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Joe Jones
Michael O’Connor has called for more ex-players to go into refereeing after Notts County were knocked out of the League Two playoffs against Coventry City.
In the first leg at the Ricoh Arena, Matt Tootle was wrongly penalised for a foul on Tom Bayliss which saw Marc McNulty score a late penalty to earn Coventry a 1-1 draw.
And in the return leg at Meadow Lane, Jonathan Forte saw an equaliser wrongly chalked off for offside when the score was 2-1, while Maxime Biamou's third Sky Blues goal was offside.
“Forte was two yards onside, and there were two offsides for their third goal,” Notts captain O'Connor told the Nottingham Post.
“If the goal stands and it’s 2-2, they were gone. They were shot and I think we would have won the game.
“It’s easy looking back now saying this and that, but look at the penalty decision in the first game.
“It’s never a penalty. That’s three big decisions over two legs in a play-off semi-final.
“That’s not good enough. These are meant to be the best referees in the league.
“It’s hard being a referee, I get that. But people’s livelihoods are at stake.
“Do I think the scrutiny on the decision will make a difference next season? No.
“A lot of referees haven’t played the game before and that’s why more players at the end of their careers should officiate. They know the game better.”
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Joe Jones
Coventry City captain Michael Doyle has claimed that Notts County's attitude prior to the League Two playoff semi-final second leg effectively did the team talk for his side.
The Sky Blues coasted to a 4-1 win on Friday night, putting them into the playoff final 5-2 on aggregate at the expense of the Magpies.
Doyle felt County gave Coventry an extra incentive because of things like the specially printed Wembley T-shirts and comments made by Alan Hardy.
“I just felt that they thought that before the game they were through,” he told Coventry Telegraph, referring to the chairman’s programme column in which he talked about planning for the final.
“I read the programme notes from their chairman before the game and I just felt – and I am not having a pop – but I thought they thought they were already there.
“We were told they had T-shirts in the dressing room for Wembley, so we weren’t going down without a fight.
"The lads were unbelievable and they deserve it. It just goes to show what happens when we get that consistency in the biggest game of the season, when there’s so much pressure and so much at stake, and we go and play like that.”
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ARLukomski
Notts County's Wembley dream came to an end on Friday night as Coventry City ran out 4-1 winners in their League Two playoff semi-final second leg at Meadow Lane.
Level at 1-1 on aggregate following the first leg, the hosts admittedly put in a dire first-half performance as Maxime Biamou and Marc McNulty struck in the first half to put the Sky Blues in control.
Jorge Grant pulled one back for the Magpies before the break while Jonathan Forte had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside.
Biamou then scored again in a move which saw two separate offsides in the build-up and Tom Bayliss added another late on to end County's dreams of promotion to League One.
Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at Meadow Lane to document the occasion, giving his thoughts throughout the game and in the aftermath.
Want to watch one of the finest up and coming Notts bloggers around? Here's the video!
Follow ARLukomski on his YouTube channel by clicking here.
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has paid tribute to the Notts County fanbase in an end-of-season message following the playoff defeat to Coventry City.
A total of 17,615 people were in attendance at Meadow Lane on Friday night to watch the Magpies fight for a place in the final at Wembley.
It wasn't to be unfortunately, with the Sky Blues instead winning the chance to go up in the showpiece event on Bank Holiday Monday, with Exeter City in their way.
Nonetheless, Hardy was delighted with the Black & White Army and their support at the game and throughout the season, and has pledged to work hard behind the scenes to keep the club prospering.
"I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us throughout the campaign," Hardy wrote on the official website.
"Unfortunately there was to be no fairytale ending and, given some of the refereeing decisions we were subjected to over the course of our play-off semi-final tie, perhaps it simply wasn’t meant to be.
"When the dust settles, we will be able to look back on an amazing season of progression on and off the field, culminating in a breathtaking occasion which attracted a record crowd this century.
"It’s difficult to put into words the level of pride I felt looking around the stadium ahead of kick-off (Friday) night. Nearly every seat was filled and there was a terrific atmosphere swirling around Meadow Lane.
"We are all united in our desire to have more nights like that and with your continued backing, I’m sure we will.
"While the players will now have some well-deserved time off with their friends and family, behind the scenes the hard work begins straightaway to ensure we continue on our upward curve.
"As always, I will keep you informed of the latest developments in our exciting journey.
