⚽Match Thread v Salford 15.09.23 [EFL L2]

[thefulltenyards]

What is unavoidable is the Groundhog Day in evidence. You are watching an identikit approach week in week out, let's call it Plan A with flexibility, and it undisputably working. It almost doesn't matter on the opposition the fans in attendance or sat at home watching on iFollow know what they are going to get , what they are going to see. Yes the result is unknown but the passing style, clear plan, workrate, pressing, attacking intent is there for all to see. To be perfectly honest it is all a bit strange and foreign as a long time Notts supporter.

One thing I do know is never consider writing a player off after some pre season fixtures and 15 mins. To me the long clearances look flatter and quicker with Stone than Slocombe, it maybe a wrong perception but they seem or purposeful and directed. We were told he was more comfortable with ball at feet and would suit our style and that has been fully on display.

[BJPIE]

I think the option of Stone kicking the ball is long is overdue. The second half of last season teams found it easier to stifle our build up and we had no plan B. Putting pressure on what was quite a fragile defence. LW would know that the same approach against better and more clinical teams would be a huge problem. The ball seldom goes down the middle, it is directed wide, predominantly for McGoldrick or if he is playing TAR. Into areas where we can win second ball or press the opposition.
Simple but effective.
The Beautiful game is not diminished for me by seeing the likes of Langstaff and Austin busting a gut for the team to pressurise opponents into mistakes or aimless clearances.
You only have to hear the roars of support when players do that to know it's appreciated.

[ncfcog]

It's great to see so many people fully understanding the long ball tactic in the way Notts play it. More direct teams use it to quickly switch pressure on their own defence to the opposition and if someone up top manages to get on the end of it that's a bonus. This is not how the long ball is being deployed by Notts. yes occasionally the ball from Stone will be a clearance, but more often than not it is taken from midway in his own half meaning it becomes less of a hoof up field and more of a driven pass with a specific target in mind. It is a tactic that has taken a few games to evolve and it will continue to evolve further as LW and the players become more comfortable with the challenges faced in L2 football.

[thefulltenyards]

Driven pass, that's the phrase I was looking for when describing Stone's flatter and quicker lengthy distributions, that's how I have seen it so far and sounds like I am not alone.

Thanks ncfcog. He certainly is hitting them from advanced positions.

[Notts78]

Stone has been a revelation for me. I don’t believe there is much between Stone and Sloces as goalkeepers. However, the big difference is Stones distribution. It seems and feels more natural for Stone. Sloces has clearly worked hard at this side of his game, and has improved, but Stone is IMO ahead of him in this important facet of our game plan.

[thefulltenyards]

Brought in rightly to be out new No.1 and he has deservedly kept his place since returning from the unfortunate and untimely ban.

[Proactive not Reactive]

I find it quite interesting and amusing that let's say 3 seasons ago Notts fans were horified with us playing out from the back and at the start of last season with LW evolved this even more with a back 3 triangle with only the central player in our half and the two WB's level with the centre forward.
Now we have people upset that we are going long in games and no-one really moaning when we go short(unless we concede a goal and we hear about it on for days) - tremendous how we have been brain washed and converted.
I think that its not that LW doesn't trust his defenders but that in the 2nd half of last season and this season far more teams have pressed us(as we have been on the radar more and attracted more publicity of our style) so we have to go long sometimes in a bit of cat & mouse.
I think LW is learning more things as it evolves and realising how important McGoldrick is with us being such a small side also realising what a miss Scott is and also longing for Randall to get to full fitness so we aren't as predictable which is the key word in all of this.
Also the back 4 which we employed recently when we were leading at home v Accrington will become another necessary tactic as opposition come onto us and we will catch teams on the break when we have more space.
I think that its great we have a plan B & C something Burchnall was criticised for and also a very exciting time to be a Notts fan

[Proactive not Reactive]

Stone has been a revelation for me. I don’t believe there is much between Stone and Sloces as goalkeepers. However, the big difference is Stones distribution. It seems and feels more natural for Stone. Sloces has clearly worked hard at this side of his game, and has improved, but Stone is IMO ahead of him in this important facet of our game plan.

I think its been the era's they have grown up in is the main difference and the same with Rawlinson compared to Cameron and Baldwin with the game evolving so that all 11 players are comfortable with the ball at their feet.

[Magpies1959]

I wonder how many times the much sought after Plan B and even C is used during games, and the fan in the stand is not even aware. These changes/plans can be very subtle and do not have to be as blatant as pushing the centre half up front.