Jump to content
Show all categories

Articles

Our website articles
Joe Jones
Jamie Fullarton has admitted he is in "no rush" to make new signings for Notts County as he prepares to enter the final week of the transfer window. 
The new manager is yet to add new blood to his squad, stressing that he is keen to give every player the chance to impress before deciding on incomings or outgoings.
As a result, Blair Adams is to stay at Meadow Lane instead of extending his loan at Mansfield Town, while Alan Smith’s supposed move to Plymouth Argyle was called off by the veteran midfielder.
"I know the window shuts at the end of January, but I am keen to stress there is no rush," Fullarton said. 
"That's because the loan window reopens in February and that's something we can take advantage of.
"I'm under no pressure and I am happy working with the squad I have got.
"I have had conversations with players that have been in this new environment for the last two weeks.
"I've wanted to see what they think, where they stand and how they feel. And I am pleased to say that Alan has preferred to stay at Notts County and work with us."
The only player to leave the club this window has been Nicky Wroe who left the club by mutual consent and has since signed for FC Halifax.
 
Should Fullarton make some signings before the closure of the transfer window? Let us know by signing up to Pride of Nottingham, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County have only ever played AFC Wimbledon once, earlier this season, and the outcome was a 2-1 win to the opposition.
The Magpies have also played no more than a handful of games against the original Wimbledon side – and the record is equally poor, with four defeats and two draws against them.
If we take the new incarnation of Wimbledon to be a continuation of the old one, it means we have never won against them – a record we will want to put right on Saturday.
The club was founded by Wimbledon F.C. supporters in June 2002 as a direct reaction to the decision by an independent three man commission appointed by the Football Association to allow the original club Wimbledon to relocate to Milton Keynes in Buckinghamshire, about 56 miles north of Wimbledon. 
The large majority of Wimbledon F.C. supporters very strongly opposed the idea of moving the club so far, feeling that a club transplanted to Milton Keynes would no longer represent Wimbledon F.C.'s legacy and traditions, and, having campaigned against the proposed move, viewed its official sanctioning as the "death of their club".
AFC Wimbledon considers itself a spiritual successor or "phoenix" version of the original team, as Wimbledon F.C. physically moved in 2003 and then changed the name the club to Milton Keynes Dons in 2004.
When AFC Wimbledon was formed, it affiliated to both the London and Surrey Football Associations, and entered the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League, which is the ninth tier in English football. 
In its short history, the club has been extremely successful, being promoted five times in nine seasons, and going up from the ninth tier (Combined Counties Premier) to the fourth (League Two). 
The only other club considered to have completed this feat is the now dissolved Rushden & Diamonds.
AFC Wimbledon holds the record of the longest unbeaten run of league matches in English senior football, having played 78 consecutive league games without a defeat between February 2003 and December 2004.
They hold the distinction of being the first club to be formed in the 21st century to make it into the Football League.
By far their most notable player is Adebayo Akinfenwa, who regularly tops the FIFA videogame strength ratings. Unsurprising really, as he would not look out of place propping up a rugby scrum.
-
Notts County’s new manager Jamie Fullarton should  have striker Izale McLeod back from an ankle injury for his first home game.
Midfielder Liam Noble, meanwhile, returns from a four-game ban following a second red card of the season in mid-December.
AFC Wimbledon could be without George Francomb and Jake Reeves - both had fitness tests yesterday.
The other absentee is Will Nightingale, who might not return until the end of the season.
 
Discuss this article by joining the Pride of Nottingham community, visiting the forum and getting involved in the conversation.
Chris
A lot has been said during the period whereby Alan Smith was rumoured to be joining Plymouth Argyle, which I must admit I wasn’t all that bothered about. However, I do think Smith will be a great coach and someone ideal to have around as a backroom member of staff.

It’s just hard to envision him playing week in and out for Notts, perhaps as a part player who can make an impact in the important games – whereby a little grit in midfield will help Notts in those tough matches?

