Friday 17th & Saturday 18th January

[Spireitelass97]

Did ours New Years Day, we always invite the away club (Cheltenham in this case) to add in names and a wreath and be part of it too.

This makes sense then the away team know about it too

 

[saddler78]

Seen a lot of fans online(not on here) thinking we were a one man team and we'd be shit when Lowe went not the case at all any decent striker will get goals in this team we create a lot of chances for them.

 

[leedsvaliant]

Seen a lot of fans online(not on here) thinking we were a one man team and we'd be shit when Lowe went not the case at all any decent striker will get goals in this team we create a lot of chances for them.

Yep, I said before, the loss of Lowe won't change much. Walsall have just absolutely hit a seam of gold. Their new signings have just fitted perfectly and the manager can do no wrong. Teams at this level probably get this once every 50 years. Even in our 2 promotion seasons in the last 12 years, we were not great...we stumbled over the line both times really.

I'll be honest, I thought you'd be a midtable team. The signings seemed risky...young loans and non league players. Your scouts obviously clocked something that you need to bottle. You've just hit form and now confidence is winning game after game.

The rest of the league can forget about the top spot, that's gone. It's 2 automatic spots to play for.

 

[Optipez]

He played an EFL Trophy game for Spurs before joining, which counts towards the two clubs thing so he can’t be loaned anywhere else.

That's a massive relief. Crowley is a lower league journeyman despite all the hype, George Abbott is heading for a great career. He's got everything to be a Premier league player, instant control, two footed, can run all day, sees trouble and cuts it out, releases the ball early rather than dwelling, normally a forward pass and is now scoring regularly. World class finish today. He's physically tall, strong and rangy and just looks a total baller.
We've had Jack Grealish, Ryan Yates and Callum Magregor the last few years and at 19 he's the best of them.
I've thought it for a while bit I think he could play for England one day, he shines like a diamond in L2.

 

[jacobncfc]

That's a massive relief. Crowley is a lower league journeyman despite all the hype, George Abbott is heading for a great career. He's got everything to be a Premier league player, instant control, two footed, can run all day, sees trouble and cuts it out, releases the ball early rather than dwelling, normally a forward pass and is now scoring regularly. World class finish today. He's physically tall, strong and rangy and just looks a total baller.
We've had Jack Grealish, Ryan Yates and Callum Magregor the last few years and at 19 he's the best of them.
I've thought it for a while bit I think he could play for England one day, he shines like a diamond in L2.

I was less sold than others on Abbott until the last few weeks, but since he scored that half way line goal at Peterborough he’s been absolutely fantastic. A midfielder who can do absolutely everything.

On Crowley, part of it is naturally bitterness at him doing what he’s done mid-season, but I said a couple of weeks ago I’d basically had enough of him and was pretty happy when that move went through. We have enough good players not to need someone who needs to be the main character every single game he plays. I thought Conor Grant was quietly very good replacing him today, much more direct and positive whenever he got the ball.

 

[Meadow]

Yep, I said before, the loss of Lowe won't change much. Walsall have just absolutely hit a seam of gold. Their new signings have just fitted perfectly and the manager can do no wrong. Teams at this level probably get this once every 50 years. Even in our 2 promotion seasons in the last 12 years, we were not great...we stumbled over the line both times really.

I'll be honest, I thought you'd be a midtable team. The signings seemed risky...young loans and non league players. Your scouts obviously clocked something that you need to bottle. You've just hit form and now confidence is winning game after game.

The rest of the league can forget about the top spot, that's gone. It's 2 automatic spots to play for.

Scouts and a director of football are worth their weight in gold. Craig Cope has been amazing for us. I'm dreading the day clubs higher up come knocking. He has such extensive knowledge of the lower leagues both EFL and below and of promising loanees and free agents.

 

[SuperHans]

Anyway, thought today was a cracking game actually between two good sides giving it 100%. Pitch wasn’t great which obviously hindered both sides fluency at times as were both footballing sides (as proven in the two games at our place earlier this season), but I thought it made for a proper league 2 battle which is always a good watch.

Thought we were far and away the better side in the first half after Grimsby got there goal, and tbh we should have definitely scored more than just the one which came from a great Naylor header on a corner. Colclough & Horton (Our MOTM imo) down our left in particular I thought caused Grimsby some serious issues first half.

Second half Grimsby came into it more and definitely edged it in terms of chances. Draw I felt was a fair result on reflection of the overall game.

Was very happy to see the return of Madden & Fleck who have been out for some time now. Berry didn’t look fit to me when he came on, there was a point just after he’d come on when a ball was played just infront of him and he seemed like he was holding back from a full sprint to try and keep the ball in because he was worried about his hamstring. Jacobs, Metcalfe, Daley-Campbell all back training Monday, and apparently were very close to 2 more new signings so things starting to look much more positive here. Onto Vale (H).

