Starting XI’s - Current Squad (keep updating)

[jacobncfc]

Years ago we signed Ian Rush and a ot of people seemed to be expecting the free scoring Liverpool player, despite the fact he'd done well playing deeper for Leeds and Newcastle. He didn't score in 23 games and went off to Australia after one season. Reminds me of that situation.

Not reeeeally considering what McGoldrick did last season, it's more him reverting to the kind of role he had at Sheffield United in the Prem where he's a bit deeper and more of a link player. He got 23 or whatever it was in League One last season playing right up top as the main man, so can obviously do it, but we have Mr Goal to patrol the six-yard box and score tap-ins.

 

[Son of Cod]

Years ago we signed Ian Rush and a ot of people seemed to be expecting the free scoring Liverpool player, despite the fact he'd done well playing deeper for Leeds and Newcastle. He didn't score in 23 games and went off to Australia after one season. Reminds me of that situation.

McGoldrick hasn't even played for Juve either. Notts absolutely ripped off here.

 

[EnglishRed]

Not comparable IMO.

Not directly. Rush was a very different kind of player and his best days were well and truly behind him. We were also in League One (equivalent) at the time. I actually expect McGoldrick to be decent because of the type of player he is and the fact he's a Notts fan and will want to do well. Powell I don't think will be arsed.

 

[EnglishRed]

Not reeeeally considering what McGoldrick did last season, it's more him reverting to the kind of role he had at Sheffield United in the Prem where he's a bit deeper and more of a link player. He got 23 or whatever it was in League One last season playing right up top as the main man, so can obviously do it, but we have Mr Goal to patrol the six-yard box and score tap-ins.

Have you sorted out your defence yet?

 

[dedwardp]

Bizarre that a player that got 32 in 2 season the last time he was at this level can't crack your starting XI no? Feels like you've got 3 target men and seem intent on starting those 3 first. Could Jay not be an option alongside Tovide with Hopper and Akinde as bench options?

I agree, his was the signing I was most excited about in January. To be honest, I assumed his arrival meant that Chilvers was probably outbound, but he's still here and there doesn't seem to be space for them both. I would expect us to bring in a new forward option still, but I would like to see Jay given a go playing off of a front man.

I'm not sure that Tovide can be classed as a target man as such though, albeit of all the forward options he is probably the first name on the teamsheet at this point - so if the preference is to have a bigger focal point as well then that rules that option out. He does have excellent physicality and tenacity though so he and Jay could still possibly work.

Getting that forward line right is the biggest conundrum we've struggled with in recent seasons as defensively we've generally been ok. Tovide really started to look the part towards the end of last season so I think there's a lot of hope around him this time.

 

[jacobncfc]

Have you sorted out your defence yet?

We’re going in with the same defence that conceded less than your League One standard one, it looks like.

If anything we’re doubling down. Funniest bit of pre-season was throwing in some 18 year-old youth team kid for a game against Stoke and making him defend on the half-way line against Tyrese Campbell the whole game.

 

[Son of Cod]

I actually expect McGoldrick to be decent because of the type of player he is and the fact he's a Notts fan

Shame he won't be at any of their away games in that case!!!!

 

[EnglishRed]

We’re going in with the same defence that conceded less than your League One standard one, it looks like.

If anything we’re doubling down. Funniest bit of pre-season was throwing in some 18 year-old youth team kid for a game against Stoke and making him defend on the half-way line against Tyrese Campbell the whole game.

We only conceded more because of the 7-5 game against Barnet when both teams decided not to defend. Our defence is looking much more balanced since signing Boyle. Amazing what having a left footed LCB can do.

 

[jacobncfc]

Shame he won't be at any of their away games in that case!!!!

We’re allowed to add one onto every following this season when he plays.

 

[jacobncfc]

We only conceded more because of the 7-5 game against Barnet when both teams decided not to defend. Our defence is looking much more balanced since signing Boyle. Amazing what having a left footed LCB can do.

Point kind of still stands, our defensive record was sound. I don’t think we’ll concede a huge number overall, like last season, but about half of the goals we do concede will get posted on here with someone going ‘the fuck are those guys doing!?!’.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Not directly. Rush was a very different kind of player and his best days were well and truly behind him. We were also in League One (equivalent) at the time. I actually expect McGoldrick to be decent because of the type of player he is and the fact he's a Notts fan and will want to do well. Powell I don't think will be arsed.

