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super_ram
This week's fixture list has thrown up some very interesting games and every one is important for all the teams, whether trying to avoid relegation or aiming for promotion. So this week I'm going through each game individually and the importance of each game will become apparent. I've made Notts County v Hartlepool my key game.

*Important Game ** Key Game

Saturday 6th February 2016

*Bristol Rovers v Wimbledon – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
*Cambridge v Dagenham & Redbridge – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3-0)
Carlisle v Accrington – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
*Exeter v Oxford United – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-2)
Mansfield v Morecambe – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction(2-0)
Newport v Barnet – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Northampton v York – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3-0)
**Notts County v Hartlepool – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
Portsmouth v Leyton Orient – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
Stevenage v Crawley – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
*Wycombe v Luton – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
Yeovil v Plymouth – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-2)

The first game on Saturday sees 4th placed Bristol Rovers striving to strengthen their place in the playoffs playing Wimbledon at 10th who are trying to join them.

Next comes 11th placed Cambridge on 41 points aiming to keep their own promotion hopes going while further damaging 23rd placed Dagenham & Redbridge's survival hopes.

Carlisle at 13th and Accrington at 6th have games to catch up having both only played 25 games, so this game is obviously important for these two teams.

Exeter at 12th and with 41 points will be trying to stay in touch with the chasing pack while denting 3rd placed Oxfords automatic promotion hopes.

Mansfield at 7th with 44 points are another team trying to stay in the playoff mix playing Morecambe at 14th with 36 points.

Newport at 20th with 27 points take on Barnet in 18th place with 33 points with these two teams trying to distance themselves from the relegation places.

Next comes top of the table Northampton at home to bottom club York.

Skip to 5th placed Portsmouth in the playoff places on 45 points playing Leyton Orient at 9th and with 43 points only one point outside the playoffs.

Stevenage at 19th with 28 points playing Crawley at 17th with 34 points sees another game with both teams hoping to pull away from the lower reaches of League Two.

Wycombe at 8th with 43 points are yet another team well in the promotion race playing Luton at 16th with 35 points.

Yeovil at 21st with 24 points have a difficult game at home to 2nd placed Plymouth who have 56 points.

Tuesday 9th February 2016

Dagenham & Redbridge v Wycombe – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-2)
Hartlepool v Stevenage – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)
*Oxford United v Mansfield – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)

Tuesdays fixtures continue the important game trend with currently 23rd placed Dagenham & Redbridge playing currently 8th placed Wycombe.

Notts' Saturday opponents Hartlepool take on 19th placed Stevenage at the bottom end of the table while at the other end 3rd placed Oxford entertain 7th placed Mansfield.

My thoughts on the Notts game.

Notts with 36 points and placed 15th from 27 games host 22nd placed Hartlepool whose 25 games have yielded 24 points.

Notts haven't played Hartlepool yet this season and the return fixture takes place later this month on Tuesday the 16th.

The last time the teams played each other was in the FA Cup on 9/11/2013 when pools won at their place 3–2. The last league meetings between the two teams were in 2012/13 in League One when Hartlepool won 2–1 at their place with Notts winning 2–0 at Meadow Lane.

Notts are only 8 points off the playoff places but need to return to winning ways at home to back up the two recent away wins under Jamie Fullarton.

