Saturday 16th to Tuesday 19th March

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Bradford desperately trying their best to equal or better our proud record of 21 goals conceded in 5 home games I see.

I just can't see it happening, I think Artell's record will be safe ....just.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

We were a nervy, frail team who scored on the break and managed to see the first half out. Second half we were comfortably the better team and could have had five and probably one penalty.
Bradford were poor all over and slow apart from one run from Oydeleke? the right back. They're the worst team over two matches I've seen this season. Not sure if they are an ageing team but they look an old team of cloggers.
Really happy for us, they've had a terrible run but have carried on working hard. Jatta has made a massive difference, looks a real handful. Macari is shaping up to be a very solid defender. Robertson very good.
Maynard finally got a bit of luck, pleased for him too.

Very much this.

We basically needed to play an out of form Stanley and an out of form and awful Bradford to stop the losing rot. Part Time Stu needs to follow it up with a victory in front of the masses at Meadow Lane and in form Salford will be a totally different proposition. Would take a point.

Agree regarding Macari and Robertson looks like the #radar has done it again there and could Jatta be out next Ruben in terms of unknown overseas signings who becomes a star?

The last two games.clearly don't change the fact that our goalkeeper and defence are substandard for this league let alone promotion.

Oh and Dan Crowley deserves a flipping medal for playing that well on that beach! We are the new Notts County we will try and play sexy football no matter how porous our backline is, how shit we've been and how horrendous the pitch is. I'd dock em 4 points for it.

 

[Richard Cranium]

In form Salford?

 

[EnglishRed]

Chipmunx twisting another conversation to talk about Barrow……

View attachment 19948

They are very much under the radar, or so I hear.

 

[Conker]

Does that victory give County fans any hope then? They played well in the second half to be fair but I suppose we’ll see if it means much against Salford.

 

[DippyDon]

Let's be honest the fact two clubs such as MK and Bradford both selected him in recent seasons is a stain on both clubs.

We all knew what you were getting,the footballing world knew. But at least he wasn't part time.

But that's the thing, it was a breath of fresh air to us that a decent number of the fanbase wanted.

The funny thing is that if we'd have brought in an Alexander-esque manager last December instead of untried and untested, we would probably have had more of a chance of staying up. On paper it was a decision that made sense to us too as the last two times we've been relegated to this level we brought in similar proven managers (Martin Allen and Paul Tisdale) to 'stop the rot' and it's worked.

This time it failed, and it looks like he's failing at Bradford too which is a shame as he seems a nice guy.

 

[Youpies]

Does that victory give County fans any hope then? They played well in the second half to be fair but I suppose we’ll see if it means much against Salford.

This is it. Consistency has been an issue

Defending and shape has been an issue

I think Jatta has made some difference just by adding pace and physical presence to our team. Fundamentals of defending won't have changed.

At least we are safe. That in itself is an achievement

 

[AdamStag]

This is it. Consistency has been an issue

Defending and shape has been an issue

I think Jatta has made some difference just by adding pace and physical presence to our team. Fundamentals of defending won't have changed.

At least we are safe. That in itself is an achievement

There’s no reason as to why you (or half the division) can’t make them if you put a run together, clearly it’s obvious what’s caused the issue and should be rectified next season.

It’s wide open for that last spot.

 

[jacobncfc]

Aging players and players who are completely past it, injury-prone players and players who are just naff. There's no real recruitment strategy at the club. The header of recruitment, Stephen Gent, needs sacking.

I couldn’t believe it when that Kevin McDonald came on, he played (badly) for us about fifteen years ago! Made a fine contribution of about ten fouls and a yellow card in five minutes.

 

[Conker]

Dinosaur Hughes assembled a prehistoric side quite obviously.

 

[jacobncfc]

Does that victory give County fans any hope then? They played well in the second half to be fair but I suppose we’ll see if it means much against Salford.

Not really for this season, we’re absolutely down to the bare bones squad wise still and a less bad team would probably have been beating us 3-1 at half-time.

Does brighten things up in general, though. The last half an hour was as well as we’ve played probably since you lot rocking up and thrashing us. Was just nice to see them playing with some confidence again - it’s been a horrible run under Maynard, but have said before we’ve definitely been a bit unlucky as well and the performances haven’t deserved the results to be quite so awful. At no point has it looked like they’ve downed tools and aren’t playing for him, which is something.

Jatta is starting to give us a new dimension as well. We still had loads of possession and carved out some lovely chances cutting through Bradford, but missed all of those - two of the goals came from him causing a bit of chaos on the end of a long ball from the ‘keeper, and the other was him heading in a set piece. We’ve not had that kind of out ball all season.

 

[クレイグ]

I couldn’t believe it when that Kevin McDonald came on, he played (badly) for us about fifteen years ago! Made a fine contribution of about ten fouls and a yellow card in five minutes.

