Match Thread vs. Wealdstone 14.09.21 [NL]

[Hoppie]

What an up and down game. At times we looked irresistible, and at others cumbersome, sloppy and over run.

I thought Wootton was great tonight but Palmer would have been my man of the match. Pretty much everything went through him and he was out on his feet by the final whistle…mainly because he was carrying the rest of the midfield. We can say what what we like about the defence but that’s hardly surprising when the midfield is non existent.

We look good when we press and harass the opposition but when we let them have the ball we are so easy to play through. We didn’t put one meaningful challenge in for their second goal. In fact, I don’t think we put one meaningful challenge in for the 5 minutes prior to their goal. What’s worrying is that it doesn’t look like we have two proper midfielders to come in and help Palmer out. Oh for a midfield three of Bishop, Ravenhill and Palmer!

I’m happy with the win of course, and for ten minutes after the break we looked like we could score 5 or 6, but for the final 30 minutes looked pretty far short of a team capable of challenging the best teams in the division. The frustrating thing for me is that we’ve had the same problem for three years and not sorted it.

Mitchell looked good, glad he got a start….was desperate for him to score!

Spot on!

[Stan Marshall]

Such a shame as well. Alus had a soft spot for Sam but tonight he had the touch of a bouncy castle. I can see him being shown the door, asap.

Yes, I thought it was a big mistake bringing him on at that stage. We’ve seen him in these situations previously and he just can’t retain the ball, putting unnecessary pressure on our defence

[Elite_Pie]

An entertaining game, but one we were a bit lucky to win. My main concerns about a dodgy defence and a midfield that gives it little protection were only reinforced. Delighted with a 3-2 win, but it could easily have been 5-5.

A special mention for Wealdstone, I thought both their team and support were very good. They were comfortable on the ball, and most of their passes whether long or short found a team mate. Their fans were still making plenty of noise even when they were 3-1 down, and they must be gutted to be going home with nothing.

[jackal2]

A win's a win and it was yet another highly entertaining game, but Holy Christ it's not good for the heart-rate!

I'm pretty clear in my own mind now that I prefer the 4-3-3 to the 3-5-2 tactics with this group of players. It leaves us maybe a little more vulnerable, although it's not like we look that much more secure with three centre-halves either. What is certain is that 4-3-3 encourages us to play less silly football at the back and to get it forward quicker, and that in turn suits players with pace like Mitchell and Roberts who were burning their opposing full-backs time and again tonight. If some of our players could finish better we would have had at least six goals with the number of balls coming in from wide.

Even if Kairo Mitchell would prefer to play as a central striker, he's certainly not sulking in his current left-sided role. I think it really suits him. He's got pace and a bit of skill and looks a real threat, whether it's setting up others or cutting in and having a shot himself. He's only likely to get better as beds into the team. I'm afraid his main contender for that role, Eli Sam is going to spend a long time on the bench unless Kairo eases up or Eli wakes up, judging by that momentary substitute appearance.

There were several very good performances tonight, and although he maybe wasn't a standout player, I hope it was noticed that Ed Francis played some very intelligent and accurate balls that got several attacks underway. I thought it was his best game so far, and I suspect there's much more to come.

[tommopie8]

Not too bad when you can turn up for 15 out of 90 minutes and come away with the win.

First time seeing the new players in person and wasn't particularly blown away by any of them. Francis or Palmer for me - think a combative midfielder with more physical presence would help.

Didn't think I'd see a performance to compare to Matt Gill's at right back against Rushden & Diamonds in my life but Brindley's first half runs it close. 6 crosses went in unchallenged from his side. Much better in the second half.

Roberts, Wootton and Rodrigues should see us into the top 7 with their firepower but need to have more control in games - could've been 2 or 3 down before we sprung into life.

[Magpies1959]

I thought Ed Francis was looking lightweight in the first half, but had a very good secong half. He seemed to be better in possesion, and used it wisely. He needs minutes, so he can adapt to the hustle bustle and physicality of a National League midfield.
I am looking forward to see Vincent play as well, as he might be needed to take some pressure off Palmer, (whose workrate is immense), as the season goes on.
There was a great interview with Sam Slocombe on Radio Nottingham after the game, he talks a lot of sense, and he is the perfect character for a goalie in a side that is likely to ship goals, because of the way we play.
You sure need a strong heart watching us play, but I feel we can only improve on something that is not too bad.
Credit to Wealdstone tonight, they played some good football, and would have cut through a lot of NL sides.

[Hoppie]

A win's a win and it was yet another highly entertaining game, but Holy Christ it's not good for the heart-rate!

I'm pretty clear in my own mind now that I prefer the 4-3-3 to the 3-5-2 tactics with this group of players. It leaves us maybe a little more vulnerable, although it's not like we look that much more secure with three centre-halves either. What is certain is that 4-3-3 encourages us to play less silly football at the back and to get it forward quicker, and that in turn suits players with pace like Mitchell and Roberts who were burning their opposing full-backs time and again tonight. If some of our players could finish better we would have had at least six goals with the number of balls coming in from wide.

Even if Kairo Mitchell would prefer to play as a central striker, he's certainly not sulking in his current left-sided role. I think it really suits him. He's got pace and a bit of skill and looks a real threat, whether it's setting up others or cutting in and having a shot himself. He's only likely to get better as beds into the team. I'm afraid his main contender for that role, Eli Sam is going to spend a long time on the bench unless Kairo eases up or Eli wakes up, judging by that momentary substitute appearance.

There were several very good performances tonight, and although he maybe wasn't a standout player, I hope it was noticed that Ed Francis played some very intelligent and accurate balls that got several attacks underway. I thought it was his best game so far, and I suspect there's much more to come.

Been a big critic thus far, but agreed that was Ed Francis’ best showing so far, albeit he hadn’t set a particularly high bar. Palmer needs some one to share the load in there. Ruben and Jim play very high and at times we continue to look like we are playing 5-1-4 or 4-1-5… 😳😱

[ForeignLegion]

I'll take a 3-2 win every game, for the rest of the season. Value for $$ for the speccies.

[AllNottsAreWe]

Can't really anything to what has already been said (but will share my thoughts anyway).

Notts were very poor for the first 30 minutes. The concession was a massive kick up the backside for them and they ended on a high note.
Wealdstone looked a very decent team, very fast, good passing and their number 9 and 20 stood out for me. They deserved something from the game.

Ruben showed glimpses of his skill but needs to get into the game more. He is far too good for this league and if he can be a consistent 7/10 won't be at Notts long, same comments for Cal.

I too like Matty Palmer, always involved and trying to create things.

Not sure about Eli walking straight off down the tunnel after the match, all the other players showed the fans their appreciation for a good turnout on a foul night. I know it must be tough hardly getting a look in but that's the life a footballer.

Frinally, lots of credit to Wealdstone, I enjoyed watching them play, they came to attack and their fans were excellent all night.

[laddo]

Good to wake up and get to read some really good and interesting match reports from last night's victory, all sharing the same common themes reporting on both the bad and good from the game.

Then I listened to the Head Coach's post match words and once again he see's the game the same way as the fans which is so very refreshing. He rightly criticised as well as praised the performance and gave a good balanced interview. Clearly he's not happy with the very slow start, the lack of second balls won and I'm sure a lot else that is contained to the dressing room.

He's also not wrong score 3 goals you ain't losing too many games and the fans certainly can't complain about not being entertained. Moniz MkII? Hopefully not.