menzinho

I thought Woking’s press was good first half, only problem was their game plan revolved too much about stopping us and they didn’t really have much of a plan on the ball. They put in a lot of good work but as with most teams this year chasing the ball tires you out so as the game goes on we’re always more likely to score/play better. Baldwin back was big, he’s vital in that middle of defence/sweeper position. His pace means no one can really get the better of him. Bostock had a great game too covered a lot of ground and Palmer looked better when he pushed higher in the second half. Deserved goals for Austin and it was good to see Morias get some minutes, he’s got a powerful shot it won’t be long before he gets his first goal. I didn’t quite get the switch of wingbacks either, still don’t think JJ is best used here, it’s a touch of Roberts from last season, given he likes to play as inverted winger where does he fit in a formation that only uses wingbacks for width. Chicksen got into plenty of good positions but had to use his weaker foot, we looked better with a natural right footer there. With the toughest games out the way, this run in feels like a bit of waiting game now. Just no bad injuries in the next two games please.

Ed Francis and Kairo Mitchell are out of contract too. I think both would struggle to get game time next season especially if we are back in L2, so for the good of their careers I think moving on would be best. I’d sign JO’B for another year, and I’d give swimming the Atlantic a go if it got Ruben to stay for another year too! All the others on two-year deals, the only one I’d have to really think about is Vincent. I like him but I think the club will move him on, in the knowledge they’ve identified someone better. He’s left footed and energetic and given the departure of Taylor I get why he’s suddenly found himself at LWB since coming back but could this actually be a role he could flourish in? He’s got all the attributes, given specific defensive guidance and training I think he could.

I’m not just saying this because it suits us, but I agree 3 up 3 down needs to happen now. According to last season’s league table Grimsby were the 6th best team in this league, they are comfortably mid-table in league 2. There is no gap between the bottom half of league 2 and the top half of the national league. And look at Oldham and Scunthorpe relegated out of League 2 last year, one’s mid-table the other’s just been relegated again! If this league was a bad as everyone seems to think that would not have happened. It’ll be genuinely beneficial for teams that do get relegated too, getting back into the league would be a lot easier. Imagine first season after we’d been relegated, Harrogate got automatic promotion too, the play-offs (on paper) would’ve been easier for us.

Yeah the theory is that the universe is constantly expanding. So I guess that means if we are living in an constantly expanding universe eventually, if there are other universes out there, we'll eventually expand into them. Doubt we'll ever able to prove it or find out though. Although I'm sure in another universe Scott’s penalty went in, can the scientists find that universe for us?

Nerves are natural at this stage of the season but pretty much all the squad have been involved in play-off campaigns, they know what it's all about now. From my perspective I'm still weirdly positive. Our home form is very good this season but I'd rather see a team like Chesterfield or Barnet visit us in the first game and have a go. I worry more about teams like Bromley or Boreham Wood, they'll sit back let us have all the ball but then spring counter attacks when we've thrown more and more forward. That sort of game would make me nervous.

I think if we are still in this league next season the chances of him staying are slim, but I'm more than hopeful we'll be out of it and he'll be looking to continue his goal-scoring prowess in the EFL with us! ????????

It’s very marginal and I don’t think the half a yard he gained impacts his ability to make the save, if he had been on his line he still saves that pen. It’s easy to referee the game once it’s over, I watched the highlights back (yeah I don’t know why either) but Wrexham had a few offsides given against them when they were level/just on. I’d rather have the odd mistake over something like VAR in it’s current state…

Pfft… Don’t know what to say after that, just gutted and missing that penalty at the end, that hurt. I’m not going to criticise Scott for the miss, he had to courage to step up in an incredibly pressurised moment but it wasn’t to be. Let’s not forget Wrexham are some team at this level, but that was the one game when we couldn’t afford any defensive mis-haps. I know we play a high line but the pace of the likes of Brindley and Baldwin is crucial to that, especially against the runs in behind and movement of Mullin (a great player who tarnish's his rep with the diving). I think we missed them today. That was the automatic spot game in all honesty, it’ll be some monumental collapse if Wrexham don’t finish top now. This season can still end in promotion for us though. We’ve played in a massive game today, with a lot of pressure and eyes on it. There probably won’t be as much media coverage for the Play-off final. If we get there, maybe in a funny sort of way this game will have helped.