Biggest positive for me was Colclough playing 80 minutes. For me, he is one of the best wingers at this level and when fit unplayable, hope we can keep him fit for the remainder of the season. So dangerous.

 

[BarraMatt]

Seen a lot of fans online(not on here) thinking we were a one man team and we'd be shit when Lowe went not the case at all any decent striker will get goals in this team we create a lot of chances for them.

Best thing to do with football is to ignore social media and stick to places like here which has reasonable discussion.

Stayed off twitter recently (mainly because Musk has completely ruined it) but I can't say I've particularly missed the nonsense on there in terms of football win, lose or draw.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Depends how good your players are. We played it with Crosby, often had 70%+ possession but lost a lot of the time. It needs really good players to beat the better teams with it. Some of the shite teams become dumbfounded with all the passing but long term the players in league 2 aren't good enough to play it.

If you play far more direct but your players aren't good enough does that style mask things and you still be effective?
Agree you need a certain level of player to play so much passing football and I think it makes it harder in the short term to be successful. However, long term I think it has it's advantages if you hope to progress up the leagues.

As with a lot of things it's about balance. I've seen Notts play season after season in League One with a direct style and reported better players and it was dull compared to what we see now.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Scouts and a director of football are worth their weight in gold. Craig Cope has been amazing for us. I'm dreading the day clubs higher up come knocking. He has such extensive knowledge of the lower leagues both EFL and below and of promising loanees and free agents.

Same here with Richard Montague. He bizarrely gets criticism I suspect predominantly from the older Notts fans but he's been a huge uplift on what we have been used to as supporters.

Knowing the wealthy weird bros they will have someone else to press the super computer buttons lined up to find the next Langstaff or Jatta.

 

[Hudders]

He’s my favourite opposition player to watch in the league, just a complete lamp post with no mobility or ability. I can’t begin to imagine what his 9 Championship appearances for Huddersfield looked like.

There were a couple of times where the ball was played inch perfect into his feet and he laid it off ok, it’s not going to make a decent YouTube reel for sure.
Hudlin and Kian Harratt as striking options in the championship was a bold move.

 

[THE LAST WALTZ]

Not a great game and the only piece of quality was the goal but it’s 3 points from a fixture that usually yields none

It was a nice, cool finish agreed, but it was a complete brain fart by Little to play your guy through perfectly for a one on one.
Four managers in 18 months and still shit.
I’m beginning to wonder if it may have something to do with the players?

 

[mozzavale]

Devestating second half performance and the changes spot on, Harper allowed us to dominate the middle, Stockley didn’t let them off like Hackford did and Sang stopped the threat. Switching Mitch onto their number 7 was smart to as that ended his threat.

Their number 7 decided to make a gun gesture to the Vale fans when he scored, no idea why as at that point no stick had been given so Vale fans enjoyed it and he got some fair stick when Harper did a pirouette and he ended up on his backside at the end.

Should have had 6 or 7 had Hackford been able to finish but for a mess of a defence first half it would have been much more comfortable.

Headley looks excellent, powerful and pacey and Mitch Clarke being back from his neck break has been like a new signing. If there’s a better right back/wing back that him at this level I’d be surprised. He oozed quality today again.

Moore got away with it but the right outcome for the dominance .

Agree with everything until you said Moore got away with it. I don't understand the criticism of Moore one little bit. He gets criticised whatever he does unfortunately. 5 changes, he's tinker man, 2 forced changes and he's still pelted. Hall being injured changed everything, otherwise he'd have probably named an unchanged side. He clearly saw Hart as a like for like change with Hall. Then it was harsh on Heneghan, but Smith in the centre with John on the right worked perfectly. Both had a great game. It's not Moore's fault Hart had an absolute stinker. We seemed lethargic 1st half and struggled to press them, partly down to the ref though, whenever contact was made they went down and he give it. Appalling performance from the ref.

Despite the poor 1st half, we created enough chances to be ahead. Then Moore made the changes for the 2nd half and the things we were doing well in spells in the first half, we did all throughout the 2nd. It could have ended up 6 or 7, we had that many chances.

 

[valefan16]

Agree with everything until you said Moore got away with it. I don't understand the criticism of Moore one little bit. He gets criticised whatever he does unfortunately. 5 changes, he's tinker man, 2 forced changes and he's still pelted. Hall being injured changed everything, otherwise he'd have probably named an unchanged side. He clearly saw Hart as a like for like change with Hall. Then it was harsh on Heneghan, but Smith in the centre with John on the right worked perfectly. Both had a great game. It's not Moore's fault Hart had an absolute stinker. We seemed lethargic 1st half and struggled to press them, partly down to the ref though, whenever contact was made they went down and he give it. Appalling performance from the ref.

