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KB1862
Over the years, we've had mixed experiences when it comes to management but Kevin Nolan and Alan Hardy look like being the real deal. Not only have they got a great connection with the fans but they also seem to have a great connection with each other. They both have an understanding of each other with Nolan setting out what he needs in terms of improving the squad and Hardy doing everything in his power to make that happen.
From a fans perspective, this is great to see. Both a manager and an owner with the same objectives and ambitions to get the fans back into games and progress together up the leagues.
Last season, it wasn't expected of us to do much in the season having struggled in the previous season and recruiting a rookie manager in Nolan. But with the backing of Hardy, we managed to achieve a playoff place, which ended unfortunately bad for us. It was a learning curve for Nolan last season and I’m sure he will look back on it and learn from parts of the season.
It was all going well until Christmas with us riding high in the league and a good cup run but a bad run of results in the new year meant we dropped off the pace a little. Just like many others believe, it could have been to do with the change of formation playing Jon Stead up front on his own or not playing Jonathan Forte more often.
Whichever way you look at it, Nolan is certainly a man with the intentions to never give up and to try get the best from his players. Many interviews he gave, he never held back on his opinions whether it was a bad referee decision or whether it was his players simply not being good enough on the day. I felt it hard to argue with anything he said in post match interviews always seemingly to be bang on in every part.
When Hardy came in, he had intentions of re-building Notts and getting fans back onside. He admitted during the first half of the season with us riding high in the league that it was hitting his pocket with win bonuses etc. but he was loving every moment of this.
Another thing which helped us fans get behind Hardy was when he decided for his 1 year anniversary as owner, he would slash ticket prices to £2 for the game against Crewe. This attracted 17,000+ to Meadow Lane to witness a 4-1 win.
He has always been open with fans on social media, always keeps fans in the loop with the on goings at the club. There was a touch of class from Hardy at the end of the season, for everyone that attended the playoff semi final clash at Meadow Lane they were handed a free t-shirt to mark the occasion and get behind the lads.
He has certainly been back on form this season, getting transfers in to improve the squad and re-build. Also, with the announcement that he was going to freeze ticket prices till the start of the season due to England's great World Cup run.
As long as they carry on what they are doing, we can certainly look forward to a bright future in the hands of both Nolan and Hardy.
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PON_News
Do you know any budding young artists? Do you enjoy drawing? Are you a big Notts County fan?
We at Pride of Nottingham are running a competition for young supporters to draw a picture of Pon Magpie, our mascot!
Alan Hardy has done wonders to turn Notts into the family club it's supposed to be, and as County's premier fansite, we want to get young fans involved in this fun contest!
Submit any photos of the artwork to the Pride of Nottingham social media pages, or as a message to the Pon Magpie Facebook page!
We will choose a winner and share all the pictures via the PON website!
The winner will also receive a large striped Notts County pennant or an alternative for around £10 from the club shop!

Please help us spread the word!
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PON_News
Notts County midfielder Andy Kellett has praised the fact that nobody can "come off the gas" at Meadow Lane due to competition for places in the squad.
The summer signing from Wigan Athletic missed the season-opening stalemate with Colchester United due to injury.
Although Kellett is hoping to be fit for Saturday’s trip to Cambridge United, he is not expecting to be simply drafted into the starting XI.
“The competition for places is very good because there are players in a number of positions," Kellett told the Nottingham Post.
“It’s hard for everybody to know if they are going to be picked or not.
“Where I’ve been previously you know you are getting in the team and you come off the gas a bit.
“But here at Notts, you’ve always got to be on top of it.”
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Magic magpie
In the current day of football with new younger managers playing new tactics and styles, announcing a captain and a vice captain, sometimes the captains don’t always do the role that a club or fans expect so they come under fire for it.
For me players don’t always need the armband to be a club captain. This applies to our David Vaughan, he is old school and many may think he is coming to the end of his career, what with his age and how injury prone he is becoming.