Lack of legs in midfield last season. All our fans could see it and plenty of people on this forum commented on it last season and this. So we made Johnny Williams our number one target but failed on that front, so we opted for a 36-year-old who had a kidney transplant. He's not a bad player though, hence him mainly playing in the Championship - he's just past it.

Jurassic Mark Dinosaur Hughes assembled a prehistoric side quite obviously.

His giving a two-year deal to 36-year-old Matt Derbyshire was criminal. New contracts for players he rarely played. Signing players who struggled for relegated Hartlepool and MK Dons. Completely changing the system and the way we played after reaching the playoffs, with players who couldn't play his system - wanting to play tippy tappy football with players with no technical ability.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Jurassic Mark

 

[1862]

Not really for this season, we’re absolutely down to the bare bones squad wise still and a less bad team would probably have been beating us 3-1 at half-time.

Does brighten things up in general, though. The last half an hour was as well as we’ve played probably since you lot rocking up and thrashing us. Was just nice to see them playing with some confidence again - it’s been a horrible run under Maynard, but have said before we’ve definitely been a bit unlucky as well and the performances haven’t deserved the results to be quite so awful. At no point has it looked like they’ve downed tools and aren’t playing for him, which is something.

Jatta is starting to give us a new dimension as well. We still had loads of possession and carved out some lovely chances cutting through Bradford, but missed all of those - two of the goals came from him causing a bit of chaos on the end of a long ball from the ‘keeper, and the other was him heading in a set piece. We’ve not had that kind of out ball all season.

Agree, it would need to be an incredible run to get in the playoffs and I don't think we're capable of it. The best I'm hoping for is a few wins to get some belief back in the fanbase and we can start next season on the front foot.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Does that victory give County fans any hope then? They played well in the second half to be fair but I suppose we’ll see if it means much against Salford.

Yes moving forward in general. Three of the permanent signings, all in key central areas, look very promising for next season and all a very good age

Hope for this season? No chance play anybody good and or in-form we lose. Salford will be a good barometer. Last two opposition were poor let's not fool ourselves. That's when assist king Jones and top scorer Macca destroy teams.

Last night's bench was as weak as water. Still very much in the balance how Maynard finishes the season and how fans feel. Still easiest double you will get all season.

 

[AdamStag]

Dinosaur Hughes assembled a prehistoric side quite obviously.

When a side makes us look fast that’s about as accurate as you can get.

 

[LS Bantam]

Questions of Alexander are pointless at this stage, 1. We can’t afford to sack him, 2. There’s zero trust the club would appoint someone capable instead, 3. The problems right now (of which he is one), are multiple and massive ranging from the actual squad, the ownership, all the way down to the ‘pitch’.

 

[Cloudy]

Lack of legs in midfield last season. All our fans could see it and plenty of people on this forum commented on it last season and this. So we made Johnny Williams our number one target but failed on that front, so we opted for a 36-year-old who had a kidney transplant. He's not a bad player though, hence him mainly playing in the Championship - he's just past it.



His giving a two-year deal to 36-year-old Matt Derbyshire was criminal. New contracts for players he rarely played. Signing players who struggled for relegated Hartlepool and MK Dons. Completely changing the system and the way we played after reaching the playoffs, with players who couldn't play his system - wanting to play tippy tappy football with players with no technical ability.

Do you have many out of contract in June? Will you trust Alexander to rebuild.?

 

[クレイグ]

Do you have many out of contract in June? Will you trust Alexander to rebuild.?

Out of contract
Brad Halliday
Liam Ridehalgh
Matty Platt
Richie Smallwood
Jamie Walker
Sam Stubbs
Luke Hendrie
Harry Chapman
Bobby Pointon
Colin Doyle
Matt Derbyshire
Kevin McDonald

I'd keep Halliday and Pointon for sure, maybe Platt and Walker.

As for trusting Alexander? Not particularly. It's our head of recruitment who signs the rubbish though.

 

[LS Bantam]

Platt and Chapman the only two without options, I like Chapman, his stats are decent despite never being picked, Walker and Halliday the only two on that list worth building around.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Sort out the ownership, sorts out the club. Not impossible but very hard to be successful under poor ownership.

 

[DearneValleyRover]

Out of contract
Brad Halliday
Liam Ridehalgh
Matty Platt
Richie Smallwood
Jamie Walker
Sam Stubbs
Luke Hendrie
Harry Chapman
Bobby Pointon
Colin Doyle
Matt Derbyshire
Kevin McDonald

I'd keep Halliday and Pointon for sure, maybe Platt and Walker.

As for trusting Alexander? Not particularly. It's our head of recruitment who signs the rubbish though.

