McPie

Why did you join prideofnottingham.co.uk? The reason I joined PoN is because I’m the only Notts fan among my close friends so this platform gives me the opportunity to share my thoughts with fellow pies. What is your main highlight of being a member? The highlight for me is having other supporters understand and identify with your comments and topics created. To receive a ‘like’ is so satisfying. How much have you seen PoN grow during your time? I have seen PoN grow in the time I have been involved and it’s particular encouraging to see a wide range of ages contributing. As a community, what would you say are the three core values to PoN and why? The three core values are respect, creativity and honesty. This is because even when we don’t agree on a subject, respect is shown. Honest opinions are given without a forum turning into personal feud between posters. The creativity is seen in the wide range of topics discussed.

I've gone for 4-7. I don't think its impossible for Notts to get top 3, it's just I haven't seen enough yet to convince me.

It is interesting that as @theAnticlough says we don’t have defenders that score and in particular central defenders. Is it due to poor corner taking, dominant opposition defending in the box or is it that just about every other team in league two has a goalkeeper that comes for crosses. I wonder…..

In modern day football it’s hard to select a first eleven, because every game is different. Different opponents have differing strengths and weaknesses. Coaches these days select a team with tactics in mind. I got the impression from MP at the fans forum that he tried two up front, but it upset the balance of the team. So in that case do you pick Jatta or Dennis. Or is it a case of it depends on the opposition?

There are some interesting options among the list @Ash I expect if there are any possibilities among them Richard Montague will on the case for sure!

The need for us fans to have patience has been highlighted this season. During pre-season and even after the first few game many were doubtful (myself included) that things at the club were in a good place. Poor recruitment, unconvincing head coach and a style of playing that looked chaotic at best. But look what a bit of time and patience achieves. I know we are not the finished product yet, but things have progressed for the better. As far as recruitment is concerned look at what time to settle has produced. Hall, Luker, Iorpenda and Dennis are starting to flourish as are a few others. The team is playing with our core principles with a Paterson twist and to top it off, Richard Montague is back! Yes as the saying goes....patience is a virtue.

This is good news. He knows the DNA of the club. He understands the way the owners want to do things. As he says in the press release, he has gained experience and has fresh ideas. It just feels like things are under control again.

On the game management point, I think it’s something we can easily rectify. Over the past few seasons there have been critics of our possession based style of play. Going from side to side and backwards just to keep hold of the ball. Well when you go two or three up, that’s exactly the time to play a bit of possession football. The opposition are fired up and have momentum to try and get back in the game. We need to nullify their threat for a few minutes and then go again, rather than surrender possession and encourage their momentum.

The other aspect worth considering is Swindon are in really good form at the moment. We might find playing them later in season a better option for us. Especially as we are getting better but not yet the finished article. Only time will tell I suppose.

I think it’s interesting to compare the composure Hall showed when scoring his goal and the lack of it when Grant hit his shot straight at the goalkeeper with all the time in the world. It highlights a difference in class. I’ve noticed a few times when Tyrese receives the ball at pace his ability to control it and move is incredible.

There were plenty of positives from the Oldham game for sure. A couple of things to improve on though. Firstly agree with @Robbie there is still a big question mark over Roos. It’s not just is inability to come for crosses, but he is so wasteful with his distribution. Long balls up to Jatta, which he never wins and so many times to no one at all or just kicks it straight into touch. The other thing to work on is game management. Sometimes when the opposition score we need to take the momentum away from them and keep a bit of possession. We have a bit of a habit of panicking and just kicking and heading the ball back to the other team instead of getting control of the ball and keeping a period of possession. Doing this will take the momentum away from them. Overall a good performance. COYP!

It appears to be the case that Palmer and Grant don't have what it takes to score. I remember Matt Palmer's goal against Wealdstone, when we beat them 6-1 at their place. He didn't quite know how to celebrate when he scored, no doubt due the fact he doesn't do it very often. Grant has the opportunities, but it seems his personality lacks that ruthless streak to finish clinically.

For me it is a toss-up between Rod McDonald and Scott Robertson. However in view of the amount of long balls into the box, corners and free kicks we had to contend with, I agree with@theAnticlough Rod McDonald gets my man of the match vote.

I think this one is going to be a test. They are bringing 2000 fans. If they score early the momentum could swing their way and the noise from their fans could make the difference. If we can start well ourselves and silence their fans it could be a different outcome. We've done against the likes of Bradford with big support, we have to do it again.

Brian Kilcline made 8 appearances for Oldham in the 1991-1992.

What I took from the Fans Forum (for what it's worth) is Martin Paterson's take on the start to the season. He said it was ok. He seem to point to the last three or so games as to a turning point, that were playing more like the way the owners want. I would agree with that. A point was made by one fan that the team that played against Crawley had 8 players from last season and that seem to make the difference. It would seem from his reply that he agreed. It looks like he has been giving certain new/loan players the chance to show what they can do, but they haven't taken that opportunity. I think he is getting very close to knowing his best eleven. You get the feeling that the likes of Cotter and Aljofree are on borrowed time. I think we will see more of Luker and Hall with just one up front. From the game against Barnsley, I'd like to see more of Ness, Bennetts and Jarvis, at least being involved on the bench.

Yes he did play well I agree @liampie, It will take him time to get back to full match fitness, but he is certainly on the way. He is a first team starter for me.

I'm not sure Notts need a massive injection of cash to survive in League 1. Our model has been to find talent from lower leagues/overseas without spending high levels of cash. Our past recruitment has unearthed Wooton, Rodrigues, Langstaff, Bass and Baldwin all playing at a higher level. We also currently have Jodi, Robertson and Bedeau who have played at a higher level before joining us. So I'm not too concerned about the financial side of things, we just need to get our recruitment back on track and we will be ok.

Didn't think anyone was outstanding yesterday. However, there were a few honourable mentions. Jodi was a threat, McDonald give us stability at the back and Tsaroulla for his goal and the spirit and determination he shows. Also Palmer the go-to anchor man and Macari for his defensive work and overlaps. On balance I go for Tsaroulla.

This is the problem with too many loan players. They can help you win promotion, but most likely will be gone soon after the season finishes. I think we have a basis for a competitive squad in league 2, but like other successful promoted sides we would need to strengthen during the summer.

I don't think you could drop Rod McDonald on his current form. I can't see it being an issue for some yet. Platt has fairly long term injury and then has to get match fit. When he returns to fitness you would expect him to start on the bench and wait his chance. It's a good thing for the club to have competition for places. No one should feel they an automatic right to start. Keeps everyone on their toes!

Everyone played well today, but I think Scott Robertson deserves MOM. His energy, press and winning the ball was first class and the goal...... say no more! I feel he provided the platform for the rest of the team to perform well. We just have to keep him fit!

That was for me without doubt the best 90 minute performance I've seem from Notts since we came back into the EFL. For me Robertson's energy was infectious. Mcari did well. I thought the passing was quick and accurate the press was excellent and the finishing clinical. The team look like they had a game plan, there were organised and without the ball kept a good shape and consistently forced Crawley backwards. Crawley are a decent team, but we blew them away. Top marks for MP he got everything right today and the subs were spot on and well done Tyrese Hall with two excellent goals. COYP!

Robertson is in that’s a big plus! Also Mcari, might see some overlaps down the wing. COYP!

One thing I have noticed this season on occasion is a lack of composure on the ball. Particularly when the ball is hit long from an opposing defender. There has been a tendency by some players to simply hoof it first time away and surrendering possession. Yes there is a time when we have to “row z” it, but we have players capable of bringing the ball under control and passing.