Match Discussion: Game 8 - The Robins (A)

[PON_News]

Game 8 - The Robins (A)

Team: Altrincham

Date: 25/09/2021

Where: Moss Lane

What line-up should Ian Burchnall opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

[Joshua]

Its one of those away games we really could do with winning but as people say, we need to respect a point and even keep our undefeated run going for as long as possible.

I don't think much the regular lineup needs changing at all.

I would like to see Nemane come on at some stage, I think he could cause a lot of problems.

[liampie]

why do i feel like this has a draw all over it?

there is nothing wrong with drawing away from home, as i do think the majority of our points will come from making meadow lane a fortress. i just think its a good chance to improve our away form, but i can see it ending 1-1.

think some of the players need a rest, like roberts.

[RetroPie 𝕏 @Retro_Pie]

Putting aside the display against Maidenhead, Notts have been good so far and part of this is down to having the squad settled. I wouldn't change anything, other than what has been forced. Ciaran Brennan will come in for Kyle Cameron who I think will be a big loss. I would still give Cal Roberts the start, but I do think Notts needs to rely less on his ability to make things happen at times. Allowing him some freedom could help, especially with Ruben Rodrigues not quite playing to his standard.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Supposedly, they have some players out injured.

For ourselves, it will be interesting to see how we do without Kyle Cameron.

I think he will be a miss, as he integrates himself into our attacks very well, and he's robust enough to defensively cope with the opposition. Part of me thinks Ian Burchnall won't start the new lad on loan, I know some might question - well why wouldn't he? But I just feel he will be on the bench, with Adam Chicksen and Richard Brindley partnering Alex Lacey.

As for them, I wouldn't think much about whom they have available or which players might be out.

Prepare to have a solid game plan, where we are more creative in the centre of the park, instead of the flanks, and it should be a good game.

[Dripsey3]

Altrincham have played only 4 games. They didn't have a game last weekend. They have won 2 and lost 2. Their best result was a 3-1 win at Torquay. Their last game was a 1-0 loss at Wealdstone. They are a decent side and no push over. I don't think they will finish in the top half but I don't think they'll be relegated. The worry I'd have is the loss of Cameron & Rawlinson. I think we'll concede at least 1 goal. I'll go for a 2-1 to Notts but a draw is the most likely result. 

[menzinho]

I’ve had a look at their squad and they got some decent players, some players that were really good a few years ago. Players like Ben Pringle and AJ Leitch-Smith, it’ll be interesting to see if they’ve still ‘got it.’ I was impressed with them (and us) at the game at Meadow Lane last season, think the second meeting was a bit forgettable though.

IB's big choice will be whether to play Chicksen or our new loanee, Brennan. Personally if we are going with a back three I think Chicksen deserves the start… A back four, Brennan probably would be better suited to partner Lacey.

Can we keep our unbeaten start going? I hope so. I think it’ll be close though and so I’ll go for another hard-fought win.

Altrincham 0 Notts 1. Rodrigues to score.

[allardyces tash]

@menzinho Don't jinx it. Notts are on fire right now and with the momentum building, the club could find themselves closer to the top space.

I also think the game will be decided by one goal, I am just undetermined if it will be Notts, but my heart and mind thinks we can do it. Cal Roberts to score from the edge of the penalty box, how's that?

[menzinho]

@allardyces tash do I need to take full responsibility for the loss now ? 

In all seriousness it sounded poor, really poor. Off the pace all game, we’ve seen it in spells in games before but to be slow ponderous and off it all game just isn’t good enough.

Thought that the injuries to the defensive players might have galvanised the attacking players but obviously not…  Probably the most unsurprising thing was Cal got his 5th yellow card.

It's days like these when you just think, I hate being in the national league.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I'm a bit at a loss with the reaction to losing, people saying 'they're semi pro' and 'we're bigger'. Football isn't plain sailing and I think the majority of fans who realise that supporting Notts has its ups and downs will understand that naturally sometimes you lose.

It sounds as if we didn't turn up, and played quite poorly.

