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There are some interesting statistics when looking at the previous teams who have won the National League playoffs since they were introduced for the 2002-03 season. Those 21 finals have seen 8 of them go to extra time (and beyond) while only one of them has been won by more than a 2 goal margin. Exeter, Grimsby, Forest Green and Tranmere all won after losing the previous year’s final while Luton followed consecutive losing finals by winning the league! Almost all losing finalists

It's quite serious to think that the club is yet again in another relegation battle. Whether this will be long-winded like prior battles or simply a case of the Magpies finding their feet under John Sheridan remains to be seen, but it's obvious by now that this sorry state of affairs will take years to fix. Whilst an increased amount of fans are becoming hacked off with Sheridan, and a minority standing behind the decision to protest for “fresh change” in the direction that club is being le

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. Who, at some point in their life, hasn't thought about certain aspects of the past and harked back to the "good old days"? Of course, when the present day is considered bleak, it makes delving into yesterday even more common and generates even stronger feelings. Being a supporter of Notts County is very bleak business at the present day, with a sizeable amount of fans disappointed to the point of numbness about the today and worrying about tomorrow. Because

Rotherham United had no game this weekend due to internationals (don't laugh) so I was looking forward to visiting the magnificent Meadow Lane stadium and two in form clubs, namely Notts County and Grimsby Town. Unfortunately due to my internet being down during the day and me making a snap decision to go, I couldn't meet up with Joe, my site buddy (not ignoring you, honest). With more Millers connections than a lego set (Adam Collin, Scott Loach, Rob Milsom, Michael O'Connor and Jonathan F

Haydn Hollis is a name that divides opinion amongst Notts fans. The centre-back is a 6ft3, athletically built product of our youth system, who oozes professionalism and is an all-round nice guy. Ever since breaking into the first team Hollis has shown signs of becoming a great strong solid lower-league centre back but the inconsistency and the bad spells he goes through have split the fan base's opinion of him. He played a great part in the great escape of 2013/14 and for the firs

Notts have made no secret of their ambition to improve on last season’s mid-table finish and push for promotion this season. Finishing in the play-offs seems a very realistic target. However, it’s not going to be easy. Several clubs have similar aims and have recruited well in the hope of securing a place in League 1 come the end of the 2024/25 season. This isn’t a prediction as such but rather an analysis of the teams that have recruited well and will be hoping to push for promotion this coming

(Nearly) 30 years of hurt 4 days, 6 weeks and 29 years ago was the last time Notts County were in the playoffs. Back then the Division 2 playoff promotion spot was won under Neil Warnock. That was the 1990/91 season, over nine years before I was born. Since then only one (arguably anti-climactic) playoff attempt- in the 2017/18 season- was made. It is probably an understatement to say: “The club's results in recent years have not lived up to the high expectations” (Reedtz brothers, 2019). O

I, like many Notts County fans, went to Coventry feeling very optimistic. The majority of supporters whom I spoke to said we they would take a point – something I strongly agreed with. I felt our hopes mainly relied upon our players being eager to start well, or perhaps the Sky Blues underestimating us. For the first 15 minutes I would say we played quite upbeat, however every time Coventry attacked they broke with so much space available to them. Notts seemed jagged and very unco

The performances so far from Notts County during the 2017-18 season haven’t been the ‘most complete’, something which Kevin Nolan has admitted himself. However every fan should give credit to Nolan for where we are, sitting second in the league after 14 games with 9 of those being wins is very impressive. Especially after the turmoil of the last few seasons, there will always be a transitional period, and I do honestly feel bad performances are part and parcel of that. This said I

Despite having to reflect on the Forest Green Rovers game quite early, I wanted to take time to reflect on the game – which like most Notts fans I wasn’t very impressed with. There’s no denying that we have had a great start to the season, and along with Kevin Nolan picking up the League Two Manager of the Month award for September it really does highlight the amazing progress we have made so far. However, it's not been nice seeing us struggle to a side that is at the foot of the table

What a transformation 2017 has been for Notts County. Ever since the arrival of Alan Hardy and Kevin Nolan, things have just been an amazing whirlwind. After last season’s terrible drama, both on and off the pitch, I would have been happy enough for just a mediocre campaign for once. However, this being Notts, things are never going to be dull are they? This said now that we have enjoyed what can only be described as a very successful 2017-18 League Two season so far, I really don

