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Another goal would be handy for us now. I suspect we should have taken Bennetts or Hall off for Dennis, not Grant. We’ll see. Robertson has been outstanding tonight btw.

Super away win. No complaints about the second half, apart from the foul for their goal, Cheltenham were always going to play better after the break. Our 1st half performance won the 3pts for us. Was that Scott Robertson's best ever game in a Notts shirt? He didn't look like a L2 player tonight.

Notts on a Monday night feels strange but that's the reality of it. I think it's roughly a 4 and half hour round trip? Not exactly a short trip on a school night. Anyway........a win would take us into the top 3. I'd be happy with a point but I think we'll sneak a win.

I’m looking forward to watching the match tonight, I hope the team is on song and firing on all cylinders, I think we need to play with a bit more tempo than of late. Fingers crossed for a win but I’d take a draw. COME ON YOU PIES!

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I liked how we mixed it today. First half we used the flanks well with Bennetts and Tsaroulla, and the set-piece pressure told. Jatta reacted fastest for the opener, then Hall picked his spot for the second. After the break Cheltenham had their spell, as you’d expect at home, but we stayed organised. Roos made the key stop before their goal and stayed composed afterwards. The bookings were managed, the subs helped stretch it, and the corners at the end were defended with calm heads.

Just a few stats that show that Notts are heading in the right direction. Five games unbeaten in the league now for Notts (W4 D1) & seven wins from their last 10 matches. No side in League Two is in better form than the Magpies right now. Notts just have to try to keep this going.

Massive win for Notts on the road.Notts are in third place in League 2.

Adelakun on for them now….. interesting. We bring Norburn on, chance of a yellow?

Notts need to step it up. It was a terrible goal to concede. Notts have to become a two half team, not just a one half outfit Sub for Notts Dennis replaces Grant. 73 mins gone

Great 1st half - they were shockingly poor tho’. Clumsy defending and they are suddenly back in it. Should have been 3 or 4 nil at h/t!

Excellent from Notts,more of the same in second half please.

I think there are times when we should try to stick to our main formation, but I would like to see Martin Paterson be braver to change things when it's not working. I give Paterson credit, as he does appear to read games well and will make changes that do make a positive impact, and compared to Stuart Maynard, it doesn't lead to the feeling we are to salvage a point from a game we were winning easily at one stage. Personally, I think there are times when we should be looking at the opposition and thinking of formations that will give us the ability to hold the ball and press. There have been away games where Notts have stuck to their formation, and you just know nothing is going to change. Barrow away earlier in the season was one of the worst games I have ever seen. 5-10 minutes in, you could tell Barrow would pressure us. I think there was some hope from our managerial team that they would tire or Notts would get to grips with it. However, nothing changed, and that a game switching formations going into the game could have put Barrow on the back foot. We tend to rely on quality, and even when playing well, we can be very predictable to the point that teams can sniff out an opening. Persisting to think one style will succeed and that there's a one-size-fits-all formation for every team isn't the way to play. I acknowledge we do at times switch things up, but not enough, and I don't think we are consistent. That is one major issue with switching formations, because if a routine doesn't get the best out of individuals, mixing things up could lead to further complications. In general, I do think it would be worth trying. The Matt Dennis and Alasanna Jatta duo looked promising at Tranmere Rovers, but a few games later, along with the absence of Dennis, it was dropped.

I am pleased Mrs. T is still getting out and is on the mend. Hopefully, within a few days, she'll feel much better. I have been coding a bit the last two days; I have built something to help with updating members on crucial parts of the site that might be experiencing trouble. It's not the most complex thing, but it is one of the first things that I have coded which required a database and a full app structure. I also took the initiative to manually prevent the newest member from being displayed among the validating members. It allows me to keep PON safe from spam bot accounts, and I have implemented ways of reducing this. Until about 4:30, I have felt good, but now I am trying to stay awake. The weather outside is dismal; poor Cheeky got completely soaked while going to pick Ava up from school. The only other thing I have been doing is loading Championship Manager 1998 in DOSBox and playing it as I go about doing stuff. Naturally, I chose Notts and spent a spell in 3rd and 2nd; then I was top for about 10 games. I am now 5th and seem to be struggling to motivate the players. I score and end up drawing. Or, I concede and get battered. Mansfield and Lincoln both beat by 5 goals to 1.