I got my forecast hopelessly wrong a fortnight ago and the Notts performance was hopeless too. I hope my 2–0 prediction doesn't put a jinx on the result this time and that all Pie fans are happy come Saturday teatime.
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shepshedpie
After last week's thrilling late win at Grimsby, the league table has a fascinating look to it.
All the top four teams are on 27 points, with Notts' superior goal difference putting them right on top of the pile.
This Saturday (just like the first team) the young 'Pies are at home to Hartlepool United with the obvious added pressure that in order to stay at the top of the league table, another win is required.
It is hoped that Jack McMillan will have recovered from the knock that saw him limping off the pitch on Saturday and that Yohan Rutty-Smith and Luther Wildin are also fit to resume the fight after both missing the win at Grimsby.
For anyone who can make it down to Arnold FC on Saturday morning to cheer on the young 'Pies - do it - as they rarely serve up a disappointing performance.
COYP!
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Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has praised the attitude of former defender Gill Swerts, describing him as a “gentleman”.
The former Belgium international had his Magpies contract terminated by mutual consent on transfer deadline day – just six months into a two-year deal – after a move to Cypriot side Anorthosis Famagusta failed to materialise.
Having started plenty of games at the start of the season, Swerts lost his place in the team recently and, towards the end of his Meadow Lane tenure, had not even made the substitutes' bench.
"He was a gentleman," Fullarton said of Swerts. "He came to work with the right attitude and worked in a way that you would expect any professional to do.
"Sometimes that doesn't happen, especially when you are not close to the team. But you never would have been able to tell that Gill wasn't involved with the team, given his excellent attitude towards training.
"Superficially, it's tough to let people like that leave, but you have to be as objective as you can in terms of what's the aim and what's the best decision for the football club.
"Even in conversations with Gill, who didn't agree with the decision, realised it was best for all."
Should Gill Swerts have left Notts County? Share your opinion – sign up to Pride of Nottingham, visit the forum and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has admitted that the club reluctantly agreed to let Jimmy Spencer leave after he expressed a desire to find first-team football.
The striker left Meadow Lane last Friday and subsequently signed a six-month deal with Shaun Derry's Cambridge United, for whom he scored on his debut at Leyton Orient on Saturday.
The forward had struggled to regain his first-team place after a serious knee injury in the summer of 2014.
Fullarton told local media: "Jimmy expressed a strong desire to leave the club for game time which, like all other players, I could not guarantee.
"So after long discussions we as a club reluctantly agreed to let Jimmy go – we wish him all the best for the future.
"The other players who left were in a different situation as they were not part of the first team squad and were unlikely to be able to force their way into contention.
"It was best for all involved that they further their careers elsewhere." 
Spencer was one of four players to leave the club during the window, with midfielder Gill Swerts, winger Julian Jenner and defender Civard Sprockel also released.
What do you make of the circumstances surrounding Jimmy Spencer's departure? Sign up to Pride of Nottingham, visit the forum and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
Former Notts County trainee Darren Powell has taken charge of United States football side USL San Antonio.
The 43-year-old, from West Bridgford, took the reins last month at the new franchise, playing in the American third division.
He said: "From the very first conversation I had I could see it was a very exciting project and I'm keen to help and be a part of it.
I don't see it as daunting. When you're coaching and you're ambitious and learning your trade all the time at various levels, you're always aspiring to be at the next level. 
"It's a natural progression at this point in my career. It's more than building a first team, you're also trying to set a structure in place for young players in San Antonio.”
Powell made the move across the Atlantic in 1991, having been a trainee with the Magpies when Neil Warnock was manager.
Do you know Darren or have similar stories to share, either about yourself or others that have made a similar leap into world football? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the site, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Chris
Notts County Ladies have completed the sale of England defender Alex Greenwood to Liverpool Ladies 'for a significant' fee.
Alex has been a pinnacle player for the Lady Pies since arriving at the club in 2015, helping the side respectfully finish two successful campaigns and also most recently helping Notts reach Wembley in the F.A Cup.
The 22-year-old featured also featured in the Continental Tyres Cup Final last season.
Former FA WLS 1 champions, Liverpool have added Alex Greenwood in order to strengthen their squad after making an additional six signings, and Scott Rogers was keen to sign the Lioness and liverpool born left-back.
"This is a fantastic move for me and I am really enthusiastic about the new season, I had a great year at Notts County but this represents an exciting, new challenge and one that I am really looking forward to." Alex told the official site.
The fee, although undisclosed is believed to be a club record sale for Notts County who 'reluctantly' accepted the offer from Liverpool.
"We received a significant bid from Liverpool, which was close to our valuation for the player, and considering her wish to leave we reluctantly accepted the offer," Notts County Ladies chief executive Matthew Alexander said.
"Notts County wishes Alex all the best for the future."
Do you feel Notts Ladies should have sold Alex Greenwood? How can they put the fee to good use? - Join in our discussion here.
Joe Jones
Former Belgium international Gill Swerts has had his Notts County contract terminated by mutual consent.
Having arrived at Meadow Lane on a two-year deal last summer, the ex-Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar and Vitesse Arnhem player made 16 appearances before falling down the pecking order in recent weeks.
Jamie Fullarton told the official website: "We received an offer for Gill last week but that fell through at the last minute which was disappointing for the player. This led to discussions between myself and the player which resulted in the decision that it was in the interests of both the club and Gill for him to move on.
“He’s been a top professional since I came through the door and I know he’ll be missed in the changing room. Sadly though he wants first team football at this moment but I can't guarantee any player that but we obviously wish him all the best in the future.”
 