Despite the poor 1st half, we created enough chances to be ahead. Then Moore made the changes for the 2nd half and the things we were doing well in spells in the first half, we did all throughout the 2nd. It could have ended up 6 or 7, we had that many chances.

I’m not one who wants Moore to fail like some or will needlessly batter him but playing Jason Lowe was always going to see us over run at home and as I said before the game John, Smith, Hennigan would of made sense or potentially Sang but I’ve rarely seen enough from Hart to suggest he’s a decent centre half.

He made the right changes as he often does due to the depth we usually have when most are fit but we always need to make changes to get a result or performance it seems rather than be on it from the outset.

That said as poor as the first half was we should of scored 4 or 5 with the two one on ones fluffed by Hackford, the Tolaj one and the one the keeper got dispossessed seconds in for example, Newport defensively over the two games one of the worst sides I’ve seen at this level which lets down their decent wide men and ball players. If they address that they’ll be ok.

It’s a good win but one had we got it right from the start we win handsomely.

 

[Son of Cod]

What the fuck are you talking about. The tannoy at your ground is diabolical and we didn’t hear a single thing in the away end about it being a tribute or whatever.

How thick do you have to be to think an entire away end would do that on purpose?

Yeah I genuinely don't think that you lot could have heard that announcement especially if you were making noise when it was made, the PA is terrible at BP but it is especially bad in the Osmond. I wasn't at the match, but it sounds like Cook ran on the pitch during the tribute though, which isn't a great look. Surely, he knows what's going on?

Anyway, seems a fairly universal consensus that a draw was a fair result all in all.

Wouldn't be surprised to see either side involved in the playoff mix. Chesterfield looking more likely when they've got their full squad back probably. Don't think I'd fancy facing you lot over two legs and neither away end are fit for either club's away followings so with all due respect, I hope that's the last time we see you lads (and lass) this season.

 

[Coalite]

For a sit in then Steele's or for a takeaway chippy then Ernie Becketts across the road from Steele's.
Absolutely 100% avoid the Mariners chippy near the ground it's absolute toilet.

Me and the lad drove round to Ernie Beckett’s after the game and got a takeout while the traffic died down. I’m going to do that again next time we visit. Delicious.

 

[Bianconeri 1862]

I was less sold than others on Abbott until the last few weeks, but since he scored that half way line goal at Peterborough he’s been absolutely fantastic. A midfielder who can do absolutely everything.

On Crowley, part of it is naturally bitterness at him doing what he’s done mid-season, but I said a couple of weeks ago I’d basically had enough of him and was pretty happy when that move went through. We have enough good players not to need someone who needs to be the main character every single game he plays. I thought Conor Grant was quietly very good replacing him today, much more direct and positive whenever he got the ball.

Yes you called Crowley couple weeks ago and I was inclined to agree with your points, Grant looks far better in the 10 than stuck out on the wing.

 

[spireite]

Yeah I genuinely don't think that you lot could have heard that announcement especially if you were making noise when it was made, the PA is terrible at BP but it is especially bad in the Osmond. I wasn't at the match, but it sounds like Cook ran on the pitch during the tribute though, which isn't a great look. Surely, he knows what's going on?

Anyway, seems a fairly universal consensus that a draw was a fair result all in all.

Wouldn't be surprised to see either side involved in the playoff mix. Chesterfield looking more likely when they've got their full squad back probably. Don't think I'd fancy facing you lot over two legs and neither away end are fit for either club's away followings so with all due respect, I hope that's the last time we see you lads (and lass) this season.

I don't know why but it does feel somehow that we could meet in the playoffs, but we do need to start picking up points if we're going to make them. And after 'Calculated insult to the dead by 1200 people in unison-Gate' it could have an extra spice to it. Two pretty evenly matched teams going by the 2 games this season; I still haven't seen many better teams than Grimsby at our place.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Yes you called Crowley couple weeks ago and I was inclined to agree with your points, Grant looks far better in the 10 than stuck out on the wing.

Interesting to read your and Jacob's view as I thought Grant was just quiet, maybe his style lends himself not to stand out but although tidy on the ball there is something missing in his performances. Do like how he is positive and more direct with his actions but not much came off yesterday and was one of our few poorer players.

Jacob called Crowley very early on, about the same time he demanded Part Time Stu went back to the NL and his former job at BT.

Abbott has obviously improved significantly to the point where he is a contender for our best player and surely one of the best in the league. I thought his potential was easy to spot early on mainly as he didn't get out muscled as so many talented (loanee) youngsters often do. Great engine, put his foot in, picks and pass and has our goal of the season top 3 all tied up by January.

