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ARLukomski's take on Notts County's stalemate in Maidenhead

Notts County extended their unbeaten run in the National League to six matches as they played out a dour 0-0 draw at Maidenhead on New Year's Day.
In a fairly uninspiring encounter, Sam Osborne threatened twice for the Magpies early on and Daniel Whitehall found the side netting from close range in the first half.
Although Maidenhead turned the screw in the second half, Notts held on as Sam Slocombe and Dion Kelly-Evans made crucial contributions to keep a clean sheet.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at York Road for the game - here is his take on the afternoon's events.
 
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ARLukomski

ARLukomski analyses Notts County's win at Solihull Moors

Notts County made it four wins on the trot and five unbeaten in all competitions as they ground out a 1-0 win at Solihull Moors on Saturday.
Wes Thomas grabbed the winner, pouncing at the back post to tap home his ninth of the campaign.
The 32-year-old struck in the 72nd minute, getting on the end of a cross from Kyle Wootton, who had won possession while chasing a seemingly lost cause.
Mitch Rose and Sam Slocombe helped preserve the Magpies' lead with late defensive interventions, helping Neal Ardley's side back into the National League playoff places.
ARLukomski was at the game - here is his video take on the afternoon's events.
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ARLukomski

First half cruise control: ARLukomski reviews Notts v Maidenhead

Notts County's form is very much back on track after their thumping 3-0 win over Maidenhead on Boxing Day.
The Magpies have made it two wins in a row in the National League, three in all competitions and four unbeaten.
Neal Ardley's charges went ahead at Meadow Lane when Kyle Wootton scored his 12th goal of the season, powering home an Enzio Boldewijn corner.
Sam Osborne then doubled Notts' advantage with a shot into the top corner after a neat counter-attack.
County then all but killed off the game through Kristian Dennis, and Maidenhead had no answer to the trio of goals in the second half.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at the San Sirrel for the game - here is his take on events.
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ARLukomski

'Epic victory': ARLukomski discusses Notts County's win at Halifax

Notts County delivered a thrilling and nervy afternoon for the Black & White Army on Saturday as they twice came from behind to beat FC Halifax Town 4-2.
Kyle Wootton struck either side of Mitch Rose's fine 60th-minute equaliser and 81st-minute penalty as County earned only their second National League win in eight matches.
Halifax, who scored through Shawn McCoulsky and Jamie Allen, have now won just once in 10 league games as they slip out of the top seven, while Neal Ardley's charges go up to 11th.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at the Shay Stadium - here is his take on the afternoon's action.
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ARLukomski

Notts County, Neal Ardley and squad rotation

Usually, at the beginning of the season, managers rotate their squads a fair amount – this was no doubt the same for Neal Ardley.
While many fans called for him to settle the squad down, myself included, it is quite natural to switch out players here and there. Sometimes, it’s a little concerning when it’s five or more and when it’s never allowed to settle.
Yes, sometimes it’s due to fitness concerns, tactical reasons but you know when there’s too many.
For the most of the 2019/20 season, I have felt encouraged and have seen some good performance.
There have been woeful ones, yet most players work hard to do well in games, and this is all we can ask of them.
Right now, there are several players massively out of form and a few who have been quite poor all season.
To a degree, this is to be expected after the season we had last year and all of the turmoil leading up to the current campaign – but there becomes a time when playing them isn’t the answer.
Before the recent form, I know fans talked about having “depth” in the squad, and I would have agreed, while the likes of Matt Tootle, Pierce Bird and others have been frozen out.
Sometimes it appears quite harshly; It makes you wonder if this is part of the issue, a lack of competition and rewards for performers who have done well.
Strong competition, a good level of morale led to a level of success during the 2017/18 season under Kevin Nolan, players coming into the squad knew what were expected to remain in the squad.
The complete opposite to the season in which Notts were relegated from the Football League for simply being not good enough.
After all, it must be disheartening for some players to put on the shirt, perform to a standard which they’re happy with, only to end up falling out of favour.
Sam Osborne is the perfect example since he’s an academy prospect and has bulked up a fair amount during the close season.
When he starts, I think he does better personally, whereas a sub it does take him a little time to get up to speed, and this is all-natural. I’m not knocking him, I think he’s a great prospect and if I were the manager of Notts County he would be starting a lot more.
Simply due to his work rate and importance of development, as he will only improve with game time.
Which leaves the question why we haven’t given the likes of Enzio Boldewijn a rest, a good player, defensively a disappointing but when in form – no doubt a quality player. This season, he’s appeared more of a luxury and quite fortunate that Ardley holds him with such high regards.
As to me, it seems Boldewijn is guaranteed a start either due to lacking natural wide men or simply due to the odd wonder goal he scores – which never gives the full facts about his performances.
I must stress, I do like him, and I’m trying to nitpick about him.
I feel that when you have a player so desperately out of form, it makes little sense to expect him to improve when he’s constantly being played and almost 99% guaranteed to start.

