menzinho

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.

Solid result, after the Altrincham game I was a tad worried going away to another team with nothing to play for could be frustrating but we kept a good tempo to the game and that goal before HT was huge. Some pretty big results elsewhere with the play-off chasers; Wrexham, Chesterfield and Dagenham all winning comfortably too. Bromley and Halifax both dropped points though so keep playing like we are and we should make it. Also I completely forgot Petrasso plays for them, I was gutted we never extended his loan when he was with us. Weird that he’s there on loan now but 7 goals in 26 games in a really poor side is quite impressive.

Like I said pre-match, never doubted them! ???????? That’s just us in a nutshell though. Arguably the best team in the league and we get a well-deserved win. 1st half was pretty even, a couple of good moves from us but Sutton looked more dangerous - Olaofe pretty much had the beating of D-KE and Rawlo that entire half. And then 2nd half, all us really. Should we consider playing the rest of the season with 10 men? We were on top before the red but then we went on and completely bossed it. Have to say it was incredibly unlucky neither Sam’s or Wootton’s efforts didn’t count… Luckily it didn’t matter in the end. And I'm really pleased for IB, really tough week with the whole departure and (some) fans starting to get on his back. Whether or not you think he should have replaced Ardley you never want someone to come in and struggle.

Anyone out there genuinely think we'll win it? Really not looking forward to this game as I can only see it ending one way. It's just a case how many goals will they get... Pfft. I'll say 2-0 Sutton. I don’t bet but I’m genuinely tempted. Imagine if we win though… Nope, I can’t actually imagine it.

Yeah, that was one of our easiest games from our run in (on paper) and we really struggled. We’re so toothless in attack, luckily we were bailed out by a great set-piece. And the dreadful passing giving it to the opposition in dangerous areas continued, somehow it didn’t cost us another goal today. Now I’ll spend the rest of the weekend just trying to block out the fact we’re playing Sutton on Tuesday - they recently went to Altrincham and beat them 4-0. ????

Quite unbelievable that it's 1-1 at HT. Need a much better second half if we're to get the 3 points here...

Yep. But then we'd probably go on amazing winning run and get promoted. That game really was typical Notts. Before the game I’d have taken a draw considering our and their form. But they were down to 10 men and we still managed to chuck three points away. No idea where the 8 minutes of injury time came from, but it sounded like we stopped playing after about 70 mins… Still, we had a huge chance to make it 3-1 and didn't take it.

I assume Luke Steele will be straight in as the GK and then formation wise do we finally go back to 4 at the back and players in their strongest/natural positions? With Cal out now we really do need Enzio in an attacking role. I hope the free week has been a mini-reset, all the videos that the club put out this week were very positive and encouraging (well they were for me anyway) and it reminds you we do still have good players here… You just don’t know if they’ll turn up at the minute. It’s a massive game and it’ll prove a point either way. I’m hoping for the positive, that we still have a bit of fight in us.

I can’t remember the last time I spent pretty much the whole stream shaking my head or rolling my eyes. How are we worse at the back with 3 centre backs now? And what is about Rawlinson looking like a completely different player when he’s part of a back 3? Can’t believe we persisted for 75 minutes with the 5-2-3/3-4-3 whatever it was, it clearly wasn’t working. We were better when we switched to the 4-4-2 but the crossing was atrocious. The most annoying thing about today, Eastleigh didn’t even need to get out of 1st gear to beat us today - they barely attacked us yet they came away with three points. That was absolutely rubbish.

If ever a game epitomises our season, it was that. First half was the tale of the of every first half when a team pressures us and pins us in, we just cannot combat it. No doubting the effort in the second half, it was better and we were positive but it just wasn’t too be. Another case of waiting for that moment of magic from an individual, a goal from out-of-nowhere to spark us into life. And then Cal. Pretty much the one-man we’ve pinned this season’s success on… It’s just not going to be for him is it? IB was quite literally cursing his luck when the camera’s zoomed in on him. I’m fearing the worst as there’s clearly something still not quite right there. I don’t and really didn’t feel too down after that result, we were beaten by a better team. I was hopeful we could win and I’d have absolutely taken a draw beforehand. For me that cements that play-offs will be the best we get and even then I think us going up will be reliant on a moment of magic.

