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Joe Jones
In contrast to January, which went super slow, February was a blink-and-you'll-miss-it month, but there was plenty to digest on the Notts County news front.
In this article, Pride of Nottingham recaps all the key events from the month.
3 February
Notts County put in one of their best performances of the season in front of the biggest Meadow Lane crowd of the 21st century - 17,274 people in total - in a 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra. The Magpies charged just £2 for tickets for this League Two fixture, which went on to sell out on Friday afternoon, as part of Alan Hardy's one-year anniversary celebrations.
5 February
Notts coach Mark Crossley revealed how Cardiff City allowed the Magpies to use their training facilities ahead of their FA Cup fourth-round replay with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium.
6 February
County's live-television FA Cup fourth-round replay at Swansea City ended on a humbling note as Carlos Carvalhal's charges ran out 8-1 winners.
8 February
Adam Collin expressed his relief at being back in action after missing several months out through injury. The goalkeeper injured his knee in the 2-1 win over Barnet on October 14 and only returned to action in the 1-1 FA Cup draw with Swansea City.
10 February
Notts County's hangover from the 8-1 defeat to Swansea City in the FA Cup continued with a last-gasp 1-0 defeat at Barnet in League Two.
12 February
Notts County boss Kevin Nolan admitted that Mason Bennett was likely to be sidelined for a fairly long time after injuring his hamstring against Barnet.
14 February
Notts County bounced back from their horror week with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Carlisle United thanks to Jon Stead's brace.
Kevin Nolan provided a positive update on Michael O'Connor, saying the Notts County captain is "well on the road to recovery".
17 February
Notts County lost further ground in the race for the League Two automatic spots after being held to a 0-0 draw at Newport County on Saturday.
18 February
Kevin Nolan admitted that Notts County are on the lookout for unattached players following Mason Bennett's season-ending injury but said "nobody has been standing out".
19 February
Kevin Nolan revealed that Notts County are considering a move for free agent Nile Ranger but is aware of his off-the-field issues and insists that "everybody has to agree" on a decision - in the end Alan Hardy confirmed no deal would be pursued.
21 February
Notts County's promotion hopes took another blow as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium.
24 February
Notts County claimed a much-needed three points in a 2-0 win over Stevenage in Saturday at Meadow Lane, with Jorge Grant back on the goalscoring trail and Shola Ameobi adding a second.
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Joe Jones
Notts County attacker Jorge Grant has hit out at the fans who have criticised his performances in recent weeks and insists that he thrives on pressure in terms of performances and scoring goals.
The 23-year-old came off the bench against Stevenage last week to net the opening goal in what ended as a 2-0 win.
The goal was his first since his all-important equaliser at Lincoln City in mid-January, a long wait for his 18th of the season, and he celebrated by putting his fingers in his ears.
“I was just blocking out the haters with the celebrations,” Grant told the Nottingham Post.
“Me and the missus were watching some Vines and there was a lad who put spoons on his eyes to show that he wasn’t paying them attention. This was my way of just saying I am just getting on with the job in hand.
“Sometimes what people says does affect you. When you are not doing well and you know you’re not doing well, then when people tell you, that’s when it does affect you a bit more.
“I just try to get on with it, but it’s hard when your mate says ‘have you seen this?’. Some of the comments are quite funny actually so I do laugh.
“But there are some when you think 'I’ve got to prove him wrong or him wrong'. That’s life I think. Everybody doubts you in a way, so you’ve just got to go out there and prove it.”
“I think with the start I had everybody expects me to score goals. From a winger’s perspective, it’s not often they score as many as I have already this season. In that way it’s very pleasing, but I like pressure.
“I want people to be on at me and wanting me to do things more and more. I'd rather it be that way than people say 'he’s not scored that many, so it’s okay’. When people put that pressure on you, you thrive on it.”
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy has revealed how Notts County were on the brink of signing a Spanish forward on a free transfer earlier this week.
However, the move broke down because the wages agreed "needed to be net of tax, not gross".
The Magpies have been on the lookout for a new forward following Mason Bennett's injury and subsequent surgery forcing him to return to parent club Derby County.
“I think our search for a player who is currently unattached has been well documented,” Hardy told the Nottingham Post.
“We took that search far and wide, and we were alerted to a Spanish player without a club. I don’t want to name him out of respect.
