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Notts County’s Pre-Season: A Recap of the Squad’s Progress

The pre-season is a crucial time for any football team, and for Notts County, it was no different. With a line-up of challenging games against teams like Stoke City and Nottingham Forest, manager Luke Williams had his work cut out for him. But with each game, he gained valuable insights into his squad and their capabilities.
One of the key takeaways from the pre-season was how well new recruits Dan Crowley and David McGoldrick fit into Williams' system. The squad showed their adaptability by playing in different positions, and McGoldrick's advanced role proved to be a real threat on goal. Williams also experimented with different formations, switching between a 3-4-2-1 and a 4-2-3-1/5-2-2-1 hybrid to see how the squad would adapt. These tactical changes proved effective, particularly against Nottingham Forest, where the strengthened defence reduced mistakes and allowed Notts to build from the back.
After the game against Nuneaton Borough, Williams praised the performance of his young players: "When you are a young guy, and you come in, and you’re on the same pitch with a guy who was a top goalscorer last season, there is pressure and some nerves there, but they handled that brilliantly." He also noted that he didn't want to "completely rip up everything that we did last season" but that there would be "some changes during pre-season for us to look at different options."
The results and performance may not have been the most important thing, but the assessment of each game allowed Williams to better understand his squad. Each game presented its own challenges, from handling a dominant Stoke City to embedding youngsters into the squad. But with each test, Notts adapted well and showed some good performances. Standout moments included the establishing link between John Bostock, Matt Palmer, David McGoldrick, Macaulay Langstaff, and Cedwyn Scott working well with Jodi Jones.
After the game against Stoke City, Williams commented on the team's defensive performance: "I'm looking for the mental strength and concentration and the defensive duties to be on display." He also noted that it was a "brilliant test" for Notts.

The pre-season games also helped build team chemistry and cohesion. The focus on training and match preparations, as well as post-game drills, assisted with team bonding. Williams played a crucial role in overseeing tactical decisions and supporting players who may have struggled, including youngsters like Madou Cisse and Luther Munakandafa who impressed with their performances.
After the game against Nottingham Forest, Williams said: "I thought they equipped themselves really well, the guys, looked like the same team in a very different formation." He also noted that some players were still "getting up to speed with the work and conditioning required for the team's style of play."
The pre-season games helped prepare the team for the upcoming season by showing them where they were at and how they could cope with different situations. The focus remained on playing swift, flowing attacking football. And with an established squad where the core of players has been around each other for a decent amount of time, things look promising for Notts County going into the season.
 

There are high hopes for the club to challenge for promotion, with the benefits of having depth throughout the squad and new recruits fitting in instantly. The loan signing of Ollie Tipton has strengthened the defence, and with the midfield playing a more crucial role in supporting them, things should naturally improve over time. If Notts can maintain an undefeated run within the first five games and reach between 11–13 points, it would be a decent start to the League Two season.
The pre-season has given Notts County manager Luke Williams a good amount of insight into his squad and their capabilities. With each game presenting its own challenges and opportunities for growth, things look promising for Notts County going into the season.
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Mixed Feelings for Notts County Manager Luke Williams After Pre-Season Friendly

Luke Williams, the manager of Notts County, shared his thoughts after his team played their last pre-season friendly at Shrewsbury Town in a 1-1 draw.
Williams described the game as mixed, with both good and bad moments. He mentioned that the team struggled to get to grips with the pitch, which was dry and had long grass. 
This made it difficult for them to build up their play. “It was a mixed game,” Williams said. “We struggled to get to grips with the pitch, which was dry and had long grass. This is normal because it’s more sensible to protect the pitch for the long season. But it was a slow pitch, which made it difficult to build up.”
Despite these challenges, Williams was happy that his team managed to control periods of the game. However, he acknowledged that they were not at the level they needed to be yet. He stated that they cannot expect to play like that and make that many mistakes in the build-up and still be a league two team. 
With the amount of possession that they had, they needed more good chances. “I’m happy that we managed to control periods of the game,” Williams said. “But we’re certainly not at that level yet. We cannot expect to play like that and make that many mistakes in the build-up and be a league two team.”
Williams also praised David McGoldrick, describing him as an outstanding player who is exciting to watch. He mentioned how McGoldrick runs around so much for the team and works so hard, putting his body on the line. Williams expressed his gratitude for having such a player on his team. 
“David McGoldrick is an outstanding player and so exciting to watch,” Williams said. “He runs around so much for the team and works so hard, putting his body on the line. When you have that combination, you have to be so grateful for that today.”
Williams seemed content with his team’s performance but acknowledged that there is still room for improvement. He mentioned that they have one more week of conditioning in a more natural way as they gear up towards a league game. He expressed confidence in his team’s ability to represent themselves and the club well in League two.
In discussing his team’s preparation for the upcoming season in League two, Williams emphasised the importance of hard work and continuous improvement. He stressed the need for his players to remain focused and disciplined both on and off the field
“Now we’ve finished our match preparations, our preseason friendly preparation,” Williams said. “We have one more week of conditioning in a more natural way that we were gearing up towards a league game. So we’re OK, we’re happy enough.”
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Notts County Ready to Represent with Pride in League Two

Luke Williams, the manager of Notts County, shared his thoughts on the team's preparations for the upcoming season after their last pre-season friendly at Shrewsbury Town in a 1-1 draw. 
He mentioned that they have one more week of conditioning in a more natural way as they gear up towards a league game. "We have one more week of conditioning in a more natural way that we were gearing up towards a league game," Williams said. "So we're OK, we're happy enough."
Some challenges faced by the team during their preparations were also discussed by Williams. One of his players had a fatigue injury, but it was not too concerning. Another player, Will Randall, was picking up the same fatigue injury repeatedly, so they were going to examine that a bit more to make sure there wasn't a bigger problem. 
"We think he has a fatigue injury, so it's not too concerning," Williams said. "Will Randall is picking up the same fatigue injury repeatedly, so now we're just going to try to examine that a bit more to make sure there's not a bigger problem."
Williams also talked about some of the players who were making progress in their training. Junior Morias had just begun full training and was doing everything well. 
Ollie Tipton had missed out on the last game because he had to play for Wolves against Manchester City, but Williams was pleased with his progress and was planning to give him plenty of repetitions in training. "Junior Morias is now in full training, so he's just begun full training," Williams said. "He's done everything so well. Ollie Tipton missed out on this one, but we're pleased. Now he's done and we can try to give him plenty of repetitions in training."
Confidence was expressed by the Notts County manager, Luke Williams, in his team's preparations for the upcoming season. He mentioned that they were going to start tapering down the volume of work that they do on their feet on the training pitch so that they could be fresh for a match. 
He expressed confidence in his team's ability to represent themselves and the club well in League two. "We will start to now taper down the volume of work that we do on our feet on the training pitch so that we can be fresh for a match," Williams said. "We know it's going to be tough, but we need to represent ourselves and the club very well."
In addition to discussing his team's preparations for the upcoming season, Williams also shared some insights into his coaching philosophy and approach. He emphasized the importance of building strong relationships with his players and creating an environment where they feel supported and motivated to perform at their best. He also talked about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and staying focused on achieving their goals as a team.
It seems that Williams and his team are well-prepared for the challenges ahead and are ready to represent themselves and Notts County with pride and determination in League two.
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Notts County strengthens defence with loan signing of Ollie Tipton from Wolves

