Just Back

Well got our moneys worth but I’m not coming away happy. To score 5 and not win a game is nothing worth celebrating

We played some wonderful stuff first 30 minutes and should have been 4/0 up, clifton missing a sitter, then of coursr we go to pieces, awful defending from mullarkey and the 2 stationary centre backs and we go in 2-2

2nd half get ourselves back in front, lovely goal from Clifton for us to then do the same thing, Mullarkey stands off Jodi Jones, goal again. Unmarked

And repeat for our 4th and theirs


The subs didnt help us, Wilson was so poor and of course they score 91st minute to lead, only surprise was it wasnt from a cross from the left- shambolic defending

We then score the equiliser, lads first touch and what a strike but to be in that position in the first place is just not acceptable imo.

Rose Eisa Conteh and Andrews very good, defence, all 4 of them, I’ve had enough, get rid of the lot. 11 goals in 2 games, week after week awful schoolboy  defending. They frighten the life out of me, Mullarkey and Rodgers are proving to be horrendous signings particuarly Rogers. 3 year deal!!!!

I know its a point but intercourse me, im drunk off

5-5, moaning 🤦‍♂️

I see the other way tbh..the way we pressed (Jamie Andrews inparticular) was outstanding,  we should have won that game BUT we showed so much in character to come back which was the most impressive thing to me.

We never gave up and yes I know we definitely have issues at the back but let's give the lads massive credit on their character.  

I'm proud of the team today.

Happy we've scored 5 but Artell really needs to sort that back line out and stop us going to pieces after getting in front.

Great game to watch.
Big well done to all the lads.
Best Ref at BP for donkeys years

Echo the thoughts about the defence, it's sunday league stuff... If you want to stop the ball coming in the box then stop the cross. Jodie Jones is probably the best player in the division but he has no right foot so to keep allowing him to get it on his left was just schoolboy defending. I think Donovan Wilson and Kieran Green just aren't good enough, Wilson scores goals but his all around game just isn't good enough. The fact Green came on ahead of Holohan when Conteh was having a very good game sat infront of the back four was a strange decision. Vernam looked very sharp considering how far away he probably is from match fitness and it's a credit to himself that he lasted 70 minutes. No shock that when Andrews went off they got a lot of freedom, he was doing a lot of dirty work today in following Crowley around the pitch and kept him very quiet. Andy Smith was in attendance today, let's hope it wasn't just to watch a game of football and he's signing because we're in desperate need of a centre half that knows how to defend the near post. Showed good charachter to get hit by a sucker punch like that and still draw the game. Great game of football for the neutral.

Quoted from Bristol Mariner

5-5, moaning 🤦‍♂️

If you drew every game you'd get relegated. 5-5 is nothing to celebrate when we should have gone 3-0 up and cruised to the win.

I am happy with the effort and very entertaining

Mullarkey and Rodgers can intercourse off for me. Absolutely disgraceful performances. That Artell didn’t react to the blatant horror show is criminal. No Waterfall to scapegoat this week.

Quoted from Plankton

If you drew every game you'd get relegated. 5-5 is nothing to celebrate when we should have gone 3-0 up and cruised to the win.

If you drew every game, you'd get 46 points which has been enough to keep you up in the past 7 seasons. Probably more but I can't be arsed to go back any further.

In fairness conceding 5 does show an improvement!

It does really need sorting out back there but at least we attacked well & scored loads ourselves.  A game I would have loved to be able to go to!

Quoted from davmariner

Mullarkey and Rodgers can intercourse off for me. Absolutely disgraceful performances. That Artell didn’t react to the blatant horror show is criminal. No Waterfall to scapegoat this week.

Dav you might aswell sit in the away end next match mate.

Jumpers for goal posts, next goal wins, rush keepers, big fat Ron Atkinson would be smiling right now.

Quoted from Bristol Mariner

5-5, moaning 🤦‍♂️

2-0 up
3-2 up
4-3 up

Too right I am. Conceded 5 goals for christ sale

Quoted from davmariner

Mullarkey and Rodgers can intercourse off for me. Absolutely disgraceful performances. That Artell didn’t react to the blatant horror show is criminal. No Waterfall to scapegoat this week.

Absolutely criminal that Rodgers has managed to get a 3 year deal looks an absolute calamity every time I've seen him. Loses the ball and gets a rush of blood running after it like a 6-year old. Mullarkey absolutely useless today against Jones, like others have said probably one of the better players in the division after his first assist allowing him to do it another two or three times is absolutely criminal.

Eisa, Andrews and Conteh were all brilliant, the latter two won almost every ball and allowed us to turn County over constantly.

Mullarkey, Rodgers and Glennon absolutely ruined all of that with some absolutely dog excrement defending.

However, it was an unbelievably entertaining game. I don’t feel like we’re going up or down, so I’ll only ask for entertainment and that was as entertaining as it gets.

We only play well if we win FFS.
We played a quality team and gave them a run for their money. Very entertaining and much better than watching Hursts team grinding out points by being negative.
More of the same please, I want to be entertained and today I got my moneys worth. No complaints from me!

If you leave a game like that early (unless you have a train to catch etc), you shouldn't be allowed back for the rest of the season.

Shame on those town fans who left at 5-4 - you deserved to miss Wood's goal.

