Ironically I might have a bit more perspective on this having watched you on Saturday v Oldham too (I was in Whitby for the new year and keen to see a game). I would agree that the 3-0 scoreline flattered us somewhat although the three goals were all quality finishes. I think when criticising your own teams efforts you have to look and see the recent results for Notts too (won 5 out of the last 6 and improving rapidly much like yourselves). Overall I felt it was a game where two organised teams cancelled each other out for a large part of it, lots of half chances but no glaring misses or big saves by the keepers. The differnece today were the three moves that created the goals and the fact that even without our leading scorer we had far more of a cutting edge. I appreciate that Collins was a big loss for you but Hughes would have torn today's back four apart.

Overall despite the adverse scoreline you looked a well organised side much as you had done vs Oldham. I do think you are short of final third penetration and today only most threatening from the fat lads long throws. It was strange that you looked more dangerous on the break at home rather than away as evidenced by the two second half goals on Saturday. I am sure you will continue to compete with every team in the division but without an obvious goalscorer may welll struggle to convert midfield possession into goals and hence there may be more draws than wins. Wadsworth is clearly doing a fine job with limited cash.

has nobody given matlockpie the traditional welcome
welcome to the board

its nice to get an objective view without the occasional shite that accompanies it.

mind whitby for new year when you presumably live in matlock ?
i have had some good memories of matlock and gullivers kingdom when the kids were younger we liked riber castle and the lynx collection (not the smelly for the thicko's)

The other issues raised were the ref and your support. Ref first, I have reffed at contrib level (conference north lines) so feel slightly more objective towards officials on the whole. I know it is oft quoted that things even themselves out but I think it is fair to say Saturday and today have evened themselves out for you. Saturday I felt it was a slightly fortuitous penalty (seen them given, seen them not) and an element of offside in the second goal. Today the shout for handball is again one I have seen given or not. From my view (I was in the main stand opposite you) I thought the ball hit Harley rather than any intentional handball (hence no penalty) but I would have been yelling for it if the roles were reversed.

First goal I thought Westcarr was fouled before he fouled your player so yes it could have been brought back but the ref was clearly trying to let the game flow other than pulling up Humphries for being offside over and over again. (its when the ball is played Richie!!) Overall I felt he at least kept the game going without too many stupid bookings.

Support wise decent numbers(more than we will take in Jan). Not the loudest (Gateshead made a racket as did Swindon in an offensive way and Tranmere all with similar numbers) but you seemed to stay with the team. Cant understand however why the loudest rendition of two little boys was reserved for the bar underneath the stand at half time on Saturday.......... May well see you on the 25th, good luck for the rest of the season then apart.

thanks for the traditional welcome....... lol.

Whitby for the sea air, good restuarants and a change (we go every year) and yes we do live in Matlock so even a home game is a 70 mile round trip.

Oldham didn't complain about the pen on Saturday, most of their supporters agreed it was a pen. I think you are getting slightly confused about our pen shout. We could have got one earlier the ball to hand one you mention, but we should have also have a blatant one when McSweeney got to the byeline and your lad whilst on the floor pawed the ball!! An absolute stonewall penalty.

It was a strange game, quite a poor one quality wise (apart from three good goals) but at 1-0 only one team looked like scoring and you looked very nervy, yet you went on to win 3-0.

To be fair, Notts took their goals very very well.

PJ, I can only remember one which was the second one you refer to i.e. the one the ground one which I was nearer to than you and as I said I have seen them given and not. To be honest pretty boy Harley was probably trying to keep the ball out of his hair rather than stop a goal scoring opportunity.

Matlockpie.....who was the character stood outside the pub with the table of souvenirs? ....looked like he should've been in This is England.

wasn't at meadow lane on monday but I didn't think it was a pen on saturday in real time or with the benefit of the replay but hey, shit happens

Hey Chess I was there Saturday (mill house just behind your brother) and I thought it was a stonewall pen. Just shows it depends where in the ground you are.