Notts County has announced the completion of a season-long loan signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Ollie Tipton. The 19-year-old player recently spent time on trial with Notts County, with the aim of securing a loan move. This morning, the club confirmed that the loan move had been completed.
Ollie Tipton is a promising young defender who will bring his skills and talent to the Magpies for the upcoming season. In a recent interview, Tipton expressed his excitement about joining Notts County, saying "From what I've seen, it's a really good club. It looks like the club is going on to something special and I couldn't wait to be a part of it."
The club and its fans are excited to welcome him to the team and look forward to seeing him in action on the pitch. This loan move is a great opportunity for Ollie to gain valuable experience and develop his abilities, while also helping Notts County achieve their goals for the season.
A statement released by the Notts County board of directors reads: "We’re really pleased to add Ollie to our ranks for the duration of the campaign, and would like to thank Wolves for entrusting us with his development. We were keen to add another defensive option to the squad and Ollie has all the qualities we look for in that area. While we see him primarily as a central defender, his ability in possession means he’s also capable of playing as a defensive midfielder. His versatility could prove crucial over the course of a long campaign, and we look forward to seeing how he progresses in his time with us."
This is his first loan move away from Wolves, where he first joined their academy at the age of 11. Tipton established himself as a leader within the Wolves academy, captaining both their Under 18s and Under 21s sides. In recognition of his talent and potential, he was rewarded with a contract running until 2025.
Ollie Tipton made his senior debut for Wolves against Crewe in the 2021-22 EFL Trophy. He continued to gain experience in the same competition last season, helping his side progress through the group stage before being narrowly defeated by Manchester United on penalties.
The loan move to Notts County presents an exciting opportunity for Tipton to further develop his skills and gain valuable experience at a senior level. Speaking about his role in the team, Tipton said "I'm a defender and I like to think I can play all across the back three. I'm comfortable on the ball and like to start attacks. On the defensive side, I think I'm quick and athletic. Hopefully, I can bring that into the team." He also expressed his ambition for the season, saying "As I said, I think this club is onto something special and promotion has definitely got to be up there. I really want to be a part of it."
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Notts County’s David McGoldrick on Hard Work, Fitness, and the Upcoming Season

Notts County striker David McGoldrick is looking forward to the upcoming season and is still learning from his coach. After Notts County’s pre-season win over Alfreton Town, McGoldrick spoke about how he is trying to contribute to the team with his passing ability and is excited about the club’s return to the English Football League after four years out of the league.
McGoldrick also emphasized the importance of hard work and fitness for footballers, saying that being fit makes players better and that young players can learn from more experienced players who look after themselves. He mentioned that his body feels good after a tough preseason and that he really enjoyed it.
The striker also expressed his excitement for the upcoming season, saying that it’s a huge moment for the club, being back in the EFL after four years out of the league. The first game will be special and everyone’s looking forward to it. As a Notts man, McGoldrick is really looking forward to it. McGoldrick’s enthusiasm and dedication to his team are sure to be an asset as they prepare for their return to the EFL.
In an interview after Notts County's pre-season win over Alfreton Town, David McGoldrick spoke about learning from his coach and looking forward to the upcoming season. "I'm still learning," he said. "Every day in training, I'm learning off the coach. He's probably one of the best tactically and the way he sets his team up. I've come at the age of 35, and I'm really enjoying learning from him every day."
McGoldrick also spoke about how he is trying to contribute to the team. "I feel I can bring passes and things like that to the team," he said. "It's good when it goes through, and then he has the vision to slot it through. And you know, he does what he does."
The striker also expressed his excitement for the upcoming season. "I can't wait," he said. "It's a huge moment for the club, being back in the EFL after four years out of the league. The first game will be special and everyone's looking forward to it. As a Notts man, I'm really looking forward to it."
He also talked about how hard work is important for footballers. "Body feels good," he said. "It's been a tough preseason, but I really enjoyed it. If you're a footballer, and you don't enjoy hard work, then you're in the wrong game, so it's good." He added that being fit is important for players: "The more fitter you are, the better you're going to be as a player. I'm trying to tell the young lads that and I think they'll learn from how the more experienced players look after themselves."
David McGoldrick is looking forward to the upcoming season with Notts County and is still learning from his coach. He is eager to make a valuable contribution to the team by showcasing his exceptional passing skills. Furthermore, he is thrilled about the club's triumphant return to the English Football League after a four-year hiatus. McGoldrick highlighted the utmost significance of dedication and physical fitness for football players. He emphasised the importance of maintaining a high level of fitness. Not only does it improve a player's performance, but it also provides invaluable lessons for young players. By observing and imitating the self-care habits of experienced players, they can learn valuable skills.
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Super Ram’s Journey: A Lifelong Fan of Derby County FC and his Affection for Notts County

Barry Buckley, also known as Super Ram on the Pride of Nottingham site, has been a lifelong fan of Derby County Football Club.
Growing up in Alfreton, Derbyshire, Barry’s earliest memories of football date back to when he was just three or four years old. He has fond memories of listening to the football results on the BBC Light Programme’s ‘Sports Report’ with his father. His dad’s Littlewoods Football Pools coupon would also be checked. “I was fascinated by the names of some of the teams being mentioned and my dad’s reactions,” Barry says.
Barry’s love for Derby County was nurtured by his dad’s youngest brother, Stan, who was about six years older than him and like a big brother. Stan was obsessed with Rams and would always tell Barry about the history of Derby and its players. “He got me to learn Derby’s FA Cup-winning team by heart, and the nicknames, team colours and grounds of other teams,” Barry remembers.
Barry’s first experience watching Derby play live came when he was just a young boy. While visiting his grandparents one Saturday in March 1956, Barry had a fun-filled morning with his cousin Tony. It was during this playful time that Tony's father, Uncle George, proposed a thrilling idea. He proposed taking both Tony and Barry to watch Derby County, but only if Barry’s grandmother granted permission. Although Derby lost and were subsequently condemned to another season in League Division 3 North, from then on, Barry was hooked.
Stan took Barry to his inaugural away game in October 1957. This was a League 2 visit to Meadow Lane and a 1-0 win for Notts County.
He continued to follow Derby County throughout his life, even when he started working in Nottingham and his manager was a Notts fan. His name was Albert Bramley or ‘Bram’. “We talked about our matches and football generally,” Barry says. “Bram told me a lot about Notts history. He was very proud of the fact that Notts are the oldest football league club and of Tommy Lawton.” This was at a time when Derby were a comfortable League 2 side but Notts were languishing perilously close to the bottom of the 4th division.
In the 4th division, teams were not subject to automatic relegation, but those at the bottom had to undergo a re-election process in order to retain their league status. Bram's genuine concern stemmed from the prestigious history of Notts in the league, fearing that they would be penalized as a warning and denied re-election to the 4th division. Happily, Notts recovered enough to escape this ignominy.
“There were quite a few Forest fans at work and some were condescending towards Notts. One red fan used to make a point of gloating a bit and asking how ‘the all-stars’ (referring to Notts) had played.”
Things were now about to change dramatically for both clubs’ fortunes, thanks to certain persons by the name of Brian Clough and Jimmy Sirrel. In the late sixties, both Derby and Notts would go on to more enjoyable seasons.
Barry never lost his love for Derby County. He met his wife Grannypie at work; her dad was a Notts fan, and they would exchange friendly banter and stories.
Barry continued to follow Derby County throughout the years, even when he got married in 1981 and bought a house with Grannypie in 1991. However, due to work and then looking after Grannypie, he hasn’t been able to attend as many games over the last couple of decades.

