I do think it’ll be harsh not to start Sam in the same way I thought it was harsh Mitchell didn’t get to start after he bagged two goals earlier in the season. I think attackers/strikers need that run of games, and I think it’s why we are yet to see the best of both Sam and Mitchell. I can't see either Woots or Ruben being dropped for him though.

Assuming everyone is fit then you'd have to probably switch to a 4-3-3 to get Sam in the team. Then you can have Sam and Roberts/Ruben playing alongside Woots and still get numbers in midfield with Palmer, Vinny and Ruben/Roberts. I don't think we'll play 4-3-3 so he'll probably be back on the bench - just means he'll just have to come off and score!

As for Barnet Mason Bloomfield, Adam Marriott, Ephron Mason-Clarke and Sehat Tasdemir are all out so that's 4 decent attacking options we don't have to worry about. They've got more out too so we definitely won't be facing them at their strongest and right now there form has dropped a bit so on paper it's a good time to play them.

Fingers crossed we get a performance that can honour the memory of Colin Slater.

Barnet haven't won in their last 4 games but one of those was a 0-0 draw at Boreham Wood which was a fantastic result. They didn't play well in their last 2 games. They scrapped a home draw with Altrincham and then were crushed 4-1 by Chesterfield, it was 0-0 at HT but Chesterfield went up 4-0 before Barnet replied. Notts have a fantastic home record. It will be an emotional night. We pay tribute to a great man and the best way to honour his memory is with a win and I think Notts will do just that. 3-0 to Notts I reckon and more than a few tears shed in memory of Uncle Colin. I think I have something in my eye......

Disappointing that this was called off and it just means we've got more games to fit in, however Halifax losing at Maidenhead and Chesterfield losing in the week and drawing yesterday means the gap to the top hasn't really increased. Good wins for Stockport against Dagenham and Bromley against Grimsby though means they gain. Only six points points separating the top 7 now, with us occupying the 7th spot with 2 games in hand... 

I'm not sure what IB said at half time but it worked. We cannot afford to drop points in games like these. We didn't so it's job done. 

https://www.kltown.co.uk/2022/01/11/roberts-masterclass-downs-valiant-lynn/ 

This win could be the turning point of our season, a good result and Cal Roberts firing in 3 goals won't hinder his confidence what with the bid from Chesterfield.

2 hours ago, Dripsey3 said:

You couldn't play football on that excuse for a pitch. Ref was right to call it off. 

It didn't look bad from what I've seen, we've had it worse and, I watched the game highlights their chairman mentioned - it certainly looked worse then compared to today.

I don't buy they wanted the game to be played though, off or on.

A decision needs to be made early to prevent travel. Dover are a club that pulls postponements without thought, if they truly believed the game could've been played, then they should've communicated with Notts throughout the process.

I got as far as Canterbury East on the train, before turning back.

Fans of both clubs were talking about the possibility of this being called off beforehand due to the awful weather forecast and the state of the pitch. If Dover were so surprised, that shows a lack of foresight.

The way a couple of clubs in this league are run is shambolic. Most clubs in the Northern Counties East league put them to shame.

Could have been different if they had kept 11 on the pitch but we will never know and I’m not complaining. It was a definite penalty, but I’d like to see the replay as I did not see it as a deliberate handball.

As for Wrexham, they were basically a look for set pieces and long throw into the box sort of side and reminded me a lot of a John Beck team (for those with long memories). They got lucky with the goal they scored and never really looked like getting another to be honest, apart from the pen, which was more of an error from Vincent than good play by them.

I thought Richardson and Palmer were immense and the rest excellent, it’s bonkers watching Cameron’s ability with the ball at his feet as centre halves aren’t supposed to be able to do that!

I was only able to listen to but I find it more nerve-wracking then being at a live game. I’m never 100% sure where the ball is and I feel Charlie Slater can just say “ball into the box and a goal” from out of nowhere. I finally felt confident of the win by about the 85th minute!

