YoopEyes

Happy that Grant is still on & Tsaroulla now playing lb, like that set up for this half.

Tough 45 mins coming up - whilst the point would be handy now, we can still win this. Hope M P sees it that way too.

My worry is he’ll take Grant off and stick Norburn on early in 2nd half. Think we’ll consolidate and try to hang in for the point……..we’ll see. Hope I’m wrong.

Hall off! Have to see, he often looks clumsy in the challenge due to his lethargic style. He gets caught out then lunges in, frustration seems to have got the better of him here. We are up against it now.

Surprised that Ness has been left out - equally that MP has preferred Iorpenda over Norburn. Brizzle Rovers sound very shaky according to Stall, we need to get maximum points here. COYP.

It’s bad news - we are more balanced with him in the side. Robbo is able to get further forward and he has more impact in the final 3rd when Palmer plays. Despite Iorpenda’s skills, he’s not as tidy on the ball as Palmer. Norburn hasn’t shown much apart from an occasional 10 min burst of energy & the ability “to get stuck in”/carded! Hope Palmer is able to return sooner rather later.

I thought it was due to Phil Stant’s disallowed goal in a League Cup tie from memory - must have been in the late 80’s. Had to edit that!

Yes, agreed - fair point. I am, genuinely, interested to know why Jarvis & Bennetts impressed others in the last couple of games. I’m not seeing “end product” or creativity/imagination tbh. They fit the system and certainly possess ability, I get that. Tsaroulla & Grant were just more effective, productive & inventive for my money.

Tsaroulla & Grant were head and shoulders ahead of anyone else but Robbo, Palmer both put a shift in and Ness was combative and solid again. Bennetts - really? I’d have carted him & Jatta off first, closely followed by Hall. All 3 of them were almost completely anonymous after our goal. Between them, Bedeau and Bennetts made a right horlicks of marking their 14 for the 2nd goal.

We took off the 2 liveliest and most creative players - that didn’t help much! Jatta was hopeless, Hall was invisible after our goal and Jarvis was completely anonymous . Didn’t get all the praise for him last week either, he can’t beat a man and just passes or runs into trouble. Reminds me of “make it go backwards” Chicksen! We messed up for their first 2 goals and Roos dived over the 3rd. They had 4 opportunities and put the ball in the net 4 times. I’d replace Jatta, Roos, Jarvis & Bennetts with players who know what they are supposed to do!

Having Palmer back should help - a lot. Expect a tight game but conditions may play a part too. No need to be overly concerned about Colchester, they’ve had done good results but they are inconsistent. Still fancy us for 3 points………..

I went for Grant - partly because many of his 1st touches seem to elude many supporters. He’s aware, instinctive and creative. I thought he provided the spark, as opposed to Hall who seemed lethargic and off the pace until the last 20 mins. The obvious difference between the 2 halves was Palmer tho’. He provided a bit of stability and balance and also allowed Hall a bit more freedom. Robbo & Palmer together are an ideal combination in the centre of the pitch. We look a good side when they play together.

Very frustrating and disappointing display tbh. I have zero idea how Hall was MOTM. Yes, he did some fancy turns & actually put some effort in during the last 20 mins. Prior to that he looked off the pace, was rarely available for a pass and didn’t seem to get involved. He fluffed our best chance in the 1st half too. Technically gifted player with an eye for goal but today was not his best day. Robertson, Bedeau & Grant were our liveliest and most effective performers until later in the game. Ness put a few stray passes around but was generally solid, Macari had a decent enough game too. Very good on the ball but his crosses are weak. Jarvis flatters to deceive, only time he tried to go round his man, he “won” the peno. He cuts inside or passes sideways & backwards too much for me tbh. He needs to be more decisive & direct if he wants to stay in the team. On balance, Palmer made a huge difference in the 2nd half - he probably deserved MOTM tbh.

Best news of the week - Robbo is a vital cog in the Notts wheel. We play better with him on the pitch, his return from injury has helped in the “consistency” department.

It’s “pound note Joe” again! Awful shirt anyway, wouldn’t ever contemplate buying one - a few will, that’s a matter for them. It will make the Club a few quid, so that’s something, there’s always punters willing to pay.

Robbo for me, energetic & involved all night. He’s combative and creative, a very solid 99 mins from him. Ness & Bedeau didn’t do much wrong and Iorpenda had an excellent 1st half too. They were all in with a shout but Robbo just seemed more influential in both halves of the pitch and over the whole game fir my money. Hall was often clumsy on the ball but he scored and looked a bit sharper in the last 20 mins. Jatta was busy, scored but his 1st touch let him down too often.

Well done Notts, good away win. Up to 3rd, I believe.

Adelakun on for them now….. interesting. We bring Norburn on, chance of a yellow?

Another goal would be handy for us now. I suspect we should have taken Bennetts or Hall off for Dennis, not Grant. We’ll see. Robertson has been outstanding tonight btw.

Great 1st half - they were shockingly poor tho’. Clumsy defending and they are suddenly back in it. Should have been 3 or 4 nil at h/t!

I’d say that Dennis could do with a start, he’s impressed when he’s been in the starting XI, less so when used as a sub. Grant should be in for Hall too. This is another key game, with an opportunity to move up the table. Cheltenham have suddenly found form & goals. The “Cotterill effect” appears to be working. It will be a tough battle but we have the talent and attitude to get at least a point &, hopefully, all 3.

Yes, very sorry to hear this sad news. Addison was a very calm, courteous and genuine bloke. Decent player and very competent manager. His exploits with Hereford were magnificent and he did a fair job with us tbh. RIP Addo, you were a gentleman and a great professional.

One game at a time - get as many points as you can. All the speculating, guessing, predicting - hoping - is interesting but, usually, inaccurate. I’d like to think we can get through Dec losing no more than one and winning at least 2. Anything else would be a bonus. We’ll see what happens…..

I’ve gone for Jatta but 2 minutes before he scored the first there were at least a couple of others in the frame. Ness was superb, won his challenges, dominated in the air and looked solid. Robertson was also superb, effectively disrupts the opposition but acts as an attacking catalyst too. He linked well with Grant, particularly in the 1st half. Overall, we had to battle and scrap - and persevered without ever looking vulnerable at the back. Gritty & determined performance - Paterson has instilled some real steel and discipline/concentration into the ranks.

Great result after a fairly dour and frustrating struggle. Thought Robbo & Grant showed some lovely touches, flicks and challenges - we could have lost impetus when they went off but we kept going and Dennis & Iorpenda provided similar spark. Jatta & Dennis actually looked comfortable in tandem. Ness had the tricky task of coming on to replace McDonald and he certainly stepped up to the plate. Never put a foot wrong and won everything in the air. Cambridge were big, ugly & crude - no wonder they don’t score many goals! Excellent 3 points. Move on, next business.