One Notts game that stands out in Barry’s memory is a Friday night match against Bury on 22nd February 2013. “It was a very cold night; the first half was boring with no atmosphere; I wished I’d stayed home warm,” Barry recalls. “Bury scored; and at half-time Notts were losing 1-0. The second half was completely different; Notts woke up and scored; the atmosphere picked up; by the end of the game Notts had made it 4-1 and Meadow Lane was rocking. It reminded me of times at Derby’s old Baseball Ground.”
“Over the years I’ve seen The Rams crowned as champions of England twice and enjoyed some great European encounters such as Rams’ 4-0 victory against Real Madrid and being 3-0 up in 20 minutes against Benfica with Eusebio playing for them. I’ve been to that place across the Trent River where we lost 5-2 but thanks to Rams TV I’ve also seen Derby thrash that same unmentionable team 5-0. I remember The Rams surviving a winding-up order in the 1980s when they were hours away from extinction and going into administration more recently while again avoiding obliteration. I’ve shared both ups and downs with Notts too, especially during their last few seasons when they came close to destruction and the heart-stopping playoff games and eventual promotion. And don’t forget Munto. Have two teams ever given their fans so much anxiety?”
Despite being a lifelong fan of Derby County, Barry has always kept an eye on Notts due to family and work connections. “Obviously I don’t like losing to any team but at least the blow was softened if it’s Notts,” he says. “No animosity at all.”
Barry Buckley’s love for Derby County Football Club has spanned decades and shows no signs of fading. As Super Ram on the Pride of Nottingham site, he continues to share his passion for the Rams with fellow fans.
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David McGoldrick Scores in Notts County Pre-Season Win Over Alfreton Town

David McGoldrick, the 35-year-old striker, scored in Notts County's pre-season 5-0 win over Alfreton Town. McGoldrick, who has had a successful career playing for various clubs, demonstrated his experience and skill on the field as he helped lead his team to victory.
McGoldrick's goal was a standout moment of the match, highlighting his ability to find the back of the net even under pressure. His positive attitude and determination are sure to be valuable assets to Notts County as they prepare for the upcoming season. With McGoldrick on their side, the Magpies are poised to be a formidable opponent on the field.
In addition to his impressive performance on the field, McGoldrick brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team. At 35 years old, he has played for various clubs and has a deep understanding of the game. His presence on the team is sure to be beneficial, both on and off the field, as Notts County prepares for the upcoming season. With McGoldrick's experience and skill, the team is well-positioned to be a strong contender in their matches.
In a post-match interview conducted by Notts County, McGoldrick expressed his satisfaction with finally getting a goal. "Good to finally get one," he said. "I hit the bar a few times and had a few chances that just went wide. So yes, good to finally see one go in."
McGoldrick also spoke about his confidence in his ability to score goals. "I never panic," he said. "I know the goals will come. You just got to keep getting in there. We've been scoring in some of the games, and I'm never worried about not scoring in a few games. I believe in my own quality that I'll get the chances and I believe in the way the team plays that it suits me perfectly."
He also described the goal he scored during the match. "Jim [O'Brien] came inside a little tuff with the ball, got away from it, and then it just opened up, and I hit it, and it couldn't hit any sweeter," he said. "As soon as I hit it, I knew it was in. But yeah, good to see it hit the back of the net."
Notts County still has one more pre-season game against Shrewsbury Town before the season officially starts. This will be another opportunity for McGoldrick and his team to showcase their skills and prepare for the upcoming season. The fans are eagerly anticipating the match and are excited to see what their team can achieve.
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The Winning Formula: Luke Williams Talks Hard Work and Enjoyment

Luke Williams has spoken about the importance of balancing hard work with enjoyment and maintaining a positive atmosphere within the group. He mentioned a petition for Tobi to do every post-match interview, highlighting the fun and camaraderie within the team. Williams also joked about having to charge Tobi up on the bus to an away game.
Looking ahead at their next couple of fixtures, Williams said they will likely resemble teams preparing for their first league game. He also mentioned that their opponents are likely to put more senior players or first-team regulars on the pitch, which might give them some insight into their strategy. As they focus on themselves and their preparation for upcoming fixtures, it will be interesting to see how this approach plays out on the pitch.
The importance of having fun and maintaining a happy camp was emphasized by Williams. He believes that working hard is the most important thing, but there is always time for some fun. With this mindset, the team is sure to bring their best to the field in their upcoming games.
BBC Radio Nottingham’s Dave Bracegirdle interviewed Luke Williams, who spoke about the importance of having fun and maintaining a happy camp. “Yeah I think I want us to work very hard, that’s the most important thing first, then there’s always time for some fun,” he said. “And I think you don’t have to look any further than Tobi to know there is a happy camp, everybody can laugh, he’s incredible.”
Williams also mentioned the petition going around for Tobi to do every single post-match interview. “And I know there’s been a petition going around for him to do every single post-match interview, but yeah, it’s brilliant to have a group with a lot of fun and most importantly they work hard for each other,” he said.
When asked if Tobi is always full of life, Williams joked that they have to charge him up on the bus to an away game. “Constantly, constantly like that, we normally have to charge him up on the bus on the way to the game, plug him in, then he’s ready and full of life when we arrive so, he’s just a top guy, and he has that personality everyone is drawn to, and we have to have that in the group as well as much as we want to work hard and be intense we still have to have fun as well,” he said.
Looking ahead at their next couple of fixtures, Williams said they will likely resemble teams preparing for their first league game. “I imagine the next couple of fixtures will look more like teams preparing for their first league game, so maybe we can read more into it but at the moment we’re not really looking at pre-season friendlies from the opposition. We’re concentrating on ourselves. Yeah, like I say I think the last two friendlies will probably more likely see what resembles a starting line-up,” he said.
Williams also mentioned that their opponents are likely to put more senior players or first-team regulars on the pitch, which might give them some insight into what they’re going to do. “Yeah and for our opponents as well, you know if we look at our opponents most likely they’re gonna put more senior players or more first team regular players on the pitch and that might give us some insight into what they’re gonna do,” he said.
The importance of balancing hard work with enjoyment and maintaining a positive atmosphere within the group was emphasized by Williams. As they focus on themselves and their preparation for upcoming fixtures, it will be interesting to see how this approach plays out on the pitch.
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Notts County’s dominant performance rewarded with victory over Boston United

