theAnticlough

I'm sure MP and the team will treat the game with the utmost importance, but I don't think us fans should build it up too much. Memories of how they ripped us open time after time a couple of weeks ago are still fresh. Roos has the shakes again and we're still without our first choice central midfield pairing. If offered a point right now, I'd snatch their hands off. MK are a robust unit so it's also a bad game to turn to lighter, creative players who might not be at their most confident. At home to Accrington might be a better time to see Jones, Hall, Palmer start. Changes? It seems that Bennetts might be out. So let's see what the Crawley promotion pairing Tsaroulla and Gordon can do. Deep into the season now with the January window looming, selections now are akin to tests. Can these players really help us get to where we want to go? Other than that, I'd say it's time Kouhyar got a start - as a 10, for either Dennis or Grant. Dennis because he was so atrocious at Chesterfield or Grant because as we've always known 2 goals from 20 games in a forward position is never going to cut it for a promotion aspiring team.

The 5th tier was never his level, so top marks to Montague on that one. He was a regular in a L1 promotion team and then played in the Championship. He was probably desperate to have a go at top tier football, but Brazil was probably too ambitious. I'd guess he could play top tier in places like Chile, Scotland, Scandinavia, maybe places like Switzerland or even MLS, dunno. There's no shame though in plying your trade in English L1. But at 29 who can blame him for taking the highest wage, wherever that might be. Maybe a few months with us might put himself in the shop window for another Championship team to take a punt. Oxford even, De Buckingham liked him but Rowett didn't pick him, but he's just been sacked.

I dug a bit harder, with the help of my daughter :) Ruben has been released, so let's see where he goes. I'd imagine it's back to Europe https://muitainformacao.com.br/esporte/vitoria-renova-com-quatro-atletas-dispensa-estrangeiros-e-inicia-ajustes-para-2026/

I'm more interested in finding out why he doesn't play football. You'd assume serious injury, it's been so long, but I've been unable to find anything so far

A hat-trick yesterday for Cedwyn in a 6-0 win. Also a brace for Cal Roberts in a 1-2 Scunthorpe away win (Maca got a start at Millwall and played the full 90) Another win for TAR at top-of the NL table Rochdale. On a day our play was so anaemic we could hardly create a chance, it makes you think what others might do

No qualms with Platt winning MoM, as you said he was the one heading and blocking everything. I picked Macari for a solid all round game again, including being very tidy with the ball. Bedeau though, I thought he had a rare off day.

Enjoy that @Fan of Big Tone A few months ago on this thread I mentioned a particularly grisly tooth extraction. Well it took 4 months for the bone to reform and last week it was the first stage of the implant. It went OK but it was weird having christmas dinner with an exposed metal bolt sticking up from my lower jaw. Still the turkey never tasted so good, but I guess it helps that I never chew anyway ;)

Absolutely right @McPie ....'find a way to win' 'win when not playing well' are cliches not a strategy and over a 46-game season it'll catch up with you. January has become very important again, especially for that No.10 and Goalkeeping spots

With you on Jones @DangerousSausage . If MP isn't convinced, and I can't blame him for that, Slocs or Montague need to tell him there's a matchwinner lurking there who has only just turned 28, and might be able to win some more matches for us if given the trust and a proper chance to get back into the team

Another thought....it was OK for Richard Montague to state the obvious about everyone having a price, but maybe he didn't need to name names. Pato had lit a fire under those players following the two home defeats in November. it seemed liek we were back to that again today.

I'll go for Macari, who's been having an under the radar good season after a late start. He defended solidly and used the ball well all game. Platt and Norburn also did alright IMO Kouhyar again the pick of the subs. We need to see him given a start.

Really really poor...Two main reasons for defeat? MP's conservative team selection, not bringing in proven creative players to start the game. Players like Grant and Bennetts are not promotion-level, so these results will happen while we continue with them. To add to all that, Jatta was poor but what the hell was that from Dennis? The worst player on the pitch today. And yeah, Roos' error was awful, but they'd have won anyway. The main problem was with the outfield players.

