Notts County's 3-0 victory over Maidenhead United topped off a near-perfect opening day to the 2022/23 season, with there being plenty to ponder for Luke Williams.
Macaulay Langstaff's brace in the first half set County on their way to all three points, before Joel Taylor's early contender for goal of the season made sure of the victory against a poor Maidenhead side.
The victory means the Magpies are second in the National League table, behind Solihull Moors on goal difference. With Williams revealing his ideas for his County side with a 5-2-3 formation, NottinghamshireLive took a look at five things learnt from Saturday's victory.
Read more: Notts County player ratings vs Maidenhead United as Langstaff, Austin and Taylor impress
Read more: Williams sends Langstaff message after 'perfect' Notts County debut
Wing back
One of the key reasons County were so dominant on Saturday was the width created by the wing-backs Taylor and Adam Chicksen. Both stayed consistently tight to their given touchlines and very rarely cut inside - the one time Taylor did, he smacked one into the top corner from 25 yards out.
The was a tale of two halves with Chicksen enjoying a better first half and vice versa with Taylor in the second half. Their positioning left Maidenhead uncertain whether to go and press, risking allowing space for Sam Austin and Rodrigues, or let the wing-backs tremble forward.
If the midfield pair remain as strong as they were in the afternoon, the tactical instruction to use width as a decoy for the talented trio in attack could be a secret weapon by Notts this season.
Finding the balance in play
One element of County’s game that was clearly discomforting for the watching 6,000 was the lack of urgency in playing through the phases of play. Often, the back three spent minutes passing between themselves to create space.
However, with Maidenhead’s poor pressing, there was no requirement to pump the ball forward and the ball remained in safe possession, causing discontent within the supporters.
After the game, Williams discussed the thinking behind the low tempo of his side's play, urging his players to make smarter decisions when on the ball. He said: "The alternative [from the errors made from playing out from the back] is to just kick everything. The players need to understand that you can't kick every ball forward because when we made opportunities to score, we played correctly, we made the correct pass at the right time with good detail and we were able to go into the box with quality.
"You can also not make too many mistakes when you're trying to build up so the players have to know that.
"We have to have a threat to be able to kick the ball longer, but I thought the balance was off. There were more times when we could take the ball and play through midfield and not result in playing the ball long at the wrong moment. We chose, sometimes, the wrong one a few times when we missed big passes to break the lines to the final third. We need to be better."
Eye-catching debut
Despite Langstaff rightly receiving NottinghamshireLive’s highest rating, fellow debutant Austin was certainly one of the most eye-catching performers for a number of reasons.
He started the contest out wide, but very quickly drifted inwards and was often picked up positions in the centre of the pitch to produce an overload that Maidenhead just failed to deal with.
A good dribbler, eye for a pass and has the prowess to attempt shots on target, Austin has County fans off their chairs many times on his debut and Williams praised the forward.
He said: "He can hit the target if he's sharper with the first touch and is alive more. But he takes up great positions, he had plenty of shots on goal, but he needs to be crisper and cleaner. His work rate is no problem at all, a couple of times he's keen and he over-shoots the press.
Defensive solidarity
It’s hard not to talk about the new recruits after an opening day victory as emphatic as County’s. A clean sheet on his debut, Baldwin was one of the most assured men in black and white at Meadow Lane.
In the centre of a back three alongside Cameron and Brindley, Baldwin’s League One experience told in certain moments and his signing could be one of the most underrated in the league.
But, despite the clean sheet and ideal debut, Williams wants more from the Bristol City man. He said: "With Aden, there was one or two opportunities missed in the build-up. One of two times in the wrong position, but he's so quick and athletic that he recovered."
Bajrami versatility
Summer arrival from Kidderminster Harriers, Bajrami is naturally a centre-back but was deployed to replace Ed Francis as the anchor in Williams' midfield. His main role, credit the game was done and dusted, was to sit in front of the back three and provide a easy passing option from deep to gradually push the ball further up field.
Francis had such a brilliant game, Bajrami surprisingly slotted into the position with ease. Did find himself floating in the back three to make a back four, the former Birmingham City man patrolled the half way line like it was his own and showcased his passing range with various pass types.
With Saturday's back three putting in a solid display on the opening day, Bajrami may struggle to break into the defence in the near future, but could he be used as a holding midfielder in the coming games?
READ NEXT:
Luke Williams gives Notts County transfer update and reveals what he expects from Maidenhead
Luke Williams identifies key Notts County advantage ahead of National League opener
The former Notts County 'keeper that helped Lionesses to European Championship glory
Sam Slocombe on Luke Wiliams' 'demands' for Notts County ahead of National League opener
Mark Stallard gives Notts County season prediction ahead of Maidenhead United opener