Quoted from davmariner

Mullarkey and Rodgers can intercourse off for me. Absolutely disgraceful performances. That Artell didn’t react to the blatant horror show is criminal. No Waterfall to scapegoat this week.

Agree + Glennon who gave the ball away so much.
Rodgers is a horror show and needs shipping out.

Many thanks for the summary, Hagrid. I’ve reached the point where nothing surprises me. Last 22 years we have been through the mill. For many years we could not score, now we can. We have usually defended OK, now we have gone to pieces. One day we might have a good attack, a good midfield and a good back five. That is to say, a complete and competent team in all departments. Hope it happens before I kick the bucket.
I don’t know if the coaches can improve the defenders. If not, two weeks to sign some guys who can defend. We cannot go on shipping goals like this. Mr Artell has some work to do.

Quoted from jonnyboy82

Dav you might aswell sit in the away end next match mate.

Were you there today? If so, can I have some of what you’re smoking please? 11 goals conceded in the last two home games and you’re proud of the team? Christ.

Negatives
Rodgers isn't great
Cartwright was poor today, and got away with some horrible decisions.

Positives
Andrews was great
Rose doesn't ever stop
Eisa loves it doesn't he
Vernam looked lively without threatening, glad to see him start

I sat in the main stand today for first time since Artell joined.
From minute one, he's constant, and looked extremely frustrated with Danny rose today for not doing as he's been told. I like Artell, and think in the long run, we will be much better off than we are now.

Notts county aren't rubbish don't forget, and the highest scorers in the league for a reason

Overall, happy with a point

Quoted from davmariner

Were you there today? If so, can I have some of what you’re smoking please? 11 goals conceded in the last two home games and you’re proud of the team? Christ.

Had we not got that equaliser then I imagine most people would be far more negative about that.

Rose, Andrews, Conteh, Eisa brilliant.

Defensively absolutely awful.

Jodi Jones is the best player in the league 4 absolute peaches of crossers but after the first one you just need to stop him getting the chance to get the ball in the box.

Great entertainment, but Mullarkey and Rodgers need replacing urgently.

Played my first Saturday league game in 4 seasons and typically missed he best game (for entertainment) in 4 seasons!
For someone who didn't watch it, I'd have taken a point pre match and on the 92nd minute.

I’m delighted with our attacking threat but boy do we need a new right back. To allow Jones three opportunities (Harry allowed the 4th) to tee up the strikers is just schoolboy stuff.

Let’s be honest, Harry should have made it 3-0 and it would have been game over.

Mom Eisa, best all round performance he’s had for us.

We know we're excrement at the back, we have been all season, but at least we're creating chances and scoring now.

It would have taken 6 games under Hurst to have that many shots on target and 10 to have scored that many. He's fixed one end now he needs to work on the other

Only 14 points from the playoffs  

Noticed Alex Hunt seems to be out the picture again btw

You’d have all took a point from a very top heavy Notts when you woke up this morning. Yes - very frustrating to concede the same goal four times and a soft one for their fifth. There was definitely a lot of positives to take from today. You’ve just seen one of the all time Blundell Park classics!

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

If you drew every game, you'd get 46 points which has been enough to keep you up in the past 7 seasons. Probably more but I can't be arsed to go back any further.

And crowds of two and a half thousand.

Not at the game due to illness. I was chatting to a County supporter during the game and towards the end he said they have great midfield and attack but their defence and keeper are hopeless.

So 5-5 was pretty much on the cards.

I thought the lad Obikwu from Coventry looked totally uninterested in getting the ball, touching the ball, seeing the ball ect.

Anyone else think Andrews is better than league 2? He is such a tidy player. Would love to get him on a permanent but feel he is above this league.

Quoted from PoutonStepover

I thought the lad Obikwu from Coventry looked totally uninterested in getting the ball, touching the ball, seeing the ball ect.

Wasn’t impressed that he was strolling around when he came on.

Quoted from PoutonStepover

I thought the lad Obikwu from Coventry looked totally uninterested in getting the ball, touching the ball, seeing the ball ect.

He's probably wondering what the hell he got himself in to.

Quoted from PoutonStepover

I thought the lad Obikwu from Coventry looked totally uninterested in getting the ball, touching the ball, seeing the ball ect.

That was his senior debut, give him a chance.

The kid from Coventry did almost score, forcing their keeper into a smothering save at his feet. Won us a corner (which we then ballsed up). Looked to have potential to me, especially given that he's inexperienced and has only been here 5 minutes.

We will create chances, but we need to stop attackers getting at us so easily. Sort the back line out and we have a very good team.

On current form we need half a dozen goals a game to compensate for not having a defence, I wonder if we have ever conceded 11 goals in two consecutive home games before?

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed that.
At 2-0 I  was thinking our best display of the Season
*BOOM*
The defence throws all the good work away with another horror show which they repeated time and again. Bostok dominated the ball and you knew trouble would ensue.Enter McGoldrick what a player in league 2 links the play holds the ball up and scores goals. Town did well to rally and pleased for Clifton today he and Rose epitomised workrate and energy .Hands up I got up and left at 4-5 feeling deflated heard the roar and thought serves myself right.Well done Town

Quoted from Hagrid

Noticed Alex Hunt seems to be out the picture again btw

You love sticking the knife in on Alex don’t you? Used to do the same with Max Wright, have they nicked your mrs or something? Just don’t understand it mate. Maybe he’s got a knock or something?