The same can be said for both full-back positions, Damien McCrory has looked good, but his form has dipped as of late.
Richard Brindley looks a good technical signing; however, much of the same can be said about him too.
At centre back, it’s almost like Ardley has gone out of his way to guarantee certain players will start in these positions. When asked about the position, he’s mentioned that he can’t make changes due to a lack of cover – yet allowed Bird to depart on loan to Boston United.
I know some fans also have concerns about our strike force; however, I don’t think they’re the issue.
Kyle Wootton has come into his element, found his boots and works hard. The only call I might suggest is switching Wes Thomas for Kristian Dennis when playing teams which either lack height at the back or have scrappy defenders who would leave Dennis the space to thrive.
Nathan Tyson is perfectly fine to be a rotational and casual starter, and there’s the option of putting him out wide if we require too.
In midfield, I do feel there’s a requirement for more creativity – Regan Booty is far more effective for me being able to dictate the passing and play a more advanced role as a play-maker.
I agree with many fans that Mitch Rose and Michael Doyle doesn’t work – yet would allowing Rose to go out wide make sense?
Rose hasn’t seemed the same player all season; however, I did feel he performed much better when Doyle was sitting out his suspension.
There are advantages to giving some young and hungry players a chance to start, but when they see that it’s almost certain that whatever they do – the following week will return to the same lineup there’s a major lack of motivation.
Give Osborne more game time, re-introduce Dion Kelly-Evans – consider giving Zoumana Bakayogo a game.
Allow Boldewijn and Rose to sit out a few games, bring in Booty or Shields to remove some of the pressure. Make the most of the depth we have at our disposal, and it’s easy for me to suggest this, much hard to put in practice – I admit.
Yet the issue Ardley faces is the fact it will only become harder the longer he leaves it. Squad morale and confidence would make a massive difference to this Notts County team.
Most fans want to see the club fighting, giving 100% and at times this has fallen short. Most people I know and I don’t expect us to be thrashing teams – that is unrealistic but throwing it out there as part of the problem doesn’t make it part of the solution.
Much like Ardley suggesting people want him to fail, fans want to see and feel the clubs moving forward.
Nobody’s bothered if certain people behind the scenes has problems, you have to get on with it. Otherwise, it seems like you have accepted it as a problem.
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Chris

ARLukomski on Notts County's win at Chesterfield in FA Trophy

Notts County proceeded to the second round of the FA Trophy after running out 1-0 winners over Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium yesterday.
In front of just 931 people in Derbyshire - more than a third of those Notts fans - Kristian Dennis scored the only goal of the game in the second half.
Chesterfield created a number of good chances in the first-half and could easily have been ahead at the break.
However, they were unable to make the most of the opportunities and paid the price with less than 20 minutes to go when Dennis tapped home a Sam Osborne cross.
Here is what Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski said about the game in his latest video:
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ARLukomski

