Jump to content
Jimmy Sirrel Stand    Is the squad good enough to win the league?

Promotion has to be the goal this season, the recruitment has been quite tidy and effective I think.

We have gone about building the squad by adding quality, with the likes of Kyle Cameron, Joel Taylor and Matt Palmer all being players who bring something different. Do you think the squad is good enough to win the league?

Improving form and the tactics, could lead to better performances but its a business were the results are key.

If the squad isn't good enough, what can Ian Burchnall do in order to achieve it?

Read Less  
Introductions    Newbie here!

Hi! Thanks for letting me in. ????

Read Less  
Match Talk    Match Discussion: Game 8 - The Robins (A)

Game 8 - The Robins (A)

Team: Altrincham

Date: 25/09/2021

Where: Moss Lane



What line-up should Ian BurchnallΒ opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Read Less  
  • Show previous comments  17 more
    • 15 hours ago, Elite_pie said:

    Last season when we were playing twice a week we had a large enough squad to rotate players frequently, whereas some of our rivals didn't even have enough players to put 5 subs on the bench.

    The key word is rotation, Ruben Rodrigues for me, needs to be dropped to the bench for at least one game.

    If he's carrying a knock, unfit due to pre-season or just finding it difficult - he hasn't been the same recently at all. I'm not looking for excuses, but putting across my own opinion that some aren't quite playing at their usual standard. It quite possibly could be form, but I think some are struggling due to the reasons I have outlined.

    Ian Burchnall has done incredibly well to settle the squad, yet he only makes changes when he's forced.

    Just like Gareth Southgate, he won't move from his usual starting 11 - this has its positives and negatives. Regardless if its tiredness, full on fatigue or poor form, sometimes it's wise to rotate the players struggle.

    We rely heavily on our more creative players, so it well may be a mix of things.

    Also, I haven't said its everyone but the point to disagree seems to be including the whole squad? We have a big enough squad to make changes.

    Burchnall himself said he doesn't want to drop Francis yet for Vincent, who is supposedly ready to return. So, if we continue to play players who are either poor in form or tired, and in need of a little rest - what will be achieved by constantly playing them?

    As I say, it's good IB isn't dropping people for the sake of it but the odd rotation changes the mix.

    I personally think Jim O'Brien should be given a start, whilst Cal Roberts suspension means we should see Aaron Nemane. This might be enough to force changes and hopefully a stronger reaction to the recent defeat. I'm also, not suggesting by my fatigue comment that its anything serious.

    Unlike those that bang on about 'semi pros' as if footballers are shoe horned into a standard just because of their contracts, footballers are footballers at the end of the day- they win, lose and draw regardless of their natural talent or overall ability [this comment is aimed at some on social media.].

    Read Less  
      • Like 1

    There does appear to be something with Ruben Rodrugues , I agree with that.

    It could be mostly a lack of form, but he does seem to pant a lot and avoid running at least in the last two home games. His attacking play has slowed down to almost walking with a slight burst of pace. Whatever is going on, Ian Burchnall eyes and staff will need to identify it.

    Read Less  
      • Like 1
    1 hour ago, Chris said:

    The key word is rotation, Ruben Rodrigues for me, needs to be dropped to the bench for at least one game.

    If he's carrying a knock, unfit due to pre-season or just finding it difficult - he hasn't been the same recently at all.

    I would agree with that, Ruben has reverted to the inconsistent player he was under Ardley last season rather than the exciting player we saw later on under Burchnall.Β  Whether it is down to a reaction from him catching Covid, who knows?Β  He's looked a bit lost and indecisive in recent games, and I'm not sure the deeper role he seems to be playing suits him.Β  Hopefully he'll play further forward againstΒ Woking with Roberts suspended, and we'll see an improvement.

    Read Less  
      • Like 1
Match Talk    Highlights : Notts v Maidenhead

Β 

Read Less  
Match Talk    Ratings : Altrincham v Notts

Patterson 7 Looks an accomplished keeper. No fault for the goal

Brindley 6 Looks so comfortable coming forward with the ball, but then mind goes into indecisiveness

Brennan 6.5 Looks a good player, one really bad pass blotting his copybook

Chicksen 6 A steady Eddie type one has come to expect.