Cracking game by the way, proper old school league game. End to end, great atmosphere, really enjoyed that!

Errors aside, I thought it was a really interesting game tactically. Artell obviously had a plan to stop them playing the way they wanted to and it worked really well in the first half. Rodgers and then later Maher were following McGoldrick around when the ball was being played out from their goal, basically man-marking him. We also stood off them to block the easy passes from their No. 15 who I expect normally dictates play from the back and he really didn't know what to do with it most of the time (apart from once where we cocked up and let him run through!). It led to their keeper often clearing the ball from a more advanced position and, though he wasn't that bad with his passing, we won a lot of the ball back from them.

Almost all of their midfielders are attack-minded and didn't seem too keen on getting back to help in defence which is why we had so much joy with balls in behind their defence.

The game was lot different to the attritional play we do often see with the usual big, meaty and well-organised opponents.

My criticism of County would be that they have too many 'fancy dan' types who overplay it because they are good with the ball at their feet and want to show it. Their best goal, for me, was their 5th. The ball looped to their No. 8 (I think) at the edge of the box, who guided a first time pass to McGoldrick in loads of space who took the chance well. I don't think any of our players would have seen the pass. They would have been attempting an awkward shot or trying to control it for a shot. Great vision led to a goal.

Perhaps Wood will be that player for us for the rest of the season?

Must say if it wasn’t for the ref that could’ve been 0-0, he let absolutely everything go and even when it didn’t benefit us it was great for the flow of the game.

Quoted from GtfcGarner

Absolutely criminal that Rodgers has managed to get a 3 year deal looks an absolute calamity every time I've seen him. Loses the ball and gets a rush of blood running after it like a 6-year old. Mullarkey absolutely useless today against Jones, like others have said probably one of the better players in the division after his first assist allowing him to do it another two or three times is absolutely criminal.

I haven't seen too many games this season but I do distinctly remember the general purring that was going on about Rodgers after the first 10 games or so. Let's not be so quick to write him off. ALL the players need our support at this point as we transition from one very determined way of playing to another.

Quoted from jimgtfc

You love sticking the knife in on Alex don’t you? Used to do the same with Max Wright, have they nicked your mrs or something? Just don’t understand it mate. Maybe he’s got a knock or something?

Cracking game by the way, proper old school league game. End to end, great atmosphere, really enjoyed that!

wtf are you talking about. I was making a point you clown.

Quoted from jimgtfc

You love sticking the knife in on Alex don’t you? Used to do the same with Max Wright, have they nicked your mrs or something? Just don’t understand it mate. Maybe he’s got a knock or something?

Cracking game by the way, proper old school league game. End to end, great atmosphere, really enjoyed that!

I’m not sure what’s going on. Alex was in the pre game running with Waterfall, Amos, Khan, Khouri and Braithwaite, when the rest of the squad came out, Gav came out and specifically went to Hunty and gave him a big hug. Maybe he’s struggled with the emotions of the last week, maybe he’s on his way out or maybe Shaun and Ben told DA that he had a shocker away against these. Maybe all of the above.

Quoted from jimgtfc

You love sticking the knife in on Alex don’t you? Used to do the same with Max Wright, have they nicked your mrs or something? Just don’t understand it mate. Maybe he’s got a knock or something?

Cracking game by the way, proper old school league game. End to end, great atmosphere, really enjoyed that!

In fairness to Hagrid, Hunt has started the season under Hurst & then under Artell with both mentioning how technically good he was and in both cases quickly out of the team and not troubled the starting line up since dropping out.

I’ve heard nothing about him being injured so seemed a fair question to ask if he’s dropped down the pecking order, especially with a new midfielder coming in.

If Hunt is indeed out of favour, Andrews & Conteh have just made any return considerably more difficult

This idea that had Clifton scored to make it 3-0 the game would have been over seems to contradict both the last home game and this one. Currently we could be leading 5-0 by halt time and still not be sure of 3 points. Some need to stop making results about individual moments/player and maybe look at the bigger picture.

Personally, I'll take Artell's approach right now to the more pragmatic (dying inside whenever I have to watch Town) Hurst approach.

Quoted from pontoonlew

If Hunt is indeed out of favour, Andrews & Conteh have just made any return considerably more difficult

Been really impressed with Andrews. I like him

There's some miserable feckers on here. We conceded 5, but so did they and I have to say that was an absolutely cracking watch and I loved it. The type of game that would have made the head of PH explode, but also would have ended 1-1 at best under him, but probably we'd have retreated backwards and lost.

They had the best, most fluid attack I've seen at BP this season; probably for a few seasons. Their two wingers were exceptional and you can complain about Mullarkey, Rodgers and Glennon having poor games, but they were marking three of the best players in League 2. Jones crossing was on another level, well beyond this league and their first four goals were almost impossible to defend, and impossible for the forwards to miss, so good were they. Contrast that with Vernam, who had two presentable chances and didn't get a good enough connection on either and the keeper saved both. He also had 3 or 4 opportunities to pick out our forwards with crosses and got them wrong. Not a dig at Vernam, as he had a decent game considering it's his first for a while, but he isn't as good as Jones, who will probably move on to pastures new, possibly to join his old boss. The other winger was lightning and tricky, and got two goals. McGoldrick was almost impossible to keep quiet. It was as much good players skinning the defenders and excellent movement as it was poor defending for me. We had to work our socks off to compete with them, and we mostly did.