So far this season I am content in terms of performances, and even now it's early to be throwing tantrums over losing by a single goal. I am surprised I haven't read any comments bashing the loanee goalkeeper or the centre back. As if people can't have bad days, it would seem the whole squad did exactly this.

I agree with people who are echoing the need for another striker to chip in with assets.

Mitchell isn't the answer, at least I don't think - I see no signs of him being a goalscorer. For those that dislike Sam, at least he can find the back of the net.

Losing? It happens, I do believe we'll respond from this, and I just hope the negativity stops.

Some Notts fans aren't very patient with things, but It's something that really should be put into perspective.

[Dripsey3]

Very poor performance yesterday. That defeat was coming for a while. Not losing papers over the cracks so at least now IB knows what to address and sort out. 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I think fatigue is impacting some players, I keep saying it.

Those fans who think when people come out with logical replies, only to be met with 'that's an excuse'. Playing week in and week out, fatigue creeps in and form dips. I like how Ian Burchnall has stuck to a steady squad, but the occasional rotation is needed in my opinion.

[Elite_pie]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

I think fatigue is impacting some players, I keep saying it.

Really???? We have players who are fatigued after eight games, mostly playing once a week???

When did professional footballers become so weak?  Other teams have played a similar number of games, so are their players equally "fatigued"?  Sorry, but of all the excuses we can come up with fatigue isn't one of them given our facilities and squad depth.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

Of course, professional players can become fatigued - especially those that cover more ground. Perhaps some aren't fully match fit to begin with? I could be wrong, but Ruben Rodrigues missed most of the pre-season, if not all of it.

And, yet people seem to believe he will be fully match fit 8 games into the season?

Sometimes rest is needed for any professional athlete.

13 hours ago, Elite_pie said:

given our facilities and squad depth.

Yes, because this means that humans won't't become tired.

Some issues will be simply form of individuals rather than the whole group. Perhaps even pressure? Yet I do think Kyle Wootton, Ruben Rodrigues are two players who look in need of a rest. Wootton is too important though, he's our main striker and this can greatly impact a players form.

[allardyces tash]

Frustrating game at the end of the day, Notts didn't turn up and all the basics were wrong.

I don't think either team played well, they just took their chance and nobody could've changed the outcome of that. Notts needs to be a lot more direct, I would welcome a change back to a more attacking formation. Those defensive issues will resolve themselves in time.

On 25/09/2021 at 20:45, menzinho said:

@allardyces tash do I need to take full responsibility for the loss now ? 

I think we're both to blame, I did say 1-0 after all and that I hoped it would be to Notts. 

16 hours ago, Elite_pie said:

Really???? We have players who are fatigued after eight games, mostly playing once a week???

When did professional footballers become so weak?  Other teams have played a similar number of games, so are their players equally "fatigued"?  Sorry, but of all the excuses we can come up with fatigue isn't one of them given our facilities and squad depth.

The point @Chris is trying to make is that Notts relies heavily on the more creative players, they do a lot of the running and chasing of the game. I would agree that Ruben Rodrigues is either tired or carrying some form of knock. He hasn't been at his best at all as of late and seems much slower than normal.

@Elite_pie are you forgetting that there wasn't the usual break between seasons? This has to factor in with some of the players.

Once last season ended, the new campaign began quicker due to the mess created by covid.

As for the argumentative comment about "facilities and squad depth", that is nonsense. You cannot compare every player in this league to each other, in terms of fitness. Its a narrow and weak way to make a point. The facilities at Notts are good, it does depend on the players condition.

I think Notts needs to work better as a team personally, instead of giving the ball to the out wide areas and expecting them to do the damage.

[Joshua]

Its the cutting edge to finish chances that Notts are lacking, if we took some of the few ones that could've ended up in the back of the net, I do think the game could've ended differently. A goal often chances things more than not, I can also see a lot of frustration in the players faces at times and I think that is something that needs to be worked past.

DKE has a good chance, but Notts never pressed enough to cause them any headaches.

Poor in possession, poor with our touch, slow to get going and just uncomfortable going forward.

I have to say, I think Patterson had a superb debut and look like he had been playing regularly. That is one positive to take, as he seems to be reliable and a good option to have, think this competition will help when Sam Slocombe returns if Notts chooses to keep Patterson.

