Robbie

I always hear that the "Squad isn't good enough" on social media or on the Ms media. One of the Head Coach's job is to get the best out of the players he has, then help to recruit players that will improve the side. When Stuart came to Notts, the squad wasn't good enough, but Stuart managed to halt the slide down the table with the players he had, & they finished mid table when it could have been much worse. Then Stuart had a hand in improving the squad in the summer & he's certainly done that. And we can see it after 13 matches. Swansea have made several signings in the summer window but have not improved. Obviously that must be down to the Head Coach & recruiters.

When I started watching football there was no such thing as a "midfielder" The term "midfielder" began to be used especially after the early 1970s, when the term "half-back" fell out of use. Before then, the goalkeeper would, 99% of the time, punt the ball as far as he could, & the same with a goal kick. It was after then that the continental influence took hold as far as I can see. But getting back onto topic, do PON members think that the inverted wingback tactic is a good tactic for Notts to use especially with Jodi being out till the new year? Interestingly, Gareth Southgate used a similar Inverted Wingback tactic earlier this year in the European Championship.

@Wheelbarrow repair man The Club is domestically (FA) & internationally (FIFA) recognised as the oldest official football club, but they never became a league club because they didn't recognise the FAs football rules quickly enough to help found the Football League. "Sheffield Football Club (Sheffield F.C.) moved to Dronfield in 2001 to have a permanent home ground. Before then, the club played on borrowed pitches, including Sandygate in Sheffield & Abbeydale Sports Club". Source Google.

There's been lots of talk about Stuart Maynard using Inverted Wingbacks this season, but what does the term actually mean? "The main difference between an inverted wingback & a standard wingback is that an inverted wingback drifts inside to create space & support the attack, while a standard wingback provides width to the attack": Inverted wingback "Drifts inside from the flank or a central position to support the attack. They can switch between attacking, defending, & supporting duties depending on the team's mentality". Standard wingback "Usually the widest player on the field, their role is to stretch the pitch & provide width for the team. They also look to get into advanced positions to cross the ball into the penalty area". Source Google This tactic can be used by quite easily by changing either to one shape or the other during a game, or by substitutions. Stuart has been utilising this tactic this season. It does help to keep the opposition guessing, but I think since Jodi has been injured he has utilised it much more. We saw this tactic to good effect against Barrow when Tsaroulla was making runs from the back then cutting inside to either shoot or pass. I think this will be a tactic that Stuart will use quite a lot this season. It will remain to be seen how successful the tactic is, but it is certainly worth a try.

Looks like the new owners are impatient for success. Why can't clubs give the Head Coach time to turn things around? A new Head Coach will take time to settle in, & get to know his players. After he's settled in, the new Coach may not gel with his players, or the players may not like the new coaching methods. Changing the coach is not always successful. But nowadays these owners want instant success. I'm pleased that we have owners at Notts who don't have that mindset. Stuart Maynard start at Notts wasn't the best, but just look at Notts now.

Good morning all. It's a mixture of cloudy skies & sunny spells here. It is a chilly morning. Nothing planned for today just yet. If it stays nice may do an hour in the garden. Still work to do out there.

Sheffield FC compete in the 8th tier of the football pyramid, in the Isthmian Northeast Division one. Here's their story on wiki. Interesting read. It seems that their reluctance to adhere to FA rules until 1878, prevented them from being one of the founder members of the football league. Sheffield F.C. - Wikipedia EN.M.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

Up to now, the grass hasn't proved greener on the other side for these two Notts Icons Swansea are languishing mid table in 14th place, & Macca has just one goal from 11 matches to his name since his move to 13th placed Millwall. In Millwall's last match Macca came on as a substitute & only played the last 13 minutes of the game. I'm sure that Luke & Macca will meet & have a quick word, but I can't help feeling that, if they had stayed at Notts, particularly Macca, they would have seen further success rather than looking for success as they both are now.

