Squad problems

[PedroTheFisherman66]

Maybe a decimated back four, but we had a front three of Roberts, Rodrigues and Wootton.

And we didn't score.

Against Altrincham.

Like I say (especially the way we are set up to play from the back) , having the complete first team defence and keeper removed will impact on the way we build up from defence. This will impact on the midfield and the forwards.
Granted I have not seen , heard or read how we played (due to work and sleep), but before a ball was kicked I knew we wouldn't be the team that has played so far this season, in style , substance or personnel.
Hence that's why I thought IB might put out a 4 4 2 formation(posted on thread when team was announced) with a form of damage limitation , less attacking but more stable especially with a new defensive unit and keeper. It doesn't surprise me to learn we played poorly considering the lead up to this game.

[BigFatPie]

Yet, just to play the role of devil's advocate, here we are with one defeat in 8 (not generally considered 'a disappointing start to the season' by anyone else I know) and that in a game with a rookie goalie and a makeshift defence. If you look at the bit that matters at season's end it shows only the results and not the style of their acquisition.

I don’t quite know how you can look at the results(as good as they’ve been) in isolation without looking at the performances behind them, particularly at this time in the season. Or indeed look at the teams we’ve played. Or at the fact there’s only one auto promotion place. And injuries happen to every team.

I’m full of hope that we’ll improve when the opponents get better, but I wouldn’t put a great deal of money on it.

[uysapie]

Like I say (especially the way we are set up to play from the back) , having the complete first team defence and keeper removed will impact on the way we build up from defence. This will impact on the midfield and the forwards.
Granted I have not seen , heard or read how we played (due to work and sleep), but before a ball was kicked I knew we wouldn't be the team that has played so far this season, in style , substance or personnel.
Hence that's why I thought IB might put out a 4 4 2 formation(posted on thread when team was announced) with a form of damage limitation , less attacking but more stable especially with a new defensive unit and keeper. It doesn't surprise me to learn we played poorly considering the lead up to this game.

Perhaps he should have taken the defence issue into consideration? IB talks the talk but so far, no real evidence of his attacking philosophy.

[PedroTheFisherman66]

Perhaps he should have taken the defence issue into consideration? IB talks the talk but so far, no real evidence of his attacking philosophy.

Up to now IB's ability to spot where something is going wrong and doing something to change it has been to his credit.
With fingers,toes and all extremities crossed I'm putting today's result and performance down to circumstances beyond our control.However today should have been a learning curve with a view on how to handle our next few games with the injuries we have sustained and how to combat this. A change of personel upfront and midfield or formation change 442 etc or both...?.....

[uysapie]

Up to now IB's ability to spot where something is going wrong and doing something to change it has been to his credit.
With fingers,toes and all extremities crossed I'm putting today's result and performance down to circumstances beyond our control.However today should have been a learning curve with a view on how to handle our next few games with the injuries we have sustained and how to combat this. A change of personel upfront and midfield or formation change 442 etc or both...?.....

I like the Mike Bassett attitude 4- 4 - effing 2

[PedroTheFisherman66]

I like the Mike Bassett attitude 4- 4 - effing 2

If in doubt...keep it simple

[Jampie]

I think it's obviously too early to tell how this season will turn out but it's been promising so far.

I think winning the league was always a long shot, and we've maybe got one chance in three of getting promoted.

I think there are a lot of new faces in the squad, and a lot of developing talent. I expect us to finish a lot stronger than we start, so it's all still up for grabs IMO.

IF we aren't plagued by injuries like this all season, which can also happen.

I think IB and the owners are looking great. If the owners' strategy was to throw a coupla extra million at the squad this year to "guarantee" promotion, I'd be a lot more worried than I am now. I think Notts needs to learn how to win with a sane budget, and I feel pretty strongly that we're on exactly that path.

The owners' strategy is such that if we don't get promoted, we still have younger players that will have developed over the course of the season and their value will have increased, with the club's net worth increasing with it. That's basically the only way to run anywhere near break-even in this league and still have a chance for promotion.

There are weaknesses in the squad, but I don't agree we've been especially lucky. Most of the games we've won we were the better team, and we were the better team in most of the draws too.

