Notts County v Luton
Oct 30, 2016 9:31:22 GMT
Post by Wimbo on Oct 30, 2016 9:31:22 GMT
Link to a version easier on the eye: whittlerhatter.weebly.com
I do like visiting Nottingham for a game; simply a great place to visit with so many superb ale houses; let’s hope wherever we end up next season, that County are in the same league as us for 2017/18. Socially, from beginning to end a really great day out for around 2,000 travelling Hatters fans: we just need a bit of tweaking with that part in the middle of the day out, the football.
So after a good lunchtime get-together along Canal Street, it was to Meadow lane after first breaking up the walk with a quick refreshment at the excellent Vat & Fiddle. Now Meadow lane is to my mind a really nice redeveloped league ground with a decent view from all seats and just as I like, the away supporters are housed down one side of the pitch rather than behind the goal. It’s a good ground and always a pleasure to visit.
As for the team selection, Nathan made a couple of changes for the game with Potts dropping to the bench, Sheehan moving to left back and Mullins taking the vacated centre-back berth. Gray also stepped down to the bench to make way for Danny Hylton's return from his one match suspension. I suppose that the Sheehan to full back move was welcomed by many supporters, I certainly fancied it would give us a touch more forward thrust. All in all the selection appeared a touch more balanced than last week’s side for the Mansfield game.
In keeping with last week, we had absolutely masses of possession in the first half but unlike last week we looked a touch more dangerous in moving forward especially every time that Gilliead had possession. Message to Nathan: let's get Gilliead's loan extended to cover the entire season; the guy is just pure class at this level.
A nice touch during the game was the planned and well supported minute’s applause to honour the life of a 19-year-old County supporter called Georgia Nelson who passed away last Monday having slipped into a diabetic coma and never awoke. It seemed that all Luton supporters were on their feet joining in the mark of respect with their fellow County supporters; a sympathetic and touching tribute.
Although we were playing our possession football further up the pitch than last week, we still were not really creating much more than half-chances; maybe on another day one of those half chances may have found the net. At least we looked safe at half time as we passed County to death and slaughtering them 0-0 by the break. Maybe we should chuck away this goal scoring concept, 3 points for a win etc and move to awarding points as in Strictly Come Dancing, surely Len would have had us well ahead at half-time! However, in all honesty it was not a busy first half for the County goalkeeper despite us dominating the game.
Would we be able to push on in the second half? Would Nathan make any changes? Personally, I would have sacrificed the ineffective Cook for Pelly but no, no change at the break.
We started the second half again looking the better more composed side but composure and possession don't by themselves win games, the odd goal or two is helpful and we just were not really creating those chances.
Even with possession football you can't keep hold of the ball for the entire game and County enjoyed some possession and pressure themselves and may have taken the lead if it were not for an excellent blocking tackle by Mullins just a few yards from goal: great defending by Mullins who did pick up an injury in making that block.
Oh no, had disaster struck, County were awarded a penalty after the referee called a foul on Cuthbert defensive play at a corner: surely after dominating so much of the game we were not going to lose the lot! However, a splendid penalty save by Walton firstly diving to his right and then with his left hand turning the ball around the post for a corner. I will remember that save for a long time; just totally brilliant.
With our spirits raised and the army of travelling Hatters totally behind the team could we push on and grab a goal. I must admit that as at last introduced Pelly broke free on the right, I thought the time may have come but the referee inexplicably called play back for a foul. I rarely complain about referees but he surely got that one wrong.
So, in the end, we settled for a point that I suppose taking into account the penalty was just about ok against a County side that whilst not looking brilliant are up there with us in the play-off positions. I have to say that at the end I was happy enough to hear the referee call time and send us on our way with a point especially as when that penalty was given I guess that all of us Hatters fans feared te worst.
A few thoughts:
Well, just what does undefeated for seven league games really mean with a haul of 11 points in that seven-game run. Well, our form and points collection at the third way mark of the season point at a play-off place. Not bad in many respects with a fairly young squad: our youngest ever at Hartlepool at about 21 and even yesterday at 24. The question is can we step things up a touch build on our possession play and turn draws into victories? We are 4th in the league: second meanest defence in L2, 4th top scorers in L2. So the choice is yours in terms of glass half empty or half full. Personally, my glass is half full as I see a decent Luton side that just with a touch of tweaking could turn some of those five recent draws into wins and grab a top three spot. What would that tweaking be? Well, one for sure would be to stick with Pelly who along with emerging star Gilliead and McGeehan all in front of midfield holder Rea: we simply win more games with Pelly's power in the team so Pelly a starter for me. We play Pelly and our chances of winning simply improve. The other problem position has been wing play at left back and maybe Sheehan can do something there, if not then Jack Senior.
