Just back….

Quoted from GrimPol

I think is was 910 codheads.

I am not sure why 910 people from North Shields would be at the game.

We are not codheads!

Cod is for yorkies and other worm eaters

Many sound and logical reasons for our outstanding win last night.

We won last night though because I am the new anti-jinx. I did not watch the game.

  I had to miss the very good performance and win against Crewe game due to my wife being ill.  I went to the Harrogate match - which was a massive let down.  It put me in a bad mood over Xmas.

So, in recent games we play very poorly if I go.  We win convincingly, playing good football, if I don’t go or watch. An issue when I am a STH. 😃😇

Refreshing and enjoyable watch last night. I think that’s the most I’ve seen Town dominate any league game since we returned to the EFL for the second time, and I’m struggling to think of an occasion even before that. Stevenage at home, 5-2 perhaps? Either way, it’s been a long time coming. As has that elusive away win - it’s nice not to have made the one on Easter Monday our last of 2023.

It’s also nice to see that we are developing a definitive playing style for the first time in a long, long time, probably Slade 2005/6, and it’s a much more attractive brand than that (though not necessarily more effective - yet!). It’s impressive how quickly Artell has been able to implement his ideas, though we should expect some more bumps in the road along the way.

When it comes off, the Artell way is both attractive and effective. Even last night, we knocked the ball around nicely on an increasingly heavy pitch. But Salford offered no antidote to our way of playing, and allowed us to control the game. Against teams that are ostensibly better than us (i.e. Mansfield) and those who actively try to stop us playing through an aggressive press (i.e. Harrogate), it’s going to be much harder while we find our feet.

We were never going to become 1970s Brazil overnight (though Mullarkey gave it his best impression last night), but the transition so far is impressive. That said, I think it’s important to remember, perhaps even more so after a big and imperious win, that trying to play the way we are right now is technically complex and will not come easy. I think most people want to see us successful and playing attractive football, and that seems to be how DA sees it too. Collectively, the fan base just needs to keep in mind that getting there is a journey and there will be flaws and imperfections along the way.

As for individuals last night, several players stood out. Cartwright is showing precisely why he he has been a part of the England setup at youth level. After a shaky start in cup games, he looks like a player who will have a good career at a good level. Is it unfair to say he reminds me of a young Danny Coyne (albeit deceptively taller than Coyne was, which may work in his favour)?

Waterfall, despite some doubters (myself included), looked back to his brilliant best and knocked the ball around confidently. Mullarkey, had arguably his best performance in a Town shirt, capped with an excellent goal (though not as good as his earlier effort following his Cruyff turn would have been had it gone in).

I thought young Andrews in midfield was superb; he’s another who has the talent to have a good and lucrative career in the game. Holohan had another of his good days; just needs to up his consistency.

And is it any coincidence that Harry Clifton put in arguably his best performance of the season, capped with only his second game of the campaign, from that wide left position? I don’t think it is, and I’m sure many others would agree.

If anything, this poses a bit of a dilemma. We already have a glut of solid players in wide positions, plus the potential of Charlie Kirk coming in, who would surely be a class above League Two. Were that to materialise, wide options of Kirk, Clifton, Eisa, Gnahoua, Pyke, Wilson, Vernam and Khan would be taking the píss at this level, and surely impossible to keep everyone happy. A nice problem in the context of our current league position, I suppose.

Danny Rose was Danny Rose. Excellent as always, and another great goal from him. Possibly his best in a Town shirt so far? 10 goals by new year is a great return in a team that hasn’t been firing on all cylinders for large periods. That said, I still feel there’s scope to improve the general service to him and get him involved more. Feed the Rose, and he will bloom.

That does bring me to my final point. If there’s any room for criticism in last night’s performance, I still feel we’re guilty of being a tiny bit profligate. Seems crazy to say about our biggest away EFL win since Plymouth over 7 years ago (I think), but it strikes me as true nonetheless.

We had good, controlled possession in the attacking third for large swathes of the game last night. 12 corners, 22 shots, only 5 on target. The conversion rate needs to be a bit better. Ultimately, it didn’t matter last night, but we should have scored at least 1 in the first-half at Mansfield. That we didn’t, coupled with being a bit too soft at the back, meant a professional Mansfield side were able to comfortably close out the second half.

If we can become 10% better in both boxes, we’ll see a lot more points on the board between now and the end of the season.

Overall summary. Still early days, but certainly some green shoots to be positive about.

good point about Clifton poojah. When we were playing really well and topped the N.L. that was the position Harry held, and where he looked very effective. It was noticeable last night how many times he got into the box and got in goalscoring positions. Much like he was last season

Quoted from forza ivano

good point about Clifton poojah. When we were playing really well and topped the N.L. that was the position Harry held, and where he looked very effective. It was noticeable last night how many times he got into the box and got in goalscoring positions. Much like he was last season

It does make the conundrum regarding our wealth of wide players even more awkward though, if that’s where DA sees Clifton best fitting in. Something has got to give there. I do wonder if Khan may be seen as surplus to requirements, as he doesn’t get a look in.

I also notice that Amos is nowhere near the starting 11.

I really hope that DA rates Khouri. Maybe he’ll get a loan move.

I think Khouri may struggle to get into the team. Not a huge amount of experience and we've got a lot of central midfielders in the squad at present so he's likely to be well down the pecking order. A loan move might be helpful to get him back into the swing of things after a long lay-off.

Also a good point about our profligacy. Take a bigger proportion of our chances and we’ll be ok. Noticeable how ‘well made’ 2 of our goals were last night. Well made and well taken. Mullarkey’s goal was just a blend of individual perseverance and skill.