Notts County emerged victorious in their pre-season friendly against Boston United, with a final score of 1-0. Cedwyn Scott, the forward, netted the winning goal by converting a cross from Jim O’Brien in the second half. This dominant performance was rewarded with a win.
The first half of the match was relatively subdued, with the audience of 1,042 spectators waiting until the 23rd minute for the first significant chance. Cameron Gregory thwarted Aaron Nemane's initial attempt, denying him at the near post.
As the match continued, Luke Williams made several substitutions to provide playing time to as many players as possible. Macaulay Langstaff was among those introduced and had an opportunity to score a second goal when he was expertly assisted by Aidan Stone. However, he failed to get past Gregory and the final chance of the game slipped away. 
After the match, Luke Williams spoke to Dave Bracegirdle of BBC Radio Nottingham about the game and how it was a good workout for both teams. "Nonetheless, yeah, it was a good workout for us, and I’m sure for them as well. And everything kind of went according to plan, so it was a good day in our preparation," he said.
Williams also discussed the rotation of players during the game, saying that it was important to give everyone the correct minutes to ensure that the whole group is at the same level. "No because I think at this stage we have to try to rotate the players around in a logical way to give them the correct minutes so that we have the whole group at the same level. And so not too much to read into that. But I was happy with every player, really," he said.
When asked about the opposition's defensive discipline, Williams praised their display and said that Notts County faced similar challenges last season. "No, and I think when the opposition are going to be so defensively disciplined, and I thought it was a very good display, and we did face that once or twice last season. The outcome has to be in a worst-case scenario has to be nil-nil when the opposition are nowhere near the goal. So if you make a break for a breakthrough, sorry when you’re playing against such a tough defence then you have to not concede," he said.
Williams also talked about how the opposition will have a plan to try and frustrate Notts County and force them into making errors. "Of course and this is something that we talk about inside the group that the opposition will have a plan to try to frustrate us and to try to force us into making an error so that they can capitalise on our frustration or lack of concentration. And that’s a tough thing to tough style to play against very tough. And we done everything correct today and that’s why I’m really pleased because it was obviously a physical workout because at this time of year we have to have that. But also it became very taxing mentally to keep doing the same things over and over and not get frustrated or fall into a trap," he said.
Despite facing a tough defence, Notts County kept knocking on the door throughout the game. Williams praised his strikers for their ability to put the ball in the back of the net when given the opportunity. "Yeah and as you said we were knocking on the door pretty much the entire game, and you have to keep being in the right position. You have to keep trying to make the right actions to deliver the ball across the box. And then of course we’re lucky because we have great strikers at the club that if they do make the correct action they put the ball in the back of net, and you know that’s the most valuable thing they can do for him," he said.
Looking ahead, Williams is glad that there is still time for his team to work and prepare for the upcoming season. "No I’m glad we’ve still got some time, and we can still work, and we can make sure that players have been pushed as hard as they possibly can be pushed without breaking. And that way they should be in perfect condition for season," he said.
It was a successful day for Notts County as they continue their preparations for the upcoming season. With a solid performance and a win under their belt, the team can look forward to their next challenge with confidence.
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Notts County Manager Luke Williams Discusses Player Injuries and Pre-Season Training

Notts County manager Luke Williams recently spoke about player injuries and pre-season training. He discussed the minor issues that some players had with tightness and how they were removed from training and the friendly match to avoid making their injuries worse. The club is preparing for the start of the new season by avoiding unnecessary complications and injuries.
Williams said that these minor issues are to be expected given the amount of workload at this time of year and that they are not too big of an issue with three friendlies still left to get in before the season starts. He also mentioned that Aden Baldwin is recovering well from his injury but will need a bit longer, while Junior Morias is in a similar situation. Both players have completed the beginning of their rehabilitation inside the gym and on the treatment bed and are now spending more time on the grass.
Pre-season training was also discussed by Williams, who explained that it is focused on conditioning and getting the players to the correct level of fitness to sustain them over a long season. He mentioned that this is the time of year when they get their base fitness and that they also work on their understanding of tactical stuff. The training session on the morning of the game, although not ridiculously hard, still took some energy out of the players’ legs, and they came into the game a bit fatigued from the week and from the morning session, according to Williams.
In an interview with Nick Richardson of the Notts County media team, Notts County manager Luke Williams discussed player injuries and pre-season training. Williams mentioned that some players, such as Tobi and Connell, had minor issues with tightness and were removed from training and the friendly match to avoid making their injuries worse.
"When he [Tobi Adebayo-Rowling] felt some tightness, we said it's not worth risking him to make it a worse injury," Williams said. "So it's a very minor thing, and we expect him to be on the grass again on Friday."
He also mentioned that Aaron Nemane had a similar issue with tightness from repeating the amount of times he hits the ball in training.
"He [Aaron Nemane] felt a tightness," Williams said. "But it's something that we know well with Aaron. We know how his body is and as soon as he feels the beginning of something, we remove him from training and from the friendly."
Williams said that these minor issues are to be expected given the amount of workload at this time of year and that they are not too big of an issue with three friendlies still left to get in before the season starts.
"When guys are picking up some fatigue, really, if we didn't push them really hard this time of year, we're doing something wrong," Williams said. "So we have no problem with these minor things, and we withdraw the players at the right time."
He also mentioned that Aden Baldwin is recovering well from his injury but will need a bit longer, while Junior Morias is in a similar situation. Both players have completed the beginning of their rehabilitation inside the gym and on the treatment bed and are now spending more time on the grass.
"Aden [Baldwin] is recovering really well from his injury, but he's going to need a bit longer," Williams said. "And he's on track and everything is going according to plan. So he's now on the grass running on the training pitch."
Williams also discussed pre-season training, explaining that it is focused on conditioning and getting the players to the correct level of fitness to sustain them over a long season. He mentioned that this is the time of year when they get their base fitness and that they also work on their understanding of tactical stuff.
"This time of year is really very much about conditioning, getting the guys to the correct level of condition that they need to sustain them over a long season," Williams said. "And this is where you know we get our base from."
Williams acknowledged that the training session on the morning of the game, although not ridiculously hard, still took some energy out of the players' legs and that they came into the game a bit fatigued from the week and from the morning session. However, he said that this was done deliberately to get them into the right place for the league.
"Ordinarily, of course, the players would be fresh going into a game, but this time of year we're topping up their conditioning and also topping up their understanding of tactical stuff," Williams said. "So we trained this morning not ridiculously hard but of course it still took it out of their legs. And then they come here a bit fatigued from the week and a bit fatigued from this morning."
Confidence in his team’s ability to handle minor injuries and fatigue during pre-season training is expressed by Williams. He believes that pushing his players hard at this time of year is necessary to get them into top condition for the upcoming season. With three friendlies still left before the season starts, there is plenty of time for Williams to continue working on his team’s fitness and tactical understanding.
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Notts County Manager Luke Williams Praises Team's Performance in Pre-Season Friendly

Notts County responded with the opening goal on 10 minutes as Jodi Jones’ excellent cross was headed home by Crowley inside the area. 
They had to wait another two minutes to have the ball in the net again, though, as Brindley met Jones’ half-cleared cross with a sweet strike from 20 yards. Some of the standout players for Notts County in the match were Dan Crowley, David McGoldrick, and Richard Brindley.
Telford United played well in their counter-attacking football, being direct and making Notts have to work. Despite their efforts, Notts County was able to secure the win with their strong performance. Williams praised Telford’s play, particularly on the counter-attack, and acknowledged that his team had to work hard to get the win. 
In an interview with Nick Richardson of the Notts County media team, Williams said that the match was a “very worthwhile” experience and that Telford played “excellent” football, particularly on the counter-attack.
“I thought that Telford were excellent and particularly when they played on the counter-attack very, very well,” Williams said. “But then we managed to get to grips with the game somewhat, and we started to create more chances later on.”
Williams was happy overall with the team’s performance but acknowledged that there is still some work to be done for them to improve. He also mentioned that they had to move players around and monitor their minutes to avoid pushing them too hard too early in the season.
“So I’m happy overall but still we can see there is some work to be done for us to improve,” Williams said.
Williams also spoke about the team’s efforts to improve their defence and find the right balance between attacking and defending. He mentioned that they are working on being more compact and organised when defending, while also being more creative and dynamic when attacking.
“We’re working on our defence, trying to be more compact and organised, while also being more creative and dynamic when attacking,” Williams said. “It’s all about finding the right balance and I think we’re making good progress.”
It seems that Williams is pleased with how his team is progressing during their pre-season preparations. They will continue to work hard and improve as they get ready for the start of the new season.
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Simon Clark’s Pick of the Top Away Games to Enjoy This Season

