w / e Saturday 24th February

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Notts county mad certainly makes interesting reading re maynard

More expected than interesting.

I'm surprised that you read the Notts County Mad forum, said absolutely nobody, ever.

Stagsnet too?

 

[Optipez]

Notts county mad certainly makes interesting reading re maynard

NCM is always reactionary. It's either brilliant or terrible. Win and it's 7,8,9s all round, lose and it's anything from 5s to 2s.
Maynard is replacing a legend, Moyes after Sir Alex and it's going to be tough for him, maybe too much as it was for Moyes but doesn't mean he's a useless idiot either.

 

[Conker]

Moyes after Sir Alex

 

[Richard Cranium]

OAP Stephen Quinn now has 10 assists, One every 119.9 minutes. Not bad compared to that fraud Jodi Jones who’s got 1 every 124 minutes

 

[Optipez]

Moyes after Sir Alex

You know what I mean, it was an analogy not a literal reference.
Still, fair play it does read back a tad pretentious.

 

[AdamStag]

OAP Stephen Quinn now has 10 assists, One every 119.9 minutes. Not bad compared to that fraud Jodi Jones who’s got 1 every 124 minutes

Quinn plays in a quality side, so it’s not fair on jones to make that comparison.

 

[TrinidadsNumberOne]

You've summed us up really well I think. Overall we're lightweight and I'll be glad to finish the season in L2 and go again next season.
The club has perhaps underestimated how important the manager is, assuming that " the system" is all and personnel can be bolted on to it. It's not the case, personnel are everything in football, They are the product and we've probably got ten players in the squad who should be released in the summer.
I'm not entirely sure whether Maynard is out of his depth, Williams over achieved or a bit of both but apart from a purple patch in the Autumn we've for the most part looked undercooked.

I thought you were very efficient, defended well, scored your chances, ran the clock down and just had a very comfortable day, too easy from our point of view.

Reminded me a lot of Artell's early years with us when we had a terrible defence and he was ordering them to play it out the back and most of them really didn't look comfortable doing so especially when teams put them under pressure and that's exactly what we did yesterday.

There's clearly a lot of talent in the midfield and attack in that Notts side but I do think the defence has been neglected somewhat and I think a lot of clubs promoted from the National League are often guilty of doing that. You're obviously going to give your promoted players a chance in the higher division and some will swim but others sink. I do expect you to have a clear out of deadwood in May and come back stronger next year. The foundations are certainly there for you to have a good season next season and a stronger keeper and defence will be a key part of that.

I certainly think Chesterfield will have a season similar to you next season for all the same reasons.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Quinn plays in a quality side, so it’s not fair on jones to make that comparison.

He does indeed. A promotion/title winning side Adam? Please remember these comments chap. The contradictions are off the chart.

 

[Conker]

Quinn even with that lengthy outlay is an assist king.

Bloke is nearly 40, legs are gone to an extent but at this level it doesn’t matter with his intelligence. Still manages to take on players with ease.

 

[jacobncfc]

Thought we were comfortably beaten by a very organised side yesterday. Crewe didn’t do anything that stood out but executed the basics really well, everything we struggle with. They’ll go close to automatic promotion.

That said, we’re still getting absolutely no luck. Demetriou throwing in probably the most obvious red card challenge you’ll see all season inside half an hour and it not even being given as a foul, madness.

 

[Spanishstag]

He does indeed. A promotion/title winning side Adam? Please remember these comments chap. The contradictions are off the chart.

Not from me were gonna piss it adios league two

 

[GTFCfish]

Not bad compared to that fraud Jodi Jones who’s got 1 every 124 minutes

Or 4 in 90 minutes depending on how shit the oppositions defence is.

 

[Spanishstag]

Thought we were comfortably beaten by a very organised side yesterday. Crewe didn’t do anything that stood out but executed the basics really well, everything we struggle with. They’ll go close to automatic promotion.

That said, we’re still getting absolutely no luck. Demetriou throwing in probably the most obvious red card challenge you’ll see all season inside half an hour and it not even being given as a foul, madness.

So whos to blame at notts, owners by appointing a complete novice or this montague fella who and i may be wrong oversees the signings etc

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

So whos to blame at notts, owners by appointing a complete novice or this montague fella who and i may be wrong oversees the signings etc

For the clearly disappointing recent recruitment then it's Montague and co for sure. But he has plenty of money in the bank after how good his previous record has been.

The owners have been superb.

 

[jacobncfc]

So whos to blame at notts, owners by appointing a complete novice or this montague fella who and i may be wrong oversees the signings etc

Bit of everyone - our biggest problem is we were too loyal to a lot of players following promotion. I understand why, but it’s left us with too many who aren’t up to it, particularly at the back.