"Thank you once again. Alan."
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Chris
Notts County's Wembley dream came to an end on Friday night as a referee-assisted Coventry City side ran out 4-1 winners in their League Two playoff semi-final second leg at Meadow Lane.
Level at 1-1 on aggregate following the first leg, the hosts admittedly put in a dire first-half performance as Maxime Biamou and Marc McNulty struck in the first half to put the Sky Blues in control.
Jorge Grant pulled one back for the Magpies before the break while Jonathan Forte had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside.
Biamou then scored again in a move which saw two separate offsides in the build-up and Tom Bayliss added another late on to end County's dreams of promotion to League One.
Despite the result, it was great to see the Black & White Army out in force - Pride of Nottingham was present to take pictures of fans, so see if you've made it into the final Faces of PON of the season!
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Joe Jones
Notts County's Wembley dream came to an end on Friday night as a referee-assisted Coventry City side ran out 4-1 winners in their League Two playoff semi-final second leg at Meadow Lane.
Level at 1-1 on aggregate following the first leg, the hosts admittedly put in a dire first-half performance as Maxime Biamou and Marc McNulty struck in the first half to put the Sky Blues in control.
Jorge Grant pulled one back for the Magpies before the break while Jonathan Forte had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside.
Biamou then scored again in a move which saw two separate offsides in the build-up and Tom Bayliss added another late on to end County's dreams of promotion to League One.
Though it makes for infuriating viewing, here are the highlights of the game so you can see for yourself just how badly we were screwed over during the encounter.
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Joe Jones
Notts County's season has finally come to an end, two weeks after the regular campaign was wrapped up.
The fact we managed to extend the season by making the playoffs is obviously a sign that we have been heading in the right direction, and on the positive side it is nice to have been anxious about things in the top half of the table instead of the bottom like we had been for the previous four seasons.
And of course, just the fact that we lost to Coventry City over two legs is no disgrace. After all, they are a big team with good players and a big fanbase, so had it just been a case of "Notts were just not as good", that isn't a big deal in itself.
Let's face it, Notts have been punching above their weight for much of the season. An incredible first half of the season eventually petered out due to players running out of steam (namely up front), inconsistency (players putting in displays better than their general quality would muster, only to revert to type the following week), the odd failed tactical tinker (4-5-1) and making a pig's ear of the winter transfer window (Mason Bennett's signing was made in good faith and the player is quality but there is always going to be that risk in recruiting injury prone players).
All that considered, being able to finish in the playoffs was a pretty fair assessment of our season, a team largely in transition and seeking consolidation after several traumatic years doing superbly well through a mere change in circumstances off the pitch (a good owner) and in the dugout (let's not forget that Kevin Nolan is a rookie in managing terms so he's only going to get better with experience, a prospect which is pretty exciting).
However, let's look at what happened over the two legs against Coventry. The first leg should have ended 1-0 to us. Their penalty late on should not have been given, pure and simple.
Had the refereeing been adequate, Coventry would have gone into the second leg a goal down and there could have been a different game altogether.
But okay, let's say we led and we still got an awful first half in which we conceded early on and again midway through, as per what happened yesterday. Jorge Grant's goal would have levelled the tie and Jonathan Forte's goal - which was onside - would have put us back in front. The momentum in both the game and the tie would have been with Notts, while Coventry would have been panicking, and who knows what could have happened. Would Maxime Biamou have scored his second? Even if he did, would Notts heads have dropped as they did, knowing they were still in the tie?
Football is a very emotional and psychological game. One goal, or sending off, will completely change the heads of both sets of players as well as those of the fans, with a ripple effect.
And likewise, having a goal chalked off, or an illegitimate goal being awarded, has a similar effect - witness England's capitulation in 2010 against Germany when Frank Lampard's goal so flagrantly crossed the line and wasn't given - subconsciously, the England players could have been thinking "we've been screwed out of a perfectly good goal - what's the point of carrying on?".
The truth is, the football fandom has become desensitised to awful refereeing decisions, so when a team gets screwed over in the big moments, it's usually self-justified as "oh well, these will even out over the course of a season" or "yeah but we weren't good enough overall".
Sorry, that's not good enough.
The bottom line of the game is to outscore your opponent, and goals are hard to come by in football (compared to, say a rugby or basketball game) so each one needs the utmost scrutiny in accordance with the laws of the game. If we're operating on whatever laws the referee conjures up at any given moment, you're not getting a proper game of football.