@Wheelbarrow repair man I agree we don't have the fire power this season. And Notts must vary their tactics too instead of playing out of the back constantly. The opposition have found a way to combat it, & Notts need to try to do things differently to keep the opposition guessing. I also think that Dan Crowley is less effective without Jodi in the side. Jodi can create space by taking defenders with him. No one else is doing that at the moment although Tsaroulla did well last night & could help create more space for Crowley in future games.

Notts are certainly made of much sterner stuff this season. The Notts defence is much stronger & well organised compared to last season. Also, the team never knows when it is beaten. It is a trait that Notts now have under Head Coach Stuart Maynard. It was a pity to go behind so early but Stuart made the right changes & Notts controlled the game in the second half & could easily have won it.

@Wheelbarrow repair man For me 12 goals conceded rather than 25 conceded under Williams after 13 games is a fantastic improvement. We now have a goal difference of 9 this year compared to only 3 under Williams after 13 games. Yes, we scored 28 but let in 25. We certainly don't want to get back to that sort of thing again. I don't want to see Notts in any games where it's 5:5 or down to a loss of 3:2. That's not going to get a side promotion. We saw that last year. If those scores were on a regular basis, Stuart & his team would soon be in for criticism. Notts are doing the right thing by having a mean defence & being more defensive minded. Long may it continue.

Welcome to our friendly Pride of Nottingham Community @Bren Shep Come & join in, you will be made most welcome.

Good evening. It's been a nice day here today, we've both had a bit of a restful day, & just worked on the breakfast, Lunch & Evening Meal. Wife had put out all the Autumn decorations & pumpkins yesterday, all looks really nice. Looks like it's going to be a colder night too.

At this particular time. I don't care how Notts get a result. I just want a positive result by any means available. It doesn't have to be pretty or cultured or attractive. I just want Notts to be mean at the back, strong & physical in midfield & take their chances up front when they become available. We have to remember we had seven players unavailable for the Barrow match, including our best player & several important squad members, who would have started the match if they'd been fit. Notts just have grind out results if necessary & the pretty football can go on the back burner for now, & get to the end of the year in touch with the leaders. Stop the opposition scoring & you only have to score one to win. That's what Notts should be aiming for at this time.. Aim to win at home, try to be undefeated away & get the odd win. That's a good recipe for success

If the rules are in place that I mentioned, an independent regulator could ensure that those rules are adhered to. I wouldn't have a problem with that. If the rules remain as they are now, which favour the rich clubs, an independent regulator would be useless, because it would only ensure the status quo as of now. And I & lots of supporters wouldn't find that acceptable. Also clubs need to give the fans more of a say on how clubs are run too. I just think there needs to be a fundamental change in how the game is run, & the financial rules that all clubs have to adhere to.

It wasn't a very good start to the match by Notts and they were hampered by further injuries to more key players. But to his credit, Stuart changed things & Notts got better after that early concession, & grew into the game especially in the second half. The players showed their fighting spirit once more to get a result out of the match in the end. I thought that Tsaroulla had an excellent game, so did McGoldrick, & Bass was solid in goal once again. I think Martin & Brown had their best games since joining Notts too. The growing injury list is a concern, & hopefully we will see some of those injured come back against Harrogate on Saturday.

I don't think an independent football regulator will do anything to reduce the disparity between the rich clubs & the rest. There needs to be a cap on spending & a system in place to stop the rich clubs buying all the best talent, whether it be from the UK or abroad.

I think we need to put things into perspective. This time last season we had conceded 25 goals under Williams. This season we have conceded last than half the amount, just 12, after 13 matches. I think that Notts are on a holding pattern at the moment, getting as many points as they can before the new year. With the defensive squad we have, there is a good chance we can get to January in a good position.

Just an interesting stat that relates to this time last season compared to now. After 13 games last season Notts had conceded 25 goals compared to now where Notts have only conceded 12. Notts have a goal difference of +9 now compared to a goal difference of +3 last season after 13 league games played.