McPie

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.

Looks like a strong line up and a strong bench. We need to match Brackley for effort and desire, then our quality should win us the game.

I think that’s exactly the point@Scotty Crewe and Gillingham are not in the top seven. The table is fluid. If any of the teams we have beaten or will yet beat end up in the top seven then will be saying we have beaten some in the top seven. If Chesterfield or Swindon drop in the next few weeks Walsall results might not look so impressive. I understand that we need to get results from teams higher up the league, maybe we will have a better idea who they are in the new year.

I agree @Robbie December is going to be an interesting barometer as to where we are. On the question of beating those in the top seven I think we are more than capable of beating any of them. It’s just at the moment we only have Salford to base a judgment on and we weren’t good that day. In fact we’re a completely different team now. So reasons to be optimistic!

It is often heard that we shouldn’t get carried away with our current progress, because “we haven’t beaten anyone in the top seven.” Is this a misleading statement? We could turn this statement on its head and also say, we haven’t been beaten by anyone apart from Salford in the top seven. The table positions are fluid. For example we drew with Bromley when they were in the top seven and we have drawn with Swindon, both games we could easily have won. For me the the progress we have made genuine and without getting carried away, am looking forward to the rest of the season and a good January transfer window. COYP!