Tues 11th, Thurs 13th, Sat 15th Match Thread

[The_Viking_Magpie]

I wonder why so many clubs have so many injuries, I don't like to mention them often but ours have been unusually high this season, one back, two out sort of conveyor belt almost all season long.

I predicted something like 14/15th for Notts this season based on my perception on Part Time Stu rather than the squad out together. I was badly wrong, and certainly not alone. Those fans who had little confidence in him and predicted similar or worse comically now view a playoff position has a minor disaster when in reality it was probably our expected outcome even without the neverending injury list.

Can't remember where I predicted Grimsby to finish but they are doing much better than what was expected. With Dave Artell I see him not seriously troubling promotion or relegation.

Agree first goal was key last night and my Gambian Prince deserved that for all his efforts week in, week out. He's very hardworking. He nearly grabbed a second at the death.

 

[Son of Cod]

When we have McGoldrick and Jones fit we’re a title winning side.

We're talking about such a small sample there though. 3 league matches they've started together, I make it? You're obviously a better side with them as anyone would be but you'd have still had dips in form if they'd have been fit all season. I see what you're saying though if you can get this close without them. Also worth noting that every single team in the division would be higher up the table if they'd have remained injury free too.

What has happened to Whitaker? Looks absolutely garbage post Gills away.

Almost as though I was correct about him the other week. The_Viking_Magpie RavenBish Would be like us saying Luca Barrington or Cam Gardner were massive losses.

We’re getting loads of injuries at the wrong time and it showed second half because I genuinely couldn’t figure out what formation we were playing. Combine that with certain players running out of steam and little quality off the bench and we run out of ideas.

Yeah, it felt like the players could have done with a rest last night. We've done well out of the fixture list of late, having beaten a few sides on Saturdays that played the previous Tuesdays, not sure Artellball is up to consistent two match a week levels yet. Had the same thoughts on formation too, we lost shape as the match went on and Palmer seems to always control proceedings against us, would love to see him going toe to toe with McEachran in the playoffs. Also did Khouri drop back to CB when McJannett went off? 2 full backs in the central defensive trio. All chatter has been about lack of bodies up top but we've been an injury off a patched up defence for a while now. Hopefully it's not serious for McJannett as that's another big loss.

On the positive side of things, there's always the worry that a rogue foreign pickup is potentially going to get bullied in the English fourth tier. I don't think we're gonna see that with Turi. Absolutely crunched into a couple of tackles last night. Excited to see him when he's up and running properly.

 

[TheEndIsNigh]

Speaking of injuries, I’m sure Chesterfield fans will be gutted to learn that they’ll more than likely be renewing acquaintances with the Scunny Yashin Sam Slocombe on Saturday. Gulp.

Any chance you could emergency loan Ross Fitzsimons to level it up a bit?

 

[jacobncfc]

We're talking about such a small sample there though. 3 league matches they've started together, I make it? You're obviously a better side with them as anyone would be but you'd have still had dips in form if they'd have been fit all season. I see what you're saying though if you can get this close without them. Also worth noting that every single team in the division would be higher up the table if they'd have remained injury free too.

It’s McGoldrick on his own really - had a quick look and he’s been able to start 20 of our 36 games, in which we’ve picked up 43 of our 61 points. So 2.2 PPG with him starting and 1 PPG without him starting or there abouts. Extrapolate that out to the current table and it’s the difference between being eleven points clear at the top and fourth from bottom. Jones hasn’t really been fit enough this season to work it out, but obviously we’re a miles better team with him in it.

Obviously it isn’t that simple, though. The only reason they’re playing for us in the first place is age/sentimentality in one case and injury history in the other. It’s just annoying as we managed to keep them both fit for pretty much the whole of last season but the defence was such a mess that it didn’t matter!

 

[kieran_vale]

Its been an issue for three seasons now really that Garrity is critical to us and we haven't sorted that with any back up, when he was out the past two winters we went into dreadful form both times as well, add in early this season when we went 1 win in 10 and now winless in 4 its a real problem.

Not sure exactly why he is so critical as we have many midfielders but he seems to drag everyone through and get 10% out of the rest of the squad with his leadership and sheer work rate even when he's not on it.

He is probably one of the most influential players in the division in regards to his importance to his side.

True the numbers speak for themselves in terms of the discrepancy when he’s available and when he’s not. Wouldn’t even say he’s particularly great technically, he’s mainly just a workhorse but even when he isn’t playing great he raises the standards of the rest of the team in a way none of our other players do.

Need him back for the April stretch of games.

On another note I’ve seen Barnsley have sacked DC. I’ve been dreading them doing this as you know a section of our fanbase are now going to demand his return. If we fail to beat MK Saturday just know that’s going to get louder.

 

[valefan16]

True the numbers speak for themselves in terms of the discrepancy when he’s available and when he’s not. Wouldn’t even say he’s particularly great technically, he’s mainly just a workhorse but even when he isn’t playing great he raises the standards of the rest of the team in a way none of our other players do.

Need him back for the April stretch of games.

On another note I’ve seen Barnsley have sacked DC. I’ve been dreading them doing this as you know a section of our fanbase are now going to demand his return. If we fail to beat MK Saturday just know that’s going to get louder.

100% our fans have yearned for the return of DC since the moment he left! I love the bloke but that ship sailed I imagine, although if in the summer we fail promotion and Moore does leave and DC is available I can see it happening.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Even on a very limited sample if any set of fans should know the importance and quality of Jones it's SoC and our friends in North East Lincolnshire after his previous performances against Town. My concern is do we see a fighting fit JJ again this season?

For me it's more when McGoldrick is fit we have the league's best and most deadly strike duo. Take either out and it's a big step down IMO.

Thankfully even with no Jones and McGoldrick for only 20 odd minutes we were still too much for inform Grimsby as we complete the league double.

 

[Si Robin]

On another note I’ve seen Barnsley have sacked DC. I’ve been dreading them doing this as you know a section of our fanbase are now going to demand his return. If we fail to beat MK Saturday just know that’s going to get louder.

Ours have already started.

 

[PaulHaddock]

Still no word on McJannet and Svanthorsson’s injuries last night but feel it would be suicide to continue with 3 at the back with only one fit CB. If Danny Rose gets injured we’re out the playoff race for good. Hindsight is a great thing but only signing 2 players in January seemed strange at the time and now we’re suffering for it.

Hopefully Turi is comfortable playing again as Thompson was absolutely stinking.

 

[Grimsby Road]

Speaking of injuries, I’m sure Chesterfield fans will be gutted to learn that they’ll more than likely be renewing acquaintances with the Scunny Yashin Sam Slocombe on Saturday. Gulp.

Any chance you could emergency loan Ross Fitzsimons to level it up a bit?

Massive Scunthorpe Utd fan Sam Slocombe , I knew you would win when he came on - had a good career tbf.

 

[kieran_vale]

Ours have already started.

One glance at Twitter and our forum and yep same. Got nothing but respect for him and he did a very good job with us but do think sometimes there’s a small element of mythology on him. People mostly criticise DM for playing three centre backs and tinkering with the lineup ignoring the fact DC did exactly the same all the time.