Player ratings v Cheltenham

[Elite_pie]

A bit late, but here we go:

Fitzsimons 5.5 – a couple of decent saves, but he looks really dodgy on crosses. Got away with one real howler and was caught in no man’s land on a couple of others.
Tootle 6 – more effective first half, didn’t get forward so much in the second.
Duffy 6 – no real alarms, generally competent.
Brisley 7.5 – solid no-nonsense defensively, and a big threat at set pieces.
Dickinson 7 – defended well and produced some dangerous set pieces.
Hawkridge 6.5 – worked hard and provided a good outlet on the right.
Yates 8*- typical 100% performance, stood up well to some very physical challenges and was effective all over the pitch. Helped us win the midfield battle.
Milsom 6.5 – a very capable stand-in for Hewitt, put himself about well.
Grant 7 – a bit peripheral for parts of the game, but his class shone through when he was involved.
Stead 6.5 – not a lot of goal threat, but some good touches to get others in dangerous positions. 
Ameobi 7 – again not much goal threat, but some of his play is a class above for this league.

Subs – not on long enough to rate.

Over the 90 minutes I think 3-1 was a fair scoreline. We defended well as a unit and created some good chances. We got a bit lucky with the deflection to go 2-1 up, but we had done enough to deserve to be in front at that stage. In Stead and Ameobi we have a couple of strikers that probably won’t score too many, but they are creating a lot of chances for our midfield, which Grant in particular is taking advantage of. If we can continue to perform to that level we’ll win more games than we’ll lose.

[Lozzle1]

Don't agree on Stead, I'm afraid! 

Watched him work extremely hard for us this season; and think he gets a lot of (unnecessary) stick; particularly in games where I've also watched much younger players neither put in as much effort nor work as hard as he does...to win!

He clearly L-O-V-E-S wearing that shirt, too (which I believe, is relevant) and I've not seen him 'give up', once, this season.

He's not afraid to take chances and has been (more than) 'generous' to put others in goal-scoring positions.

Nothing negative from me on Stead and I think he was 'up' in the 7's yesterday.

 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Fitzsimons 5 – He never made me bite my nails like Collin can do, however he was poor with some of his calls and when the ball is in the area he looks a little vulnerable.
Tootle 7 – Defended well, contribute with attacks and broke the play - he wasn't afraid to get stuck in at all.
Duffy 5 – In the first half he forgot how to kick or control the ball after Cheltenham scored, he also was constantly pressed in awkward positions and when clearing the ball it never went far to avert the danger. Poor game IMO.
Brisley 7 – Dealt with everything very well, there was no moments of panic from him and between a poor Duffy and Dickinson - Brisley looked a comfortable defender from little pressure.
Dickinson 4 – First half he was all over the place, he never dealt with threats well and he looked unfit. It was a concern how easily beat he was, however I do acknowledge he had a steady second half - he still didn't do anything worth praise in my opinion.
Hawkridge 7 – He ran for everything and nicely linked up the play, he was a big factor for us going forward.
Yates 6.5 - He did alright, a few things that I noticed would be improved with experience but for me he wasn't remotely the best midfielder on the pitch.
Milsom 7 – He broke at Cheltenham, intercepted the ball in key times (which was nice seeing a midfielder put in a full shift in) - he was never greedy and released the ball well.
Grant 8 – Fans now expect big things from him, however he played very well. He broke threats up that may have broken from the wing, his passing and link up play fitted in with everyone and he really guided Notts forward. His goals was well taken and I honestly felt he was the best midfielder on the pitch. There was at least three times he could have gotten himself the hattrick he clearly wanted, yet he fed in other players who sadly wasted those changes.
Stead 7 – He did alright with the limited service within the first half, second he looked more keen to get a goal but sadly no chances really broke for him but he put himself about well. 
Ameobi 7 – I thought the first half he did well, yet he faded in the second but still put in a decent shift. I would say he swapped with Stead in the second half, though both strikers worked well to link play. Ameobi made some lovely passes, plus the one which split Cheltenham deserved to be buried.

[TheSkipper 𝕏 TheSkipperNCFC]

It was a good performance by the team but Dickinson was the only let down for me.

How many breaks did Cheltenham have down his channel? He barely dealt with threats properly.