I do believe we can afford to allow players who will feature less this season permission to leave the club.

Yet at the time, I made the point about how a player like Alan Smith is important to have around other players such as Curtis Thompson – young hungry players looking to establish themselves and their careers.

He may also be an asset to Jamie Fullarton, who will require all the experience and help he can find.

As a new manager looking to gain managerial experience after a wealth of experience working with young players, it seems ideal to have someone who has been at the top and remained there for the majority of their career.

I’ve made it no secret that I believe Jamie Fullarton should have his own assistant, I still hope to see news filter out about this but in the meantime, I am sure the new Notts manager Jamie Fullarton will have other people to help him.

I honestly feel the majority of fans will realise it’s important for him to have his own No.2 and someone who he feels can guide him with the day to day tasks of football management.

Can Alan Smith be someone who can temporarily fill this gap, along with Richard Dryden?

Both Ricardo Moniz and Shaun Derry struggled during the tough tests faced, yet on paper, both had very good support in Dave Kevan and Greg Abbott. It’s for that reason why I feel it’s of vast importance but in the meanwhile – since Notts will be looking to gain a form of stability.

Maybe, just maybe Alan Smith will be more assistance off the field than on it.

There’s no doubt that he brings many different types of benefits, from interest due to his playing career, to his personality and passion for the game.
What are your thoughts? Discuss the article below - Also, don't forget to join our match discussion - Here.
Joe Jones
Notts County will not extend defender Blair Adams’s loan spell at Mansfield Town, their manager, Adam Murray, has admitted.
New Magpies manager Jamie Fullarton has reiterated that he is keen to take a look at all of the players at his disposal after taking over at Meadow Lane.
Murray told the official Mansfield website: “Blair’s loan finished yesterday, and despite being led to believe over the past couple of weeks that Blair would be able to extend his stay with us, unfortunately Notts County have now decided against this at the last minute. As their (Notts County’s) player, they have every right to do this.
“I understand it has come about because of a mix-up in communication at their [Notts County’s] end, which led to their final decision to keep Blair Adams at Meadow Lane.
“We are obviously very disappointed as Blair was an outstanding performer for us, but like anything in this game, we will move on swiftly.”
Adams played 15 games during a three-month loan spell at Mansfield.
 
