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Match Highlights: Notts County 3-3 Cambridge United, Saturday 23 December 2017

Notts County clawed their way back from three goals down to seize a 3-3 draw against Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon.
Uche Ikpeazu and Jevani Brown's brace appeared to have given Shaun Derry's side an unassailable advantage heading into the latter stages of Saturday's League Two encounter.
However, goals from Lewis Alessandra, Shaun Brisley and Jonathan Forte rescued a point against all odds and ensured that the Magpies would remain unbeaten at home this season, as well as having lost just once at the Lane this calendar year.
Here are the official YouTube highlights for you if you fancy seeing the key moments of the game again.
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Joe Jones

Notts County strikers Shola Ameobi, Jonathan Forte face fitness tests

Kevin Nolan has revealed that Shola Ameobi and Jonathan Forte face fitness tests after picking up knocks in Notts County's 3-3 draw with Cambridge United on Saturday.
Ameobi signalled to the bench to come off in the second half of the game, but had to remain on the pitch as the Magpies had already made all three substitutions.
Forte, meanwhile, took a blow to the hip after coming on as a sub and was visibly struggling to stay on his feet after scoring the injury-time equaliser which completed the remarkable comeback.
“Shola is going to be a worry with all the games coming up,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post ahead of the Boxing Day visit of Morecambe.
“Hopefully it’s only a tight hamstring, but we will assess him over the next 48 hours.
“Forte took a really bad knock when he came on so for most of the game we had nine men.
“But it was a testament to what they showed all year round that they kept going.”
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Joe Jones

ARLukomski's Match Vlog: Notts County 3-3 Cambridge United, Saturday 23 December 2017

Notts County's unbeaten home record this season was maintained in dramatic fashion on Saturday by overturning a three-goal deficit to claim a 3-3 draw with Cambridge United.
Uche Ikpeazu and Jevani Brown's brace appeared to have given Shaun Derry's side an unassailable advantage heading into the latter stages of Saturday's League Two encounter.
However, goals from Lewis Alessandra, Shaun Brisley and Jonathan Forte rescued a point against all odds.
This ensured that the Magpies would remain unbeaten at home this season, as well as having lost just once at the Lane this calendar year, and kept them firmly in the automatic promotion slots.
Notts vlogger and Pride of Nottingham contributor ARLukomski discussed the fixture ahead of kickoff, gave his thoughts as the game went on, and talked about the performance and result after the final whistle.
Follow ARLukomski on his YouTube channel by clicking here.
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ARLukomski

Kevin Nolan delighted with Notts County team spirit after remarkable Cambridge United draw

Kevin Nolan has hailed Notts County's team spirit after the team came from three goals down to draw 3-3 against Cambridge United at Meadow Lane.
Uche Ikpeazu and Jevani Brown's brace appeared to have given Shaun Derry's side an unassailable advantage heading into the latter stages of Saturday's League Two encounter.
However, goals from Lewis Alessandra, Shaun Brisley and Jonathan Forte rescued a point against all odds and ensured that the Magpies would remain unbeaten at home this season, as well as having lost just once at the Lane this calendar year.
"We're delighted to get a draw in the end but I don't think we deserved to be 3-0 down at any point in the match," Nolan told the official Notts site. "They took their three goals really well and I can't criticise my goalkeeper or defenders for what happened.
"We did a lot of things we worked on on the training ground - not rushing things, not throwing aimless balls into the box, putting quality balls in - and put Cambridge under enough pressure to eventually crack and get our just rewards.
"I am so proud of my lads because none of them stood there with their hands on hips, giving up. They stuck together.
"You talk about team spirit, unity and camaraderie but I don't think I need to speak about it any more because the players have shown exactly what they have got in abundance.
"It shows everyone around the city and the Notts County supporters what they deserve. They have a team who will fight tooth and nail until the end to do everything they can for the shirt.
"The fans were terrific, even at 3-0 down because they could have turned easily but they didn't. They understand we are still not out of a game no matter what.
"I'm disappointed we couldn't get a win in our final home game of the year but I can't put into words what we have achieved over the year."
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Joe Jones

Match Report: Notts County come back from three goals down to draw with Cambridge United

