McPie

Notts need not fear anyone this season. I think we have the best two strikers in the league. If we can improve the accuracy of our passing, keep winning the ball high up the pitch (like we did against Fleetwood for the goal) we should be fine. Our weakness is defending balls into the box, especially from set pieces. As its most teams in League two’s most potent weapon, we will have to master it to get promoted, starting this Saturday against Gillingham. I noticed in Gareth Ainsworth’s presser, he said Notts have a certain way of playing. I don’t think many managers have cottoned onto the fact that we have changed this season. I think they are in for a surprise when play us. Hopefully this works in our favor! COYP!

The plot thickens! Richard Montague's future at Swansea is in doubt apparently. I wonder....

I think many feel the club could improve in their communication with supporters on football related matters. It seems as soon as you open the official website you are instantly hit with commercial offers. Most supporters appreciate the importance of raising funds for the club, but it would be nice if that were balanced out with more regular football related information. Maybe with the appointment of a new D of F, his secretary or some one could produce regular updates. For example, without giving too much detail updates during the transfer window. latest on injuries etc. Sometimes the long periods of silence can get fans worried and then rumours surface. Good communication is the life blood of any good club.

If MP plays with two up front again, it's possible Jodi would play at wing back and replace Gordon. Although with it being an away game at the team top of the league he might go more cautious and just go with one striker.

Not being privy to the details surrounding this decision it's hard to know what to make of it. However the the decision was made by mutual agreement. So it's seems both parties felt it was the right thing to do. Certainly recruitment hasn't been the best and there was was that longish period leading up to the end of the transfer window where no anticipated striker came in. Whether that has anything to do with it we might never know.

An often-heard expression among football fans is “winning is all that matters” It’s felt that playing good football and not winning is futile. “It doesn’t matter how we perform as long as we win.” Of course, for any team to be successful winning is essential. However is it too simplistic to say it doesn’t matter how we play as long as we win? Well to win trophies and achieve promotions, winning is vital. However, can a team play poorly for 46 games in a season and expect to get promotion? Yes good teams, champions find a way to win when they aren’t playing well, but they have to play well for a good number of games to be successful. Teams who consistently play poorly are more likely to be relegated than promoted. So good performances are also needed. The question is how can a team that plays good entertaining football also become a winning one? Certainly players with skill and technical ability are needed. They need to have the skill set that fits into the head coaches playing philosophy. They need a measure of physicality, mental strength and a never say die attitude. As a team there needs to be a clear playing identity. In answer to the question, yes winning matters, but it’s not all that matters. The performance against Fleetwood shows we are beginning to develop a winning mentality. Let’s hope MP is able put these ingredients together to make us not only a team that wins, but a team that is good to watch!

It can be a tough watch at times with the the ball flying aimlessly in the air from one side to the other like a tennis match. But to be fair to Notts league two opposition tend to force you into that style of play with there constant physical approach that stifles football. So I think the penny has dropped with the owners that to get promotion, you have to match that style. The old saying that you have to earn the right to play football seems to be true. As we develop as a team lets hope we can add some decent football to the physical side and get promoted.

Today wasn’t a fluent performance, but it did show we can mix it with the physical teams in league 2. I would like to see Robertson start when he’s fully match fit and Ness to replace Aljofree who I think would benefit from a rest. If Jatta is injured, then I would expect Jodi to get his place back.

I agree with the sponsors man of the match Iorpenda. Not only is he good at winning the ball back as he did for the goal, but he has the ability to turn and run with the ball. There was one occasion when he intercepted the and turned in one movement and was way on the attack. Real class for this level.

@Chris, I agree, don’t think Jodi will be a big loss. He’s not yet firing on all cylinders so to speak. It gives MP some interesting team selections without disrupting the overall momentum. He could replace him with Jatta and play two up front. He could give Hall a start to see what he can do. He may though play safe and put Grant in there. Also I wonder if he’s thinking about replacing Aljofree with Ness or Norburn with Robertson. We wait with anticipation!

As much as I would like to see two up front, I have a feeling Jatta will be on the bench. If he is that does give us two options for the game. Jatta can either come on and make it two upfront or if necessary he could replace Denis if he is not playing well. Play them both from the start and there's no one on the bench to bring on.

@gtownjohnno, Let’s hope it hasn’t been spent yet and is waiting in the coffers for some good signings in the January transfer window for a strong promotion push.

Tonight’s performance might tell us why we didn’t sign anyone on deadline day. Hopefully!

@Fan of Big Tone, that's the good thing about this forum. Here people respect one another's opinions and don't jump on every grammatical mistake that's made.

As @Chris, says, the right players were probably were not available. We have been down the route of panic signing for the sake of a signing and it hasn't worked. I think it's better to manage till January and have a clearer idea what we actually need and make a push for promotion in the second half of the season.

We will just have to hope we don’t get a lot of injuries and that the January window is more successful this time around than in previous years. There is still the free agent market, but I’d be surprised if that produces any real gems. I get the feeling financial constraints are at play here.

I think Jeff Hughes played for Lincoln some time before he joined us if I remember right. I believe he left us for Fleetwood.

Michael O'Connor, was really sad to see him leave for Lincoln. He had been a really good player for us at the time.

Transfer deadline day. What are we expecting? Any ins or outs? I would be surprised, but stranger things have happened. Maybe we will see some loans to the National League after today.

I suppose whatever the reason Roos punches instead of catching is, teams we play will have done their homework. League two teams don’t need an excuse to bombard our box with crosses! Time will tell if this is going to be a problem.

No sarcasm intended @Wheelbarrow repair man, just a genuine thought. But there has been some good replies to the conundrum, so it's good to get a rounded out view. That's the beauty of forums like this!

It’s fair to say Kelle Roos has come in for quiet a bit of criticism because more often than not he punches the crosses rather than catches them. This is seen as a weakness on his part, a lack of confidence. Could there be an alternative reason? Could it be that punching the ball (providing good distance is achieved) is less risky that catching? A spilled catch will most likely lead to a goal, whereas a punch is easier to execute and less risky if it goes wrong. Just a thought, controversial I know....

I voted for Palmer, but having watched back the full match replay, it could easily have been McDonald.

Great result! Could this be the start of two up front! One thing for certain MP can't drop Dennis. 3 game unbeaten run. Gradually gelling as a team.

I watched the highlights of the Tranmere V Gillingham game and to be honest I wasn’t particularly impressed with either, especially Gillingham. If we can re-produce the first half performance against Bromley for 90 minutes, we will be a match for anyone in this league. Start Jatta on the bench today and let him loose for the final 20 minutes. No defence would be looking forward to that!