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Chris
Gavin Foxall, a director at Newport County says that Notts County have not made any sort of approach for the Exiles manager John Sheridan.

It is rumoured that John Sheridan is heavily linked with the vacant position at Meadow Lane, however bookmakers have suspended betting for the position as manager of Notts – whom held the favourite likely to succeed the recently departed Ricardo Moniz.

Whilst it is understood, that Notts County board have made Newport County’s manager their top priority to succeed the former Dutchman.

When asked about the vacant position by the Argus, Foxall replied, “No, we have not had any approaches”. Further adding, “As far as we’re concerned John is our Manager. We’ve not been approached by Notts County, or any other club and nor has John as far as we’re aware”.

“For us it’s business as usual, we’re focused on a massive game on Saturday against Blackburn Rovers.”

“As John has said in various interviews, he’s focused with us as a club and he’s done a great job since he’s come in. We’re pleased with the way he’s operating and conducting himself and the way we’ve seen that transport on the pitch”.

“He’s given the players the belief and the confidence they need and we’re watching some good football”.

He added “If they do, like all things, we’ll address the issue at the time. As far as we’re concerned today John is still our manager, he’s with us until the end of the season and if you spoke to John today he’d say to you ‘look, I’m focused on Newport County, I’m focused on the cup first and foremost in terms of Saturday’s game’.

“But also there’s a job to be done. We’re nowhere near away from the challenges of relegation. He came here to do a job and we’re expecting him to do that.”

On the 2nd of January, ahead of the game against Oxford United. Notts fans were heavily speculating that John Sheridan might become the manager – with reported sightings claiming to have been made the previous week.

Also linked to the Notts vacant position is Malky Mackay who has also distanced himself from the managerial position – whilst the former Swindon Town manager Mark Cooper is reportedly set to held talks with the club.

Interviews are set to be held this week with chairman Ray Trew and chief executive Julian Winter before the weekends game against Accrington Stanley.
Join in the discussion regarding the vacant hot-seat at Meadow Lane - Here.
Chris
Izale McLeod has been nominated for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month after scoring four goals in December. The Magpies’ front man scored a brace against Newport County AFC and Morecambe.

McLeod will be competing for the award against Carlisle United’s Jacob Ibehre and Portsmouth midfielder Gareth Evans.

The reported £150,000 striker has scored currently scored nine goals in eighteen appearances since his arrival back in late August, eight of which have been scored within league games and the remaining goal was scored in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Below you can re-watch the highlights from both games courtesy of the Official Notts County YouTube channel.

