McPie

If we replace Palmer with Norburn I think we're in trouble. We don't really have a direct replacement for Palmer, so I'd like to see a change in formation Robertson as the pivot. Maybe Platt alongside Ness with Macari and Bedeau as full backs and three in front of Robertson made up from either Tsaroulla, Grant, Hall Jarvis or Kouhyar and Jatta up top. My feeling is Martin Paterson will replace Palmer with either Iorpenda or Norburn and keep an otherwise unchanged team.

I'm a big fan of Matt Palmer, but as @Fan of Big Tone says this could be an opportunity for others. In fact it could be an opportunity to try a a different formation and give Jarvis or Kouhyar a start.

Tsaroulla a definite worthy winner. Having watched the full match replay, my choice Bennetts wasn’t the man of the match. It’s amazing how different a game is when you watch it at the ground and then watch a video replay.

My takeaway from the Colchester game is just how important it is to have pace in the team. Counter attacking is an important part of the game. We don't do it very well. I agree big January coming up. I think Martin Paterson has got just about as much as he can out of the current group. It's amazing that the last two opponents had massive injury problems ad we still couldn't beat them. Maybe time for a re-think about our formation. It was interesting to hear Danny Cowley's interview after the match. He said the injuries forced him to play 4 4 2. It worked well for them, at times it seemed like they had an extra man on the pitch! Food for thought maybe?

Yes it’s true that Tsaroulla, Grant and Bennetts all have ability but one thing they all have in common as well is the missing end product. With Tsaroulla and Bennetts it’s the final ball, the cross and particularly last season for Tsaroulla It was his shooting. He would dribble past three players and then sky it over the bar. If he could work on that he would be real player for us . With Grant he just lacks that ruthless streak. If he had it he could be our top scorer. What I’ve like about Bennetts is his willingness to take players on and her crosses in. He has the technical ability that some of the others lack. I could vote him as a man of the match but he has to do it more consistently and with more assists. Having said all that, I would like to see Kouyhar get a start, to see what he could do. It’s the same with Jarvis they need a consistent run of games to bring out the best in them. I think after Saturday’s performance, Martin Paterson might be willing to make a few changes.

Yes really, but it’s all about personal opinions at the end of the day.

Keanan Bennetts was my man of the match, thought he was really positive with the ball and showed some good technical skill.

I thought Colchester were good value for the win today. We were out played all over the pitch. We were out thought tactically and they showed how important pace is in attacking areas. As @theAnticlough says a big January coming up if we want promotion.

We can beat anyone in this league when we are on it. Let's hope we are on it this Saturday. I think our problem is we can't sustain a good performance for the whole game. We either start well and fade of start poorly and give our selves a mountain to climb. We have to start taking our chances while we are top that's seems to be what's missing.

For me a takeaway from the Harrogate game is that Martin Paterson’s previous comments about the door being closed for one or two players, doesn’t include Will Jarvis.

I think this fan shirt is fund-raising for the club one step too far. I am happy to support the the club and buy merchandise to raise funds, but there is a limit to what you can buy and at £50 a shirt and more for families you begin to feel a little bit exploited, especially for something that is not really needed.

I agree @Robbie subs can get a man of of the match. We have seen it with England recently. The likes of Jarvis coming on when defenders are tired can make a massive difference. I think in the modern game it's not about the starting eleven any more. The strategy to win a game involves the whole eighteen and the coach shows his skill in knowing when to make the changes. Martin Paterson is doing just that for me.

I'm not sure anyone was head and shoulders above anyone else. I don't think the attacking players covered themselves in glory. I have gone for Ness. His run down the left in the first half shows he is more than just a head and kick it defender. We will need players of that quality if we get promoted. A shout out for Macari as well, often goes under the radar.

I think that's a game we would have lost last season, so to get a point is a positive for me. It's very difficult when teams sit deep behind the ball. If there is one we need to work on it finding a way to break these teams down. Putting balls into the box doesn't work against strong defences and good goalkeepers that command the their area. I do think the likes of Jarvis and Bennetts and Jodi when fit have what it takes to go past players and get in to the box then like today anything can happen!

Yes I think you might be right @Robbie . Certainly in the Cheltenham game we played with a higher tempo, possibly due to the fact that they know where their team mates will make runs etc.

I've gone for Robertson, I feel much less concerned when Palmer's not playing with him in the team. A very close second was Ness and a shout for Keanan Bennetts, he has real ability with the ball at his feet, especially in tight areas, he doesn't panic and just hit aimless balls to no one.

I know we can’t get carried away with the win last night and being in the automatic promotion spots means nothing at this stage of the season, but credit where credit is due. We had arguably three of our best players missing last night and we played some great football and when it got tough, we found away to win. I also believe that the Brackley Town disaster highlights that when it really matters (in the league) we are able put in a good performance!

For me Palmer and Robertson hold the defensive/central midfield spots, but the two attacking ones are up for grabs. Could be an interesting January transfer window!

That's amazing@Robbie what a turn around from the start of the season!

I think Hall and Iorpenda have looked a bit tired in the last couple of games. Probably due to not being used to playing regular men’s football. Martin Paterson seems to like Grant so he might replace Hall. Not sure he will play two up front, so Dennis might miss out. I wouldn’t be against giving Kouhyar a start. I think he’s probably earned it.

There has been a lot said recently regarding the return of set pieces and long throw-ins in the elite levels of football. While possession with a purpose still has a place, is moving the ball forward quicker now the preferred style? In recent seasons, Notts have employed three at the back and two wingbacks and we have enjoyed some success playing that way. In more recent times particularly the wingbacks have been less effective going forward and usually aren’t the best defenders. Would we be benefit from a four four two formation? Going to a back four with two full backs that can defend and still have the option to overload down the flanks when required. The four across the middle could include either one or two who could play as wingers or or attacking midfielders and two up front, one of which could double as a ten. Or could it be it doesn't matter what formation we use, just need good players with the right mentality and the desire to win!

I think now that the dust has settled, and we're over the disappointment of Saturday night, maybe we will see the performance was simply down to stage-fright. The players seem to freeze under the spotlight of being expected to win against the minnows on live nationwide TV. Perhaps it was just the giant killing phenomenon of the FA Cup that worked against us. It has happened to many better teams than us over the years. As @Robbie says it's time to move on. The Brackley match will not define our season. What we need now is a response and then "normal service" will resume. COYP!

For me the most significant takeaway is the importance of Matt Palmer to the team and the need to find a similar player for when he is is injured, (which is easier said than done)

On this occasion Martin Paterson gets 3/10 for his half time team talk. I expected us to come out fired up, but we didn’t. Same before extra time started. In can’t be understated just how important Matt Palmer is to this team. He is unique. How many times in the second half did Ness have the ball but no one to pass to. Norburn went missing. Matt Palmer is always just In front of the defenders waiting for the ball to get things moving. If he was rested unnecessarily, then that was one big mistake.

That was absolutely embarrassing. No fight, no grit no determination. We were out fought by a team that wasn’t particularly that good but still thoroughly deserved to go through. One thing this showing highlights is how important Matt Palmer is to he way we play. We were sloppy in possession and didn’t win second balls. The fact that Ness was man of the match tells you all you need to know.