Neal Ardley at Notts County - 12 months on

I should nail my colours to the mast before we start here. I’m firmly on the side of ‘Ardley In’.
In the last 10 years we’ve had 15 managers and he’s only the third to last over a year. In that time, we’ve been to the brink of League One play offs and now face our first season in non-league, having to qualify for the FA Cup proper and making our first appearance in the FA Trophy.
We will never prove this, but in my mind one of the reasons for that is the lack of stability caused by changing manager so many times.
When a new one comes in, they inevitably want their own players which means a year or two of upheaval and wages being wasted on players who don’t have a prayer of getting in the team.
So, how do I see his first 12 months?
Let’s face it, Ardley took over a club in turmoil. We were in a mess, sacking our second manager of the season just 3 months in and an owner who was becoming a laughing stock. Little did we realise how much worse it would become.
Many’s the time Ardley must have wished he was back on holiday, or at home with his family, and most Notts fans were grateful that he came to try to rescue us.
At that time, though, I don’t think most of us actually thought we would go down. It looked bad, but there was plenty of the season left. Lots of points to play for, we’d never been out of the league, there are plenty of clubs smaller than us and in trouble, so surely we’d be able to get our way out of it?
5 points from his first 4 games gave us hope but it was almost 2 months until we won again, and I think that period is what ultimately cost us, especially the home defeat to a Macclesfield side which looked a whole lot more fired up that we did, and tore us apart at times, albeit only winning by 1 goal.
Good business was done in January, but late, and who can blame players for not wanting to commit to us early.
Another false dawn with 7 points in 3 games against promotion chasing sides made us think the new blood was what we needed, and those games certainly showed they had the ability, so why didn’t we get more out of them?
Ardley gets a lot of criticism for being negative, and did often set up with 7 or 8 defensive minded players but was that because of circumstances? I’d have like to see us go at teams a bit more, but he’s quite right that if we did that and found ourselves 2 down inside 15 minutes, the game had gone.
Over the summer he had every right and every chance to walk away, and many would have done. That he stayed is something all Notts fans should appreciate.
Not only did he stay, but he somehow managed to recruit the basis of a squad despite rumours of the club being sold to property developers, wages not being paid and a very real chance that the club would fold during the closed season due to unpaid tax bills. And we were under a transfer embargo!
Naturally the start of this season was tough, disjointed and scrappy, but we still had a club and hope once again.
The same criticisms rose again, that he didn’t motivate the team, they made too many errors and weren’t attacking enough, but a run of 2 defeats in 14 games while playing twice a week with a new squad was surely more than we were entitled to even hope for when most of us just wanted to survive in the league this season?
Ardley must take a lot of credit for raising those expectations and faces the backlash when we stumble.
We’re about to enter a great part of the season in a position. far better than most of dared hope for. Within touching distance of the play offs, a settled squad, great owners and (whisper it) stability within the club.
Let’s not spoil it.
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Simon Clark

ARLukomski on Notts County's meeting with Sutton United

Notts County were held to a 1-1 draw in Saturday's National League meeting with Sutton United at Meadow Lane.
The hosts took the lead after 14 minutes as Wes Thomas claimed his eighth of the season by turning in Enzio Boldewijn's low cross from close range.
The 32-year-old was denied a second 10 minutes later as he flicked Richard Brindley's cross towards goal but goalkeeper Nik Tzanev was equal to it.
Sutton began to threaten as Harry Beautyman forced a save from Sam Slocombe before David Ajiboye fired over on the stroke of half time.
The visitors then struck an equaliser in the 76th minute as Beautyman scored his ninth of the campaign from a tight angle.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at Meadow Lane for the encounter - here are his thoughts.
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ARLukomski

'Poor for 80, decent for 10': ARLukomski on Northampton v Notts County

Notts County's FA Cup journey is over at the second round stage after Northampton Town claimed a 3-1 victory over Neal Ardley on Sunday.
The Cobblers where ahead after just three minutes when Scott Wharton ghosted in at the back post and headed home Nicky Adams' corner.
Regan Booty scuffed his shot wide from 12 yards for the Magpies, while Sam Slocombe denied Sam Hoskins at the other end, with the rebound hitting Ben Turner and coming back off a post.
The home side's second goal arrived midway through the first half when former Notts player Vadaine Oliver was left unmarked to convert Hoskins' cross.
Notts had chances to get back into the tie in the second half, but Enzio Boldewijn rippled the side-netting and Wes Thomas headed over with the goal gaping.
Harry Smith then wrapped up the win, nodding in another Hoskins cross after 76 minutes, with Kyle Dennis' late goal proving nothing more than a consolation.
ARLukomski was at the PTS Academy Stadium for the game - here are his thoughts.
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ARLukomski