Four games into the 2017/18 League Two season I can honestly say how good it is to be back, with the club in a new direction and the players largely showing that we can move forward as a club – especially after the disappointing opening day defeat against Coventry City. Performances against Scunthorpe United in the League Cup and against Wycombe Wanderers in the league highlight the much-improved atmosphere and work ethic at Notts. With many of the new signings getting to grip with the

The spirit shown by the Notts County squad against Colchester United was very impressive – from the kick off our team looked interested and keen to get a result. Whilst there was still some concern with the defence for me, for the most part we looked the better outfit. I do however have one gripe with Adam Campbell, who simply allowed the game to pass him by. In recent weeks I had been calling for him to be given a chance, and prior to Saturday I felt that he may be suffering from a la

One of the main talking points between Notts County v Lincoln City was the 28th minute incident, where Billy Knott dangerously went in studs showing on Ryan Yates – which earned The Imps player a red card. However, despite the media and Lincoln manager Danny Cowley labelling it as the ‘changing moment’ – I would honestly disagree. The first half wasn’t productive for either sides, the way Lincoln set themselves up cancelled out both teams and the game ended largely even despite them go

January has been the quiet month that I had expected from the club, going into the transfer window I only felt two positions needed reinforcing – however the loss of Ryan Yates did mean that the midfield required some patching up. I am pleased with how Notts have conducted their business so far, bringing in Matty Virtue on loan and Noor Husin on a permanent deal seems good business. Also, the long awaited arrival of Liam Noble appears to add a bit more depth – however we will need to see hi

I realise that the deadline day signings have split fans' opinions, we can debate how good they appear on paper or discuss their careers so far, but the important part is to welcome any new signing into the club and hope that they can help us. Notts have fought hard this season and we have seen such a huge turnaround that even now I find it hard to believe. The club right now is experiencing a fresh start and we now have the right kind of foundations in place. Success on the pitch

With Jon Stead and Shola Ameobi both signing the contract extensions offered to them by Notts County, it dismisses my concerns over who can lead the Magpies front line during the 2017-18 season. The majority of fans I know were quietly confident about both of them signing, but I had my doubts and I thought it would be just one of the two staying put. Yet it is fantastic news that Kevin Nolan has successfully managed to retain them both, they showed us last season what a hard-working du

Winning football games is never the easiest thing to achieve. However, when you do manage to pull it off, it restores a sense of pride, not just within the club and its players but it spreads within the fan community. The momentum it builds can be a very powerful psychological tool, which I believe is a part of why Notts County have managed to assert themselves strongly after the opening day defeat to Coventry City. It’s been a long time since the club has felt like it’s moving in the

Yesterday whilst appearing as a guest on BBC Nottingham’s Match Talk, I was asked the question by David Jackson - "is it time to believe in promotion yet?" It’s a question which I have asked fans myself, and it's one which the majority seem unsure how to answer. Myself, I always remain optimistic about any season, especially as the table is still taking shape - but the 2017-18 season does seem special. I also recall a discussion that was started by PON member Liampie which asked “

Prior to this past Tuesday’s game against Carlisle United at Meadow Lane, Kevin Nolan spoke about how there was ‘no mini crisis' happening at Meadow Lane. At a glance, it does seem that the two home game defeats against Crawley Town and Exeter City could be labelled down to a mistake in switching from a successful formation, whereby the tactics truly did work well with our system. However, the post-match interview did leave some questions when Nolan himself ranted about ‘the players do

This story has really refused to go away ever since Notts County were first linked with Liam Noble back in the pre-season – yet the club has taken it a step further by officially signing him on a free transfer after he was released by Forest Green Rovers earlier in the week. Friends had been telling me how Noble’s re-signing could be a beneficial thing for us, usually followed by the ‘especially if Jorge Grant goes back to Nottingham Forest in January’. However, for me this is a mere a

So, Notts County have been drawn away to Brentford in the third round of the FA Cup. Whilst the draw might not be all that glamourous for either side, both teams must surely be fancying their chances in progressing to the fourth round. Personally I think the tie is quite ideal for that reason, and I would hope that we can forge some sort of run that might perhaps see us replicate what Jon Stead did at Bradford City and of course Terry Hawkridge at Lincoln City. It perhaps would ha