Small crumbs of comfort

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

When Newport completed the great escape and stayed up in 2016-17:

At this stage they had, PLD 35, W6, D11, L18 and had 29 points. The same record and number of points we have at the moment after 35 games

They were also on their 3rd manager of the season and had rebuilt the squad heavily in January like us

 

Birmingham at this stage last season (2017-18)

PLD 35, W8, D6, L21. They had spent heavily in the summer (like us) and it failed. The squad's fitness had been an issue all season (like ours). 

They were also onto their 3rd manager, they had struggled to score goals and their goal difference was in the -30's (like ours). 

 

Both managed to stay up

Newport's run in their last 11 games: WLDLWWWLWLW - Newport finished on 48 points. 19 points from last 11 games. 

Birmingham's run in their last 11 games: LLWWWDLLWLW - Birmingham finished on 46 points. 16 points from last 11 games

[BESTpie]

People need to stop giving up and having such knee jerk reaction to outcomes hardly disappointing, this would be a good start. Yesterday's draw wasn't a bad result, it was a lacklustre performance though.

[DangerousSausage]

@BESTpie  I think the issue with yesterday is the fact that we were very lucky to draw at home against the team who are 90th in the league and on a terrible run. If we can't even look competitive against them, where are the wins coming from?

Things can change quickly though, as @ARLukomski says. After Mansfield I was as convinced that we would climb out of trouble as I was that we would go down previously. Now it's starting to feel a bit like a false dawn but I hope I'm wrong. In the cold light of day we're five points adrift - if we can get that gap down to two in the next ten matches, we still have a chance.

Another factor is Coventry. What's going on there is awful and I don't want them to get expelled (and I feel a bit like a vulture writing this). But come April they could be, meaning that 23rd place would be enough for survival. Currently sitting in 23rd are Macclesfield, just a single point ahead of us. It ain't over till it's over.

[cheeky~k8]

It was a draw not a loss, however flat the game was we at least didnt lose or concede a goal.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

We are in with a chance of surviving, but any longer, we'll be incredibly lucky rather than deserving of it (if it happens).

The players need to focus, work hard in training and apply themselves properly on the pitch. I note that Michael Doyle and Jim O'Brien are starting to fall victims of negativity and mindless comments. Perhaps the pressure is starting to drag them down? Maybe they aren't enough to drag the real culprits kicking or screaming to their standards? It's quite possible that we have just hit a dry patch due to the pressure of winning 2 games and then losing the following games thereafter.

There's always hope if you believe, and provided there are points available - we should try our best to shake off the disappointment.

I lost count of the amount of times I was asked by fans yesterday if I felt the club was down or not, as I said then the 2 wins being 'good' restored my belief in this squad. The 2 defeats shook me back down to earth. Yesterday's draw, although not being the best possible outcome, it does show that the team can keep a clean sheet.

I would opt to have three centre backs and three centre midfielders, along with pacey wing backs.

This would suite players like Robert Milsom and Mitch Rose better.

It would allow Ben Barclay, Sam Stubbs to have a chance of forming a partnership with someone that has experience. Give Elliott Ward ago, if rumours of him being frozen out due to bonuses - hopefully the takeover can sort this.

In midfield, it would allow David Vaughan to come in and pick out the passes that Notts struggled to find against a weakened side like Port Vale. Their midfield, although good on the ball, wasn't structured and at the back they left plenty of room to exploit. However, they pushed up due to the hoofing Notts did and nobody attempted to hold the ball up. I believe that's called one-dimensional attacking.

Jim O'Brien and Michael Doyle are fine, however, this expectation that they're the soul saviour of Notts County Football Club is becoming a joke.

I firmly believe Notts would be more attacking minded with a tactical re-think.

[thommo]

Notts are just 5 points from having clawed their way out of relegation, people are forgetting that our teams form is far worse than Port Vale if you consider the full season. Just because of 2 league wins, it doesn't change this.

This has given me hope and I wold say it's more than just small crumbs.

[super_pie]

We need to keep hope

[cheeky~k8]

If we dont keep our hopes on getting out of it, we might aswell give up now and we've been in this situation before...

[liampie]

focus must be on game by game, this way we can avoid worrying and the pressure should be easier. i am worried that the nerves might be getting in the way.

[BromPie]

There's hope at least, a few good wins and a more spirited sign could be big. The takeover happening could lift the club too.

[eighteensixtytwo]

Moving to the same points as Port Vale would be a big sign, only issue is scoring seems to be a pretty big issue at the moment.

[TheSkipper 𝕏 TheSkipperNCFC]

It would be nice to think the club could win some of the important games this month, it's possible but the fixtures are a bit hit and miss.

There needs to be more fight for sure.

[cheeky~k8]

I think every game is important now, we need all the vital points.

[CliftonMagpie]

I am nervous about the run down of the remaining fixtures but this gives some hope.

[Magic magpie]

The great escape is still on while there is games and points I refuse to admit we are down yet. Game by game day by day and we can do this. 

[AmericanPie]

Much smaller after this Saturday's result, how many wins does Notts need do you think to stay up @ARLukomski?

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

5 wins and 3 draws or 6 wins and 1 draw @AmericanPie

[upthepies]

Not going to happen I am afraid.  

[NiftyNick]

If Notts could start a run whreby they picked up a few wins and draws, without losing a game who knows.