Thanks, I didn't catch the game but heard plenty about it. I'm watching it now, just got the point where Enzio blocked the ball for a corner, man he's scared of it anywhere near him.

Some points I shall raise for any comments.

• Enzio shouldn't have started - he did a few neat touches but overall nothing else.
• Our defenders are very poor with releasing the ball - perhaps time to start using the keeper to lump it forward at times? or passing it to players who can distribute the ball without giving it straight to the opposition team.
• Weak goal to concede - static defending by all [with no attempt to get front of the ball].
• Need to be stronger when trying to win the ball - pressure is a plus.
• Jimmy Knowles looked decent, held the ball up and controlled it well at times - perhaps should look to lay the ball out at times instead of shooting.
• Should Gary Liddle seen red for blocking Lewis Knight? - An argument for a clear goal scoring opportunity could be made, plus it was quite dangerous just to block him IMO.
• Jake Reeves should've made it 1-1.
• Lewis Knight has a lot of pace which we need to exploit for the better.
• Space creation is clearly an issue with the way Notts is currently playing - I've seen dead fish less static.
• Hartlepool's corner in the 85th minute - should the corner have been retaken? The ball to me wasn't inside the correctly.

The latter is a pet hate of mine, I have always been told the ball should be inside the lines and not on the edge. I have been told by people that it's acceptable provided the ball touches the line, however, this goes again the regulations of FA and is often overlooked in football games. Law 17 states:

Procedure

The ball must be placed in the corner area
The ball must be stationary and is kicked by a player of the attacking team
The ball is in play when it is kicked and clearly moves; it does not need to leave the corner area
The corner flagpost must not be moved
Opponents must remain at least 9.15 m (10 yds) from the corner arc until the ball is in play

It's not in the corner area, by the point he placed it - it's left.

That said, Hartlepool attacked well but defended quite poorly. I don't think the performance was has bad as people are telling me, it seems more the moment and that frustration but I do say there needs to be a lot of improvement.

Comments:

Enzio cannot defend and therefore cannot play as a wing back...and Bennett cannot defend too

Did Ellis choose to head the ball rather than hack it clear when the cross came in...was he worried about conceding another penalty incident, hence trying to head it?

At least Knowles tries to shoot

Liddle was more of a block. professionally done, rather than a cynical professional foul. I don't see Knight really complaining that much.

Knight has electric pace!

Midfield is where the real crux of the problem. Following on from Ardley, we are clueless as a "unit". Hartlepool had midfielders comfortable on the ball, wanting the ball...we have midfielders who when they receive the ball, they show no clue as to the options available. There is also no fight to make the second ball.

 

27 minutes ago, Piethagoram said:

 

Midfield is where the real crux of the problem. Following on from Ardley, we are clueless as a "unit". Hartlepool had midfielders comfortable on the ball, wanting the ball...we have midfielders who when they receive the ball, they show no clue as to the options available. There is also no fight to make the second ball.

 

Spot on IMO @PiethagoramMovement off the ball when in possession is also a problem!

11 hours ago, super_ram said:

Spot on IMO @PiethagoramMovement off the ball when in possession is also a problem!

Also, we are missing the height of a Bishop, O'Connor type of player. As @Elite_pie once mentioned, we miss Mitch Rose for his defensive qualities. Sometimes our set piece defending is exposed by not having that player with the additional height

With Ravenhill and Bish in the middle and a Lee Hughes up front, this team wins the league.