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Joe Jones
Notts County defender Richard Duffy has reiterated the need for consistency among his side's ranks if the Magpies are to launch and sustain a promotion charge.
John Sheridan's charges have strengthened their team over the off-season and are hoping to drag themselves out of League Two following last season's troubles.
Duffy told reporters: "Things are going really well although we are still getting our fitness. There's a game to go (in pre-season) but we are closing in and hopefully come the opening day of the season, we are all ready to go.
"Promotion has to be the aim and if you ask all the lads in the changing room, or any changing room in the land, the aim is to always finish at the top of the league. Then if you don't do that then you finish second, and if it's not second it's third.
"We want to finish as high as we possibly can and hopefully we have got the squad to do that. Consistency is going to be absolutely essential if we are to achieve that.
"We play games Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday pretty much all the way through the season. You are going to need the squad especially with the added EFL Trophy games. We are going to need all 22 players, if not more.
"I've said before if you get sixes or sevens out of 10 every week, then you are going to be in the mix but if we don't turn up then we are going to get turned over in this league."
Can Notts find the consistency that eluded them last season? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has expressed mixed emotions about his side's 3-2 win over Walsall in Tuesday night's friendly at Meadow Lane.
The Magpies raced into a 3-0 lead as goals from Haydn Hollis, Jonathan Forte and Jon Stead put the hosts in command, but two late goals from Saddlers substitute Amadou Bakayoko made for a nervy finish.
"I was very pleased with the 70 minutes, but not happy with the last 20," the former Oldham boss told reporters.
"I made a lot of changes then, but up to that point I thought we looked very solid.
"We were 3-0 up and you think the game is over against a good team.
"I like the way they (Walsall) play possession wise, but we looked a decent outfit.
"We scored three goals and you do expect to see the game out a lot easier.
"I won't even look at the last 20 minutes, because it was just a case of game time for some people."
How did Notts look to you against Walsall? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has found himself impressed with trialist Jhai Dhillon and intends to speak with the left-back about his future.
The former Chelsea youngster produced another solid display in the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday as he found himself up against Reds winger Oliver Burke.
Dhillon has featured in the majority of the club's pre-season games having been recommended to Sheridan by the Panjab team manager Reuben Hazell.
"Saturday was a good test for him because their winger was very quick," Sheridan told reporters.
"Ideally I would have liked to have played him in a back four rather than a back five because he's a left-back really.
"But while he has been on trial, he's not done anything wrong. 
"I will have a chat with him and see what his thoughts are."
After winning Chelsea's inaugural Asian Star football talent competition aged just 14 in 2009, Dhillon has played for the likes of Stevenage and Hayes & Yeading, as well as plying his trade in futsal.
Should Jhai Dhillon become a Notts County player? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County defender Thierry Audel believes that the remaining players from last season must leave the memories behind them ahead of the new campaign.
The Frenchman was part of the squad which ended up fighting relegation, went through three managers and experienced all-round turmoil.
"There are good players coming into the team and I think we can achieve something good next season. We just have to believe it, keep working hard and we will see," Audel told the Nottingham Post.
"But last season has gone. It was very disappointing and even during the summer you think about it.
"When you start a new season you have to forget what has gone on before. You have to leave it behind you.
"We cannot change it. It has been written down now, we just have to write down something better."
John Sheridan is now in charge at Meadow Lane, with a spate of high quality signings suggesting that Notts will markedly improve on last season.
Can Notts County improve on last season? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has praised Stanley Aborah and believes he should be in a more attacking role this season.
The former Ajax midfielder, considered one of the best players last season, was ostracised by one of the former managers but looks to be in the Magpies boss's plans this season as he found himself deployed further up the pitch.
"I just like him up the pitch because you can take chances up there," Sheridan said of Aborah.
"He is confident on the ball and he's better losing it 70 yards from our goal, not that he gives the ball away a lot.
"I just think he is a good player. He needs to be in the opposition half more than the defensive half. And that's where I am going to play him."
Can Aborah shine this season after being ostracised by the manager who must not be named last season? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has claimed that he is done with experimenting with two different formations in one game following his side's pre-season friendly defeat against Nottingham Forest.
More than 9,000 fans from both sides of the Trent attended the testimonial game for Magpies defender Mike Edwards as goals from Ben Osborn and Jamie Paterson came either side of an Alex Rodman strike.
Sheridan started the game with a 3-5-2 formation, but switched to a 4-1-3-2 after the break - he has used both systems over the course of pre-season, but says he has more or less cemented in his mind what he will use on the opening day at Yeovil Town on August 6.