I think this adds to why it applies to Vaughan, while he was the PON community fan’s favourite not to mention fans outside of the PON community he was the runaway choice of captain. Some were disappointed when this didn’t happen, as Richard Duffy was given the honour to lead out the Magpies against Colchester United (and appears the frontrunner to take it full time), a job he did for the majority of last season while club captain Michael O’Connor was out injured.
Although he hasn’t been given the armband I don’t think that matters, i see Vaughan as a leader of men. A phrase that is used on FIFA 18, which is normally the title goes to a mature player who may not be captain or may never have been captain but holds the qualities to gain the team’s respect on and off the pitch.
Vaughan may have been a Red last season but as fans we all took to him wanting to award a former Forest player. Yes that's right a player from across the Trent, some say the enemy, but still wanted to award Vaughan one of the highest honours a player can be given to lead the team on to the pitch and through what the season may bring.
I’ve seen David play in all three of the home pre-season matches and last weekend’s draw with Colchester. In every game I’ve seen he was the go to man, almost everything came from the midfield where he was playing.
He is tactically aware of not only his position but also others, he's not afraid to take the ball if players get in trouble and will shoulder that responsibly - not only that he takes the control to give instruction to players, which are carried out with no arguments.
I’ve seen both young players and mature players approach him and speak to him. On those occasions he can be seen organising players whilst holding his composure all the time, he directs them and he never shouts, he is calmness personified and that's why he has all the qualities of a captain.
Vaughan doesn’t have the armband, I hear you say - why have you wrote this? I believe some players were just natural born leaders, Vaughan is exactly this, they are not cocky or arrogant, they simply lead with or without armband.
An armband is the respect that a player is given not only by the manager and the staff but the lads and us the fans too.
I’ve not read that he is vice captain or anything like that but from what I’ve seen Duffy has that same respect shared by everyone. It seems Duffy doesn’t mind if he plays a captain’s role, the number 5 may look like he will remain County’s captain but it's safe to say that Vaughan is the people's captain.
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PON_News
Kevin Nolan has claimed that every Notts County player had a "really solid game" in their 0-0 draw with Colchester United and that the first League Two home fixture of the season was always going to be "a bit jittery for everybody".
The Magpies and the U's cancelled each other out in a fairly even game at Meadow Lane which, though not the most inspiring, still managed to yield a point and a clean sheet for the hosts.
“The first game at home is always a bit jittery for everybody," Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
"I just thought there were a lot of new faces, debuts made today and I don’t think anyone showed that they were a nine out of 10.
“As a whole, we got sixes and sevens which is good. I don’t think anyone on the pitch has lit it up, I just think everyone’s had a really solid game and we’ve got through it.
“We’ve got the clean sheet which is fantastic for us, keep clean sheets and then you only need one goal and with the talent we now have in the squad, we can get goals from all over the place.
“We’re still finding our feet, I’ve got lots to be positive about.”
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PON_News
Notts County began the 2018-19 season with a point in a tricky and ultimately underwhelming 0-0 draw with Colchester United at Meadow Lane.
The Magpies considerably strengthened their ranks over the summer with several high-profile signings rocking up at the club so the hope was of hitting the ground running against somewhat mediocre opposition.
It didn't go that way though, with both sides looking rusty in the first League Two game of the campaign, and the outcome was a share of the spoils and a clean sheet apiece.
Nathan Thomas came close when he controlled on the edge of the area before trying his luck with a superb chipped effort, but the opposition keeper was able to palm the effort away.
Colchester, meanwhile, had several attempts to breach Ross Fitzsimons' clean sheet but in the end it was honours even.
How did Notts boss Nolan and the fans react to the stalemate? Pride of Nottingham takes a closer look.
Kevin Nolan on the game
“There’s lots of positives to take from it. It wasn’t the free-flowing, absolutely fantastic game or fantastic performance, but what we have seen is lots of things we can take out to be excited about.”