'So slow with our passing': ARLukomski's views on Notts at Aldershot

Notts County suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time this season as they were beaten 2-1 at Aldershot Town in the National League on Saturday.
The Magpies came close to opening the scoring on 17 minutes when good work from Ben Turner and Damien McCrory set up Wes Thomas, whose low effort was saved by keeper Mitch Walker.
Shots forward Mo Bettamer then broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when he headed home from Jack Powell's cross.
Notts drew level briefly before the break when Regan Booty's deep cross was only cleared as far as captain Michael Doyle, whose half volley was diverted in by Kyle Wootton.
Unfortunately, they conceded again in the 43rd minute when Doyle was caught in possession by Alfy Whittingham, who fired low past Sam Slocombe, and it turned out to be the winning goal.
Pride of Nottingham's ARLukomski was at Aldershot - here is his match vlog.
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ARLukomski

Notts County fans' forum: Key points

Notts County owners Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz spoke to supporters at a fans' forum at Meadow Lane on Tuesday evening.
Here are some of the key points as noted by Pride of Nottingham:
The Danish brothers were attracted to Notts because of the club's history, Nottingham as a city, the potential and a fantastic opportunity. 2019/2020 aim is to hopefully gain promotion - however, they feel it's not expected and Neal Ardley must establish the team. Long term goals: Create an excellent scouting infrastructure to enable the club to sign the right players from the English leagues and overseas. They want to work with the fans so that the club can attract newer and more fans. It's hoped the club can go as far as it can, creating new memories. Hardest challenge faced coming in was forming the team, due to the time limits. Neal Ardley acknowledges that the new owners came straight in, they helped him to move quickly to make the signings and some of the players didn't have a pre-season. Media has been interested in the takeover in Denmark, that we are the oldest professional club and additionally with Kasper having played here - Danish people like supporting one English club, perhaps Notts? Things had to happen very quickly, they didn't have much time to look at players nor due proper financial diligence with the takeover. Both were happy with completing, they just wished they had more time. Unsure what to expect from owning a football club, they acknowledge that the staff have plenty of experience which makes their life easier. Spending money respectfully and carefully, Neal Ardley doesn't want to mismanage this. Owners look beyond defeats, they look at the bigger picture. Two new scoreboards to be installed, with support from Lifeline and the OSA. The club wants to promote the heritage, yet there are no plans currently to open a museum. Neal Ardley instructs everyone to go up for corners as it allows for more space, those with height have a threat. i.e Ben Turner, Kyle Wootton etc. There are no plans to have our own training facilities, but the club hopes to have something more permanent in the future. Neal Ardley starts Enzio Boldewijn because of his current ability, rather than form and despite Sam Osborne being described as a having a bright future - he's not see as being better, despite being a 'hard worker'. What did you make of the evening and of the Reedtz brothers' points? Let's get your thoughts.
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PON_News

'Outsmarted and ineffective': ARLukomski on Notts County v Barrow

It was a day to forget on Saturday as Notts County were thrashed 3-0 at Meadow Lane by Barrow, who in turn moved top of the National League table.
The Magpies fell behind in the 10th minute when Dior Angus converted Josh Kay's cross for his fifth goal in his past six matches.
The forward then helped double Barrow's lead three minutes later when he rounded keeper Sam Slocombe and crossed for John Rooney to score.
Jack Hindle piled further misery on Neal Ardley's side with three minutes left with a superb finish from Brad Barry's cross.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at Meadow Lane for the game - here is his latest video, in which he gives his thoughts pre, mid and post-match.
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ARLukomski

How important is Michael Doyle now to Notts County?

