Very impressed with Hartlepool. Did the simple things well. Took their chances. A very well managed side. Everything Notts weren't today.
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We've are 10 games in, but collectively we've only rated the performances 6 times, 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.
Here's the results.
Some of the results are skewed as they've not played many games, with the games they've played perhaps being when we've lost, scoring a lower rating.
Using a minimum 4 game rating gives a clearer picture:
It starts to show a clearer picture. The new Dutch boys, despite a bad start (especially for Sam), are starting to rate high consistently. DKE also has a solid rating, never spectacular, but consistent.
The rest shows what you'd expect for a mixed bag of results - average ratings. JOB is having a poor season thus far, with Brindley and Wootton perhaps being below par.
You can see the limitations of these averages though. Turner, who has had a nightmare start and only slightly redeemed himself, ranks better than Wootton. Despite low scores, he's had a couple of high ones which bump him right back up. Enzio has been hot and cold, poor at the start but better recently, whereas a Doyle and Reeves have been much more consistent throughout.
Game 37 - Pools (A)
Team: Hartlepool United
Date: 10/04/2021
Where: Victoria Park
What line-up should Neal Ardley 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.
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Gutted for Cal.
If ever a game epitomises our season, it was that. First half was the tale of the of every first half when a team pressures us and pins us in, we just cannot combat it. No doubting the effort in the second half, it was better and we were positive but it just wasn’t too be. Another case of waiting for that moment of magic from an individual, a goal from out-of-nowhere to spark us into life.
And then Cal. Pretty much the one-man we’ve pinned this season’s success on… It’s just not going to be for him is it? IB was quite literally cursing his luck when the camera’s zoomed in on him. I’m fearing the worst as there’s clearly something still not quite right there.
I don’t and really didn’t feel too down after that result, we were beaten by a better team. I was hopeful we could win and I’d have absolutely taken a draw beforehand. For me that cements that play-offs will be the best we get and even then I think us going up will be reliant on a moment of magic.
Slocombe - 7 - Good command of his area in the first half where he was bombarded with cross, no real chance with the goals.
Rawlinson - 4 - It's his man for both the goals.
Ellis - 6 - Dealt with everything thrown at him.
Chicksen - 5.5 - Had one dodgy moment, otherwise did OK.
Enzio - 2 - Was it a tactic to let them cross it? Allowed so many crosses to come in from their full back in the first half. He's not a defender.
Barnett - 0 - I feel like a broken record. He's just not good enough.
Reeves - 6 - He wasn't terrible.
O'Brien - 5.5 - Runs about.
Griffiths - 5 - He was OK. Probably unlucky to be subbed.
Wotton - 6 - Won a lot of ball. Should be finishing that chance in the first half.
Knowles - 5.5 - Tried, but decision making lacking.
Knight - 6 - Impacts the game with his pace and directness.
Roberts - N/A - Gutted for him. We need to think about his career now, not our season.
DKE - 4.5 - Rubbish going forward. Always passes it back.
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Game 38 - The Moors (A)
Team: Solihull Moors
Date: 13/04/2021
Where: Meadow Lane
What line-up should Neal Ardley 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.
a composed strike of the ball 0-1
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I don't think Jake Reeves is a bad player at all, I think his recent performances comes down to needing a rest.
He's been one of the better signings this season IMO, but he carries a lot of responsibility and I do feel hes one of the current players who plays with the right attitude. He wants to attack and use it in a way which can bring chances but as of late I have noticed he's been struggling.
If the performances aren't down to needing a break, but concern about his future or Neal Ardley [pre-sacking], I would've thought he'd return to his former self.
Due to the centre of midfield being quite bare, it's hard to give him rest because he's an important part of the team.
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Great movement from the view behind the goal. how Ellis takes 2 players with him
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Game 36 - The Cardinals (A)
Team: Woking
Date: 05/04/2021
Where: Kingfield Stadium
What line-up should Neal Ardley 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.
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Superb result today and really enjoyed watching it.
Thought first half we were careless and not penetrating enough. Came out to win second half and win it we did.
Excellent substitutions by IB. Ones that Ardley wouldn’t have made imo and good to see them get a run at the game rather than waiting until last ten minutes.
Focus is the biggest thing going forwards. We seem to have broken the confidence thing with two wins on the bounce and hopefully this gives IB a starting point now to get the players to buy into what he wants.