"It was a good workout for us," he told the Nottingham Post.
"Obviously I don't like losing games. But we played against a good Championship side and I knew it would be a good test for us fitness wise.
"They made us chase around, but I was really pleased with some of the things we did.
"I played two systems and that's probably the last time I will be doing that.
"I've got to get my house in order, but I more or less know what I am going to be playing.
"They scored two deflected goals which was harsh and we were just getting back into the game when it went to 1-1.
"It was a good shift from the lads and I've seen lots of good things, but there are also little things that cost the team last season.
"Just little decisions, people running into wrong areas and that's something we have to iron out of our game."
What will John Sheridan settle on with regards to his side's formation? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County veteran Mike Edwards admits he is "humbled" by all the attention regarding his testimonial this afternoon.
The 36-year-old, who has made 350 appearances and scored 30 goals for the club in two spells, will be the focus of attention as the Magpies take on local rivals Nottingham Forest at Meadow Lane.
Edwards said: "I don't think it's really hit home yet. I'm sure it will be a bit like a wedding. There's so much organisation that has gone into it, that the day will go as quick as a flash.
"But emotionally I don't know how I will feel when I am coming out of the tunnel.
"I never used to be one of those blokes who cried until my kids came along.
"I am really looking forward to it. In all honesty I am a little bit humbled by it all.
"But I just hope everybody enjoys it. I've got my boys and family there, some old team-mates and I'm sure it will be a great occasion.
"It's a terrific fixture to have because Nottingham is the city of football and what better way to celebrate that than this game?"
How will Notts fare against their city rivals? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
DangerousSausage
The FA are set to appoint former Notts boss Sam Allardyce as the new England manager today. He will be given a two-year contract.
Allardyce made a name for himself as a bruising centre half in the 70s and 80s, turning out for a host of clubs including Bolton and Preston. But the news will be of particular interest to Notts fans due to his spell in charge of the Magpies; Allardyce joined the club in early 1997 with the team in dire straits at the bottom of what is now League One. He was unable to turn our fortunes around in that first season, as Notts finished rock bottom. We bounced back the following season though, finishing as champions with 99 points and securing the championship in March. Allardyce left the club for Bolton in acrimonious circumstances in October 1999 amid rumours of a breakdown in the relationship between him and chairman Derek Pavis. Notts were third in League One at the time.
Allardyce has since become part of the furniture at the top level, managing 467 Premier League games. Although his trophy cabinet is relatively bare, he has become well-known as a good man manager. He will become the first former Notts manager to manage England on a permanent basis.
Joe Jones
Notts County managed John Sheridan has claimed that his side is more than capable of winning promotion from League Two thanks to the recruitment of players with strong personalities who have achieved success in the past.
The Magpies fell short last season, finishing in the bottom half of the table after relegation from League One, but the new boss has made a number of signings with experience and leadership qualities.
"I think it's important we get strong personalities in the dressing room," the former Oldham Athletic boss told the Nottingham Post.
"I am not really bothered about what happened last season. It's gone and I don't want the fans to think about it. I want to look forward. I am a really positive person.
"I really do believe we will be successful in competing for the play-offs and promotion. That's what I am drilling into my players and some of the players I have brought in have done that (won promotion).
"They have a good background. They are strong personalities. When you are a player, the last thing you want is to keep hearing the manager's voice. When I was a player it used to drive you mad.
"I've got personalities there who are not afraid of saying what they feel although it's got to be in the right way."
Can Notts County achieve promotion? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
John Sheridan has earmarked home form as the key for Notts County's promotion hopes, adding that his strikers ought to focus just on attack as opposed to tracking back.
The Magpies won just nine of their 23 home games last season as they limped to a bottom-half finish in League Two despite being expected to bounce back from relegation.
Sheridan told reporters: "Home form is vitally important. We will be very attack minded. You will rarely see me play one up front.
"Of course, it's easy to come in to say the right things, but I've always had a 20-goal a season striker.
"I just want my strikers being strikers. Don't think about anything else apart from scoring goals, because I have the other seven or eight who can defend. That's the way I am going to go about things."
Sheridan also praised his side's display in their 1-0 friendly win at Carlton Town on Tuesday night.
"It was a good run out for us," he said.
"It's still very early and for some of them it was the first match they had played, but I am pleased with the way things are going.
"The opposition gave us a good test and the goalkeeper made some wonder saves. Credit to Carlton they worked hard, but I thought we moved the ball really well in the second half. The only downside was we didn't score more goals.
"The lads have got to get used to the way I want us to play. I've not done anything shape wise, I just want the lads to get a feel for the ball.