Michael Doyle
1,2,3,4………
A man who has certainly divided opinion, if a scan through social media is anything to go by.
The main signing of the January transfer window, and the man touted to keep our Football League status, he made the perfect start by led by example as Notts won 7 points in his first 3 games, all against promotion chasing sides.
We all know what happened after that and, in my opinion, he tried to do too much, taking all the set pieces (not particularly well, either) and not giving other players the space to operate.
At the time, I would have been quite happy if he’d left during the summer. After all, why would we want a 38 year old who had hardly set League 2 alight in the final 14 games of a relegation season.
I felt the same after the opening game of this season when an indifferent performance was capped by a thoughtless sending off as we were trying to get back into the game at Eastleigh - a straight red, 3 match ban, lack of discipline.
With hindsight, I think that could be a turning point in his spell with us. Let’s face it, as a 38 year old, it won’t be a long playing spell but for me, he would now be the first name on the team sheet.
Since coming back, it seems to me as if he has accepted he can’t do everything and is happy to be the conductor of the band.
We have some excellent players for this level, and Doyle’s experience is vital. We hear about ‘game management’. Well this guy knows how to do that. As captain, he’s often in the ref’s ear to make sure he knows what’s going on and to stand up for his team mates against what may appear over aggressive treatment.
His work rate is still second to none, but Ardley may need to manage his load over the season, although seeing red for the second time and getting a 4 match ban may actually help as he’s already sat out 7 games. And it may just have hit home to Doyle that he has a limited career and can’t afford to sit out too many more games.
With over 700 appearances to his name in professional football, young players coming through can’t fail to learn from him and in the absence of Jim O’Brien, Doyle’s performances seem to have got better and better as he takes on the responsibility of being Ardley’s voice on the field.
His influence was hugely noticeable in the recent game against Dagenham & Redbridge when he returned from suspension, coming off the bench as the visitors were taking control of the game and our one goal lead looked precarious.
We were looking hesitant at the back, over-playing and inviting trouble. Doyle immediately took charge and there was a noticeable increase in energy from the moment he entered the field.
His first thought was to get the ball away from our goal as quickly as possible, always into areas where the visiting defence had to turn and chase thereby giving us time to reorganise, and often giving us chance to launch a counter attack.
What happens next? I’m sure he has some influence on the training pitch now, but is coaching something for him in due course?
And, to contrast with my feelings last summer, I’d be sorry to see him leave.
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Simon Clark

How does it feel losing the World's Oldest Football League club tag?

How does it feel losing the World's Oldest Football League club tag?
I, like many other Notts County fans, were dreading the thought of losing the title of world’s oldest professional league football club during last season and at times I was more concerned about this than us actually playing in non-league, but what has it actually meant to us?
I always saw it as our biggest selling point and I suppose it had a major part to play in the Munto takeover, a takeover that did not make everyone happy, but I certainly thought it was great at the time as it was the stuff of dreams, which ultimately it turned out to be, just a dream.
Excluding Munto, I cannot really say that the title did much for us as a selling point, even though I still expected it to be, but when no real big money buyers took us over, it came as a bit of a surprise to me. I always expected major investment as I see us as a good acquisition, of course providing any investors had the means to plough a fair chunk of change at taking us back up the leagues.
I am certainly grateful to all the previous owners putting their money in, but I still feel we are a bigger club that the one languishing around the lower leagues and the facts of modern day football mean clubs almost certainly have to spend the money to gain success.
I wonder if the title provided us with more appeal to players and sponsors, again although someone inside the club may say different, from an outside perspective I did not really see it.
How does it feel losing the title now, especially seeing as it seems the title has gone to our neighbours over the water, is this all too much for us to take?
Well, I believe not, perhaps helped by the fact they won some cup or other some while back and that still seems to have some mileage left in the tank, or maybe it is the fact that when (not if) we do make a return to the Football League, people may still recognise that we were one of the founder members of the professional league and that will always be part of our history, whether we are in the football league or not.
I am certainly proud of our heritage and I do not think it is something that many football fans will forget, especially as it is such a popular question in television quiz shows, but perhaps this question will now be changed? If so I will be having words with Bradley Walsh!
I am certain my fears were worse than the reality of it, which can only be a good thing. Football seems to be in somewhat of a transition period with new rules and technology constantly being brought in; it certainly has changed a lot since my first Notts game in 1991 against Liverpool at home, certainly a life changing moment for me personally.
I will never forget our history and after doing a stadium tour with the great Les Bradd, I would recommend that all the new generations of Notts fans do the same, it is good to remind ourselves where we came from and of that I will always be proud.
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Notoriousgee