I did not really understand the logic of Nathan's first two substitutions. Yes, I would have had Pelly on but surely in place of Cook who was just not effective in just about the entire game. Over the weeks I have seen glimpses of a talented side of Cook but maybe he is going to need more time to really settle with the club in a similar way to the departed favourite Lawless who had a very inconsistent first season with us.
As in so many games this season, the midfield have just not got it together working as a unit. In so many games we have one or two of the midfield really playing well and the other simply very anonymous. Whilst Rea did the holding role well yesterday and Gilliead once again was outstanding I felt McGeehan and Cook were some way off their best. This is not a bash McGeehan or a bash Cook comment as neither were really bad, just simply the frustration that we need far more from our mid-field if we are to turn periods of dominant possession football to creativity and hopefully a victory
The Sunday Rant:
Well, a couple of rants. Firstly I feel a touch critical of NJ who to my mind should have introduced Pelly much earlier; in fact, I would have brought him on shortly after half time for Cook. Also sticking with Nathan, was Gilliead that tired that he really needed to be replaced? I thought Gilliead still looked our greatest threat when he was removed from play! Then again with Nathan, why take off Marriott and replace him with Olly Lee? Was Nathan settling for the point and still haunted by the Stevenage chase for victory that ended in defeat?
Now I very rarely rant about a referee; it’s up to our team to negate any refereeing shortcomings by cracking on to win the game but yesterday I thought the referee was a bit whistle happy; give me Trevor Kettle any day. I felt he was really in error not letting Pelly continue his run down the right after being fouled when he so clearly had the advantage but small margins etc turn games.
A few thoughts on individual performances
Walton: he was never really troubled and looked comfortable and in control all afternoon. What a superb penalty save that was; one that really joins Andy Dibble in the hall of fame for great penalty saves by a Luton goalkeeper.
O'Donnell: I thought he had an overall decent game both in defence and in trying to move the ball down the wing.
Cuthbert: his good season continues; very commanding game, rarely beaten in the air and strong in the tackle: all in all he had a fine game; well maybe apart from the penalty.
Mullins: played well alongside Cuthbert and made one particularly excellent block to kill a shot on goal and picked up an injury in doing so.
Sheehan: did not look that comfortable or indeed confident at left back. He was not bad but maybe I expected a little more. Defensively he was ok and marginally better than Potts going forward.
Rea: decent enough game from Rea in front of the back four and made some telling interceptions but against that there were a few stray passes particularly in the first half.
Gilliead: a really tremendous first 60 minutes when the Notts County defence just had no idea of how to cope with him. He faded a little later in the match but I would still have kept him on the pitch a touch longer.
Cook: sorry, just did not do enough to justify his place in the team for the full 90 minutes. I was warming to Cook a few weeks back but at the moment I don't feel he adds any real creativity to the side. Just to be clear, I am not saying he had a bad game simply that he was so very, very ordinary and just not creative and I am assuming he is in the side to be creative.
McGeehan: I agree that Cameron is still a relatively young developing player with lots to offer but it’s a question of which Cam will turn up, the power house as seen in Stevenage away or the fairly anonymous Cam with the poor first touch who is slow to get the second ball. We could have done with the Stevenage version yesterday but that’s not the Cam that turned up at Nottingham; just simply very ordinary and chasing rather than bossing. Yet, how can you leave him out of the side with that great goals contribution from midfield?
Marriott: fairly decent performance chasing everything that came through to him. Almost gave us the lead in the first half with a shot that went just wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post. Why ever did NJ send Lee on in place of Marriott when we had a chance of going for all three points? Whilst Jack was not ripping the County defence to pieces he was a threat whilst ferocious Olly is hardly a threat; maybe NJ had settled for the point by that time?
Hylton: all the usual chasing and closing down on the defenders; good to have him back in the side.
The Subs/Game Changers:
Pelly: when introduced our creativity index rose by a few points.
Lee: did well enough.
Vassell: not long enough on the pitch to make an impression.
The Teams:
Notts County: Colin, Dickinson, Duffy, Hollis, Forte, Milsom, Laing, Richards, Rodman, Campbell (O'Connor, 57), Collins (Oliver, 57)
Luton: Walton, O'Donnell, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan (Vassell, 90), Hylton, Cook, Marriott (Lee, 75), Gilliead (Mpanzu, 85), Rea, Sheehan.
Unused subs: King, Potts, Smith, Gray
Bookings: County: Duffy, Hollis, Milsom. Luton: Rea & Hylton.
Referee: Michael Salisbury not the best but I am not a referee basher.
