Kevin Pilkington. STAR MAN. A fine performance from the experienced
stopper who couldn't be faulted all night. Made a string of impressive saves and commanded his box well. Will be disappointed with those in front of him, as his outburst at them after the concession of goal number one showed. Pilkington almost single-handedly kept the score down and can definitely not be faulted for any of the goals. More of the same is required as the season kicks on. 8
Lee Canoville. Started at right-back where he looked solid if not spectacular but again played too many aimless long balls that didn't trouble City. Was part of the defensive collapse that cost Notts dearly in the second half when he moved inside. 6
Adam Tann. Found it difficult on his second Magpies debut as Dele Adebola's power and Leon Best's pace pulled him all over the shop leading to his eventual substitution. Must improve to cement his place in the absence of Mike Edwards. 5
Stephen Hunt. Performed well in the first half as he mopped up several City attacks but failed to perform after the break allowing the hosts to run riot with some poor defending. Wasn't commanding enough. 6
Austin McCann. Looked like a man determined to prove he shouldn't have started on the bench on Saturday as he got off to a flier superbly crossing for Hector Sam to hit the bar in the opening minute. Faded after that though and struggled to help the backline cope with City's power. 6
Richard Butcher. Fairly quiet as an attacking force with him performing in a more withdrawn role in the absence of Matt Somner but he defended well and helped the back four mop up in the first half. 6
Jay Smith. Great return to action from the midfield dynamo. Started superbly in response to missing out on the starting eleven on Saturday with a great array of passing and some lung-bursting runs through the midfield coupled with superb tenacity. Tired after the break. 8
|
Hector Sam. Could have been an instant hero in his first Notts start as he rattled the cross bar in the first minute with a header he got too much height on. Didn't trouble City keeper Andy Marshall after that and was quiet overall. 6
Jason Lee. Poor display from the captain who looked off the pace and missed a series of headed chances, normally his bread and butter. Needs to up the tempo if he is to return to his imperious form of last season. 5
Lawrie Dudfield. Working hard as ever and looked desperate for a goal to lift his confidence finishing wise but his best efforts weren't good enough. Looked lively at times but still not up to his best form. 6
Subs
Gary Silk (for Tann, 51). Got forward impressively and cannot be faulted as City moved too far into the lead. Unlucky not to start and should do on Saturday against Brentford. 7
Myles Weston (for Sam, 62). Looked sharp and worried the City defence who were often forced to bring him down. One headed chance saw him narrowly miss out on his first senior goal. 6
Spencer Weir-Daley (for Dudfield, 76). As with Weston, Weir-Daley's turn of pace was difficult for the hosts to take and he should have started or came on earlier. 6