On what was a very emotional day we did what we needed to do and luckily for us Halifax decided to make the title race a little bit closer. This game could’ve been a potential slip-up, you could see on the faces of the players and staff during the interviews this week it’s been really tough for them but they channelled their emotions incredibly well and put in another great performance, one we’ve been so used to seeing this season. Agree we could’ve had more goals, some impressive performances and pleased to see Vinny on the scoresheet too. It seems his loan was beneficial and he’s looking re-energised for us now even in a unfamiliar role, could he be a potential challenger for Chicksen next season? Don’t get me wrong it’s great the results today went perfectly but it means I’m even more nervous about Monday and even more desperate for us to get a win! This is some season.

Just awful news, and completely out of nowhere which makes it even worse. I’m sure Charlie Slater even mentioned him on the commentary as he was there at Altrincham mid-week. Heart-breaking for his friends and family. Rest in peace Jason, and thank you for everything you have done for the club.

Can't really add to what's already been said it was a very impressive and comfortable win. Couldn't have picked a better day for the community day, did we pay a fee to Scunny to make us look like prime Barca?! That'll really help sway those new and younger first time fans to come back! And Macca's equals a club record. I didn't see it coming at the start of the season but as the games have gone on it seemed more and more likely. I'll be amazed if he doesn't break that and the NL goal scoring record now. I'm just glad he's in contract, that price tag just keeps climbing. I'm sure lot's of clubs want him but they'll have to pay a really good fee for the privilege.

Interesting comments in the post-match interview from the gaffer, saying that the title race is over. A bit of mind games I think. No way he really thinks that surely it’s about hopefully getting Wrexham to become complacent because they think we’re done this season now. I don’t think it’ll work but I’m for trying everything right now!

Dominated pretty much that first half and then they score from a long throw in the last seconds. Football eh… I think had we gone into half-time winning Barnet would’ve pushed even more and that potentially makes it easier to get a second goal. I just hate the fact in our current scenario it’s two points dropped rather than a good away point, any other season that’s a decent result.

It's interesting (and slightly disappointing) that the mainstream media over here have not really shown any interest in NL title race. It's an amazing battle, no teams in the other divisions are as ahead and close as us and Wrexham are. I'm not expecting tons of coverage as I get our level is not 'popular' but I've never really heard it mentioned on BBC, 5Live, Sky Sports etc it's only The Athletic that have written articles about it. The most coverage and interest I've seen is by ESPN, and that is pretty orientated around Wrexham.

Is this us getting them back for robbing us of those points a few weeks ago! I like what I’ve seen from him, quick and strong forward who can play in slighter wider role if needed. Interesting we’ve paid and fee and gone for a 3 year deal, the club obviously feel confident he’s someone who can be successful here, I hope so too.

Yeah I didn’t have particularly high hopes for Dagenham. It was all about last ditch defending against us, they rarely had any spells of pressure nor did they create many chances. We beat them 0-5 remember, Wrexham were more than capable of getting the win there.

I agree with everyone else about Palmer but I also think Kyle Cameron is worthy of a vote here, the captain after all sets the standards and I don’t think he’s had a particularly bad game either. Being the only left-footed CB we have he’s been a crucial part of how we play and often takes it upon himself to drive the team forward bringing the ball out of defence. Yes he’s been caught out a few times, but on the whole he’s been pretty stellar for us this season. In terms of sheer technical ability and standing out in that way it’s Ruben for me, just some of the passes and general play is levels above this league.

Soccerstats.com has this handy stat that takes the remaining fixtures and gives you an average points per game from those opposition. As of right now the average points per game of the opposition for Wrexham is 1.44. The APPG of the opposition for us is 1.33. So on paper we have the marginally easier games. But Wrexham have the game in hand and could be 4 clear by Tuesday night (here’s to hoping Dagenham didn’t use all their luck on us!). That would make them favourites for me, but I still think we've got a great chance. I know some fans have been trying to play down the Wrexham game itself but I think that it's massive, could potentially give one side a real boost both points and morale wise going into those last couple of games.

I have to say when I first saw the team sheet I was nervous, Brooks making his debut against a team that will cross the ball into the box at every opportunity. And then lot’s of attacking players on the pitch, but maybe that was just because we were so short of defenders… Brooks had an eventful game, saved a pen, gave away a pen (was it a foul though?) and then could’ve given away another pen for a foul that was apparently in the box. I think we definitely deserved something after a dominate second half though. A point here now is decent, especially given that Wrexham didn’t win either.