Notts County 4 Newport County AFC 3
Notts County 2 Morecambe 2
To vote for Izale McLeod you can do so by visiting – Here.
Tom Walters
My first tweet following the news of Ricardo Moniz’s sacking was along the lines of the managerial merry-go-round still turning at Notts. Sadly on this occasion, I do agree with the decision to make a change and I think the timing is perfect. 
I wasn’t in favour of Shaun Derry’s departure, partly because of the man himself but mainly because of the timing of his sacking. Despite the fact he had been at the helm while we dropped like a stone towards the relegation zone of League 1, I always felt he was probably the one man who would be able to get us out of it. 
Also, the timing of his dismissal left little time for a new manager to save us from the drop – reinforcing to me that we should simply have stuck rather than twisted during such a crucial time.
My last article back in November called for calm and for fans to back the manager and hope that our position in January showed improvement – sadly this never materialized and despite backing what Moniz was trying to achieve, even I couldn’t back him any further. 
Our defence has leaked goals at an alarming rate and the potential of the squad has not been utilized at all. With the squad we have, we should at least be sniffing around the play-offs by now. 
Moniz was in favour of attacking football and that’s great when you’re in the Championship or Premier League with players who are tactically more aware, but I don’t think he ever grasped the way League 2 football is played and his stubbornness was ultimately his downfall. His lack of defensive nous was there for all to see and the way we’ve defended this season is genuinely alarming.
So now the powers that be must decide on a new manager to take the helm and try to rescue our season. There are a few names I have in mind that I would welcome to the hot seat. 
Top of my list (but someone who I know for a fact will probably not come back), is Neil Warnock. His knowledge of the football league is vast and he’s big on discipline and organization – something we desperately need. It might be a great final hoorah for him to end his managerial career on. 
Second on my list is John Sheridan and out of all the names mentioned in the betting odds and in the press, he’s the one I would choose. He’s transformed Newport County despite all their issues this season in the squad with injuries and he’s proven his abilities at Chesterfield and to some extent at Plymouth. 
Chris Wilder would also be up there, having worked wonders at a financially stricken club like Northampton and seen success at Oxford by guiding them back into the Football League as well as stabilizing them in the football league upon their return.
With Wilder the key question is, would he abandon the hard work he’s put into Northampton to get them to where they are now in order to take a gamble on achieving something at Notts – and based on our track record with managers in recent years, any man taking the job must look on it as a gamble to some extent.
Let’s hope that this time we do get the right man for the job and whoever takes the position can transform our poor away form and our leaky defence. What the club needs now more than ever is stability – not a word Notts fans can say they’re all that familiar with, but one we must adopt from here on in.
Joe Jones
Notts County midfielder Liam Noble is attracting interest from Portsmouth and Cambridge United, according to reports.
The mercurial 24-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and with less than six months remaining on his current deal, he can now talk to other clubs regarding a move away from Meadow Lane.
According to the Nottingham Post, former Magpies boss Shaun Derry, now at Cambridge, is understood to be keen on linking up again with Noble, having signed him when manager of Notts following his release from Carlisle in June 2014.
Pompey manager Paul Cook is also said to be a firm admirer of the former Sunderland man, who has scored eight goals this season.
In total, Noble has made 60 appearances for Notts, scoring 14 goals in all competitions, but his time in the East Midlands has been plagued with a poor disciplinary record, accruing five cards in one-and-a-half seasons.
Should Noble stay or should he go? Visit the Pride of Nottingham forum and join the conversation.
Chris
Prior to the game against Oxford United at Meadow Lane on the 2/1/2016, Notts-Joe and Joe Jones took the time to interview several fans regarding key matters relating to Notts.

This covers the departure of Ricardo Moniz, possible further departures within the January transfer window, possible squad additions, who could come in to take the reigns at Meadow Lane and much more.
 