Despite all that, we had more situations and more chances than they did, but our forward line aren't as good, and needed more opportunities to score the same amount of goals. There were 2 periods in the game when we could have got away from them, but didn't press home the advantage. At 2-0, we couldn't get the third, despite many opportunities to do so, and the same again at 4-3, when we couldn't get the fifth.

It didn't surprise me when they got it back to 4-4 and I thought they would go on to win it at that point, which looked to be the case when the classy McGoldrick showed composure to punish us.

Two sides going toe to toe and neither deserved to lose, so it was great to see the new lad come on and smack probably his first touch into the top corner. What a finish in more ways than one. I thought 2-2 would have been a good outcome today, because I was sure they would get at least a couple, so I'm not going to complain at 5-5 in a very open game.

Some great performances today, and most of all, I was thoroughly entertained.

Didn't Hunt come on against Mansfield and then go off injured? Not sure if he's injured still but remember him being taken off injured.

Quoted from LocalLadGTFC

Didn't Hunt come on against Mansfield and then go off injured? Not sure if he's injured still but remember him being taken off injured.

If he did I’ve missed that, would explain it!

Quoted from ginnywings

There's some miserable feckers on here. We conceded 5, but so did they and I have to say that was an absolutely cracking watch and I loved it. The type of game that would have made the head of PH explode, but also would have ended 1-1 at best under him, but probably we'd have retreated backwards and lost.

They had the best, most fluid attack I've seen at BP this season; probably for a few seasons. Their two wingers were exceptional and you can complain about Mullarkey, Rodgers and Glennon having poor games, but they were marking three of the best players in League 2. Jones crossing was on another level, well beyond this league and their first four goals were almost impossible to defend, and impossible for the forwards to miss, so good were they. Contrast that with Vernam, who had two presentable chances and didn't get a good enough connection on either and the keeper saved both. He also had 3 or 4 opportunities to pick out our forwards with crosses and got them wrong. Not a dig at Vernam, as he had a decent game considering it's his first for a while, but he isn't as good as Jones, who will probably move on to pastures new, possibly to join his old boss. The other winger was lightning and tricky, and got two goals. McGoldrick was almost impossible to keep quiet. It was as much good players skinning the defenders and excellent movement as it was poor defending for me. We had to work our socks off to compete with them, and we mostly did.

Despite all that, we had more situations and more chances than they did, but our forward line aren't as good, and needed more opportunities to score the same amount of goals. There were 2 periods in the game when we could have got away from them, but didn't press home the advantage. At 2-0, we couldn't get the third, despite many opportunities to do so, and the same again at 4-3, when we couldn't get the fifth.

It didn't surprise me when they got it back to 4-4 and I thought they would go on to win it at that point, which looked to be the case when the classy McGoldrick showed composure to punish us.

Two sides going toe to toe and neither deserved to lose, so it was great to see the new lad come on and smack probably his first touch into the top corner. What a finish in more ways than one. I thought 2-2 would have been a good outcome today, because I was sure they would get at least a couple, so I'm not going to complain at 5-5 in a very open game.

Some great performances today, and most of all, I was thoroughly entertained.

Absolutely!  That is possibly the best game I've ever seen. Two teams going at it.

I'm horrified by the slating of our defenders, our loose defending was due to our total front foot football. It's unfair and short sighted to blame just the defence.
Mullarkey and Glennon were fabulous going forward, but were totally exposed going the other way. At no point did we double up on Jones who was utterly excellent in setting up 4. Their other winger was also left 1 on 1 with Glennon all afternoon.

Rodgers in particular is gettting a real hard time. Him and Maher have played against the best front 2 in the division today and for a team that have gone all out attack. Both Maher and Rodgers are decent, we are leaky because of how we set up and a lack of confidence.
We need to be smarter and pick when to commit so many forward but it was hugely entertaining. Rodgers was the furthest player forward a few times.
First half a thought Rose, Vernam, Clifton and Eisa were fabulous. Against Walsall we passed but barely pressed, we never stopped pressing today.
I've been critical of Andrews but I thought he was was excellent today, fought for every ball, which is not his usual game.
Conteh was spectacular, even driving forward with the ball today.
The criticism of the new lad who as never kicked a ball in the football league before is laughable.

After entertainment like that you just have to forget the deficiencies for the day bank it as a game you will remember forever and move on to next week

Given that it was Charles’ first start since God knows when , I thought he did great.

Quoted from TAGG

Great game to watch.
Big well done to all the lads.
Best Ref at BP for donkeys years

Exactly this ,especially the ref .

Quoted from ancientmariner54

Exactly this ,especially the ref .

The ref was outstanding , he saw through any play acting and made the game great to watch. Brilliant entertainment but would like to see a different right back + would like to see us sign ( not loan) another keeper.
The Notts midfield and forward line is class and so they needed less space, this was an error in our set up which I expect Artel to fix.  Clifton was 7/10 and he usually is which is why I am a big fan.  
We will need around 46 points - 6 wins from 19 games , the first coming against Harrogate as I am sick of them, utm

10 goals...excrement defending /good attacking play depending on your view...