“But we held productive talks, they were progressing excellently and thought we had the deal agreed.
“Then his agent came back and said the wages we had agreed needed to be net of tax, not gross. Unfortunately, the deal then fell apart which was bitterly frustrating.”
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Joe Jones
Alan Hardy is delighted with Notts County's "incredible journey" so far and is looking forward to a "gripping end" to the League Two campaign.
The Magpies appeared to be heading out of automatic promotion contention but last Saturday's win over Stevenage and Coventry City's win over Wycombe Wanderers reduced the gap from fourth to third to one point.
Hardy, discussing the postponed game against Cheltenham Town, told the Nottingham Post:  "At least we won’t have to wait long before we can attempt to build on our win over Stevenage last weekend.
"Results elsewhere largely went for us, too, so it was a very profitable afternoon as we leapt up a place to fourth, one point behind Wycombe.
"The league is going to be extremely tight and I have to say Coventry did us a huge favour by winning at Wycombe on Tuesday night.
"Accrington are still in second but, having had a look at their fixtures, statistically they have the hardest run in.
"They have all the top seven to play so it’s going to be a gripping end to the season with lots of twists and turns.
"All we have to do is ensure we take care of our own results and see where that takes us.
"We have had an excellent season so far and our destiny is very much in our own hands.
"It’s already been an incredible journey and it would be fantastic if we reach our destination ahead of schedule."
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Joe Jones
Notts County's League Two fixture at Cheltenham Town, which was scheduled for this Saturday, has now been postponed to Tuesday next week.
On Thursday, an announcement confirmed that a pitch inspection would be taking place at Whaddon Road - also known as the LCI Rail Stadium - on Friday morning.
The playing surface has been covered by frost sheets all week, but a combination of snow, ice and difficult travelling conditions meant the early decision has been taken to rearrange the fixture.
Blizzard-like conditions courtesy of the "Beast from the East" have battered the UK over the last 48 hours causing schools to shut and roads to close.
A new date for the clash has already been set, however, with both clubs aiming to play next Tuesday, March 6, with a 7:45pm kickoff.
Tickets for the initial fixture will be valid for the rearranged match and Notts confirmed that supporters who are unable to attend the rearranged fixture can return their ticket to them for a refund.
Tickets will remain on sale at Meadow Lane until 4pm on Friday 2 March and will also be available from the LCI Rail Stadium on matchday cash only.
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has stressed that Notts County are doing their all to be ready for all outcomes in wake of the potential postponement of Saturday's League Two fixture at Cheltenham Town.
The Magpies and the Robins are awaiting a pitch inspection at Whaddon Road on Friday morning that will determine whether the game will go on or not.
Nolan said the show must go on in terms of preparation even if several players could not get into training on Thursday with such poor weather across the country.
“The weather has hampered preparations, but we are fortunate that we have an indoor facility we can use so we can get some work into the lads’ legs,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“Unfortunately we could not get the full squad into training, but the majority of them were, which I was delighted about.
“We are just preparing as usual. It’s tough, but it’s like Christmas in the fact that the show must go on.
“You’ve got to stay professional and be ready. I know everybody is tipping the game to be off, but I’ve not been involved in many games which have been cancelled because of the snow.
“We got some good quality work in on Thursday, but when you are missing a part of the squad it’s a pain.
“We are doing everything to prepare right and to make sure everything is spot on. If the game is played or if it’s not, we are ready for all outcomes.”
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has stressed that he wants Notts County's players to have "no regrets" come the final day of the season.
The Magpies have 11 games left of the League Two campaign and they remain well in the promotion hunt.
The 2-0 win over Stevenage was followed up by by third-placed Wycombe losing at home to Coventry City in midweek which keeps Nolan’s side just a point behind an automatic promotion slot.
“I keep saying to the boys it’s all about us and what we do,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“If we keep applying ourselves then I feel we will give ourselves a fantastic opportunity of where we want to be.
“We’ve got a great chance, let’s just enjoy it, let’s keep working hard and have no regrets come the final day of the season.
“I feel that with the squad we have and the people we have, I can’t wait for the run-in.”
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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.
- Steve Evans left Mansfield Town, citing a desire to work abroad, before signing a deal to work as manager of Peterborough United a day later.
- David Flitcroft was swiftly appointed as the new Stags boss after leaving fellow League Two club Swindon Town.