Notts County have fought back from three goals down to claim a 3-3 draw with Cambridge United in Saturday's League Two clash at Meadow Lane.
The visitors, managed by former Magpies manager Shaun Derry, had gone into the game without an away goal in 700 minutes of football.
However, following a first half in which both sides traded chances - and both managers traded words on the touchline - the U's took the lead five minutes before the break.
Ade Azeez linked well with his strike partner Uche Ikpeazu, who cut on to his left foot and curled the ball into the top corner of the net beyond Ross Fitzsimons.
Just four minutes into the second half, Jevani Brown doubled his side's lead, much to the chagrin of the home crowd, when County failed to clear a corner and he rifled home via the inside of the post.
And the Notts fans could have been forgiven for declaring it game over when, 68 minutes in, Brown got his second of the game, receiving the ball from Ikpeazu and finding the top corner from 12 yards.
When Lewis Alessandra headed home Dan Jones's cross in the 74th minute, many would have deemed it a consolation and little more.
However, things got even better when, with two minutes of normal time remaining, Shaun Brisley's heavily deflected effort sent the ball looping up over David Forde and into the net.
And deep into injury time came the moment of delirium when Jonathan Forte fired an overhead kick beyond Forde to salvage a point against all odds for Kevin Nolan's side.
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Joe Jones

Shaun Derry looking forward to being back at Meadow Lane

Shaun Derry has spoken fondly of the "class" relationship he had with the Notts County fanbase and is looking forward to returning to Meadow Lane.
The 40-year-old began not only his playing career at Notts, but his managerial career too, taking the reins in 2013.
Derry masterminded the Great Escape, helping the club stay up in League One in 2014, but was dismissed in March 2015 as the Magpies could not repeat the feat the following season.
Now managing Cambridge United, who visit Meadow Lane today, Derry reminisced about his time at Notts and expressed his eagerness to be back in front of the "terrific" fans.
“I was immensely proud of what we achieved in keeping the club up,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“Everybody had written us off but everybody pulled together and we managed it against all the odds.
“We then carried that momentum into the next season, when despite it being quite precarious behind the scenes, we got into the top four.
“But myself and Greg knew that we were hitting crazy heights and the expectation to keep that going just wasn’t realistic.
“Then in the January window, we lost four quality loan players and they just weren’t replaced in terms of like for like.
“But, even then, at no point was the club in danger of being relegated and that happened after I left.
“Still, it was a massive learning experience for me and the relationship I have with the fans there was a different class.
“When I’ve been back they’ve always afforded me a terrific ovation and I am looking forward to seeing them again.
“There are lots of Notts fans among my family and friends and they will be at the game on Saturday."
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Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Cambridge United, Saturday 23 December 2017

