A fairly tame performance saw Notts beaten by a spirited comeback from Sheffield Wednesday. The changes to the team saw Alan Judge come in for the injured Ricky Ravenhill after an impressive performance from the bench on Tuesday against Tranmere whilst Karl Hawley returned to the side in place of loanee Montano. Hamza Bencherif also returned in place of Craig Westcarr who was on the bench against the team who were reportedly interested in the wide man last season.
The game wasn't a pretty one from the Notts perspective, unable to dictate the flow in midfield as the three of Bencherif, Bishop and Judge were outclassed by the experience of Prutton and the strength and composure of Semedo; Notts resulted to long balls up towards J.Hughes on the left to not much avail. Wednesday looked more dangerous early on with Buxton and new Wednesday loanee Marshall swinging plenty of crosses into the area; the end product on each ocassion was nothing too testing for Nelson.
A long free-kick up from Edwards up towards J.Hughes resulted in a penalty for Notts as Wednesday player Lines was deemed to have handled the ball. Hughes kept his cool and slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner to put Notts into a somewhat undeserved lead. Wednesday then piled on the pressure, continuing to use the flanks. Kelly battled away extremely well, as did Sheehan and kept Wednesday at bay, thanks to some blocks and a less-than-clinical Clinton Morrison up front who was guilty of missing a header from 6 yards, with very little pressure (it may have been called offside anyway - i'm unsure).
The second-half began in much the same vein, Wednesday attacking and Notts bypassing the midfield with Hughes (Lee) struggling to get involved in things. The Wednesday goal came from a contentious corner, which from my point of view should never have been given as it seemed Pearce was being pulled all over the shop by Madine. A corner and a piece of belligerant goalkeeping saw Morrison able to whip the ball in, as Nelson hesitated to attempt to smother the ball and it was former Forest man Julian Bennett finish clinically from inside the 6 yard box to level the game.
This seemed to rejuvinate Notts who then had a chance to retake the lead through Montano after a neat one-two between himself and Lee Hughes found himself running through on the right but a reluctance to shoot saw the move fizzle out as Wednesday got their defenders back into position. 15 minutes after equalising, Wednesday then took the lead after some neat play down the right with Sheehan not blocking the cross and Nelson glued to his line, Madine was waiting at the far post to slide in.
Bishop was then given a second yellow for a dive. In Arsene Wenger style, I didn't see it - but it wouldn't surprise me either.
Westcarr was guilty of wasting Notts' best chance to equalise and probably the most clear-cut of the day for the Magpies. He found a couple of yards just outside of the 6 yard box, but was unable to hit the target as Notts saw their chances of taking a point disappear.
Wednesday didn't look as sharp as Charlton but their ability to find the key pass when it mattered (just as Charlton were able to do) saw them take the three points. The lack of width enabled Wednesday to press down the flanks often resulting in a 2 on 1 or 3 or 2 situation as Bencherif and Hughes struggled to keep up with Prutton's spraying balls.
Notts aren't a million miles away from competing towards the upper echelons of League 1 but a much more composed and penetrating midfield is going to be needed. Bencherif impressed me against Forest in the cup game but has since to do so, he does well as a 5th defender between Pearce and Edwards and as cover but it seems that appears to be his limitations and when the onus is on Notts to attack (unlike the game against Forest) we seem to struggle to pick a telling pass. Sheehan's crosses can be lethal, but unlike Ben Davies he isn't usually in the final third of the pitch. It seems as if we aren't looking to use the flanks so much as pack the midfield in a diamond shape. But unless the tip of the diamond has the ability to pick out balls in the final third I think many games this season will be like Charlton/Wednesday where we just lack the killer instinct.
As a suggestion for a remedy. Mr Marmite - Karl Hawley. He played a lovely ball through today for Judge, who for some reason, decided to turn back on himself instead of being more direct. When it's someone who hasn't just returned from injury (I'll forgive Judge this time) - ala Hughes against Forest then he can provide the balls for goals. He has the strength, the touch and seemingly, this season; the willingness to make a success in that position.