Good question, I’d hope so, the fact we’ve kept him around for so long suggests it’ll happen sometime soon. It’s a tough gig, especially given how we want our keepers to play and there's chance we'll be division higher next season which means the opposition gets even tougher. Either way I think another loan for the start of the season (to below which ever league we're in) would be a good option. Then he's got the potential to feature for the second half of the season if he's done well.

I agree with what others have said, wouldn't have been my position of choice to strengthen. Nothing against L-Evans who I think is a great player. I just thought, given Jodi Jones filled in at RWB and with Adebayo-Rowling out and Nemane needing to be managed that might have been the area to strengthen. Having heard Luke William’s reasoning, it makes sense, as to why he’s been bought in. We can rotate players and maintain that high pressing from the front. And I do wonder if he’s been earmarked as a potential Rodrigues replacement and it means we can get a real look at him. ????????

The best Notts County squad you have watched in person? It would have to be the 2009-10 promotion squad, yes we lured played players on false promises but a lot of them were far too good for that league. The best Notts County player you have ever watched in person? Grealish you could see he was a special talent. The best Notts County legend you wished you had seen? Send me back to the 1930’s for Tom Keetley. 94 goals in 103 league appearances. The best Notts County goalkeeper you have ever seen live? [bonus praise for naming a memory of said keeper within your answer]. Kasper Schmeichel, gave our defence so much confidence and always backed him in a one on one. The best Notts County defender in your lifetime? Mike Edwards was always my favourite as a kid, the fact we had a to play him in league 2 when he was about 40 and our fitness coach tells you he was pretty decent. (*And our recruitment was beyond shocking). The best skilled Notts County midfielder you have ever watched in person? Ben Davies, he had superb technique when crossing and striking a ball. The best Notts County winger who would take on the opposition down the byline in person? My first memory of a decent winger was Myles Weston, he was just quick though crossing was very hit or miss. Not had many in my time, I’ll have to say Campbell-Ryce. The best natural Notts County finisher? Is it too early to go in on McCauley before he’s banging them for a championship club… Tough one for us younger fans (I’m really clinging onto that status now). Hughes. The best player to be described as a true underdog during their spell at Notts? Chicksen, came in didn’t play for like 6 months. Then we he got his chance it was at LCB. Now look at him flying down the wing banging them in. One of the first names on the team sheet. The best worst player ever to grace a Notts County shirt? It’s not a good thing that there are so many candidates for this one and I look forward to being reminded of players I’ve tried to bury in the back of my mind. I’ll say Christian Oxalade-Chamberlain, he made a handful of appearances and they were all awful. The best goal from a Notts County player you have seen in person? Eli Sam’s scorpion kick live deserved a crowd, it was a crime we could only see it through a screen. Lots to choose from, seem to remember Hughes chesting down a cross on the edge of the area and then volleying it in that was a screamer. The best ex Notts County player you have seen in person? This was a tough one, we’ve not had many players that have come back to haunt us in my time supporting Notts cos most of them disappeared down the leagues faster than we did. Seem to recall Tavon-Campbell scoring against us a few times but he can’t be the best player. I’ll have to say Gary Liddle. The best future Notts County player you have seen in person? Again, tough, I’ve seen Craig-Mackail Smith play a few times. Sadly, when we eventually signed him, he was in his twilight years.

Incredibly unlucky to lose that. Hit the post a couple of times, about 3/4 shots cleared off the line and just general chances that we missed. Langstaff grabbed with two hands and pulled to the ground by a defender that turned his back on the ball and made no attempt to win in it... Pffft. Did we over commit players to find that winner? I don’t know as I feel in this title race you need the 3 points. And Effiong in a Notts shirt is putting that into row-z every day of the week, that’s just football for you. I’m trying not to get too downbeat by it all, one game won’t define this season. Lots of games left, and I’ll be amazed if the Wrexham finish the season unbeaten, especially when the real pressure will be on in the last few games.

Very sad indeed, my thoughts go out to all the family and those who knew her personally. Keep reminding yourself of the good times and memories, they'll help get you through this tough time.

Definitely, I think if this team came up against any of those 2004-2008 squads, assuming they play like they can they should be able to beat them by 2 or 3 quite easily. I even think they'd beat the team that got us relegated from L1 under Derry/Moniz. I can see Palmer, Austin and Rodrigues running rings around Alan Smith and Gary Jones. And Langstaff and Scott up against Hayden Mullins who was about 37 and Haydn Hollis... Offt! Roy Carroll would have a hard time keeping a clean sheet.