⚽ Match Thread vs. Gateshead FC 16.08.22 [NL]

[nw6pie]

It was interesting to read the Chesterfield assistant brought up how impressive he thought we were against Gateshead in his pre-match presser.

I think it’s probably true from a manager/coach point of view because Notts completely controlled the game, created enough to win and the only chances we gave up were from two horrible unforced errors. But, with how Notts have been over the last 18 months, as fans we’re going to absolutely zero in on those mistakes because it feels like more of the same.

Each head coach that comes in under the new owners will get less and less time, and less goodwill, from fans while we're stuck in this league. The frustration with the lack of progress on the pitch (i.e., promotion) will always trump the very clear signs of progress off the pitch (my mum came to the Maidenhead game, which was her first visit in probably five or six years, and was very impressed by how good the ground/pitch looked; then there's the excellent training facilities).

Let's hope we get a more energetic, in-their-faces performance and less of the heart attack-inducing, self-inflicted mistakes on Saturday.

[countygump]

[countygump]

Due to begin at 19:30 tonight. 7:30pm in old money.

[jackal2]

Some decent answers from Luke Williams in this press conference, including about the formation, TAR and Cedwyn Scott. Basically he doesn't want to adhere rigidly to five at the back and plans to change at some point, TAR isn't injured but has been asked to work on a couple of elements of his game and is responding well, and Cedwyn Scott was more ill in pre-season than was perhaps acknowledged previously, hence his limited game time so far.

As a fan I'd much rather hear the hot topics of the moment addressed directly by the manager, like he has here. If you leave a void or a silence on the questions fans are asking and the concerns they're raising, it just leads to more speculation and concern. Of course it's results that will always primarily dictate the relationship between a manager and the fanbase, but good PR can help, and I feel a lot better informed and a little more reassured having heard LW's answers today.