I suppose I've given myself ten games, so my analysis is as follows.

At the current trajectory, we're looking mid-table. That's not a criticism of what we look like in a footballing sense, merely statistical. At present we’re averaging 1.375 points per game. If we continue in that vein, we’re seeing us finish 11th at best (this is based on the last 4/5 seasons.

Let’s look at the scores:

• 1-1 draw against Newport (who are now 22nd)

• 2-1 loss against Salford (who are 3rd)

• 1-0 loss against Wigan - played a strong squad and garnered 65% possession

• 2-1 loss against Barrow (who are 21st)

• 4-1 win against Shrewsbury (who are 23rd)

• 2-2 draw against Bromley (who are 7th)

• 2-1 win against Tranmere (who are 16th)

• 3-0 loss against Lincoln (second squad put out)

• 1-0 win against Fleetwood (who are 11th)

• 1-0 loss against Gillingham (who sit in 2nd)

MP sits on a 30% win rate - we also have scored 8 goals excluding the 4 we scored at Shrewsbury which feels like a bit of an outlier in scores. 

Now that’s the data side done, what have we been told about what’s expected. 

• First and foremost, he’s been told by the club that they want promotion, “as simple as that” - 1st August, Martin Paterson (bbc).

• We’ve also been told that this is one of the highest budgets that we’ve had to date with the Reedz brothers, one which MP, up until recently deemed unsatisfactory as he wanted a new GK and a new striker.

• Lastly, we’ve been told physical elements and directives on changing the club to be more involved in the “dark arts”.

1 - We will not achieve that on the current trajectory.

2 - Whether or not we ever were able to compete or make inroads about getting in more players, it’s not his job, publicly, to say that.

3 - Although more physical players in terms of size have come in, we’re much more susceptible to crosses and set pieces than we ever were under Williams and Maynard.

Onto MP himself.

Forever the socialist, “it is not I, only we!” MP is driving the “we, the team” in terms of narrative. Whether that’s a collective call for unity or that of concealment of his real thoughts which come out in training or the dressing room, we’ll never know.

We get versions of himself via interviews, which haven’t won me over. I think personally, that his career is something he links to hard graft and perseverance, and that he’s trying to change the club’s playing philosophy, not adapting or moulding it.

There are occasions whereby I’ve enjoyed bits, because I’ve seen technical flair and exciting play happen, but then I question myself, is that because of him or in spite of him?

There are players we’ve seen that have improved/deteriorated from his managerial/coaching style with Matt Palmer being the standout. If MP were to go, I’d worry about how it might affect his game for the remainder of the season. Bedeau and Jones have dropped in terms of a really high bar we’ve had here for a while, so suggests his methods are much more jarring than what we’ve seen before.

I think MP is on a short contract here, given that it wasn’t mentioned in the press when he was appointed, so suggests he wasn’t highly regarded or was a backup to a backup - if this is indeed the case. If the owners have the foresight that it only takes one bad transfer window to throw out a DOF, then time is ticking very quickly for Martin. Lastly, Martin had 20 games at Burton before he was sacked, which I can see become a real big possibility if we don’t see improvements all over.

(I think I deserve praise for not mentioning Roos or Grant once!) - also I have posted this on Footymad also, but thought it's an engaging conversation peice at least!

Good topic for discussion & good analysis of the current situation at Notts so far @piedestrian

In my opinion the Club has clearly regressed from last season regarding overall performance & the way that Notts are now playing.

I get that Notts need to be a little more physical & less at risk of being bullied by teams, but Notts are still conceding goals by giving the ball away in their own half & being susceptable to crosses & dead ball situations into the box every match. Notts still have problems against an aggressive high press.

A big issue for me, Notts are missing a playmaker & have never effectively replaced either Ruben or Dan in the AM role.

I can see why Martin is trying to use Jodi in a similar role, however I still think he is more effective on the wings, which seemed to bear that out against Gillingham when he came on in the 2nd half.

It's a shame that Notts couldn't get a result on Saturday. They very nearly did. They were just let down by another defensive mistake that gave the ball away & led to the Gillingham goal.

We are where we are. Notts have to do the best they can up to the next transfer window & try to stay as close to a playoff place as they can. All said & done, it only takes a good run of form to climb this league.

Despite some of the problems I still remain optimistic of our chances of making the playoffs again.

I have to admit, the current style of football we are playing is the worst I can remember since before the relegation to the National League. I was hoping that the slow start would turn into gradual improvement. We seem to be very static in that respect. In terms of league games we have only lost by an odd goal, so while we are competing physically, it has been pretty dire to watch. It would be easier to accept if we could see some progress but it’s hard to see it happening at the moment. Is Gagliardi’s departure the first sign the brothers don’t like what they are watching either? We will have to wait and see!