What do you make of Murray’s parting shot at Notts? And can Adams establish himself in the Notts starting line-up? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the community, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
shepshedpie
While I am always being told that the development of the young ‘Pies is always deemed to be more important than winning football matches, I am sure it is easier for the coaches to get their points across if the lads can see it gets results on a Saturday.
With that in mind, it seems a long time ago, at the end of November in fact, when the Notts youth team sat proud on top of their league.
Since then they have only played only twice, during December, losing both games, bowing out of the FA Youth Cup to an outstanding and undefeated (at the time) Luton Town team and losing 1-0 in the league on a very bumpy pitch away at Lincoln.
Since then their inactivity has seen them slide down the table to seventh place - but they are still only five points behind the leaders with a game in hand - so still everything to play for.
Many of the youth team although not playing in their own team, have been outstanding in their appearances for the Reserve team.  In fact on Tuesday, no fewer than nine youth team players were involved in the game, four in the team and another five on the bench. Some very promising youngsters coming through the system.
This Saturday they start the second half of the season at home to Burton Albion, the team just behind them in eighth place, hoping to fight their way back up the table - here's hoping for an exciting and successful 2016 for the young 'Pies.
Read more of our articles - Here | Join in with our community discussions - Here.  
Joe Jones
Former Newport County manager Justin Edinburgh is delighted that the Welsh club will benefit from Conor Washington's transfer from Peterborough to Queens Park Rangers.
The Exiles will receive nearly £1m from a 20% sell-on clause for the striker Edinburgh brought to County for £5,000.
"The money is a lifeline for a club like Newport," Edinburgh told BBC Radio Wales.
"It's a fantastic move for Conor and even more so for Newport. I'm delighted for everyone and it's worked out great for all parties.
"We gave Conor a chance, an opportunity. To see the club now get close to £1m, it's fantastic and will help the Supporters' Trust carry on what they have started there."
Washington, a former postman, left Newport for the Posh in 2014 after making 48 appearances for the South Wales club.
-
Leyton Orient have signed midfielder Nigel Atangana from fellow League Two side Portsmouth on an 18-month deal for an undisclosed fee.
The 26-year-old appeared 48 times for Pompey since joining from Havant & Waterlooville in 2014, but has not played for the club since November.
-
Barnet manager Martin Allen has admitted that the club have taken up the option to extend top scorer John Akinde's contract by another year.
The 26-year-old has scored 11 goals this season and a total of 43 in his 74 appearances since signing in 2014.
"I've had a chat with John Akinde and I've informed him that the club are taking up the option on his contract," Allen told Barnet's official website.
"We're happy and he's delighted. It's good news all round, and that should now settle everybody down."
-
Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has claimed that, if his side replicate their FA Cup performances against Aston Villa in the league, they will "win a lot more than we lose".
The Chairboys lost their third-round replay at Villa Park 2-0 on Tuesday.
"I've said to the boys 'Some of you will get to this level'. I'm confident I've got a couple of players who will get to the Championship, Premier League," said Ainsworth.
"The problem will be holding onto some of them now."
-
Bristol Rovers striker Ellis Harrison has agreed a one-month loan deal with fellow League Two side Hartlepool.
Harrison, 21, will join up with Pools on Monday having scored a winning penalty for his parent club in a 2-1 win at Oxford United on Sunday.
The Wales under-21 international has scored six goals for Rovers this season in 24 appearances.
-
Stevenage have re-signed midfielder Lee Cox on loan from League Two rivals Plymouth until the end of the season.
Cox featured in six games for Boro earlier this season after joining the club on a one-month loan in November.
The 25-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer, has made 42 appearances for Argyle since joining the club from Swindon Town in May 2014.
Share your thoughts on the League Two news below - Find more content | Here.
Chris
Plymouth Argyle has been rumoured to have offered an 18-month deal to Alan Smith back in late December, however, the Notts midfielder looks set to turn down the move and remain amongst the ranks at Meadow Lane.
News emerged via Twitter after an image picturing Smith posing for a photo with a young football fan. Later on the same day, another photograph depicting Smith meeting up with Argyle manager Derek Adams was shared amongst social media.
Yet the magpies' are believed to have given Smith permission to talk to Plymouth Argyle, but it is now understood that after having had time to speak to the new Notts manager Jamie Fullarton, Smith has decided to see out his remaining deal at Meadow Lane, which expires at the end of the season.
Smith is believed to be one of the lowest earners at Notts, as he has made it clear he is not motivated by money. His decision to remain as a Notts County player will be well received by the dressing room, with Smith a popular figure among other team mates and he will be keen to now impress Notts manager Jamie Fullarton who had named Smith as one of his substitutes in the 1-0 away win last Saturday against Crawley Town.
So far he has managed to have made 17 appearances, with Smith being in contention for selection against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.
However, some Notts fans may have wished for Alan Smith to be one of few players to depart Meadow Lane - as we sort to reduce the current playing squad.
Join in with our popular discussions: Would you bet against your own team? Discover more content - Here. 
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has confirmed that he will be giving Blair Adams a chance to impress in the Magpies squad.
The defender has been on loan at rivals Mansfield Town for the last three months with his performances prompting Stags boss Adam Murray to offer the defender a permanent deal.
Fullarton played down reports of Adams leaving for good, saying: "Blair's loan expired this week and having only just walked through the door, I haven't had the opportunity to work with him until these last few days.
"He's back which will give me a chance to have a look at him like I will do with all the other players.
"I will give him a chance to be part of it. His attitude has been first class and he's shown intent in terms of putting into practice what I am asking.
"It was of a highly professional standard too and I'm looking forward to working with him.
"Where we are at this moment, I've been impressed with everything about him since he came back into the building.
"Mansfield have had contact with us and told us they would like him to join them which is understandable given his performances and how well he has done there.
"But he is a Notts County footballer who I want to work with and give him a different environment as to what he's had before."
Adams played just twice under previous boss Ricardo Moniz this season before being allowed to leave the Magpies.
 