What are your thoughts on Swerts' departure? Let Pride of Nottingham know by joining the site, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Chris
Notts County first team manager Jamie Fullarton has completed the signing of Gary MacKenzie on loan, the deal is initially for twenty-eight days.

The 30-year-old Doncaster Rovers defender has enjoyed spells with more recently Bradford City, Blackpool and MK Dons.

The Magpies’ are looking to further shore up their defensive options with this arrival after recently managing to keep a clean sheet against Luton Town last Saturday.

Speaking to the club for the first time, Gary said “I’ve got plenty of experience in the league above but it should work out for everybody. If I can benefit Notts County and myself then everyone is happy.”

“My job is to organise and keep clean sheets in the defence but I also like to play football – it makes the game more enjoyable. But the important thing for me is to concede fewer goals.”

Jamie Fullarton was quick to speak about his connection with MacKenzie by saying “Gary is a player I’ve known form a number of years from his time with Rangers and Dundee. You find yourself tracking players throughout the years and how they can complement your setup at the time.”

“Obviously I’m delighted to bring him in because I feel he offers us something different, he’s a true leader who will help develop our young defenders in the first team and make a big contribution.”

The Magpies’ are also said to be looking at former Rams defender Miles Addison and ex-Plymouth winger Jason Banton who are said to be training with the club.
What do you think of this signing? Does it reassure you that the defence is being strengthened? Don’t forget to have you say below or within our community discussion, as we welcome Gary MacKenzie to Meadow Lane – Here.
Chris
Former Magpies’ striker Alex Kenlock has joined East Grinstead Town.

Alex was part of the set-up, which enjoyed travelling to Spain back 2014, where he was part of the Football League Education system with Notts County’s youth team and had signed his first professional deal with the magpies in April 2015.

The forward, who spent several years with Notts County – after progressing through the academy ranks, has joined the Ryman League Division One South Side on Friday.

On the following day, he made his debut for Matt Longhurst’s side in a 0-0 draw against Herne Bay.
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super_ram
Well, what a pleasure it is that, after last week’s awful performance, I am now commenting on a second consecutive away win for Notts under Jamie Fullarton’s leadership. Also this time by all accounts it was a thoroughly deserved win.
Here are the League Two results for the weekend:
Saturday 30th January 2016
Accrington 1–0 Bristol Rovers
Wimbledon 2–3 Yeovil
Crawley 0–1 Mansfield
Dagenham & Redbridge P–P Carlisle
Hartlepool 0–2 Exeter
Leyton Orient 1–3 Cambridge
Luton 0–2 Notts County
Morecambe 1–2 Newport
Plymouth 0–1 Wycombe
York 2–1 Stevenage
Today there were 2 home wins, 7 away wins, 0 draws and 1 postponement.
League Two Update
Northampton had no game but remain top of League Two with 58 points from 27 games.
Plymouth could have gone top due to Northampton's inactivity but lost at home 0–1 to Wycombe and stay in 2nd place with 56 points from 29 games. Wycombe move up to 8th on 43 points from 27 games.
Oxford lost 3–0 at home to Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup but remain 3rd with 51 points from 27 games.
Bristol Rover stay 4th on 47 points from 29 games despite losing 1–0 away at Accrington who move up to 5thwith 45 points and still have games in hand, having played only 25.
Portsmouth put in a very plucky performance in the FA Cup losing 2–1 at home to Premiership side Bournemouth but drop to 6th with 44 points from 26 games.
Mansfield's 1–0 win away at Crawley lifts them into the final play off place at 7th with 44 points from 29 games, with Crawley dropping to 17th on 34 points from 29 games.
There are no positional changes below Crawley at the basement end of the League Two table with York, although beating Stevenage 2–1 remain 24th and bottom with 20 points from 27 games.
Notts County win leapfrogs them over Morecambe, Luton and Crawley and up 3 places to 14th with 36 points from 27 games.
The gap between 6th and 7th placed Portsmouth and Mansfield, who are both on 44 points and 14th placed Notts County with 36 points is now down to 8 points. 
Portsmouth have played a game less than Notts County but Mansfield have played 2 more.
Notts County's cushion from the bottom end has increased to 16 points.
 
