Expectations for Saturday ?

[Notts78]

I thought that only really worked because of Nemanes raw pace, RR and DC could knock that ball inside the full back and Nemane could fly. The good thing is they’re interchangeable and in games too. That’s one thing I like about SM, he switches it up in games but the negative will be if he over does it.

He does change tactics during the game… it’s rarely mentioned when we win but when we have lost those nay sayers blame the changes.

[Boomerangpie]

To answer the question honestly...the performance picked up no end after we went 0-2 down, but we deserved to be in that position to that point, and I actually think my description is on the kind side. I really don't want to see that pointless passing across the back again, and I don't think we will (connecting with the subect of the thread)

At a push I could get close to saying the first half was pretty awful but as you say after going 2 down immediately after half time the performance picked up no end. Effective and entertaining second half for me.

I am sure nobody wants to see pointless passing across the back but it’s always a possibility with our intricate patient passing approach. Even the best at it such as Arsenal, Manchester City and many international sides sometimes end up doing this for a variety of unintended reasons. You can’t be progressive and effective at any style every game

[the_anticlough]

At a push I could get close to saying the first half was pretty awful but as you say after going 2 down immediately after half time the performance picked up no end. Effective and entertaining second half for me.

I am sure nobody wants to see pointless passing across the back but itÂ’s always a possibility with our intricate patient passing approach. Even the best at it such as Arsenal, Manchester City and many international sides sometimes end up doing this for a variety of unintended reasons. You canÂ’t be progressive and effective at any style every game

Fair points.
Possession football can break down completely at times, and for a variety of reasons.
The trouble is that when it does, it can stop looking like football as we know it, or at least football that's worth the price of admission.

The first 45mins of our Meadow Lane season is one example. Maybe we were surprised they just sat in a low block, maybe we expected them to come and try to press our backline at some point, maybe Hinchy making his debut and all those players playing together for the first time didn't know how to flip the script to start playing. They get a pass for all of that and I don't think it'll happen in the same way again. They will have learned.

A prime example of possession football breaking down and creating something farcical and unwatchable was when we broke the world record for passes back to the goalkeeper last season at Harrogate (I'd put money on it being a record if such a stat was kept). This was because we'd just lost Matty Palmer, and Cameron that day, I think and the patterns of play broke down. Whenever Jimbo got it he played it first time backwards. Brinds to Stone must have happened 20 times in the first half alone.

I love our identity, but when possession football breaks down and players fall into those traps it's only fair it gets called out by the paying public. That'll help prod the coaches along to find some solutions.

[Woodypie]

Saturday will be my first visit to Meadow Lane for almost a year. Ill health has largely prevented me attending for last three seasons. My expectation is to enjoy a real life performance. A rare treat. And a win, hopefully.

[SwalePie]

Saturday will be my first visit to Meadow Lane for almost a year. Ill health has largely prevented me attending for last three seasons. My expectation is to enjoy a real life performance. A rare treat. And a win, hopefully.

Fingers crossed for a happy return!

[Boomerangpie]

Fair points.
Possession football can break down completely at times, and for a variety of reasons.
The trouble is that when it does, it can stop looking like football as we know it, or at least football that's worth the price of admission.

The first 45mins of our Meadow Lane season is one example. Maybe we were surprised they just sat in a low block, maybe we expected them to come and try to press our backline at some point, maybe Hinchy making his debut and all those players playing together for the first time didn't know how to flip the script to start playing. They get a pass for all of that and I don't think it'll happen in the same way again. They will have learned.

A prime example of possession football breaking down and creating something farcical and unwatchable was when we broke the world record for passes back to the goalkeeper last season at Harrogate (I'd put money on it being a record if such a stat was kept). This was because we'd just lost Matty Palmer, and Cameron that day, I think and the patterns of play broke down. Whenever Jimbo got it he played it first time backwards. Brinds to Stone must have happened 20 times in the first half alone.

I love our identity, but when possession football breaks down and players fall into those traps it's only fair it gets called out by the paying public. That'll help prod the coaches along to find some solutions.

When possession football breaks down for a half or more it is indeed a poor watch. Same as a when any approach breaks down.

For example when dynamic direct football breaks down it quickly becomes aimless punts upfield to Lady Luck. That is not football that’s a lottery.

[Boomerangpie]

Saturday will be my first visit to Meadow Lane for almost a year. Ill health has largely prevented me attending for last three seasons. My expectation is to enjoy a real life performance. A rare treat. And a win, hopefully.

That’s great to read that you will be back at Meadow Lane in person. Due to my desire for a year round tan I too was prevented me attending live.

When I finally did manage it my game was Borehamwood in the semi final followed by a trip to Wembley. A very expensive pair of football tickets all in but worth every Australian dollar.

[Woodypie]

Gosh what a game that was! Hopefully a bit more routine tomorrow, my ticker can't stand that sort of excitement!

[Regan76]

That’s great to read that you will be back at Meadow Lane in person. Due to my desire for a year round tan I too was prevented me attending live.

When I finally did manage it my game was Borehamwood in the semi final followed by a trip to Wembley. A very expensive pair of football tickets all in but worth every Australian dollar.

This for me was one of the most exciting games of football I've seen at meadow Lane. It had almost everything. I'd almost written us off at half time being 0-2 down but boy what a 2nd half. It took me around 3 days to get my voice back.

[LincsPie]

Saturday will be my first visit to Meadow Lane for almost a year. Ill health has largely prevented me attending for last three seasons. My expectation is to enjoy a real life performance. A rare treat. And a win, hopefully.

I didn't visit ML for almost 15 years, due to being overseas. When I got in the stadium the grass seemed to be the most green grass I'd ever seen, the yellow and black of the seats seemed to be so vivid and the sight of the Greens windmill over the top of the Sirrel brought a lump to my throat as did just seeing the tree outside the main entrance! Bizarre that Notts and ML can cause so much anguish but pleasure!

Hope it's a winning return for you!