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Joe Jones
Notts County defender Mike Edwards has praised the club’s fans for their support against Wycombe Wanderers, adding that they deserved a positive performance.
The Magpies ended a torrid March on a high note with a much-improved performance on Easter Monday which yielded a point and a clean sheet, 0-0 the final result.
"The fans were class on Monday," said Edwards. "With the results that have been happening we needed to give them a lift. I think the minimum you can do is give that desire and that determination.
"The lads scrapped away and in a few cases we showed some quality too.
"With a little bit more time and a bit more confidence, that style of play will come back. But first and foremost in any game, you have to tough it out."
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Joe Jones
While a goalless draw at home may look like a negative result at first glance, Notts County gave their fans plenty to cheer about for the first time in weeks with a gutsy performance, a clean sheet and a bright second half against playoff-chasing Wycombe Wanderers in Monday’s game at Meadow Lane.
The visitors could have been behind inside three minutes as miscommunication between Ryan Allsop and Anthony Stewart allowed Adam Campbell to sneak on to a ball over the top, but the Bournemouth loanee threw out a hand to save his side’s blushes.
Wycombe slowly edged their way into the game before a clash of heads between Aaron Pierre and Curtis Thompson caused a lengthy stop in play, though both players were able to continue after receiving treatment.
Graham Burke fired wide from 25 yards following the resumption of play, while moments later, Max Kretschmar’s 30-yard free kick was misjudged by Scott Loach, who almost parried the ball into his own net.
In the 36th minute Notts carried out a routine straight off the training pitch as a short corner was worked to Jon Stead in front of goal, but his effort hit Adam Campbell before being cleared away.
Mark Cooper’s side carried on pounding the Chairboys box after the restart, Stead and Hadyn Hollis both heading over from close range inside four minutes.
Gareth Ainsworth’s charges, meanwhile, didn’t threaten until 15 minutes into the second half, Kretzschmar’s speculative drive failing to test Loach.
A flurry of chances for the away side then saw Pierre denied by two brave blocks, while Paul Hayes produced an acrobatic volley from the edge of the box which Loach did well to hold.
Notts had the final say in terms of chances, but when Izale McLeod was put clean through on goal, his one-on-one opportunity ended with a lob the wrong side of the bar.
In injury time, meanwhile, Hollis’s close-range header was thwarted by a superb Allsop diving save.
Despite not being able to register a goal, the final whistle was met by cheers and positive chants from the Notts faithful, buoyed by having witnessed one of the first hearty Magpies performances in a long time.
How many more points will Notts earn between now and the end of the season? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Mark Cooper has launched a scathing criticism of his side following their 4-0 defeat at Portsmouth, saying they concede "ridiculously bad goals" and that their footballing careers are at stake.
The four-goal thrashing at Fratton Park on Friday was preceded by a 4-1 defeat against Exeter City at Meadow Lane, leaving the Magpies in the lower reaches of League Two.
"I said to the players after the game on Saturday that it doesn't matter what formation, or what players are out there, you keep conceding ridiculously bad goals," Cooper said.
"For this to stop, it has to come from within. You must show desire and must take responsibility.
"I was surprised at how basic the goals were. If Richard Dryden had played centre-back we would not have conceded four and he's 45 or 46.
"They need to realise that careers are at stake and players' contracts are up. Whether they are going to stay here or move on, they have to be better."
Can Notts get a result against Wycombe Wanderers? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County midfielder Liam Noble has criticised his side's defending, saying it's unfair on goalkeeper Scott Loach and simply "not good enough".
The Magpies lost 4-0 at Portsmouth on Good Friday, while six days earlier they went down 4-1 at home to Exeter City.
Noble said: "As a team we can't defend. It's down to us and it has been for the last few games.
"As you saw the four goals could have been stopped. It keeps on happening and individuals need to look at themselves.
"As a team we are not good enough to defend. It's disappointing. It was Sunday morning stuff. It's unfair on Scott Loach, because he's conceded four yet again and there was nothing he could do about it.
"I thought we played well and were in the game, but we switched off. It's not good enough."
