menzinho

Another big crowd which in a weird way probably suits us at the minute. And it’s likely both of Grimsby’s main strikers/attackers McAtee (6 goals) and Taylor (5 goals) are out so it’ll be as good a time as ever to play them. They play a 4-2-3-1/4-4-1-1 so I think sticking with the 3-5-2 will be of use. This is from their paper about Grimsby’s midfield after the Wealdstone game: “Wealdstone had an extra man in there and it was evident as they popped the ball around and picked up pockets of space with ease”. And our 3 centre backs could easily pass the ball out by the sounds of it, this is on their striker, John-Lewis: “Held the ball up well at times but struggled to press Wealdstone's defenders as they played the ball out of the back.” Only problem we have now is, where do you play Roberts in a 3-5-2? ???? He’s just not someone who I think fits in a midfield 3… Overall I’d be happy with a draw considering their home form.

Heading in the right direction? Loved it today, admittedly after we gave away the pen and then the two corners that followed, I absolutely thought we we’re going to throw the game away inside those last 2 mins. But credit to the players we didn’t! Absolutely deserved the win. It was a really good performance, everyone played well and the things I’d maybe questioned like the ability to get stuck in and manage a game were put to bed (for now!). Bring on Bromley!

Antoni Sarcevic is on the verge of signing for them! ???? Just got promoted to league 1 with Bolton and is their captain, he's a very good player... Stockport spending big, again!

Apparently Stockport have sold around 1,800 tickets! It’s going to feel like/is a big game. The result against Tamworth was a boost but they are two levels below and Stockport’s players will be considerably better. I’d expect the likes of Palmer, J’OB and Cameron all back in the starting line-up. And it’s a massive bonus that Rawlinson will be in contention for this game too. I’d stick to a 3-5-2 personally, especially if Roberts is out. Then you’ve got the option to play Rodrigues upfront or drop him into midfield and play Mitchell with Woots. We could switch back to a 4 man defence and bring Nemane on if it isn't working out. No idea what the final score will be, wouldn’t be that shocked if we lost, equally wouldn’t be shocked if we won 3-0. All I know is that we don’t seem to do boring games at ML at the minute…

That is very generous of you to give them a game against 10 men! ????????

Much needed win and thank god we got to play Yeovil when we did because they sounded pretty toothless. Probably should’ve scored more, but given the recent results I’m not complaining. We really are quite a threat from set-pieces now, that’s another goal from a corner. Ruben had a good day, he’s back in goal-scoring form. And Cameron back too, I think he will have given everyone a boost going into that game. Mini-crisis averted!

I don’t quite know how we got ourselves into the situation of being overran like that. Where was the midfield for that goal? Why was it just Sam there? But yeah I totally agree he doesn’t do enough to stop the initial run, he's got to at least try and tackle him.

I can see why emotions were running high after the game. They went head to head by all accounts but that IB said it was a nothing incident just "handbags". The red card really got them fired up and in a weird way I wonder if had been 11 v 11 would they have got the same result? (We wouldn’t have had 10 mins of injury time that’s for sure). Sometimes in games red cards do inspire teams, us v Dagenham and Sutton last year just two examples. That said there’s obviously something not right to just capitulate like that. I’ve have liked have been at the game just to see the comparisons between that and the Woking game.

Halifax fans will say that’s justice for the red card but c’mon we had to see that through! I don’t know what to say…

I’m just hoping we can get a win, we’re going there with a point to prove now. A good result will show the character and desire of the squad.

I thought we started the game well and deservingly went in 1-0 up. Their disallowed goal was a sign of what they are all about but we desperately needed to get a 2nd goal and then once Woking scored we just fell apart… 4-1 flattered them but I agree we’ve only got ourselves to blame for the loss. They were massive and their game is all about physicality, but for 70 minutes we pretty much dealt with it. Once the second goal goes in we just lost all thought and composure though. Our approach is admirable but you need a balance and for me yesterday in the end we got bullied. Woking is one of those games where you want (need) Cameron and Rawlinson. And to top off the bad result, it sounds like Knight is injured again.

Hopefully Lacey will return, I agree Woking will be a lot more direct than Altrincham so he’ll be needed. They are a big team but they were slow at the back last season. Knight and Knowles caused them so many problems with their running in behind and I think we’ll need Nemane and Mitchell to do the same. With Roberts out if you go back to Woots and Ruben upfront like last season in a 3-5-2 then I’m not sure where Nemane/Mitchell would play… You’d have to go 4-2-3-1 with Ruben in behind, Mitchell on the left and Nemane the right... Effiong will probably have a masterclass against us and I've no idea what the score will be but I’ve got a feeling it’ll be a bit of a goal fest (cue drab 0-0 draw).

@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.

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.

Far from our best, first half was sluggish almost everyone was off their game and it was far too easy for Maidenhead. Better second half though, we limited Maidenhead’s threats and looked more solid. Good to see Cameron has replaced Ellis nicely as a real threat in the oppositions box too. Did Lacey really get a touch? I was too far away to tell. I do still wonder if we need a more physically dominant midfielder though, someone who will break up play more and just be a general nuisance for opposing midfielders… I know we’re yet to see Vincent but I don’t think he’s exactly a brute!

Got to be slightly disappointed with that, strange that we went there last year played terribly, scored a fluke goal and won. Whereas yesterday the performance was better but we only got a point. That’s football for you though. I don’t think we created enough even though we dominated the play for the majority of the game. Will wait to see the highlights in regards to the potential penalty on Ruben but IB thought it should’ve been given. Weymouth defended well by the sounds of it and they had a guy in midfield Mussa who was big, strong and everywhere - I’m sure we will be tracking him now. Important now that we win on Tuesday, that way the draw won’t feel like a bad result.