Should Adams be given a run in the team? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the community, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County defender Haydn Hollis has become the second member to speak out in favour of new manager Jamie Fullarton after being given a fresh start in the starting line-up.
The 23-year-old, who was in and out of the team under previous boss Ricardo Moniz, has now started the last two games for the Magpies and was rewarded with a clean sheet in a 1-0 win at Crawley Town
"You've just got to accept that's how football can be sometimes," said Hollis.
"You can be doing really well, then find yourself out of the team. But it's a fresh start for me as it is for all the lads.
"I missed games, but when you are a professional footballer you have to stay mentally strong because you do get tested.
"You've just got to keep going. Hopefully I can now keep my place for the game against Wimbledon this weekend."
Should Hollis be given an extended run in the first team? Visit the Pride of Nottingham forum and join the conversation.
super_ram
Once again a full programme with plenty of interesting fixtures. I've highlighted a few and also made Notts County v Wimbledon my key game of the week. See what you think!

*Important games **Key Game

Saturday 23rd January 2016

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

Tuesday 26th January 2016

Leyton Orient v Newport – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
*Morecambe v Mansfield – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-0)

The first game I've highlighted gives 4th placed Bristol Rovers, on 46 points, a chance to get into the automatic play off places, while their opponents, top of the table Plymouth, will be hoping to add to their 55 points.

My second game is at the other end of the table where 20th placed Newport, on 23 points, will be hoping to pull away from 22nd placed Dagenham & Redbridge who have 19 points. Newport also play midweek, on Tuesday, when they are away at Leyton Orient which is another team still with playoff hopes.

The 3rd highlighted game sees Northampton, who are second with the same points as Plymouth but with a game in hand, playing 13th placed Morecambe who with 35 points still hope to get to the playoff places.

Next comes an obviously important game with 5th placed Portsmouth, on 44 points, taking on Oxford placed 3rd with 48 points.

My final important game is played on Tuesday when currently placed 13th and mid table, Morecambe play currently 9th placed Mansfield.

Yet again I feature Notts as my key game.

** Notts County v Wimbledon

Notts are now 16th with 33 points from 25 games and 7 points below 7th placed Wycombe, occupying the last play off place, on 40 points. Opponents Wimbledon are 8 places higher than Notts and with 39 points only one point outside the playoffs from 26 games.

Notts lost at Wimbledon 2-1 earlier this season 19/9/2015.

This is the first game at Meadow Lane for Notts with Jamie Fullarton at the helm. Can Notts build on last weeks win away at Crawley? Will JF continue with the attractive attacking style of play seen in home games under the previous manager but with some much needed defensive quality added to Notts' game? Is a promotion push still on? There are still 21 games (63 points) for Notts to play. Interesting!
Join in with the latest on-goings involving Notts - Here | Don't forget to join if you're not already a member - Here
Joe Jones
Notts County winger Filip Valencic has criticised former manager Ricardo Moniz for barely selecting him and admitted that his winner against Crawley Town was “powered” with the anger he felt towards the departed Dutchman.
The 24-year-old Slovenian arrived at Meadow Lane in July, but made only two appearances in League Two before Moniz left in December and was replaced by Jamie Fullarton.
Valencic told BBC Sport: "With that shot I put all my anger in it because I didn't play. I thought I would be playing more, not every game, but I really thought I would be paying more.
"I have spoken with Ricardo a couple of times and basically what he told me was that I'm not ready for the first team so I kept playing for the reserves and waiting for an opportunity.
"When the new manager came he gave me the chance and I took it."
 