DKE 5.5 Confidence seems to have taken a bash

Taylor 5 Far too many checks inside, when a push and run on presented itself. Miller, looking the better of the deal for Chesterfield maybe

Francis 4 Oh dear, just not strong enough to dictate a game

Palmer 6 Again a running performance but no real forward quality delivered

Ruben 6 Good chances missed but at least getting into position

Roberts 5.5 Another utterly stupid booking. Altrincham doubled up on him

Wootton 5 seemed lost today, not at the races

Β 

https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-player-ratings-altrincham-5970194

Read Less  
Prediction League    Prediction league 21/22 round 9 - 25 September

As Sepp Herberger once said, after the prediction league is before the prediction league. So here's the next round. Kick-off is 3pm on Saturday, and remember your jokers!

Β 

Blackburn Rovers v Cardiff City

Nottingham Florist v Millwall

Morecambe v Accrington Stanley

Oxford United v Gillingham

Hartlepool United v Exeter City

Sutton United v Carlisle United

Dagenham & Redbridge v Solihull Moors

Stockport County v Wrexham

Read Less  
Jimmy Sirrel Stand    Incoming keeper on loan?

According to the Nottingham Post, Notts are closing on another loan signing. That of 21 year old keeper, Anthony Patterson from Sunderland.

Sam Slocombe has supposedly picked up a knock in training.

The League One keeper has only 2 league caps to his name, so limited experience. Would it not be better to getΒ Tiernan Brooks back?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Patterson

https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-sunderland-transfer-patterson-5962117

Read Less  
Match Talk    Scouting Dossier: Notts vs. Maidenhead

In the first half, I felt Josh Kelly did very well. He looked speedy, quick and unafraid to take on players. Whilst his finishing was questionable, he seemed to be playing on the wing, which I do feel he did a decent job at.

He looks like someone any good club could improve further.

https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/josh-kelly/profil/spieler/526852

@PiethagoramΒ @ARLukomski

Read Less  
Jimmy Sirrel Stand    Ciaran Brennan joins on loan
Read Less  
Granny Pie's General Discussion    Helicopter photo of the San Sirrel
Read Less  
Jimmy Sirrel Stand    Wrexham to be added to FIFA 22

So, Wrexham are being added to FIFA 22 making them the first National League side to do so.Β 

This is crazy. Obviously their Hollywood owners have something to do with this.Β 

Why not add other National League clubs too?Β 

Without sounding biased, Notts County have every right to be added too considering we're the oldest professional club in the world.Β 

Read Less  
Jimmy Sirrel Stand    Cal Roberts Yellow Card Collection

So Cal Roberts has quite quickly amassed 4 yellow cards: Torquay (Dissent), Wrexham (Foul), Aldershot (Simulation or was it the reaction after?) and Maidenhead (Dissent). I think I’m correct that 5 cards equates to a 1 match ban. With our supposedly easier fixtures coming to an end would you rather see him get booked this weekend (meaningΒ he wouldΒ missΒ Woking at home) or just wait and see how it plays out knowing that he could then miss one of the tougher games?

Here’s our next 6 fixtures: Altrincham (A), Woking (H), Halifax (A), Yeovil (A), Stockport (H), Bromley (H).

And do you think IB needs to have a word with him or is this just a one-off unlucky succession of bookings?

Read Less  
Jimmy Sirrel Stand    Harvey Elliott Injury

Before I get in to this, I wish Harvey Elliott a speedy recovery. No one wishes to see an injury like this occur to any footballer, especially a young lad with a bright future. Hope he comes back stronger.Β 

Now, it's a tricky situation. I thought it was a good challenge. There are angles that make you question whether he was in control or not. His tackling leg was placed well where as his trailing leg that caused the injury wasn't. But let's be honest there's not a lot we can do with a trailing leg unless we can take it off.Β 

Do I think it was a red card? No. Yellow card for me if they're going to call a foul. Referee was playing on until he realised the severity of the injury.