Head to head
Notts County and Cambridge United have met 27 times in their history.
The first meeting came on Boxing Day 1970 at Meadow Lane, with the Magpies earning a 4-1 win.
Notts hold the advantage in the head to head, with 11 wins, 7 draws and 9 defeats against the U’s.
Recent form is not good, however - we've lost our last four meetings against Cambridge.
The last meeting was on 2 January this year at the Abbey Stadium, and we lost 4-0.
Notts County are on a run of five League Two matches without a victory against Cambridge (D1 L4) having previously won three on the bounce in all competitions.
Cambridge have won back-to-back away Football League matches against Cambridge for just the second time; they have never done so on three consecutive trips.
43 points from 22 games is Notts County's best return in a league season since 1987/88 (3rd tier) and nearly twice the tally of points they had won at this stage last season (22).
Cambridge have scored just seven goals in their last 12 League Two matches, failing to score in seven of these games.
History
The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United before taking the name Cambridge United in 1951.
It first competed in the Football League in 1970 and stayed there until relegation in 2005, nine seasons in the Conference following until climbing back out of non-league.
Cambridge have had two spells in the league's second tier, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup twice and Football League Cup once during the early 1990s, the club's most successful era to date.
United's highest ever finishing place in the Football League is fifth in the Second Division during the 1991–92 season, competing in a season-ending four team playoff for the final promotion slot to the Premier League's inaugural season.
The club is based at the Abbey Stadium on Newmarket Road, approximately 1.86 miles east of Cambridge city centre. The stadium has a capacity of 8,127, made up of terracing and seated areas.
During their days in Division Two, with John Beck at the helm in the 1980's, the club earned a reputation for bizarre training methods and "dirty tricks" to make their opponents feel ill at ease.
These included freezing cold showers for his own players, dirty changing rooms and deflated kick-about balls for the opposition and long grass in the corners of the pitch to slow the long balls into those areas, allowing the U’s forwards to reach them.
Beck carried on his dirty tricks even after leaving to take charge of Preston North End – taking nine of the Cambridge United players with him.
He was not the only famous manager at the club, with Ron Atkinson taking the club from Fourth to Second division and Ex-England and Derby County centre-half Roy McFarland also sitting in the hot seat.
Before their entry into the League, a local animal sanctuary had an escapee and it was found grazing on the pitch at the Abbey Stadium. This lead to the moose connection with the club, and in the club shop you can buy a range of moose souvenirs to show your allegiance to the U’s.
Famous alumni include Dion Dublin and Luke Chadwick, while famous fans include football commentator Gary Newbon and Tom Findlay of Groove Armada.
And connecting the two clubs – none other than former Notts manager Shaun Derry, now a the helm of the U’s.
Team news
Adam Collin is back in training and rebuilding match fitness after suffering a knee injury in October, but Saturday's match comes too soon for the goalkeeper.
Club captain Michael O'Connor remains a long-term absentee having suffered a major knee injury in April.
Jonathan Forte, Lewis Alessandra and Rob Milsom all stand by in hope of recalls.
Cambridge boss Shaun Derry goes to his former club with his future on the line and he could make changes.
Striker Uche Ikpeazu is available again following a one-match suspension.
Last Saturday's last-gasp loss to Newport means United have just one win in eight games, while they are the lowest scoring side in the division and Derry has only been assured of his position for the Christmas period.
Ade Azeez played 90 minutes on his first start following three months out with a calf injury.
Derry named just four substitutes against Newport and could be short of options, with Gary Deegan and David Amoo expected to miss out again.
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Joe Jones

Shaun Brisley and Nicky Hunt visit Westglade Primary School as part of FITC-delivered project

Notts County duo Shaun Brisley and Nicky Hunt paid a visit to Westglade Primary School in Nottingham as part of the Football In The Community-delivered scheme Premier League Primary Stars project.
The defenders were enthusiastically quizzed by the school's children about their career in the game, and also joined in a game of handball.
The Premier League Primary Stars project uses the appeal of the Premier League and professional football clubs to inspire children to learn, be active and develop important life skills.
As well as engaging children in physical activity and healthy living, PLPS uses the power of the beautiful game to teach core subjects such as Maths, English, PE and PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education).
Hunt told the FITC website of their visit to Westglade in early December: “The power of football is incomprehensible to young boys and girls at their age.
"Myself, Shaun and the boys are happy to put our names to such a great activities that are proving to be really positive.
"To see the work FITC are doing with primary school aged children has been brilliant and a real credit to the club and the charity.”
Tom Curson, Education Officer and Premier League Primary Stars delivery team member, spoke with pride at how Westglade Primary have benefited from the scheme, saying: “The children I see every week have been a joy to teach.
"The feedback myself and FITC have received from both the children and the staff has been phenomenal and even if we play a small part in the development of these children it would all be worth it.
"Their numeracy and English have seen huge improvements and we look forward to seeing them again in the New Year.”
Find out more about Notts County FC Football in the Community by clicking here.
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Joe Jones

Notts County on lookout for marquee signing, claims Alan Hardy

Alan Hardy has revealed that Notts County are plotting a "marquee signing" in January.
The transfer window will open at the start of next month, leading to speculation as to who the Magpies will seek to recruit in a bid to remain in the League Two promotion hunt.
Although Notts are "in a really good place" at present and Kevin Nolan has faith in his current squad, the chairman gave an update about two enquiries being rejected so far and
“We are in a really good place and the gaffer is not in a mad rush to make signings,” Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
“He is convinced that, with the squad we have got, it is good enough to get promoted.
“However, we are looking for that one special player and he has to be able to come straight into the first team.
“We have made two enquiries this week and both of those were rejected. We won’t be going back in for them. The door has been closed and we move on.
“If that marquee signing does come off then it will be very late in the window.”
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Joe Jones