Overall it’s not a disaster and feels worse because we started so well, but hopefully we’ve learned a lot from it.

Far too early to make any real judgment on Maynard, our form was this bad when Williams left and he’s had a horrible run of games, but the amount he’s switching formations and positions even within games suggests he has no idea yet how to make this team balanced. In his defence, I’m not sure it’s possible with the players he has, and maybe our best bet is returning to trying to 5-4 our way into seventh for the rest of this season.

 

[spireite]

Bit of everyone - our biggest problem is we were too loyal to a lot of players following promotion. I understand why, but it’s left us with too many who aren’t up to it, particularly at the back.

Overall it’s not a disaster and feels worse because we started so well, but hopefully we’ve learned a lot from it.

Far too early to make any real judgment on Maynard, our form was this bad when Williams left and he’s had a horrible run of games, but the amount he’s switching formations and positions even within games suggests he has no idea yet how to make this team balanced. In his defence, I’m not sure it’s possible with the players he has, and maybe our best bet is returning to trying to 5-4 our way into seventh for the rest of this season.

I think this is my biggest concern. Our weakness is in defence. We're possibly a striker short for L2, we only have 2 on the books, but defence is weakest area. I've seen both Grimsby and County fans bemoaning loyalty to NL level defenders after promotion, and I can see us making the same mistake. The only thing giving me pause is that Paul Cook really knows the level, think it's 3 L2 titles he's had? He certainly knows better than me

 

[AdamStag]

I think this is my biggest concern. Our weakness is in defence. We're possibly a striker short for L2, we only have 2 on the books, but defence is weakest area. I've seen both Grimsby and County fans bemoaning loyalty to NL level defenders after promotion, and I can see us making the same mistake. The only thing giving me pause is that Paul Cook really knows the level, think it's 3 L2 titles he's had? He certainly knows better than me

Any manager worth their salt will know it’s a problem and identify it, and i’m sure cook will given his experience.

County are 2nd highest scorers with stockport on 66, 1 behind our 67, however the issue lies in having conceded 62, as opposed to our 29 - id imagine you’d have relatively similar standard forwards next season so easy to work out where to address.

 

[jacobncfc]

I think this is my biggest concern. Our weakness is in defence. We're possibly a striker short for L2, we only have 2 on the books, but defence is weakest area. I've seen both Grimsby and County fans bemoaning loyalty to NL level defenders after promotion, and I can see us making the same mistake. The only thing giving me pause is that Paul Cook really knows the level, think it's 3 L2 titles he's had? He certainly knows better than me

I saw you gave Grimes a new deal - as we’ve found out with Rawlinson, he’ll get absolutely murdered at this level unless you want to just defend the entire game in your own box.

 

[joethegill]

Wasn't at the Wrexham game yesterday as I was at Altrincham v Maidenhead instead - just to add to the NL quality conversation, Altrincham were (despite being in and around the play-offs) fairly dreadful, bit like a Notts County-lite with the way they tried to play, and defensively all over the place.

Anyway, good win for Gills. 1st and 3rd (at the time of kick off) played in the space of 5 days with 4 points gained, and zero goals conceded. Wish we could play teams nearer the top more often as we're better against them in the main, so if we were to sneak into the play-offs then we've every chance. Also, lovely to hear the old Gills adages trotted out from both fanbases - 'Gills there for the taking', 'Can't believe our strikers had an off day' and 'Losing to that sort of team is embarrassing'. Not going to speak for the game yesterday, but Stockport had one shot on target and Wrexham only 3 from the stats - two of which came in the same half-second - so we did something right.

It's what we do when we're playing well, we restrict sides from having too many chances and we're usually good for a goal at the other end, just not two or three. Get both ends right and you can see why we win so many games 1-0, and also why we regularly fail to pick up too much when we go a goal behind. I'd love to be winning games 3 and 4, but I haven't seen a Gills side do that regularly (2012/13 title season apart) for over 20 years, it just isn't part of our DNA to dominate and play 'total football'. I think Clemence is slowly coming round to that realisation that we like our teams to be disciplined, resilient and outwork the oppo, and if they've got a bit of class about them as well then they'll be loved. This current lot are capable of the first three but do lack a bit of quality in the final third which makes our defence that much more important. When we don't put in the hard work then we're a very tricky watch, but with some intensity in our play we tend to do ok.

