@theAnticlough Martin does have lots of options with several players able to play in different positions. I've also wondered if Robbo or Palmer could play in that Grant position if both were fully fit?

I think today it showed we need a bit of spark in the No.10 role, Luker and Hall coming on with 30 to go would’ve been ideal. The fact Traore remained on the bench, even when we needed a goal was telling, this situation needs addressing in January. Overall very solid though, we completely dominated the team top of the league all that was missing was a goal.

I was also surprised that Bennetts was taken off so early. Ok he made that one awful pass which gave Walsall their only chance but he actually had the beating of Barrett, Jodi’s crosses were better but I don’t think he got past Barrett once. He hasn’t played for a while though, I suspect it’ll take a couple of matches before he starts to look his best again.

I was glad we didn’t suffer a smash and grab by the end because that would’ve been totally undeserved. A lot of talk about that performance by Walsall being anti-football, if that’s how they want to play we can’t change it. They were organised and got exactly what they came for but their unwillingness to push forward didn’t make for a great match.

Latest League Table after 31 matches. Notts in 4th place.

I’d disagree re: Jones - I’d say that he offers no threat at all! We lose pace & fluency with him on the pitch. He’s tentative, won’t even try to beat a man and lobs the ball into the box from far too deep. He was spectacularly ineffective today.

Grant, on the other hand, has great touch, moves the ball forward at pace and his greater mobility means that he links up well with Macari and Tsaroulla on the right. Equally, Iorpenda has done enough in the “big games” to keep Hall out.

Paterson has been consistent, he’s loyal to those who deliver & do the job. Can’t see him making changes for Chesterfield tbh. The MKD & Fleetwood games may see some rotation and we will probably see Kouhyar, Hall and maybe even Jones in the starting XI.

One of the things that Martin Paterson has brought to Notts is that it is less likely that a team can come to Meadow Lane & do a smash and grab like Walsall were attempting.

It may well happen from time to time, but so long that it is less likely, especially as we go into the 2nd part of the season, it could well be the difference that can get Notts promoted this time.

We absolutely battered the team at the top, we were by far the best team, the only thing missing was a goal. It was a great performance considering we have first team players missing e.g. Palmer, Robertson, Hall, Luker, it just goes to show what a great squad we have, a few tweaks to the squad in January and this could be our year.

1 hour ago, Piethagoram said:

It didn't do them much good, but the authorities need to get a hold of this & make the players stay in or around the centre circle & ban coaching during each half of the game.

It's an insult to the paying public. Wasting OUR time making us go home or onto somewhere else later than we want.

It also signals to youngsters that cheating and lying is normal. Feign injury, feign sickness, don't go to work, don't go to school - fake that you're injured like all those pro footballers do every week.

44 minutes ago, Robbie said:

It didn't do them much good, but the authorities need to get a hold of this & make the players stay in or around the centre circle & ban coaching during each half of the game.

That would probably stop it, means it’ll never happen then!

I don’t like it but we are no angels here at the moment. Roos has needed treatment (almost certainly under instruction) at Bristol, against MK and then Grimsby.

3 minutes ago, menzinho said:

That would probably stop it, means it’ll never happen then!

I don’t like it but we are no angels here at the moment. Roos has needed treatment (almost certainly under instruction) at Bristol, against MK and then Grimsby.

I know that Notts are doing it because every one else is doing it, but it doesn't make it right.

If someone feigns injury the fourth official could ensure the players are not coached & if the coach ignores the official send him to the stands.

One of the best footballing performances of this season by the boys today. Every individual gave their all, and that made for a great game, just the goals were missing from that performance and what can you expect when top of the league turns up purposely to spoil and parks the bus. A point keeps us up there where we need to be, within striking distance of the pinnacle. An unbeaten December, let's keep it that way at Chesterfield this Boxing Day. COYP.

Credit @ARLukomski

6 hours ago, Piethagoram said:

I don’t know what match he watched but it certainly wasn’t a terrible game, I thought it was a good game, attack against defence. Walsall defended solidly while Notts couldn’t quite get that final bit of magic to produce a goal in spite of almost constant pressure, it was an entertaining game in my opinion.

It's fascinating how those seeing the same match see things differently. It's the same when fans pick their Man of the Match or if a certain player hasn't played well in their opinion. Even professional reporters see things differently too.