I think it was the severity of the injury that forced the referee to give a red. Had it not been that severe I think Struijk might have seen a yellow. But where do we draw the line? If there is a 50/50 and a player comes off with a serious injury does it warrant a red?Β 

Read Less  
Prediction League    Prediction league 21/22 round 8 - 18 September

Saturday is prediction league time again - please post your predictions by 3pm on Saturday, and remember those jokers!

Β 

Middlesbrough v Blackpool

QPR v Bristol City

AFC Wimbledon v Plymouth Argyle

Portsmouth v Cambridge United

Bradford City v Barrow

Tranmere Rovers v Salford City

Bromley v Barnet

Torquay United v Southend United

Read Less  
English Football    Harry Kewell (Barnet) and Danny Searle (Aldershot) Sacked!

And so it begins, who had 7 games into the season for the first manager to be sacked? WellΒ two managers have gone in the same day.

Harry Kewell leaves Barnet second from bottom with 2 points and 0 wins.
Danny Searle leaves Aldershot third from bottom with 4 points and 1 win.

I'm more shocked with the Aldershot one, they played well against us and the teams beforeΒ us by all accounts. They've just won and draw as well so I feel they would've gradually been on the way up. And they've played us, Chesterfield, Boreham Wood, Yeovil and Solihull - all teams in the top 10. Not an easy start at all. I think they've made a bigΒ mistake there.

As for the sacking ofΒ Harry Kewell, he isn't exactly a guy that fans warm too, but he's signed a lot of players in the summer - and a lot of them have been players he's worked with before. Yes they've started badly but when a manager signs a whole new squad you've got to give him a bit of time...Β I think Barnet will really struggle thisΒ season.

Read Less  
Jimmy Sirrel Stand    Pep Guardiola calling for fans

Pep Guardiola has caused a bit of stir with his comments after their win against Leipzig.Β 

He's appealing for more fans to turn up for Man City games. Reports are that 14k tickets went unsold.Β 

This further gets rival fans taunting the name "empythad"

Now, as I've always said there is a big difference between a club being a big club and a BIG club.Β 

Man City have all the money and success most clubs could wish for but they don't have the fanbase to match it. It's a little surprising tbf, once they got the money and success you'd have thought fans would have tagged along.Β 

They might be Premier League giants in terms of success but when it comes to following they're low down the pecking order even behind their city rivals Manchester United.Β 

Β 

Read Less  
Match Talk    Match Discussion: Game 7 - The Magpies (H)

Game 7 - The Magpies (H)

Team: Maidenhead United

Date: 18/09/2021

Where: Meadow Lane



What line-up should Ian BurchnallΒ opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Read Less  
  • Show previous comments  1 more

    • Far from our best, first half was sluggish almost everyone was off their game and it was far too easy for Maidenhead. Better second half though, we limited Maidenhead’s threats and looked more solid.

    Good to see Cameron has replaced Ellis nicely as a real threat in the oppositions box too.Β Did Lacey really get a touch? I was too far away to tell.

    I do still wonder if we need a more physically dominant midfielder though, someone who will break up play more and just be a general nuisance for opposing midfielders… I know we’re yet to see Vincent but I don’t think he’s exactly a brute!

    Read Less  
      • Like 1

    It was a poor and difficult start for Notts.

    The passing game is being pushed to give us confidence on the ball, so that we aren't pressured as much - giving us chance to express our creativity and quality. Yet, against Maidenhead this never really worked.

    Slow build-ups, leading to quicker play, never allowed us to slow down in order to create many decent chances.

    It always felt very forced and rushed. Even in the second half, I think we fell victim to allowing the frustration to build up. Yet a win is a win. At the end of the day, I thought many of our players had were just too average.

    Maidenhead wasn't anything special, bar a couple of players who looked to be very direct.

