In the short term, it would indeed be a letdown to have climbed so high only to lose our head coach and playoff spot. While the board and Stuart Maynard have stated that promotion is the goal, perhaps not this season, we must maintain a positive outlook. Otherwise, the season could quickly become uninspiring, dampening the magical atmosphere within the club. We must continue to strive forward, even if the best outcome doesn’t materialise.

22 hours ago, CliftonMagpie said:

In the short term, it would indeed be a letdown to have climbed so high only to lose our head coach and playoff spot. While the board and Stuart Maynard have stated that promotion is the goal, perhaps not this season, we must maintain a positive outlook. Otherwise, the season could quickly become uninspiring, dampening the magical atmosphere within the club. We must continue to strive forward, even if the best outcome doesn’t materialise.

I've listen to Steve's pre Barrow press Conference today and I believe that we have an excellent chance of making the playoffs, we might not score as many goals but we will be more secure at the back which is important.

9 hours ago, Robbie said:

I've listen to Steve's pre Barrow press Conference today

I think you mean Stuart’s press conference. 

I really hope he gets off to a great start with a comfortable win. There’s absolutely no reason why we can’t make the playoffs. Hopefully things will continue as before just a different face in the dugout and a few tweaks here and there especially in defence.

9 hours ago, Robbie said:

I've listen to Stuart's pre Barrow press Conference today and I believe that we have an excellent chance of making the playoffs, we might not score as many goals but we will be more secure at the back which is important.

 

2 minutes ago, Fan of Big Tone said:

I think you mean Stuart’s press conference. 

I really hope he gets off to a great start with a comfortable win. There’s absolutely no reason why we can’t make the playoffs. Hopefully things will continue as before just a different face in the dugout and a few tweaks here and there especially in defence.

Auto correct is a pain, have edited to correct it. Thanks for pointing it out. And yes I agree, There is every chance we can make the playoffs.

6 hours ago, Robbie said:

Thanks for pointing it out.

No problem @Robbie it might have been embarrassing for you if you’d stood up at the match and started singing “Stevie Maynards Black and White Army” 

Teams are starting to strengthen and add quality to their squads, and we’re no different. However, I’m concerned about our recent foray into the loan market. While Jaden Warner is a quality addition, the young goalkeeper is relatively unknown. I’m worried that we haven’t adequately addressed squad depth, which could haunt us later. As other teams become more cohesive with new signings, we seem to be keeping our squad numbers on the lean side.

Today's match against Barrow will tell us quite a lot whether Notts can go on to claim a place in the playoffs.

A good defensive performance and a narrow win today would give the team lots of confidence going into the next set of tough matches.

What I've seen today has given me confidence that Notts can make the playoffs. We need 10 wins and a few draws in the last 18 matches to be sure.

It's good to see the positivity continuing

We got one point out of Barrow, Mansfield, Stockport and Wrexham in the first half of the season. Anything we gain from the latter three will be an improvement on that, hopefully starting next week For the time being though, I don't think Mansfield and Wrexham are our direct rivals - Gillingham and Wimbledon are.

@DangerousSausage I agree, I think that 75 points is the target that we need as a minimum to get into the playoffs, there's still a small possibility of making the automatics but the playoffs is a more realistic target now.

At the moment, yes, but it’s uncertain whether Stuart Maynard can enhance our performance in away games. We need to improve this if we want to secure a spot in the playoffs and aim higher. It won’t be possible without better form in away matches. I hope Maynard adjusts the strategy for away games to something more balanced. The current formation works well at home, just not when we’re playing away.

@JustLikeJuve We have 9 home matches and 9 away matches left. 75 points may be enough to secure the last playoff place, that's 10 wins and one draw or 9 wins and 4 draws. Anything more a bonus.so we can afford another 5 to 7 defeats which is doable on paper. Shoring up the defense is the key I think.

On 05/01/2024 at 13:17, Ohh Tommy Johnson said:

Absolutely we can.  We have been on a relatively poor away run, and whilst we are doing well we aren't without issues that have been present for a good while.  So, there is an opportunity for new eyes and new ideas to positively impact the team.  That plus some new blood and I don't see why we can't make the play offs, and, let's face it, automatic isn't out of the question yet either (albeit much more of a long shot).

18 matches left, 9 at home, 9 away, 31 points needed to get to 75 which should be enough with 10 wins and a draw. We could afford  up to 7 defeats too, although more draws would help secure a playoff for certain.

After last night's results at least 10 teams including Notts are in the mix for a playoff place come end of the season 

I know that we can't keep relying on other results but last nights results in League 2 demonstrates, even if we didn't know it, that every side in this league is capable of beating anyone.

Notts have been dropping points but lots of other sides are dropping points too.

If a side can put a run together from now till the end of the season, the playoffs could be achieved by that side, even automatic promotion, although an automatic birth is Stockport, Mansfield and Wrexham's to lose now.

With teams dropping points, it is quite possible that 7th place may be possible with between 72 & 75 points now.
Notts are still very much in that mix.

We have two home matches, coming up. If we can get six points from those two matches, it would certainly put us in a good position.