And sure, you can justify it to yourself with excuses as a coping mechanism, but the cold hard truth is, we've been cheated. Not necessarily deliberately, but even through incompetence, we have been cheated out of what could have been a completely different outcome had the rules of the game been adhered to as, you know, they are supposed to be.
That's fine though, whatever. We'll justify it as "the will of the footballing gods", we'll channel our anger towards the players for being bad on the day / during the season, we'll wonder what could have been, and we'll go again next season slumming it at the likes of Morecambe and Forest Green. It's entertainment at the end of the day, isn't it? Shame football is more pantomime than Hollywood movie these days.
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Joe Jones
Notts County's 2017-18 season ended on a sour note as Coventry City put in an assured display, helped in no small part by several dubious refereeing decisions, to run out 4-1 winners at Meadow Lane.
The first leg of their League Two playoff semi-final ended 1-1 as a contentious penalty saw the Sky Blues edge level on the night and in the tie, but the hope was that home advantage in the return leg could prove beneficial for the Magpies.
However, the first half at the San Sirrel was little short of atrocious for Notts, who fell behind after just six minutes when a corner was not properly dealt with and Maxime Biamou was able to unleash an overhead kick and find the back of the net.
The hosts were truly pedestrian in the opening 45 minutes, mostly playing hoofball and proving unable to stop Coventry from playing through them, indeed going on to concede a second goal on 37 minutes when Marc McNulty combined with Liam Kelly to lash home from eight yards out.
Out of nowhere, however, Notts claimed a lifeline in the game when, shortly before half time, a long throw was flicked into the box by Richard Duffy and Jorge Grant thundered home at the back post, halving the deficit and setting up a high-stakes second half.
Shaun Brisley and McNulty were involved in some handbags just before the whistle just to make things a little tastier and, much to the home fans' delight, Notts were right out of the starting blocks in the second half.
On 65 minutes, Jon Stead forced Lee Burge into a superb save from just inside the area, and moments later they had the ball in the back of the net, but Jonathan Forte's effort was unjustly - here we are using this word again - ruled out for offside.
To make matters worse, Coventry's killer third goal, which caused County's heads to drop, actually was offside, Biamou finding time in the area to turn and fire a low shot into the bottom corner.
The Sky Blues eventually added a fourth, Tom Bayliss running into space and rifling home a long-range effort five minutes from time, to trigger an exodus in the stands, the dreams of Wembley torn asunder.
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has urged the Notts County fanbase to play their part in what he hopes to be a night "that will go down in Meadow Lane folklore".
Tonight, the second leg of County's League Two playoff semi-final against Coventry City takes place, with the tie evenly - and unfairly - poised at 1-1.
Writing in the Nottingham Post, Hardy spoke at length about the nerves and anticipation involved prior to kickoff, the camaraderie in the Notts camp, and the role which the Black & White Army must play.
"So the day has finally arrived when our hopes, dreams and aspirations can be realised on what I hope is an unforgettable night at Meadow Lane," wrote Hardy.
"Coventry stand in our way in their bid to reach the League Two play-off final at Wembley and they will provide formidable opposition in our quest to reach that famous arch.
"All we can ask from the players is they run their legs into the ground, tackle that little bit harder and run that little bit further than the opposition.
"They have been fantastic all season, defying everybody’s expectations given the original objective was consolidation.
"But here we are, on the cusp of Wembley, and we require them now to give one final push to ensure we can all enjoy a capital day out when we can paint London in a sea of black and white.
"It will be nervous, it will be tense, but I have firm belief in the manager Kevin Nolan and his players, who have developed an incredible brothers-in-arms mentality.
"They have done their family, friends, the club and themselves proud with the way they have conducted themselves over the last nine months.
"The spirit among them is absolutely first class. When one is in trouble, the other goes to help out. When you’ve got that kind of mentality, how can you go wrong?
"I am fully expecting Meadow Lane to be sold out, with tickets having been snapped up amid exceptional demand.
"The thought of the Kop swaying in unison, singing their hearts out and roaring the boys on is something that has the hairs on the back of your neck standing up.
"Once again, it is going to be a phenomenal occasion in the history of this wonderful football club.