What do you make of Valencic's comments? Sign up to the Pride of Nottingham community, visit the forum and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has praised his players for sticking to his game plan as he began his managerial reign with a win at Crawley Town.
Filip Valencic's impressive second-half volley from just outside the box proved the difference between the two sides in Saturday’s League Two clash at the Checkatrade.com Stadium. 
The result saw the Magpies earn only their second away win of the season, the first one coming all the way back on the first game of the campaign in August.
Fullarton said: "It's a great three points, but it's only three points. Breaking records doesn't really come into our thought process. You've got to give credit to the players because they are the ones who take in the information then act upon it.
"I thought every man played their part, they were first class. It wasn't just the centre-backs, but I touched on it previously that defending is about the team, not any individual.
"It's not just the defence which stops you conceding goals, it's what happens in front in terms of making it difficult to play better balls into the box, therefore making the job easier for the defenders.
"From the centre backs to the centre forwards, we had a game plan and we stuck to it."
 
Is Jamie Fullarton the man to take Notts forward? Join the Pride of Nottingham community, visit the forum and join the conversation.
super_ram
At last Notts win away again, for the first time since the opening day of the season, getting Jamie Fullarton's reign as the Magpies new manager off to a positive start at Crawley.
Here are the League Two results for this weekend:
Saturday 16 January 2016
Accrington- Postponed- Portsmouth
AFC Wimbledon 3 – 1 Mansfield
Barnet 0 – 0 Carlisle
Crawley 0 - 1 Notts County
Dagenham & Redbridge 1 - 2 Northampton
Hartlepool 1 - 0 Wycombe
Leyton Orient 1 - 3 Exeter
Luton 0 - 0 Cambridge
Morecambe 2 - 1 Yeovil
Plymouth 3 - 2 Stevenage
York 0 - 1 Newport
Today there were 4 home wins, 4 away wins, 2 draws and 1 postponement.
Sunday 17 January 2016
Oxford United 1 - 2 Bristol Rovers
League Two Update
The automatic promotion places are sorting themselves out with Plymouth and Northampton both winning and on 55 points from 27 and 26 games respectively thus opening a 7 point gap over 3rd placed Oxford who lost at home to Bristol Rovers who move up to 4th on 46 points.
Portsmouth's drop to 5th on 44 points as their game at Accrington was postponed.
Wycombe remain 6th despite losing at Hartlepool with 40 points.
Accrington suffered another postponement but still occupy the last playoff place with games in hand and 39 points the same total as 8th placed Wimbledon who have played 26 games, 4 more than Stanley.
It's becoming clearer at the other end of the table too. York stay bottom with 16 points from 25 games after losing at home to Newport who are relatively safe at 20th on 23 points from 25 games.
Yeovil also lost, away at Morecambe, and keep the other relegation spot at 23rd with 17 points from 26 games.
Hartlepool, at 21st, also have 23 points but have only played 22 games.
Dagenham & Redbridge are 22nd with 19 points from 26 games.
Stevenage, at 19th,are on 27 points and 10 points clear of a relegation place.
Looking at the rest of League Two we can see how close the positions are with 9th placed Mansfield on 38 points from 26 games but only one point outside a playoff place. 18th placed Luton have also played 26 games and have only 7 fewer points than Mansfield.
Notts are 16th with 33 points from 25 games and only 6 points fewer than 7th placed Accrington and a play off place plus a comfortable 16 points above the drop zone.
Upcoming fixtures
Only one midweek game in League Two this week. Accrington will be hoping their home game against Hartlepool, due to take place Tuesday 19th January 2016, will go ahead as scheduled as their last 4 home games, against Wycombe, Carlisle, Notts and Portsmouth have all been postponed due to a waterlogged or frozen pitch. Stanley haven't played at home since 14th November.
Notts' next game is at home against 8th placed Wimbledon on Saturday 23rd January 2016 with a 3pm kick off. This is followed by 4 games against teams currently below Notts including home and away to Hartlepool.
Can Jamie Fullarton save Notts County's season? Join the Pride of Nottingham community, visit the forum and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County defender Haydn Hollis has praised new manager Jamie Fullarton, his staff and his teammates for doing their homework on the training ground, which paid off in their 1-0 win over Crawley Town.
Filip Valencic marked his full Magpies debut on Saturday with a wonderful volleyed goal at the Checkatrade.com Stadium to give the visitors their first away win since August.
Hollis told reporters after the game: "I thought we were different class. We defended brilliantly as a whole team. It felt great at the end to know you've kept a clean sheet and won the game. That's credit to the lads because they were the ones out there doing it. 
But you've also got to credit the manager and his staff. All week in training we have done training and shape. As everybody could see, it paid off.
"I felt comfortable and I love defending. Roy didn't have a save to make in the second half and people were putting their bodies on the line. I think Curtis got a cut on his head that needed stitches and that's what you want here.
"You want people to throw themselves in front of the ball and be brave. That's something we've got to continue for the rest of the season now."
 
