Talking Notts

Last updated : 23 September 2007 By Paul Smith and Gary Moss

Moss: Great performance, but I think the tactics ruined the game.

Smith: The second half substitutions were poor and I think very negative. It is clear to me that at half-time Steve Thompson has said 1-1, good result away from home, don't do anything stupid. But they were there for the taking, nevertheless Thompson seemed happy.

It is all about Weir-Daley

Moss: If you had said at the start of the day it would be 1-1 I'd have been happy, but having seen Rotherham today, to be honest you could have been in front at the break. They were okay at the back but saying that Jason Lee won a lot of headers.

Smith: Yes and Rotherham seemed to play counter-attack in the first half but for Notts it seemed all about Spencer Weir-Daley.

Moss: He was very sharpe. He missed a lot of chances but to be fair he created them all himself from very little.

Smith: I think a lot of them were half chances.

Moss: And their 'keeper did very well. I think their goal was very poor from a Notts point of view too. You have to help yourself when tracking back and Richard Butcher's initial pass was very poor.

Butcher... Poor
Smith:
He was poor.

Moss: Yes he went missing. Matt Somner was holding and Neil MacKenzie was going forward and he didn't seem to know which to support. He didn't find much space, he didn't mark and was quite poor. A couple of times he burst into the box but not enough to say he was making an impact.

Smith: He seemed lost in a 4-3-3, overcrowded. I think Somner made a difference and has to start. People say that Butcher, Smith and MacKenzie are the best midfielders but you have to play Somner for the balance. He worked so hard, made a lot of challenges and held it together. When Smith is back I'd drop Butcher.

Moss: I like Somner. He does the simple things, simple passes. He doesn't ping it about and he works hard. He did pick up a booking which was a bit rash. Yes he won the ball but he got the man too.

Smith: What do you think of Thompson confronting the fans over a 'Thommo Out' banner at the end?

Moss: It wasn't very professional, but at the same time a 'Thommo Out' banner isn't what you need this early in the season. Results haven't been great but as you rightly said you have only lost once this season and you were twelfth last year after nearly dropping out.

Somner... Holds the midfield together

Smith: It is either glass half empty or half full isn't it? I prefer half full where you can say we've only lost once. Yes we have had five draws but it shows we are difficult to beat. I also thought the set-pieces were much better today, defending and going forward. We always looked a threat from corners, just lacking a little luck with where the ball bounced. But we got that for the goal.

Moss: Rotherham were there for the taking. But it is good that we have gone to Rotherham, who have just came down and can say 'we should have won.' Going forward from their goal until half-time they couldn't cope. With Lawrie Dudfield and Weir-Daley down the sides and Lee winning headers, that was where the 4-3-3 was good.

Smith: I thought the front three were very good.

Moss: Lots of options.

Smith: Yes and we have got Myles Weston back next week and we all know Thompson loves Andy Parkinson who strangely replaced Dudfield so soon into the second half, but I think the front three deserve another chance.

Moss: Injury for Dudfield?

Tann... Very good performance
Smith:
Not sure. I just think if he wasn't then it was a stupid decision by Thompson. I thought the back four were superb, with Adam Tann very good.

Moss: Canoville did well too.

Smith: He grew in stature as the game went on. What did you think of Millmoor?

Moss: It was a poor ground but they are a small club aren't they? There was a little incident when Weir-Daley scored in the Notts end, Stewards came flying over and pushed Weir-Daley away, and it all kicked off. What did you make of that?

Smith: I thought the two old ladies were funniest arguing their case.

Moss: They took a photo of the steward too, I think they might report him!

Smith: It did seem he was heavy handed, it was the first goal from a Notts striker this season at the end of the day!

Moss: And Weir-Daley's first for the club.

Smith: And we don't score that many so we had to celebrate! Are we looking at the league table worryingly yet?

Moss: Not really. Not many have had a good start. Of the four who came

Lester... Chesterfield marksman a real threat
 down only Chesterfield have started well. That is different to last year when all four were up there. There is an oppurtunity to push forward, so don't worry just yet. Those who will be up there will be the likes of Peterborough, Shrewsbury and Wycombe who haven't started too well either.

Smith: I think Chesterfield at home next week is must win. You can then say a draw today is fair enough. It will be tough, they are a good side. But the way we played in the first half, with lots of bodies in the box, getting Weir-Daley and MacKenzie on the ball we can score goals, then it is up to the defence.

Moss: If you are going to go up you have to win your home games. I haven't seen Chesterfield yet, only their results, but they tell a story. With Jack Lester up top that could be a key battle next week. maybe Lester versus Hunt, or even Tann. Could be a draw next week, 1-1 maybe!?