[PedroTheFisherman66]

I think it's obviously too early to tell how this season will turn out but it's been promising so far.

I think winning the league was always a long shot, and we've maybe got one chance in three of getting promoted.

I think there are a lot of new faces in the squad, and a lot of developing talent. I expect us to finish a lot stronger than we start, so it's all still up for grabs IMO.

IF we aren't plagued by injuries like this all season, which can also happen.

I think IB and the owners are looking great. If the owners' strategy was to throw a coupla extra million at the squad this year to "guarantee" promotion, I'd be a lot more worried than I am now. I think Notts needs to learn how to win with a sane budget, and I feel pretty strongly that we're on exactly that path.

The owners' strategy is such that if we don't get promoted, we still have younger players that will have developed over the course of the season and their value will have increased, with the club's net worth increasing with it. That's basically the only way to run anywhere near break-even in this league and still have a chance for promotion.

There are weaknesses in the squad, but I don't agree we've been especially lucky. Most of the games we've won we were the better team, and we were the better team in most of the draws too.

This with bells on , !!!! Expertly put and I agree with every word ,
One bad result with the defensive line up decimated and we are 5h1t3 and the owners are inept !? yes all teams at some stage suffer injuries but how many lose the spine of their defence and keeper in one hit, in the same week!?
As an aside if I remember last year at their place we had to have an emergency keeper between the posts....have they got snipers down lady bay or something !?

[laddo]

Like I say (especially the way we are set up to play from the back) , having the complete first team defence and keeper removed will impact on the way we build up from defence. This will impact on the midfield and the forwards.
Granted I have not seen , heard or read how we played (due to work and sleep), but before a ball was kicked I knew we wouldn't be the team that has played so far this season, in style , substance or personnel.
Hence that's why I thought IB might put out a 4 4 2 formation(posted on thread when team was announced) with a form of damage limitation , less attacking but more stable especially with a new defensive unit and keeper. It doesn't surprise me to learn we played poorly considering the lead up to this game.

This^^^^^

Naturally missing your No.1 between the sticks and not one, not two but all three first choice centre backs is going to impact your whole team and performance all over the pitch.

Of course it should impact the defensive side of the game more but as Pedro rightly points our game and a lot of how we build attacks starts from the defenders receiving the ball from the keeper. It's naive to think it only impacts the defence in isolation and your chances of conceding and not your chance of scoring.

Football doesn't work like that it never has.

Our attacking individuals perfomances sound like they should have been better , with better decision making but I wouldn't be surprised at all to hear from those in attendance that we didn't create enough due to the much changed lineup.

[laddo]

I think it's obviously too early to tell how this season will turn out but it's been promising so far.

I think winning the league was always a long shot, and we've maybe got one chance in three of getting promoted.

I think there are a lot of new faces in the squad, and a lot of developing talent. I expect us to finish a lot stronger than we start, so it's all still up for grabs IMO.

IF we aren't plagued by injuries like this all season, which can also happen.

I think IB and the owners are looking great. If the owners' strategy was to throw a coupla extra million at the squad this year to "guarantee" promotion, I'd be a lot more worried than I am now. I think Notts needs to learn how to win with a sane budget, and I feel pretty strongly that we're on exactly that path.

The owners' strategy is such that if we don't get promoted, we still have younger players that will have developed over the course of the season and their value will have increased, with the club's net worth increasing with it. That's basically the only way to run anywhere near break-even in this league and still have a chance for promotion.

There are weaknesses in the squad, but I don't agree we've been especially lucky. Most of the games we've won we were the better team, and we were the better team in most of the draws too.

Some will say the above is rose tinted, some wIll say it's accurate either way a great post from JamPie.

I also don't believe we've been lucky from what I've seen and read and heard. How many games has the opposition deserved to beat us? Wrexham yes. Anyone else?

Saying that the perfomances have been bitty with plenty of good and bad on display. That won't wash with the quality of opposition we will soon be facing. Tough looking fixtures with a fully fit squad decidedly more difficult when you are missing so many centre backs at the same time.