- Forest Green Rovers midfielder Drissa Traore left the club after his contract was terminated by mutual consent and linked up with Tranmere Rovers.
- Port Vale striker Tom Pope has been struggling with a hernia problem that might soon require surgery.
- Krystian Pearce, Mal Benning and Omari Sterling-James signed new one-year contracts at Mansfield with the options of a further 12 months.
- Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale is hopeful that Ryan Brunt, who has spent around two years out with a knee injury, will return to first-team action soon.
- A mediator has been appointed in the long-running legal battle between Coventry City, Wasps and Coventry City Council relating to the Ricoh Arena, which is set to take place in March.
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Joe Jones
Cheltenham Town have put out a statement saying they are doing all they can to ensure Saturday's League Two game with Notts County goes ahead.
With snow and sub-zero weather causing postponements up and down the country, the Robins have had cover on at least some of the pitch since Friday before covering the whole playing surface up on Monday.
Temperatures are set to drop further in the week with more snow showers expected ahead of the Magpies' trip to the LCI Rail Stadium at the weekend, but the hosts are keeping both sets of fans in the loop.
Their statement read: “The pitch at the LCI Rail Stadium is completely covered as we continue to battle the wintry weather conditions and the ‘Beast from the East’ ahead of this weekend’s league fixture with Notts County.
“Parts of the playing surface were covered last Friday before the entire pitch was covered in frost sheets on Monday as we made every precaution ahead of the temperatures dropping later in the week.
“The club has received a large number of calls from supporters regarding the fixture. Supporters are advised to continue to check the club’s official media channels for the very latest later in the week. Stay warm and stay safe!”
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has expressed his happiness with Jorge Grant returning to goalscoring form for Notts County.
The 23-year-old midfielder scored his 18th goal of the season on Saturday as he broke the deadlock in an eventual 2-0 win over Stevenage at Meadow Lane.
Nolan had admitted last week how Grant was annoyed at his lack of goals in 2018, having netted 16 times before the turn of the year, and revealed how he had a tough week prior to the game.
“I spoke about Jorge before the game but he’s had a tough week with his family which I won’t go into,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“He is a young boy who is learning a lot and this is his first full season. He is learning a lot and he has been unfortunate because when we have needed him to step up and try to get us out of a hole, he’s been one of the eight or nine in the hole with them.
“But we are all together and working hard to get back out of it. Saturday was a clear sign that we are starting to scrap our way out of it.
“I am delighted with that and Jorge’s attitude was fantastic. When he came on, he looked really good and had that clear mind back. I thought he took his goal fantastically well and I was delighted for him.”
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Joe Jones
Kevin Nolan has praised Notts County's players for not letting the crowd's anxiety in the Stevenage game filter through to them before they got their goals in the 2-0 win.
The Magpies endured a tense afternoon at Meadow Lane last Saturday but managed to find the breakthrough on 77 minutes through Jorge Grant not long before Shola Ameobi added a killer second.
The home fans were understandably nervous given how the game was going and how Notts had floundered in some of the previous game but Nolan was pleased with how his side overcame the tension.
“There was a fair bit of anxiety,” he told the Nottingham Post.
“We’ve got to make sure we try to stay cool, calm and collected and I thought we did.
“There are going to be moments when you hear a little groan in the crowd and I just thought they handled it fantastically well given where we’ve been in the last few weeks.
“The more you handle it, the more you can play in that environment and then the confidence and quality will come out.”
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Joe Jones
We at Pride of Nottingham feel very privileged to count BettaBytz Computers as one of our corporate partners.
Back in August we announced our partnership with the Mapperley-based computer shop, owned and managed by Notts County fan Kevin Searcey.
Established in 2001 by Kevin and establishing itself as a Mapperley High Street fixture since 2009, BettaBytz have invaluable knowledge and experience in repairing desktops, laptops, mobile phones, tablets, TVs and many other household electricals.
In addition, BettaBytz also sell a wide range of computers and gizmos, with desktops, laptops and tables just some of the items that you can purchase.
At present, BettaBytz have some amazing offers in store - here are just a couple of these for you to check out!
Kevin will talk through the best options for you and, instead of buying at a soulless corporate shop, you can put your trust in an independent store run by a Notts born-and-bred individual who values and gets to know each and every customer that walks through the door!