However..

Harry Woodsss caterpillar celebration...3 points to us 😁

A great game and I thought Andrews and Conteh were excellent even though on occasions it didn't even look like we had a midfield. They could say the same tbf.

It is understandable that the defence is getting some stick but I agree that it is partly due to the way we play. Notts fans will one hundred percent be saying the same, in fact they are even more risky than us.

We should've been out of site after 40 mins, well whatever that would need to have been lol, but missed some great chances.
The front 5 of County are ridiculous for this level, and Bostock. The crosses by Jones were superb and Cowley and Mcgoldrick are top notch.
Elisa had a very good game and I thought Vernam looked promising considering how long he has been out.
Fair play to both sets of players, great game, great atmosphere, great effort from everyone. The ref definitely helped the game flow though I did think we benefited a couple of times when they were quite clearly fouled.

Ps cannot believe some people were leaving when it went 4 4, crazy.

No denying we have got problems arguably big ones but the anger on here after a game like that is hard to understand. I think you have forgotten why you go to football.

I’m overwhelmingly positive about today - I thought that, despite our obvious flaws, we were great.

It was a brilliant, brilliant game.

We did well against superb opposition, and deserved to actually win.

Great stuff. Onwards and upwards.

Quoted from Hagrid

wtf are you talking about. I was making a point you clown.

I think It’s pretty clear what I’m talking about, you’ve call him out at every opportunity mate, that’s my point. A couple of weeks ago you were suggesting he was finished here.

Agree with you about Andrews though, thought he was excellent today. Out of contract in the summer at WBA as well.

Quoted from CSLM

The front 5 of County are ridiculous for this level, and Bostock. The crosses by Jones were superb and Cowley and Mcgoldrick are top notch.
Elisa had a very good game and I thought Vernam looked promising considering how long he has been out.
Fair play to both sets of players, great game, great atmosphere, great effort from everyone. The ref definitely helped the game flow though I did think we benefited a couple of times when they were quite clearly fouled

They definitely had some quality players, and you could see why the are challenging, but they have lost a lot of games too.  

At least 3 of them rolled around a lot, Cameron and Robertson miraculously recovering when the ref waved play on, and they had 2, Crowley and Jones i think who unnecessarily taunted home fans post goals, which i
get mixed views about, is it harmless, we laughed Mcatee did it, or really unprofessional. Probably the latter.They soon stop if the ref books one.

The ref was impressive generally, although away fans didn't like him at all.  There was a very dodgy offside when we were on top in the first half as we tried to exploit a super high back line.

Crazy match!

Recent Notts games rarely fail to entertain do they.

But my experience is pretty much the same over the last 50+ years as well. From a typical Lawrie Mac barnstormer in 72 when they came as league leaders and got overrun, to the League Cup game in the round before Everton in 79, and then a pair of cup games in 85 that finished 2-2 and then 4-2 with a Lund hat trick for us, and then a 3-3 and 2-2 under Buckley. Then the amazing series of last minuters start - the relegation saving win which also kept them down in 2018, a series of late winners at Meadow Lane…and there really could have been another winner for either side today at 97 mins plus…until the ref picked the ball and said that’s enough lads, now get off home for your tea…

There was one offside given in the first half where Eisa was going through the middle and I reckon he was well over a yard on when the ball was played. Where was VAR?  

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

They definitely had some quality players, and you could see why the are challenging, but they have lost a lot of games too.  

At least 3 of them rolled around a lot, Cameron and Robertson miraculously recovering when the ref waved play on, and they had 2, Crowley and Jones i think who unnecessarily taunted home fans post goals, which i
get mixed views about, is it harmless, we laughed Mcatee did it, or really unprofessional. Probably the latter.They soon stop if the ref books one.

The ref was impressive generally, although away fans didn't like him at all.  There was a very dodgy offside when we were on top in the first half as we tried to exploit a super high back line.

Crazy match!

I thought Notts were physically weaker in the challenge than us, or at the very least they were keen to get free kicks. The ref saw through all of that nonsense. The county fans can complain, but the ref was really good.

Quoted from Maringer

There was one offside given in the first half where Eisa was going through the middle and I reckon he was well over a yard on when the ball was played. Where was VAR?  

There was one where Vernam was played through first half where I was perfectly in line with it and he was three yards on. Having said that, despite a slightly dodgy linesman I thought the referee was excellent.

Quoted from jimgtfc

I think It’s pretty clear what I’m talking about, you’ve call him out at every opportunity mate, that’s my point. A couple of weeks ago you were suggesting he was finished here.

Agree with you about Andrews though, thought he was excellent today. Out of contract in the summer at WBA as well.

Yeah because I think he is. Its a forum. For opinions

Quoted from ex-merseymariner

They definitely had some quality players, and you could see why the are challenging, but they have lost a lot of games too.  

At least 3 of them rolled around a lot, Cameron and Robertson miraculously recovering when the ref waved play on, and they had 2, Crowley and Jones i think who unnecessarily taunted home fans post goals, which i
get mixed views about, is it harmless, we laughed Mcatee did it, or really unprofessional. Probably the latter.They soon stop if the ref books one.