We've got a free midweek now which comes at a good time for us, before a tricky pair of North-West away games with Salford and Barrow coming up in the space of 4 days next week. After that our fixtures look to be slightly more friendly which is where we tend to fall down, so Tranmere (h), Wimbledon (a) and Grimsby (h) will be a good test to see if we've learnt any lessons about playing mid-table and below. Fingers crossed we have, because sort that issue and we could have a fun end to the season.

 

[Indian Dan]

It’s hard to believe we peppered you lot the other evening yet were so limp wristed yesterday and v Franchise.

 

[joethegill]

It’s hard to believe we peppered you lot the other evening yet were so limp wristed yesterday and v Franchise.

Our game was nonsense wasn't it, should've been 4-4.

 

[spireite]

I saw you gave Grimes a new deal - as we’ve found out with Rawlinson, he’ll get absolutely murdered at this level unless you want to just defend the entire game in your own box.

Yep, Grimes and Ty Williams have been given new terms, which is a nightmare inducing L2 CB pairing. As it stands right now though I 'believe' they are the only defenders currently tied down for next year, so there is hopefully some wiggle room there. We have an option on Jeff King but I kind of hope we don't bother. We do have quite a thin squad as it stands as well. Some of our guys might do as backup but 2 new CB's, new LB and new RB is probably a good starter for 10. Grigg should still score at L2 provided we get service into him, he's just a tap in artist anyway. Joe Quigley is the only other striker on our books and.... yea. Rest of it is probably sound. Expect Tom Naylor to be just as good at L2 level, he's a L1 player at worst.

 

[Conker]

Teams struggle to compete at the top end in L2 with a striker that just provides tap ins usually, you need everyone to graft or you’ll get pressed in to oblivion.

 

[spireite]

Teams struggle to compete at the top end in L2 with a striker that just provides tap ins usually, you need everyone to graft or you’ll get pressed in to oblivion.

Yea very true. Grigg does work hard to be fair to him, just his goal highlights this season is basically 20 versions of the same 5 yard tap in and one worldie from around the corner flag. I worry a touch about his age though. Another striker, young, quick, and relentless on the press as you say could be the ticket. Will be a shame to miss the old derby though with you boys finally smashing this tinpot league.

 

[WhiteRussian]

I thinks thats totally unfair on Grigg. He's a penalty box striker and does the job he's asked to do. 20 versions of the same tap in is probaly 15more successful than most other strikers.

 

[spireite]

I thinks thats totally unfair on Grigg. He's a penalty box striker and does the job he's asked to do. 20 versions of the same tap in is probaly 15more successful than most other strikers.

Oh yea don't get me wrong I'm not knocking it, I'm totally here for a tap in highlight reel. We're a bit light up front is all, and neither option has a great deal of pace.

 

[AdamStag]

Teams struggle to compete at the top end in L2 with a striker that just provides tap ins usually, you need everyone to graft or you’ll get pressed in to oblivion.

Could you imagine someone not pressing, tracking back or anything like that under clough? he’d be whipped into shape or fucked off in the next transfer window.

Probably could get away a few seasons ago or with it against the sides from the local rec in the conference but not if you want anything decent in this division of late, that side has really kicked on in the lower leagues.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

The combination every team is after is works really hard, scores lots of goals. They aren't common but if you recruit one of those you've done very well.

 

[Conker]

Yea very true. Grigg does work hard to be fair to him, just his goal highlights this season is basically 20 versions of the same 5 yard tap in and one worldie from around the corner flag. I worry a touch about his age though. Another striker, young, quick, and relentless on the press as you say could be the ticket. Will be a shame to miss the old derby though with you boys finally smashing this tinpot league.

It’s like with Notts County, Langstaff scored a load of goals against the poorer teams so far but they basically play with one man less against the better sides because he’s completely ineffective against a good defence this season so far, got the physical attributes of a 12 year old girl, but is a brilliant poacher in the box undoubtedly.

I think if they sold him and reinvested that money in the squad they will be much better for it.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Hate to correct a Mansfield Town fan talking about Notts County, surprise surprise but it's never like we are playing with one less man, due to his work rate and the close attention he unsurprisingly gets due to his goalscoring exploits. He record is poor against the top teams no doubt, who can mark him out the game, but the main reason for that isn't Macca it's the team as we simply don't create for him against better opposition. Opposed to mid table sides and below where we have, lots.

Lots of teams play poorer sides and struggle because they don't have that brilliant poacher in the box who works his socks off who makes the difference, scores the goals and wins the game.

Do agree we would likely be better off selling for big money and re investing (I'd be very happy with that outcome, although I'm in the minority among the fanbase) but if that doesn't happen we get a top goalscorer for 4 full seasons for £50k. Whatever happens it's a simply fantastic piece of business and recruitment by the club.