Platt and the CMs are giving us solidity, but we're suffering from poor creative play and the forwards having one of their sleepier days so far. The tussle for the LWB shirt requires Jones to replace Bennetts asap, and let's see what Jodi can do

Been thinking a bit more about MP's Jones v Bennetts decision - probably the tightest fight for a shirt in the squad at the moment. It's tough, I don't think there's a cigarette paper between them based on this season's performances. Jones probably has the best matches between the pair and a set of the worst as well. Bennetts has been very steady. Jones' claims are more historical, based on seasons MP didn't see. It's fair if he asks JJ to show it all over again. JJ can't come in and give us a 5 or 6 out of 10, when Bennetts can guarantee a 6 or a 7. I'd like MP to gamble and challenge JJ to hit his best form, but it'd be understandable if he went with Bennetts.

Stoke City 1-0 Preston End WBA 1-0 Bristol Burton Albion 1-2 Cobblers Luton Town 2-1 Wycombe Stanley 1-1 Barrow Gills 1-0 Cambridge Eastleigh 1-1 Woking Solihull Moors 2-1 Tamworth Joker

I'd actually be a bit surprised by unchanged this time I think Jones has to start. If he doesn't then Bennetts is first choice and Jones is the back-up and I just don't think that's the case. Bennetts has done fine, but what has he done to become first choice over Jones. But if he does get the nod, JJ can't afford a 'feel-out' 'get up to speed' kind of game. We're not that type of team anymore. Hall will probably have to start from the bench though. Everyone who has left the team for one reason or another ends up with a fight to get back in and that's a really healthy sign Definitely agree that it will be a tough and close game - a real Boxing Day local derby

Wishing all the PON community a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. Nine points please, less than 4 and you can stuff it Santa, no mince pies for you.

Yes, many thanks to Sausage. May the only blanket he's wrapped in this Xmas be fabric

It's an insult to the paying public. Wasting OUR time making us go home or onto somewhere else later than we want. It also signals to youngsters that cheating and lying is normal. Feign injury, feign sickness, don't go to work, don't go to school - fake that you're injured like all those pro footballers do every week.

Attacking Midfield/ Inside-forward is the greatest position of need this window. My dream acquisition? Ruben on a half-season loan! Montague has recruited him before and it's a contender for his greatest ever Notts signing. I can't work out what's happening at Vitoria. I even have a Brazilian contact over there and he wasn't able to find out either! He never features, not even on the 12 strong bench. Ruben slotting in there with Dennis and Jatta as options ahead of him - Palmer and Robbo to find him, would be an ideal fit. There might be all kinds of reasons why this is a non-starter, but as a minimum Monty should at least ask the question.

I'd be more interested to see Kouhyar given a go in Grant's position rather than at WB.

By the 70min mark it looked like JJ had that shirt again and Bennetts had had his run. But then came one of his wasteful spells and it didn't look as certain. But JJ is ready physically and is able to do the job defensively. Bennetts' all-round game is solid but he's a goals and assists desert, so this will be a real test of MPs courage and positivity.

I'll go for Iorpenda over Platt. Tom is certainly showing the confidence boost from the winning goal he got. It's such a bonus for us that we have a CM who can contribute all over the pitch - a lot more troublesome for our opponents than two CMs that only sit. Platt is just about back to his best now. Another that deserves a mention I think is Kouhyar who never lets us down when he comes on. I'd really like to see him given a start to show what he can do.

Yeah interesting challenge for MP for Chesterfield. Does he go for the extra goal threat that Hall and Jones would give over Bennetts and Grant? There's no way he can drop Dennis. Because it's quite a tough away fixture, I reckon he'll start Jones but not Hall.

Ah well, I suppose it's a consolation that we looked so much better than the 1st placed team. Nice game for our Defenders and CMs - to snuff them out and show what they can do with the ball. A tougher game for the forwards who had less space to work in