We failed to get automatic promotion again this season. A couple of lessons learned that might have contributed. Firstly there is a saying in football (derided by some) “respect the point.” Looking at the league table at the end of the season is very revealing when we compare the Draw and Lost columns of the top three and ours.

Bromley lost 7 drew 15        MK Dons Lost 8 Drew 14    Cambridge Lost 8 drew 16.

Notts Lost 14 Drew 8

Interestingly we won 24 matches the same as Bromley and MK Dons and two more than Cambridge 22.

Since Ian Burchnall we have had the philosophy of the aim win every game no matter who the opposition is and wherever we are playing. This is a noble aspiration, one which many of us agree with. However sometimes in-game decisions have to be made as to whether it’s wise to “respect the point” rather than keep on taking risks that result in defeat.

Another contributing factor to missing out on automatic promotion was our disciplinary record.

Notwithstanding losing Jatta, Norburn, Robertson, Nlovu and Hall for a number of games for red cards, it was the impact on the actual  games in which they were sent off.

If Robertson had stayed on against Bromley we might have won that game.

Norburn against Chesterfield after 19 minutes. Surely we get something from that game with 11 on the pitch. And also against Grimsby Nlovu is sent off in the 76^th minute and Grimsby score in the 85^th. We missed out on Automatic promotion by 3 points.

 Small margins or our own doing?

Whatever the case is, lets hope we have learned the lessons for next season!

 

Excellent analysis @McPie I definitely think the disciplinary record harmed our cause, I hope MP tightens up on that next season. I guess we can always look at games and think “if only that hadn’t happened we might have won/got a point etc, it was ever thus for Notts, did I read somewhere that we have been in more promotions and relegations than any other team? It certainly seems like it.