Sheffield Utd, pre-season behind closed doors game, Tues 8pm

[Speccy]

Hawkins did well... hes not half as bad as people make out. Quite good at getting a foot in and making a good tackle.. I think being in a back 3 will help him.

He scares the ship out of me. He’s doesn’t look comfortable playing at the back to me. I thought we’d have addressed our central defense as a priority this time round.
I’m not convinced about Harbottle either although most people seem to be singing his praises.
Not knocking anyone, Hawkins is an asset and Harbottle is young and will obviously need a few games to adjust to his surroundings in league 2.

It’s definitely looking like a ‘both teams to score’ type of season. Again.

[bobbystagsfan]

Hawkins did well... hes not half as bad as people make out. Quite good at getting a foot in and making a good tackle.. I think being in a back 3 will help him.

He scares the ship out of me. He’s doesn’t look comfortable playing at the back to me. I thought we’d have addressed our central defense as a priority this time round.
I’m not convinced about Harbottle either although most people seem to be singing his praises.
Not knocking anyone, Hawkins is an asset and Harbottle is young and will obviously need a few games to adjust to his surroundings in league 2.

It’s definitely looking like a ‘both teams to score’ type of season. Again.

I think the defence looked quite good against Rotherham and Sheffield United. It was obvious Hawkins wasn't going to move up front when last season there was opportunity to do so.

Harbottle has looked good so far, although that was one game he looks the part to me.

[lifestags]

Hawkins is banned for the first game ain’t he? And they have that 8ft tall striker too.

[Martin Shaw]

Hawkins is banned for the first game ain’t he? And they have that 8ft tall striker too.

no. I thought he was but it turns out the play-offs are considered a standalone tournament, so he isn't

[broomo]

Are we getting the full match replay or were the streaming issues so bad there's no point?

The full match replay will be available on iFollow Stags but I don't know when Alex will have loaded it.

The streaming issues were on Sheffield United TV. We didn't attempt to stream it.

Second half is available. Don't know when first half will be on.

Thanks (and to Alex as well).

Watched it in the early hours and while United looked decent in posession, it's tough to judge as they and we clearly weren't full throttle.

We did play some lovely stuff though, no matter who was on the pitch or where. We look good.

Gordon put 3 great balls in and looked fit and strong, if he can be even half way to consistent with his crossing he'll be a real asset.

Boateng just oozes class and it's probably him i'm most excited by this season. I really think he'll dominate and I could see us beating a lot of teams comfortably with the midfield we've got.

To think we were missing one of our biggest outlets in Macca as well. Teams will be blown away by our attacking threat and that's with or without the potential new striker coming in.

Get ready for an entertaining, attacking, goals filled season. It's going to be a belter.

[bear 73]

I have been impressed with Gale and Cooper they have not looked out of place, but pre-season friendlys are about fitness and formations and staying injury free.
I feel sorry for Perch Wallace and Hewitt injury will have a impact on their fitness for the new season and they will be playiing catch up.
So far its been a good work out for the lads, and team selection will be harder than last year, but with 5 subs it will suit us.

[maverick34]

I have been impressed with Gale and Cooper they have not looked out of place, but pre-season friendlys are about fitness and formations and staying injury free.
I feel sorry for Perch Wallace and Hewitt injury will have a impact on their fitness for the new season and they will be playing catch up.
So far its been a good work out for the lads, and team selection will be harder than last year, but with 5 subs it will suit us.

And hopefully when back to fitness, the 5 sub rule will help ease the reintroduction of those injured by being able to gradually increase their match minutes over a number of games. In turn this should hopefully prevent said injuries reoccurring.

[tillydog123]

I don’t know much about players and football strategy but not sure why Gale will go out on loan
Should he not start a game in League 2 ??
Anybody advise me Iam confused ??

[Spiritater]

Gale's best option is to try a loan at a top end NL team till Jan. If he smashes 10-12 at that level then :mexicanwave:
If he struggles to make any impact then we will know

[Stag95]

4 goals in 11 games at NL North level shows he’s ready for a loan to the National League for sure.

[Captain Cunno]

Are we getting the full match replay or were the streaming issues so bad there's no point?

The full match replay will be available on iFollow Stags but I don't know when Alex will have loaded it.

The streaming issues were on Sheffield United TV. We didn't attempt to stream it.

Second half is available. Don't know when first half will be on.

Thanks (and to Alex as well).

Watched it in the early hours and while United looked decent in posession, it's tough to judge as they and we clearly weren't full throttle.

We did play some lovely stuff though, no matter who was on the pitch or where. We look good.

Gordon put 3 great balls in and looked fit and strong, if he can be even half way to consistent with his crossing he'll be a real asset.

Boateng just oozes class and it's probably him i'm most excited by this season. I really think he'll dominate and I could see us beating a lot of teams comfortably with the midfield we've got.

To think we were missing one of our biggest outlets in Macca as well. Teams will be blown away by our attacking threat and that's with or without the potential new striker coming in.

Get ready for an entertaining, attacking, goals filled season. It's going to be a belter.

Different from the rest...

[gazza1988]

With us having 5 subs I'd hope Gale would be involved in the first team. Name 18 players on your matchday squad and you can use 16 of them. That's nigh on our first team every game.

I'd rather we keep him here and see how many minutes he gets. National league can loan in at any point (unless they have transfer windows again?) so if by mid October we can evaluate. We might find a team with a striker injury crisis who would be willing to play him.

[cassellswasmagic]

Hawkins did well... hes not half as bad as people make out. Quite good at getting a foot in and making a good tackle.. I think being in a back 3 will help him.

He’s good. If he has 8 good games out of 10, for a league two player it ain’t half bad. Yes he gets turned easily by the quick and nimble players at times, but who doesn’t at any level. In the majority of games last season he played well, he just screwed up in the PO final. I’d rather he was a Stag than face him, and I bet other clubs would have him in a heartbeat!!!

[Sneag]

Seeing County v Forest being played in front of fans tonight makes Notts plod's insistance that this game was played behind closed doors all the more galling.

[Dan]

Sold 11,000 so far.

[Amber Andy]

Seeing County v Forest being played in front of fans tonight makes Notts plod's insistance that this game was played behind closed doors all the more galling.

Smacks of double standards. Maybe they could explain the difference !

[bobbystagsfan]

Probably shouldn't wish this but hope it kicks off after the game and makes the plod look even dafter.

[Dan]

Probably shouldn't wish this but hope it kicks off after the game and makes the plod look even dafter.

It’s definitely going to kick off.

[Dan]

[yorkshire stag]

absolute joke this, same force but allow both Notts teams to play each other

[part time pete]

absolute joke this, same force but allow both Notts teams to play each other

I suspect we could have played if we had paid the police bill. However Meadow Lane is covered by a different SAG group. Ours involves Nottinghamshire County Council led by Ben, whereas Meadow Lane involves Nottingham City Council.

[Rob]

14k at Meadow Lane yet we had to play behind closed doors.

[bobbystagsfan]

Videos of fans fighting stewards too.

[Stag95]

How did they think this would be okay and Sheff United not be? Notts plod are beyond awful.

[Rob]

What was Notts County Councils role too? They are on the SAG and they would have been part of the advice to the Stags, I wonder what they said to the club? I'm guessing we'll never know.