I'm not sure the squad is made up of 'very average players'. Some have done well, others haven't and some haven't been given a chance yet. Some also aren't fit. And some are clearly taking time to understand what NC wants from them. At least you can see what we're trying to do on the pitch this season even if it's far from clicked yet. Compare it to last season's model - if it wasn't Feeney crossing to Armand we had nothing. Think we need to give it time to see if it clicks, and as long as NC keeps picking up the points he'll get that time.
I do think the strength in depth may benefit us as the season progresses and the games come thick and fast - particularly if games get postponed along the way. I think Oxford have had 3 league games postponed already? It'll be interesting to see if they have enough bodies to cope. I know that league leaders Lincoln have a small squad too, and a lot of their fans are delighted they've put early points on the board as they worry about how effective they'll be when they're having to play 2-3 games a week, week in and week out.
I will say though that not every signing of a younger player will work out, and that's why I've said from day one you need a blend of experience in there. It was pleasing to see NC refer to that when we signed Garbutt and Dougall. That said, we do have an average squad age higher than several clubs in the division so experience clearly isn't everything.
Finally, a good reference to Bowyer. You're right, he was dull (although actually a really interesting bloke away from any cameras etc). The one thing he did have really going for him was his relationships with his players, and NC appears to have the same so fingers crossed for similar outcomes.
Like I said the other day (and again, seemed to get shouted down), in our L2 promotion season under Bowyer we were as low as 15th after 33 games. In fact, we spent just nine games of the 46 in the top 7th and after 8 games were 16th with only two wins. All that gets forgotten because he took us up.
There'll be times when we go on shit runs (as we've already seen). Hopefully they'll be times when we go on good runs too. Saturday was a start - let's make sure we follow it up tomorrow night.
Again, apologies that's longer than I wanted it to be.
I agree with most of that. Saturdays shite performance has been forgotten because we won. Don't buy into these stats though.