    Cal Roberts, Alex Lacey, Ruben Rodrigues and Kyle Wootton all had a poor game in my eyes, yet it wasn't down to a lack of effort. Merely the way we played and approached the game, whilst some allowed the frustration of events to effect their performance.

    Read Less  
      • Like 1

    i thought it was a good win but the performance was testing at times, notts just lacked that spark or cutting edge that we have seen. yet the clean sheet for me is a big bonus. with camerons injury i think it shows we can be tighter at the back.

    Read Less  
Match Talk    Player ratings v Maidenhead

Slocombe 6.5 - not tested enough to merit a high mark, but didn't do a lot wrong.
Brindley 7 - much better than Tuesday, defended well.
Taylor 6 - a bit hit and miss, looks for the safe pass a bit too often when he should be crossing it.
Lacey 7 - more like the Lacey we know. Held us together when Cameron went off.
Cameron 6.5 - brought the ball out of defence well, hope his injury is a minor one.
Francis 7.5* - impressed me today. Some really good forward balls and imposed himself more.
Palmer 7 - not a good first half, but made up for it in the second.
Roberts 5.5 - nothing seemed to go his way. Flashes of what he is capable of, but a poor penalty and a petulant booking limits his mark.
Ruben 5.5 - again below par. The slightly deeper role doesn't suit what he is best at, he struggled to get into scoring positions.
Wootton 6 - can't fault his effort, but he didn't get a lot of service.
Mitchell 5.5 - I think there's a good player there, but he didn't show it today.

Subs-

O’Brien 6 - typical JOB, some things worked and some didn't, but I love his passion.
Chicksen 7 - a really good replacement for Cameron. Solid, and a very useful squad member who is a bit unlucky not to start.

Brilliant that we got another 3 points, but this game once again provided more questions than answers.Β  We did the job against limited opposition, we need to show that we can do the same against theΒ better teams.

Read Less  
Match Talk    Match Discussion: Game 6 - The Stones (H)

Game 6 - The Stones (H)

Team: Wealdstone

Date: 14/09/2021

Where: Meadow Lane



What line-up should Ian BurchnallΒ opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Read Less  
  • Show previous comments  12 more

    • Watched the extended highlights, and just some points I noted that I didn't get from the commentary:

    - Some of Ed Francis' long balls were sublime. He's got a decent shot on him too.
    - The elbow is on purpose and a straight red every day of the week.
    - Rodrigues was 'off' but still did a lot of good link up play.
    - It's Lacey and Brindley that get in a mess for their 2nd. Lacey steps out and doesn't win the ball and I think Brindley is trying to catch them offside (unsuccessfully).
    - I think its Wootton that loses his man for their first.Β 
    - Matty Palmer should be scoring that chance. If he doesn't touch it, Wootton sweeps home his 2nd of the night.Β 

    Read Less  

    I don't think Notts was lucky to win, we had a perfectly good goal disallowed at a key stage in the game.

    Sam Slocombe also kept us in the match, which I don't expect to see him being given the credit for. It's the most demanding role on the pitch, but I think he's showing his experience whereas when Ross Fitzsimons was here - he got defended rather blindly until the later stages of the season. If Fitzsimons was here now, I doubt we'd be doing as well. Yet every keeper makes at least a few mistakes. Defensively, we do need to be better.

    Slocombe and Kyle Cameron have both said this is an adjustment for Notts, which will take time, but the signs are positive.

    Wealdstone gave us a good game, They started off sluggish, but defensively I always felt they were poor in this department. Going forward, they played a direct game which was opposite to my thoughts on their defence. A better team might have caused more issues, yet in the second half we were on top of the game.

    The entertainment value was one of the better aspects I've seen in a while, but I still believe there's an unhealthy expectation that Notts should be keeping clean sheets and winning games 5-0, home and away by some fans.

    This isn't realistic and even the poorer teams in the National League will be able to cause any team issues.

    It's all down to improving, getting those wins and boosting the confidence within our squad.

