Feral Fox

Loved the bit “ Trust me, I’ve researched this!” Taking one for the team! ???? Really interesting. I would happily try some of them at a match. In fact, happily right now! Just because I know I can’t get one, I’d happily down a McDs at the moment too!

I'd agree. I think the way Neil has managed the squad has been nothing short of remarkable. He has a large squad that needs keeping happy and more importantly, refreshed. We have had a lot of injuries so it's good he has the faith in the whole squad to come in and keep the momentum going. Great win yesterday, due imo, to the change of ends at half time. First half was a 'Shut up shop' job. If the penalty had gone in, who knows what would have happened? But it didn't and second half we sounded up for it, using the wind to our advantage. Yes, a sending off always helps, but it can also hinder when the opposition become more compact and the siege mentality sets in. The team has had its ups and downs. The up is coming at the right time with the schedule we've got coming up until the end of the season. Hands down, the best manager we've had for a while. Uses his brain and his squad. My main criticism would be his praise for the opposition all the time. Then again, this may well be managing expectations of an unruly crowd of supporters who are known to call for a managers head on a very, very regular basis!

I’m in agreement with those that suggest Flyde have the game moved either to the Lane or a different, more reliable pitch in their area. The league needs to step in now.

Excellent read. I would echo @DangerousSausage with the sentiments. Ricardo was and is, a philosophical coach who needs all around him to buy into that. With all the background stuff at Notts, it was always going to be difficult. Branston. Say no more. As I said on another thread, he is one that I’ll admit, I called for his head too early. Imagine what he could do with a boardroom like we have now behind him. His teams were always value for money on the attacking front and he deserved more than what the staff and fans gave him.

As I say, if not postponed, I’d expect quite a few to look out their window and think “the radio seems a good option today!” Plus with the amount of rain due, it’s not going to be a ‘pretty match’ by any account. I’d expect reduced attendance on Saturday. Don’t really want it cancelling though due to fixture pile up with this fa trophy thing doing a double headed semi! Why it needs to be on a Saturday, god only knows!

I'll be surprised if either A) the game goes ahead or the crowd from Notts is above 4000. Weather report is absolutely terrible for Saturday with another storm (Dennis!!!) to be in full swing from before lunch to evening. It'll be raining sideways!!!

The players didn’t respond from minute one. So disorganised and disinterested. Absolute shambles. Rubbish from first to last minute. I agree with all the booing, and its not often I'll say that. The fans had every right to show this displeasure. And the clapping at times was funny as it was aimed at the Cheltenham players ironically!

It was a very familiar Paul Hart managerial performance. As a technical coach with the younger players, he has a successful track record. When he’s involved in tactics etc...Oh dear. To be fair though, today wasn’t the manager (even though the question needs asking, what the bloody hell have they been doing all week to look so disorganised and either unfit or just lazy?) but the formation didn’t help. Players should shoulder most of the blame there.

Just got back in from my canvass and quite frankly the shoreline seems to show we’ve been hammered? Especially the second half from what Slater is saying.

Nothing to do with Fitz. He played fine as could be expected today. Defence was poor, bu the midfield, or lack of, was the issue. Alesso playing in a more centre mid role failed miserably. Tootle was atrocious at rb.

Overall, we can’t moan too much. We needed to play ugly and hard to win for a while, so can’t really complain when we do just that. Pleased by Enzio and Stead and Fritz looking solid. It seems, for the moment, we have a good formula. The test, which Nolan failed imo, is the ability to change it up when needed because we don’t want to become reliant on the ugly wins. We want to win convincingly. At the moment HK is playing it safe. Hence the Brisley game. By all accounts he wasted the shirt so will Kate HK think more seriously about how we change it up.

Apart from the ten minute spurt, we were totally rubbish. Again. I stopped myself coming on here when I got in to avoid knee jerk reactions, but after reflection, it was that bad! Harry Kewell, what have you let yourself in for!?! New keeper. New left back. New centre back. All from free transfers! Soem seriously disappointing lack of effort today. It was funny watching Kewell in the stands though. He might as well walked down and sat on the bench. Probably best not to though so today could be claimed as nothing to do with him!