"The fans must not underestimate their importance to our quest either because they were absolutely incredible at the Ricoh Arena.
"They made a hell of a lot of noise and, having spoken to the manager and the players, it drove them on when legs were getting weary.
"It was the loudest away following of the season with the fans bouncing and dancing, culminating in an unforgettable sight. We need that again on Friday night.
"We all have a part to play in what is going to be a rollercoaster of emotions over 90 - or maybe even 120 - minutes.
"Like me, I’m sure you just want to hear the shrill of the referee’s whistle so we can all get cracking.
"It’s torture having to wait for kick-off but I hope that come full time we are witnessing scenes that will go down in Meadow Lane folklore."
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Joe Jones
So here it is folks, the biggest game of Notts County's season so far and hopefully the penultimate game of our campaign is upon us.
Coventry City come to Meadow Lane for the second leg of our League Two playoff semi-final on level terms, though it shouldn't be the case.
The Sky Blues won a completely undeserved penalty late on in the first leg at the Ricoh Arena which they converted for a 1-1 scoreline.
But as much as it's totally justified, there's no point crying over spilled milk - this is a cup final for us and we best buckle up and get on with it.
In this article, Pride of Nottingham looks at some of the pre-match quotes from both camps as well as having a look at the provisional team news.
Kevin Nolan on the game
“I’m just going to enjoy it. There’s no pressure on us. We weren’t expected to be here.
“The only pressure we’ll be feeling is what we put on ourselves because, like Coventry, now we’re here we want to get to Wembley.
“We know Coventry – we’ve played them three times now this season and every game’s been tough.
“It’s going to be difficult again on Friday night but I’m looking forward to locking horns with Mark Robins once again and hopefully getting over the line.
“The lads are in good spirits and looking forward to what will hopefully be another good encounter.”
Kevin Nolan on the potential of a Meadow Lane sellout
“It’s absolutely amazing. It just shows the hard work we’ve put in has all been worth it.
“We urge the people of Nottingham to buy the last few tickets because we’re going to need them – they can influence a lot that happens on the field and drive us to victory.
“We want them with us every step of the way because when they are with us, incredible things can happen - as I’ve seen during my tenure here.”
Dan Jones on potentially playing in the final at Wembley
“Playing at Wembley would be a dream for me personally. It’s an incentive you can’t even put into words.
“You’ve got to enjoy these games - everything that surrounds them and what’s at stake.
“It’s about rising to it, doing as well as you can and making Nottingham proud.”
Dan Jones on the first leg
“Lots of things from many individuals were brilliant. Forte’s flick for the goal was amazing – it was a good bit of instinctive play.
“Bris and Duffs won a lot of great headers, both wingers and the centre mids put in a lot of work and the work-rate of Steady helped us deliver what we were working on throughout the week.
“We go into the game with a lot of confidence from the other night – especially considering the conditions we had to deal with.
“They threw a lot at us – they’re very direct – and I felt we defended brilliantly.”
Former Nottingham Forest player Garry Birtles
"I am not the first to say it, but it cannot go unsaid – Notts County fell victim to one of the worst refereeing decisions the game can ever have seen, at Coventry last week.
"What referee Gavin Ward saw to make him think he had to point to the spot mystifies me.
"Matt Tootle did not slide into the challenge, he did not take out Tom Bayliss with his trailing leg, he made clear, obvious contact with the ball, which changed direction massively, as a result.
"None of the Coventry players appealed for anything. Probably because it was a perfect, clean tackle. He won the ball and made little contact with his opponent in the process.
"It wasn’t a foul, it did not look like a foul and I will never understand how the referee has come to the conclusion that it was.
"If Notts miss out on a place in the play-off final because of that decision, it will be a travesty, in a football sense.
"But I am very much hoping that they will not. Playing the second leg at home, where they have been so strong this season, in front of a packed Meadow Lane crowd – I fancy them to get the job done."
Coventry City boss Mark Robins
“We need to send our supporters home happy.
“It will be a good game and it might even go all the way. We need to be prepared for that.
“There is plenty of enthusiasm. Ever since the game finished on Saturday we have been looking forward to tomorrow.
“We have had a mixture of rest, recovery and training this week.
“We played really well in the first leg and only made one or two mistakes, but sadly that cost us a goal.
“There is going to be a full stadium, and that is what we look forward to. The prize at the end of it is great and we have to make sure we get the process of getting to that right.