ARLukomski assesses Notts County's FA Cup win over Ebbsfleet

Notts County triumphantly made it through to the second round of the FA Cup as they struck deep in injury time to run out 3-2 winners at Ebbsfleet United.
The hosts took the lead early on through Josh Payne's ferocious rocket from range, but a brace either side of half-time from Magpies striker Kyle Wootton put the visitors in control.
A late Gozie Ugwu penalty levelled things again, but Ben Turner's towering injury-time header ensured that Neal Ardley's side would make it into the hat for Monday's second-round draw.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at Stonebridge Road for the game and, in his latest vlog, gives his thoughts pre, mid and post-match.
Check out his video below.
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ARLukomski

ARLukomski assesses Notts County's clash with Hartlepool

Notts County came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw with Hartlepool United in Saturday's National League clash at Meadow Lane.
The hosts began poorly and fell behind in the eighth minute when Gavan Holohan's strike took a deflection and beat goalkeeper Sam Slocombe.
Three minutes before the break, Nicke Kabamba slid the ball through for Luke James who turned his man before curling home, but Notts halved the deficit within two minutes.
Wes Thomas beat the defender to a ball over the top and poked home, before adding a second in the 61st minute when he headed in from close range.
Thomas could have had a hat-trick in the 84th minute but he fired over from Richard Brindley's delivery as Hartlepool held on for a point.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at Meadow Lane for Notts v Hartlepool - here is his take on the afternoon's events.
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ARLukomski

ARLukomski assesses Notts County's clash with Chesterfield

Notts County lost their unbeaten run at the weekend in their big National League clash against local rivals Chesterfield at the Proact Stadium.
The in-form Magpies came into the match in fifth spot, having picked up 13 points from a possible 15 in the last month, and looked the more likely scorers early on.
Kyle Wootton curled a shot just wide for the visitors before Kristian Dennis drew a good low save out of Chesterfield goalkeeper Shwan Jalal.
However, against the run of play, Chesterfield hit the opener - which turned out to be the difference between the two sides - in the 27th minute.
Scott Boden's cross from the right found the unmarked Gevaro Nepomuceno at the far post, and he slid in to volley past Sam Slocombe.
That was the on-loan Oldham winger's first goal for the club and it proved to be the winner in front of a crowd of 5,432, as Notts struggled - and ultimately failed - to find an equaliser.
Here is Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski's take on the match.
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ARLukomski

ARLukomski assesses Notts County FA Cup win over Belper

Notts County made it to the first round proper of the FA Cup after beating Belper Town 2-1 at Meadow Lane.
A potential banana skin for the Magpies began badly as Danny Gordon's long-range effort put the visitors one up just 11 minutes into the game.
Neal Ardley's side managed to draw level when Enzio Boldewijn slotted into the bottom corner from the edge of the box via a potential slight Kristian Dennis deflection.
It would remain tense for Notts as they spurned numerous chances but in the end Kyle Wootton connected with Regan Booty's pass to slot the ball beyond the reach of Ryan Musslewhite.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at Meadow Lane for Notts v Belper - here is his take on the action.
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ARLukomski

Mitch Whiley: Is the National League competitive and how have Notts County got accustomed to it?

