Match Thread vs. Woking 02.10.21 [NL]

[the_anticlough]

I know anticlough doesn't like the references to 'animals' or 'beasts' in midfield, and maybe he's right that it's a lazy description, but I do think we're short of someone with a bit of height who can - to use the football parlance - 'put their foot in' and make a tackle.

That said, I've been surprised this season by how willing Ruben Rodrigues is to put himself about, which makes him a valuable player even on those days when his goal creating and scoring abilities aren't at their most evident. He took his goal brilliantly yesterday, but he also ratted around midfield far more than you might expect for a creative/attacking midfielder. The lad's no lightweight.

I should think the fans of most clubs in this league can see a part of their team that could be stronger, or where they're missing a certain type of player, so this isn't a season breaker. What we need to do most is play in a way that compensates for the areas where we're weakest and makes the most of our best players. I'm not sure we're doing that at present.

I'll be at all games from now on Jackal, but it's good to read that about Rodders because I suspect he'll have to be deployed as an attacking MIDFIELDER to allow us to accommodate other forwards. It seems he's far fitter this year, so will be able to put in defensive work without taking too much away from his attacking....

Yeah, I just want to know exactly want that means when posters just call for monsters, beasts, animals, hard men...
If it means a combative, defensive midfielder with some size then OK but we know that to play in IB's team you have to be able to play on the ball as well. If it's a straight replacement/upgrade on Francis then just say so and name names if you can.

Btw, apart from Ruben breaking his drought, I thought that the highlight of the day yesterday was that Francis can take zero blame for that debacle. In fact he might even have been missed as a steadying influence on the team as he holds his position, gives stability and everyone knows where he'll be on the pitch

[i961pie]

I think people are being harsh with recruitment

Cameron, Palmer, Roberts, Rodrigues all look very good for this level, I think the Palmer signing is just as much of a coup as some of the big money striker signings teams made this summer, he looks way above this level, I saw someone sum him up with "he's the player Jake Reeves thought he was"

We don't know about Vincent yet, Francis is a weird one, I think he'll be a good player but he's not ready yet and needs to iron out the mistakes in his game, he shows glimpses though.

Kairo Mitchell people either think is god awful or really good but I think he's got all the attributes, big, quick, strong, runs at defenders, but I don't think we'll see the best of him out on the left.

Aaron Nemane looks like a good addition in the time we've seen him and more than capable of stepping up and being a threat going forwards if Roberts is out again or we can try and fit them both in for the most attacking right side possible

I'd say there's certainly been far more good signings since the Reedtz brothers arrived than there have been poor ones, which was never usually the case in previous years, you used to hope you'd get 1 decent player in a pre season of signing about 18




I think he only touched the ball a couple of times to be honest, but kept possession both times so better than Jim O'Brien was doing

When he came on against Torquay he looked dangerous but then him and Roberts got in each other's way on the same wing.
Switch Roberts to the left then we have 2 decent wingers who can take their man on.

[Killerkline]

Btw, apart from Ruben breaking his drought, I thought that the highlight of the day yesterday was that Francis can take zero blame for that debacle. In fact he might even have been missed as a steadying influence on the team as he holds his position, gives stability and everyone knows where he'll be on the pitch

Not sure if you comment re Francis is tongue-in-cheek or not. But, one of the issues, in my opinion, yesterday from midway through the 2nd half was how cheaply/quickly we gave the ball away. We actually needed someone to slow the game and just retain possession. Funny that a common criticism of Notts in recent time has been keeping possession without any purpose. This would have been ideal yesterday.

[Killerkline]

When he came on against Torquay he looked dangerous but then him and Roberts got in each other's way on the same wing.
Switch Roberts to the left then we have 2 decent wingers who can take their man on.

Agree. I’d like to see him given a run of games in a set position, preferably wide in a front 3. With his pace offers something different.

[Elite_Pie]

Thanks both. I'm not bothered by his height or lack thereof, I was just curious about the impression he created. He's not been brought in to be a bruiser so I don't think his height matters.

When Vincent came on he looked a bit lost, so he blended in with the rest of the team perfectly. He made his debut in a hopeless situation, and the bit of time he had won’t count towards my judgement of him as a player.

[the_anticlough]

Not sure if you comment re Francis is tongue-in-cheek or not. But, one of the issues, in my opinion, yesterday from midway through the 2nd half was how cheaply/quickly we gave the ball away. We actually needed someone to slow the game and just retain possession. Funny that a common criticism of Notts in recent time has been keeping possession without any purpose. This would have been ideal yesterday.

I haven’t seen enough of Francis yet. But I believe in having a holding midfielder (one) home and away. It allows the full-backs to get forward with guaranteed cover behind them. Who was holding yesterday? Don’t believe JOB can do the JOB and it’s a waste of Palmer. That was one of the flaws in the team picked yesterday and I suspect it proved costly in terms of control of the game. Francis doesn’t have many fans, but my guess is that he’s better than no natural holding midfielder at all

[Killerkline]

I haven’t seen enough of Francis yet. But I believe in having a holding midfielder (one) home and away. It allows the full-backs to get forward with guaranteed cover behind them. Who was holding yesterday? Don’t believe JOB can do the JOB and it’s a waste of Palmer. That was one of the flaws in the team picked yesterday and I suspect it proved costly in terms of control of the game. Francis doesn’t have many fans, but my guess is that he’s better than no natural holding midfielder at all

Palmer played deeper and, although he’s more than capable of playing that role, we lose something going forward.

[the_anticlough]

Palmer played deeper and, although he’s more than capable of playing that role, we lose something going forward.

Right. And how did JOB do playing the Palmer role? I actually think that IB is sensitive to fan pressure. Jesus, Francis is all he’s got for a holding midfielder, either play him or replace him
Dunno, this was also a test of our back 4. Is it fair to say they all failed bar Chicksen?

[Killerkline]

Right. And how did JOB do playing the Palmer role? I actually think that IB is sensitive to fan pressure. Jesus, Francis is all he’s got for a holding midfielder, either play him or replace him
Dunno, this was also a test of our back 4. Is it fair to say they all failed bar Chicksen?

JOB was ok first half and the tired dramatically in the 2nd half. He should have been replaced sooner.

Back 4 were fine until the 2nd half. They made a change, the player they brought on caused Brindley problems. The young lad, Brennan, got bullied particularly in the last 20 minutes. Chicksen had a decent game. Lacey was ok, but I don’t believe he was 100% fit. I haven’t watched the highlights, can’t bring myself too. They may paint a slightly different picture.

[drillerpie]

Highlights up on YouTube

https://youtu.be/t0N0tk7-diU

Very tidy goal by Ruben, the rest is a tough watch.