⚽ Match Thread vs. Chesterfield FC 20.08.22 [NL]

[BanjoPie]

There was a weird feeling around the ground today. Fans weren’t really into it from the off (until we scored of course), but there was a real sense of frustration, bordering on anger at some points in the game….and I understand it to a degree.

The quality in the squad is the lowest we’ve seen since being relegated. In my opinion four or five of those players either aren’t good enough or just don’t understand what LW’s plan is. The system and style of play isn’t working. We’ve got players playing positions that make no sense at all, we create very little at all, and are set up more or less with 8 defenders…it’s no wonder the fans are getting upset already this season.

I actually thought OB was one of our better players today but in general he shouldn’t be starting anymore. The farce of our midfield has been going on for so long now it’s just not funny. Playing wing backs that literally never reach the oppositions touch line. When we do play long we play it to the shortest player on the pitch in Langstaff. I never want a Notts player to fail, but Mitchell isn’t, and never will be good enough….you can’t teach anticipation and he is always 2-3 seconds behind the game, no good for a striker.

Credit to the guys for getting back in the game but it was barely deserved and really does paper of the cracks. I’m not confident in LW at all. I’ll be be even less impressed if we don’t address the serious lack of quality in the squad in the coming weeks.

“We were playing one of the best teams in the NL- and we dreww 2-2 - what the heck do you want?”

[Elite_Pie]

“We were playing one of the best teams in the NL- and we dreww 2-2 - what the heck do you want?”

If like me you want promotion, I'd have hoped we would look the better side.

We didn't.

[DaveSmithRules]

I thought Nemane played alright tbh. Admittedly it's not saying much, but he'd have been my Notts motm for the first half.

[drillerpie]

Well we were awful until our first goal. After that I thought we were pretty good actually.

The weaknesses are there for all to see. The same 4 or 5 structural deficiencies we've had for years and don't seem any closer to fixing.

Our defence doesn't do the basics. Baldwin looks good with the ball at his feet but I'm not convinced defensively.

The quality of the final balls was terrible until Austin came on.

We're shorter and weaker than most teams.

Our wing backs are neither fish nor fowl.

The movement was poor and we didn't look sharp until our goal, but then we did all of a sudden. Must be a psychological thing.

Hard to know what to think really. The season will probably be decided on how many points we rack up against mid / lower table opposition away from home anyway.

[Chicken Balti Pie]

Even LW will have to think about that. The Gateshead game showed how putting 3 defensive mids in front of a back 5 kills you as an attacking force.

However, it's hard to find a midfield pairing of just 2 from our squad. An extra midfielder, plus 4 at the back looks like a good way to go. And are our wing-backs providing us with anything they couldn't just as easily give as full-backs? I don't think so.

A midfield two of Palmer and Vincent has the energy but the we've sent Vincent out on loan so...

We more physical and energised midfield would really help, both forward and backwards, just got to hope someone is coming in but if they do, right now it'll be a loan of an under 21 player which is not what we need

[jackal2]

Until we cut out this ridiculous overplaying and risk taking in the defensive third of the field, we won't make any real progress. It simply has to stop. We're very fortunate that Langstaff grabbed a true poacher's goal, and after that we got the ball forward quicker and with more purpose for a while, but in the final stages we again fell back into bad habits.

The good news is that if we start getting the ball into the opponent's half in fewer passes, and get the ball into the box over and over again, Langstaff and probably Scott too will have a field day. When you've got a finisher like Macauley, why the hell would you prat about with the ball in areas that are only dangerous for ourselves? Just get it in the mixer, cause as much chaos and pressure as possible in and around the opponent's penalty box, and our strikers will do the rest.

[laddo]

In this league, whether it be NA, IB or now with LW if we are outside the playoff places the fans have already been "close to turning" and ready to react. That's always been the case and it's simply because we are in tier 5 and really shouldn't be*

* Bar for one horrendous sh*tshow of a season.

[countygump]

[laddo]

2 down. Owners obviously picking team. System is wrong players is wrong and manager is wrong.
Can’t figure out who I want gone first a head coach who is inept or a pair of owners who sign who they want and tell the manager what team to pick and play?
Utter disgrace in a big local derby

Warsop I'm calling you butter from now on cos you are on a roll.

Keep em coming.

[drillerpie]

Boos at half-time 1-0 down against one of the best sides in the league would suggest he is going to come under immediate pressure if Notts are outside the play offs for any length of time whilst losing at home. It sounded like the mood in the stands isn't so far removed from the tone of NCMAD this last few days after all. A very different atmosphere at the end of the game, but there was a warning shot fired there that fans could easily turn.

Halifax away looked a tough fixture before the season began, but they're still yet to score a single goal. Following three draws, I think he has to bookend that sequence with a win ahead of Solihull. If there can be a must win fixture in the opening 10 games, Halifax must now be it.

To be honest, LW seems to like to mix up a fair bit of direct play with the slow, passing build up. He's probably the most direct of the managers we've had in this division, but fans have just lost patience after years of watching us give chances away through pratting around at the back.