The ref was impressive generally, although away fans didn't like him at all.  There was a very dodgy offside when we were on top in the first half as we tried to exploit a super high back line.

Crazy match!

Crowley yes sorry, freudian slip haha.
Good point about the players rolling around, ref did well there I agree.
They have great forward players but a shambolic defence, saying that it is partly because of how they play, well a lot to do with that.

Was great to see 2 teams playing open football.

Some of the notts players did the crowd thing again at 4 5. It really winds people up but like you said it's good when it's the other way round. It doesn't bother me that much really. Guess it makes the equalizer a bit sweeter.

What a thoroughly entertaining game of football. We are heading in the right direction under Artell as that would have ended up being a boring, dull loss by the odd goal if Hurst was in charge still. Going forward at times we were really good and it wouldn't have flattered us if we were 4-0 up by 30 minutes. Some better finishing and a bit more composure in the final third but we're certainly a threat going forward. Absolutely love Danny Rose who is just such a clever player and was integral in our shape and pressing stopping them playing how they'd want. I also thought that was Eisa's best game for us and on top of the two goals, he was much better in overall play and put more of a shift in. More of the same please Abo. I thought Vernam was decent considering he's coming back after such a lengthy lay off. Clifton's intensity was unbelievable and his pressing game alongside Rose was excellent, made it very difficult for Notts defence and you could almost hear them thinking "What the fook do I do now?".

The downside is our defence. I totally accept we were playing some great players at this level today. McGoldrick is far too good for this level, Langstaff's movement is excellent and Jodi Jones has such a quality delivery with his left foot. But that being the case, why did we make it so easy for him to put balls across our six yard box? Mullarkey didn't get remotely close enough to stop the cross when Jones had the ball and was punished nearly every time. On top of that, although Vernam took a bad touch for the first goal what on earth is Mullarkey doing bombing forward when the ball is there and it's not comfortably in our control?! Total lack of intelligence. We still need a right back that can defend and I would like another centre back as well as Rodgers just doesn't inspire confidence. Rule number one of clearing a cross with your head is put it anywhere but back in to play but he gifted them the ball on the edge of our area for their last goal. Great first time pass from their player but it should never have come to that.

Quick word for Conteh and Andrews who I thought were excellent. Andrews in particular had his best game for us. Good pressing, combative and generally decent with the ball. Against good opposition, they didn't look out of place.

The good news is that we won't play teams that are as good as that at attacking many times this season. But i suspect we'll remain a threat going forward. Would still be nice to get points on the board quickly to ease any fears of relegation but I'm quietly hopeful for the future under Artell. At the very least, we will be entertained.

Good atmosphere today too. I think this team need our vocal support so need to keep that up.

Oh and what a belter of a goal in the 95th minute! Welcome Harry Wood, it is lovely to have you here!

Just watched the highlights back and the defending by Mullarkey for the third goal is pathetic. Slow to get out to his man, doesn't close him down enough and turns his back instead of trying to block the cross. Yes it's a good cross and Jones is a top player for L2 but that's abysmal. Don't see how anyone can defend that.

Quoted from mariner91

Just watched the highlights back and the defending by Mullarkey for the third goal is pathetic. Slow to get out to his man, doesn't close him down enough and turns his back instead of trying to block the cross. Yes it's a good cross and Jones is a top player for L2 but that's abysmal. Don't see how anyone can defend that.

Mullarkey is totally useless and felicitations up every week leading to goals. Even more furious after watching the goals back.

5 fking 5 !!!
Just enjoy the experience you mardy cnts 😄

Anyone else think that the guy looked offside for their first goal?

I had to chuckle to myself when Harry scored our 5th to equalise, all those fans who had left to beat the traffic.
I have never understood why people leave a game early, my old man would drag us out early to beat the traffic, especially if we were losing.
When I started to attend games on mine own, I vowed I would not leave a game early, I was still there to the end against Walsall.

Can remember going to Luton we lose 6-0 (plastic pitch), what made it worse went in my uncle's bright orange Lada, took forever getting back.

Quoted from moosey_club

5 fking 5 !!!
Just enjoy the experience you mardy cnts 😄

Mardy Cnuts ? Didn't they support the SexPistols?!

David Artell is going to be a fantastic manager for the Mariners.

To get a team playing brilliant attacking football in 5 weeks, who previously all had to track back leaving no attacking threat whatsoever is a real treat.

Yes of course the defending is abysmal but he will soon sort that out.

Someone on the Notts forum said we should have been 6 up before they scored and they are not wrong.

Congratulations to both teams for serving up the game of the weekend.

Quoted from HerveJosse

After entertainment like that you just have to forget the deficiencies for the day bank it as a game you will remember forever and move on to next week

How right you are, everyone was moaning about how drab going to BP had become and whether it was the large away following, the reaction to the awful tragedy or something else but the ground had energy and expectation as soon as I walked in today. A football match that had absolutely everything, including an excellent referee, and typified the ups and downs and emotional extremes that only football can provide.

As I said on another thread, Jones, Mc Goldrick and Bostick ( not forgetting the guy on the right) are three of the best players in L2 this season. Too many football fans are obsessed with the result and it becomes the be all and end all but occasionally chaps just forget that and enjoy the fact that today you witnessed a classic.

