Robbie

@theAnticlough I do agree that we have a better coaching team. Notts were just 5 points short of automatic promotion last season. If the squad is strengthened to the right degree, Notts could go on a good run from this point & get a promotion place. It is perfectly possible to achieve that because Notts are just one point behind where they were at the same point last season. As well as strengthening the squad, Paterson has to make ML a fortress & beat teams that are workmanlike, physical, & give no quarter at the back. But it can be done.

MK Dons have a Hybrid pitch but they also have installed undersoil heating whereas Notts decided not to connect their undersoil heating. So the MK Dons match is on today whereas the Notts match isn't.

If you compare last year's table with where Notts stand now, Notts haven't progressed on paper. After 24 games Notts were on 40 points in fifth place on 4th January 2024. Notts were playing entertaining football too last season. They were still having problems against physical hard working sides like they are now under Paterson, but Maynard had improved the Notts side from the previous 2023/24 season. The January transfer window has increased in importance. Notts have to sign some skilfull, experienced players in key areas & they are going to have to spend some money too. If they don't bring those sort of players in, it's going to be difficult for Paterson to improve the side to a significant degree to win promotion. It could be possible for him to achieve the playoffs with the present squad, but promotion is another matter. This is the table from 4th Jan 2024

Blackburn 1-2 Charlton Hull City 1-2 Watford Plymouth 2-2 Burton Reading 2-1 Stockport Wycombe 0-0 Wimbledon Barnet 3-1 Crewe 🤡 Barrow 1-2 Bristol R Walsall 1-0 Fleetwood

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#waffle1444 5/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 111 🌟 #wafflecenturion wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,660 2/6 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Smokin

The Poll has closed. Thanks to all who voted. I'm delighted to announce that Matt Dennis has been voted the Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match v Accrington Stanley.

I've gone for Dennis because with a little more luck he could have scored w goal or two. He did get into some good positions but just failed to finish.

I'm dissapointed that the match has been called off, but I suppose some may see it as a blessing in disguise to allow the club a little more time to recruit new players before the next match. Notts spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on a state of the art pitch that also has undersoil heating available but hasn't been connected. It's surprising that the undersoil heating wasn't finished, so that instances like this could never happen. Cancelling the match will cost the Club money, which a little more investment could have avoided.

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#waffle1443 5/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 110 🌟 #wafflecenturion wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,659 4/6 🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜ 🟩🟩⬜⬜🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Just a quiet day in for us after the festivities. It's all over bar the shouting for another year. Xmas comes and goes so quickly doesn't it.

Gillingham are going to employ similar tactics to Altrincham when Notts play them at ML on Sunday, but they will be better than Altrincham on paper. Notts will need to break them down & it will be tough to do. I will be surprised if we see an unchanged Notts team for this match. Notts need to have players that can show moments of brilliance in the starting eleven. I think Jodi Jones has to start whether it be on the wing or as a number ten. I would replace Macari with Ness at the back. I would also put Jatta on the bench with Dennis leading the line. I would also consider Hinchy partnering Norburn in CM with Iorpenda just behind Dennis. Hopefully Palmer is close to being ready to start so having him back would be a big boost. I think everyone is waiting for players to come in to strengthen the squad & we all know the positions that need strengthening. The quicker we see movement into the Club the better.

Some may not agree, but I don't want to see young loanee players being recruited during the January transfer window. Notts need seasoned experienced professionals who are going to strengthen the squad & hopefully help get Notts promoted. The summer transfer window is the ideal time to recruit players that can be developed into valuable assets along with talented young players from Premier League sides who can serve q good purpose. I don't think the January transfer window is the right time for these type of signings.

I think it's probably a further sign that the Club are happy with the players who form our defence. I think Aljofree will be more suited to a National League side to get game time experience.

An important topic to discuss @theAnticlough & an interesting introduction. I don't think there is much wrong with the defence & Notts do have cover if required. I do think that the goalkeeper position requires attention though. Although Iorpenda & Norburn have done a reasonable job, Notts do miss Palmer & Robertson because they bring a little extra going forward by initiating attacks much better. Notts have to do something about the AM position. They need to recruit but they have to recruit quality, & will have to pay for that quality. The only alternative is trying Iorpenda further forward, or giving Jodi another go. I do think that Grant does a reasonable job that largely goes unnoticed, but he needs a good partner next to him. After giving Jatta & Dennis a spell together, I don't think it is working as well as just having either Jatta or Dennis playing upfront on their own with support just behind. A tall strong attacker that can shield and distribute the ball would be a good option to recruit. And the elephant in the room. The tactical battle. Notts are losing it especially at home. We are simply missing quality to unlock stubborn defensive tactics. The powers that be at Notts have to address this as a matter of urgency. It has gone on for too long.

Notts seem to lose the tactical battle against opponents at Meadow Lane more often than not. Opponents just sit back and allow Notts possession & just challenge Notts to break them down. They then bide their time to either take advantage of a Notts mistake at the back, or hit Notts on the break when they can. These opponents also tend to bully Notts with their physicality, they also employ the dark arts, by slowing the game down, fouling by pushing, pulling & time wasting. Since Notts were promoted this problem has remained a big factor with Williams, Maynard & now Paterson unable to solve it. Paterson still has an opportunity, but I think the problem will persist unless Notts can recruit strong & skillful players who will have the skill to unlock these opponents defensive tactics.

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#waffle1442 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 109 🌟 #wafflecenturion wafflegame.net

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