What can Notts do to improve their defending? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers have faced each other a total of 31 times over the years, with the first meeting coming as late as 1995, when the Magpies won 2-0 at Meadow Lane.
The Chairboys are way ahead in the head-to-head, having beaten Notts 15 times and drawn eight – we have beaten them just eight times.
We last faced off on 15 December 2015, a League Two game at Adams Park which ended in a 2-2 draw.
The fixture has been a high-scoring affair in recent years – our last five meetings have yielded 18 goals. Both sides have also scored in the last four – worth a BTTS bet perhaps?
In 1887, a meeting held at the Steam Engine public house in Station Road, High Wycombe saw the formation of Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
It is highly likely the club was named Wanderers after the famous Wanderers, winners of the first FA Cup in 1872. The club played just friendly matches between 1887 and 1896.  
Wycombe first entered the FA Amateur Cup in 1894 and the FA Cup in 1895. In 1895 the club moved to Loakes Park, which would become its home for the next 95 years.  
In 1896 the club joined the Southern League and competed in the Second Division until 1908, but in the summer of 1908 the club declined the invitation to retain their membership of the Southern League.  
The club decided to pursue amateur instead of professional football and joined the Great Western Suburban League and remained there until the outbreak of the First World War.  
After the hostilities had ended the club joined the Spartan League in 1919 and were Champions in successive years. In March 1921 the club's application to join the Isthmian League was accepted.
Wycombe enjoyed a fairytale season in 2000–01 as the club reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. First Division sides Grimsby Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Wimbledon were all beaten before a memorable quarter-final with Premier League Leicester City.  
In a game that has gone down in FA Cup history, striker Roy Essandoh headed an injury-time winner to seal a 2–1 win at Filbert Street as manager Lawrie Sanchez looked on from the dressing room, having been dismissed from the touchline during the game. The ensuing semi-final at Villa Park saw Liverpool pushed all the way, but the Reds claimed a 2–1 victory.
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Notts County manager could make changes to his side after describing their defending in Friday’s 4-0 defeat at Portsmouth as “park football”.
With Blair Adams likely to remain out with a foot injury, Rhys Sharpe, Wes Atkinson or Mike Edwards are options to come into the team in defence.
Goalkeeper Roy Carroll is still away on international duty with Northern Ireland so Scott Loach is expected to remain between the posts, with Kevin Pilkington on the bench.
Wycombe's promotion challenge has been dealt a blow with an injury to Sam Wood - the winger suffered a knee injury against Mansfield Town and early indications are the problem could keep him out for a few weeks.
Jerell Sellars replaced Wood in the eighth minute on Friday and the on-loan Aston Villa youngster could now make his full debut at Meadow Lane.
Wanderers will also be without Marcus Bean through suspension – the midfielder incurred a three-game ban for his sending-off at Carlisle United on 19 March.
Can Notts County get a result against Wycombe Wanderers? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
New Notts County manager Mark Cooper has launched into a scathing assessment of his side following their 4-0 defeat at Portsmouth, saying their defending wouldn’t have been seen in park football.
Though the Magpies played admirably in the first half at Fratton Park and were unlucky to concede just before the break, they were run ragged in the second half as Kyle Bennett, Christian Burgess and Marc McNulty weighed in with simple finishes.
The former Swindon boss said: "A lot of people told me before I came here that this team conceded a lot of goals and couldn't defend properly.
"I think you've just seen (on Friday) that the softest of goals unlocked us and changes the complexion of the game.
"All four goals aren't from brilliant play from Portsmouth but ridiculous defensive errors. The players need to take some responsibility; they've had three managers.
"The first goal, their lad has picked up the ball 15 yards into our half, run down the touchline, cut in and rolled the ball into the net - that wouldn't happen tomorrow on the park.
"It's like park football - it's not just defenders, the players need to take responsibility. I can't take any satisfaction from that other than 11 men stayed on the pitch."
Will Notts manage to keep another clean sheet this season? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County fans were in good spirits ahead of their side’s League Two clash with Portsmouth at Fratton Park, but by the end of it they were left to bemoan a poor display for which new boss Mark Cooper will need to pull out all the stops to sort out.