Upcoming fixtures
League Two – Tuesday 2nd February 2016
Luton v Yeovil
Morecambe v Portsmouth
Notts' next game is at home on Saturday 6th February 2016 against Hartlepool United with a 3:00pm kick off.
Hartlepool at 21st are 7 places and 12 points worse off than Notts and will host Notts in the return League Two fixture on Tuesday 16th February 2016.
The sacking of Ricardo Moniz and surprise appointment of Jamie Fullarton has created concern, unrest and to a degree a split amongst the Notts faithful. A win with a good performance will go a considerable way to restoring Notts fans belief and hopes for the future. 
This season could still turn out to be memorable for the right reasons.
 
Share your thoughts on this week's League Two action on the Pride of Nottingham forum.
shepshedpie
Notts were without Luther Wildin and Yohan Rutty-Smith and faced a tough game on a cold and breezy morning at Grimsby Town's training ground. The team was reorganised slightly and in came Jake Payling at left-back and Alex Howes on the left side of midfield.

The game settled down to be an even contest with both sides going close on occasions.

On 24 minutes Notts fell behind when a loose pass was intercepted and fired home from about 20 yards by the Grimsby striker.

Two minutes before half-time Montel Gibson chased what looked to be a lost cause but forced the keeper into an error and he could only blast the ball against Montel's body and watch as it rebounded into the goal.

Half-time 1-1

The second half continued as the first half with a keenly contested game and fierce tackles flying in at times. Mid way through the second half the game was stopped for a few minutes when one of the strong tackles put skipper Jack McMillan on the floor for quite a while.  Eventually he was able to stand up and walk but only off the pitch as he was substituted.

The game looked all set for a 1-1 draw but in the 89th minute Montel Gibson hit a shot which bounced off a defender's back and looped into the path of substitute Sam Osborne (?) who immediately crashed the ball past the helpless 'keeper for a late winner. With the snow falling the final whistle went soon after.

The young 'Pies were slightly below their best but dug in really well to take all three points which will take them to at least second in the league with leaders Scunthorpe losing at Mansfield.

I spent a very enjoyable second half chatting to a Manchester United scout - as the saying goes, you never know who is watching you.

Next Saturday the young 'Pies are at home to Hartlepool.

COYP!
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Joe Jones
Notts County midfielder Alan Smith has praised Jamie Fullarton’s structural approach to the game and team setup, comparing him to Shaun Derry’s brand of management.
The Magpies made it two wins out of three since the ex-Nottingham Forest youth coach took charge as they claimed a 2-0 victory at Luton Town.
Smith said: "I think since the gaffer's come in we've worked on a structure, trying to emphasise the fact that you are free to go and play, but you play from a structure.
"It will take time, but we've had two away performances and you've seen that infrastructure pay dividends already.
"The demands with the new manager are based on a structure and a platform to go and express yourself.
"It needs to be from that structure and it reminds me of when Shaun Derry was here – structure and how he wants things done in terms of discipline and so on.
"With that you can create talented players, but players who are knowledgeable about how to play football the right way, at the right time, at difficult places like Luton.
"It can't be overlooked that Luton is a difficult place to go. Things like that build players for the future.
"And I think that the more we work as a team together we can only get better. Once confidence builds and we get a few more wins we can hopefully have a good end to the season."
The win at Kenilworth Road puts Notts 14th in League Two on 36 points, eight points off seventh place and with at least one game in hand over five of the seven teams above them, up to and including seventh-placed Mansfield.
 
