa. It might even be that say Ruben carries more of the load in the first half of the season and Cal in the second. It's a long season, nobody's gonna show themselves to be the main man over the first 15 or 20 games.

Watching the interviews, I think both R and R have a certain edge to them i.e. know they are good and the best two players in the team. Nothing wrong with that - I seem to recall a very young Grealish having that swagger at Notts, and Ronaldo is hardly a shy lad.
I just hope that desire to be Notts best player doesn't manifest itself in petty squabbling over penalties, free kicks etc.

[CamPie]

Watching the interviews, I think both R and R have a certain edge to them i.e. know they are good and the best two players in the team. Nothing wrong with that - I seem to recall a very young Grealish having that swagger at Notts, and Ronaldo is hardly a shy lad.
I just hope that desire to be Notts best player doesn't manifest itself in petty squabbling over penalties, free kicks etc.

My understanding is they are roomies on away trips, I think one of them said so in interview. So from that I’d say they were best of buddies and more likely to work for / with each other than against.

[Killerkline]

My understanding is they are roomies on away trips, I think one of them said so in interview. So from that I’d say they were best of buddies and more likely to work for / with each other than against.

Yes they are. I think there is a bit of friendly competitiveness between them. Certainly nothing that would be detrimental to the team.