The hosts had a penalty appeal turned down after just three minutes, with Haydn Hollis’s challenge on Ben Davies in the box not being punished.
A slip up by the Pompey keeper allowed Izale McLeod the chance to volley into an open goal from 30 yards out, but the ex-Crawley man missed the target.
Notts were intent to stamp their mark on the game and in what proved to be quite a niggly first half, the visitors weighed in with a number of challenges, which saw the likes of Rob Milsom and Curtis Thompson receive bookings.
Unfortunately it wouldn’t prove to be so fruitful on the goal tally, because on the stroke of half time, Kyle Bennett was able to get deep into the Notts area and slot past Scott Loach.
Shortly after the restart Adam McGurk could have doubled the advantage, but his free header from Ben Davies' free kick sailed wide.
Notts were nevertheless undone again in the 48th minute courtesy of Bennett’s second, cottoning onto Gary Roberts' slide-rule pass and slotting past Loach.
Pompey then made it three goals to nil when Christian Burgess got in front of his man to head in Enda Stevens' quickly-taken free kick.
Paul Cook’s side made sure of a crushing win when top scorer Marc McNulty lobbed a header over Loach, once again completely unmarked.
4-0 was the final score, and it looks like Craig Westcarr’s prediction of this job being Cooper’s most difficult in his time as a manager looks to be correct.
What did you make of the performance? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
New Notts County manager Mark Cooper has called on his players to "put things straight" beginning in their League Two clash at Portsmouth.
The Magpies haven't won in seven games and currently sit 19th in the fourth tier, prompting bookies to make Pompey clear favourites to win the game at Fratton Park on Friday.
Cooper used this as a rallying call, telling the press: "I really am looking forward to it and I hope the players can deliver a good performance.
"There have been a lot of questions about them and a lot of things have been labelled at them. I said to them it's time to put one or two things straight. Answer a few questions and prove that you are not as bad as your league form suggests."
Can Notts defeat Portsmouth? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
When Jamie Fullarton was relieved of his duties, the vast, vast majority of Notts County fans breathed a huge sigh of relief.
It wasn’t just the fact he was not deemed adequate for the job by probably 99% of supporters (no experience, no prior connection to the club like Shaun Derry or Chris Kiwomya, former Nottingham Forest man), or that he presided over a run of games that saw Notts drop from potential playoff long-shots to possible relegation candidates.
It was also how Stanley Aborah, arguably our finest player this season, was frozen out of the squad and put through a humiliating gauntlet by the thankfully-now-ex-manager and the club.
Football fans over the age of 25 may remember a similar spat at Newcastle United in the late 1990s between Ruud Gullit and Alan Shearer. Let’s just say the manager came off second best. Alienating your best player is a PR disaster in front of your fans, and if you’re not getting the results without that player, then you’re pretty much doomed. Fullarton even had a third strike to his name – the fact virtually nobody wanted him at Meadow Lane in the first place.
Aborah was not only schooled at the prestigious Ajax academy, but was the youth team’s captain. He’s clearly a talented, hardworking player and is just the midfield engine Notts needs to compete in the league and get results.
His career has been stop-start throughout because of injuries and other things outside his control – he played for a season in Kuwait after leaving Ferencvaros but had a dispute with the club and then couldn't play for a year before joining Notts – so you cannot blame him for being overly cautious about the situation at whatever club he plays for.
If he said he wanted to leave the club after Moniz’s sacking, it would have been the “red alert” going off in his head. Rather than being reassured about his future at the club, however, he was hung out to dry.
Notts seemed to cope well enough following Aborah’s last game, against Oxford at the start of 2016, beating Crawley, Luton and Hartlepool, but then things tailed off considerably. Fullarton should have swallowed his pride and brought him back into contention, but instead he stuck to his guns – and now he’s out of a job.
Mark Cooper’s appointment has reassured fans not only because he’s a tried and tested manager with success in the lower leagues, but because he’s pledged to bring Aborah back into contention.
Already he has won brownie points with the long-suffering Notts faithful, and if the club manages to pick up a decent haul of points in the next few games with Aborah running the midfield, then it will be testament to his indispensability to the cause.
