Chris

Name: Post-Stevenage: Jon Stead Category: Official Notts Videos Date Added: 2018-09-16 Submitter: Chris John Stead takes on his media duties. Post-Stevenage: Jon Stead Why not subscribe to PrideofNottinghamTV?

I wasn't impressed much at all by Ross Fitzsimons, even early on because he drifts around the pitch like some sort of cattle watching over the game - the amount of time he has to quickly back track because of this. He did look confident training, he looked focused and I thought he would have had a good game but he didn't. The defence looked better, there are still issues but I feel these can be fixed because of the positive signs shown. Notts looked lost in the opening minutes, it was awkward to watch. I don't get the comments about how well Notts looked at this point, especially by David Jackson when interviewing Harry Kewell. I felt we looked lost and like a team that had no ideal. It was simple hoofing, however never in a useful direction. It was like nobody wanted the ball and when they had it, they had no idea what to do. Eventually the game opened up, yet I had been yelling for ages to keep the ball down on the ground. We looked quite useful passing it around and the penalty was a huge relief as it felt like we could go on to win the game. The first two goals Notts conceded was terrible, Fitzsimons totally to blame for both because he should have been in a position to try and do something. He just watched nothing, as they scored two very easy goals. His positioning is somewhat of a joke now, he ties himself to the nearest post and makes no effort to try to get a hand/foot onto the ball. When you leave that much space open, the opposition will score because he doesn't make himself bigger - he does absolutely nothing and his lack of a reaction is pissing me off. Even after Kasper let several goals against Bournemouth he reacted, he shown passion and aggression which to me shows some sort of desire. Fitzsimons distribution is pointless, every time he lumped the ball forward it never seemed to go anywhere near one of our players. There was several times he called have rolled the ball out, or kicked it to a defender out wide without watching it come straight back. Look I felt Stevenage was quite poor, they never really looked dangerous and at the back they was woeful but we allowed them back into the game. It's not the defence, although they can do better. It's not the midfield, it's our keeper - the amount of shots on target that he has allowed to go beyond him is shocking. The outfield players such as, Jon Stead, Enzio Boldewijn and Lewis Alessandra all busted a gut to create chances. They worked hard, Noor Husin for me did well, however I do feel we missed David Vaughan as fans said at half time to me everything came through our midfield due to his absence. Sooner or later, there will be pressure on our outfield players to score goals that will revert in a shift of confidence and a lack of pressure because of the sheer amount of goals we concede. We have fixed and add recruitment everywhere else but in goal, we have seen improvements everywhere else but in goal. Fitzsimons needs someone to push him, someone to remind him he won't automatically start games. He could be a great backup keeper, however he's no number 1. His moaning to the defence to go up when he wanted to give the ball back to Stevenage is a joke, he should listen to his team-mates and Harry Kewell who instructed him to release the ball by throwing it etc. As @Magic magpie has said, I thought people said Kevin Nolan instructed the keeper to lump forward? Why has this not changed.

I most understand where he's coming from, however I don't think a sane person can say we have played well under him. 45 minutes against Grimsby isn't enough. Exeter was a shambles, we are lucky we wasn't punished by more goals and force Fitzsimons deserves praise for some of the saves. However, I still feel he should have done better with some of the goals he conceded. His awareness and positioning seems very poor.

A draw is how I see it but let's face it, it could go anyway. It's important a clean sheet is retained because this would be something to build on, as would the confidence. I am hopeful about the game, we may see a positive sign from the training but something needs to give right now. COYP!

If Notts played to their potential I would be confident that three points was on the card. However, this isn't the case and Stevenage do look strong on paper. Harry Kewell needs to have done his homework right here, there's ways Notts can break them down even with the current form of both teams. Stevenage has some very fast players, along with the height advantage so our defence needs to be more aware to the danger here. The midfield will be key, they need to be strong and physical. If we can get the basics right who knows what will happen? For me it's being focused and balanced, I think the game will surprise people and quite possibly end up a goalless draw.

The topics are automated and somebody forgot to correct this, despite it being pulled up in the last discussion. It's been corrected and for future references too.

It's a strange one... Not as strange as this interview, it's very bizarre. BBC Radio Nottingham said that there would be no player reactions after the Exeter City game and yet two interviews was conducted, one made sense and the other doesn't. The interviews perfect fine, it's good but the timing and fact it's Rob Milsom who has already 'talked' about some of this already. Weird...

