Is Jim O’Brien going to be fit?

[PedroTheFisherman66]

The only info I've seen at all was the 'picked up a knock' line in the Post

If they are both carrying knocks then it would be a gamble to play them both from the start.
Especially if they go with a keeper on the bench.Running the risk of two players breaking down during the game could be classed as stupidity if they do get injured,Or pure genius if they don't..

[the_anticlough]

If they are both carrying knocks then it would be a gamble to play them both from the start.
Especially if they go with a keeper on the bench.Running the risk of two players breaking down during the game could be classed as stupidity if they do get injured,Or pure genius if they don't..

I'm guessing Reeves went off because of the heel injury he got thanks to Bromley's pitch. He lasted 90mins anyway so he should be fine.
O'Brien? Who knows, it's disappointing nobody's asking or putting any information out.

[ForeignLegion]

It's called not letting the opposition know your strengths or weaknesses. I'm not sure the fans have a right to know everything thats going on behind the scenes.

[laddo]

I wouldn't read too much into the training video either.

Obviously hope JOB is fit, we want IB to have as many players to choose from as possible. If 50:50 makes preparations and training this week a little more difficult.

Thankfully Torquay are a side IB has seen in person and not too long ago plus I'm sure he will be diligent with his research on them watching every available game.

[Notts78]

It's called not letting the opposition know your strengths or weaknesses. I'm not sure the fans have a right to know everything thats going on behind the scenes.

I think some would be happier if we just announced our side now. Let’s be honest there will be nothing surprising about the starting line up. 3-5-2. The only conundrums are whether to play Brinders and DKE from the start and whether all 3 of old guard midfield will play.
I personally don’t think there is a risk starting anyone carrying a knock, it’s football. Most players carry them. It’s more a risk taking them, not playing them but putting them on the bench. It amazes me that the attitude about these 3 has changed significantly. It wasn’t that long ago they were vilified as a trio. Doyle and Reeves in particular came in for some serious stick. Now look.

[ncfcog]

Regarding Doyle and Reeves, I've been delving into some Wyscout data and both players feature heavily in the construction stats, so essentially attacking build up play. Doyle for example has played more completed balls into the final third than any other midfielder in the National League. I'll be sharing all these wonderful insights with everyone once our season has finished.

[laddo]

For me the Reeves stick was justified to a large degree for a specific period where he played poorly and was largely ineffective.

The Doyle stick was way OTT and has been for a laughable length of time.

Yes he's 39 we get it! Every error he made seemed to become due to his age.

The overall change is primarily due to IB replacing NA, that's clear for all to see. The midfield options to the manager hasn't changed but perfomances clearly have. This applies to quite a few Notts players so all credit to Burchnall.

[BigFatPie]

The overall change is primarily due to IB replacing NA, that's clear for all to see. The midfield options to the manager hasn't changed but perfomances clearly have. This applies to quite a few Notts players so all credit to Burchnall.

This is the key bit for me. As someone who’s previously slated Doyle and O’Brien, I think I was entirely justified. For a lot of their time at Notts they’ve looked immobile, pedestrian and turgid. And yes, past it.

The Doyle I saw on Saturday was an entirely different character. Forward looking, dynamic, and always looking for an attacking ball, even if it sometimes meant giving it away. O’Brien scored a hat trick the other week. As it turned out, along with quite a few others, the problem wasn’t with the players.

[Mapperleypie]

This is the key bit for me. As someone who’s previously slated Doyle and O’Brien, I think I was entirely justified. For a lot of their time at Notts they’ve looked immobile, pedestrian and turgid. And yes, past it.

The Doyle I saw on Saturday was an entirely different character. Forward looking, dynamic, and always looking for an attacking ball, even if it sometimes meant giving it away. O’Brien scored a hat trick the other week. As it turned out, along with quite a few others, the problem wasn’t with the players.

This. I also thought a midfield of OB, Doyle and Reeves was a bit of a farce (see OB, Doyle and Rose). It turns out it was nothing to do with the abilities of these 3 players but the ponderous style of safety first play they were asked to adopt.

The forward runs off the ball made by OB every time Notts won possession in the Weymouth game were like nothing I had ever seen before under the previous regime. It's chalk and cheese.

The players actually look like they are enjoying their football at the moment, I think that's in no small part in that they are being asked to go out there and win the game on their own terms.

[ncfcog]

JOB was making those runs under NA. Unfortunately they were few and far between because he was either pushed out wide left or his team mates weren't always on the same wavelength. Doyle is the one player, even under NA who always looked to play an early forward ball but then got frustrated at the lack of options resulting in a backwards or sideways pass, usually followed by a tirade of Irish abuse for the player nearest to him!