theAnticlough

For two home games running we've seen the same slow-paced Maynard-style ball for entire first halves which hasn't been the possession with a purpose we were promised. There hasn't been a particularly intense press against us, in fact they've been very willing to see our defenders with the ball at their feet. Macari and Bedeau haven't injected any positivity or adventure into our play. Balls across the backline or to the feet of tightly marked wing backs in deep positions won't get us anywhere at all. We have to have the option of being dynamic down the middle. There's cover if those wide CBs surged forward and committed players and I think we really need them to do that a lot more.

Palmer back in to start for sure. I wouldn't mind unchanged apart from that, we won the second half with Palmer on after all. Jarvis to come on, Jodi as well if he's fit.

The recent, easy one is our 5yr RB, RCB, RB Richard Brindley

Yes, we're going to need him. I wouldn't have given him MoM, but nobody else was going to do anything to stop us losing, except Will Jarvis Our attacking midfielders will need addressing in January. But players being used there now can be either underperforming or unproductive (or both) and when both are off, it makes it very difficult to win. I think MP will have to try a couple of different things in that role because Hall and Grant are not McGoldrick and Crowley. Let's see Jarvis given a go there, Kouhyar, Dennis from the start to at least see it. But at least we're going to be seeing more of Jarvis from now on. MP will want him on the bench at least because he knows now atht he's a player who can turn things around.

I noticed how he got a hamstring injury in the second half yesterday form zero contact and no action, which needed the trainer to come on for a longish period of treatment to his upper leg (must've been quite long because all the Harrogate players were ages at the touchlines getting drinks and instructions from their manager) So sorry, I don't think his body can sustain the vigours of pro football if he goes down as easily as that ;)

A difficult one - I can see there being many nominated, or not many site members bothered to vote. I'll go for Robertson again, just over Ness and Tsaroulla. Bennetts, for the second game running, started really well and then faded quickly in the 2nd half (I think that's worth investigating). Why Robbo? He was busy, active and generally effective in what he did. No great shakes though, it was that type of afternoon.

A frustrating afternoon. Too many of our players were not quite at it today. There was over-reliance on putting in hopeful crosses from wide positions. We didn't have any players willing to attack them through the middle, so we became too predictable. Our defenders often found themselves the spare man at the back with the ball at their feet - but they refused to inject the energy required. Ness did it once, but we needed more from Bedeau and Macari, especially in the first half. And Jatta and Hall were sub par.

Not enough football being played across the backline. Hall and Jatta not really pulling their weight. MP might bring Palmer on and release Robbo a bit.

He did OK, but as a wing-back he made our play scrappy. Maybe more suited to RB in a back four.

Burton Albion 1-1 Blackpool Luton Town 2-0 Rotherham United Joker Accrington 1-1 Bristol Rovers Cambridge United 0-1 Barnet Grimsby Town 1-1 Chesterfield Braintree Town 1-1 Truro City Hartlepool 2-1 Wealdstone Woking 2-0 Boston United

We got Calvin Miller on loan from them. Who knew this? Miller is the reigning SPFL's Scottish Championship Player of the Year and now plays in the Scottish Premiership.

I think the Bedeau news should clinch the win. Without RodMac, he would've been difficult to replace. You'd have either Bennetts there or Macari - so a back three of Ness, Platt, Macari, none of them in the groove in those exact positions. Harrogate might've benefitted from that. As it is, Macari can continue his partnership with Tsaroulla and Bedeau's so strong we can bring back JJ or continue with Bennetts, it doesn't matter - we'll be strong down that side too.

Wow, great story and great news. Like a lot of fans, I'd given up on him and just didn't think it would happen for him with us. So much had gone wrong, it seemed ill-fated. It's testament to his determination then that he came back stronger than ever and he's been outstanding over the last dozen games or so. And kudos to Montague for recruiting him in Jan '24 We don't have to worry so much about ever losing Matty Palmer either - the baton can be passed on to Robbo. And the way a young, physical midfield of Robbo and Iorpenda looked at Cheltenham is a nice option to have now and a possible glimpse into the years ahead.

Yeah, we were disappointed. But the money we can understand, and the fact his boss had been Stuart Maynard even more. There's an imaginable scenario where his contribution could help win a promotion.

I think the thread might need a disclaimer. Us fans will always comment honestly on how we see the team, sections of the team, and individual players....usually from the standpoint of wanting success and the advancement of our club. But when we have doubts about players, I think we all want to be proven wrong. We want nothing more than players proving themselves and making the critics eat humble pie. I'd be over moon if, say, Grant and Iorpenda proved themselves to be promotion calibre No. 10s. The club's advancement is pretty much the be all and end all of being a fan. This should go without saying, but may get a bit lost on forums when debates and discussions get going.

I've said that countless times myself @Piethagoram ! You must have missed the umpteen times I've made exactly that point For now though, I'm happy to support him as we look to gather enough points to put us in a good spot come January. Obviously Hall is ahead of all AMs, but in the absence of Luker, Grant is worth one of the AM shirts, bearing in mind that Iorpenda hasn't notched a single senior goal yet, and looks better playing deeper.

@Piethagoram that's what I've been saying consistently on here since I joined but he's earned the right to stake his claim thru Nov/Dec...January will probably be a pivot point for our attacking midfielders. For now, he's trying his best and giving us much more than last season and is ahead of other contenders for those shirts for the time being I think

Probably not, but he's hanging on in there and giving it his best shot. I'd say he's improved on last season's performances

I'm much happier when Iorpenda takes one of the holding mid roles. Last night, Iorpenda's physicality and energy, for Palmer's on the ball playmaking seemed like a decent trade. He's an excellent option to have there, him and Robbo were an formidable combination physically, no fun for Cheltenham at all. It's not fair though to expect someone without a senior goal yet to do the business in the final third as an AM

One thing I've noticed on these threads is how many different MoM performers we get. Yes, we get the multiple winners like Palmer, McDonald and Jatta, but so many others are capable of being the best player on any given day.

Some great performances tonight. I thought Ness was excellent. Vindicated MP sticking with him over Platt. Jatta's formula of goal + great hold up play + defensive work would usually win MoM... But my vote's for Robertson. Thought he was immense tonight and played a great all-round game. Maybe his best game in a Notts shirt

Super away win. No complaints about the second half, apart from the foul for their goal, Cheltenham were always going to play better after the break. Our 1st half performance won the 3pts for us. Was that Scott Robertson's best ever game in a Notts shirt? He didn't look like a L2 player tonight.

Great 1st half performance. So good off the ball. How good have Robertson & Bennetts been? Running the show

That's always bad news, but trying to pit a positive spin on it....Big chance for Bennetts - they don't come around too often. Iorpenda & Robbo pairing is great for physicality Final thought - good to see Jarvis back in the 18

I know what you mean @YoopEyes but I don't feel sorry for Dennis and he shouldn't feel sorry for himself. There was a clear owner of the No.9 shirt going into the season. Yes, he was tremendous with his goals and performances in the early games. But he got injured and then killed us when he came back with that pen at Crewe. It's down to him to force his way back in with his performances and effort. Nobody owes him anything, competition for places is what it should be all about anyway.