I think Cheltenham will try to keep things scrappy, but for us it would be good if 3-5 players started brightly and grew in confidence. We have several players who teams can struggle to mark, but it's the team performance that sometimes sets us back. Martin Paterson seems to be getting more out of the players right now, so I think that gives me confidence. It feels like we are capable of doing more; we just need to see it happen on the pitch. There are a few players who could do with a goal, so we are lucky enough to take the lead and control the game I do hope some of these players are able to create good chances on goal.

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I know what you mean @YoopEyes but I don't feel sorry for Dennis and he shouldn't feel sorry for himself. There was a clear owner of the No.9 shirt going into the season. Yes, he was tremendous with his goals and performances in the early games. But he got injured and then killed us when he came back with that pen at Crewe. It's down to him to force his way back in with his performances and effort. Nobody owes him anything, competition for places is what it should be all about anyway.

Another tough game awaits Notts on Monday evening. Cheltenham Town are in good form & their new Manager, on his return to their club, Steve Cotterill, has them playing well. Before their two dissapointing defeats in the two Cup games, Notts were playing well with confidence. Hopefully turning their attention back to the league will give them a fresh focus to carry on their unbeaten run. If all the players are fit I would choose the same match squad that played Cambridge Utd. Roos, Macari, Ness, Bedeau, Tsaroulla, Palmer, Robertson, Jones, Hall, Dennis, Jatta. Subs, Grant, Iorpenda, Griffiths, Kouhyar, Aljofree, Norburn, Bennetts. I've put Dennis in the starting 11 instead of Grant & Ness replaces McDonald who may still be injured. Martin may still opt to put Dennis on the bench & play Grant or Iorpenda in the AM position. I would settle for a draw in this game. A 0:0 or 1:1 would do for me. A win would be a big bonus if Notts could achieve it.

Morning all, there was heavy rain in the night but it’s dry and bright at the moment. We are having a walk up to the doctors surgery this morning, Mrs. T is still having a few ongoing problems and she’s finished her antibiotics, she then wants to go and see her girlie friends for coffee so I’m on my own till lunch time but I’ve got plenty to do. Later I’ll be watching Notts on the box, safe travels to our supporters. I hope everyone is well, let us know what’s happening in your life.

Martin Paterson has chosen a few different midfielders for the first eleven this season, however it appears that he has settled for Palmer & Roberson as his first team picks in the centre of midfield, & has decided on an alternative of Iorpenda, Hall, or Grant in the attacking midfield positions. That leaves Norburn & Iorpenda as an alternative in the centre of midfield & Dennis, Iorpenda, Hall, Grant or even Jones & Jarvis who could all fill the AM positions. So far this season I think that barring any injuries, Palmer & Robertson have made the central midfield positions their own & they are my preferred picks. I think it is a little more difficult in the AM area. At the start of the season Jones was picked to play as an attacking midfielder but it was obvious that his best place was on the wings. Iorpenda started in CM but lately MP has been playing him further forward with Grant or Hall, then we have Dennis who has been unable to get so many starts since Jatta's return. & we have Jarvis who can play as an AM or Winger waiting in the wings... My preferred duo in the AM position at this time would be Grant & Iorpenda with Hall & Dennis very close. I think the AM positions are still up for grabs & we may even see some additional player recruited for that position in the Jan window. It is certainly going to be very fascinating in the weeks ahead to see how Martin Paterson works it all out. What are your Thoughts?

Robbo for me, energetic & involved all night. He’s combative and creative, a very solid 99 mins from him. Ness & Bedeau didn’t do much wrong and Iorpenda had an excellent 1st half too. They were all in with a shout but Robbo just seemed more influential in both halves of the pitch and over the whole game fir my money. Hall was often clumsy on the ball but he scored and looked a bit sharper in the last 20 mins. Jatta was busy, scored but his 1st touch let him down too often.

One thing I've noticed on these threads is how many different MoM performers we get. Yes, we get the multiple winners like Palmer, McDonald and Jatta, but so many others are capable of being the best player on any given day.

League 2 Table after this match

I can report that I did get worried but thankfully we held the lead for a great win. Third in the league sounds good doesn’t it?

