My worries about Notts

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

Got to say after todays result got a few worries about Notts. Not throwing the toys out of the pram as I think we have had an unbelievable season and a great year but we can't afford to slip up now we've got ourselves into this position.

- Our lack of strength in depth
- We've only won two of our last six
- We’ve only won away once since we lost to Mansfield
- Our lack of a permanent goalscorer
- Lack of cover at Cb

Need a striker, centre back and winger in the transfer window. Grant plays a lot better with Jones behind him. Alessandra a lot better than Hawkridge on the wing. 

Need additions in January if we are to keep our place in the top three as the chasing pack are closing in.

[magpiejue]

100% agree. Another Hughesy type striker is badly needed. 

[weymouthPIE]

What you say is true, but sadly 22 other clubs in this league will also be saying they need a prolific striker, and the fact of the matter is no striker who is in scoring form will be available in January. The only alternative is to bring in a loanee or a free agent, but there tends to be a reason that they ARE available for loan or freebies. They're out of form, or unproven and in need of game time. 

I'm sure Nolan will bring in a few reinforcements, but I wouldn't expect anything major. 

 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I'm certain we can boost our current squad come next month, we are only a few days a way - so once some players depart (either completely or on loan) I think it would be best to avoid cramming too much in.

We only need a striker and a CB.

A winger isn't something that would take my priority because Hawkridge is good enough, he gives 100% and has a lot of heart about him. Alessandra is alright, but he's somewhat in consistent for me. I think we actually used the flanks or tried to break teams down by using the wider positions we'd see more of a difference, yet we don't and when Noble returns to action for us - we'll he can offer us the forward thinking we need.

The only issue is the fact that this means we'd be more inclined to bypass the flanks and focus on the centre of the park.

There's no real concerns for me, at least nothing major. Anything that is required is quite minimalist and I would rather see a strong CB come in and a very good striker. If we nail these two positions correctly we will be fine.

[Northants Pie]

There isn't much wrong really, we need to get shot of the likes of Hodge & Saunders, both earning a living on the back of what their Dad's did within the game.

Pierce Bird has always done alright for me so would keep him & play him more often tbh, Sam Osbourne is twice the player Hodge is and Lynn Lawson is a better striker than Saunders.

We need to stop just aimlessly hoofing it, the opposing team can't score if they haven't got the ball, whilst this tactic worked well in the early stages of the season I feel like its our undoing recently, all you need is a deep lying holding midfielder and you nulify our play especially when Shola isn't on the pitch.

I sense a little of the usual discord around the squad that always for every team arrives at this time of year as you have some players leaving and the fringe players wondering if its a player in their position that is going to be brought into the squad, add to that players getting game time who are quiye clearly not good enough and you end up where we are right now, ideally placed for a go at getting out of this league as long as we address the issues we have.

[Who r ya?? You Pies!!]

Feel much the same as above ,  a CB and Striker if possible , don't feel much is wrong , more concerned with possible impact of Forest sacking manager and maybe possible Grant and Yates being called back as Brazil knows them well , kind of hoping he feels they aren't ready for championship yet .

[DangerousSausage]

That was my first thought oo, but apparently they can't take them back now as they gave us written confirmation that they're staying @Who r ya?? You Pies!!.

We're thin up front so a new face would be welcome there. Saunders is far too lightweight from the little I've seen of him. Alessandro certainly knows where the net is but he's needed in midfield. I wanted to see another CB in the summer, we have been lucky in that the Duffy-Brisley partnership has stayed together and been successful so far but there's nearly half the season to go yet.

Now we have the chasing pack starting to close in again, which brings with it a mental burden, especially if we hold on till the business end of the season with so much at stake. Time will tell how the team and manager deal with that. On the plus side Liam Noble is now eligible, a very handy player to have in a promotion battle.

[Fozzy]

It is now getting to the time of year when all of the teams that recruited heavily in the summer are starting to gel, so we will need another two, or three new players in, just to freshen it up and give the squad more depth.

I think that by looking on the bench for the Swindon game you can tell that Hollis and Thompson are definitely on their way, especially with Bird and Hodge being put in front of them.

Nolan has said that he will now reassess his squad before making signings, it doesn't need a lot of thought. New CH definitely, to replace Duffy (seems to get bullied too easily), new pacey striker and another winger as back up. 

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

Recruitment determined also on Grant and Yates situation. Definitely a new centre half, a quick striker, a centre midfield and a winger. Obviously we have Noble to come in, O'Connor is still too far away from a return and another Milsom injury doesnt help matters

 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

We don't want to go all overkill.

Signing too many players could cause us issues, with first starters now being unhappy about being replaced/dropped or new signings feeling frustrated that they have joined but find themselves phased out. We have to be mindful, use the signings to be a top-up and way to add further quality to the squad.

[Northants Pie]

Tbf we should be at least looking to sign Olivier Giroud, no one below this level will be acceptable.......

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

@Northants Pie setting bar too low...Neymar for Notts!!!!

[Northants Pie]

19 hours ago, Piethagoram said:

@Northants Pie setting bar too low...Neymar for Notts!!!!

Well given his new contract at PSG and our need to take out low flying aircraft when going forward I thought a talented frenchman who can head the ball was more appropriate..... 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

23 hours ago, Northants Pie said:

Tbf we should be at least looking to sign Olivier Giroud, no one below this level will be acceptable.......

We had a French striker who occasionally scored a wondered goal, yet missed sitters and frequently couldn't hit a bar door.

I believe he still plays for Mansfield, after failing to adapt to a colder climate.

[Piethagoram 𝕏 @piethagoram]

Arquin was released by Mansfield I believe at the end of last season?

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Seems so, odd. I thought he was still there.

[Northants Pie]

Tbf half of all the players registered to the PFA are at Mansfield so I understand your confusion

[Northants Pie]

2 hours ago, Chris said:

We had a French striker who occasionally scored a wondered goal, yet missed sitters and frequently couldn't hit a bar door.

I believe he still plays for Mansfield, after failing to adapt to a colder climate.

The issue with our French striker was that he couldn't head a bus queue

[NottsGeezerCal 𝕏 @NottsGeezerCal Instagram @NottsGeezerCal]

On 02/01/2018 at 17:39, Piethagoram said:

Recruitment determined also on Grant and Yates situation. Definitely a new centre half, a quick striker, a centre midfield and a winger. Obviously we have Noble to come in, O'Connor is still too far away from a return and another Milsom injury doesnt help matters

 

O'Connor *should* be back for Feb, that's what he told me before the Cambridge game!

[Fozzy]

That will be interesting as I can't see him being match fit enough until right near the end of the season and depending upon where we are, might be too big a risk to play him. I seem to think that he will be out of contract in the summer, so will be interesting to see what he gets offered deal wise.  

[liampie]

i am not so bothered myself, at least there is not so much worry on my mind.

i think we have a good squad and only really need a few additions, which should not be that hard. provided we have the money to sign additional players they will be looking at us in a different light now we are second in the league. kn will know where to add depth and extra quality.

[TheSkipper 𝕏 TheSkipperNCFC]

The only concern I have is from a goal scoring perspective and the lack of real competition in defence.

With Yates now leave it does leave us a pretty big whole, we don't have anyone else who plays like he does. Noble, O'Connor and Milsom are all different. Nolan needs to fix this leak before it the water bursts.