The Black and White Army
Liampie
it was okay for the first game but if kn wants fans to give their complete backing he needs to get them playing football. there was a lot of negativity flying around and i think the performance burst a few bubbles but its early.
Samwatto2008
Really disappointing performance from Tootle. Really let the defence down today, caught out too many times letting Szmodics run free. He also failed to release Boldewjin a number of times and failed to utilise his strengths. Overall though I am happy with a point against Colchester as they will be pushing play offs this year. Think if Norris came on or started this would have been a different game. Stead put in a lot of effort which saw him get an applause when subbed but he was missing and just isn't going to find form this season I don't think. Thomas looked quick and sharp, Hemmings also. Not sure which CB I would drop at the moment though as Hall needs to be in. Heart says Duffy, Head says Brisely. Happy with areas of the game though and there is still lots to work on.
The Heff
It looked like a team that was new with playing with each other, I think several players was nervous and found it hard to lift their performance accordingly.
KingKev
It wasn't as bad as some are suggesting, Notts did play well in spells but too many players had an off day.
Menzinho
I think Colchester will be pushing for play-offs this season, so all in all not a terrible start to the season. The expectation was high, but as we've seen through pre-season no-one's really got going yet and the wayward passes coupled with some terrible first touches made it feel like just another pre-season game. Very hard to really gauge anything from the match, Cambridge away will be interesting though, both teams should be going for the win...
CliftonMagpie
It's early days, but I felt like Notts was quite relaxed and never focused on pressuring Colchester. They looked a good side and I would be more positive if I was a U's fan, Notts just needs to focus more on passing forward.
Ian Ale Goode
no excuses we was rubbish end of let's hope we improve big time
Mick Jones
Need to give the team time to gel and that won't happen overnight. Also the likes of Hemmings and Dennis and a few others have yet to reach full fitness yet. My only real concern is that we're still poor at the back with no real changes having been made in that area of the team.
Jimmy Gee
Poor start to season. Should be playing to a plan from kick off... there was none!
Cecil Richardson
Stead is not a target man why cannot Nolan see that
Dave Woolley
Should have played Dennis with Hemmings from the off. Then if Dennis got tired change it. There was no way we were going to win a battle in the air....
Steve Blyth
Never first to the ball and to be honest half of them didn’t look fit !!
Dan Simpson
It's tough to pass the ball around though when they do and everyone starts moaning because it's not going forward. If you want Notts to play football...
Michael Rimmingtom
100% crap ok first game but expected better. Play football not hoofing the ball and hoping for the best. Still a points a point.
Alex West
Think we missed husin. Hewitt was poor. Vaughan was ok but lacked the options. Boldewjin was targeted but created the most. It will come together I'm certain of that.  Just a quick note - we lost 3-0 first game last season.
Antony Staples
Poor... long ball doesn't work for the players we have!!
Nick Norman
First game don't panic. They are favourites for a playoff place
Ian Ale Goode
total rubbish new team same old tactics get a grip Nolan no team work hoof the ball back passing was rubbish one chance to score all that money spent and no improvement
Michael Hill
Frustrating, Dennis is wasted. Noones looking to find the strikers
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PON_News
Notts County began the 2018-19 season with a point in a tricky and ultimately underwhelming 0-0 draw with Colchester United at Meadow Lane.
The Magpies considerably strengthened their ranks over the summer with several high-profile signings rocking up at the club so the hope was of hitting the ground running against somewhat mediocre opposition.
It didn't go that way though, with both sides looking rusty in the first League Two game of the campaign, and the outcome was a share of the spoils and a clean sheet apiece, which is better than a loss I guess.
Nathan Thomas came close when he controlled on the edge of the area before trying his luck with a superb chipped effort, but the opposition keeper was able to palm the effort away.
Colchester, meanwhile, had several attempts to breach Ross Fitzsimons' clean sheet but in the end it was honours even.
Pride of Nottingham was at Meadow Lane for the stalemate. Have you made this week's Faces of PON? Have a look through a gallery and find out!