I thought this too but he hasn’t actually played for them for a month now, and he’s not injured so I’d be surprised if he played. In terms of the set-up, they play 3-5-2, so do we continue and match them up or does Ian Burchnall think we’ll have more luck with a different formation? I think I’d stick, only change would be Wootton for Sam. And maybe even have Rodrigues in instead of Griffiths. We’re good away from home and they’re unbeaten in their last 11 home games, you’d think it would be quite tight which would suit us at the moment. We'd get to bring on Roberts and Knight for the last 30 mins, the last thing Hartlepool defenders want! I think they'll be the ones that help us secure a positive result here.

Big win, needed to keep that faint hope of top alive (I haven’t given up hope yet), but more importantly keeping in touch with that 2nd/3rd spot. I was worried after the first 10, we could’ve easily been 2-0 down. Our slow starts have cost us games this season and if not for Slocombe that could’ve been another one. Luckily Wrexham sort of gave up after 20. Still didn’t create a lot, we looked comfortable but their keeper didn’t really have a lot to do. Thought Chicksen did well (after a shaky start) and agree with @Super_Danny_Allsopp about Griffiths and Knight. Still confused as to why Wootton was sent off, just a 50-50 ball and then play was restarted with a drop-ball. Did he say something? Pfft, anyway he needs a break he’s been carrying the attack all season. Hopefully that’s the end of the set-backs for Roberts, a massive boost for us and Burchnall – he really will make the run in easier. Part one of Easter done, got to back that up another good result at Woking now.

That was painful to watch. Lets get that penalty decision out the way first cos it was an absolute shocker. Ellis’ arm just brushed against his back, and he goes over like an Olympic diver. Woeful decision from the ref. We still had 88 mins to get something out of the game, so I wasn’t worried… (But I should’ve been!) I know Aldershot had no intention of having the ball but was the whole idea of passing between Reeves and the defenders an attempt to put them to sleep or something? That was like watching Notts years ago under Ian McParland pass it round the back before one of the CB’s finally decides to just pump it long... Second half wasn’t much better, except Aldershot actually realised if they have a bit of the ball they could easily make it 2-0. Thought we’d get some sort of reaction after Saturday but that was just as bad if not worse.

The worst possible start for Burchnall. And the worst possible way to lose that (apart from getting thumped like 5-0). Pfft… 3 goals against a team levels below should’ve been more than enough. We were so open at times and it felt like Hornchurch were only one good ball away from being in. The fact we’ve struggled of late passing out from the back I thought we’d mix it up a bit more, especially as Wootton looked good in the air today and there’s been very little time to rectify it on the training ground. So poor from us though, half of that Hornchurch team didn’t look fit (kindest way of putting it!). Fair play to them. Would have been interesting what some fans would’ve made of Ardley starting Reeves and Doyle in CM again and then bringing off Rodrigues for O’Brien early on. Also thought Kean shouting to put their player off taking his pen was petty and unnecessary, no fans I know but they didn’t do it when Kyle stepped up first. Positives from today. Sutton drew with Halifax... ????

Match postponed! Due to a covid case in the Aldershot team, even though it's just one team member they all have to isolate for 10 days... League rules. Not good for us, we already have a packed schedule so this game will have to be crammed in somewhere - you'd think the league might consider extending the season by a week or 2 considering everyone has been hit with more postponements than usual this season.

I think Kelly-Evans would be my last choice. Absolutely fearless, but I’d be shooting from the halfway line if I saw him in goal! I know what you mean, first thought is to get someone bigger there but the likes of Rawlinson and Wootton are too influential. Considering the formation we switched too Doyle ended up being the ideal choice.

I’ve only ever seen Notts play as high as League 1 so for me I genuinely think that is the most impressive performance I’ve seen. When Slocombe got sent off I would’ve absolutely taken a 1-1 there and then. Probably wouldn’t even been that gutted if we’d lost 2-1 but to win that like we did is… Wow. Glad Doyle pulled rank and got that kit off Ruben otherwise we wouldn’t have seen his goal as it was an absolute beauty. I can’t fault anyone’s performance, about 70 mins in I thought “yep we’re actually going to win this”, they were all so dominant. And so much for our defensive manager who kept 2 strikers on when we went down to 10. The hardest decision he’ll have to make for Wrexham will be Pilling or Doyle in goal? ???????? Glad I’m not a Dagenham fan…