⚽ Match Thread vs. Barrow 07.10.23 [EFL L2]

[Notts78]

Because he's constantly striving for perfection, even though he acknowledges that the players can't always achieve it and have done brilliantly already. He'll keep expressing disappointment with performances like yesterday's and pushing for better, because he wants to find out just how far his players can improve.

It's the classic carrot and stick tactic really, but ultimately he knows where the club wants to be, so it's a case of finding out, week by week, which of these players are capable of making that journey of constant improvement with us, and which ones have 'maxed out'.

I thought he made this clear from the outset. I remember a few of us thinking, we’ve won comfortably and he’s publicly saying he’s not happy. This was his first pre-season.
The guy is a genius at how he talks about his squad in public. He has his standards and wants them meeting… he doesn’t want the players having standards that are comfortable. He wants them to reach their ceiling. Once they have, and if they are no longer good enough to move us forward, ‘thanks for your efforts, good luck in the future’.
Ultimately, every player will leave better than when they arrived. If they choose to work hard and push the boundaries

[Notts78]

We need to go back to the 4 4 2 formation, and employ proper fullbacks. We simply dont have the players capable to play in the current defensive formation. We are asking square pegs to play in round holes, and it doesn't work.... Chicksen should be one of the first names on team sheet, at least he can defend the line...

Or we let the bloke who has the highest win percentage do his thing. I firmly believe he is much more qualified than you Durham in managing a football club.
Though I do think there is some merit in 4-4-2 away from home. It’s not the modern way and it certainly seems not to be Luke Williams way.

[ncfcog]

Season Stats page has been updated, stats report will be either later today or tomorrow morning.

https://www.ncs-news.co.uk/stats/season-2023-24

[Carlton_Pie]

We need to go back to the 4 4 2 formation, and employ proper fullbacks. We simply dont have the players capable to play in the current defensive formation. We are asking square pegs to play in round holes, and it doesn't work.... Chicksen should be one of the first names on team sheet, at least he can defend the line...

Seen it all now. Notts have gone from not serious contenders in the NL to the top of League 2 but you want to revert to 4-4-2?? Teams just don't play 4-4-2 these days, you lose the middle of the park.

[upthemaggies]

Tier 4 managers PPG table (4th tier league and play offs only, does not include Caretakers)

2.50 Steve Cotterill
2.15 Sam Allardyce
2.01 Jimmy Sirrel
2.00 David Kevan
2.00 Luke Williams
1.87 Frank Hill
1.56 Kevin Nolan
1.42 Tim Coleman
1.42 Andy Beattie
1.33 Jack Wheeler
1.30 Ricardo Moniz
1.29 Hans Backe
1.28 Steve Thompson
1.26 Jack Burkitt
1.24 Eddie Lowe
1.18 Harry Kewell
1.17 Ian Richardson
1.13 Gudjon Thordarson
1.13 Ian McParland
1.10 Billy Gray
1.10 Mark Cooper
1.06 Gary Mills
0.96 Neal Ardley
0.92 John Sheridan
0.83 Jamie Fullarton

[Old_pie]

Tier 4 managers PPG table (4th tier league and play offs only, does not include Caretakers)

2.50 Steve Cotterill
2.15 Sam Allardyce
2.01 Jimmy Sirrel
2.00 David Kevan
2.00 Luke Williams
1.87 Frank Hill
1.56 Kevin Nolan
1.42 Tim Coleman
1.42 Andy Beattie
1.33 Jack Wheeler
1.30 Ricardo Moniz
1.29 Hans Backe
1.28 Steve Thompson
1.26 Jack Burkitt
1.24 Eddie Lowe
1.18 Harry Kewell
1.17 Ian Richardson
1.13 Gudjon Thordarson
1.13 Ian McParland
1.10 Billy Gray
1.10 Mark Cooper
1.06 Gary Mills
0.96 Neal Ardley
0.92 John Sheridan
0.83 Jamie Fullarton

I don't think Jack would ever have considered himself a manager even though he probably ended up having to do it longer than expected. What a servant to the club though and he comes top of any list for that alone.

[jackal2]

Seen it all now. Notts have gone from not serious contenders in the NL to the top of League 2 but you want to revert to 4-4-2?? Teams just don't play 4-4-2 these days, you lose the middle of the park.

I think 4-4-2 can still be played, but you need two exceptional midfielders who can effectively do the work of three players week in, week out. Bishop and Ravenhill achieved it in the Munto season, but that was 13 years ago now. Neal Ardley was devoted to 4-4-2 but relied too much on an ageing Michael Doyle. It was okay at times, but had its limitations, hence why we fell short.

There's no doubt that Luke Williams' tactical approach places a high expectation and workload defensively on players who are generally better going forward, and that's why we let in more goals than would be ideal, but the entertainment and goals at the other end are outstanding and the the ultimate measure is where we've been in the league table whilever LW has been in charge. Top or very near the top.

[SmiffyPie]

What we need to do for starters is to get Baldwin to release the ball to Cameron earlier (if that is the pass available) instead of holding while he appears to be looking for the killer pass through the middle. Cameron is quite good at pushing forward with the ball (for a defender) but is weak if he comes under opposition pressure and he gets a pass to his feet. He (Cameron) is at heart an old style defender being asked to do something he is not suited for.

[jackal2]

He (Cameron) is at heart an old style defender being asked to do something he is not suited for.

I actually think Cameron's talents would be better suited to a mid-field role. I'll grant you he looks physically like a centre-half, but his instincts aren't defensive. He's not quick at sensing danger and doesn't always take up good defensive positions, which is why he so often seems to be scrambling to recover and making rash mistakes.

I don't like the scapegoating of Cameron, though. He's a talented player on the ball and many other League two teams would snap him up, but the way Luke Williams likes to play puts a very heavy expectation on players like Kyle and at times exposes his weaknesses. The Head Coach obviously considers that what his Captain adds to the team in terms of playing style and attacking potential outweighs the defensive frailties. Our position in the league would suggest LW is right.

[SmiffyPie]

I actually think Cameron's talents would be better suited to a mid-field role. I'll grant you he looks physically like a centre-half, but his instincts aren't defensive. He's not quick at sensing danger and doesn't always take up good defensive positions, which is why he so often seems to be scrambling to recover and making rash mistakes.

I don't like the scapegoating of Cameron, though. He's a talented player on the ball and many other League two teams would snap him up, but the way Luke Williams likes to play puts a very heavy expectation on players like Kyle and at times exposes his weaknesses. The Head Coach obviously considers that what his Captain adds to the team in terms of playing style and attacking potential outweighs the defensive frailties. Our position in the league would suggest LW is right.

I have often thought that he would make a good midfield player, it's just that turn and recover aspect. I have a lot of time for him and, like you, accept that he is at times exposed through no fault of his own. He of all our players needs the ball quicker, that's all (IMO).