Adam Collin returns to Notts County training, confirms Richard Thomas

Notts County assistant manager Richard Thomas has confirmed that goalkeeper Adam Collin has returned to full training.
The 33-year-old has been sidelined for two months after suffering ligament damage in October's 2-1 win over Barnet.
Collin limped off in the second half of the match after taking a blow to the knee and was replaced by Ross Fitzsimons, who has done an admirable job in between the sticks ever since.
However, Notts have been boosted by their first-choice keeper's return to fitness, although Thomas suggested that he won't be rushed back into action just yet.
“Adam is back to full training now,” Thomas told the Nottingham Post.
“We are managing his load in the sessions when we are taking him out momentarily. We’ve just got to manage him back in now.
“It’s aerobic fitness that’s important rather than the knee so much because fitness can fall off when you are out injured.
“It’s just that side of it but he’s moving well. He looks like he’s never been away if I am honest. The lads are clearly pleased to have him back around the place so it’s all good.”
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Joe Jones

Opposition View: Notts County vs. Cambridge United, Saturday 23 December 2017

Notts County will be hoping to get back to winning ways following their draws against Luton Town and Grimsby Town when they host Cambridge United this weekend.
Managed by Shaun Derry, the U's are currently in a bad vein of form and may be missing key players.
Pride of Nottingham spoke to Cambridge fan Tom to get an insight on this weekend's opposition.
About Tom: I'm 26, been supporting the U's since I was a child, as long as I can remember, and my favourite player is Dave Kitson.
1) Cambridge dropped out of the Football League in 2005 and returned in 2014; what led to relegation and how did you bounce back up?
The U's were having money problems since the late 90s in all fairness and with financial issues comes the drop down the leagues, less revenue, less quality players, and it becomes a vicious cycle. In the Conference it's then really difficult to gain promotion - we finished second two years in a row but then lost in the playoffs. After a few more years of no luck, third time lucky it was in 2014 - second-placed finish but playoff success.
2) How are things going this season for Cambridge United?
Badly. Shaun Derry's clearly not the man to take us forward, the team's performing poorly on the pitch, we've been having injuries and suspensions all over the place, and behind the scenes it feels like a mess - Dave Doggett has resigned as chairman and nobody knows why, there's been reports of a takeover,  there's reports of the club running at a £630,000 loss... basically, watch this space!
3) What's been your proudest moment as a United fan?
It's a tie between the 2014 Conference playoff final, finally seeing the U's back in the Football League, and the FA Cup draw with Manchester United at the Abbey Stadium, a superb result which kept the dream alive and which gave us an unbelievable away day at Old Trafford. Closely behind is the 2014 Trophy final win over Gosport at Wembley.
4) Who are your biggest rivals?
It used to be Cambridge City, but they've been playing at a lower level than us since forever. It's Peterborough now, though we're not overly keen on Northampton, Colchester and Luton either.
5) Who are your danger men?
Uche Ikpeazu and Jabo Ibehre are our key men up front, but the latter is on the sidelines at the minute and we're not sure if he'll be back this weekend. They've both missed games here and there and their absence has been felt.
6) Can we get your score prediction?
I'd be delighted with a draw. Let's call it 1-1.
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Joe Jones

