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Joe Jones
Notts County striker Jon Stead has fond memories of his time at Blackburn Rovers, the Magpies' final pre-season opponents, but insists that the match will be all about ironing out the last few flaws within the team.
John Sheridan's side will take on the former Premier League champions on Sunday at Meadow Lane, their last match before the 2016-17 Football League season gets underway.
"I have brilliant memories of my time at Blackburn," said Stead, who joined the Lancashire club from Huddersfield Town in 2004. 
"They gave me my first chance of Premier League football and I really enjoyed it.
"The season we stayed up was a highlight and scoring against Manchester United was nice too. I had a good time there, so I am looking forward to it.
"But more important than that it's about us getting our house in order. We have to make sure we are right and iron out the little mistakes."
Will Stead impress this coming 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 have announced their squad numbers for the 2016-17 League season.
Notable changes include Mike Edwards swapping 35 for 37, Genaro Snijders switching from number 11 to number 7, and Wes Atkinson changing from number 29 to number 20.
Youth academy products Jordan Richards and Montel Gibson move to numbers 19 and 21 respectively, while new graduate Jack McMillan gets shirt number 22.
New signings Carl Dickinson and Matt Tootle take up numbers 2 and 3 respectively, with Richard Duffy taking up the number 5 shirt. Michael O'Connor will be number 8, with Alex Rodman wearing the number 23 shirt, while Adam Collin will wear the number 1 shirt, and Jonathan Forte taking up number 11.
 
 
The full list of 2016-17 Notts County squad numbers is as follows:
1. Adam COLLIN
2. Matt TOOTLE
3. Carl DICKINSON
4. Alan SMITH
5. Richard DUFFY
6. Haydn HOLLIS
7. Genaro SNIJDERS
8. Michael O'CONNOR
11. Jonathan FORTE
12. Robert MILSOM
13. Scott LOACH
15. Curtis THOMPSON
17. Rhys SHARPE
18. Elliott HEWITT
19. Jordan RICHARDS
20. Wesley ATKINSON
21. Montel GIBSON
22. Jack McMILLAN
23. Alex RODMAN
24. Adam CAMPBELL
25. Luther WILDIN
26. Graham BURKE
30. Jon STEAD
31. Thierry AUDEL
33. Stanley ABORAH
37. Mike EDWARDS
39. Izale MCLEOD
40. Kevin PILKINGTON
Happy with the squad number allocations? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
John Sheridan has pledged to let a number of Notts County players go in order to bolster his squad as he prepares for the new season.
Despite making a spate of signings this summer, the Magpies boss is keen on strengthening the squad further and is seeking a left-sided centre-back as well as a striker.
Speaking after the Walsall friendly, Sheridan told reporters: "I need to have a chat with one or two people to let them know where we stand. I will just be honest with them and try to move things on if I can. 
"I need to get one or two people out because I think it's for their benefit and mine. That's not being harsh, it's just where I want to go.
"I am enquiring about players, but I realise I've got to get people out before I can bring anybody in. That's what I am trying to do."
Who should leave Meadow Lane? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County defender Haydn Hollis says he has worked harder than ever to get fit for the upcoming season and feels like the campaign will be one of the best ones the Magpies have had in recent years.
The centre-back signed a one-year deal during the course of the summer, being one of only a handful of players from last season's campaign to be offered a new contract, but amid criticism about his distribution, he says he has ironed those flaws out and pledges to be more consistent.
Hollis told the Nottingham Post: "There are only one or two year deals offered to players at this level, and there are so many players still out there who I know of that can't get clubs and they've had 200-odd league games. It's crazy so you have to take every chance you get.
"I did a lot of pre-season work off my own back and I said to myself that I've got to do some preparation for when I came back. If you don't come back fit then you don't give yourself the best chance. But I think this is my best pre-season up to now.
"The manager has pulled me to the side and said he believed in me. He just wanted me to relax and play my own game. I don't think I've done myself any harm.
"A lot has been said about my distribution, but I can do it. It's just about decision making at different times. I think I've proved that I can do it.
"It's just consistency, like the gaffer says he wants. He wants seven out of 10 every week. You can't do it one week and not another.
"I'm very comfortable and confident with the lads we have got this year. That doesn't mean I was not comfortable with the lads we had last year. But I've not had the confident feeling since the (Shaun) Derry days really and I can feel good times for the club coming on again."
How will Haydn Hollis fare this 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 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.

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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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