[Elite_pie]

9 hours ago, allardyces tash said:

As for the argumentative comment about "facilities and squad depth", that is nonsense. You cannot compare every player in this league to each other, in terms of fitness. Its a narrow and weak way to make a point. The facilities at Notts are good, it does depend on the players condition.

Why is it nonsense, and why is it argumentative?  Are differing opinions not allowed on here?  Last season when we were playing twice a week we had a large enough squad to rotate players frequently, whereas some of our rivals didn't even have enough players to put 5 subs on the bench.  Also, for this level, we have state-of-the art facilities and medical back up that other clubs just don't have.  That must mean that we should suffer from fatigue less than many of our rivals.  Of course it makes a difference, just ask King's Lynn or Dover.

If a club like ours has 'fatigued' players after 8 games, this division will be played at walking pace after Christmas!

[Fozzy]

Must admit that I'm with @Elite_pie on this one.

No player should be fatigued at this stage of the season when the pitches are in excellent condition and they are training full time. If anything, you would expect a semi-pro player to be more tired as the games go on because they aren't training full time and are at smaller clubs with fewer facilities. So against these players and teams we should expect Notts players to be fitter, even if the coach does not put such an importance on it.

Fair enough if a player is carrying a knock as they will be struggling more, but anybody who is fully fit should not be fatigued in September.

 

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

15 hours ago, Elite_pie said:

Last season when we were playing twice a week we had a large enough squad to rotate players frequently, whereas some of our rivals didn't even have enough players to put 5 subs on the bench.

The key word is rotation, Ruben Rodrigues for me, needs to be dropped to the bench for at least one game.

If he's carrying a knock, unfit due to pre-season or just finding it difficult - he hasn't been the same recently at all. I'm not looking for excuses, but putting across my own opinion that some aren't quite playing at their usual standard. It quite possibly could be form, but I think some are struggling due to the reasons I have outlined.

Ian Burchnall has done incredibly well to settle the squad, yet he only makes changes when he's forced.

Just like Gareth Southgate, he won't move from his usual starting 11 - this has its positives and negatives. Regardless if its tiredness, full on fatigue or poor form, sometimes it's wise to rotate the players struggle.

We rely heavily on our more creative players, so it well may be a mix of things.

Also, I haven't said its everyone but the point to disagree seems to be including the whole squad? We have a big enough squad to make changes.

Burchnall himself said he doesn't want to drop Francis yet for Vincent, who is supposedly ready to return. So, if we continue to play players who are either poor in form or tired, and in need of a little rest - what will be achieved by constantly playing them?

As I say, it's good IB isn't dropping people for the sake of it but the odd rotation changes the mix.

I personally think Jim O'Brien should be given a start, whilst Cal Roberts suspension means we should see Aaron Nemane. This might be enough to force changes and hopefully a stronger reaction to the recent defeat. I'm also, not suggesting by my fatigue comment that its anything serious.

Unlike those that bang on about 'semi pros' as if footballers are shoe horned into a standard just because of their contracts, footballers are footballers at the end of the day- they win, lose and draw regardless of their natural talent or overall ability [this comment is aimed at some on social media.].

[RetroPie 𝕏 @Retro_Pie]

There does appear to be something with Ruben Rodrugues , I agree with that.

It could be mostly a lack of form, but he does seem to pant a lot and avoid running at least in the last two home games. His attacking play has slowed down to almost walking with a slight burst of pace. Whatever is going on, Ian Burchnall eyes and staff will need to identify it.

[Elite_pie]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

The key word is rotation, Ruben Rodrigues for me, needs to be dropped to the bench for at least one game.

If he's carrying a knock, unfit due to pre-season or just finding it difficult - he hasn't been the same recently at all.

I would agree with that, Ruben has reverted to the inconsistent player he was under Ardley last season rather than the exciting player we saw later on under Burchnall.  Whether it is down to a reaction from him catching Covid, who knows?  He's looked a bit lost and indecisive in recent games, and I'm not sure the deeper role he seems to be playing suits him.  Hopefully he'll play further forward against Woking with Roberts suspended, and we'll see an improvement.