ARLukomski

A much improved performance from Notts. Our work rate, fight and desire was excellent but we for all of our possesion, we didn't create as many clear cut chances as we probably should have. We were a lot better on the ball than the last few games. We played through their first press well, moving the ball quickly between Baldwin, Cameron and Bostock. JB, Austin and Crowley were all picking up space in the centre of midfield and driving forward with the ball, something that has been lacking the last few games. Our work rate in winning the ball back was brilliant. Aldershot showed that you have to battle to stifle Stockport and we did that. We didn't allow them to go up a level at the start of the second half and we kept plugging away in hope of an equaliser. However, Stockport defended their penalty area very well. They sit in their defensive shape well when faced with pressure. Jones crossed for Langstaff which he couldn't quite get his leg too, and then a Jones cross just missed Didzy and Macca. The one chance we should have taken came through excellent work rate by Aaron Nemane, winning the ball off Ethan Pye, squaring for Didzy who should have scored. Looking back on the highlights, it was quite a tame effort. Either corner and not the centre of the goal, and it's in. I thought Brindley had his best game in a while and kept Tanto Olaofe mostly quiet for the first half. He also cleared one off the line. Baldwin also had a good game, bringing the ball out of defence and playing quick passes between himself, Cameron and others, something we haven't done the last few games, where players haven't been showing for the ball giving Baldwin and Aidan Stone no options. Stone himself had a good game, saving well from Wootton and looking calm and assured on his line. The two goals came from us heading it out for a corner unnecessarily and then switiching off from the corner, and then Tobi losing his footing, allowing Stockport in on goal which lead to their penalty. Stockport were getting overrun in midfield and so they subbed on Akil Wright for Olaofe in the 2nd half, meaning Odin Bailey went in attacking midfield, pushing Madden up front with Wootton, but we still were seeing a lot of the ball and pressing forward. However in the penalty area, we just couldn't seem to connect on the end of a cross or muster enough space for a shooting opportunity. Sometimes Didzy and Macca couldn't get the ball out of their feet. The one time Didzy did, it ended with a goal. Both teams were missing key players. We were missing Macari and Palmer, along with players like Scott and Bajrami. I know they were missing Collar, Sarcevic, Barry and Southam-Hales. A noticeable difference was the bench in which they had options to change the game and we didn't, which is why I think we didn't make our first sub till 80 minutes and most of our bench was made up of defensive options. Something that will improve come January. A hugely improved performance with good fight and work rate shown. Disappointing not to get something but encouraging signs to take into the next few games. The players deserved their ovation at the end of the game. The away end was one of the best I've been in