Match Thread vs. Wealdstone 14.09.21 [NL]

[nw6pie]

Player interviews are often bland, formula stuff, but this one from Slocombe is well worth a listen. Honest and insightful, he gave some very interesting answers.

Agreed, terrific interview - Charlie Slater’s questions as well as Sam’s answers.

It’s interesting to compare last night’s game with the corresponding one last season, when we won 3-0 and their goalkeeper was still the man of the match. We had 27 efforts on goal that night and I really thought we’d finally clicked. Little did I know that it would be one of the last good performances of the Ardley era.

I’m only basing this on the comments on here and radio coverage, so correct me if I’m wrong, but we really seem to be struggling to get the balance right at the moment. We’ve won the last two home games, but could just as easily have drawn or even lost them. From those who are watching the games, what do we need to do to start controlling games and beating teams more comfortably? Can we play Cal, Ruben, Cairo and Kyle in the starting XI and not be so vulnerable at the back? How do we play well for 90 minutes and not 30 or 45?

Finally, another terrific crowd last night. It may not always be noticeable on this board, but there really does seem to be a feelgood factor around Notts right now and entertainment almost guaranteed each week. Long may it continue.

[jacobncfc]

Agreed, terrific interview - Charlie Slater’s questions as well as Sam’s answers.

It’s interesting to compare last night’s game with the corresponding one last season, when we won 3-0 and their goalkeeper was still the man of the match. We had 27 efforts on goal that night and I really thought we’d finally clicked. Little did I know that it would be one of the last good performances of the Ardley era.

I’m only basing this on the comments on here and radio coverage, so correct me if I’m wrong, but we really seem to be struggling to get the balance right at the moment. We’ve won the last two home games, but could just as easily have drawn or even lost them. From those who are watching the games, what do we need to do to start controlling games and beating teams more comfortably? Can we play Cal, Ruben, Cairo and Kyle in the starting XI and not be so vulnerable at the back? How do we play well for 90 minutes and not 30 or 45?

Finally, another terrific crowd last night. It may not always be noticeable on this board, but there really does seem to be a feelgood factor around Notts right now and entertainment almost guaranteed each week. Long may it continue.

I think we keep getting outnumbered and overrun in midfield. We’re an absolute nightmare for teams when we’ve got it and are attacking, but we are very easy to get at when we lose it. The defence and midfield has a tough job on at the best of times, the switch to 4-2-3-1 last night made that even more obvious IMO.

I’m not sure Palmer and Francis are physically imposing enough to play as what is basically a straight midfield two (when Roberts or Rodrigues are nominally playing there, they don’t do a lot without the ball). I wonder whether our best system might be three from Palmer, Francis, O’Brien and Vincent, with three from Wootton, Roberts, Rodrigues and Mitchell ahead of them.

[Killerkline]

Anyone who thought this was going to be an easy win needs to take a closer look at the teams in this league and some of the players they have at their disposal. As most have said on this thread Wealdstone made a very good account of themselves. I managed to get a truncated preview out earlier yesterday and I mentioned two of their players, the 19 year old keeper Wicken who is on loan from Fulham and looked a very good prospect, and their No.9 Umerah who they signed from Torquay in the summer and scored both of their goals and made a real nuisance of himself. I was pleased to see him subbed but it didn't last for long because the lad they brought on in his place was like lightening!

It's clear listening to Slocombes interview last night that we are expecting to ship goals, that said so is just about everyone else in the league. People saying the defence needs improving, I disagree. Our defending of set pieces has vastly improved, despite their first goal last night. The issue is with the fact our attack minded midfield have been told to be brave on the ball, this leads to misplaced passes when we are pushing up leaving acres of space for the opposition if they can pick up the loose ball. I think once we are more coherent with our link up play going forwards we will see fewer misplaced passes and less pressure put on our back line.

Anyway, another 3 points and that was typical of a game we would have lost or got a draw from over last couple of seasons so let's take the positives from that.

Good post

[Killerkline]

If significant improvements aren't made in defence and attack, you can forget about 1st place - or even seriously challenging for it. We will reach the playoffs - just as the last two seasons - and anything can happen there.