Give us your thoughts on this article by signing up to Pride of Nottingham, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County manager Jamie Fullarton has described Filip Valencic’s goal in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Crawley Town as straight off the training ground.
The Slovenian struck a wonderful volley just after the hour mark at the Checkatrade.com Stadium to seal a first Magpies away win since the opening day of the season.
"It was a fantastic strike by the young man who has responded well to the information we have been drip feeding into him over the week," said Fullarton.
"We've worked on certain aspects of how we want to attack and it's one of those where you work on it, for many weeks and fortunately it has come off.
 "That pull off onto the full-back by Jon Stead, the timing of the pass, it all came together which resulted in a fantastic finish."
Fullarton reiterated the point of getting the defence organised, an element which had been missing under previous boss Ricardo Moniz but came on in leaps and bounds against the Red Devils.
"I was always confident about getting a result especially when you see the attacking force that we have," he said.
"Scoring goals is the most difficult part of the game at whatever level you are at.
"It's important that, when we have such quality going forward, then we structure and organise in order to prevent goals going in at the other end. And if you can do that, then it gives you a chance of winning football matches.
"Roy has hardly had a save to make and that's credit to the players who were in front of him.
"When things go well, football is an easy game. It's making sure that when we are under pressure, we have resilience so it doesn't cloud or make the game complicated.
"And in the first half while we looked solid in terms of shape and we did not look under threat from a ball in behind, there were not many goalscoring opportunities.
"I said to the players at half-time that I just wanted us to be more decisive and brave in the final third.
"What I want to see is that when we have the chance to express ourselves I want us to go on and do it. 
"In the second half we had that belief and a confidence to play which was a result of our shape and foundation. We created more chances and we could have scored more goals." 
Notts climb up to 16th in League Two following their win, putting them six points away from the playoffs.
Credit to Dan Westwell for the image
Discuss Jamie Fullarton's post-match thoughts by visiting the Pride of Nottingham forum, signing up to the community and joining the conversation.

About PON

Pride of Nottingham

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.

Useful Links

Support PON

Enjoy our content? Want to help us grow? Your donation will go a long way towards improving the site!

donate-pon.png

Meet the Team

Chris Chris Administrators
super_ram super_ram Global Moderators
DangerousSausage DangerousSausage Global Moderators
CliftonMagpie CliftonMagpie Global Moderators
TheSkipper TheSkipper Media

Social Media

Home
Dashboard
Sign In Register
×
    Search In
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Pride of Nottingham uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. To approve, simply continue using the site or click 'I accept' Terms of Use.

  I accept