Match Discussion: Game 9 - The Blues (A)

[allardyces tash]

 

I have confidence in our squad’s defensive capabilities, thanks to Stuart Maynard’s leadership and the players’ dedication. While we may concede some soft goals, it’s important to remember we’re still a League Two team, and challenges are inevitable. However, with a keeper like Alex Bass, who was instrumental in keeping Carlisle at bay during their strong second half, the fighting spirit of Notts County shines through. It was a fantastic away result, with the job done in the first half. We can’t overlook the importance of each player working hard to prevent Carlisle from making a comeback, highlighting the collective effort and resilience of the team.

[BromPie]

It was a good night for Notts. The start of the game was perfect, and the opening goal fell nicely for Jatta to put him clear through on goal. Alex Bass has done this a few times, pumping the ball high up the field to create a good chance. Jacob Bedeau and Matty Platt were outstanding in blocking chances and clearing the ball. Our attacks died off after the chances were made.

Carlisle took the momentum and made it difficult for our players to counter their play. Keeping a clean sheet alone feels like a victory.

[B&Wstripes]

Carlisle United could feel unlucky. They played much better than Morecambe but found us very resilient in defence. They were poor on goal but good at moving the ball forward. When was the last time we had less possession than our opponents? It says a lot, as we usually dominate possession. It was great to see Jatta back, even better when he scored the opening goal. Scott Robertson was also very good, and we missed his presence in previous games. Winning 2-0, despite the chances they created, was a good night for us.

 

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I love grounds like Carlisle United's, Brunton Park is such an interesting ground. The fan zone that Liam Cole, a Carlisle supporter from our Opposition View, described to me is fantastic. It was great to see Notts fans mingling with Carlisle fans. The quirky options of food and drinks, being so open, right next to the ground, is something which Notts should look into for The Nest.

The floodlights made it a bit difficult for me to see; it wasn't the best lit ground but also, my eyes can be a little off.

I hadn't noticed that Alex Bass had sent a precise pass to Jatta, but I did see him skilfully control the ball and finish the opportunity brilliantly. That surge came at a good time, as I thought Carlisle were starting to find their own feet.

Carlisle did come close in the first half, they had the header from a cross which went wide. That was a very dangerous attack, and difficult for their player to direct, but it was a good move. That was the only time I felt like I was on the edge of my seat. I'll explain why when I talk about the second half.

In the second half I felt Carlisle were coming more into the game before Stuart Maynard made the changes. We looked like we had shut shop and had to become very defensive minded, which I have no arguments about. Our squad has played many minutes and the first half's intensity would have been a big thing for some of our returning players like Jatta and Scott Robertson.

There were a lot of moans by a select few groups near me, who didn't like how the game had swayed and within their comments dismissed Carlisle as being a very poor team. Whilst, I would say they didn't defend very well at times in the first half, they played some excellent football and I felt that their issues weren't in the midfield but their defence and finishing. I don't like how some of our fans seem to think we can't be outplayed.

Dismissing Carlisle's quality, which in the second half was inabudnace, I did feel that their lack of clinicalness would never see them beat Alex Bass. That's why, despite some moments where they looked comfortable, I never really returned to the edge of my seat. I thought defensively, Notts dealt with everything very well and Bass was class with everything that did get past our defence.

It was a great result for Notts, our fans loved every minute of the game which was impressive to see the final cheers, after the whistle had blown for full-time.

[liampie]

i am not being picky, because the result was great and i think we defended well. i just wished when we were under pressure we could take some more care as to where we lump the ball or try clear the threat. yesterday, a lot of it came back at us and it makes it difficult to get the ball down to counter.

dont get me wrong, we did what we had to do. i am just saying that if we put a little more thought into it at times, we might be able to regain some of the control instead of inviting attacks straight back at us.

i do agree that last season this would have ended differently, so it is a huge positive and i thought alex bass was great in goal for us.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

@liampie sometimes if a player is in any doubt, kick it out or upfield.

We can be pussyfooting around at the back to a high press then lose possession deep in our half.

We had too much of that last season & we paid dearly.

I loved the fact that  Bass went direct & found Jatta who scored. We need to do a little more of that & keep our opponents guessing.

But I do agree that a downside of blindly kicking the ball upfield does result in it coming back a lot of the time when a team is defending deep, like Notts were for a lot of the time in the second half.

It's an interesting conundrum when a team is bent on  defending its lead.

[Blake]

It was a very long journey, but I’m glad I could go, even though it was a school night. The 2-0 win was really good. I slept on the way home and dreamed about the goals we scored. Jatta’s first goal was really classy, the way he controlled it and finished.

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

I’ve been away so haven’t seen the goals until today, I loved Jattas goal and the assist from Bass, I think it caught Carlisle off guard so well done Bass and of course Jatta who controlled the ball brilliantly and kept his calm to slot it past the keeper.

[TheSkipper 𝕏 TheSkipperNCFC]

The game would have been very different without the early goal. It might have put Notts under more pressure, so we need to ensure we can keep possession, play the ball out from the back, and create attacks.

In the second half, we posed no threat at all, and we were quite lucky at times, with Carlisle unable to get past a strong Alex Bass. Defensively, we were solid, and we had some decent chances in the first half to take more shots. A better team would have punished us for how poorly we attacked in the final 45 minutes.

Carlisle are a capable team, but their poor form was evident, especially in their finishing. They should take a lot away from this game and look to improve, but we also need to learn from our performance in the second half.

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

The substitutions seemed to weaken us as a team, with Jatta and Robertson going off

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

@Piethagoram I do feel, Carlisle were coming into the game more, but I do agree, the subs made it harde, butt I think had we seen more control - the changes would have found it easier to get themselves up to the speed of play. Once Jevani Brown came on, it looked like every ball was lumped forward and most wasn't near to him. Carlisle really turned things around in the second half.

Watching the highlights, you can appreciate just how good Alex Bass is for us.