Impressed overall and really think IB will be an inspired choice going forwards.
I checked at 2-1 to Woking, then a short time later it was 2-2. Then 2-3 and 2-4. ????
At 2-1 I thought 'here we go' and I honestly didn't expect much from the game but when I last checked. I felt happy, as it seems we might have found our confidence - rebounding and responding from set backs has been something we've struggled with bar Chesterfield (who gave us that win).
4-2 win isn't bad, coming back from 2-1 is a good sign but at 1-0 Notts does need to learn to control the games. This season once a team scores its almost a domino effect and a bet on the oppositions next goal isn't a matter of if but when.
What is the most important thing at a football club?
Many will say the manager but a manager's ability relies to a certain extent on his "raw materials". Even Ardley seemed resigned that some players were not good enough for 90 minutes and others didnt have the ability to "accept instruction"
Where was the Dagenham level of performance... long since gone from my memory
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from the managers post match interview
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The Yeovil captain died at the age of just 32 this week. He also played for Mansfield a couple of years back, so was no stranger to Meadow Lane. Tragic news at such a young age - RIP.
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Easter Monday is round 40 of the prediction league - it's getting serious now! These matches all kick off at 3pm, and don't forget your jokers.
For any of you who are wondering, I'll post the scores for round 39 this evening.
Rotherham United v Wycombe Wanderers
Stoke City v Millwall
Blackpool v Gillingham
Oxford United v Accrington Stanley
Colchester United v Barrow
Stevenage v Bradford City
Dagenham & Redbridge v Aldershot
Wrexham v Torquay United
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Slocombe - 6 - No real chance with the goals, did everything required of him.
Chicksen - 6.5 - Adds class to the backline. Played plenty of quality balls to the midfield and front-line.
Ellis - 6 - Some poor moments defensively but goes up 1 point for a fantastic goal.
Rawlinson - 5.5 - Dodgy moments defensively.
Enzio - 5 - He was OK. Doesn't take players on anymore and when he does, often loses the ball.
Barnett - 3 - It's the same every week, he just isn't a good footballer.
Reeves - 4 - Slow, backwards, negative. When he does try and play it forward, it's so predictable and easily read by the defenders.
Griffiths - 4 - Not a fantastic second game.
O'Brien - 5.5 - He was OK. He does what he does and ratted around without giving any real quality.
Sam - 2 - Reminds me of my cheapo robot hoover. Runs about, bounces off things and in general looks busy, but doesn't really do the job. Doesn't seem to have a footballing brain - teammates are always telling him what to do.
Knowles - 8 - First half rating was a 3. Second half a 10. Great finishing.
Knight - 6.5 - Think he looked rusty. Some odd decisions. Almost gifts them a goal when he loses his marker near the end. However, his pace was the deciding factor.
Rodrigues - 6 - Some naff touches. When he gets on the ball in the middle he can really thread balls in behind for pacey strikers.
DKE - 10* - Gets a 10 for picking a fight with a bloke double his height. Balls.
Burchnall - 8 - Sometimes football is a simple game but is often over complicated. All this building through the thirds, transitioning, breaking the press...... this is non-league. A bit of pace in behind and half decent balls over the top will sometimes work. Good on him identifying that and making the right changes. Ardley wouldn't have won that, the tactics wouldn't change and our defence would've dropped should we go 3-3, 'respect the point'.
However, Woking are absolute gash
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What's gone wrong on the footymad website???
Remember what it was like to get three points? Play the prediction league and relive the glory days! Kick-off is on FRIDAY at 3pm, and remember your jokers!
AFC Bournemouth v Middlesbrough
Bristol City v Stoke City
Northampton Town v Shrewsbury Town
Accrington Stanley v Burton Albion
Oldham Athletic v Stevenage
Walsall v Harrogate Town
Altrincham v Yeovil Town
Eastleigh v Chesterfield
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Ian Burchnall is looking to bring in Guy as our recruitment process is not deemed strong enough
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Game 35 - Red Dragons (H)
Team: Wrexham
Date: 02/04/2021
Where: Meadow Lane
What line-up should Neal Ardley 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.
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Big win, needed to keep that faint hope of top alive (I haven’t given up hope yet), but more importantly keeping in touch with that 2nd/3rd spot.
I was worried after the first 10, we could’ve easily been 2-0 down. Our slow starts have cost us games this season and if not for Slocombe that could’ve been another one. Luckily Wrexham sort of gave up after 20.
