⚽ Match Thread vs. Barrow 07.10.23 [EFL L2]

[magpie_mania]

Calling them non league is harsh and inaccurate. The way we play will leave any defenders vulnerable and all teams that play out make mistakes.

Just watch MOTD to see how many times teams get caught out playing out, Bournemouth lost the ball 10 times playing out against Everton.

See Brighton's goal v Liverpool today as an example.

[kill_the_drum]

The last line of defence is the defenders, is it not? But having said that, I do think LW's following of the Premier League teams playing out from the back is a mistake (I think it's a mistake for them too) but while Premiership defenders are less likely to make errors in their own penalty areas the same cannot be said for defenders at our level, be it in L2 or non-league. An easily misplaced pass to a team-mate by a player with not so much skill is more likely to happen. So which is the best tactic, the goalie hoofs it upfield where it might be intercepted by the enemy or the pass, pass, pass betwixt defenders, midfielders, wingers, and strikers where one mistake gives the ball away?

Maybe MOTD edits out the slow cautious second option but it does seem to me that the second is now being edged out in favour of the more spectacular first. Perhaps Premiership managers have seen the light? Or is it that both tactics just come and go?

So which is the best tactic?
Well let’s see. I’ve watched Notts for 30 years. The vast majority of that time has been long ball / direct and at times, I couldn’t even tell you what the tactics are. Parallel to that has been a slow decline down the leagues.
Or, expansive football where we play at high tempo, mainly dominate possession and at times have produced some breathtaking football. Parallel with that has seen us break every club record, win promotion and now sit top of league two.
I probably need to sleep on it!

[durhampie]

Are we sure we play "wing-backs''?
They seem like old-fashioned outside-rights and outside-lefts to me. We play a 3-2-4-1 or 3-4-2-1 depending on the game, personnel, or how you wish to view it. We play a genuine back 3 - it allows us to dominate while exposing us at the same time - the dominate part of that might bag us enough wins to get back-to-back promotions.

I'd be more interested in getting a new first choice defender (right-side?) in January than reverting to more defensive wide players.

Well, whatever position you want to call it, they are still not very good at it...Nemane is a liability when it comes to him having to track back, and that leaves us exposed from his side... Jones is marginally better, but neither can defend...

[Carlton_Pie]

Thats a good theory, but the wingbacks are just not capable of doing what they are suppose to.. Hence my comment about square pegs in round holes...

I'm not sure you know what LW asks of his wing backs, i don't think theres much "back" about the role.

[the_anticlough]

Well, whatever position you want to call it, they are still not very good at it...Nemane is a liability when it comes to him having to track back, and that leaves us exposed from his side... Jones is marginally better, but neither can defend...

LW certainly has us defending as a team so all 11 have defensive duties. I've seen worse than Nemane and Jones in terms of defending. Both might have the edge on Miller and Enzio who we've seen there recently.

The priority is what they offer going the other way. We've seen it with Chicks. When he stopped attacking for whatever reason, our threat from an entire side of the pitch closed down and our ability to win games suffered.

With Randall, Adebayo, Austin and Chicksen around I doubt wingers are high up the priority list for January. Midfield depth and that ace defender will probably come first.

[drillerpie]

LW certainly has us defending as a team so all 11 have defensive duties. I've seen worse than Nemane and Jones in terms of defending. Both might have the edge on Miller and Enzio who we've seen there recently.

The priority is what they offer going the other way. We've seen it with Chicks. When he stopped attacking for whatever reason, our threat from an entire side of the pitch closed down and our ability to win games suffered.

With Randall, Adebayo, Austin and Chicksen around I doubt wingers are high up the priority list for January. Midfield depth and that ace defender will probably come first.

I find it odd that half your posts are telling people not to criticise our defenders, then you slide in that upgrading the defence in January is a priority.

[the_anticlough]

I find it odd that half your posts are telling people not to criticise our defenders, then you slide in that upgrading the defence in January is a priority.

It was what I posted on here soon after we got promoted. Many said the same, but it didn't happen.

I love Baldwin, Cameron, Rawlo, Brinds, Chicks but that shouldn't stop you wanting to add to their ranks. This is what a great defensive depth chart would look like

Right Centre Left

New player Baldwin Cameron
Brindley Rawlinson Chicksen

All would get game time and ideally that new player would be the pick of the bunch, and that'd be something given how much I like the defenders we have already

[queenslandpie]

I don't want complacency, I want us to show the other team that we won't collapse in the second half if we are pushed.

We DO have a non-league defence composed of last year's players, where have we improved? They coped very well last year against some really poor teams but that is history, today we are letting teams back into the game.

LW improved the attack and midfield with some quality players but he now really needs to sort out the defence, including the choice of goalkeeper.

There is a strong argument that we have not improved on our non league defence that has assisted us in being top of the football league 2 as we ask different qualities of our defenders. Our club has shown many times it does not recruit for the sake of recruiting and we also have 2 loan defenders in. I am not sure why you keep ignoring this. Probably because it doesn't suit your narrative. You my friend are the Rishi Sunak of Notts mad.

[Could'vebeenacontender]

LW certainly has us defending as a team so all 11 have defensive duties. I've seen worse than Nemane and Jones in terms of defending. Both might have the edge on Miller and Enzio who we've seen there recently.

The priority is what they offer going the other way. We've seen it with Chicks. When he stopped attacking for whatever reason, our threat from an entire side of the pitch closed down and our ability to win games suffered.

With Randall, Adebayo, Austin and Chicksen around I doubt wingers are high up the priority list for January. Midfield depth and that ace defender will probably come first.

Pretty fair
LW is a clever guy
He doesn't let on if players he's selected are carrying knocks or if those missing from the bench have injuries etc.
Let's see what LW says ahead of the Derby game

[Carlton_Pie]

So which is the best tactic?
Well let’s see. I’ve watched Notts for 30 years. The vast majority of that time has been long ball / direct and at times, I couldn’t even tell you what the tactics are. Parallel to that has been a slow decline down the leagues.
Or, expansive football where we play at high tempo, mainly dominate possession and at times have produced some breathtaking football. Parallel with that has seen us break every club record, win promotion and now sit top of league two.
I probably need to sleep on it!

Too many here stuck in the 80's. Football has moved on and you look at the top of all the Leagues in England, the vast majority will play out from the back.

Ipswich being a prime example, who play total football and one we should be looking to emulate.