Can’t wait for the next home game after that.

We go to football matches to support our team and hopefully be entertained, last year we watched some awful boring football and were crying out for goals but today was a game that had everything and we got a point out of it against a team in a much higher league position than what we are, the game was end to end stuff and was never dull. Ok we conceded 5 goals but so did Notts but we played some great attacking football but were let down by our defending. We should have scored more goals in the 1st half but we didn’t and that’s football. Great game and one that will be remembered for a long time.UTM

Quoted from The Yard Dog

I had to chuckle to myself when Harry scored our 5th to equalise, all those fans who had left to beat the traffic.
I have never understood why people leave a game early, my old man would drag us out early to beat the traffic, especially if we were losing.
When I started to attend games on mine own, I vowed I would not leave a game early, I was still there to the end against Walsall.

Can remember going to Luton we lose 6-0 (plastic pitch), what made it worse went in my uncle's bright orange Lada, took forever getting back.

I had to leave before the last goal, on nights and started at 6pm.

I think we’re starting to see what Artell is trying to do, the midfield & attack were significantly better than I can remember in recent years when we’ve come up against good opposition.

Playing like we did today we would have smashed most sides in this league but Notts County have some exceptional players for L2 Langstaff, Crowley, McGoldrick & Jones have 49 between them.

But …. and it’s a but that needs fixing quickly. We can’t concede 11 goals in 2 home games & think we’re truly progressing, our starting back 4 today just aren’t good enough to play the game Artell wants to play. I would imagine he’ll be busting a gut to get Effete & Amos clubs who’ll offer them deals then try & bring in 2 better defenders than Glennon & Mullarkey.

Like I say the midfield today played as a real unit & helped provide plenty of ball for our front 3 who certainly gave Notts something to worry about.

The result wasn’t what we all wanted considering we where 2 - 0 up and ahead in the game 3 times but I think this was a good day for our club after what has been a horrible week.

Couple of other things, thought the ref was good and credit to the Notts County support, a full Osmond makes such a difference to the atmosphere at BP especially when they show class like they did prior to kick off.

9 points from 28 since Artell arrived, just need a couple of wins otherwise the last quarter of the season could be harder than it should be when we play like we did today.

All that said it was just so good to come to BP & see an open attacking game with both sides going for it.

UTM!

To the minority of miserable fúcks unhappy about a 5-all draw, I wasn’t able to make today’s game and, believe me, I’m absolutely mortified to have missed a classic that will live in the memory for a long time. If I’m not mistaken, the second highest scoring game of my lifetime (1985 onwards), after the Burnley 6-5. Incredible.

Having not been there, I’m not in a position to comment on the specifics of the match, but the emerging patterns are clear. 20 goals over the course of our last 3 games; we’re no longer boring. Ultimately, you change a manager because you want to bring about change, and specifically the kind of change most Town fans were crying out for. Attractive, attacking football with a clear intent. It’s certainly what we’ve got, and huge credit is due for getting there in such a short space of time.

But, with the boring, goal shy problem apparently solved and then some, our soft underbelly has also been exacerbated. There’s always going to have to be concessions made, but while it’s great going from being almost non-scoring to having notched 9 in our last 3, conceding 11 in our last 2 is too high a price to pay in the long-term. It’ll have to improve if Artell is to get beyond his current 25% win ratio, though I acknowledge the small sample size.

But if, IF Artell can crack that defensive nut whilst ironing out a smidge of our offensive profligacy, the potential seems genuinely exciting. A bumpy road ahead perhaps, but it feels like it might well be a fun ride.

That equalising goal right at the end was a HUGE goal.

Let's just say it — had we not got it, the mood on here tonight would be very different. Two home defeats and 11 goals conceded.

However, getting our fifth wasn't just massive for the game, but potentially for a long time to come. Can you imagine how the players were feeling at 4-5? Probably exactly how we were feeling!

So to pick themselves back up, when once again they'd let a lead slip to a crushing defeat, when confidence must have been at an all-time low, after conceding 11 goals at home in two games... that fifth was no ordinary goal.

Yes, just a point... but a massive point in the context of what had happened.

As others have rightly pointed out already on this thread, Notts County have a front line far above the standard here in L2. And Artell's asking us to play more positively.

It was absolutely certain we would concede goals today.

I think the criticism of Mullarkey and Rodgers is warranted, but let's not totally ignore who they were up against, and that our defence is always going to be more exposed by the way we now press.

Things will improve. I hope those two in particular improve. If not, I'm sure DA will do something about it.

I think we all know how sterile some of our home performances were under PH towards the end. Let's also remember that, in a season where we're out of all cups — and we shouldn't go down — the best we can hope for is to see a little more entertainment.

Well, we got that in spades today.

I get that it's frustrating and annoying that we can't hold onto leads, see teams off, etc. But we'd have lost that under PH. At best we may have knicked a 2-2 or something.

I've never known us draw 5-5 in my lifetime, so even though we didn't win I can at least enjoy the rather bizarre scoreline to some degree!

In the past 20 years, we’ve had unlucky teams, lazy teams, pïssed teams, shït teams…

This current team must be the thickest, most stupid team of their generation.