Notts have dominated the first half with a great display but the job ain’t done yet, we need to guard against complacency, Cheltenham will very likely come out a different team after getting a kick up the backside from Cotterill, if they get a goal back I’ll start to get a bit worried. I hope we can control the game early on and hopefully get another goal to put them to bed.

HALF TIME.Cheltenham 0 Notts 2

That's always bad news, but trying to pit a positive spin on it....Big chance for Bennetts - they don't come around too often. Iorpenda & Robbo pairing is great for physicality Final thought - good to see Jarvis back in the 18

Very impressive...would have been better than Aljofree https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwill_Kukonki

Maybe if Manchester United had selected him for the bench but didn't play him, losing 2-0 to Arsenal, things might have been different for them? I do like Sonny Aljofree; I think he's a good player, but his age means he will make mistakes. Someone else like Godwill Kukonki might be prone in different areas, but he does sound like one to keep an eye on. I'm going to watch the full game later; I haven't so far, and I do like how Notts lets us rewatch full games.

For me Palmer and Robertson hold the defensive/central midfield spots, but the two attacking ones are up for grabs. Could be an interesting January transfer window!

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Yes @Robbie a promotion-winning AM duo might not be on the books at the moment. Hall had made one of the positions his own, but the drop off over the last 3 or 4 games has been alarming and could've opened things up again. Grant's star has been rising and Iorpenda's falling. Both are capable footballers but I've been saying all along that their output won't be what we need to sustain a promotion challenge over 46 games. MP can try Jones again, Jarvis, Dennis back there, Kouhyar, (I think Traore has shot it). It was a shame Luker got injured, he might have been part of the solution. Hopefully, MP and Montague will settle on AM has a big priority area for Jan. Two might be being greedy, but 1 first choice and let the likes of Hall and Grant compete for the other shirt might be good enough to grab one of the 4 slots.

I’d say that Dennis could do with a start, he’s impressed when he’s been in the starting XI, less so when used as a sub. Grant should be in for Hall too. This is another key game, with an opportunity to move up the table. Cheltenham have suddenly found form & goals. The “Cotterill effect” appears to be working. It will be a tough battle but we have the talent and attitude to get at least a point &, hopefully, all 3.

I think Hall and Iorpenda have looked a bit tired in the last couple of games. Probably due to not being used to playing regular men’s football. Martin Paterson seems to like Grant so he might replace Hall. Not sure he will play two up front, so Dennis might miss out. I wouldn’t be against giving Kouhyar a start. I think he’s probably earned it.

Top post @menzinho These days I think a radical change of formation is a summer thing or an act of a struggling, desperate team. Our squad has been assembled and prepared for 3-4-2-1 this season. As you said it's served us well since 2021. The variations can come from 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2, the height of the wingbacks and many other subtle moves the coach can make. And there's the thing that always seems to happen on the rare occasions we've played with a back 4 or something different, the players look really unfamiliar with it and the impression given is that they think the formation is being evaluated and not them.

We’ve played with a variation of a 3-5-2 (3-4-2-1) for years now and it’s worked for us so far. Also when you look at the teams that were promoted last season Bradford, Port Vale and Wimbledon all played some variation of a 3-5-2 as well. Every formation has its strengths and weaknesses, I think the 4-4-2 covers the pitch well but you can be overrun in midfield if you face a team that plays with 3 centre mids or a box midfield. With the 3-4-2-1 we are very solid in central areas but it demands a lot of the wing-backs because they almost have to do the job of two players and they sometimes get pinned in if facing a full back and a winger. I’m not overly concerned with the formation, I think it works well for how we want to play, the two attacking midfielders and two central midfielders mean we should be able to get a lot of control in the middle of the pitch and dominate. Sometimes I just wish the wing-backs play a tad higher, they were really deep under Stuart and that seems to have followed on with Martin. Maybe Luke Williams has warped my mind as to how wing-backs should play (because under him they were basically wingers!) I think the approach to how you play is probably more important to us and that is to be brave (not sit too deep) play forward and be relentless with the press to pin-teams in. We’ve done it in phases and stages this season, just in the last two matches the intent and bravery hasn’t quite been there for me but there's no reason to suggest we can't get back into a positive approach.

There’s a saying that what goes round comes round, who’d have thought that Premier League Clubs would be adopting long throw ins but now it’s come back in fashion across the leagues, so I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see 4-4-2 come back.