“The supporters should be excited and they should be in full voice and right behind the players. We could do with making their fans quiet.”
Opta stats
This is the fourth time in succession that Notts County have drawn the first leg of their play-off semi-final away from home, with the Magpies reaching the final on each of three previous occasions.
Coventry haven't won any of their last eight away games against Notts County in all competitions (D2 L6), since a 3-0 victory in August 1963.
The Magpies are unbeaten in their last nine home games in all competitions, winning five and drawing four.
The Sky Blues have lost just one of their last seven away games in all competitions (W4 D2), though that defeat did come at Meadow Lane in April (1-2).
Coventry haven't been promoted from any division since winning the second tier in 1966-67.
Four of Coventry's five goals against Notts County this season have been scored in the 80th minute or later.
Jonathan Forte has scored all three of Notts County's goals against Coventry in all competitions this season.
Coventry scored with their only shot on target in the first leg - Marc McNulty's 87th minute penalty.
Team news
Notts County could be unchanged, with Jonathan Forte expected to be fit.
However, Coventry's Tom Davies is suspended having been handed a retrospective three-game ban by the FA for his stamp on Richard Duffy.
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Joe Jones
Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has claimed that Sam Allardyce "was hard done by" at Everton.
The 63-year-old, who managed the Magpies 20 years ago but left in unpopular circumstances, was sacked by the Merseyside outfit following a six-month spell in which he guided the club to an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League.
Nolan played under Allardyce at West Ham, Newcastle and Bolton, with the former England manager appointing him as captain on each occasion, and thinks he should have been given more time at Goodison Park.
“From my point of view, he was hard done by,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “It’s going to be a massive appointment for Everton now because the fans have made their feelings known. It will be interesting to see who gets the job and where they are in a year’s time.
“I am gutted for the gaffer, but I am sure he will be getting a few phone calls. He gets unfairly branded about his style. People don’t see what he does. He was just starting to mould a team that looked quite exciting for next season. He finished eighth and apparently that’s a poor season for Everton.
“Had he been given a full season he could have been the one who upset the applecart (top four). I think they’ve made a mistake but I am not their owner. I just see what Sam is about and I wish him all the best in whatever he does next.”
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Joe Jones
What's been happening in League Two over the last week?
Here is Pride of Nottingham's round-up of the biggest League Two news from the last seven days.
- Former Notts County boss Martin Allen has left his position as Barnet manager - in what was his fifth spell in charge at the club - following their relegation from League Two, and took charge of fellow relegated side Chesterfield.
- The first legs of the League Two playoff semi-finals both finished evenly poised as Lincoln and Exeter played out a 0-0 draw while Notts County's game at Coventry ended in an unjust 1-1 draw.
- Coventry defender Tom Davies was charged and subsequently banned for three games - crucially including Friday's playoff second leg with Notts - after a stamp on Richard Duffy.
- Peterborough United signed out-of-contract Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Aaron Chapman on a two-year deal which starts on July 1.
- Port Vale signed Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper Scott Brown on a two-year deal.
- Colchester United full-back Ryan Jackson has signed a new two-year contract with the Essex club.
- Cheltenham Town signed defender Johnny Mullins following his release by Luton Town on a two-year contract.
- Cambridge United goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov has signed a new three-year contract at the Abbey Stadium.
- Here is an updated retained list, made to the best of our knowledge as of 17 May:
ACCRINGTON STANLEY
Out: Mekhi McLeod, Akeel Francis
BARNET
Transfer listed: John Akinde
Out: Craig Ross, Ruben Bover, Jamie Stephens, Justin Amaluzor, Andre Blackman, Charlie Clough, Shane Cojocarel, Tobi Coker, Tom Day, Jordan Nicholson, Ryan Watson.
CAMBRIDGE UNITED
Out: Leon Legge, Medy Elito, Piero Mingoia.
CARLISLE UNITED
Out: Reggie Lambe, Samir Nabi, John O'Sullivan, Morgan Bacon, Tom Miller, Jamal Campbell-Ryce, Shaun Miller, Cameron Salkeld.
CHELTENHAM TOWN
In: Johnny Mullins (free transfer)
Out: Harry Pell (Colchester, undisclosed)
CHESTERFIELD
Out: Ian Evatt, Sam Hird, Drew Talbot, Josh Kay, Giles Coke, Dylan Parkin, Jack Brownell.