This is purely a personal view and no doubt every reader will disagree with my choice and want to replace at least half of this list! There’s no logic to some of it, and there are no old scores to settle – I’ve chosen these on days I expect (hope?) to enjoy, which is why I’ve left some out on the basis that unless we’re 4-0 up in the first 10 minutes, I probably won’t enjoy them…
Sutton United – the first game back. Yes, I want to win and will be disappointed if we don’t, but it’s lovely to be back (and an easy ground to get to as long as the trains aren’t on strike), although I’m guessing it will be tough to get tickets for this one.
Bradford City – the first UNESCO City of Film and a city of great history, often overlooked by more photogenic neighbours. With an average attendance of almost 19,000 and the last 2 games last season seeing over 20,000, it should be a great atmosphere (albeit they reportedly include all-season ticket holders whether they actually attend or not).
AFC Wimbledon – the first of the fans’ clubs to start from scratch and work their way through to the League. A museum of football in Wimbledon reminds visitors of their past glories as a non-league side before being hijacked and relocated to Milton Keynes. A lovely club that made a fantastic (and spontaneous) gesture to a friend of mine when he completed the 92 just over a year ago.
Stockport – easy on the train, good pubs, a weekend in Manchester and a proper club. Say no more. (although 23rd December might not be the date I’d have chosen for this!)

Barrow – a blooming long way, so it makes sense to have a weekend in the Lake District. October might not have the best weather, but it’s a wonderful part of the world at any time and there’ll be fewer tourists around.
Harrogate – a week before Christmas might be a wonderful time to visit a picturesque market town. With the Montpellier Quarter and the Crescent Gardens area, there’s plenty to enjoy for a relaxing weekend away.
Tranmere – one of my favourite away days. A proper ground, decent support and great atmosphere. It’ll be tough, but the huge beer tent outside the ground making up a fan zone for followers of both sides is a great place to review the game and hopefully celebrate.
Salford – although they get a lot of bad publicity because of the Manchester United millionaires backing them – and I understand that – the volunteers and workers behind the club seem to be good people who want to support their local football club. Watching the shows about them on TV, it seems as if they feel their club is being taken away from them, and they are happy watching a small club at whatever level.
Forest Green – the last game of the season, hopefully one to enjoy for all the right reasons, and it won’t be a tense affair where we need a result to secure 3rd or 7th (or, dare I even think it, 22nd!)
Almost half a season of away games to enjoy – will that happen? Of course not. I’ll be desperate for 3 points and on the edge of my seat hoping we can hang on, make a comeback or keep control of a game we’re winning. Unless we get a 3-goal lead and control the game, the 90 minutes I can’t control will be the part I HOPE to enjoy rather than expect to.
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Simon Clark

Luke Williams discusses Notts County’s new kit design and player evaluation

The city of Nottingham was alive with anticipation as two of its local football clubs, Notts County and Nottingham Forest, prepared to play in a pre-season friendly at Meadow Lane. The match was a chance for both teams to showcase their skills and for fans to get a glimpse of what the upcoming season might hold.
As the day of the match approached, excitement grew among the residents of Nottingham. Flags and banners were hung from windows and balconies, and the streets were filled with the sound of chanting and singing.
Notts County's rivalry between Nottingham Forest was fierce, but there was also a sense of camaraderie among the fans, united in their love for the beautiful game. The atmosphere was electric, with over 16,500 fans in attendance to show their support for their respective teams.
Luke Williams, the head coach of Notts County, was thrilled with the turnout and the opportunity for the city to showcase itself. "Well yeah, I think it's just a chance for us as a city to show off," he said.
"Where else are you going to get 16,500 for a preseason friendly? And the atmosphere was great, you know, because the game wasn't a thriller in it. 
"But there was applause from the fans, and we had a great opportunity to show respect and let their families know that their loved ones have not been forgotten."
Despite the game not being a thriller, Williams had nothing but praise for his counterpart, Nottingham Forest's manager, Steve Cooper. "Yeah I did [meet with him before the game]. And he's just total class, isn't he? 
"He came and spent some time with me before the game, which he did this time last year. And that helped me hugely, it really did. 
"It helped me so much. And I've had some time with him again today. He's a Premier League manager. You don't get that opportunity very often, and we'll try to encourage him to have a chat with me again with my staff and his staff. So yeah, it's brilliant to be able to share the technical area with him."
Williams also reflected on his time away from football during the off-season. "Yeah I had some holiday time," he said. 
"What is done, is done now, no one can ever take the memories away. But for now I'm at work again and have to concentrate on what's in front of us. And at some point in the future, hopefully a long time from now, we'll be able to reflect back on maybe more success as well at this brilliant football club."
When asked about former Notts County player Ruben Rodrigues, Williams expressed his well-wishes for him. "Yeah we hope so [that he does well]. 
"You know with this there's nothing we can do. We can't hide them [the players]. They're there to be observed. And you know we wish Ruben well of course because we love Ruben here. And everything that he helped us to achieve last season in particular for me because it wasn't the only one I worked with him, but I know he's been here for a number of seasons and everyone adores him."
Williams also discussed his approach to evaluating new players during the pre-season friendlies. "Yeah you know me, I allow the club, the people that really know what they're looking at [to evaluate new players]. And they of course can watch the pre-season friendlies.
"If they have any concerns they can act upon it, but you know I'm happy with a group of players and I need to pour all of my time and effort into those players that are already in the building. And if we have new players join us then they will get the same service from myself."
Finally, Williams expressed his excitement about Notts County's new kit design for the upcoming season. "Yeah you know I really was so keen for us to be back in a proper stripe," he said. 
"I loved the pinstripe of course last season; the double pinstripe was great. And of course that shirt will always hold a place for me. But to see the proper black and white bars was... I just thought we looked so close to them, be quite honest."
As the pre-season friendly between Notts County and Nottingham Forest came to a close, the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season was palpable. With a successful turnout and a chance for the city of Nottingham to shine, it's clear that the love for football runs deep in the hearts of its residents. As Williams said, "It's just a chance for us as a city to show off." And with the new season on the horizon, there's no doubt that both Notts County and Nottingham Forest will continue to make their city proud.
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PON_News

Charlie Slater leaves Notts County commentary with heartfelt message

Charlie Slater, the well-known commentator for BBC Radio Nottingham, has announced his departure from his role as Notts County commentator via Twitter. Charlie, who took over the role on 5th August 2017 following the semi-retirement of the legendary Colin Slater, expressed his gratitude and honour in being Notts' new commentator.
In a series of tweets, Charlie thanked his colleagues at BBC Radio Nottingham and reflected on his time with the station. He wrote, "I’ve worked for BBC RNS for over a decade & covered more than 500 games for them. None of that happens without Colin Fray, who took a chance on me & to who I’ll be eternally grateful." He also shared a text graphic in which he expressed his affection for the football club and its supporters.
Charlie went on to say, "After six years and almost 350 games I've been at a crossroads, needing to make a decision whether to carry on or to pursue other opportunities. It's the most difficult career decision I've ever had to make, made more so by the affection I have for the football club and of course the bond I have with you, the supporters."
He continued, "The way that you have taken to me will never leave me. I can't begin to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for listening and for your kind comments. A special fan base for a special football club, I hope you'll always consider me 'one of your own'."
Charlie also reflected on the future of Notts County, writing, "Watching Notts get promoted at Wembley is a good way to go out, but I also know there's more to come. With great owners, the legacy of Jason Turner, the brilliant Luke Williams and his coaching staff and the off the pitch excellence of Richard Montague, Nick Richardson and Steven Carter, to name just a few, Notts County are only going one way."
He concluded by expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to follow in Colin Slater's footsteps. "Finally, Notts County has always had 'one voice' and to be given the chance to follow Colin Slater will forever be one of the greatest honours of my professional career. I hope I did his legacy justice. Thank you for listening. You pies! Charlie"
As Notts County prepare for their first match of the 2023-24 season, Charlie's departure marks the end of an era for BBC Radio Nottingham and Notts County. His contributions to the station and to the local football community will be greatly missed. Charlie's heartfelt words on Twitter have touched many fans and colleagues alike, and his legacy as a commentator will live on.
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Notts Alumni: Ian Richardson