Catch up with all the latest content via our 'Activity Stream' - Here.
Joe Jones
Curtis Thompson has claimed that Oxford United’s second goal proved the turning point in Notts County’s 4-2 weekend defeat at Meadow Lane, because that is when their “heads dropped”.
Liam Sercombe drew first blood with a penalty in the first half, but Jon Stead levelled on the hour.
Thompson then struck 76 minutes in to put the Magpies in the lead, but just three minutes later Alex MacDonald scored the U’s second, before late goals from Callum O'Dowda and Kemar Roofe sealed the win.
Thompson told local media: "The first half was very difficult because Oxford were the better team. They were popping the ball around and you could see why they are further up the table.
"In the second half we came out with a bit more belief and we started to get on the ball a lot more. We played with a bit more confidence and it showed because we got back into the game.
"We made it 1-1, then made changes when I came on and managed to score, which was great. We looked strong at that stage and looked the better team. But they got the second goal and from then on we switched off a bit.
"They were good goals late on, but after their equaliser our heads dropped. We lost our shape, we didn't tuck in and the discipline went.
"A lot of gaps were created which they took advantage of. But we've got to put it to the back of our minds, pick ourselves up and go again against Accrington."
To discuss this article, visit the Pride of Nottingham forum and join the conversation.
Credit to Dan Westwell for the image.
Joe Jones
Notts County’s search for a new manager continues, with former Cardiff City and Watford boss Malky Mackay considered to be out of the frame for the Magpies gig.
Mackay is rumoured to be interesting Celtic – a club where he used to ply his trade as a player – as their current manager Ronny Deila is under pressure following a run of poor performances.
John Sheridan, the current boss of Newport County, remains the favourite to claim the Notts job, while the currently unemployed Mark Cooper is also set for talks with the club and has made it clear he is keen on the position, a season after guiding Swindon Town to the League One play-off final.
According to local media, interviews are set to be held this week with chairman Ray Trew and chief executive Julian Winter, with an appointment not expected to be made until after the League Two clash with Accrington Stanley.
This means that means Richard Dryden and Mick Halsall will remain in charge of the club in a caretaker capacity and are hoping to bounce back from Saturday's 4-2 defeat at home to Oxford United.
To discuss this article, visit the Pride of Nottingham forum and join the conversation.
super_ram
The disappointing season continues for the Notts faithful with a heartbreaking finale to Saturday's game. Having given away a penalty right at the end of the first half, Notts recovered to take a 2 - 1 lead, only to concede 3 late goals, two of them coming in the 90th minute.
Notts slip to 17th, 9 points off a play-off place and 13 points above the relegation places.
League Two Results Saturday 2/1/2016
Bristol Rovers 2 – 0 Luton
Cambridge 1 - 4 Wimbledon
Carlisle 0 – 2 Plymouth
Exeter 1 – 2 Dagenham & Redbridge
Mansfield 2 - 3 Accrington
Newport -postponed-Hartlepool
Northampton 3 - 0 Barnet
Notts County 2 – 4 Oxford United
Portsmouth 3 – 0 Crawley
Stevenage 2 - 2 Leyton Orient
Wycombe 0 - 2 Morecambe
Yeovil 1 – 0 York
Today there were 4 home wins, 6 away wins, 1 draws and 1 postponement.
League Two update
There's no change with the top 4 places.
Plymouth remain top with 52 points from 25 games but their 2 -0 away victory over Carlisle has sent the Cumbrians down to 9th on 37 points having played 2 games less.
Northampton lie 2nd and 3 points adrift of Plymouth but with a game in hand.
Oxford's late win at Meadow Lane keeps them in the final automatic promotion place, and 3rd, with 48 points from 25 games.
Portsmouth's 3 – 0 drubbing of Crawley keeps them 4th with 44 points on 25 games but Crawley drop to 14th with 31 points from the same number of games.
Bristol Rovers move up to 5th on 43 points after beating Luton who fall to 15th with 30 points.
Wycombe slip to 6th on 40 points after losing 2 – 0 at home to Morecambe who climb to 13th on 31 points from 24 games.
7th and final play off place goes to Accrington, Notts' next opponents, on 39 points from only 22 games, thanks to their 3 -2 away win at Mansfield who consequently fall to 12th with 35 points from 24 games.
Leyton Orient move above Carlisle on goal difference, just outside the play off places, to 8th with 37 points from 25 games.
Wimbledon, at 10th, climb above Cambridge who fall to 11th, both on 36 points and from 25 games.
Mansfield drop to 12th with 35 points from 24 games.
Morecambe are 13th, above Crawley (14th) and with the same points total of 31,but from only 23 games, 2 less played than Crawley.
Luton, Exeter and Notts are 15th, 16th and 17th respectively; all with 30 points but Luton have played one game more, 25.