    Cal Roberts could've easily ended the game with far more goals, he got himself into positions where he unselfishly attempted to assist someone else - had he shot and not scored, he'd fall criticism to being selfish. Yet he's alert, bright and eager to do what's best for the team. His free kick was a very close attempt. Kyle Wootton, Ruben Rodrigues, Kyle Cameron all came close to scoring chances which didn't quite work out. That's football.

    Very few attempts by Wealdstone in the second half had that edge or worry of a goal threat.

    Despite feeling nervous when they attacked, we hung on and defended well in the dying moments of the game.

    I think it was a fair match, which both teams took seriously and gave everything - we came out of it deserving the win. Yet I feel Wealdstone proved that they're no pushovers.

    PS. It's also unlike Weymouth who went 2-0 up, then lost 2-4. I used to argue that winning pretty was better than winning ugly, which most fans seemed to prefer the win however it came - it's happening now, and we want this crisp attractive football where we don't concede. ????????‍♂️ Each game is different, but improvements will be made - yet I think in the National League we must sometimes accept results are the main thing without being overly critical of performances.

    Read Less  
      • Like 1
Match Talk    Standard of refs : Notts v Wealdstone

Β 

Read Less  
Granny Pie's General Discussion    Player ratings v Wealdstone

Slocombe 7 - one dodgy punch apart, he looked a bit more confident. One superb save low down probably earned us two points.
Brindley 5 - a torrid night, constantly exposed and most of their dangerous attacks were down our right.
Lacey 5 - never got to grips with their strikers, had a difficult time.
Cameron 6Β - same as Lacey, but gets an extra pointΒ forΒ scoring the winner. He needs to show similar dominance and desire in our box as well though.
Taylor 6 - did ok, best of the back line and got forward at times.
Roberts 7.5 - the end product didn't match the approach work, but he was a real danger all game.
Francis 6 - moderate first half, but improved as the game progressed. Needs a bit of shooting practice!
Palmer 7.5* - covered a lot of ground, always available for a pass and hardly wasted a ball all night.
Rodrigues 5 - a shadow of the player he can be. Overhit passes, poor first touch, struggled to get involved.
Wootton 7.5 - led the line well, another goal, showed how viital he is to the team.
Mitchell 6.5 - his pace was always a threat, I think he needs a goal to really show what he can do.

O'Brien 6 - worked hard.
Kelly-Evans 6 - helped to shore up the right side late on.
Sam n/a - not enough time to rate, but the more I see of Eli Sam the more I wonder what he offers.

We started slowly and were poor until Roberts equalised, and we were very lucky to go in ahead at half time. The 15 minutes after half time was our best spell, we created a lot and should have put the game to bed. Once they got back to 3-2 though it was a nervy last half hour, and a relief when the final whistle blew. A very entertaining game where 5-5 would probably have been a fair score. Well done to Wealdstone and their fans, they certainly played their part.

Read Less  
Match Talk    Goals : Notts v Wealdstone

Β 

Read Less  
Match Talk    Highlights : Weymouth v Notts

Β 

Read Less  
Jimmy Sirrel Stand    Home Match Supporter and Atmosphere

The last two home matches I’ve been impressed with the noise produced by both the Aldershot and Wealdstone supporters in fact I think the Wealdstone support spurred them onto their second goal. WhereasΒ I’ve felt we seem a bit quiet,Β subdued and sometimes disjointed. Do we need to look at getting some home support in the Sirrel as last season when we had supporters in all stands the atmosphere was electric (that could of been due to being the first games back after so long away).Β Failing that do we need to look to move the away supporters towards the Kop end if we can to try and bounce off each other?

Any other ideas for improving the atmosphere? For reference I sit in the family stand though so the noise from the away end will seem greater but in days gone past the kop used to drown that out.Β 

Read Less  
Match Talk    Highlights : Notts v Wealdstone

Absolute blatant red card offence for the elbow on Ruben

Read Less  

Important Information

Pride of Nottingham uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. To approve, simply continue using the site or click 'I accept' Terms of Use.

I accept