Born on October 22, 1970, in Barking, England, Ian Richardson was a former professional footballer and caretaker manager. 
He played as a midfielder or centre-half in 260 games in the Football League for Birmingham City and Notts County, where he spent most of his professional career.
Before embarking on his football career, Richardson worked as a meat-porter at Smithfield Market in London, where he learned to work hard and work well with others. 
He played football part-time, showcasing his skills with Dagenham & Redbridge in the Conference, which earned him a £60,000 move to Birmingham City in the 1995 close season.
Dagenham teammate Jason Broom described Richardson as "never the most gifted player in the world but was a ferocious tackler. He used to get from box to box and scored lots of goals mainly through his excellence in the air."
He made his Football League debut on 8 October 1995, as a substitute replacing Jonathan Hunt in a 2–0 win at home to Southend United. However, after just three months, he joined Notts County on loan. 
He returned to Birmingham and made three more first-team appearances, including in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final against Leeds United. B
Richardson went on to join Notts County on a permanent basis in March 1996 for a fee of £150,000.
In the 1997–98 season, Richardson was part of Sam Allardyce's Notts County team that won the Division Three title by a record margin and at a record early date. 

A £350,000 move to Wimbledon fell through on a failed medical, which pleased County's manager Jocky Scott. 
With the club in financial difficulties, Richardson took a pay cut to remain at County because his family was settled in the area.
Richardson's contract expired at the end of the 2002–03 season, and the club was in administration and subject to a transfer embargo. 
It wasn't until August 2003 that the Football League gave them permission to offer Richardson monthly terms. 
The problems never influenced the players on the pitch – only during every other moment when they weren't playing. 
Despite his limited playing appearances in the 2004–05 season, Richardson was voted County's Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, and was selected as League Two's "Unsung Hero" in BBC Sport's alternative awards list.
In November 2004, Richardson was appointed caretaker player-manager after the departure of Gary Mills.
He said: "I'm delighted to have landed the job full-time. The effort and desire to improve has been fantastic from everyone at the club, and hopefully we can build on what we have already achieved".
Although his injured knee restricted him to a mostly managerial role, h4 successfully led the team away from relegation and to the Third Round of the FA Cup.
Richardson was replaced as manager by Gudjon Thordarson at the end of the season.
After his playing contract expired in June 2005, he was given a monthly contract to allow him time to prove his fitness. 
Despite playing in two reserve games, the club's view was "the knee has not made a sufficient recovery for the acquired level of professional football," and Richardson was released. 
The player took legal advice and consulted the Professional Footballers' Association. 
Still, after trials with Peterborough United and Burton Albion, he decided to retire as a player and accept the offer of a testimonial match and a coaching role with the club's Football in the Community programme.
In 2010, Richardson was working as Activity Manager for Notts County's Football in the Community programme. 
It won the League Two Best Community Initiative Award at the 2008 Football League Awards ceremony for a project designed to use football to approach the improvement of self-esteem and life skills of adult males with mental health issues.
Ian, continued the role for Notts County FC Football in the Community, where he decided to embark on a charity run that took him through the club's past and present homes. The run took place on the final home game of the 2013.14 season.
He said: "I love my job, helping people achieve things in life gives me a lot of joy. So many children have few opportunities, especially during this recession, so I’d like to help them get back into education or employment." Ian Richardson managed to raise almost £1,300 from his charity run.
Ian Richardson was an exceptional football player who exemplified unwavering loyalty, determination, and leadership skills. He always gave his best and showed immense dedication to his team's success. 
Ian's fighting spirit was an inspiration to his teammates, and his calm and collected approach to the game helped him make wise decisions and steer his team towards victory.
Ian's versatility as a player was another of his outstanding qualities. He could adapt to any situation and play different roles in the team, always demonstrating his exceptional talent and commitment to the game. 
Ian Richardson was a true asset to his team and will be remembered as a role model for future generations of football players.
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Chris

Notts County’s Tobi Adebayo-Rowling Makes Triumphant Return to the Pitch

After a long-awaited return to the pitch, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling is back in action. The talented footballer has been out of the game for some time, but he's now ready to make his mark once again. 
Fans were thrilled to see him take to the field, and he didn't disappoint. Tobi's return was met with cheers and applause from the crowd. 
He's been a fan favourite for a while, and his absence was felt by many. But now that he's back, there's no doubt that he'll be making headlines once again. The match was an exciting one, with both teams giving it their all. Tobi played exceptionally well, showing off his skills and proving that he's still got what it takes.
In a post-match interview, BBC Radio Nottingham caught up with Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, who has been out of action for some time, was all smiles as he took to the pitch once again. "It’s been way too long," replied Tobi.
"I thought the performance from the boys was amazing. First half obviously, you got to keep it humble because you know, steady preseason.
"We’ve got a lot to do. But just as a team, I thought we were class today, first half and second half. Big improvement on Stoke. So happy to be out there."
"It’s tough," admitted Tobi. "But I’ve got good people, an amazing team here who helped me through that and amazing family as well.
"But I mean it’s horrible, isn’t it? Watching the boys and not being able to play at all, not even train.
"You got to go to the gym and all that. But at the end of the day we’re blessed in it, doing the best job in the world. So I can’t complain but yeah, it is tough."
"I had an AFL reconstruction because my ligaments were just basically non-existent in there," explained Tobi.
"So I had to get that all tied together and then yeah, just a bit of fluid out of there. It’s all perfect, stable. It’s brand new, I love it."
The occasion had started on a sombre note as the clubs came together to pay tribute to those who had lost their lives suddenly.
"That was very sad," agreed Tobi. "I saw that news in the off-season. It was heartbreaking.
"Obviously it’s an amazing tribute today to do something like that but yeah, God bless the families. I hope they’re ok and really good support from everyone as well."
Tobi was thrilled to be back on his home stadium and see half the ground filled with red. "Proper like you know before the game where you have those butterflies?" he said.
"It was beautiful seeing so many people here, but we got amazing fans. Like we always have a big turnout but yeah, I couldn’t even hear it on the pitch! It was amazing! So yeah, thank you for the support by the way! Beautiful! Love you a lot!"
Tobi also spoke about his connection with Aaron on his right-hand side. "I love it because if you give it to him, he will just cause madness down the right!" he said enthusiastically.
"And I feel like we got a good connection like on and off the pitch so like it shows but yeah we still got a lot to do in it and like you know what I mean?
"That was a sort of a new position for me as well, so yeah, it was good! It was really good!"
When asked about which fixture caught his eye now that they had been released, he replied: "Nothing really personal but maybe MK Dons? They’ve got a lovely stadium! But yeah, just being in league two! Like how good is that? When I was confident South a couple of years ago to be here with this amazing team! League two! Just any team! Any team bring it on!"
It's clear that Tobi Adebayo-Rowling is back and ready for action once again. With his positive attitude and determination, we're sure he'll be making headlines once again very soon.
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Luke Williams Shares His Insight into Notts County’s Pre-Season Friendly Against Nottingham Forest

