Why the panic already?

[CliftonMagpie]

If Notts did well in the pre-season everyone would be hyped up about the season, but this year people are writing off the friendlies as if Notts have been dreadful throughout. Is there really a genuine concern?

I thought the York game Notts played poor, the one before wasn't that bad.

Against Alfreton Notts looked decent and able to match a side which wanted to press or get in their face.

I will wait until 10 games into the season before judging any of the players, a goal always lifts sides and losing to York isn't a major defeat. The lack of football in a league match would be but perhaps Neal Ardley wanted to see Notts play the game out of possession?

[NottsGeezerCal 𝕏 @NottsGeezerCal Instagram @NottsGeezerCal]

It's just preseason, tried different formations for different scenarios, I totally understand that and no worry from me (which is concerning because if I have no worries we usually do poor) As long as we ditch the diamond we'll be more than fine! Got a good balanced squad! We will miss Dennis though but what can you do? He's left to play the likes of Celtic and Rangers rather Wealdstone and Solihull!

[ARLukomski 𝕏 ARLukomski Instagram declanweliczko_arlki]

My worry is, is that we've spent the entirety of pre-season learning a new formation that won't get the best out of our best players (for now at the moment). We'll then play 4-4-2/4-3-3 opening day and we may have the risk that the new signings won't have the time to adapt to which one we play, despite the fact they are easier to learn.

I'm also worried that we've not replaced Kristian Dennis. He bought a lot more to the team than what people may have thought. His link-up play, his movement, runs in behind and his positioning. 

Elisha Sam and Jimmy Knowles need time to settle in to how we play (and I will give them time as it can be difficult to adapt straight away), especially the former, but we need to be quick out the blocks this season so there is a fine line between having time to settle in and eventually getting up to speed.

Pre-season is the time to experiment but I'm not keen on the diamond. It's most likely that we'll switch back to 4-4-2/4-3-3 next week as this is just a plan c/d to have throughout the season.

I know Ardley has mentioned throughout pre-season that he and his staff know how many minutes each player has played. With the schedule being Sat/Tue/Sat for a while rotation is going to be important so this is good to see.

 

 

[DangerousSausage]

It's certainly too soon to panic - I remember pre-seasons where we've defeated all comers, while in others we've lost all of our friendlies but gone on to do really well in the league. Last season, the team I follow in Germany lost their final friendly, and lost it well, against a team three divisions below - and then spent the season fighting for a second successive promotion. Pre-season is a time to experiment, and some experiments fail. What really matters is how we present ourselves against Dover.

However, I've got to admit I feel a bit concerned after the York match. That should have been our dress rehearsal for the season, and we were a distant second best against a team from the division below. A couple of our signings don't really look ready to me. I hope we see something completely different next weekend and I hope the naysayers get to eat some humble pie.

[Super_Danny_Allsopp]

My worry is that we haven't learnt from the pasting that Harrogate handed us in the play-off final. Not only that, every team has seen that final and will know what to do to get a result against us.

When a team presses us, we have no way of working through the press and will turn the ball over. Our midfield are still getting overrun and it's ending in poor performances (half of Alfreton and Telford) and poor results (York and Harrogate v2). The supposed solution introduced by Ardley, the diamond, hasn't worked at all. 

Then there is the depth. As @ARLukomski said above, there's a lot of games and from what we've seen so far, we lack quality depth in the final 3rd. Once you take Kyle Wootton and Cal Roberts out, you start to end up with a front 3 of Sam - Knowles -  Enzio. Worrying. 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I'm not worried, I feel that things will iron themselves out when the actual season starts.

I feel there's quality, and depth in the team - so not much should be read into the results from the pre-season. Some players can instantly come and, make an impact but at times it does take awhile for things to click. Provided we're fighting to get back into the Football League, we should just be mindful. It must be weird playing behind closed-doors, I am a firm believer that our support from the stands can make a huge difference.

This isn't an excuse, as they're professionals but at the same time the squad needs to be settled.

I thought Notts did well against Alfreton myself, they're a better team IMO than York.

Some results won't go our way, pre-season is something that a pinch of salt should be taken. If we start poorly, god help things. 

[liampie]

i think our fans have a tendency to over react, just like a lot of football clubs fans. i dont think pre season should be a time to worry, if we battered everyone people would be saying its only pre season. i get the performance side of it but will wait to see how we do in the league.

competitively i think we are much stronger.

[allardyces tash]

No reason to panic, pre-season is about fitness and understanding what works or doesn't as the case may be.

[28111862]

I hope and STRESS, the pre season isn't something which anyone should pass judgement on the squad.

Wait until 10 games in and access things, but lets avoid these panics.

Moving forward as a club will take time, it's not as simple as having one good season. It takes time to create that environment which has been missing from the club for decades, progress is going well. Recruitment looks good, some fans need to have a little perspective. 

[themightymagpies]

Being annoyed over pre-season games is a baffling thing, there is no reason to be concerned, give them 10 games and see what where the club stands.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Things should improve as the season starts to get underway, I think the defeat today just adds some fuel to the fire with regards to the disappointment. Should we panic? No, Dover got the win in the last minutes.

It sounded like a game which deserved a draw all day long.