Wembley dream Over after shoot-out
MAGPIES LEAD THREE TIMES BUT ARE SECOND BEST IN DOGFIGHT AFTER INTERVAL AND TROPHY RUN ENDS
NOTTS County’s Wembley dream was crushed by part-time Isthmian Premier League side Hornchurch in the FA Trophy semi-final at Meadow Lane.
The Magpies led three times only to see the visitors hit back and, with the teams locked at 3-3 after 90 minutes, Hornchurch won the penalty shoot-out 5-4.
Jake Reeves saw his spot kick saved by Hornchurch keeper Joseph Wright as the Magpies, playing under new head coach Ian Burchnall for the first time, fell short. Hornchurch will now face Hereford in the Trophy final at Wembley on May 22.
Here, Leigh Curtis looks at the main talking points.
■■Harsh realities exposed
The brutal truth about this Notts squad, and as Ian Burchnall will quickly come to realise if he hasn’t already, is that it is lacking strength in key areas.
There is an argument to be had as to whether the midfield carries enough legs, which Magpies fans have complained about this season. But it’s perhaps a lack of physical power that is the biggest concern.
The centre of Hornchurch’s midfield wasn’t particularly blessed with speed, which was exposed in the first half as Notts took control for large periods.
But when it became more of a dogfight after the interval, too many players were out-fought in 50/50 battles.
Mitch Rose was not particularly admired by some Magpies fans last season but they have missed his physical presence. They do not have any midfielders of his ilk available.
But it’s not just the centre of the pitch where there are issues to resolve.
The forwards, as the club’s record all-time goalscorer Les Bradd mentioned recently, is lacking a proven forward to go alongside Kyle Wootton. Lewis Knight is beavering away in the background but it’s unfair to expect too much from him.
And out wide, apart from Enzio Boldewijn and Callum Roberts, who is injured, there are not really many alternatives. That was underlined when Jimmy Knowles, a striker, was asked to do a job on the left before drifting more centrally.
This all boils down to recruitment and getting the balance of the squad right. While the transfers are decided by a committee under the model at Notts, the squad this season is not as good as it was last year.
This year some fans have said it is the best squad in the National League in terms of quality but it isn’t. It is the best in terms of numbers but that’s it.
If they are to have any hope of
winning promotion this season, needs addressing and fast.
■■Standing still
it
During the second half, there were at least three occasions when Notts attempted to play out from the back through Connell Rawlinson, who looked up waiting for somebody to move.
But what he was greeted with was nine statues that made it very difficult for him to either a) play a pass into the midfield or b) go in behind further up the pitch.
So what he ended up doing was going across to his centre-back who then went to the full-back, who went back to the centre-back.
They have to be given more options because Notts’ midfield and front players were guilty of wanting the ball into feet all the time.
The lack of movement off the ball made it very easy for Hornchurch in the second half and their fitness levels were never really stretched as they should have been.
Unfortunately, there are too many players who want to come short rather than go the other way.
The lack of unselfish running is fine if teams are going to sit off you and let you have the ball. But when faced with a high press, you simply cannot afford to be static.
■■Burchnall’s biggest challenge
The problem facing Burchnall this season is that he does not have a lot of time on the training ground with the players.
He only had 45 minutes with them on Friday but what can be possibly have learned in such a short space of time? And how does he approach the rest of the season?
The schedule is brutal in terms of league fixtures that being able to implement any philosophies is going to take much longer than it ordinarily would.
It wouldn’t happen in two weeks of full training let alone having one day a week at best, which is what the current situation is.
Training sessions before a game are always light so Mondays and Fridays will not be huge sessions when the players will be exerting themselves.
Kyle Wootton (left) is congratulated after opening the scoring.
Days off are usually on a Wednesday so, realistically, the only full day he will get to have with the players is on Thursday.
He’s been plunged into the deep end, not through his own making.
It’s important Magpies fans realise this amid the pressure to get results given Notts are still in the thick of a National League promotion race and there are many still dreaming of a return to the Football League.
But the truth is we won’t see the true Burchnall team until next season after he has had a full summer to work with them.
■■Enzio back in his best position
The first team selected by Burchnall caught the eye as he deployed a 4-2-3-1 formation which has arguably been the best system Notts have used this season.
But perhaps the most intriguing move was to put Enzio Boldewijn back on the left of the attack, which was his position for much of last season.
The Dutchman has produced his best performances for the club from that position. Last season he and Callum Roberts played as inverted wingers.
It brought them a great deal of success as they finished third in the National League last season when they caused absolute chaos for so many full-backs.
Hopefully, it will not be long before Roberts is back in action as he continues to work on his fitness in what has been a campaign blighted by injury.
Having those two cutting in from the flanks, allied with their ability to carry the ball, would add much greater potency to an attack that has struggled for goals.
Ruben Rodrigues (second right) scores Notts County’s second.