Just like the Crawley match, at 2-0 up, our midfield, and worst of all, Mullarkey, are completely the wrong side of the ball. What the fûck was Mullarkey doing? Why’s he going forward and turning like a döner on a spit?

It’s the sort of mistake you should only make once a season. But then Mullarkey gets the wrong side again 7 mins later for their second goal.

Holohan made the same mistake twice in 5 mins against Crawley.

They are all (Rose and Cartwright excluded) thick as pig shït

I don’t mind mistakes. Just learn from them. But they don’t.

Is there any sort of post match video analysis done? How can you keep making the same positional errors?

Yes I enjoyed the roller coaster ride today, and I know we have a poor defence but ….
I think Cartwright should take some of the flak at the back. He often lacks confidence, was indecisive at crucial moments, and fumbled several times.

Quoted from Plankton

If you drew every game you'd get relegated. 5-5 is nothing to celebrate when we should have gone 3-0 up and cruised to the win.

It's not going to be 5-5 every week is it

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

In the past 20 years, we’ve had unlucky teams, lazy teams, pïssed teams, shït teams…

This current team must be the thickest, most stupid team of their generation.

Just like the Crawley match, at 2-0 up, our midfield, and worst of all, Mullarkey, are completely the wrong side of the ball. What the fûck was Mullarkey doing? Why’s he going forward and turning like a döner on a spit?

It’s the sort of mistake you should only make once a season. But then Mullarkey gets the wrong side again 7 mins later for their second goal.

Holohan made the same mistake twice in 5 mins against Crawley.

They are all (Rose and Cartwright excluded) thick as pig shït

I don’t mind mistakes. Just learn from them. But they don’t.

Is there any sort of post match video analysis done? How can you keep making the same positional errors?

My initial reaction to the first goal was...Mullarkey wtf.....having watched the highlights I am a little more encouraged......on reflection what I see is Mullarkey anticipating his two team mates will win the ball and spring him free, so he is setting off into the space to spring the counter...

His team mates didn't spring it but I think it's a great positive that his consideration under pressure was to spring a counter....its a sign of intent, a mindset...would much rather see that intent than a stay at home defensive one.

Quoted from Knut Anders Fosters Voles

In the past 20 years, we’ve had unlucky teams, lazy teams, pïssed teams, shït teams…

This current team must be the thickest, most stupid team of their generation.

Just like the Crawley match, at 2-0 up, our midfield, and worst of all, Mullarkey, are completely the wrong side of the ball. What the fûck was Mullarkey doing? Why’s he going forward and turning like a döner on a spit?

It’s the sort of mistake you should only make once a season. But then Mullarkey gets the wrong side again 7 mins later for their second goal.

Holohan made the same mistake twice in 5 mins against Crawley.

They are all (Rose and Cartwright excluded) thick as pig shït

I don’t mind mistakes. Just learn from them. But they don’t.

Is there any sort of post match video analysis done? How can you keep making the same positional errors?

Very poor.

Quoted from moosey_club

My initial reaction to the first goal was...Mullarkey wtf.....having watched the highlights I am a little more encouraged......on reflection what I see is Mullarkey anticipating his two team mates will win the ball and spring him free, so he is setting off into the space to spring the counter...

His team mates didn't spring it but I think it's a great positive that his consideration under pressure was to spring a counter....its a sign of intent, a mindset...would much rather see that intent than a stay at home defensive one.

There’s intent and then there’s making a needless forward run when the ball is in our defensive third and we don’t have it under control. Leaving a massive gap which was exploited 2 seconds later. I’m all for attacking intent but it has to be in the right places. Plus at 2-0 with 10 minutes till half time it was a completely unnecessary way back in to the game for them. We’d been well on top until then.

Mullarkey is regularly caught out of position and can’t defend 1v1. He needs replacing.

Quoted from moosey_club

My initial reaction to the first goal was...Mullarkey wtf.....having watched the highlights I am a little more encouraged......on reflection what I see is Mullarkey anticipating his two team mates will win the ball and spring him free, so he is setting off into the space to spring the counter...

His team mates didn't spring it but I think it's a great positive that his consideration under pressure was to spring a counter....its a sign of intent, a mindset...would much rather see that intent than a stay at home defensive one.

It’s an awful, awful decision.

I’ve got no problem with bombing forward but we have to be in possession of the ball.

It’s so unbelievably stupid.

At the kick off would we have taken a draw against a goal scoring side in the promotion chase, following our thrashing by Walsall. Of course, we would.

It was a very entertaining game with some cracking goals. Artell seems to have got the attack firing on all cylinders and our football in the first 30 minutes was sublime. Then in the last 10 mins of the half it all went pear shape, again.

However, we saw a different attitude in the second half, compared to the Walsall game. A never say die attitude right to the final minutes. I seem to recall earlier in the week about who is Harry Wood, he's the guy who gave us a point with his first kick of the game, that's who. May he score many more before the end of the season.

As stated on the thread the back four are not good enough. When the subs came on Wood saved the day, Wilson failed to impress me and Obikwu didn't appear to know what to do. That said someone posted it was his first senior game, so perhaps we may excuse him.

Efete and Amos are definitely out of favour and we haven't made any signings in this department, so Artell is left with what he's got. Let's hope by the Harrogate game he has pulled in some more decent players.

UTM