Still early days, and six unbeaten and 12 points is good - averaging two points a game will very likely win the division. But, as is often said, the season is a marathon not a sprint - and we won't continue to get away playing as we are over nine months.

You can't really fluke a 5-0 win, a decent enough draw at Wrexham, considering all the circumstances - although I daresay they will prove to be more hype than substance, two disappointing draws and two possibly somewhat undeserved wins.

If you have to score three goals a time to beat teams that won't be troubling the end of the table -or even the top half of the table- in May, it will be a tough season.

I’m curious, ‘significant improvements aren’t made in defence and attack’. Attack?

[durhampie]

Agreed, terrific interview - Charlie Slater’s questions as well as Sam’s answers.

It’s interesting to compare last night’s game with the corresponding one last season, when we won 3-0 and their goalkeeper was still the man of the match. We had 27 efforts on goal that night and I really thought we’d finally clicked. Little did I know that it would be one of the last good performances of the Ardley era.

I’m only basing this on the comments on here and radio coverage, so correct me if I’m wrong, but we really seem to be struggling to get the balance right at the moment. We’ve won the last two home games, but could just as easily have drawn or even lost them. From those who are watching the games, what do we need to do to start controlling games and beating teams more comfortably? Can we play Cal, Ruben, Cairo and Kyle in the starting XI and not be so vulnerable at the back? How do we play well for 90 minutes and not 30 or 45?

Finally, another terrific crowd last night. It may not always be noticeable on this board, but there really does seem to be a feelgood factor around Notts right now and entertainment almost guaranteed each week. Long may it continue.

It didn't feel that good when we were under the cosh and being booed by a large section of the kop....

[laddo]

Classic Kop behaviour.

Great attendance to remain above 5000.

[Notts_Popular_Front]

I’m curious, ‘significant improvements aren’t made in defence and attack’. Attack?

It might just be my perception. We play possession-based football - and when it works well we will score attractive goals. But it is often quite pedestrian football - thus, easier to defend against. Everything has to be spot-on for it to work. Burchnall himself has voiced his frustrations that we move the ball too slowly.

In short, we have to work quite hard to score goals. As for goals we have conceded, a number are fairly glaring mistakes. Goals come more easily for the opposition. They do more with less of the ball. They close us down fast, run at us with pace, or whang in set pieces - they will score the kind of goals that we don't. We are in division 5, and most players are at this level for a reason - they make mistakes under pressure.

[jacobncfc]

It might just be my perception. We play possession-based football - and when it works well we will score attractive goals. But it is often quite pedestrian football - thus, easier to defend against. Everything has to be spot-on for it to work. Burchnall himself has voiced his frustrations that we move the ball too slowly.

We’re not playing particularly well and are on for pretty much 100 goals at the rate we’re going. I don’t see any team with Wootton, Roberts and Rodrigues in it having any trouble scoring goals.

[Killerkline]

It might just be my perception. We play possession-based football - and when it works well we will score attractive goals. But it is often quite pedestrian football - thus, easier to defend against. Everything has to be spot-on for it to work. Burchnall himself has voiced his frustrations that we move the ball too slowly.

In short, we have to work quite hard to score goals. As for goals we have conceded, a number are fairly glaring mistakes. Goals come more easily for the opposition. They do more with less of the ball. They close us down fast, run at us with pace, or whang in set pieces - they will score the kind of goals that we don't. We are in division 5, and most players are at this level for a reason - they make mistakes under pressure.

My question was purely about attacking. You used the word significant and we’ve scored 14 goals, created numerous opportunities ? I don’t believe we do need significant improvement. The attacking part of our play is a clear strength. Yes, on occasions, we do need to move it quicker. But that’s a tweak for me.

What type goals do the opposition score that we don’t?

[Notts_Popular_Front]

What type goals do the opposition score that we don’t?

Scrappy goals, goals from clear defensive errors. Pundits say scoring goals is the most difficult thing in football and it's more difficult if you are only trying to walk the ball into the net. There will plenty of times when it won't work over a season.