Match Ratings V Mansfield

Last updated : 11 March 2007 By Richard Brown

Listening to the line-up on the way into the ground, you'd be forgiven for thinking manager Steve Thompson is already under-pressure from his own fans and had lost the plot.

Thompson... Made changes
Andy Parkinson up-front, Mike Edwards accommodating the return of Alan White in midfield, and Junior Mendes and Ian Ross hogging their respective flanks would not seem the most obvious, nor the most tactically sound choices from Thompson, but they certainly solved a problem.

Given the Stags' current form, changes were always needed to take anything from the game, and no fewer than six were made. The four positional changes and the axing of Gary Silk and Matt Somner from the starting XI succeeded in containing Bill Deardens hard-working Mansfield side, if nothing else.

The Stags came willing to scrap, only for Notts to belie their recent form and, likewise, Mansfield theirs to produce a competent home performance, as reflected in many of the ratings below:


Magpies Ratings (average 6):

Saul Deeney Made one outstanding second-half save to deny Brown, but otherwise was fairly anonymous between the sticks. 6

Austin McCannThe Scotsmen had little to do defensively, and so was not too badly exposed. Going forward, though, McCann excelled; barely misplaced a pass, and even got a shot away. All in all, not a bad day at the office. 6

White... Competent

Alan White Like the whole team, challenged his recent form to produce a competent, if unspectacular display. Still has a long way to go to convince his own fans hes up to the task though, and should perhaps consider him lucky to return to the side so quickly from suspension. 6

Stephen Hunt Another solid display at the back from the youngster, whose positional play and considerable aerial presence make him almost indispensable to the Magpies. Never looked threatened by the weight of Gritton, nor the pace of Brown and recovered from his one minor slip-up admirably. 8

David Pipe Didn't look his usual self at right-back, but still got forward to good effect during the first half. The second half, and the introduction of Silk, gave him license to attack and the Welshman was bursting with energy after that. 7

Junior Mendes (Tcham N'Toya '70) Arguably better out-wide than upfront, but generally lacked an end product for all his flicks and tricks. Did his job, nevertheless, and was lively throughout. 6

Smith... Finally Notts have a box-to-box player
Jay Smith Not at his most spectacular, but still showed flashes of brilliance in proving Notts finally have the box-to-box midfielder we've so desperately needed for some time. Had two successive chances to put the Magpies in front, but the odd long-range miss can be forgiven. 6.5

Mike Edwards Unlucky to again find himself switched to midfield, but nothing should be taken away from an outstanding performance that showcased his range of thoughtful passing, and his constant aerial threat thats made him so popular in the Magpies defence. 7.5

Ian Ross With respect, hardly recognised the Sheffield United mans presence on the right-hand side of midfield and would safely say a wide berth does not flatter the youngster. Barely had chance to influence the game, as Parkinson, ahem, muscled in on taking the ball in the flanks. 5.5

Andy Parkinson Largely ineffective display after his surprising call-up in attack. Collected the ball nicely out-wide, but his team-mates insistence to hoof the ball two feet above his head did the diminutive striker few favours. 6

Lawrie Dudfield Again lively in attack, and has really proven himself in the second-half of the season. Continued to harry his markers, but looks far more effective with Lee in tow. 7

Stephen Hunt

Subs:

Gary Silk (Ross 52) Certainly made his presence felt following his introduction, and slotted in seamlessly at right-back, feeding Pipe with plenty of the ball on the right-hand side. 6.5

Tcham N'Toya (Mendes 70) Like Silk, made a difference when brought on for the final 20 minutes. The fleet-footed striker provided another dimension for Notts, as well as some tasty skill in attack. N'Toya was perhaps guilty of delaying a pass in one instance, but generally looked a good impact sub who served his purpose. 6.5

Brown's Man of the Match: Stephen Hunt