Do you agree with JJ? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
New Notts County manager Mark Cooper has confirmed that Stanley Aborah will be involved against Portsmouth in Friday's League Two clash at Fratton Park.
The Ghanaian has not played for the Magpies since the 4-2 defeat at home to Oxford United at the beginning of January.
He fell out of favour with Ricardo Moniz's successor Jamie Fullarton and subsequently appeared set to leave the club following a public spat.
Cooper, however, told reporters at a press conference: "Stan will play the game. He's a good footballer.
People who know what my teams are about have a lot of good footballers in them. I am sure he will add something to the team."
Do you agree with Mark Cooper? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County and Portsmouth have met a total of 27 times over the years, the first meeting coming on the 20th November 1926, which the Magpies lost 3-2 at Meadow Lane.
We have beaten Portsmouth 12 times and played out six draws, with the South Coast side winning on nine occasions.
The last meeting, at Meadow Lane on 31 October 2015, was won 2-1 by Notts - making it four consecutive wins over Pompey between September 2012 and October 2015, two in League One, one in League Two, and one in the FA Cup.
Between December 1992 and December 1994 the two teams played each other six times, with Notts failing to get a win in a run that saw three draws and three defeats.
Portsmouth have been champions of England twice, in 1949 and 1950. The club has also won the FA Cup on two occasions, firstly in 1939 and most recently in 2008, and also reached the final of the competition in 2010.
Portsmouth were moderately successful in the first decade of the 21st century, especially during the 2007–08 Premier League season, when they won the FA Cup, beating Cardiff City 1-0 in the final.
They subsequently qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup competing against European heavyweights such as seven-times European Cup winners A.C. Milan.
During this period, Portsmouth were recognised to have a large number of international footballers, including England players Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe, as well as Peter Crouch, David James and Sol Campbell.
However, financial problems soon set in and Portsmouth were relegated to the Football League Championship in 2010. In 2012 they were again relegated, to League One, and again, in 2013, to League Two.
They began the 2013–14 season in the fourth tier of the English football league system for the first time since the late 1970s.
Portsmouth became the largest fan-owned football club in England, after the Pompey Supporters Trust (PST) successfully gained possession of Fratton Park in April 2013.
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Portsmouth amnager Paul Cook will choose between teenager Alex Bass or the recalled Paul Jones to start in goal when the South Coast outfit welcomes Notts County on Good Friday.
First-choice keeper Ryan Fulton has been called up to the Scotland Under-21 squad and Brian Murphy is out with a calf injury.
New signing Conor Wilkinson will not be available for either of the Easter games after joining on loan from Bolton Wanderers until the end of the season.
The striker is currently away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland's Under-21 side but will join training with Pompey next week.
New Notts boss Mark Cooper is to offer Stanley Aborah a fresh start after he confirmed the midfielder will feature at Fratton Park.
The 28-year-old appeared to be on his way out of County after the club stated he had requested to leave on two occasions, but Cooper is set to hand him his first outing since 2 January.
Blair Adams will miss Cooper's first game in charge after sustaining a foot injury in the 4-1 defeat at home to Exeter City last weekend.
The only other absentee is winger Will Hayhurst, who has not played this season because of a cruciate knee ligament injury and is not expected to be fit again until the summer.
Will Notts win, draw or lose against Portsmouth? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County Ladies defender Laura Bassett has admitted her side are ‘raring to go’ ahead of the new FA Women’s Super League season.
Last year the Lady Pies made headlines by reaching both the FA Women’s Cup final and the Continental Cup final.
Ahead of Wednesday's game at Manchester City, Bassett told The Offside Rule: “Every season it has to be about getting more points and finishing higher in the league.
We gained so much momentum early in the season getting ourselves to the FA Cup final and then because we didn’t deliver we lost our way a little in the league.
Then the Continental Cup came around and we decided to focus on that and we managed to get to the final again.
“As a club we’re very resilient, we’re very focused and when we put our minds to it, we’ll get what we want but we know in finals anything can happen – that’s football!
This season we want to focus on getting some silverware on the table, we have to be determined and we have to finally prove to ourselves that we’ve got that potential and that we’re hard to beat at Notts County.