Attendance: 6,313 and that included 2,033 travelling Hatters; what a splendid turn out.
I do like visiting Nottingham for a game; simply a great place to visit with so many superb ale houses; let’s hope wherever we end up next season, that County are in the same league as us for 2017/18. Socially, from beginning to end a really great day out for around 2,000 travelling Hatters fans: we just need a bit of tweaking with that part in the middle of the day out, the football.
So after a good lunchtime get-together along Canal Street, it was to Meadow lane after first breaking up the walk with a quick refreshment at the excellent Vat & Fiddle. Now Meadow lane is to my mind a really nice redeveloped league ground with a decent view from all seats and just as I like, the away supporters are housed down one side of the pitch rather than behind the goal. It’s a good ground and always a pleasure to visit.
As for the team selection, Nathan made a couple of changes for the game with Potts dropping to the bench, Sheehan moving to left back and Mullins taking the vacated centre-back berth. Gray also stepped down to the bench to make way for Danny Hylton's return from his one match suspension. I suppose that the Sheehan to full back move was welcomed by many supporters, I certainly fancied it would give us a touch more forward thrust. All in all the selection appeared a touch more balanced than last week’s side for the Mansfield game.
In keeping with last week, we had absolutely masses of possession in the first half but unlike last week we looked a touch more dangerous in moving forward especially every time that Gilliead had possession. Message to Nathan: let's get Gilliead's loan extended to cover the entire season; the guy is just pure class at this level.
A nice touch during the game was the planned and well supported minute’s applause to honour the life of a 19-year-old County supporter called Georgia Nelson who passed away last Monday having slipped into a diabetic coma and never awoke. It seemed that all Luton supporters were on their feet joining in the mark of respect with their fellow County supporters; a sympathetic and touching tribute.
Although we were playing our possession football further up the pitch than last week, we still were not really creating much more than half-chances; maybe on another day one of those half chances may have found the net. At least we looked safe at half time as we passed County to death and slaughtering them 0-0 by the break. Maybe we should chuck away this goal scoring concept, 3 points for a win etc and move to awarding points as in Strictly Come Dancing, surely Len would have had us well ahead at half-time! However, in all honesty it was not a busy first half for the County goalkeeper despite us dominating the game.
Would we be able to push on in the second half? Would Nathan make any changes? Personally, I would have sacrificed the ineffective Cook for Pelly but no, no change at the break.
We started the second half again looking the better more composed side but composure and possession don't by themselves win games, the odd goal or two is helpful and we just were not really creating those chances.
Even with possession football you can't keep hold of the ball for the entire game and County enjoyed some possession and pressure themselves and may have taken the lead if it were not for an excellent blocking tackle by Mullins just a few yards from goal: great defending by Mullins who did pick up an injury in making that block.
Oh no, had disaster struck, County were awarded a penalty after the referee called a foul on Cuthbert defensive play at a corner: surely after dominating so much of the game we were not going to lose the lot! However, a splendid penalty save by Walton firstly diving to his right and then with his left hand turning the ball around the post for a corner. I will remember that save for a long time; just totally brilliant.
With our spirits raised and the army of travelling Hatters totally behind the team could we push on and grab a goal. I must admit that as at last introduced Pelly broke free on the right, I thought the time may have come but the referee inexplicably called play back for a foul. I rarely complain about referees but he surely got that one wrong.
So, in the end, we settled for a point that I suppose taking into account the penalty was just about ok against a County side that whilst not looking brilliant are up there with us in the play-off positions. I have to say that at the end I was happy enough to hear the referee call time and send us on our way with a point especially as when that penalty was given I guess that all of us Hatters fans feared te worst.
A few thoughts:
Well, just what does undefeated for seven league games really mean with a haul of 11 points in that seven-game run. Well, our form and points collection at the third way mark of the season point at a play-off place. Not bad in many respects with a fairly young squad: our youngest ever at Hartlepool at about 21 and even yesterday at 24. The question is can we step things up a touch build on our possession play and turn draws into victories? We are 4th in the league: second meanest defence in L2, 4th top scorers in L2. So the choice is yours in terms of glass half empty or half full. Personally, my glass is half full as I see a decent Luton side that just with a touch of tweaking could turn some of those five recent draws into wins and grab a top three spot. What would that tweaking be? Well, one for sure would be to stick with Pelly who along with emerging star Gilliead and McGeehan all in front of midfield holder Rea: we simply win more games with Pelly's power in the team so Pelly a starter for me. We play Pelly and our chances of winning simply improve. The other problem position has been wing play at left back and maybe Sheehan can do something there, if not then Jack Senior.