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PON_News
Notts County began the 2018-19 season with a point in a tricky and ultimately underwhelming 0-0 draw with Colchester United at Meadow Lane.
Although the U's appeared the brighter of the two sides at the off, the Magpies almost took a fourth-minute lead through debutant Enzio Boldewijn.
The Dutchman was able to let rip with a low shot from a good position but visiting goalkeeper Dillon Barnes was able to palm the effort behind for a corner.
But Colchester then threatened midway through the first half through Frank Nouble, whose header from Ryan Jackson's cross flashed inches wide of County's far post.
The hosts received a let off in the second half when keeper Ross Fitzsimons appeared to handle the ball outside of his area after Jackson had sent Nouble through on goal.
Nathan Thomas then came close with a superb chance when he controlled on the edge of the area before trying his luck with a chipped effort, only for Barnes to backtrack and tip the ball over for a corner.
Colchester came close to claiming victory with 15 minutes remaining when Aaron Collins teed up Tom Eastman, who struck the bar with a curled effort from the edge of the box, but ultimately the spoils were shared.
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PON_News
Kevin Nolan has revealed that Richard Duffy will be Notts County's captain in Saturday's League Two opener against Colchester United.
The defender held the armband for most of last season as Michael O'Connor was sidelined through a long-term injury.
Now that O'Connor has left, Nolan has stated that Duffy will continue as skipper "for the foreseeable future" but says it's not a permanent appointment.
“Richard Duffy will lead the team out on Saturday,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “I haven’t made my mind up who is going to be the club captain yet.
“Richard stepped in so well last year for Ocky (during Michael O’Connor’s injury) that he will continue to do it for the foreseeable future until I actually pinpoint one.
“It’s probably been the last thing I’ve been thinking of this week although people keep pushing me on it.
“I expect him to do the job that he’s done since I came into the club, he’s been absolutely fantastic doing that.”
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PON_News
Alan Hardy has issued a call for more Notts County fans to get behind the team this upcoming season.
The Magpies have invested heavily this summer following an above-expectations finish last term, qualifying for the playoffs.
"A general rule of thumb is that if you get results right on the pitch, most other things will follow," Hardy wrote on the Notts website.
"We've certainly seen that with major increases in supporters, hospitality sales, merchandise sales and other revenue streams.
"I've lost count of the number of fans who have contacted me to say the atmosphere at the club has changed beyond belief, how lapsed fans are coming back in their droves, how parents and grandparents are bringing their children and grandchildren to Meadow Lane for their first taste of professional football and how we are all enjoying - and not enduring - watching this great club of ours.
"But, please, we need even more of you. Our season ticket holder base has gone up by 35 percent but that needs to grow still further.
"Season ticket holders are the lifeblood of our club. If you have not already bought one, please do your very best to do so in the next few days - our current discounted rate is due to expire on Saturday.
"For those of you unable to buy a season ticket, please make an extra effort to come to as many games as you possibly can. Your support really does make a difference.
"I'd like to see a crowd in excess of 6,500 on Saturday for our opening game against Colchester. It would mean a huge amount to me, to Kevin and all the players.
"A league season is a marathon not a sprint but to see you all on Saturday would be a great way to welcome our new signings to Meadow Lane and to show the fighting spirit and passion our support can create.
"I hope and believe this can be a very special season and, with your support, it will be."
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PON_News
Noor Husin has claimed that Notts County's playoff heartache last season will prove a superb incentive for the Magpies to get the promotion job done this time round.
Notts were in and around the League Two's top three for much of the 2017-18 campaign but stuttered in the final few months to finish in the playoffs, which they subsequently lost to eventual winners Coventry City.
“Last season will only make us stronger and the boys know what it takes now,” Husin told the Nottingham Post. “Hopefully we can go a step further and get that promotion everybody is after.
“Everyone was bitterly disappointed with how last season ended after doing so well. But it’s only going to spur us on to go up and I am sure that will give us that extra bit of motivation we need.”