Never great when your best player(?) is a loanee but delighted to have him on board.

 

[Coalite]

Yeah I genuinely don't think that you lot could have heard that announcement especially if you were making noise when it was made, the PA is terrible at BP but it is especially bad in the Osmond. I wasn't at the match, but it sounds like Cook ran on the pitch during the tribute though, which isn't a great look. Surely, he knows what's going on?

Anyway, seems a fairly universal consensus that a draw was a fair result all in all.

Wouldn't be surprised to see either side involved in the playoff mix. Chesterfield looking more likely when they've got their full squad back probably. Don't think I'd fancy facing you lot over two legs and neither away end are fit for either club's away followings so with all due respect, I hope that's the last time we see you lads (and lass) this season.

I was surprised to see Vernam and Green on your bench. I thought they were your most effective players at our place causing plenty of problems.

What’s happening with the ground now? Are you still on about moving? It’s a bit of an odd set up now having to go round to the back of the stand on the coast side to get to the away end. I can’t remember doing that before. Then we seemed to have the run of the back of the stand where away fans are seated, even though it had home fans in it as well.

All in all a decent away day even if we did accidentally upset a few Mariners.

 

[RavenBish]

Conor Grant is a paradox at the moment, the one Notts player in the squad I don’t have a firm opinion on. Work rate is superb so you clearly get a boost there compared to a Crowley - he seems to have just about every technical attribute you’d want in a 10 as well, finds space, good touch, quick feet and can turn and contort on the ball smoothly…just think it comes down to production in the final 3rd, with it he’s Ruben Rodrigues-lite, without he’s Graham Burke or something and probably struggles to nail the position down.

still have no idea where Will Jarvis is fitting in to the team, thought it was relatively interesting that Whitaker came on before him but then it was 3-0 so Maynard was just doing tricks and flicks at that point

 

[Carver]

Pete Wild doing that celebration thing he does, no doubt he'll be doing that next week when we play Fleetwood

https://twitter.com/x/status/1880699508339908832

 

[Optipez]

Conor Grant is a paradox at the moment, the one Notts player in the squad I don’t have a firm opinion on. Work rate is superb so you clearly get a boost there compared to a Crowley - he seems to have just about every technical attribute you’d want in a 10 as well, finds space, good touch, quick feet and can turn and contort on the ball smoothly…just think it comes down to production in the final 3rd, with it he’s Ruben Rodrigues-lite, without he’s Graham Burke or something and probably struggles to nail the position down.

still have no idea where Will Jarvis is fitting in to the team, thought it was relatively interesting that Whitaker came on before him but then it was 3-0 so Maynard was just doing tricks and flicks at that point

I think the Graham Burke comparison is fair at the moment. Grant has all the talent but I'd like to see more aggression and strength from him, basically just toughen up a bit.

 

[Valeite]

Got to be the most toothless ineffective style of football you can get what we have played for 4 months now

I don’t at all understand this modern style that because guardiola plays an all passing game it will create wonder sides down here.

I couldn`t agree more, for the absolute top sides it maybe makes sense as they need to fart around at the back in the hope of drawing one or two of the opponents out of their defensive shape but not the rest of us, it just makes it more likely they can get into a defensive shape while we cock it up. I have even seen sides in the northern premier league try it, they generally can`t get out of their own half until they inevitably switch to long ball stuff with 10 minutes to go because they are losing. Even Guardiola can`t make it work without his best players being available.

 

[Son of Cod]

I was surprised to see Vernam and Green on your bench. I thought they were your most effective players at our place causing plenty of problems.

What’s happening with the ground now? Are you still on about moving? It’s a bit of an odd set up now having to go round to the back of the stand on the coast side to get to the away end. I can’t remember doing that before. Then we seemed to have the run of the back of the stand where away fans are seated, even though it had home fans in it as well.

All in all a decent away day even if we did accidentally upset a few Mariners.

Vernam has been out injured since September, yesterday was his first appearance back in the matchday squad. Green has had a little niggly one and missed the last few weeks so can't have been fully fit, he's been one of our best players this season and is pretty much a nailed on starter if he's fit. We're pretty stacked in centre mid to be fair though. McEachran, Green and Khouri have all generally been very good for the entire season and then we've got Curtis Thompson coming back from injury and Jordan Davies who I'm personally not fully sold out but as seen yesterday has the ability to win you points.

New ground is not a priority and not on the radar of the ownership. They're currently in the process of buying land for a new training facility which has not been plain sailing. Blundell Park is obviously far from ideal and it's a massive talking point among our supporters but it's just about doing the job right now. And yeah you used to get the whole of that stand which was 1800ish I think but now the clubs that need it get what you had yesterday (which is only a small handful) whereas most of the division get just the smaller bit that had the home fans in yesterday.