⚽ Match Thread vs. Lincoln City 08.08.23 [EFLC R1]

[countygump]

As usual and rightly so, for this is a forum for us as fans and we all have differing opinions.
I would simply ask is there anyone out there who really understands why the club didn't address the defence in the close season?
It's a serious question because for all our success last season, we struggled to defend when out of possession.
I honestly have found that baffling.

Be careful BJ!

The Notts Stasi will be taking names and making shames.

[matt_magpie]

As usual and rightly so, for this is a forum for us as fans and we all have differing opinions.
I would simply ask is there anyone out there who really understands why the club didn't address the defence in the close season?
It's a serious question because for all our success last season, we struggled to defend when out of possession.
I honestly have found that baffling.

Well firstly they have brought Tipton in, Wolves haven’t loaned him to sit on the bench.
Secondly we’ve had 2 other defenders train with us and were heavily linked with Debrah who seems to have a problem.
Getting the right players isn’t that easy and there’s no point not bringing in other positions just because of that.
Just look at the prem, kicks off this weekend and there’s loads of transfers not done, there will be a ripple effect also as more happens up the leagues, just have to be patient to get the right one.

[crazyfists]

Those mixed results, against the other teams in the top 7, including play-off games were:

W7 D6 L1

I'm more than happy with that.

Yeah that's decent no denying it. Now those teams we played last season are worse than 95% of the teams we'll play this season and we have the same defence which has so far looked all over the place. That's on top of us all knowing we haven't really had a solid back line for a long time now. This board is the same every year, people worry, then either Notts get a good result (so starts the ridicule of those worried) or they get a bad result (and the worried worry more) No one wants to worry and everyone wants to see Notts successful. This doesn't mean everything is perfect or doom and gloom. We played badly and can play better but we were also exposed in both games to crosses and the high press.

Would people who think everything is fine like some new defenders? That's all the worried people are saying. If you wouldn't like any new defenders and think ours will be fine in this league then great. I really hope you're right.

[Elite_Pie]

Be careful BJ!

The Notts Stasi will be taking names and making shames.

Made me smile! I've never got this 'positive vibes only' thing. It's like saying if we all predict a win, then it makes a win much more likely. It didn't work too well at Sutton.

[magpie_mania]

Yeah that's decent no denying it. Now those teams we played last season are worse than 95% of the teams we'll play this season and we have the same defence which has so far looked all over the place. That's on top of us all knowing we haven't really had a solid back line for a long time now. This board is the same every year, people worry, then either Notts get a good result (so starts the ridicule of those worried) or they get a bad result (and the worried worry more) No one wants to worry and everyone wants to see Notts successful. This doesn't mean everything is perfect or doom and gloom. We played badly and can play better but we were also exposed in both games to crosses and the high press.

Would people who think everything is fine like some new defenders? That's all the worried people are saying. If you wouldn't like any new defenders and think ours will be fine in this league then great. I really hope you're right.

Can't see how you have jumped to me thinking our defenders are fine. You said we had mixed results over the better teams, I didn't think we had - I thought we were ok.

FWIW, I don't think our defence was that fragile last year, but either our defenders need to step up a level now, or we need to strengthen. I think that's obvious, but are they capable of it? I think LW thought they were.

[BJPIE]

Be careful BJ!

The Notts Stasi will be taking names and making shames.

Thanks for the reminder Gump.
I'll take my Rose tinted glasses on Saturday and then I'm sure everything will turn out fine.
🤣🤣🤣

[PedroTheFisherman66]

If we learnt anything from our relegation season it should have been don't panic.!!

[slack_pie]

Can't see how you have jumped to me thinking our defenders are fine. You said we had mixed results over the better teams, I didn't think we had - I thought we were ok.

FWIW, I don't think our defence was that fragile last year, but either our defenders need to step up a level now, or we need to strengthen. I think that's obvious, but are they capable of it? I think LW thought they were.

I personally don't think they are. The only reliable and consistent defender we have is Chicksen, and he's a fullback. As for the rest:

Baldwin - good on his day but often injured and tends to make big mistakes
Cameron - makes a lot of big mistakes
Rawlo - love the guy, but he's too slow to cope with most L2 forwards
Brindley - simply not strong enough defensively and offers little going forward
Tipton - no idea

We clearly need to strengthen.

[BJPIE]

If we learnt anything from our relegation season it should have been don't panic.!!

I don't think anyone is in panic mode yet. But if the powers that be can't or won't see the defensive frailty that has been evident even last year, then I am concerned.

The defence is not being helped by the fact we no longer seem to use the high press. I get that you don't want to commit against better players, if the press is beaten they are more likely to punish you.

There is lots to address and I have utmost faith in LW but I don't feel inaction now is appropriate.

I'd really like to see a player with some of Baldwins characteristics, physicality and pace but with far greater mentality.

We also definitely need a ratter in midfield. A non ball playing scrapper who knows how to tackle and master of the dark arts. We are a soft touch at present.

[Proactive not Reactive]

I don't think anyone is in panic mode yet. But if the powers that be can't or won't see the defensive frailty that has been evident even last year, then I am concerned.

The defence is not being helped by the fact we no longer seem to use the high press. I get that you don't want to commit against better players, if the press is beaten they are more likely to punish you.

There is lots to address and I have utmost faith in LW but I don't feel inaction now is appropriate.

I'd really like to see a player with some of Baldwins characteristics, physicality and pace but with far greater mentality.

We also definitely need a ratter in midfield. A non ball playing scrapper who knows how to tackle and master of the dark arts. We are a soft touch at present.

We said exactly the same things last pre-season ,that the defence was suspect and we weren't physical enough in midfield(even back to to the Doyle & Reeves days)and then we moaned when we had Rose that was physical but struggled to pass water.
Despite the problems especially in defence we still managed to have a great season.
We probably do need a central defender but I think the biggest issue atm is that the players have believed their own hype and basked in the glory of the promotion and thought they would stroll through league 2
I'm not sure the 2 teams we have played so far are that much better than we were in our pomp last season so hopefully we have now had a kick up the backside and will start to improve starting tomorrow.
For me Ruben is the big miss so far as McGoldrick doesn't have his legs and Crowley seems lightweight so we haven't attacked half as much in the first two games putting more pressure on the defence so this is something that is being addressed in training as the new players start to gel into the team.