YoopEyes

Had to listen on Radio Red - Stall repeatedly used words like “magnificent” & “tremendous” and phrases like “..it’s all Notts County…” to describe the performance. In another organised, cohesive display the names that kept cropping up were Robertson (immense), S-Smith and Bedeau. My Stags mate, who was there said all the Notts players were impressive, particularly Robbo, apart from Smyth, who described as dire & reckoned he should have scored at least twice, probably 3! I think, mainly based on commentary, I’d go for S-S - it sounded like he was tearing them apart actives & had the bloke with the daft name, who was supposed to be marking him, on toast. Great win, terrific performance & capped off with the Scum losing at Brentford. All in all, a very good day.

There is a long list to choose from if you apply the “must have started at least 3 ganes” criteria. The worst 45 mins ever is Branston, that is undeniable and unequivocal. It was straight out of pantomime, farce and slapstick comedy. The list of contenders overall, from the hard 25 years alone is enormous tho’.

Good point. We got the best part of that deal.

Really? I’m surprised. We all see things differently, of course. For my money, Nemane literally managed about 3 or 4 decent crosses the entire time he was with us. He usually just drilled the ball anywhere & hoped for the best. His ability to find a Notts player was virtually non-existent in most games. There was a lack of composure at key moments. He had a turn of pace, full stop. I see Grant as far more creative & productive, plus he has popped up with crucial goals and generally finds a man with a pass. I’d describe him as a natural, instinctive footballer. Nemane looks like a bloke who is a bit quick & has been turned/coached into a footballer. Still struggling to see any similarity tbh.

He doesn’t remind me of Nemane in any respect whatsoever. Grant has vision, awareness, great close control and the capacity to put in an energetic shift, closing down, chasing back and pressurising opponents. Nemane was quick and had the ability to push the ball past an opponent and chase after it. The contrasts are immense, the similarities are less obvious tbh. Nemane is a non-league standard nonentity who can’t actually get a game in L2 with Rotherham. Grant is a decent quality L1 player.

Gritty and determined display. Thought we outfought and outplayed them in the 1st half, most of their possession was in their defensive third! 2nd half was about containing the best team in the league, which we did very well bar 1 lapse. They didn’t really look like scoring to me because we blocked, chased, tackled and intercepted like crazy - McD, Bedeau and Ness were superb tbh. The league’s best striker was kept quiet. They have Osborn, Norwood, Wood and Glover yet our midfield competed well and pressured them posed them problems and if we had been a tad sharper up front we might well have sneaked it. Grant, Finneran & Robbo is a balanced and agile midfield trio. Thought Evans and Lipusuic were energetic and lively when they came on, which gave us the spark we had before the others tired after a tough shift.

Another god display, crisper in the 1st half but gritty and resilient under the cosh in the 2nd. Bedeau was my MOTM, he was non stop, tackling, blocking, chasing back, beating his man, closing off danger - outstanding. McDonald was excellent too, he actually did a tremendous job keeping Wootton quiet and denying him any goal scoring opportunities really. The midfield trio were superb again, very balanced, covered their own mistakes and were involved and industrious throughout. Finneran glides through games, some of his work is phenomenal. Evans and Lipusuic were superb and added energy, pace and steel when others had tired and done their shift.

We always play better when Grant is on the pitch! Said it many times before. Huge talent, subtlety, awareness and creativity in abundance.

Terrific team display, solid all round. We defended well as a unit, moved the ball quickly and creatively. Individual players displayed their grit, skill and vision. No passengers, an excellent display against a confident, in form side that looked second best all night.

Some quality performances - but, mainly, a solid & balanced team performance. The defensive line were superb, the middle 3 were absolute class and the front 2 were industrious and effective. As a unit, we were fantastic. Finneran & Grant were terrific but the energy, mobility, strength and determination from Robertson shaded it for me. Everyone contributed, no passengers. Impressed with Evans, Sanders & Lipusuic when they came on too. So, Robbo - marginally ahead of about 5 or 6 others - for me.

Another potential banana skin - hope it’s not another “Salford” experience. We need some confidence and momentum for this one.

Gibbons is amongst those who are more than comfortable at this level. Tough, robust, agile and an eye for a pass. He is as good as any right sided defender we’ve played against. As for Grant, he moves the ball quickly and in tight situations his touch and awareness are absolute quality. I wouldn’t worry about those 2 tbh. As for S-S he had no idea where Missanga was in the first half. He managed a few decent touches and a cross in the early stages of the 2nd half - watch the dvd again! He was simply not up to it for 70 odd of the 90 mins! Bedeau made 1 shocking pass, as did McD, but for most of the game, like Ness, they did ok. We conceded a gift goal and from a breakaway, not too much wrong with the back 3 tbh.

Missanga absolutely tore S-S to pieces in the 1st half, he looked woefully out of his depth. Despite his improved 20/25 mins in the 2nd half going forwards, he reverted to being awful towards the end of the game. Simply don’t get how he could be in the running tbh. He’s raw & has potential but defensively he was shocking yesterday. Couldn’t understand how Roberts was the sponsors’ MOTM either. He did better when Tsaroulla came on but created absolutely nothing. Only 2 candidates really & I’d go for Ness because he was the only one who didn’t make me gasp in horror all game. Finneran, for the goal & his energy, was the only real challenger. Honourable mentions to McD, Sanders and Grant (still gets grief because he doesn’t thunder into challenges yet he’s the best ball player we have).

I think Evans and Lipusuic also contributed, particularly in the 1st half. Don’t agree about Longelo being the best if the subs, he got more of the ball than the others but looked a bit clumsy and ineffective tbh. Kanu’s touch, agility and energy was more encouraging for my money. MOTM was a close call, Finneran was creative and he knocks the ball about like a seasoned veteran but Cooper was his usual busy, industrious self. He wins the ball and moves it forwards swiftly. Every aspect of his game oozes class. His passing was less accurate today but that seemed to be because we were slow out of the blocks in the 2nd half anyway and totally disjointed once Evans & Lipusuic departed. I’d just give MOTM to Finneran because he just looked the most composed throughout. Roberts offered absolutely nothing, (and I’m his biggest cheerleader normally), and Mustapha, dazzling tho’ he may be at times, was dreadful in the 2nd half, he barely touched the ball tbh & disappeared without trace!

I’m unable to attend - due to holiday - but should be a very positive vibe, I’d think. I Good PR, maybe, but I’m never convinced of the real value, above “cosmetic good will” tbh. Fans tend to learn very little that isn’t already in the public domain and details, in depth insights and exclusives are very rare in my experience. It’s ok to hear from the hierarchy but they are never going to reveal the stuff that many fans want to hear. Thus, not sure I’d have attended even if I was here.