I did not really understand the logic of Nathan's first two substitutions. Yes, I would have had Pelly on but surely in place of Cook who was just not effective in just about the entire game. Over the weeks I have seen glimpses of a talented side of Cook but maybe he is going to need more time to really settle with the club in a similar way to the departed favourite Lawless who had a very inconsistent first season with us.
As in so many games this season, the midfield have just not got it together working as a unit. In so many games we have one or two of the midfield really playing well and the other simply very anonymous. Whilst Rea did the holding role well yesterday and Gilliead once again was outstanding I felt McGeehan and Cook were some way off their best. This is not a bash McGeehan or a bash Cook comment as neither were really bad, just simply the frustration that we need far more from our mid-field if we are to turn periods of dominant possession football to creativity and hopefully a victory
The Sunday Rant:
Well, a couple of rants. Firstly I feel a touch critical of NJ who to my mind should have introduced Pelly much earlier; in fact, I would have brought him on shortly after half time for Cook. Also sticking with Nathan, was Gilliead that tired that he really needed to be replaced? I thought Gilliead still looked our greatest threat when he was removed from play! Then again with Nathan, why take off Marriott and replace him with Olly Lee? Was Nathan settling for the point and still haunted by the Stevenage chase for victory that ended in defeat?
Now I very rarely rant about a referee; it’s up to our team to negate any refereeing shortcomings by cracking on to win the game but yesterday I thought the referee was a bit whistle happy; give me Trevor Kettle any day. I felt he was really in error not letting Pelly continue his run down the right after being fouled when he so clearly had the advantage but small margins etc turn games.
A few thoughts on individual performances
Walton: he was never really troubled and looked comfortable and in control all afternoon. What a superb penalty save that was; one that really joins Andy Dibble in the hall of fame for great penalty saves by a Luton goalkeeper.
O'Donnell: I thought he had an overall decent game both in defence and in trying to move the ball down the wing.
Cuthbert: his good season continues; very commanding game, rarely beaten in the air and strong in the tackle: all in all he had a fine game; well maybe apart from the penalty.
Mullins: played well alongside Cuthbert and made one particularly excellent block to kill a shot on goal and picked up an injury in doing so.
Sheehan: did not look that comfortable or indeed confident at left back. He was not bad but maybe I expected a little more. Defensively he was ok and marginally better than Potts going forward.
Rea: decent enough game from Rea in front of the back four and made some telling interceptions but against that there were a few stray passes particularly in the first half.
Gilliead: a really tremendous first 60 minutes when the Notts County defence just had no idea of how to cope with him. He faded a little later in the match but I would still have kept him on the pitch a touch longer.
Cook: sorry, just did not do enough to justify his place in the team for the full 90 minutes. I was warming to Cook a few weeks back but at the moment I don't feel he adds any real creativity to the side. Just to be clear, I am not saying he had a bad game simply that he was so very, very ordinary and just not creative and I am assuming he is in the side to be creative.
McGeehan: I agree that Cameron is still a relatively young developing player with lots to offer but it’s a question of which Cam will turn up, the power house as seen in Stevenage away or the fairly anonymous Cam with the poor first touch who is slow to get the second ball. We could have done with the Stevenage version yesterday but that’s not the Cam that turned up at Nottingham; just simply very ordinary and chasing rather than bossing. Yet, how can you leave him out of the side with that great goals contribution from midfield?
Marriott: fairly decent performance chasing everything that came through to him. Almost gave us the lead in the first half with a shot that went just wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post. Why ever did NJ send Lee on in place of Marriott when we had a chance of going for all three points? Whilst Jack was not ripping the County defence to pieces he was a threat whilst ferocious Olly is hardly a threat; maybe NJ had settled for the point by that time?
Hylton: all the usual chasing and closing down on the defenders; good to have him back in the side.
The Subs/Game Changers:
Pelly: when introduced our creativity index rose by a few points.
Lee: did well enough.
Vassell: not long enough on the pitch to make an impression.
The Teams:
Notts County: Colin, Dickinson, Duffy, Hollis, Forte, Milsom, Laing, Richards, Rodman, Campbell (O'Connor, 57), Collins (Oliver, 57)
Luton: Walton, O'Donnell, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan (Vassell, 90), Hylton, Cook, Marriott (Lee, 75), Gilliead (Mpanzu, 85), Rea, Sheehan.
Unused subs: King, Potts, Smith, Gray
Bookings: County: Duffy, Hollis, Milsom. Luton: Rea & Hylton.
Referee: Michael Salisbury not the best but I am not a referee basher.
Attendance: 6,313 and that included 2,033 travelling Hatters; what a splendid turn out.