"Overall I was pleased with the performance."
How will Notts fare in terms of goalscoring next season? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has pledged to bring continuity to the team's defence next season, calling on the players to learn and understand "each other's strengths and weaknesses".
The Magpies struggled for consistency at the back last season as more than 25 different defensive line-ups took to the field.
Sheridan, however, said the same wouldn't be happening this season, telling the Nottingham Post: "When I was looking at Notts County last season when I was managing at Newport, attacking wise they were one of the best teams we played.
"But they conceded goals too easily. The team was very unbalanced and it's important that your back four or back five are settled. The players have to know each other's strengths and weaknesses and if you are chopping and changing every week it's very difficult to get that."
Goalkeeper Adam Collin, Carl Dickinson, Richard Duffy and Matt Tootle have all arrived in recent weeks and they will reportedly be joined by a new left-sided centre-back in the coming weeks.
How will Notts County do defensively next season? Share your thoughts on the Pride of Nottingham forum.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager John Sheridan has earmarked Jon Stead as a "big player" for him next season as the Magpies look to challenge for promotion.
The 33-year-old striker finished top scorer for Notts last term with 14 goals and won the player of the season award, having only signed for the club in summer 2015.
Sheridan believes that Stead, who was linked with a switch to Scotland but appears set to remain at Meadow Lane, can be an influential figure in 2016-17.
"Jon has played at a high level and has goals in him," Sheridan is quoted as saying by the Nottingham Post.
"He will be a very important player for me. He has the cuteness and the cleverness and I see him in the same light as Jack Lester, who I had at Chesterfield.
"He never played away from home, but he was my best player and my captain. He scored 18 goals that season.
"Jon is different to Jonathan Forte, he's different to Izale McLeod and he's different to little Adam Campbell. I have to use Jon in the right way, but I expect him to be a big player for me."
How crucial will Jon Stead be to Notts County's season? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Adam Campbell has claimed that Notts County's new signings will add leadership to the dressing room and believes that they've already made an impact.
New Magpies manager John Sheridan has signed Adam Collin, Matt Tootle, Richard Duffy, Carl Dickinson, Michael O'Connor, Jonathan Forte and Alex Rodman so far this summer.
Campbell told the Nottingham Post: "When Dicko (Dickinson) came in you could see straight away he is going to have a very positive impact on everyone.
"That's not just on the pitch, but off it too. You can see he is going to be a good influence, like the rest of the players we have brought in.
"You've got Duffy, O'Connor, Tootle, Forte and Rodman, who did really well with Newport last season.
"There's Adam Collin, the goalkeeper who has come in, and that's going to be a good battle for the number one spot with Scott Loach.
"Loachie did really well last year. He managed to get his place but now he has to do it all again.
"We've a good squad, there's a lot of experience and big voices, and everybody is raring to go.
"The manager wants two players for every position and the young lads are stepping up. He has added competition for places. That can only be a positive."
How will the new players fit in at Notts County? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County assistant manager Mark Crossley has promised to keep an eye out on striker Will Mellors-Blair after the trialist netted a hat-trick against Linby in the Magpies' first pre-season friendly.
The 23-year-old, who was born in Nottingham and has played college football in the United States on a scholarship, helped Notts to a 7-0 win on Saturday, with Adam Campbell, Jordan Richards, Jordan Snodin and Montel Gibson also on the scoresheet.
Crossley played down the former Walsall academy prospect's impact, telling reporters: "He was a recommendation and he is only here for a week. The manager has said we will have a look at him and he is another lad who has come in and impressed.
"We will see a bit more when we play stronger opposition and against more physical players."
Do you think Notts should sign Mellors-Blair or should he be given more time to prove himself? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County coach and defender Mike Edwards has called on the whole city of Nottingham to celebrate its footballing achievements at his testimonial against Nottingham Forest later this month.
The Magpies will take on Phillipe Montanier's Reds at Meadow Lane on Saturday 23rd July to commemorate the 36-year-old's ten years of service at the black and white side of the Trent.
"I want it to be a celebration and a buzz for Nottingham especially as it is the city of football," he told the Nottingham Post.
"I am hoping people catch the bug for it. It will be a great atmosphere, but even though it's a testimonial, both clubs will have their first teams out and will want to win it.
"My youngest son, Aidan, has his birthday on the same day and I had to ask him permission if I could play a game of football.
"He's well excited and I am too. Tickets are available now, but you can pay on the day.
"I just want to say a massive thank you to everybody involved. I'm sure it will be a fantastic occasion for the city."
Are you going to Mike Edwards's testimonial? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

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Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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