Notts County's head coach, Luke Williams, recently led his team in a pre-season friendly against Premier League team Nottingham Forest. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat, Williams believes the match was a valuable exercise for his team.
The team played a back four formation, which Williams was pleased with. He said that the formation allowed the Magpies to be more organised and compact in defence while also providing opportunities for quick counter-attacks.
Although the result was not in their favour, Williams is optimistic about the future. He believes that the experience gained from playing against a top-tier team will be invaluable for his players as they continue to develop and improve. Williams is confident that his team will bounce back from this defeat and continue to grow stronger.
Luke Williams recently spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham about the team's final home pre-season friendly. He said, "I thought they equipped themselves really well, the guys, and we looked like the same team in a very different formation."
Williams was also happy with the physical condition of his players. "They look bright and in good physical condition. So, I was happy with everyone, really," he said.
Some of the players are still getting up to speed with the work and conditioning required for the team's style of play. Despite this, there were no injuries during the match.
However, there was one mistake made during the game. Williams accidentally distracted the captain while he was speaking to him, causing a goal to be scored against them.
Williams took responsibility for this mistake and apologised to the captain and team. "So yeah, big mistake for me. Won’t be doing that in a league game," he said.
Despite this setback, Williams remains optimistic about his team's future performance. "No, we’re not ready. Unfortunately, you would love to say we were, but we’re not ready. We’ve got a fair bit more work to do, and the players are aware of that. But hopefully, we will use the time wisely, and we’ll be able to make a really great performance in that game," he said.
As Notts County prepares for their upcoming season, fans can look forward to seeing how the team continues to develop under Williams' leadership. With a focus on conditioning and strategy, Notts County is sure to put up a strong fight in their upcoming matches.
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Notts County FC Academy Dan Leivers receives significant funding boost after promotion

Notts County FC Academy Manager, Dan Leivers, has expressed his elation over the team's recent promotion, describing it as a "really emotional and happy experience" achieved via a penalty shoot-out victory.
Discussing the implications of the promotion, Leivers underscored the significant impact it would have on the academy, transitioning from the National League Youth Alliance to repositioning back in the EFL.
The most considerable ramification, Leivers pointed out, is the increase in funds they would receive. "The largest benefit, particularly from an academy perspective, is the funding," he clarified.
"This year we have been operating devoid of any support from any leagues, the Premier League or the FA. We will now receive the Football League Cat 3 grant for this year, providing a significant sum of money which will aid us in hiring new staff, improving facilities and procuring new equipment - all of these factors will significantly enhance the players' experiences this year."
Discussing staff changes resulting from the promotion, Leivers highlighted new positions that would need to be created. "Reverting back to Cat 3 level brings with it a lot of mandatory positions," he continued. "Despite the fact we have been operating close to Cat 3 level with the staff already on our books, there are key positions we now need to fill - including roles relating to education, player care and part-time coaching."
Reflecting on the previous season where several teams were operated under the academy, Leivers confidently asserted that it was a successful move, providing a platform for young players to perform. He exclaimed, "I believe we've had as many as 17 different players train with the first team this year, which is fantastic." With the transition to Cat 3 in the EFL this year, an under-21s team will feature in the EFL Central League, while the under-18s will compete in the EFL Youth Alliance.
The promotion's ripple effect extends to new contracts for players, said Leivers, explaining that, "Every single one of our players aged 9 to 16 will now be sheltered by the rules of EFL." He continued, "They'll presently be undergoing a process to sign their forms and officially become EFL Academy players." In addition to this, half a dozen players from the under-16s will advance to scholarships and earn their stripes as paid apprentices within the team.
Regarding training, Leivers noted that the regimen would not change drastically from what it was this year, with operations at their training ground at Clifton remaining almost on par. He did mention that the only adjustments might occur on match days depending on the opponent and potential required travel.
Leivers confirmed continuing their matches and training at Clifton and talked about ongoing efforts to upgrade their facilities. He extended a hearty welcome to fans, acknowledging their supportive presence throughout the past season.
Just over a year into his role, Leivers spoke enthusiastically of his tenure, saying, "Just the people that are here, working with the first team staff has been probably the easiest I've ever known. It's an extraordinary group of people, and we eagerly anticipate how things will progress."
With a future back in the EFL, Leivers and his team at Notts County FC Academy are anticipating the fresh opportunities and resources that come with the turf, and are looking forward to nurturing young talent for the club.
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Macaulay Langstaff Sheds Light on Notts County’s Pre-Season Strategy

As we approach the brink of another exhilarating season of football, Notts County's sense of anticipation is palpable. With an ambitious schedule of pre-season games against formidable challengers Stoke and Forest, the Magpies are readying themselves to test their mettle ahead of the imminent season. The team's determination and spirit are indicative of their readiness to dive into these highly anticipated clashes, beginning with a face-off against Stoke this coming Saturday, followed by a big game against Forest the subsequent week.
Notts County's fervent preparations underline their hunger for success and readiness to measure up against tough adversaries. Key figures from the team have been providing insights into the meticulous groundwork ahead of these encounters. Among them, striker Macaulay Langstaff has shed light on the team's preparation strategy and morale, providing an up-close look at their robust tactical prowess and physical readiness.
In discussing the team's workouts and strategic planning, Langstaff emphasised the significance of these upcoming matches. "Yeah, definitely against two top teams," he noted. "Um, you know, we'll see where we are, fitness wise, where we are tactical, tactically."
Langstaff's confidence in his team's capacities shines through, in spite of the formidable opposition they will be facing. "Um, it's going to be obviously a challenging game on Saturday, but we're going in their full of confidence. Um, I think we'll see where we are in terms of pre-season. It's a great opportunity to measure how far we've come against a top team, and to test ourselves," he expressed.
Notts County anticipates with gusto these encounters as they continue to pave their way towards the new season. With barely more than a week of pre-season tutoring behind them, Langstaff spoke warmly of the team's newest additions.
"I think they're fitting in really well. You know, you're seeing the transformation in the chemistry we've developed in the changing room since last season. I believe they've acclimatised quickly and, out on the pitch, they've absorbed so much so swiftly," he stated.
Furthermore, Langstaff elaborated on the newcomers' Swift assimilation into the team's style of play. "It's clear in the 11 vs 11s the amount they've absorbed, adapting to our style of play really swiftly. And as I said before, in terms of the changing room, they're merging in impressively well," he cited.
The blend of fresh talent and seasoned players yielding promising on-pitch chemistry augurs well for Notts County. They are eyeing strong showings against Stoke and Forest, as they progress with their pre-season preparations unflinchingly.
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Notts County Manager Luke Williams Discusses Pre-Season Injuries and Stoke City Friendly