Juventus Update: November & December 2017

November did not start in the best way for Juventus, but manager Massimiliano Allegri went for something radical - he inserted players like Douglas Costa, Medhi Benatia and Blaise Matuidi in the starting XI, while pulling the likes of Paulo Dybala and Alex Sandro off the bench.
This 'breakthrough' gave its positive signals, 3-0 against Crotone in the league, then a 1-0 victory in Naples in the big-match Napoli-Juve, decided by Gonzalo Higuain, who also had a broken hand.
On December 5, Juventus qualified for the Champions League round of 16, beating Olympiacos 2-0 in Greece.
In the last 16 we will play against Tottenham Hotspur, the first match will be at Allianz Stadium on February 13th, the return will be on March 7th at Wembley.
Having beatem Napoli, Juve then had the chance to return to the top of the table - however, it finished 0-0 between Juve and Inter in Turin.
In our last league match Juve won 3-0 against Bologna, with a splendid free kick by Miralem Pjanic, Mario Mandzukic's goal and Matuidi's first goal with Juventus.
The Bianconeri are now second in the league, +1 on Inter. On Wednesday, Juve successfully navigated the Coppa Italia last-16 tie with Genoa and will now face city rivals Torino in the quarter-finals.
The injury situation is on stand-by: Mandzukic has a calf injury, Mattia De Sciglio a thigh problem and Gianluigi Buffon a muscle strain, but they should have less serious problems than Benedikt Howedes.
The German defender, who had made his debut with Juve against Crotone, has again a lesion of the rectus femoris and he should remain out for at least 2 more weeks.
But there are also good news: Marko Pjaca returned to the squad list for Juventus-Bologna on the 17th day of Serie A after a 9-month layoff with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Juve are also moving forward in the football trasfer-market: Liverpool midfielder Emre Can will see his contract expire in June, and Juve's society may already have an agreement to sign him on a free.
Mattia Caldara will arrive to Juventus in June once his loan with Atalanta finishes, while Leonardo Spinazzola could already arrive in January, given the possible departures of one between Kwadwo  Asamoah and Alex Sandro.
Dybala's situation is complicated: he had started very well, he had reached 10 goals in Serie A after a few games, then he had a drop in form.
He changed his agent and now, according to newspapers, the Argentine’s manager would have offered him to Paris Saint Germain. Meanwhile, we are waiting to see the best of Dybala again because we need his magic!
Thank you to Leo from Daje Juve for this article. Follow them on Instagram by clicking here.
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Richard Thomas warns against complacency when Cambridge United come to town

Notts County assistant manager Richard Thomas has urged caution against a Cambridge United who come to Meadow Lane in poor form.
The U's, managed by former Magpies boss Shaun Derry, come into this weekend's match 13th in the table on the back of three straight defeats.
Thomas, however, believes Cambridge's bad form has been more a case of bad luck and missing key players, but expects them to be more dangerous than their current status.
"I've been to watch Cambridge a couple of times this season and they're a really good side," Thomas told the official Notts site. "I think their league position belies what they offer.
"They might have underachieved, but with Cambridge I think it's to do with availability of key players through suspension or injury.
"It looks like they haven't been able to put out their top individuals consistently, which is why they might have stumbled to this point.
"But we're only halfway and they're absolutely a team that can put a good run together post-Christmas and be right up there.
"There are no doubts about what they can do but, after their recent results, they might come here and look to protect and keep the game tight.
"They might also come right out of the blocks and get at us. You've got to prepare for every eventuality."
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Joe Jones

League Two news roundup: 14-21 December 2017

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.
- Adam Yates will reportedly not have his Port Vale contract - which expires this month - renewed following reconstructive facial surgery after a freak collision with his own goalkeeper in a reserve game, although the Valiants will reportedly still continue to pay his medical bills.
- Dave Doggett has stepped down as chairman of Cambridge United after nearly five years in the role.
- Still with Cambridge, director Graham Daniels says head coach Shaun Derry will remain in charge of the team until at least the new year.
- Yet more Cambridge news as Derry confirmed that coach Mick Halsall has left the Abbey Stadium to join Coventry City.
- Coventry midfielder Callum Maycock has signed a new contract to stay with the League Two club until June 2020.
- Forest Green Rovers are about to submit new plans for a new ecological wooden stadium by the M5.
- Portsmouth defender Drew Talbot is reportedly in talks with Chesterfield over a return to the Proact Stadium.
- Coventry have signed Reading forward Josh Barrett on a loan deal until the end of the season.
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Joe Jones

Joe Jones: How does current Notts County squad compare to classes of 2009-10 and 1997/98 so far?