Is the National League competitive?
When fans speak about the National League, words and phrases such as “tinpot” get used. Some fans seem to expect that because their club is “big” because of fans, revenue, stadium etc, that they are entitled to not be watching non league football. However as I alluded to in my last article, if you are playing in the National League, you are playing there for a reason. You were either too poor in League 2 the season before, not good enough to gain promotion into League 2, or you are the teams that were promoted into the league. Either way you look at it, due to the season you had prior you deserve to be in the league.
I refer back to my previous point of “tinpot”, i disagree with the term. I personally believe that this league is the hardest to stay in, and get out of. Every team is on a level playing field, the clubs are so tightly matched at times. Just take a look at the newest members of the league this season
Promoted; Stockport, Chorley, Torquay, Woking.
Relegated: Yeovil and ourselves.
All those teams I have mentioned, to their credit are maintaining a respectable league position so far. Even Chorley, being in the bottom 4 at the time of writing this, are only 3 points from safety. But look at the teams they are down there with at the moment. Wrexham, Fylde and Ebbsfleet, all teams who finished in the top 8 last season. One of which made it to the play off final. As I stated in my previous article, the league could be turned on its head by February. Put into perspective that at the moment Halifax FC are at the top of the table, however they are 5th favourite with the book makers to win the league.
Basically this league is more competitive than fans believe, or give it credit for. Any team can beat one another on any day. Some Notts County fans believed that this league would be a walk in the park due to our reputation, others were realists and understood we are going through a rebuilding stage in our existence. This period was never going to be easy in any league, let alone the toughest league to get out of, just ask a Wrexham or Solihull Moors fan.
If you take the Premier League, for example, if a team were to lose 6 or 7 games in a season, then you could most likely call it right that team would not win the league. However such is our league so competitive, teams in the leagues in recent years have lost 6, 7 even 10 games and still won the league, and teams losing 11 games are gaining promotion through the play off system. Hence the reason that fans are still very optimistic about their season once the season hits december and their club is maybe 13th in the league, because there is still hope due to how competitive the league is.
The key to any successful season however a club deems it, whether it be promotion or safety, is 100 percent good form. Maybe not continuous good form, but the ability at times in the season to go numerous games unbeaten, a 4 or 5 game winning streak or even just enduring through a sticky period with injuries and suspensions looming over you where you get the results to stay in the fight. Last season our mighty pies could not string wins together to literally save our lives. We had spells of decent results, i think back to Forest Green, Mansfield, Lincoln and Tranmere. But we could never say last season that we were on a good run of form. Form isn't determined by 1 win or a good draw, form is a run of results that make other clubs not want to play us, or change their system to stop us winning the game rather than them playing their usual way to win the game themselves. I am very proud to say that this season (so far and fingers crossed) we have found that formula that enables us to piece results together to remain competitive, and fighting for what all of us fans want more than anything.
 
"It’s important we continue to focus on one game at a time as players. The group is building a winning mentality & working hard for each other. The squad is gelling really well & understanding each other roles. Good things take time & we have a positive environment." - Richard Brindley
 
We endured a difficult start to the season, which led to the Ardley out crew to re surface. Our first 3 games were not good, we looked lackluster, could not see where goals were coming from, and if you were to look from an outside perspective on our form from those games, most neutral fans and even some of our own had probably written us off.
The management team continually asked for patience, we had no pre season, these players need time to gel. Fast forward to the away trip to Yeovil. We had gone 4 games unbeaten the players seemed to be finding their feet a very good away win to Harrogate 2 draws and a highly convincing win against Chorley. Still we were not quite right and the management did not hide that, they called for more from the players. What that run of results did though was so influential, those results made more fans believe that Ardley was getting it right slowly but surely. The Yeovil game was a game that on paper could have gone either way, and the game possibly reflected that, however we were not good enough in both boxes and on the day I do not think any fan will deny we lost the game to a very good yeovil side.
A few games later some good results, then a loss to Bromley. And since then the fans and the players have not taken their foot off the gas. 5 games 13 points, 4 wins and a draw, 10 goals scored and only 3 conceded, none of which have come at home might i add, form personified. Most of this good form was made whilst enduring injuries to key members of the squad and a suspension of our skipper. A run of very good form that has given the players a new lease of life on the pitch and it is very visible and it refreshing for us fans to see considering our torrid 18/19 season. A run of form that has put us in a position that our fans want to see us in, but you can sense the gratefulness from the fans that we are in that position, there is a long way to go in the season but we are giving ourselves a brilliant chance of achieving something great this season. We have a very tough next 5 fixtures, a televised fixture against our rivals, a tough trip away to Woking and a very tough home game with Barrow, 3 teams in and around us now and probably when the season ends. We as fans need to not expect too much, like previously stated this league is very tough and very competitive. I also agree that we can not expect to be in the position we are in right now come the end of the season, if we can not get the right results from teams above and close to us. But if the results are not what we want or expect, that is no reason to panic.
Our good run of form has not just happened overnight. I may be wrong but i think at the start of the season we had a lot of style but lacked in substance in one box or the other, which led to a poor start, accompanied with the dramas in the summer.
I mentioned finding a formula to get results, Macclesfield Town did it last season hence their survival. I believe our formula is a direct approach from Ardley and Coxy, however i also think that the players are taking responsibility on the pitch. They are taking more risks, any footballing man knows that if the football you have worked on and planned for to win a game does not work, then you have to take a risk to get the goal to win a game. The players for me, are taking it upon themselves on the pitch to take that risk, they know that if the risk does not pay off they could lose the ball and possibly concede, but you can see the desire to ensure that does not happen, they fight for the ball if they lose it. We have heard Ardley say numerous times now when we have conceded a sloppy goal, the players have come off the pitch at full time or half time and they are discussing the goal, and there is not a blame culture at the club, however players do blame themselves sometimes it is natural. Ultimately though the players understand that they are out on that pitch together and if one cuts they all bleed. So when i get asked how i think the players have progressed in terms of developing a way of breaking teams down, my answer is simply Ardley has given them the tools to go and win a game, however there is a strong togetherness we were missing from last season that means players are willing to take a risk to get the goal to win a game, knowing that if it goes wrong they will not get pointed at in the dressing room. They may get a stern word from the likes of Turner and Doyle, but that goes without saying. What this togetherness also brings is confidence, the players need the confidence to take the risk, and when one player sees another take a risk that pays off, then that grows within the team and more players are willing to do it to win a game of football. If we play with confidence, grit and determination then we will stand ourselves in very good stature at the end of the season.
My closing note this time would be to enjoy what is happening at the minute, our next fixtures are tough, do not expect the world. Support the boys feed that confidence to them when they need it. The position we are in right at this moment is brilliant, if it slips stay with it and we will judge at the end of the season.
ALL NOTTS AREN'T WE!!
Mitchel Whiley
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Mitch Whiley