I’m sure some of them will be getting their pensions before I will and I was born in the 60’s

 

[Optipez]

Does that victory give County fans any hope then? They played well in the second half to be fair but I suppose we’ll see if it means much against Salford.

I'm hopeful that Maynard is a good coach and with an improved defence he'll get us into the top four or five next season.
This season is now just about picking up momentum to go into next season and to assess the squad. They're an honest team and have not given up on themselves or the manager, I'm proud of them for that as I've seen previous teams just down tools. Our team that fell out the league were largely a disgrace.

 

[jacobncfc]

I'm hopeful that Maynard is a good coach and with an improved defence he'll get us into the top four or five next season.
This season is now just about picking up momentum to go into next season and to assess the squad. They're an honest team and have not given up on themselves or the manager, I'm proud of them for that as I've seen previous teams just down tools. Our team that fell out the league were largely a disgrace.

Our January window was a disaster in terms of getting what we needed to save this season at centre back, but it’s already looking a decent one in terms of building for the next. Jatta, Robertson and Macari are all going to be key players for us going forward.

 

[AdamStag]

For me, surely it’s the keeper and defence you should be working with and go from there.

Clearly you need a decent midfield/attack to supplement it but that’s the base of where you start, if you can rely on them and also be able to play out from the back the way you want it’s a massive starting point.

You always know that if you do concede it’s likely to be many and you’ve a chance back in (we’ve not lost a game by more than 1 goal for instance).

It’s why i think chesterfield will do next season as they’ve an experienced manager (like ourselves) who wouldn’t make such a glaringly obvious mistake and is cut throat enough to get rid/get new players in.

There’s absolutely no-one in the bottom of the 6 in league 1 who’d remotely scare anyone which would be a bonus for whoever stops down.

 

[jacobncfc]

For me, surely it’s the keeper and defence you should be working with and go from there.

Clearly you need a decent midfield/attack to supplement it but that’s the base of where you start, if you can rely on them and also be able to play out from the back the way you want it’s a massive starting point.

You always know that if you do concede it’s likely to be many and you’ve a chance back in (we’ve not lost a game by more than 1 goal for instance).

It’s why i think chesterfield will do next season as they’ve an experienced manager (like ourselves) who wouldn’t make such a glaringly obvious mistake and is cut throat enough to get rid/get new players in.

There’s absolutely no-one in the bottom of the 6 in league 1 who’d remotely scare anyone which would be a bonus for whoever stops down.

The ‘keeper thing has been huge for me, even more so with the way we try and play. They see a lot of the ball and need to be confident, so not having an established first choice all season really has been a problem.

The biggest mistake Luke Williams made in his entire time here was dropping Stone for the home game against you. He hadn’t been amazing up until that point, but he’d done reasonably well and wasn’t really an issue. That absolutely ruined his confidence and he’s looked a wreck whenever playing since, and Slocombe and Ashby-Hammond are just erratic, never know what you’re going to get.

The defence has needed an organiser, which is where we fucked up in January if we wanted to get top seven. Baldwin and Cameron are good footballers and both perfectly capable of being decent at this level, but have the exact same problem of losing concentration and ending up in mad positions. There’s no one back there just keeping things under control.

It’s not loads we’ll need in the summer, just three or four pieces of genuine quality in certain positions, but ones we really need to get right in a way we haven’t managed this year.

 

[Carver]

Bradford like being a nice little L2 club with a poor squad and terrible pitch.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Bradford like being a nice little L2 club with a poor squad and terrible pitch.

They may be a nice club with an ageing poor squad and a terrible terrible pitch but they aren't little. In fact at L2 level the complete opposite chap.

 

[Less than a mile (WAFC)]

Out of contract
Brad Halliday
Liam Ridehalgh
Matty Platt
Richie Smallwood
Jamie Walker
Sam Stubbs
Luke Hendrie
Harry Chapman
Bobby Pointon
Colin Doyle
Matt Derbyshire
Kevin McDonald

I'd keep Halliday and Pointon for sure, maybe Platt and Walker.

As for trusting Alexander? Not particularly. It's our head of recruitment who signs the rubbish though.

Is Walker the Scottish forward/ winger? Thought he looked good when I watched the 1st leg of the play offs at your place last year.

Weird as this season you've beaten us twice at the Racecourse, not something many teams do and I have thought you looked a decent team every time we have played you.

 

[クレイグ]

Is Walker the Scottish forward/ winger? Thought he looked good when I watched the 1st leg of the play offs at your place last year.

Weird as this season you've beaten us twice at the Racecourse, not something many teams do and I have thought you looked a decent team every time we have played you.

Aye that's him. He's excellent but we can't get a full season out of him. Not his fault; Runs himself into the ground and has been out twice due to very poor challenges.