Barnet, with 28 points and Stevenage, with 27 points remain static at 18th and 19th both from 25 games.
Newport, 24 games played, and Hartlepool, 21 games played also stay put at 20th and 21st both wit 20 points.
Dagenham & Redbridge climb out of the relegation places with 19 points from 25 games.
Yeovil's 1 – 0 victory over York lifts them off bottom place to 23rd with 17 points from 25 games while the latter take their place at 24th with 16 points from 24 games.
Upcoming fixtures
Once again there are no midweek League Two fixtures this week.
Notts' next game is away at 7th placed Accrington on Saturday 9th January 2016 with a 3pm kick off and a curtailed league programme due to the FA cup.
Will a new manager be in place by next week? Will there be any movements in or out of Meadow Lane with the transfer window now open? Plenty to discuss - so come to our forum and join the conversation.
Joe Jones
Notts County co-caretaker manager Richard Dryden has bemoaned referee Carl Boyeson's decision to award Oxford United a penalty on the stroke of half time in their win against Notts County on Saturday.
Two late strikes from Callum O'Dowda and Kemar Roofe helped the U's to a 4-2 win at the managerless Magpies, but it was the crucial penalty decision that angered Dryden.
He was convinced that goalkeeper Roy Carroll had not brought down Liam Sercombe and thought the decision changed the game.
"It was tough on us especially to go in a goal down before half-time," Dryden told local media. "I've seen the challenge from Roy again, because at the time from where I was stood you couldn't say yes or no.
"But watching the video again, Roy was a mile away and it was never a penalty. It was a minute before half-time and while it was not the end of the world, it knocks you back a bit.
"We only really started to show how we could play in the second half. We knew, from watching footage of them, that Oxford were a really good attacking side with lots of pace. They like to suck you in a bit, and then hit you on the counter-attack. The fourth goal summed that up.
"We sat a little bit deeper than usual and it was no secret we've tried to work on the defensive organisation of the team. We've made a few changes at the back and it's almost a brand new back four."
The result sees Notts slip to 17th in League two with 30 points from 24 games.
Credit to Dan Westwell for the image.
Join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion - Here.
Joe Jones
Notts County showed flashes of class interspersed with sloppy play in their League Two match against Oxford United, but looked set for a point until two late goals condemned them to a 4-2 defeat at Meadow Lane.
Michael Appleton's side could have gone ahead early on, but Roy Carroll kept Chris Maguire at bay with an excellent save.
The Magpies worked their way into the game and, near the stroke of half time, found themselves in a good position on the edge of the U’s box, but referee Carl Boyeson stood in the way of the ball, allowing the visitors to break.
At the other end Liam Sercombe burst into the box and was hauled down by Roy Carroll, prompting the ref to award Oxford a penalty, which Sercombe himself converted.
George Baldock hit the post for the visitors early in the second half, before the Magpies – who sacked previous manager Ricardo Moniz on Tuesday – drew level when Jon Stead powered in Stanley Aborah's free-kick.
Notts then sent their home faithful into a frenzy with 15 minutes left on the clock when Curtis Thompson lashed in superbly following a wonderful lay-off by Stead to edge into the lead.
Unfortunately Oxford equalised almost instantly, as Alex MacDonald slotted home from close range in after the hosts failed to deal with a corner.
Just as it seemed like the hosts would hang on to at least a point, the 90th minute saw a draw cruelly snatched away from Notts when Callum O'Dowda fired past Carroll, prompting several of the Magpie players to slump onto the ground in shock and frustration.
And just a minute later, the hosts were wounded again as their decision to commit men forward prompted the U’s to slice through their defence and score again, this time through Kemar Roofe.
Discuss all the key moments from within the game over within our community forum - here.
Joe Jones
Mansfield Town manager Adam Murray has expressed his interest in bringing Notts County defender Blair Adams to Field Mill on a permanent deal.
The 24-year-old has impressed for the Stags since joining on loan in October last year, but his loan deal expires on January 19, with the left-back out of contract at Meadow Lane in the summer.
Speaking of Adams, Murray told local media: “I want to keep him. He has always been a League One player so if we do something long-term I think he is someone who allows us to get success in the long term.
“If we get promoted this year Blair Adams is a League One player. If it takes a bit longer Blair Adams will get us there.
“I would like to keep him but you know in all of these dealings, it's not that easy. We have spoken to him briefly and I'm hoping this week we'll have more conversation, but it's not about me and Notts County, it's about the football club, Notts County, Blair Adams and his representatives. 