He's fallen quickly into the excuses situation. If he knew what Exeter was going to bring, he should have been more prepared. Likewise, if they changed to suit how we played - why didn't we? If a team adapts we need to be smarter, it doesn't mean allow them to get the upper hand and just sit back. We have to respond, especially after going 1-0 down. 2-0 is when the squad must get tighter and push for a goal without risking the back. I'm disappointed because he's blamed the officials, yet stated he knew exactly how to play them. Clearly we didn't...

The issue is a mix of things. I have said that the fitness hasn't been good since the pre-season, usually the players look much more engaged with games but I don't think it's just that - yes we Mike Edwards quite clearly but it's also not that simple. The players need to mark better, we have defended very loosely for years and someone should be telling them to press much more. Also, they don't take responsibility for their own actions that well - they need to be more practical and hard-working on the field. I do feel Notts miss the experience, however at the same time the experience we do have remaining has been underwhelming. To move forward, the players have to work harder and ensure that the ball is well protected. I don't feel things will improve that much until the club has a more vocal and experienced goalkeeper though. There's a lot holding Notts back, yet sadly for me Ross Fitzsimons hasn't taken his chance to secure the number 1 position.

Solving the issue seems to be harder than a quick fix as a manager, I wonder if Kevin Nolan would have done better if he had remained - it makes little point but this is his squad and Harry Kewell has let down the travelling fans. They need to work harder. 5-1 with this squad is not good enough.

Thankfully the penalty was missed, however the commentary has started to get harder to follow. It's bizarre what's going on.

We have a lifeline now, Harry Kewell has to tidy up the mistakes by instructing the players and man-managing them from the dugout. If we can get a second the game is on.

Where's the fight from Notts these days? They are bottling this season and it's not acceptable. Fitzsimons sadly needs to be replaced, the defence needs a keeper who is vocal and more in the face of the defenders in order to make them think twice about what they're doing. Can we get Roy Carroll back please? He wouldn't stand for this but it debatable if he would care enough to be bothered with his own mistakes. 2-0 down the game seems over. If Notts could score, things may be different but Hemmings striking the post sums things up.

Kick Off... It sounds like a cricket match when it goes quiet, clapping and random noise. Its all very quiet but the commentary is spot on from David Jackson.

Name: Kewell: Exeter (A) Category: Official Notts Videos Date Added: 2018-09-07 Submitter: Chris Harry Kewell looks ahead to his first league games in charge of Notts. Kewell: Exeter (A) Why not subscribe to PrideofNottinghamTV?

It's a tough game. I have come to think that Notts requires a difficult set of fixtures, this seasons should have been easier but the squad sunk with very little pressure. Exeter are a good League Two side, they know how to play and at their ground they will make it much harder. I can't see a win, perhaps if the players are fighting to be noticed by Harry Kewell something positive will happen but I think a draw is more likely.

Interesting comment, I would say a bit more but I think the questions took Lewis Alessandra back a bit. The focus should have been more on the game itself. However, I like Lewis and I think he works hard. If the team was performing better, I think he would show his worth. Not sure I agree with people on social media suggesting he's not good enough.

Paul Hart gives very good interviews, I could listen to him all day and having met him several times he's a very knowledgeable person. I have seen some negative comments on Twitter, a few days ago and they don't reflect on Paul. He works well and does his job to the best of his ability - if he is allowed to do his job he will bring part of the success required to move forward. His experience is vital for Harry Kewell. If I knew Hart was going to join with Kewell upon Kevin Nolan being sacked I would have been less bothered by the decision. I would have also been more open to Kewell coming in.

I was called mad for pointing out the fitness. ???? Now all of sudden these people who said 'it's only the pre-season', 'we are only x games in' are saying how the players aren't fit enough and haven't been for awhile. Hindsight is such a lovely process. ???? I like how Harry calls things, he clearly understands what he sees and this should help with fixing them.

Fingers crossed Forte is a doubt because he's a good striker. We could have done with him here but the budget needed adjusting I suppose, it should be a good game.

Provided Harry Kewell sees what work needs to be done, the result doesn't matter as such - provided they come a way from the game wanting to improve in the league. It sounded like engines may have ran out a little or at least ideas.

1-0, Lewis Alessandra - good start by the sounds of it.