My favourite comparable is the non direct comparable

 

[PuB]

Point kind of still stands, our defensive record was sound. I don’t think we’ll concede a huge number overall, like last season, but about half of the goals we do concede will get posted on here with someone going ‘the fuck are those guys doing!?!’.

I think you’re in for a rude awakening but will sort it out sharpish.

 

[EnglishRed]

Point kind of still stands, our defensive record was sound. I don’t think we’ll concede a huge number overall, like last season, but about half of the goals we do concede will get posted on here with someone going ‘the fuck are those guys doing!?!’.

Was your defensive record not sound because in most games you completely dominated possession so barely faced any shots? I'm not sure you will be able to do that as much this season. We shall see though, maybe this L2 lot are worse than they make out.

 

[EnglishRed]

My favourite comparable is the non direct comparable

Good.

Did you think I meant that the two signings were identical situations? How is that even remotely possible? Best not compare any two things.

 

[jacobncfc]

Was your defensive record not sound because in most games you completely dominated possession so barely faced any shots? I'm not sure you will be able to do that as much this season. We shall see though, maybe this L2 lot are worse than they make out.

Pretty much. Especially at home, think it was only Man United who conceded fewer at home in all English pro football last season (and that like one less in four fewer home games). Away we conceded plenty because teams had a bit more of a go, but scored millions and kept winning 4-2 and 5-1 and things like that.

Loads depends on how teams try and play against us, I have no idea yet. It didn’t take long last season for a consensus on setting up at ML to emerge of everyone behind the ball at all times and just let us have it, which will presumably not happen this season. But it might if we start well.

I think we actually prefer the more open games, our away record was incredible really. Remember Williams saying something after we won at Woking along the lines of ‘they pressed us as madly as they could and tried to make it as open as possible, so I was just like okay we’ll do the same, but be careful because our forwards are better than yours’. Does that still hold a league up with Langstaff and McGoldrick? Maybe.

 

[Stocky]

I personally think Notts will smash it. I rate their manager highly, his style of football is all about control. The way we all get amongst them is by causing a game of chaos with high balls etc. I fully expect them to be right up there.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Good.

Did you think I meant that the two signings were identical situations? How is that even remotely possible? Best not compare any two things.

No I did not. I thought you meant they were comparable , because that's the word you used, not identical. Who said they were identical?

They aren't the same thing, as I'm sure you are fully aware.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Pretty much. Especially at home, think it was only Man United who conceded fewer at home in all English pro football last season (and that like one less in four fewer home games). Away we conceded plenty because teams had a bit more of a go, but scored millions and kept winning 4-2 and 5-1 and things like that.

Loads depends on how teams try and play against us, I have no idea yet. It didn’t take long last season for a consensus on setting up at ML to emerge of everyone behind the ball at all times and just let us have it, which will presumably not happen this season. But it might if we start well.

I think we actually prefer the more open games, our away record was incredible really. Remember Williams saying something after we won at Woking along the lines of ‘they pressed us as madly as they could and tried to make it as open as possible, so I was just like okay we’ll do the same, but be careful because our forwards are better than yours’. Does that still hold a league up with Langstaff and McGoldrick? Maybe.

That's a great summary.

Keeping possession is going to be harder to do at this level, so is closing down and winning possession high up the pitch, springing the offside trap etc. I'm sure our head coach knows that the questions we don't know are how much harder and how did we adapt when it is. The overall approach won't change and nor do the fans want it to. It's very entertaining. Proper football.

I much preferred the games when teams had a go at us for the reason stated above although we were fortunate at Woking. Very ambitious and risky tactics employed by both and Williams was right we just had the better players in the final 3rd to squeeze the win.

 

[EnglishRed]

No I did not. I thought you meant they were comparable , because that's the word you used, not identical. Who said they were identical?

They aren't the same thing, as I'm sure you are fully aware.

No..... You used the word comparable... I didn't. I just said I was reminded of when we signed Rush - an older, big name player dropping leagues. That's all.

 

[Son of Cod]

The overall approach won't change and nor do the fans want it to. It's very entertaining. Proper football.