The only real value in appointing Kewell is the fact that he likes attacking football and has a years experience in the league, so should have some Ida of players. Problem is we aren’t going to get first teamers that he will have seen, we will be looking at those out of luck or favour on the edges.

Agreed. The refusal to play Forte swings me towards the 'good decision' overall. Playing croonies such as Duffy isn't the way forward. I get loyalty, but I prefer skill and form to be at the top of the list.

I couldn’t keep in touch as much today due to travelling home apart from radio 5 live, which happened to have a reporter at Lincoln! Sounded from the brief bits, that basically we were stuffed. Sat back and had 0 % passion for the game. I listened to the Nolan interview when I got in and, frankly, he seems a broken man. Apart from Moniz a few years ago, I’m not one to call for pulling the trigger on a manager without 100% cause eg Fullofit. But honestly, if that is how he is coming across in the dressing room, then if it doesn’t improve and very soon, then I think the majority will turn against him. I think we miss Alan Smith, Mike Edwards and Shola if I’m honest. The influence in the club is missing and now Nolan is the clear voice, I think issues are arising. The sort of off field experience they brought to the table is sorely missing now. Gutted with another defeat. Gutted with another poor performance where it seems most couldn’t care less.

Unfortunately I can see total capitulation from us here. Won’t be pretty! If they score first then we are done for and the rot really will set in. lets hope for a fight back.

First team tipped for winning promotion and getting relegated instead? Getting drastically worrying now.

Did he watch it through a blindfold? From what I heard we were terrible all game. FULL STOP. No 'close but no cigar' just rubbish all over the park with far too many players out of position and them all being found wanting. Fine lines my arse.

What's that noise in the background? Oh yes it's sort of sizzling sound. Time to go for food. Anyone for a squid? At the moment I see no reason to spend a Saturday afternoon attending the lane. Season ticket or not, you've still got to make a decision based on pure facts. The fact being we were s!#t. We still are. We have a manager that has never ...Well...managed before and his tactical (or lack of) knowledge will show through. Oh well. At least he can do a good PowerPoint hey?

Surely the point of having Dryden as his assistant at the moment ( and for that I mean Ray Trew as I'm of the opinion that the club want certain control over the on the field action and this may have concerned MUCH better and MUCH more experienced managers in the past when going for the job) to say ... "Look Jamie. Massive squad. Lots of players for each position. Ricardo didn't keep players in their natural positions and we were found out most games even though the attacking promise was good. Sort out a solid back 4 then build from there, but it might be a good idea to play a centre back as a centre back."

Terrible though it sounds...glad I didn't go today. Rapidly losing interest after the appointment.

Was planning to abandon my protest and go today, but in the cold light of day (and a sore throat!) I'm going to stick with uncle Colin. Hope we win. Genuinely meant. Even though I disagree totally with the appointment, he's here now and its up to him to work the players as he best sees fit. If that means winning then even better. If it means losing then the question will be asked. What was the point?

Things such as contracts do need tying up. As the merry go round spins again, it can easily become blurry, but the core of a good team is there if they can be kept and built upon. Let's hope JF does start successfully and all the fans, me included, can be tempted to back the club. I fear for the club if it goes pear shaped because players, as you mention, Stan etc.... Will move asap knowing they can play there trade in more stable environments.

Hurst has decent win ratio about him though. If we look at the usual no marks like Danny Wilson, the list isn't too bad if we believe the press as to who is on it. Cooper Hurst Wilder Sheridan Powell Not a bad manager amongst them. Then you add in Baraclough and you can begin to worry as knowing Notts from that list it'll be him or somebody like Purse with no experience, but did well in interview. For me it's one job where the interview should consist of "Do you want it? Would you do it for this much and have this much for transfers." All the rest of the interview is a waste of time. Let's hope we don't go too left field.

If he needs a lift down I'll cancel my appointments and drive him there tomorrow if needed. Bye.