Thread bare squad but credit it to them it, that was a big win for us. Red card changed the game but that’s not in our control and we still had to push on and make sure of the 3 points. Sometimes playing against 10 can be trickier (as we know). Sounded like the players that haven’t featured as much as they’d like this season like Francis and Chicksen had great games. And even Sam put himself about a bit and sounded like he should’ve got himself on the scoresheet.

Couldn’t ask for a better start to 2022!

The thing I noticed very quickly, was how Wrexham smashed their crosses and passes.

It was almost like they wanted to intimidate us with weight on the ball, so that we didn't try to block them, which is something that faded as the game progressed. Their tempo early on, it was very direct and with a lot of purpose. Right before they scored, they had two chances which should've had alarm bells going. Their goal, was a fantastic exchange, and although I didn't feel like 'here we go again'. It did make me feel that the game would be very open, with Notts needing to exploit them.

Kyle Cameron eased things a little, as Alex Lacey tried, but I think the main focus for us to regroup came from Cameron at the back.

Wrexham didn't seem to have a lot of pace and, I was surprised that they actually didn't press more after the opening goal. Their red card, unbelievable - talk about stupidity. Was there any point in handling the ball? Did it save Wrexham? If that didn't happen, I feel the game would've been a draw as both teams did well in all fairness.

No doubt Wrexham losing Harry Lennon was the turning point.

They didn't start off as if they were a man down, bringing the game to Notts, but slowly we faded them out with our passing play. Those who dislike how we pass the ball at times, take note that Wrexham had spells where they chased every ball, until they became frustrated and somewhat lazy.

This allowed Notts to turn the game in our favour, pushing and creating chances which put the panic on their defence.

Whilst I felt Matt Palmer did very well, my Man of the Match would be Kyle Wootton for his work rate - followed by Frank Vincent who played an immense game. I actually felt every player played very well, with a level that grew as our confidence lifted. 

Paul Mullin had the chance to salvage the game for Wrexham, but he went missing. Very poor penalty! Nothing was taken from Anthony Patterson as he still needed to pull of the save, which was a good one, but that penalty was pathetic from a club's leading goalscorer.

Jayden Richardson on another note, what a difference he made in the second-half. He was pretty quiet in the first 45 minutes, looking scared to run at Wrexham and, generally slowing the game down with some poor decision-making - yet for his age, It's to be expected. I just wanted to point out, that sometimes players can make up for periods where they go largely unnoticed.

Fair play to Wrexham for still trying, although they looked visually defeated, but it was still a good game.

Talking points:

Opening goal: Yes, Anthony Patterson should really be saving those, but it was from a quick spell of chaos and well-placed strike.
The red card: All day and, night - it was a red card. One of the most stupidest decisions I have ever seen in a life game.
Wrexham fans disputing the decision: Harry Lennon denied a goal scoring opportunity, it wasn't a natural reaction - he made himself larger to cover the goal.
Their antics with diving: Have the Wrexham players been taking acting lessons from Ryan Reynolds? If so, they need to keep it up because it's far from convincing. Throwing themselves into opposition players, jumping over people who are just standing, it was all absolutely ridiculous and, for this reason I see why they're struggling to be the Hollywood team they dream of.
Elisha Sam foul: It wasn't a booking for me, but I can see why it was given. I felt he won the ball, yet he left a lot on the challenge and the momentum could be an issue that the referee decided was dangerous. No red, it wouldn't have changed much if he did get sent off.
Elisha Sam's performance: He's a frustrating player, but when you have someone who seldomly plays and appears to try - It's hard to be crucial of the small parts they play. He did some nice things, one very decent cross into the box for Kyle Wootton. Yes, he missed the header where he didn't need to jump, but it's always harder to connect with the ball in that situation.
Phil Parkinson: What a tool... If Notts gave Wrexham a lot to think about, yet he believes 100% that they were the better team - he's as deluded as the Wrexham fans. Penalty but not a straight red ????‍♂️and our third goal... It didn't change anything so why be salty about it.