 

[F!RTHY]

Squad update (since the end of June):

Goalkeepers:
Harry Lewis
Colin Doyle
Heath Richardson (youth)

Defenders:
LB: Liam Ridehalgh
LB: Clark Oduor
CB: Matty Platt
CB: Sam Stubbs
CB: Ash Taylor
CB: Timi Odusina
CB: Cieran Kelly
RB: Daniel Oyegoke
RB: Brad Halliday
RB: Luke Hendrie

Midfielders:

LW: Harry Chapman
CM: Ritchie Smallwood
CM: Kevin McDonald
CM: Manny Osedebe
CM: Ryan East
RW: Alex Gilliead
AM: Alex Pattison
AM: Jamie Walker

Strikers:
ST: Andy Cook
ST: Tyler Smith
ST: Vadaine Oliver
ST: Matt Derbyshire
ST: Bobby Pointon

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Sorry context missing.

I have a feeling I should know who that is but cant place him SoC, help us out fella.

 

[Master D]

I personally think Notts will smash it. I rate their manager highly, his style of football is all about control. The way we all get amongst them is by causing a game of chaos with high balls etc. I fully expect them to be right up there.

We will be charging for anyone we catch using the Parkinson blueprint on how to get at them time and again. The man put on a clinic against them at our place in the Game Of The Century. What a tactician he is.

 

[Stocky]

We will be charging for anyone we catch using the Parkinson blueprint on how to get at them time and again. The man put on a clinic against them at our place in the Game Of The Century. What a tactician he is.

I don't necessarily love Notts' type style as a neutral as much as other people, I'm a bit old school. I quite like yours tbh. Your game vs Sheffield United at the Racecourse was one of the best matches I saw as a neutral last season. I'm a dinosaur, I like the ball in the box and balls flashing round the area etc. There's a massive difference between aimless long ball to nobody and effective, direct football that creates chances and has lots of men forward.

But the passing style, where you suffocate your opponents like Notts is very, very effective if coached right and from what I have seen from Notts they do it very well and Williams knows what he's doing on it.

 

[The_Viking_Magpie]

Any style done very well, is effective and works.

Wrexham nailed the tactics at racecourse last course, and still nearly drew, so the question is how good will Wrexham be at L2 level, and thus how many can effectively copy that approach.

 

[1862]

We will be charging for anyone we catch using the Parkinson blueprint on how to get at them time and again. The man put on a clinic against them at our place in the Game Of The Century. What a tactician he is.

It'll be interesting to see if you get more games like that this season, I did think you were very effective against us in that game and in the cup run.

If you're charging for the blueprint though, you should be paying top dollar for someone who can teach your forwards to look onside when they are.

 

[Master D]

I don't necessarily love Notts' type style as a neutral as much as other people, I'm a bit old school. I quite like yours tbh. Your game vs Sheffield United at the Racecourse was one of the best matches I saw as a neutral last season. I'm a dinosaur, I like the ball in the box and balls flashing round the area etc. There's a massive difference between aimless long ball to nobody and effective, direct football that creates chances and has lots of men forward.

But the passing style, where you suffocate your opponents like Notts is very, very effective if coached right and from what I have seen from Notts they do it very well and Williams knows what he's doing on it.

That is basically our main style of play, bombard the box from all angles. Honestly think Hayden would have got 20 goals from centre back last season if he didn't get injured in that Sheffield United match.

But we can also play through midfield as Lee, O'Connor and Cannon will be as good as anything technically at this level.

 

[Son of Cod]

Sorry context missing.

I have a feeling I should know who that is but cant place him SoC, help us out fella.

That's master tactician and best current manager in League 2, Paul Hurst aka the Burchnall Slayer. The man who brought your previous incumbent to his knees (or a weird squatting position if we're being totally honest). Purveyor of dull 1-0 away wins and keeping us shape. Guaranteed to grind your samba football into a mush of scruffy midfield tackles and beat you with a corner bundled over the line on 93 mins.

 

[Son of Cod]

That is basically our main style of play, bombard the box from all angles. Honestly think Hayden would have got 20 goals from centre back last season if he didn't get injured in that Sheffield United match.

But we can also play through midfield as Lee, O'Connor and Cannon will be as good as anything technically at this level.

I ended up watching Elliot Lee's goal reel from last season the other day. A couple of tap ins amongst a bevy of screamers but the tap ins were often incredibly well worked. Looks like you lot weren't lying about playing a bit more nowadays. Even saw a rather unsightly but effective Ollie Palmer flicky back heel along the way.

 

[jacobncfc]

the Burchnall Slayer.