We're 22 games into the League Two season and things are looking very rosy indeed for Notts, with 43 points gained so far in the campaign.
On Facebook, Richard Thompson wrote a post on the Pride of Nottingham wall after the 21st game, comparing the tally of this season with that of the other two promotion campaigns in recent history, in 1997/98 and 2009/10.
Having adjusted the statistics to include game number 22, Notts had 37 points in 09/10, and 41 in 97/98. And in both these seasons, the Magpies finished top of the pile.
It's worth mentioning that in both the previous League Two/Division Three promotion campaigns, Notts enjoyed a strong second half to the season.
In 09/10, the Magpies picked up 56 points from the remaining 24 games to finish on 93 points, and in 97/98, they finished with 99 points, so they picked up an additional 58 points.
Heading into the halfway point of the season, Kevin Nolan's boys are better placed than their promotion-winning predecessors were after the same amount of games, but it's absolutely crucial that standards remain high in the second half of the campaign.
Obviously the prospect of a title or promotion hunt is always going to be relative to the teams around Notts.
After 22 games of the 09-10 campaign, the Pies were fourth in the standings, 14 points behind then-leaders Rochdale, while in 97-98, the heavy win over Doncaster Rovers put Notts back on top. This year, at the 22-game mark Notts are second.
Luton Town, who top the current standings have outlined their credentials as the strongest team in the division and, below Notts, things are relatively even among all the other teams, with just 12 points separating third-placed Exeter City from 16th-placed Stevenage.
The January window will be interesting to see - how will Notts strengthen their ranks so as to improve the squad without unsettling the current crop, and how will the other promotion and playoff contenders recruit in the New Year?
It's been a superb 2017-18 campaign so far and, if any manager is going to ensure that standards don't slip, it's Nolan.
So Notts... it's over to you!
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Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan: 'Notts County improving at the back'

Kevin Nolan has spoken highly of the improvement in Notts County's defensive play, as highlighted by their clean sheet against Grimsby Town at the weekend.
The Magpies recorded their first shutout since the 3-0 win against Newport County in October, with Ross Fitzsimons also playing his part with a smart save from Jamille Matt in the first half.
Although Notts have conceded goals in recent weeks, the last team to register more than five shots on target in a league game was Carlisle United back in October.
“We are clearing up at the back and you can see their desire to defend,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “They are a really good unit and they are working their socks off for each other.
“We were delighted with the clean sheet against Grimsby and hopefully this gives us a base to start on.
“If you keep a clean sheet then it’s only one goal that’s required to win the game. We have goals all over the pitch and we know it can come at any time.”
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Joe Jones

Pride of Nottingham's PONcast: Episode 36

Hello and welcome to episode 36 of the Pride of Nottingham PONcast, presented by Chris and JJ.
In this week's episode we discuss Notts County's League Two draw with Grimsby Town - why couldn't the Magpies break down their opponents?
We also look ahead to the weekend meeting against Cambridge United, the 23rd game of the season and an encounter against ex-Magpies boss Shaun Derry's current side.
We then talk about Derry's time at Meadow Lane and whether things would have been different had he been given the resources that Kevin Nolan has at present.
In addition we review the season so far, including what we deem to have been the standout match and who we think has been the best player, and discuss the club's FA Cup shirt sponsorship with William Hill.
All this and more only in episode 36 of the Pride of Nottingham PONcast!
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Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan urges caution against Shaun Derry's Cambridge United

Notts County manager Kevin Nolan is expecting a tough game on Saturday when Shaun Derry's Cambridge United visit Meadow Lane for their League Two clash.
The former Magpies youth product returned to NG2 as manager in November 2013 and helped conjure up the Great Escape at the end of that season.
However, Derry was sacked in March 2015 and has since taken over at Cambridge where the U's are six points off the top seven.
“We’ve got a tough one coming up against Cambridge,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "They lost on Saturday but they will come here and respect us.
“Shaun Derry will be coming back and I am sure he will be wanting to prove people wrong here.
"He’s got a lot of people who think he was unfortunate to lose his job during the time he was here.
“For me, it’s about making sure we are at it all week. It’s at home, it’s the next game and we are looking to get back to winning ways.”
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Joe Jones

Matt Tootle proud of Fortress Meadow Lane

Matt Tootle has expressed his pride with Notts County's impressive home form this year and believes Meadow Lane can truly be deemed a fortress.
The Magpies could end the year with just one defeat at home in the league, depending on how they get on with Shaun Derry's Cambridge United this Saturday.
County's home record is the best outside the Premier League, testament to the improvements made by Kevin Nolan and Alan Hardy.
“When I signed in 2016 I came in and said this place should be a fortress,” he said.
“It wasn’t for six months, but then the gaffer came in, and straight away he said we would turn Meadow Lane into a place where other teams won’t get anything.
“He made that clear. The only team this year to have got a result in the league was Portsmouth and they were the champions of League Two last season. That says it all and about how well we have done.
“It is a great achievement. It’s a credit to us and it’s just a shame we lost one because I have OCD and I would have liked it to have been zero.”
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Joe Jones