Brilliant performance. Salford, with their cash are likely to improve and so 3 excellent points.
Clifton is a left sided midfielder for me. He is effective there and his return to form was the catalyst. Waterfall works well against the big less mobile forwards but we do need cover here.
We were not quite so fussy in playing out from the back last night. fair play to Artell you have to compromise.
Delighted for the 910 travelers who deserved that.
I suspect Walsall will press us much harder than Salford. A good gap to the bottom now and probably 7 wins needed to stay up which is really our target for this season.
A great night and badly needed.
Fantastic end to the year and I even looked at the league table.
UTM

Quoted from Poojah

Refreshing and enjoyable watch last night. I think that’s the most I’ve seen Town dominate any league game since we returned to the EFL for the second time, and I’m struggling to think of an occasion even before that. Stevenage at home, 5-2 perhaps? Either way, it’s been a long time coming. As has that elusive away win - it’s nice not to have made the one on Easter Monday our last of 2023.

It’s also nice to see that we are developing a definitive playing style for the first time in a long, long time, probably Slade 2005/6, and it’s a much more attractive brand than that (though not necessarily more effective - yet!). It’s impressive how quickly Artell has been able to implement his ideas, though we should expect some more bumps in the road along the way.

When it comes off, the Artell way is both attractive and effective. Even last night, we knocked the ball around nicely on an increasingly heavy pitch. But Salford offered no antidote to our way of playing, and allowed us to control the game. Against teams that ostensibly better than us (i.e. Mansfield) and those who actively try to stop us playing through an aggressive press (i.e. Harrogate), it’s going to be much harder while we find our feet.

We were never going to become 1970s Brazil overnight (though Mullarkey gave it his best impression last night), but the transition so far is impressive. That said, I think it’s important to remember, perhaps even more so after a big and imperious win, that trying to play the way we are right now is technically complex and will not come easy. I think most people want to see us successful and playing attractive football, and that seems to be how DA sees it too. Collectively, the fan base just needs to keep in mind that getting there is a journey and there will be flaws and imperfections along the way.

As for individuals last night, several players stood out. Cartwright is showing precisely why he he has been a part of the England setup at youth level. After a shaky start in cup games, he looks like a player who will have a good career at a good level. Is it unfair to say he reminds me of a young Danny Coyne (albeit deceptively taller than Coyne was, which may work in his favour)?

Waterfall, despite some doubters (myself included), looked back to his brilliant best and knocked the ball around confidently. Mullarkey, had arguably his best performance in a Town shirt, capped with an excellent goal (though not as good as his earlier effort following his Cruyff turn would have been had it gone in).

I thought young Andrews in midfield was superb; he’s another who has the talent to have a good and lucrative career in the game. Holohan had another of his good days; just needs to up his consistency.

And is it any coincidence that Harry Clifton put in arguably his best performance of the season, capped with only his second game of the campaign, from that wide left position? I don’t think it is, and I’m sure many others would agree.

If anything, this poses a bit of a dilemma. We already have a glut of solid players in wide positions, plus the potential of Charlie Kirk coming in, who would surely be a class above League Two. Were that to materialise, wide options of Kirk, Clifton, Eisa, Gnahoua, Pyke, Wilson, Vernam and Khan would be taking the píss at this level, and surely impossible to keep everyone happy. A nice problem in the context of our current league position, I suppose.

Danny Rose was Danny Rose. Excellent as always, and another great goal from him. Possibly his best in a Town shirt so far? 10 goals by new year is a great return in a team that hasn’t been firing on all cylinders for large periods. That said, I still feel there’s scope to improve the general service to him and get him involved more. Feed the Rose, and he will bloom.

That does bring me to my final point. If there’s any room for criticism in last night’s performance, I still feel we’re guilty of being a tiny bit profligate. Seems crazy to say about our biggest away EFL win since Plymouth over 7 years ago (I think), but it strikes me as true nonetheless.

We had good, controlled possession in the attacking third for large swathes of the game last night. 12 corners, 22 shots, only 5 on target. The conversion rate needs to be a bit better. Ultimately, it didn’t matter last night, but we should have scored at least 1 in the first-half at Mansfield. That we didn’t, coupled with being a bit too soft at the back, meant a professional Mansfield side were able to comfortably close out the second half.

If we can become 10% better in both boxes, we’ll see a lot more points on the board between now and the end of the season.

Overall summary. Still early days, but certainly some green shoots to be positive about.

I really don't see the positives for Andrews. I thought he was the one that struggled last night and was the worst player on the pitch against Mansfield.
He's clearly got some ability on the ball, but he's slow and for me he isn't nearly competitive enough.
Lots of people seem to think he played well, maybe I'm way off the mark.

Also, thought Clifton played off the right most of the night, even though he scored his goal off the left.
He caused them loads of problems first half taking it in to feet and running in behind. Created lots of space for others to play and got in and around Rose.

Thought Holohan was excellent.

Quoted from headingly_mariner

I really don't see the positives for Andrews. I thought he was the one that struggled last night and was the worst player on the pitch against Mansfield.
He's clearly got some ability on the ball, but he's slow and for me he isn't nearly competitive enough.
Lots of people seem to think he played well, maybe I'm way off the mark.

Also, thought Clifton played off the right most of the night, even though he scored his goal off the left.
He caused them loads of problems first half taking it in to feet and running in behind. Created lots of space for others to play and got in and around Rose.

Thought Holohan was excellent.

I couldn’t get to the game last night, as I was looking after my two kids, and now a fúcking puppy, whilst the wife had a night off, so was limited to the telly. I don’t know if you went, but certainly possible to have a different (and better) perspective from inside the ground, if so.

I thought Andrews was very neat and tidy on the ball, but as per the above context, it was hard to give the game my full and undivided attention.