⚽ Match Thread vs. Barrow FC 22.10.24 [EFL L2]

[MAD_MAGPIE]

respect to all Notts fans, but I do think the promotion season did weird stuff to expectations and created a base feeling of almost entitlement. Even though we're struggling to deal with injuries, we're 3rd and getting away points at difficult places. Yes, the performance trend is worrying, but don't panic Captain Manwaring!

This is a good point and people should take note. We spent four seasons in the National League and under LW at that level we completely dominated possession and teams. We scored lots of goals and had the battle with Wrexham. We were a huge fish in a smaller pond. We still are big fish at this level but it's a different standard.

We are third in the table and have an unbeaten away record. After 13 games that's a good position to be in. We are picking up points and that's the main thing. It's League two it's going to be a battle and a slog. I also don't think there is a lot of difference between the top 12 or even more teams this season. As I've said elsewhere a couple of five or six winning runs over the season will get any team right up there. Of course I want us to play slick passing and possession football and score a lot of goals but it's not going to always be possible. We needed to score loads last season to compensate for the amount we conceded. This season is different. We are much better defensively and this is why I believe we have done much better away from home compared to last season. Harrogate on Saturday should give us an idea as to how well this squad can manage with a number of injuries. These are the teams we should be beating especially at home. Do that and it makes the win against Wimbledon and draw at Barrow an excellent week. We do need to stop conceding early goals though and get in front and control the game certainly at home.

I also think some of the expectation comes from seeing, Wrexham, Mansfield and Stockport pushing on and in front of us in the league above. They are all riding the crest of the wave of promotion from League Two and have had very good starts to their seasons. But we also must not compare ourselves to them either. I'll be happy if we are in the top three by the new year regardless of performances because I believe we will be better in the second half of the season mainly because the new players would have had six months to settle in get to know the club and each other but also players like JJ returning from injury. We may sign a couple in January as well.