Faces of PON: Notts County vs Torquay

Notts County continued their fine form in the National League with a 2-0 win over Torquay at Meadow Lane.
Richard Brindley netted the opener for the Magpies in the eighth minute - his first goal for the club - with a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner after Torquay failed to properly clear a corner.
Kristian Dennis doubled County's advantage three minutes into the second half, glancing in a Sean Shields free-kick for his seventh goal of the season and third in as many games.
County defender Connell Rawlinson cleared off the line following a scramble which means they have gone 531 minutes without conceding at home, as reported by BBC Sport.
The Magpies have now lost just once in nine games as they moved into the playoff places.
Pride of Nottingham was at Meadow Lane for the game - see if you've made it into our latest Faces of PON gallery!


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Chris

ARLukomski assesses Notts County's clash with Torquay

Notts County continued their fine form in the National League with a 2-0 win over Torquay at Meadow Lane.
Richard Brindley netted the opener for the Magpies in the eighth minute - his first goal for the club - with a 25-yard strike into the bottom corner after Torquay failed to properly clear a corner.
Kristian Dennis doubled County's advantage three minutes into the second half, glancing in a Sean Shields free-kick for his seventh goal of the season and third in as many games.
County defender Connell Rawlinson cleared off the line following a scramble which means they have gone 531 minutes without conceding at home, as reported by BBC Sport.
The Magpies have now lost just once in nine games as they moved into the playoff places.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at the Lane for the game - here are his pre, mid and post-match thoughts.
Share your thoughts about this vlog on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
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ARLukomski

ARLukomski assesses Notts County's clash with Dagenham & Redbridge

Notts County stretched their unbeaten run to four games with a 2-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge on Tuesday.
Regan Booty's first strike at Meadow Lane, on 25 minutes, and Kristian Dennis' late effort ensured Neal Ardley's side moved up to eighth in the National League table.
After Enzio Boldewijn fired over for Notts, home goalkeeper Sam Slocombe denied Reece Grant from a one-on-one and then parried James Dobson's shot.
And the hosts made sure of the win three minutes from time through Dennis, who curled an effort into the top corner.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARlukomski was at the game - here are his pre, mid and post-match thoughts.
Share your thoughts about this vlog on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.
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ARLukomski

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