COLCHESTER UNITED
In: Harry Pell (Cheltenham Town, undisclosed)
Out: Doug Loft, Denny Johnstone, Craig Slater, Tommy O'Sullivan.
COVENTRY CITY
In: Zain Westbrooke
CRAWLEY TOWN
Out: Jordan Roberts, Billy Clifford, Aliu Djalo
CREWE ALEXANDRA
Out: Chris Dagnall, Zoumana Bakayogo, Daniel Udoh, Ross Woodcock.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS
Out: Keanu Marsh-Brown, Omar Bugiel, Callum Evans, Alex Whittle, Mark Roberts, Sam Russell, Harry Pickering, Tom Anderson, Jon Moran, Olly Mehew, Cameron Belford and Jordan Morris.
GRIMSBY TOWN
Out: Ben Davies, Nathan Clarke, James Berrett, Tom Sawyer, Jack Keeble, Ben Killip, Scott Vernon, Karleigh Osborne, Gary McSheffrey, Sean McAllister, Zak Mills.
MORECAMBE
Out: Michael Rose, Dean Winnard, Rhys Turner, Steven Yawson, Reece Deakin, Patrick Brough, Adam McGurk, Luke Jordan.
NEWPORT COUNTY
Out: James Bittner, Paul Hayes, Marlon Jackson, Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, Jamie Turley.
PORT VALE
In: Scott Brown (free transfer).
Out: Ryan Boot, Joe Slinn, Kjell Knops, Charlie Walford, Luke Dennis, Harry Middleton, Graham Kelly, Billy Reeves, Anton Forrester, Chris Regis.
STEVENAGE
In: Luther Wildin (undisclosed).
Transfer listed: Kevin Lokko (fee required), Johnny Goddard (fee required), Joe Martin (free transfer), Jonathan Smith (free transfer).
Out: Jack King, Fraser Franks, Dale Gorman, Tom Conlon, Chris Whelpdale, Alex Samuel, Jamie Gray.
YEOVIL TOWN
Out: Artur Krysiak, Nathan Smith, Ryan Dickson, Dan Alfei.
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Joe Jones
Notts County full-back Matt Tootle has spoken out to raise awareness of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Last year, the 27-year-old opened up on how his career was almost derailed due to mental health issues and had cognitive therapy to help assist him.
Tootle has been widely praised by his Notts teammates, staff and fans, not to mention the wider football world for speaking out.
The player has once again sought to raise awareness of mental health and wrote on Twitter: "I’d just like to try and help raise awareness again for how important it is to speak up and not be ashamed of a mental health issue, I continue to believe we are making great progress in making mental health something not to be ashamed of!!
"I continue to battle my own struggle day to day but I love my life and everyone in it! Anyone out there who is struggling please speak to someone."
Tootle has enjoyed a superb season in the Black and White, winning the Notts County Fans Player of the Year award this term.
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Joe Jones
Jorge Grant is hoping to make use of Meadow Lane as a fortress on Friday night in a bid to overcome Coventry City in the second leg of their League Two playoff semi-final.
The tie is evenly poised at 1-1, though it should be a goal up to the Magpies were it not for the referee's outrageous decision to award the Sky Blues a late penalty in the first leg.
However, Grant remains positive, both of County's performance at the Ricoh Arena and the prospect of being still in the tie ahead of welcoming Coventry to the San Sirrel.
“I am happy we are still in the tie,” the attacking midfielder told the Nottingham Post. “We had a game plan and we executed it really well.
“It’s now all guns blazing on Friday and what we’ve got to do is put our home record to good use.
“I think every team that has come to Meadow Lane has found it really difficult. We’ve built it into a fortress and hopefully that will go in our favour.”
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has provided an update on Jonathan Forte, who limped off in Notts County's playoff draw at Coventry City.
The striker opened the scoring at the Ricoh Arena, only for the Magpies to be pegged back through a ludicrous penalty.
“Forte is okay, he was just tired and had given a lot on a heavy pitch as all the players did,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.
“They were weary. They had a day off on Sunday and I told them to relax and recuperate.
“Then it was back to work on Monday and hopefully getting the game plan ready to beat Coventry.
“We’ve got 90 minutes or possibly 120 to play. That’s all that’s separating us from Wembley and I am looking forward to it.”
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Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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