Husin has also spoken of his international call-up with Afghanistan, expressing pride at being convoked by his nation, but he says he will put club before country this month.
“I have been called up by Afghanistan, but they have a friendly in a couple of weeks’ time [against Palestine on August 19] which I am not going to,” he said. “But when there is an international break I think I will be going.
“I was called up a couple of years ago, but I put it on hold at the time. I am delighted to be called up and my family are proud. I am really looking forward to it. The games are going to be in Qatar, China and places like that.
"They keep track of me and I speak to the manager who has just been appointed. He used to coach in the Dutch league. He’s been watching my games and they keep an eye on me to see how I am getting on."
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PON_News
Kevin Nolan has spoken about Notts County duo Lewis Alessandra and Will Patching, praising the former and providing an update on the latter.
The 29-year-old attacker scored against Basford and Leicester City and is pushing for a start in the League Two opener against Colchester United.
Manchester City academy product Patching, meanwhile, made his debut for the Magpies at the weekend when he came on as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat at Luton Town.
“Lewi is just a quality player, a quality lad and a good kid,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “He is lovely to be around and is great on the training ground.
“The lads we have brought in have taken him to new levels which is good.”
As for Patching, he said: “It’s going to take him a while to get up to speed. He is way behind the lads, but he is training fully now with the boys.
“He got 15 to 20 minutes on Saturday and he will now be playing in a game on Tuesday to get his minutes up.
“But I think we will be seeing him in the League Cup game when we can get him extra minutes and get him in a proper competitive game.”
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PON_News
Richard Duffy has admitted that he would relish being handed the Notts County captain's armband permanently but says he will back whoever is given it.
“I’ve spoken to the manager but nothing about the captaincy,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“Whoever it will be will be and if it is me then great. If it’s not then I will be back whoever gets it.
“Obviously I wore it for the majority of last season until Occy (Michael O’Connor) came back and that was because he was club captain. But if the manager gives it to me, then I will relish it.”
Duffy also thinks Notts must not be afraid to have moments of playing hoofball if they are to change their philosophy and become a passing team.
“Being easy on the eye isn’t easy,” he added.
“You’ve got to do the dirty things and you’ve still got to put the ball in behind and play it long whatever people say.
“If you look at Man City and Arsenal they will do it and then teams will start to drop off then they start to play.
“Luton did it. They are a passing team and get the ball down but have a look at how many times Bris (Shaun Brisley) and I were chasing back to our own goal.
“It was quite a few times and however good you are, they will put it in behind and make you drop off, then all of a sudden the holes appear and that’s when they start playing their stuff.
“You’ve got to work yourselves into games and we did that in the first half.”
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ARLukomski
1. Milton Keynes (C,P) - This may be an opinion divider but I just feel that MK have a slight edge over us and Lincoln. Paul Tisdale moves from Exeter and has bought Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ryan Harley and Robbie Simpson with him. Kieran Agard should provide goals up front and creativity will come from Alex Gilbey and Chuks Aneke. Jordan Houghton is a good signing in midfield. They have retained most of their squad and with good depth and quality in each position, I think this might be the year Tisdale finally achieves promotion from this league.
2. Notts County (P) - Notts have had their best transfer window for years and look to continue the momentum, that Kevin Nolan and Alan Hardy have bought to the club. We have finally fixed an issue which has been a problem for Notts for six years now and that is the presence of a goalscorer. Now we have two, in Kristian Dennis and Kane Hemmings. David Vaughan should provide creativity from the heart of midfield. Enzio Boldewijn is quick and will be crucial to Notts' creativity and goals. He will also help break teams down, something Notts struggled with last season. The same core of players remain who took the team to 5th last season in Hewitt, Duffy, Brisley, Hall, Fitzsimons, Tootle and Jones. The new style of play may take some time to implement and we may start slow, but as we haven't ripped the heart of the team out from last season, I think we will start to pickup around October and November and push on from there. If not, the January window can rescue us. REMEMBER LUTON STARTED SLOW LAST SEASON!