Still didn’t create a lot, we looked comfortable but their keeper didn’t really have a lot to do. Thought Chicksen did well (after a shaky start) and agree with @Super_Danny_Allsopp about Griffiths and Knight. Still confused as to why Wootton was sent off, just a 50-50 ball and then play was restarted with a drop-ball. Did he say something? Pfft, anyway he needs a break he’s been carrying the attack all season.
Hopefully that’s the end of the set-backs for Roberts, a massive boost for us and Burchnall – he really will make the run in easier.
Part one of Easter done, got to back that up another good result at Woking now.
I won’t repeat what’s been said above.
Main thing for today was the determination in the tackle for me. You see the confidence returning as the minutes ticked by. Desperately needed as well.
Hope we can back it up with another 3 points on Monday.
And only fair to specifically mention Chicksen. Thought he played excellently today. Dealt with nearly everything. Occasionally let a player go past him to cross, but that comes with understanding of the defensive unit playing together.
That was a very positive afternoon and an excellent result. I only listened on the radio, but it sounded like we grew into the game and played a bit further up than we usually do. Knight sounds promising and I'm looking forward to seeing him play. With Roberts we have someone who scares the opposition to death and creates space for others - it'll be fantastic if we can have him starting again, he's like a cheat code at this level. It's good to see defenders mixing it up at set pieces a bit more, and it's also interesting to see Chicksen in the team again - IB seems to rate him more than Ardley, who'd sooner have played the mascot in that position.
For all our recent struggles the table doesn't look bad, the gap to Sutton aside. Now let's build on it at Woking!
Anybody got any links to view the match... No BT sports here
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Game 29 - The Shots (H)
Team: Aldershot Town
Date: 06/03/2021
Where: Meadow Lane
What line-up should Neal Ardley 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.
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New YOUNG midfielder coming in before Friday... Straight from the rabbit in his aftermath presser....
What an appalling display that was, their keeper had to make a routine save from our only shot on target in the 87th minute!!!! The penalty was a blatant dive, but it still doesn't excuse what followed. Aldershot were poor, but poor was more than enough to beat us.
right now i feel we are the masters of our own downfall, losing 1-0 does not worry me but the performance was not good at all. the players need to setup and work for each other, i think we will have a period where we are unflattering but i do hope the new manager starts to understand things.
Slocombe - 6 - Fine.
DKE - 4 - Contributes to the crab display. Backwards and sideways. Possession terrible.
Ellis - 5 - Was OK. Penalty was a dive.
Turner - 5 - He was fine.
Barnett - 2 - He's crap.
Enzio - 4.5 - Not great.
Reeves - 3 - Crab. Slow.
O'Brien - 6 - At least made forward runs and passes.
Miller - 2 - He's crap. -1 for backing down in physical challenges. Wimp.
Wootton - 5 - Some decent touches.
Sam - 3 - He's crap.
Ref - 0 - Hoodwinked time and time again. Gives them a pen for a blatant dive.
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Slocombe 6 Great save at the end
DKE 5 OK but not getting forward as previous this season
Ellis 4 Long throws but very little else
Turner 3 Cannot pass, end of
Barnett 3 Cannot pass too, end of
Reeves 3.5 nearly gave a goal away running back. Dead ball delivery so poor
JOB 4 Some nice movement 2nd half... but little else
Sam 3.5 Disappointing but getting harsh criticism when some of the balls into him are unplayable
Miller 4 tried to make things happen
Enzio 4 Drifting in and out of the game...should be moving to make himself available
Wootton 4 Lone striker looking lost
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https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2021/march/ian-burchnall-appointed-250321/
Sounds like they’ve been researching the new manager for a while. Interesting choice imo.
Hope his previous experience helps him cope in this league. Obviously the intention is a long term appointment as it’s all about the coaching and ... there isn’t a lot of coaching to do in the current fixture pile up. Game, rest up, game. Rinse and repeat!
Good luck Ian.
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OK we may have the best defensive record in the NL but at what cost? Do we need a sitting Reeves and Doyle in front of the defence? A like for like replacement for a Rose, tall and athletic in the Bishop / O'Connor mode may have been all that was needed. It just means we lack a midfielder further up the pitch to link play and sustain the pressure on the opposition.
Is Wolfe really up to that role... I presume not as he hardly ever plays. In all honesty, that is the only option we have.
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