Comment on this story by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham community, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Another matchday, another gambit of emotions for Notts County fans. First came relief with a solid yet unspectacular win at Crawley. Then despair with a poor performance against AFC Wimbledon. 
And now, delight as the Magpies clinch an impressive 2-0 win away at Luton Town, with former Notts star Alan Sheehan opening the scoring with an own goal before Jon Stead wrapped up all three points with a fantastic solo strike.
The Magpies began the half brightly and piled on the pressure onto their opponents with a succession of set pieces, but the Hatters then upped their game and forced a number of corners, though Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu volleyed over the bar in the 18th minute.
The Hatters succeeded in getting the back into the back of the net on the half-hour mark, but Cameron McGeehan handled the ball in the build-up and accrued a booking for his troubles.
The first half ended with both sides on the attack, as Stead was denied by Elliot Justham and moments later lashed a daisy cutter wide, and at the other end Ruddock Mpanzu had arguably one of the best chances to open the scoring when he was clean through on goal but failed to find the back of the net.
It was a case of backs to the wall for Notts after the restart as Luton were quick off the starting blocks and maintained a good spell of pressure, although Elliott Hewitt very nearly scored from a 50-yard free kick after spotting Justham off his line.
Just before the hour, however, Notts surged into the lead, and it was a bit of a “script moment” as a Magpie surge down the Hatters right was followed up by an effort from Wes Atkinson, which took a hefty deflection off none other than Sheehan before dropping into the net.
Jamie Fullarton’s charges were invigorated after the opening goal, though they still had to watch out when Joe Pigott lined up a shot on the edge of the box, but Haydn Hollis was on hand to block before Carroll claimed.
Midway through the second half it got even better for Notts as Stead picked up the ball in midfield and drove at the Luton defence single-handed before slotting underneath Justham for his side’s second goal.
The win at Kenilworth Road is Notts County's second win in three games and only the third away win of the season, while Fullarton's away record reads two played, two won, three scored and zero conceded.
Credit to Dan Westwell for the image.
 
What did you think of the game? Sign up to Pride of Nottingham, visit the forum and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
It is goalless between Luton Town and Notts County at the halfway point of Saturday’s League Two clash at Kenilworth Road.
The Magpies began the half brightly and piled on the pressure onto their opponents with a succession of set pieces.
On the whole, the first quarter of an hour or so proved relatively scrappy, before the Hatters upped their game and forced a number of corners, though Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu volleyed over the bar in the 18th minute.
The game opened up around and past the midway point, with Ruddock Mpanzu scuffing an effort wide 23 minutes in before drawing a save from Roy Carroll five minutes later. 
In between the 22-year-old's chances, Izale McLeod shanked a shot over the Luton bar after being put through by Jon Stead.
The Hatters succeeded in getting the back into the back of the net on the half-hour mark, but Cameron McGeehan handled the ball in the build-up and accrued a booking for his troubles.
Notts continued to repel the hosts’ attacks but there was panic when Craig Mackail-Smith got the better of two defenders as he marauded down the pitch, although his 30-yard effort was ultimately stopped by Carroll.
More tenacious play was to follow from Mackail-Smith in the 39th minute, this time down the left, as he got the ball over to McGeehan, who couldn’t get his shot away.
The half ended with both sides on the attack, as Stead was denied by goalkeeper Elliot Justham and moments later lashed a daisy cutter wide, and at the other end Ruddock Mpanzu had arguably one of the best chances to open the scoring when he was clean through on goal but failed to find the back of the net.
 
What did you think of the first half? Visit the Pride of Nottingham forum now and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County midfielder Liam Noble has expressed his delight at Alan Smith’s decision to remain at Meadow Lane instead of moving to Plymouth Argyle.
The ex-Manchester United man turned down a switch to the League Two promotion contenders, who had offered him an 18-month deal last week, in order to stay at Meadow Lane.
Noble is delighted with the 35-year-old's decision and admitted he had become his go-to man for advice this season and even said he had helped improve his goalscoring.
Noble said: "If the team that is near the top of the league want you, then you must be doing something right.
"It's brilliant and all the lads look up to him, especially me. I love him. He plays in my position and I've learned so much from him.
"Early on in the season when I was arriving late in the box and scoring goals that was down to him. 
"He was taking me on the training pitch telling me I was too eager to get into the box and I had to time my runs a bit better. 
"I've got eight goals this season and that's down to him. He's first in, last out. 
"It's absolutely brilliant he is staying until the end of the season."
 
What do you make of Noble’s opinion of Smith? Let Pride of Nottingham know.

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