So if you're after a new computer, check out these deals - while stocks last, and they will sell quick - and either go in store or contact Kevin for more info!
Bettabytz Computers is located on 625 Woodborough Road, Mapperley, Nottingham, NG3 5QG. To get in touch with Bettabytz Computers, visit their website www.bettabytz.co.uk, check out their Facebook page, email [email protected] or call 0115 952 2781.
Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham and coming on board like Bettabytz Computers? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.
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Joe Jones
Notts County's 2-0 win over Stevenage was a very welcome three points to end a poor month on a bright note, and crucially for the Magpies it brought a second clean sheet in three games.
Now, Adam Collin has been the subject of some flak, to put it mildly, in recent months, and his displacement of Ross Fitzsimons hasn't been exactly welcomed with open arms.
There have been questions over Collin's distribution and his tendency to hang on to the ball for long periods of time - not to mention the occasional fumbled shot and hesitation in reclaiming to stop a potential rebound.
This happened in the Stevenage game, with one effort from the edge of the box being spooned upwards by the keeper and the ensuing miscommunication with Richard Duffy - himself not exactly Mr Reliable at centre-back - almost led to the visitors scoring what would have been a farcical goal.
However, fair play to Collin and the Notts defence for eventually getting to full time with a second clean sheet in three games - credit must go to Ben Hall for tightening the back line, and as such he was voted the PON Man of the Match by our fans.
The clean sheet didn't exactly come about through a solid performance from Collin though, and him pointing his finger to the Notts camera and saying "shock... another clean sheet", though he may feel it was justified given the flak he's been receiving, smacks of arrogance and cockiness, as well as risking antagonising some of the fans.
Goalkeepers need to be confident as part of their trade - lose confidence and it's a massive setback in a job where you're the lone, last line of defence between shipping a goal and keeping the ball out.
So in that respect Collin does well to dismiss the criticism aimed his way, but he needs to be mindful of voicing his opinions publicly and making remarks that could be construed as petty or arrogant.
Kevin Nolan made a point about not suffering "one big bite on the bum" when Notts were preparing to face Oxford City in the FA Cup and, on a similar note, Collin has now left himself open to such a scenario if, between now and the end of the season, he was to make a crucial mistake (touch wood he does not, hopefully he will be Mr Safe Hands from now until the end of the season as Notts rise up into League One).
I think players are entitled to their opinion, especially in the wake of criticism, and I don't necessarily begrudge Collin for his little post-match comment, but he needs to be mindful of potentially opening himself up to criticism should the comment come back to bite him on the backside.
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Joe Jones
Grimsby Town chairman John Fenty has declared that he is open to speaking to Sol Campbell about their vacant managerial position.
The former England defender, who had a one-game spell at Notts County in 2009, told a podcast last week that he could not understand why "one of the greatest minds in football" was being overlooked for jobs.
Campbell was speaking after failing to land the Oxford United job, but Fenty has said he is willing to speak to the 43-year-old as he searches for a replacement for Russell Slade.
Speaking to BBC Radio Humberside, Fenty said: "I'm surprised we haven't heard from Sol. He said that clubs aren't taking a punt on young managers. We'd have a chat with him."
In response, Campbell told Sky Sports show The Debate: "Definitely interested".
When asked if Grimsby being 18th in League Two would put him off, he replied: "No. I'm from a hard-working background. It's all about getting in there, that's the kind of guy I am."
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Joe Jones
Adam Collin is pleased with having secured another clean sheet and three points in Saturday's 2-0 victory over Stevenage.
Notts County had to be patient in the League Two encounter at Meadow Lane, the first goal not coming until the 77th minute when substitute Jorge Grant rifled home.
Shola Ameobi then added a second minutes later and, combined with Collin's second shutout in three games, went on to get three crucial points in the race for promotion.
"That's our dream in the dressing room," the goalkeeper told the official Notts site.
"The gaffer always asks for a clean sheet and three points. Everything clicked for us, especially in the second half, and we came away deserved winners.
"Stevenage are a handy team so we showed them a bit of respect and they played well - but we handled it really well, like we have done for most of the season, and the clean sheet proves that.
"Teams at the top end of the league are going to drop points and we have had a bit of a sticky spell but confidence hasn't been knocked too much. We're a tight bunch in the dressing room and the gaffer looks after us."
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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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