3. Lincoln City (P) - Lincoln's momentum will continue into 2018-19 after their promotion winning season and finishing 7th last season. Danny Cowley's transfer business has gone well with The Imps bringing in John Akinde from Barnet. A goalscorer is something Lincoln needed. Bruno Andrade and Grant Smith have both arrived from Boreham Wood, Andrade scoring 18 goals from the wing last season, and goalkeeper Smith being named in the team of the season. Shay McCartan is an exciting signing from Bradford whilst Blackburn centre-back Scott Wharton returns to Sincil Bank, after a good spell on loan last season. They have good enough players, quality and depth in the squad to make sure they avoid the play-offs this time around.
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4. Mansfield Town - After just missing out on a play-off spot a few months ago, David Flitcroft will now take charge of his first full season in charge of the Stags. He has bought well in Tyler Walker, Neal Bishop and Matt Preston. The squad have had a year to gel and get used to each other's strengths and weaknesses. The one key thing that will be crucial to Mansfield is, can Flitcroft get the best out of them? This is the big point and will decide whether Mansfield make the top 3 or not. They have looked good in pre-season, playing a 3-5-2 formation but it could be very different once the season starts. Inconsistency at Swindon meant The Robins didn't trouble the top three as much, as they would have liked to. Swindon fans were happy to see him go. A promotion season with Bury, before an inconsistent 15-16 season and a terrible run of 7 losses in a row in 2016-17 saw him sacked in November 2016. Mansfield's season all depends on which David Flitcroft turns up.
5. Northampton Town (P) - Dean Austin took over as caretaker manager for the last few games of last season and almost performed a miracle in keeping Northampton up before they were sucker-punched in the 90th minute in game 45. A key aspect of Northampton's summer, has been keeping the squad to together and they have done just that. The have signed two new strikers who should help them making a challenge on promotion, with Andy Williams and Junior Morias adding at Sixfields. Morias, especially, looks a good signing for this level. The Cobblers have good depth in all areas of the pitch and they look good to mount a promotion challenge and a return to League One.
6. Colchester United - After missing out on the top 7 for two seasons in a row, Colchester will want to finally make them this time. They have added to the squad well, bringing in two new goalkeepers and adding three new strikers in, Newport's Frank Nouble, Swindon's Luke Norris and Wolves' Aaron Collins (on loan). Harry Pell comes in from Cheltenham, after impressing at Whaddon Road. Keeping hold of Sammie Szmodics has been crucial, with his passing and creativity a big part of John McGreal's team. Szmodics scored 13 goals last season. The squad has got stronger and this time, the U's should make an impact on League Two.
7. Exeter City - Exeter have lost their manager of many seasons, in Paul Tisdale and some of the players that helped them get into the play-offs two seasons in a row. Jordan Moore-Taylor, Ryan Harley, Robbie Simpson and Lloyd James. However, they have replaced them adequately with the arrivals of Jonathan Forte, Nicky Law, Aaron Martin and Lee Martin. New manager Matt Taylor knows the club well having previously played at St James Park and he knows the lower leagues well after spending time at Charlton and Newport, as well as The Grecians.
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8. Stevenage - Dino Maamria took over in March and will lead Stevenage into, what they hope, is a better season than last season. Boro have bought well. Scott Cuthbert is one of the best signings in League Two, coming in from promotion winning Luton. Michael Timlin is a good signing, in my opinion and him and Joel Byrom should form a good partnership in midfield. They have lost Matt Godden which will be crucial but Danny Newton should be able to come up with the goals, as should the experienced Alex Revell. Like Aspin, Maamria has also used his non league exploits to bring in players. The four arriving are Luther Wildin (Nuneaton), James Ball (Stockport), Emmanuel Sonupe (Kidderminster) and Donovan Makoma (Barrow). All in all, a good transfer window for Stevenage and they will look to challenge the play-off places.
