YoopEyes

Based only on radio commentary and a couple of texts from the game - Grant for me.

Very impressive win. Sounded like a real battle but we have the squad and the attitude to win these games now. Pleased to see Grant & Macari get a full shift on too. We always look stronger with those 2 on the pitch. Great stuff Notts.

Yes, I eventually went for Jatta too.

Agreed - some solid performances again. Hall stepped up tonight, Jones was excellent going forward, best game for a long while. We looked balanced, creative and we moved the ball swiftly and accurately for the most part. I said at the match, Macari goes under the radar a lot - he was superb tonight, as were Platt and Bedeau. Drinan never had a sniff. Overall, hard to choose but I’d go for Macari, Platt or Jatta tbh but honourable mentions for Jones, Hall. Bedeau, Norburn and Belshaw for the spectacular save! I’ll opt for 1 of the above in due course.

Another impressive display and an important 3 points. No passengers again tonight, Jones & Hall much better than recent performances and Jatta was excellent again. We deserved that, industry, mobility and some terrific efforts on goal. We have momentum, need to get as many points as possible from the next little 3 game run.

Stern test tonight but hoping we carry on from Sat - but with more goals! Hopefully, we’ll get a look at Ndlovu at some stage and, maybe, Enoru. We could do with all 3 points in order to stay in contention tbh, it would be a big win & send a message to the chasing pack.

Welcome aboard Harald & good luck. Looks and sounds decent enough signing - Norwegian top flight is handy, produces quick, robust and talented players on a regular basis.

Very impressive performance apart from the finishing. Solid all over the pitch, no “passengers” today, at all. There were some stand outs, particularly in the 1st half but only a couple maintained their high standards throughout. Platt was very impressive, Norburn and Palmer competed and distributed well. Grant was excellent, despite the header, and Jatta was busy, looked better on the ball and he scored. However, Iorpenda was head & shoulders above any other candidate. He produced a spectacularly impressive display from start to finish. Some touches of genuine class, a robust and busy performance and he was effective with and without the ball. His running, pressing, tackling and general mobility were outstanding.

Hmmm, interesting one - not the most exciting signing tbh. I can’t see the point of him signing to sit on the bench, so is Jatta on his way? Dennis is a handful and occupies defenders, plus he scores (apart from today!). I don’t really see the benefit of this bloke tbh, unless we lose Jatta, but I may be wrong.

I’d agree with this list. McDonald is a very close 6th tbh.

Norburn has guile, nous and fair amount of experience, they are useful qualities. I’d say he must be a strong candidate. It sounded a bit turgid for the most part but we conjured up a goal, managed the game and then got another. As usual for Notts, we then made it an exciting finish! Hard to pick a MOTM in a gritty and determined team performance. Other than Norburn, you have to consider Jatta, who has been dire for weeks but did his stuff, and Belshaw, who proved that goalkeepers are allowed to catch the ball and command their box. For that, I’d go Belshaw tbh.

We needed that, Jones needed it too. COYP.

It looks a balanced line up, delighted to see Grant & Palmer back in the starting line up. Astonished that Jones is in tbh - but I guess it goes back to “balance” and not risking the new man from the start, nurse him in gradually. Dennis should not be on the bench in my view, that is just strange. We need the win, COYP.

Sadly, Kell never really nailed down a place in the team - he seemed a “nearly” player to me. I expected pace, dynamism & sharpness - which he provided but only in short bursts. His crosses were inconsistent too. I think overall, he was a slight disappointment tbh but I wish him well. Always tried and came across as a good bloke in interviews etc.

Delighted with this - more than useful keeper, surprised at some of the negativity surrounding his signing tbh.

This is one I’d be happy with tbh. We developed him as a youngster, it would be interesting to see him return. Over the years he’s always looked steady rather than spectacular but he’s an established, experienced keeper at lower league level. He could be a replacement, or at worst, very good cover, for Roos. Either way, I’d welcome his arrival with a degree of optimism.

Interesting signing, hope it works out. I’d suspect that it might take a bit of time to adjust to the full time, L2 environment tbh. At 23 and with limited expedience, he is a raw talent. I’m not expecting too much too soon. Time will tell with this one.

The worry is that we have a “net loss” during January. If we replace outgoing players with improvements or simply add some additional quality to the squad, fine. My fear is there will be a couple of out/goings who will be replaced by less favourable signings. We’ll either sign untried youngsters or “experienced” (injured has beens?) journeymen. I sincerely hope that my fears will be misplaced.

Game off - postponed due to frozen pitch. So much for the covers, cannabis lamps etc. We have the facility for under soil heating but it isn’t connected/operational!

My only concern with Dennis was that he didn’t score - and he has a couple of good opportunities to be fair. He is far more dangerous throughout the game than Jatta tho’. Dennis has better close control, more ball skill and threatens the keeper/goal more often too.

I thought there were only 2 contenders tbh - Dennis & Iorpenda. Dennis was the only real goal threat and he showed the required levels of application and determination. Iorpenda was the only other who showed up well throughout the game. He covers a lot of ground, wins his challenges and uses the ball well. He did manage a shot on target too, of course. On balance, I’d give it to Iorpenda, but it’s a close call. The 2 of them often linked well together but in a team full of mediocrity, Iorpenda shives with his skill, awareness, industry and attitude.

That was very poor, lack of pace all over the pitch, no real creativity. Only Dennis & Ioroenda showed any quality really. Anyone still think Jones isn’t finished? If he comes on as sub again, I think I’m going home. Utter waste of a shirt, every time he plays. Not sure what value Gordon, Jatta & Kouhyar offer either for that matter. They don’t look like “top 3 team” players to me.

Purely based on commentary and updates from the ground, Iorpenda gets my vote. Bedeau, Tsaroulla and Macari seemed to show up well too.

Yes, very busy period! 3 more games in 7 days. I’m sure Jatta will be rested for 1 and Jones may well make a start. MKD is a huge game if we are to consolidate our promotion credentials. We need at least a point to regain some momentum really. I think players like Grant & Iorpenda are crucial for these games because they offer the guile and creativity that others lack. Norburn offers the grit but if Palmer is fit I’m sure he’d start - but he might come of the bench on Mon & get a start in 1 of the upcoming home games. We’ll see.

After the opening 30 mins, where Platt, Norburn, Iorpenda and Bedeau all looked comfortable, not many showed up favourably tbh. Macari is a decent shout, he’s pretty defendable, has a good touch, usually wins his battles and he links up well with those in front of him. I’d go with him - it certainly wasn’t Jatta, Roos, Gordon or Bennetts.