“I imagine they (his representatives) will have other options, he's been great.”
Adams signed for Notts in the summer of 2014 and made 40 appearances in all competitions that season, but only featured twice for the Magpies in the current campaign.
What do you think? Should we allow Blair Adams to leave? Have your say within our discussion - Here.
Joe Jones
Notts have met Oxford United just 27 times in their history, the first meeting coming on 17 October 1964 when a goalless draw at Meadow Lane was the result.
The U's have the upper edge - but only just, with ten wins, nine draws and eight defeats
The last meeting between the two was on 18 March 2006, again a goalless draw at Meadow Lane.
Oxford United were formed as Headington in 1893, adding the suffix United in 1911 after merging with Headington Quarry.
In 1950, Headington United became the first professional club in Britain to install floodlights, and used them on 18 December against Banbury Spencer.
They initially played in orange and blue shirts, but changed to yellow home shirts for the 1957–58 season. The reason for the change is unknown.
In 1960, Headington United was renamed Oxford United, to give the club a higher profile.
Oxford won the League Cup in 1986 - then known as the Milk Cup - after beating Queens Park Rangers 3-0 in the final at Wembley.
In 2001, Bishop of Oxford Richard Harries conducted an exorcism after the feeling of a malicious force and the team's loss of thirteen of their first seventeen games at the new stadium was blamed on a gypsy curse placed on the club by a Roma man who had been evicted from the site during construction.
The city is known worldwide as the home of the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world.
University College (in full The Master and Fellows of the College of the Great Hall of the University of Oxford) dates back to 1249. To put it into context, the Magna Carta had only been signed 34 years prior.
Buildings in Oxford are said to demonstrate examples of every English architectural period since the arrival of the Saxons.
-
Notts County caretaker bosses Mick Halsall and Richard Dryden will take charge for the first time when Oxford visit Meadow Lane.
Halsall and Dryden were placed in temporary charge following the sacking of Ricardo Moniz after Monday's home draw against Morecambe had left the club in 15th place.
Liam Noble is unavailable as he sits out the third game of a four match ban but fellow midfielder Stanley Aborah was back in the side to face Morecambe following a knee injury. Meanwhile Thierry Audel is expected to resume at the heart of defence again following the return of Alan Sheehan to parent club Bradford.
Oxford defender Johnny Mullins is an injury doubt after a heavy knock in Monday's goalless draw at Yeovil forced him to leave Huish Park in a protective boot. Chey Dunkley replaced Mullins on Monday and is on stand-by if he fails to make it.
Striker Chris Maguire missed out on Monday due to a hamstring injury sustained in the Boxing Day win against Exeter and also remains doubtful, but boss Michael Appleton has not ruled out either player.
Appleton has no other new injury or suspension worries as the U's bid to maintain their automatic promotion challenge.
Joe Jones
Notts County caretaker manager Mick Halsall has called on his charges to simply knuckle down and “get on with it”, referring to his side’s upcoming game against Oxford United.
Former boss Ricardo Moniz was sacked after less than nine months at the helm, alongside first-team coaches Dave Kevan and Dean Yates.
The dismissal came after the Dutchman guided the Magpies to a lacklustre 15th place at the halfway point of the League Two season, conceding 40 goals in 23 league games and suffering a humiliating FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Salford City.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash at Meadow Lane, Halsall told reporters: "It's never nice (for a manager to be sacked), but we have to get on with it don't we, and (the players) will understand that. Everyone in the game understands it.
"I want to win. We don't know how long we are going to do it for, but we'll try to give it our best, get the boys working in the way we would like them to, although we've only got a short space of time to do that. We will be positive and fingers crossed we can get a decent result and take it from there.
"It's about making sure they understand what we want from them in our game plan. We know about Oxford, we'll have enough time. We'll be okay.”
Asked if they can change much, he added: "Do we need to? I think we need to tighten up defensively, everyone's seen that.
"That's been a big concern from the beginning of the season, so if that's something we need to change we'll look to do that.
"In essence we can't change much because we've got what we've got, in the way of personnel, but we're mindful of the defensive side of our game.”