9. Port Vale - The Valliants have had a lot of changes made to the playing squad this summer with twelve new players coming through the doors at Vale Park. Ricky Miller and Idris Kanu arrive from Peterborough to add competition and goals. Kanu especially, is a very promising young player. Neil Aspin has used his knowledge and experience of non league football to bring in a few players. Manny Oyeleke arrives from Aldershot, Theo Vassell from Gateshead and Brendon Daniels from Alfreton. He has also added Football League experience in the form of Leon Legge, Luke Joyce and Louis Dodds. Luke Hannant is one to look out for after impressing at the back end of last season. Lots of improvements have been made to the squad and Aspin looks like the man to take Vale forward.
10. Swindon Town - Not as strong a squad as last season and in my opinion, the signings of Toumani Diagouraga and Michael Doughty, are the only ones that stand out. Diagouraga ran the show at Plymouth and Fleetwood last season and was crucial to The Piglrims revival from bottom of the league, to near the play-offs. Elijah Adebayo comes in on loan from Fulham and will be expected to score goals after a decent spell on loan at Cheltenham last season. Keshi Anderson is definitely one to look out for next season and Phil Brown has done it before at this level with Southend but for me, they just don't have enough to make the play-offs.
11. Grimsby Town - The Mariners have looked rejuvenated under Michael Jolley. After saving them from relegation last season, he has made some shrewd additions this summer with John Welsh from Preston and Elliott Whitehouse from Lincoln being the standout additions. However, Whitehouse will be out for a while due to injury. Jake Hessenthaler from Gillingham and Alex Whitmore from Chesterfield are young players and are also solid additions. I feel like they may need another year before they can mount a proper promotion challenge but the early signs are good and under Jolley, they seem to be heading in the right direction.
12. Crawley Town - They have lost key players in Enzio Boldewijn, Thomas Verheydt and Josh Yorwerth but they have bought in quality in Filipe Morais and Romain Vincelot. Ollie Palmer and Dominic Poleon look like they will form a decent partnership up front. George Francomb is another good addition having won promotion from this level in 2016 with AFC Wimbledon. Their defence lacks depth though, and they need back ups quickly.
13. Cambridge United - Have a decent squad with some good young players coming through. Joe Dunne did well with the team after taking over from Shaun Derry last season and managed a 12th placed finish. They haven't signed many in the transfer window and for that reason I can't see them pushing on into the play-offs. They may lack strength in depth in some areas too and getting goals out of Barry Corr will be important.
14. Crewe Alexandra - Some youth players at Crewe look like they are developing well, especially Charlie Kirk, Callum Ainley, Harry Pickering and James Jones. Perry Ng has also laid down the starting position at right-back. They have signed Shaun Miller and Paul Green to permanent contracts, after they helped Crewe go on a good run of form at the back end of the 17-18 season. Their defence is somewhere where they need improvement and they lack strength in depth.
15. Cheltenham Town - Losing Mo Eisa is big and they have decided to go down the same route in bringing in his replacement. They have once again looked into the lower divisions of non league to bring in a goalscorer, this time Manny Duku from Hayes & Yeading. They have bought in Johnny Mullins from Luton to add solidness to the defence. Mullins has won promotion from this league with Rotherham, Oxford and Luton. Sean Long arrives after a good season with Lincoln, as does Liam McAlinden with Exeter. However losing Eisa is a big deal and the squad has improved slightly but not enough to challenge the play-offs.
16. Bury - After a truly torrid season in 17-18, Bury will look to see an upturn in fortunes. Ryan Lowe was caretaker at the end of last season and has been given the managers job permanently. They have made some solid League Two additions such as Nicky Adams, Byron Moore and Chris Dagnall, but nothing spectacular. It will be hard to come off such a bad season and turn it around so quickly.
17. Tranmere Rovers - After finally getting out of non-league, Tranmere will be looking to push on and hopefully look to stabilise in League Two. Harvey Gilmour, Mark Ellis and Paul Mullin all look solid additions and keeping Ollie Norburn will be key. However, Rovers look thin up front with only James Norwood and Connor Jennings the two strikers at the club and this could pay dividends to them making any further strides up the league table.
