Notts produced a stunning performance last night, beating First Division Ipswich 2-1. Here's my thoughts on the game....
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Everyone knows the result by now but it was the all round performance that impressed me and the meagre crowd of 4,050.
Notts didn't just beat Ipswich, they deserved to beat them, despite what Joe Royle would have you believe.
The game itself was a real cracker, nothing like the dire league matches that we've seen down 'The Lane this season.
 | Nick Fenton- A tad fortunate to stay on the pitch. |
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Three goals in the first twelve minutes is unusual, especially as two of them were penalties.
Royle and many Ipswich fans I spoke to after the game were keen to blame the referee for their defeat, but I felt the ref had an okay game, maybe i'm biast!
He did get their penalty wrong, in that he didn't give it, the linesman did. It was a blatant penalty.
But Ipswich fans can't complain about this, because it was given eventually and they scored off it.
Ours is debateable. I didn't have the perfect view but an offence did take place in my eyes but, again that could be my bias creeping in.
Apart from that, the ref wasn't that bad, he certainly wasn't in the Mark Warren league for number of free kicks given.
Nicky Fenton may also of been fortunate to of stayed on for the full 90 minutes after, already being on a booking, making two late challenges that could of warranted a yellow card.
There we go, that's their excuse gone now to the real reason they lost, Notts performance.
There's no question, Dearden got the selection and his subs for that matter, spot on.
 | An improvement recently from Platty |
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Players that have had poor seasons so far suddenly came good, Baraclough, Caskey, Nicholson spring to mind.
Another factor is players who started the season poorly but have slowly regained form over the past week or so, Stallard, Fenton and even Platt, come to mind.
That's 6 players who's performance yesterday was way, way better then how they played in the opening few matches of the season.
If these 6 continue their 'rehabilitation' (I couldn't think of a better word!) then this will be a massive factor in Notts' season.
Brief highlights of the game:
Baldry's goal, a great team effort.
Pushing for a third, rather then sitting back.
Commitment from all the players.
3,000 Notts fans sounding more like 6,000.
A brilliant all round team performance.
Clive Platt getting a wonderful ovation from the Notts faithful.
So, let's hope Notts can keep up the good work and bring three points back from Blackpool, would be nice, wouldn't it?
U PIES!!!
rob@nottscounty-mad.co.uk
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