"That belief they have got to go forward has been terrific, if you look at the games that they've come back in, especially at home.
"But should we be conceding those goals? And that's what Richard, myself and the rest of the staff will be looking to try to improve.
"I do know the characters," he said. "I know Roy (Carroll), I know Alan (Smith), I know Nobler (Liam Noble). You look at them when you are in and around the training ground and get a feel for them
"We haven't been a part of it that much, but you do get a feel for them and their personalities.I do know them it's just about getting a tune out of them come Saturday.
"All we need to say to them is let's get on with it. Let's be positive, let's get on with it.
"They are good players and we think if we can fine tune the defensive side, and I know I keep going on about the defensive side, we believe we've got enough going forward to create.
"There may be games when we don't get the goals that we think we should have, but if we can just tighten that up as a team.
"That's all we will be saying; listen, let's go to work, let's get on with it and let's see what we can do.”
Who do you feel should be the next manager? Join in the debate within our community - here.
Joe Jones
Notts County have decided to recall defender Scot Bennett from his loan at Newport County.
The 24-year-old was scheduled to play his final game for the Exiles on Saturday against Hartlepool, but could go straight into the Magpies' squad for their home game against Oxford.
Bennett, Newport manager John Sheridan's first signing when he joined them in October, has made 12 appearances for the Welsh club, and has played a crucial role in helping guide them away from the bottom of League Two and out of the relegation zone.
He was part of a team that went on a ten-game unbeaten run which, ironically, was ended by Notts earlier this month - a game in which he could not play due to the conditions of his loan.
He has made just two appearances for the Magpies after signing from Exeter in the summer, but returns to Meadow Lane at a time when Sheridan has been linked with the vacant manager's job after Ricardo Moniz was sacked on Tuesday.
Joe Jones
Here we go again with a look at the first League Two games of the New Year and with Mick Halsall and Richard Dryden temporarily taking the reins for Notts County.
My first choice important game this week features 7th placed Carlisle v top League Two Preview Saturday 2nd January 2016 of the table Plymouth. 
The Cumbrians are at home but due to their ground struggling with the recent flooding this fixture will be played at Blackburn's Ewood Park. No need to remind Pie fans that last time out Carlisle's loss of home advantage didn't upset them as they won 3-0. A similar scoreline would dent Plymouth's title ambitions and help Carlisle's play off hopes but I've predicted a 1-1 draw.
My second game features 11th placed Mansfield at home to 8th placed Accrington. Only one point separates these two teams so a win is vital for both teams play off aspirations. I've forecast 2 – 2.
My third game is 2nd placed Northampton at home to 18th placed Barnet. The Cobblers will be hoping to keep in touch with Plymouth, while Barnet will be hoping to climb away from the bottom end of League Two. I’ve gone 3 – 1 to Northampton.
My final important game is bottom club Yeovil at home to 22nd placed York. Points are obviously vital to both teams. I’ve predicted a rare win for Yeovil.

*Important games **Key Game
Saturday 2/1/2016
Bristol Rovers v Luton– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2 - 0)
Cambridge v Wimbledon– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1 - 0
*Carlisle v Plymouth– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1 -1
Exeter v Dagenham & Redbridge– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1 - 0)
*Mansfield v Accrington– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2 - 2)
*Newport v Hartlepool– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2 - 1)
*Northampton v Barnet– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3 - 1)
**Notts County v Oxford United– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3 -2)
Portsmouth v Crawley– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2 – 0)
Stevenage v Leyton Orient– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1 - 1)
Wycombe v Morecambe– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2 - 1)
*Yeovil v York– Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1 - 0)

My key game, for obvious reasons, once again features Notts, this time at home to Oxford United.
This game was important even before the sacking of Ricardo Moniz. Can Notts get back to winning ways and climb nearer the play off places?
When Notts visited Oxford earlier this season on 18th August they lost 3 -1 despite Audel scoring first for Notts.
The overall record between Notts and Oxford is:
Notts won 8
Oxford won 10
Draws 9

I've forecast is a narrow 3 – 2 win for Notts – I wonder how Halsall/Dryden will approach this game and how will the players react? Plenty to discuss once again.

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