We also want to thank our fans and all those people who work so tirelessly every year too.
“Everyone at Notts is so raring to go. You speak to anyone in the team who hasn’t been away on international duty and you can tell they’re all raring to go and that the first game just needs to come around quicker, so yeah definitely we’re all ready to go.”
What will this season have in store for Notts County Ladies? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Former Notts County striker Craig Westcarr has described Mark Cooper’s new role at Meadow Lane as one of the most daunting challenges of his managerial career.
The 31-year-old, now plying his trade at Mansfield Town, was part of Cooper’s Kettering side which won the Conference North title in 2008 before they embarked on a memorable FA Cup run to the fourth round.
Cooper’s first game in charge of the Magpies is on Good Friday against Portsmouth at Fratton Park, a game Westcarr says is a "free shot" given Notts' current form.
Westcarr said: "It's a tough challenge for him without a doubt, given the results of the team have not been great in the last few weeks.
"But he'll have a right go at it and knowing him as I do, I'm sure it's a task he will be determined to beat.
"He's a good man manager, he's laid back and not as intense as some other managers out there.
"I really enjoyed playing under him and I am sure the players at Notts will do too.
"He has a way of playing that really caught the eye at Swindon, but the problem is he's going to have to hit the ground running.
"He's going to have to figure out his best team very quickly and it might not be until the fourth or fifth game when he does.
"The fact he only has 10 games of the season left makes it even tougher, but he has proven he's a good manager and I'm hoping he does well because the one thing Notts need is stability."
Cooper’s contract initially runs until the end of the season, but an extension will be triggered if he meets a pre-determined points target.
Where can Notts finish in League Two under Cooper? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
New Notts County chief executive officer Jason Turner has claimed that his priority is to instil some stability at the club and lay the foundations for promotion to League One.
The 43-year-old, whose appointment was confirmed today, has worked at Cardiff City, Plymouth Argyle and Newport County.
Turner, who replaces Julian Winter, will start at Meadow Lane on 4 April and will be responsible for overseeing the day to day running of the Magpies.
"It's a privilege to be named as CEO of Notts County Football Club and I am absolutely delighted to be joining a club steeped in such tradition and history," Turner said.
"Having worked in football for many years, I already know some of the people here, and when I was offered the opportunity to join it was a chance I just couldn't pass up.
"The number one priority has to be to get some stability and move the club back up the table and into League One as soon as possible.
"That's the shared vision of everyone here and, in my opinion, everybody has their part to play."
Are you happy with the appointment? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has released a statement where he heavily hints at having pulled out of a takeover bid for Notts County.
The chief executive of the Paragon Group last week submitted a 'substantial' written offer, which is understood to have fallen short of owner Ray Trew's valuation.
With Trew said to have completed a deal in principle with an American group, Hardy said he is prepared to step aside as 'an alternative buyer, who can provide a better future for the club' closes in.
He explained: "The one thing Ray Trew and I have firmly in common is that we both want the best for Notts County Football Club.
"Together with an executive team, I've been working hard to try and get a mutually beneficial deal agreed so that we can see the club move forward in a positive manner.
"At the same time I've been developing a plan to deal with the short, medium and long-term future of the club, ensuring that the loyal supporters can focus on activities on the pitch, confident that matters off it are being effectively managed in a responsible, sustainable manner.
"I've been overwhelmed by the encouragement that I've received from the supporters of the club during the last few months.
"My passion for the club and the desire to see it succeed remains as strong as ever.
"I am however a realist and a successful businessman and only make decisions based upon sound, rational judgement.
"I've already said publicly on one occasion that if Mr Trew has an alternative buyer, who can provide a better future for the club and the supporters, then I will do the right thing and end my interest in the club.
"It appears that we are rapidly reaching that point and on that basis I wish the club and everyone involved with it the very best of luck.
"I have a burning desire to be involved in professional football and will shortly be discussing other opportunities that have been identified to me."
Trew reportedly also met with a Chinese consortium on Tuesday for talks over taking over the club.
Who would you like to see take over Notts County? 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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