Russell Slade: 'Grimsby Town could have gone on to beat Notts County'

Russell Slade has hailed his Grimsby Town charges for claiming a goalless draw against a "relentless" Notts County side and suggested that the visitors could have even gone on to win the game.
Neither side could break the deadlock at Meadow Lane, although the Mariners arguably had the best chance of the game as Jamille Matt forced a great save from Ross Fitzsimons during the first half.
"I thought we started the game really well and that's what we were searching for because we've been on the front foot recently," Slade told the official Grimsby site. "I thought we did really well.
"At the end of the half Notts County were showing why they're in the mix because they came back into the game but again we started the second half well and matched them and you know, I thought we could've won it and had the best chance overall.
"But overall I thought we matched them in most areas, we've put a little marker down and it was a step forward from my point of view.
"The whole team defended well. You have to against a Notts County side that do basics eight and are relentless, look for free kicks and corners and try and get the ball wide and into the box so you've got to do all those things well.
"It was two teams that were trying to competive for everything whatever we were trying to do and sometimes there were free kicks one way and then the other but it makes it dificult for a referee to be fair."
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Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan: 'Notts County are not always going to hammer teams at home'

Kevin Nolan has stressed that Notts County will not be able to "run riot over teams week in, week out" at Meadow Lane after Grimsby Town held the hosts to a goalless draw at the weekend.
In a game of few genuine chances, the Magpies failed to muster a single shot on target against a Mariners side that defended well and had the best chance of the encounter through Jamille Matt.
The result sees Notts still in second, four points ahead of third-placed Exeter City, but with Luton winning 2-0 at Forest Green Rovers, the gap between first and second is now two points.
It was also the first time that Nolan's side have failed to score since the 2-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra in October.
"We respect the point and the clean sheet, which I'm delighted about," he told the Nottingham Post. "We looked good defensively. We gave them an opportunity in the first half but we looked in control.
"Grimsby came here on the back of three wins so we had to show them the respect they deserved. You're not going to run riot over teams week in, week out when you're at home - we have to earn it.
"The lads did all the right things out of possession but in possession we weren't as good as we have been lately.
"It told because we weren't able to mount that pressure on them and show our quality in the final third."
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Joe Jones

Match Reaction: Notts County 0-0 Grimsby Town, Saturday 16 December 2017

Notts County have maintained their unbeaten home record but lost ground on League Two leaders Luton Town in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Grimsby Town at Meadow Lane.
In a game of few genuine chances, the Magpies failed to muster a single shot on target against a Mariners side that defended well but likewise couldn't break down the hosts.
The result sees Notts still in second, four points ahead of third-placed Exeter City, but with Luton winning 2-0 at Forest Green Rovers, the gap between first and second is now two points.
How did the gaffer, the players and the fans react to the result? Pride of Nottingham has compiled some of the post-match quotes.
Kevin Nolan
"It was a fair result. We weren't our usual selves today.
"It's just one of those days. You're going to have them but we've not had too many here in the past year. We huffed and puffed a lot but our ability on the ball wasn't as up to scratch as it has been.
"We didn't create enough clear-cut chances or have enough sustained pressure so it was a job well done by Grimsby, as well as us not being at the top of our game."
Matt Tootle
"It keeps us on a run and they're a decent side. They've won their last three games and are one of the form sides in the league so it's not a bad point.
"They came here to frustrate us and made it hard for us. We've got to respect the point, which is something we didn't do last year.
"They had a couple of chances but I don't think they really threatened or put any sustained pressure on us. We weren't quite at it in the final third - it just didn't happen for us today.
"Hopefully we can pick up a win next weekend and it will all be fine."
The Black & White Army
Phil Wright: My first game of the season. And our first 0-0. We had a couple of chances. So did they. Fair result, but not a great performance.
Mick Jones: Frustrating game with both sides cancelling each other out and the ref doing his best to spoil it as well.
Jay Dalton: fair result really though if forte played first half things might have Been different but we march on coyp
Martyn Malone: Well that's 2 hours of my life I won't get back should be winning them games
Jimmy Gee: Memories of 18 months ago! Very poor team performance! No leader! Limited attack!
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Joe Jones

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