18. Forest Green Rovers - FGR survived by a point last season, with Christian Doidge's goals crucial in keeping the Nailsworth club up.  Liam Shephard, George Williams and Joseph Mills look good signings. Exeter fans couldn't believe FGR payed a fee for Lloyd James but he looks a solid addition. They look good in areas, but lack quality in others. If Doidge leaves, then I do worry for Rovers. They also lack depth in central midfield.
19. Newport County - The club, who were the surprise package last season along with Accrington, have one of the lowest budgets in the division, with their FA Cup run last season bringing in some much needed income. Although their transfer business has been mixed. Jamille Matt is an average signing in my opinion, as is Fraser Franks and Charlie Cooper. Andrew Crofts is an experienced midfielder and Keanu Marsh-Brown should provide pace out wide. They rely on loans a lot and Padraig Amond will have to have a blinder of a season to get them near the top half.
20. Oldham Athletic - After reports the club are in financial ruin with the club paying the players late and the relation between fans and owner strained, it appears Oldham's first season outside of League One for 21 years, won't be a happy one. Their signings haven't been good enough and they lack strikers. The club looks to be going downwards and may even do a Chesterfield if they are not careful.
21. Carlisle United - John Sheridan takes over from Keith Curle in Cumbria but, whilst he is very good at keeping teams up and saving them mid-way through the season, when he starts the season with a club it can be difficult for him. Notts and Oldham are two clubs, where he has started the season and been sacked. Carlisle's transfer business is also a sign that it might be a hard season. They lack depth up front and goals may be difficult to come by. Add to that a very thin squad and the playing budget being cut, the Cumbrians could see themselves at the wrong end of the table.
22. Morecambe - So many years, The Shrimps have been holding on and this year I expect them to do so again. The main reason I have put them above Macclesfield and Yeovil is because of their transfer business in the striker department. Jason Oswell was second top scorer in the National League North last season for Stockport, scoring 24 goals. Liam Mandeville has also come in on loan from Doncaster Rovers, having won promotion with them from this division in 2016-17. Andrew Tutte has come in from Bury, adding experience to the midfield but the with the same core of players from last season, I still see them struggling.
------------------------------------------
23. Macclesfield Town (R) - A lot of things have changed at Mac after they won the National League. Manager John Askey has left for Shrewsbury and key players from the promotion winning team have left in; Kieran Kennedy, Mitch Hancox and Danny Whitehead. Mark Yates takes over, after doing a brilliant job at Solihull Moors. The players they have bought in, however, aren't that brilliant and they could look set for a long season. Whether Mark Yates has improved as a manager since he left the Football League will remain to be seen but Macclesfield look to be up against it if they are to continue the trend of teams promoted from the National League, staying up.
24. Yeovil Town (R) - They have continued to survive for the past three seasons but this season could well be the year they fall. Yeovil's transfer business hasn't been the greatest. A few players bought in nearing the end of their careers in Gary Warren and Carl Dickinson. Diallang Jaiyesimi comes in on loan from Norwich but didn't have an all impressive loan spell at Grimsby last season. They've lost Otis Khan, a key player from the past few seasons. They haven't got much depth up front either and the team genuinely lacks quality.
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PON_News
Kevin Nolan has admitted that Notts County were punished for making “strange and sloppy” decisions in their 2-0 loss at Luton Town on Saturday.
The Hatters secured a 2-0 win at Kenilworth Road through former Magpies loanee Jorge Grant and Elliott Lee.
The latter scored from close range after Ross Fitzsimons failed to collect a header on the goal line following a corner.
“I was a bit disappointed really in what we’ve been trying to do and what we’ve been about in pre-season,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “I thought we were second best certainly in the second half.
“In the first we contained them and I think they only had one shot on target. But in the second half we made some strange and sloppy decisions and we were punished for it.”
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