Notts Joe 'quietly and surprisingly optimistic about Notts County season ahead'

On the back of three very disappointing campaigns in a row as a Notts County fan, I find myself aligned with new hope and prospect for the new season – however, I must admit I didn’t believe I would be at this stage.

2015-16 was a year the majority of fans will no doubt want to forget and it’s all for the right (or should that be wrong) reasons.

The broken ambition and desire shown really tugged at the heartstrings of many genuine supporters I know, and it was difficult at times to consolidate the raw emotion that was often expressed to me – especially towards the back end of the season.

It really was a bleak disappointing term for the Black & White Army, which I really do not need to remind anyone of.

However, as I write this, I can quite easily cast aside that bitter disappointment in hopes that things may finally improve on and off the field.

Like most, supporting a team that has fought most of their years in the lower tiers of English football – you find yourself clinging to the hopes that the club may actually be a ‘sleeping giant’.

And I renewed my season ticket without a second thought, but I do not question those who have not done this because a football club must appreciate its fans and understand that the money paid in is that of hard work and passion.

It’s not a simple case of not supporting the club, but simply case of value.

I hope this season is different, yet as I wrote earlier, I am excited – I think John Sheridan has put a lot of time in accessing the players in which the club have clearly been tracking and it’s not like Notts to sign the majority of players who have been linked to them.

Michael O’Connor, the most recent signing, is an excellent addition to the squad, along with his former Port Vale teammates Carl Dickinson and Richard Duffy.

I am also happy with the arrival of Adam Collin, who I hope manages to establish himself as our number one goalkeeper.

I don’t think I’m alone in being optimistic, numerous fans have been expressing it – and I hope that the stability we so desperately crave is found this year.

Between now and the start of the new season, I want to see Sheridan establish his best XI – it’s important for me he avoids making the mistake that Ricardo Moniz probably regrets. No doubt we will attempt to mix things up, but our new manager must form the chemistry required.

The squad doesn’t look that far from being finished, unless we see some other players depart but I do still have hopes for a defensive midfielder and a striker – a goal scorer will not grow on trees but it’s vital we sign someone to go up top.

Jon Stead and Izale McLeod for me don’t seem to be the answer, at least together, and I do hope we are consistent with featuring two strikers.

Those who watch European football/the Premier League may disagree but I would say as a minimum in League Two you start all home games with two and only revert to the lone striker against the more difficult opposition.

What’s next for the Magpies? Nobody can be sure, however pre-season isn’t that far away now.

Football is almost upon us again and it’s time for us as fans to unite together and create an atmosphere we can be proud of – what other clubs/people think, it doesn’t matter, but for our own future we must try.

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