In a recent interview, Notts County manager Luke Williams discussed the minor injuries that some first team players have picked up during pre-season, as well as the team's upcoming game against Stoke City. Williams revealed that several first team players were not involved in the team's recent 3-0 win against Nuneaton Borough due to minor injuries. Despite these injuries, Williams is happy with how pre-season is going so far.
Looking ahead to the team's upcoming game against Stoke City, Williams expects it to be a different test for his players. He is looking for mental strength, concentration and defensive duties to be on display. Williams also discussed his hopes for the upcoming season and his excitement at seeing fans return to Meadow Lane.
He spoke about the bond between the fans, players and staff at Notts County and their responsibility to nurture it. He wants to give fans the performances, energy and passion that they showed last season. The team is looking forward to their upcoming game against Stoke City and the challenges it will bring.
Williams revealed that several first team players were not involved in the team's recent 3-0 win against Nuneaton Borough due to minor injuries. "We had Jodi Jones with us, but he had just returned today, and it was probably unnecessary for him to be on the pitch," he said.
"Will Randall jarred his ankle and is very sore, but there's very little swelling. Sam Austin's hamstring felt tight, but only tight. Aiden Baldwin and Junior Morias both picked up something in training, so we have to wait a little bit longer. Sam Slocombe has a small injury in the calf that we think will only take a few days, maybe two weeks, three weeks maximum for him to be back."
Despite these injuries, Williams is happy with how pre-season is going so far. "We are happy that we are getting across the work that we want to get across," he said.
"Of course, we don't like to pick up any injuries, but we are sensible enough to know that this is a reality when we are pushing the guys so hard to improve their levels and make the changes to them physically that they need."
Looking ahead to the team's upcoming game against Stoke City, Williams expects it to be a different test for his players. "Certainly for us to apply ourselves defensively and for the players to be able to play the game without being affected by the scoreline because there are no points for grabs, and we play in very different divisions at the moment," he said.
"I'm looking for the mental strength and concentration and the defensive duties to be on display, so we look forward to this one. It's a brilliant test for us."
Williams also discussed his hopes for the upcoming season and his excitement at seeing fans return to Meadow Lane. "There is a bond with the fans, with this group of players and our staff at the moment that is incredible," he said. "And we have a big responsibility now to try to nurture that. We need to give them the performances, energy, and passion that they showed last season."
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Notts County’s First Five League Games: A Closer Look

As Notts County fans, anticipation for the new football season is always high, and this year is no exception. Fans eagerly await the release of the fixtures, planning their weekends and away trips to support their beloved team. The Magpies will kick off their campaign with an away game against Sutton United, followed by a local derby at home against Grimsby Town. 
The next three games will see Notts County face Morecambe, Doncaster Rovers, and Tranmere Rovers. Each game presents its own challenges and opportunities for the team to start the season on a strong footing.
In this article, we will take a closer look at each of these opening fixtures, analysing the opposition and discussing the potential outcomes. Will Notts County come out on top, or will they face an uphill battle in the opening weeks of the season? Let’s dive in and find out.
With the fixtures now out for the season, let's take a dive into the first five league games of the season.
Sutton United
The U’s, who finished last season in 14th place without a win in their last five games, are our first match back in the EFL since 4th May 2019. In my opinion, this is the perfect opening match for the Magpies. A team that has lost a few of its starlets from last season, including Will Randell, who signed for Notts on a two-year deal. Another reason I think this is perfect is because we will face a team that didn't struggle in the relegation fight last season but also didn't fight in the promotion push either. Some would say “a proper league two club.”
With their top goalscorer only being at six goals throughout the whole of last season and the team as a whole only scoring 48 all season, it remains to be seen if Matt Grey can get his players hitting the back of the net next season. With some work in pre-season and maybe with an additional new striker, they could become an issue for Notts.
Grimsby Town
Our first home game back in the EFL, and it’s a local derby - how good is that? With Grimsby beating us twice at home in the 21/22 season - once in the league and then scoring in the 119th minute to make it 1:2 in the play-off quarter-final - that brought our season to an end. I am sure the players will be looking for revenge.
Grimsby finished in a respectable 11th place last season but have since been active in the transfer window, signing players like Rekeil Pyke, Harvey Rodgers and Charles Vernam. All of which were playing at a higher level last season. It would be fair to say Grimsby are going to be a few people's favourites to make the playoffs as a minimum. This would be an important three points early on in the season and could set the pace for the rest of the season. I think it would be a great three points, but I feel it could be a struggle; however, with over a month until the game and a full transfer window in place, who knows?
With the right transfer window, I sadly expect Grimsby to be right up there fighting to get out of the division. Grimsby finished last season with a -3 goal difference. I believe this will be one of the things Paul Hurst wants to dramatically improve.
Morecambe
Morecambe, which is more famous for its bay and Tyson Fury, are one of the smaller teams in the division with an average attendance of just 4000 last season. Maybe this was because they were in a relegation fight, which they ultimately lost by crashing out of league one last season and now will have to fight in league two again. However, it seems like the shrimpers are in for another tough season with most bookies putting them second favourite to get another relegation.
In my opinion, this is a game where Notts should pick up three points. On the flip side, Morecambe did find a bit of form at the end of the season, winning three of their final five games and drawing one as well. It seems odd that a team that only got relegated by two points is one of the favourites to get relegated. Will Morecambe be a surprise package this season?
Doncaster Rovers
Back-to-back away games at the start of the season were always going to be hard, but when you're coming up against another potential promotion rival it becomes that little bit harder; do not let the fact that they finished 18th be a factor in the result. Not only have they been proactive in the transfer window by acquiring players like George Broadbent who had an excellent season with Boreham Wood, they also got Joe Ironside’s signature - a striker who has proven himself at this level with Cambridge and Hartlepool. Joe Ironside was also playing at a higher level last season by playing with league one outfit Cambridge scoring six goals.
This is another game where I feel Notts County could make a statement with a big win away from home. A point should be a minimum for Luke Williams' men in my opinion.
With both teams having their eyes set on playoffs as a minimum this season I think this will be a fantastic game for neutrals; however, it will be nail-biting for both sets of fans.
Tranmere Rovers
I can't help but feel Tranmere away will be our toughest game inside the opening five games due to their transfer window. Despite only finishing in twelfth place and three points below Grimsby last season I feel they will be underdogs this season.
As I mentioned earlier, Tranmere has had an impressive transfer window signing ex-Notts player Kristian Dennis, who yet again last season has proven himself within this league, scoring 20 goals last season for the now league one outfit Carlisle, but also getting the signature of Luke Norris. Luke, who has hit double figures in two consecutive seasons, signed for them on a one-year contract after helping his ex-club Stevenage get promoted and has previously won Stevenage’s player of the season. I think this season will be a good season for Tranmere with signing a very prolific pair of strikers and keeping a good core of their team. I would put my house on it that Notts will find Tranmere Rovers a tough team to visit Meadow Lane.
Many thanks for reading. If you want to see more, be sure to follow me on Twitter: @JVB0502
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Macaulay Langstaff on Target in Notts County's Pre-Season Triumph

Notts County striker Macaulay Langstaff scored a goal in the team's first pre-season friendly against Nuneaton Borough. The Magpies won the game 3-0, with Langstaff's goal being one of the highlights.
In an interview after the game, Langstaff expressed his satisfaction at getting on the scoresheet. "Yeah, of course. I think as a striker you always want to get on the scoresheet no matter what game it is, and to get to Mark early in preseason, obviously it's important for striker's confidence, so I'm not doing that," he said.
Langstaff's goal was a tap-in, set up by a brilliant play from his teammate on the right-hand side. "Obviously brilliant play the right-hand side and just across, across the box I have to be that type of thing," he said.
The striker also praised the link-up play between him and Dan Crowley in the first half. "I think you can see what we've been working on, the training going, you know, when it comes to get the ball and plays that one, two with Dan, it's impossible to mark," he said.
Langstaff went on to explain that this type of play is something the team has been working on in training. "Um, we've been working on that all week in training since we came back in. So it's good to see it on the pitch and, um, yeah, it's going to be harder to mark for opposition Defenders this year," he said.
This early success bodes well for Notts County as they continue their pre-season preparations. With Langstaff and Crowley already showing promising signs of chemistry on the pitch, fans will be eagerly anticipating what the team can achieve in the upcoming season.
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