It was goals galore in the NL today, every game had at least 4 goals (apart from a 0-0 between Boreham Wood and Stockport – there’s always one) but 49 goals across the 10 3pm games is mightily impressive! As for us it sounded like the passing was a bit sloppy at the start and Ruben had a bit of shocker early doors too. I did wonder if 3 at the back was necessary against what would be considered a weaker team, and if another forward option would have been better suited instead. In Burchnall we have a manager who is proactive and not afraid to change things and that’s what we got for the second half. Still sounded like we had too many moments where we messed around on the ball in dangerous areas, if it continues I can guarantee it’ll cost us a goal soon. It was a really bizarre game to listen too, you got quantity in goals in and mistakes, nothing really happening and then everything happening! A win’s great and it's all about racking up those points but it sounded like we were far from convincing.

I think Aldershot will play similarly to Torquay, but weirdly I think they’ll have more of a threat (probably cos they won’t go down to 10 men so early). Although they’ve lost their 3 opening games, I don’t think they’ve been dreadful by all accounts. They’ll want to get their first points so I think it’ll be quite a feisty first 15-20 mins. I think we need to score first otherwise if we go a goal down I can see the whole Torquay routine playing out over again. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was just 1-0 or 2-1 to us either way I think we’ll just edge it…

Thought our main issues were the ball spending too much time in our half (and quite deep in our half as well) and then not winning enough of the second balls. When we did try and go long, everyone was so deep that Mitchell and Wootton were pretty isolated so Wrexham’s midfield were able to pick the ball back up easily. I thought Roberts and Rodrigues coming on would change it for us but by then everyone else was knackered! Maybe Wootton should’ve gone off instead of Mitchell, not because he played poorly just he was fresher. And Nemane’s pace could’ve caused them problems. Positives were that we showed we can defend our box well through-out, long-throws and corners were dealt with. Rawlinson and Cameron both much better than they were on Saturday. Wootton getting another goal and it was a great header too. I said I’d take a draw before the game, and considering who we just played and that we played 48 hours earlier I’m pretty pleased with that.

I'd take a draw. They'll have a big turn-out, BT sport there for it and there'll be a big media interest too. A possible helicopter landing in the middle of the pitch with Deadpool jumping out of it? Doesn't feel like a NL match. IB confirmed we'll have to some changes, Taylor back at LWB would be a welcome one. But I think one of Rodrigues and Roberts will be on the bench. Hopefully we can spoil their party and I'm proven wrong but I'm saying 2-1 Wrexham. I think they'll score within the first 10 and it'll be hard for us to recover.

Were the players over-confident yesterday? The way we started that first-half suggests so. As well as the general slowness and sloppiness I thought we lacked an outlet out wide. Taylor was a big miss and whilst Chicksen was solid he didn't fly forward in the way Taylor probably would've. We needed Nemane, he was able to just get at their defence and caused more problems albeit his final ball wasn’t always on point. As poor as we were first half we still had the better chances. Ruben, Roberts and Rawlinson all probably could’ve scored. I think had we scored first yesterday, or even levelled before half-time we would’ve gone on and won that. Torquay an absolute master-class in time-wasting, but that was on the ref to deal with and he was very poor in that respect. Early days, but not bad to have a little reality check just before one of our toughest away games.

Our last two performances under IB against Torquay were pretty good – the first game probably shouldn’t have drawn and the play-off game Torquay got the luck in extra-time. They’ve got a whole new team now, and like Barnet I think playing them early is a good thing. First proper full crowd back for us as well. I think we’ll do well against them. For me the result will depend on how ruthless we can be and how well we can deal with a more physical and aerial threat. I terms of changes I wouldn’t want to but with Wrexham so close after I think it’ll be beneficial. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the likes of Nemane, Mitchell, Chicksen and O’Brien in the first 11. 3-1 Notts. Roberts, Wootton and Taylor to score.

Conceding in the first 40 odd seconds was criminal. Why was no-one marking Wright? The one guy that’s made a living from heading crosses in… Not switched on at all. And then we last about 1 minute longer from kick off in the second half. Not denying the character from the team, but we made that game hard. Lets be honest, Torquay didn’t cause us that many problems – I thought they’d attack a bit more, (maybe they would’ve if they hadn’t scored so early) we caused ourselves problems. Even though we created some decent chances, that old achilles heel of defending our box was our downfall again. I agree the bench was weak, but we’re stacked for defenders and our only other attacking options would’ve been Knight and Sam. Hindsight it's easy to say one them should've been on for a defender... I’d have been surprised and obviously very happy had we actually got promoted this season – but we never really troubled that top-spot this season. I’m still positive for the future, some new additions preferably some that are quite tall and good at heading and a few more gems like Rodrigues. Two seasons, two top five finishes – we’re not far off. I’m quietly confident we’ll do well again next season but you've pretty much got have the perfect season if you are to get that top spot.

I love how confident and focussed the players seem – it’s not rubbed off on me yet. I’m worried about the home crowd advantage. Although it felt like Chesterfield dealt with it pretty well at the same time I definitely felt it gave all our players a boost. I don’t think Torquay will sit back like Chesterfield did and whilst we are playing better I still think we leave ourselves too open to be easily counter attacked at times. I think it’ll be close, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this go to extra-time…

I just can’t quite believe the transformation from a few weeks ago. We could’ve won 6-0. Brindley and Chicksen part of back three bombing forward, it's mad to see! Brindley carries the ball so well and Chicksen slots some lovely balls through for Miller. Reeves and O’Brien making late runs into the box. Wing-backs playing high. And Rodrigues and Wootton linking up well. It’s proper attacking football. Great that we’re in the play-offs now too. Got to solidify that 5th place but whoever we get we’ll have a real go at them.