⚽ Match Thread vs. Southend Utd. 21.02.23 [NL]

[queenslandpie]

LW said he's expected back imminently in his last interview

Excellent

[i961pie]

I have just been reading the Southend forum they are very complimentary about us and many reckon we are the best team in the league and would make the playoffs at least in div. 2 if we can keep these players.

[KintoreMagpie]

Woke up this morning with my head still buzzing at the quality of last night’s performance. I know that Notts are at the lowest standard of football during my 55 years of supporting them, but I can’t recall the style of football and domination over good sides like Southend in all that time.

It is criminal that either Wrexham or ourselves could still miss out on promotion back to the football league. I know it will not happen but, what is stopping there being 2 automatic NL promotion positions, with the team finishing 3rd bottom of Division 2 then being involved in the play offs to determine whether they stay in the football league or someone finishing 3rd-7th in the NL takes their place. Unless I am being somewhat dense it does not need much tweaking to the current play off system to achieve that.

[i961pie]

Woke up this morning with my head still buzzing at the quality of last night’s performance. I know that Notts are at the lowest standard of football during my 55 years of supporting them, but I can’t recall the style of football and domination over good sides like Southend in all that time.

It is criminal that either Wrexham or ourselves could still miss out on promotion back to the football league. I know it will not happen but, what is stopping there being 2 automatic NL promotion positions, with the team finishing 3rd bottom of Division 2 then being involved in the play offs to determine whether they stay in the football league or someone finishing 3rd-7th in the NL takes their place. Unless I am being somewhat dense it does not need much tweaking to the current play off system to achieve that.

Why would the EFL teams in division 2 vote for that? I agree it would be good this season but if you take us and Wrexham out of this league the rest are an average bunch who would struggle in a league above imo.

[KintoreMagpie]

Why would the EFL teams in division 2 vote for that? I agree it would be good this season but if you take us and Wrexham out of this league the rest are an average bunch who would struggle in a league above imo.

I agree that I don’t think the EFL clubs would vote for that, which is why I said I don’t think it will happen. When I first followed football there used to be re-election which was a closed shop with league clubs looking after each others’ interests and only rarely was a non league club able to enter the league at the expense of an existing member. Thankfully what we have now is a better system and offers opportunities to non league clubs to progress as well as getting rid of some of the deadwood from the football league.

Regarding the concern that in seasons where all the NL clubs outside the two automatic spots are poor then I would argue that the team who finished 3rd from bottom of Division 2 would then have little to fear from competing in the play offs, unless of course they were even worse!

[Stan Marshall]

Still buzzing, this morning, from an absolutely outstanding performance, last night. That was as good as anything we’ve seen this season against a decent, if naive Southend side. We may not have made many signings but Jones and Bostock are both class additions and both improving with their fitness.
I just hope we have a decent ref against Wrexham as there will undoubtedly be penalty appeals in our penalty area! I still haven’t recovered from the Coventry debacle and poor old Tootle never seemed to recover from it, either.
Like all Notts supporters, I’m really starting to believe. We can really do this if we can continue our current form and fortune. I just want a level playing field!
COYP’s 🤞

[slack_pie]

Still buzzing, this morning, from an absolutely outstanding performance, last night. That was as good as anything we’ve seen this season against a decent, if naive Southend side. We may not have made many signings but Jones and Bostock are both class additions and both improving with their fitness.
I just hope we have a decent ref against Wrexham as there will undoubtedly be penalty appeals in our penalty area! I still haven’t recovered from the Coventry debacle and poor old Tootle never seemed to recover from it, either.
Like all Notts supporters, I’m really starting to believe. We can really do this if we can continue our current form and fortune. I just want a level playing field!
COYP’s ��

If we play like we did last night, we'll beat any team at this level home or away. The question is whether we can maintain that level of performance and intensity for the remaining ten games.

Last night was about as good as we've been. I honestly can't remember us keeping or using the ball as confidently and purposefully as we did last night, at any level. And off the ball, we were relentless. Four cracking goals to boot.

I think when we're on our game, we're the best team in this division. We already knew we played the best football, but last night showed that it can be utterly ruthless as well as pleasing on the eye.

The problem is, Wrexham keep winning. Doesn't matter if they win playing silky football or do the usual dive-and-pen routine, a win's a win. Don't expect referees to do us any favours when it matters. Let's just focus on maintaining the level of performance last night, one game at a time.

[IluvNotts]

If we play like we did last night, we'll beat any team at this level home or away. The question is whether we can maintain that level of performance and intensity for the remaining ten games.

Last night was about as good as we've been. I honestly can't remember us keeping or using the ball as confidently and purposefully as we did last night, at any level. And off the ball, we were relentless. Four cracking goals to boot.

I think when we're on our game, we're the best team in this division. We already knew we played the best football, but last night showed that it can be utterly ruthless as well as pleasing on the eye.

The problem is, Wrexham keep winning. Doesn't matter if they win playing silky football or do the usual dive-and-pen routine, a win's a win. Don't expect referees to do us any favours when it matters. Let's just focus on maintaining the level of performance last night, one game at a time.

Good post.
I think Wrexham are more likely to crack than we are. They've got injuries, fatigue and us to worry about. The pressure is really building on them as we enter the home straight. I think they deserve to be promoted but not ahead of us. I have a feeling the game at The Racecourse Ground (shortly to be renamed the Mickey Mouse Stadium?) on April 10th might not turn out to be as pivotal as people are thinking.

[countygump]

[slack_pie]

Good post.
I think Wrexham are more likely to crack than we are. They've got injuries, fatigue and us to worry about. The pressure is really building on them as we enter the home straight. I think they deserve to be promoted but not ahead of us. I have a feeling the game at The Racecourse Ground (shortly to be renamed the Mickey Mouse Stadium?) on April 10th might not turn out to be as pivotal as people are thinking.

I agree that there's more pressure on them than us. They are clear favourites, and for a reason - they've spent the most money. The whole Disney/Hollywood/Netflix thing must be a blessing when things are going well and a curse when they aren't. The fear of slipping up could potentially be greater for them than us.

But they have an experienced manager and a wily group of players. Not only is Mullin an expert at conning refs in the box, he's also one of the best strikers to play at this level. I wouldn't be surprise if they continue to win at any cost, whether they're playing well or not.

Last night made me realise that if we don't win the league, we have a better chance than ever to win the playoffs - assuming we can overcome the psychological blow of missing out on automatic. Last night made me realise that we don't need to fear anyone. When we play well, we're the best team in this division. So we just need to focus on our game, not Wrexham's. They'll keep doing what they do.

The game at the Racecourse could be pivotal, and it could go either way. Depending on how the teams perform on the day, either side could hammer the other.