Match Discussion: Game 26 - The Mariners. (A)

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Match 26

11/03/25  7:45 pm Kick off.

Grimsby v Notts County 

What line-up should Stuart Maynard opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Notts have now only won one match in six, so it has become absolutely essential that Notts stop the rot & try to get a welcome win against Grimsby.

We can all remember the 5:5 draw last season just after Luke Williams left. The Notts defence has certainly improved since that ten goal thriller.

For this game I would retain Macari & renew his Partnership with Platt & Bedeau at the back. 

I would keep Hinchy alongside Palmer in central midfield with Gordon & Tsaroulla the wing backs.

I would put Abbott alongside Grant with Jatta just in front of them. I think Abbott would do a better job than Whitaker.

Notts have to try to move the ball much quicker than they have of late. They've been too pedestrian in my opinion. I would even go direct to Jatta & try to get through that way.

Key area will be the Notts penalty area when they have to face dead ball situations. They just have to cut out the goals they are conceding from corners & free kicks.

I do worry that the side has lost confidence of late & this is going to be a big test for Maynard. Is he up to it? I hope so.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

So this is my team to face Grimsby.

Bass

Macari, Platt, Bedeau

Gordon, Palmer, Hinchy, Tsaroulla

Abbott, Grant, Jatta

Subs

Slocombe, Edwards, Whittaker, McDonald, Jarvis, Cisse, Traore.

[Pies79]

1 hour ago, Robbie said:

So this is my team to face Grimsby.

Bass

Macari, Platt, Bedeau

Gordon, Palmer, Hinchy, Tsaroulla

Abbott, Grant, Jatta

Subs

Slocombe, Edwards, Whittaker, McDonald, Jarvis, Cisse, Traore.

Totally agree with your thoughts and pretty much the line up but at this current time I think I still prefer McDonald over Macari and perhaps keep in Whittaker over Grant just because in recent games even if he has not done much, he seems to be able to still pull out a goal, and then put Grant on the bench instead of Edwards, who has not been great of late.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

@Pies79. It was very close for me between McDonald & Macari, &  Grant v Whitaker too.

Palmer needs a player in front of him similar to Ruben & Crowley to be much more effective.

I think he misses those two players. Not sure whether Whittaker is the same type of playmaker, although he's young so he has plenty of time to develop.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I'm afraid I feel stumped as to who should start, but I do agree that it would be nice to see Conor Grant get the chance to make the XI.

The biggest issue right now is making sure we control games, but are able to create chances. I don't think having one shot on target is acceptable for a professional team that enjoys such a high amount of possession. We need to be quicker in spells, and make instant decisions by ensuring the team makes movements to free up room that our more skilful players on target might exploit.

Each game is growing in importance on the shoulders of the return of David McGoldrick and Jodi Jones.

I had this conversation on Saturday with @super_ram, it's not about winning, but making sure we fight. The performance levels are quite poor, which shows in the results, but fortunately the table is still open. This game is a must-win match, or I will be concerned that doom and gloom will take over.

Grimsby are a decent team, but one we should really be ensuring 3 points against, even if we are away from home. 3 wins and 2 draws for them in their last five. It's going to be tough, but the recent defeats Notts has had need to see a resurgence in their leaving everything on the pitch. If the players do, and we lose, so be it. I can accept that, as I can with not playing well, but teams like Grimsby have improved as the season progressed.

Notts is experiencing setbacks at critical moments, which is proving detrimental. We navigated December, which was a tougher point than this, so I would hope we can now, in March.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Great News everyone.

According to Notts, David McGoldrick is in contention to be selected against Grimsby.

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

18 hours ago, Robbie said:

Great News everyone.

According to Notts, David McGoldrick is in contention to be selected against Grimsby.

That’s fantastic news, I don’t expect he’ll start but I hope he comes on a some point we need him back in the team.

[gtownjohnno]

Just looked at some of Grimsby's home match highlights.......their pitch is in hell of a state.....not really conducive to passing type football....but we haven't got a plan b or c........i fear the worst!!!!!!!!!!!

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

It's Matchday.

CMON U PIES

 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Team news is in

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

As far as tonight's squad is concerned it's nice to see Didzy on the bench but Rod McDonald is missing. Has he picked up a contact injury too

I would have liked to have seen Jack Hinchy in the starting 11 with Abbott in the front three.

The team is similar to the starting 11 apart from Macari who comes in for Johnson.

I expect plenty of crosses going into our box tonight & the pitch isn't condusive to free flowing football either. I think a draw would be a good result tonight.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

The match begins.

CMON U PIES 

Update.

2 - Gordon's cross-shot JUST evades Jatta at the back post following Bedeau's dangerous cross.

Grimsby 0-0 #Notts 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

9 - Bass is replaced by Slocombe following an awkward fall when claiming a cross from the left.

Grimsby 0-0 #Notts

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

Charlie Slater is commentating on the match for Sky Sports it’s great to hear him again.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

18 - Excellent wing play from Tsaroulla results in a right-footed effort that goes over from the edge of the area.

Grimsby 0-0 #Notts 

Update.

20 - Whitaker does well to force the mistake with his press - but can't find the killer pass in the area.

Grimsby 0-0 #Notts 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

35 - Slocombe holds on to a header on his line.

Grimsby 0-0 #Notts

Update 

37 - More good work from Tsaroulla frees Whitaker, whose blocked shot almost cannons for Jatta but is claimed by the keeper.

Grimsby 0-0 #Notts

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Half time 

Grimsby 0 Notts 0

Mark Stallard: 'They've competed and battled. It's been scrappy so they've had to. Grimsby have had the better of it.'

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

Well it’s still 0-0 which is a positive but to be fair we haven’t seen much from Notts as an attacking threat apart from a really good chance when Jatta just failed to get on the end of a cross in the first minute.

The pitch is absolutely awful especially in the penalty areas, Notts are playing in orange and Grimsby in black and white stripes which makes it hard to watch as I keep getting mixed up.

Tsaroulla is playing well on the left and putting some good crosses in, hopefully Jatta can get on the end of one but at the moment Grimsby are looking the more likely.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

46 - Back to it.

Grimsby 0-0 #Notts

Update

46 - Slocombe pushes a shot over and we clear the subsequent corner.

Grimsby 0-0 #Notts

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

GOOOOOAAAAAL JATTA 

57' - Alassana Jatta gets his 20th goal of the season to give #Notts the lead!

Platt heads Palmer's free-kick back across goal and Wright makes a brilliant save from Grant - but Jatta's there to bundle the ball home!

Mark Stallard: 'I've often been critical of the set piece work but not this time, it's a well worked routine.'

Grimsby 0-1 Notts

 

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

GET IN!!

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

66 - Jatta spreads the play nicely to Gordon, who does well to beat his man and stand up a cross which has just too much height on it for the Gambian.

Grimsby 0-1 Notts

Update.

70 - Whitaker's off for Didzy.

Grimsby 0-1 Notts

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

73 - The loose ball runs for Rose but he can only land his shot on the roof of Slocombe's net.

Grimsby 0-1 Notts

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

82 - Abbott with a shooting opportunity on the edge of the box following McGoldrick's lay-off - but it's straight at Wright.

Grimsby 0-1 Notts