Notts have 16 games to play. They have nine games remaining at home & seven away.

Notts are currently on 53 points.

It is possible that 80 points could achieve automatic promotion this season so another 27 points could be enough.

Those nine games at home could prove crucial. If Notts could pick up at least six wins out of the nine & three wins away, it could be enough.

Thoughts?

February 

1.Tues 18 19:45 Colchester H

2.Sat 22 15:00 Tranmere H

March

3.Sat 01 15:00 Fleetwood A

4.Tue 04 19:45 Barrow H

5.Sat 08 12:30 Wimbledon A

6.Tue 11 19:45 Grimsby A

7.Sat 15 15:00 Chesterfield H

8.Sat 22 15:00 Crewe H

9.Sat 29 15:00 Newport A

April

10.Tue 01 19:45 MK Dons H

11.Sat 05 15:00 Colchester A

12.Fri 11 19:45 Salford H

13.Fri 18 15:00 Bradford A

14.Mon 21 15:00 Cheltenham H

15.Sat 26 13:00 Harrogate A

May

16.Sat 03 15:00 L2 Doncaster H

 

On paper when you look at the fixtures, we certainly haven’t got the easiest of run-ins, I’d say only Tranmere, Newport and Harrogate are what you’d class as easy (but that’s never always the case!)

There’s a mini run in March that looks like the toughest period. Wimbledon away will be a challenge, Grimsby are unpredictable, Chesterfield is always a close one and then Crewe are likely to still be challenging too. And then in April we’ve got Salford and Bradford back-to-back.

The Doncaster at home on the final day is the intriguing one, cos it’s either going to be massive, like a must win or pretty inconsequential as the autos will already have been settled...

I’d have 100% taken play-offs come the start of the season and I still think we are more likely to finish there, of course I’m hopeful but I think our constant injuries and inability to take points off those in and around us will be our undoing.

It's clear that Notts have to improve their record against the top nine sides to have any chance of automatic promotion.

Walsall & Port Vale have done the double over Notts. Salford & Crewe have wins over us.

The only teams Notts have beaten in the top nine are Bradford & Grimsby. Failure to beat the top teams handicapped Notts last season.

I agree with @menzinho that realistically, Notts are looking at a playoff qualification as the most likely finishing position. 

To improve on that Notts really do need to get those injured players back & firing on all cylinders. Players like Didzy, Jones & Whitaker were missed in the loss to Port Vale.

Notts now have six remaining games.

These are 

Colchester. away

Salford. home

Bradford. away.

Cheltenham. home

Harrogate. away 

Doncaster. home.

Six individual finals 

Four wins could give Notts 80 points. Could this be enough for automatic promotion?

Three wins should ensure Notts a playoff spot. The permutations at this point are absolutely fascinating.

several cup finals here on for notts, i do like how we have not given up on automatics. i think the pressure of feeling like we were slipping led to some of the issues where we just did not get the results we thought or should have got.

i have the feeling we wont know until the very last game where we will end up, if its autos or playoffs.

i cant think of anything more notts than that.

colchester, bradford and doncaster are the remaining games i see as being a challenge. salford, cheltenham, harrogate are games i feel quietly confident about. yet knowing notts we might be a bit hit and miss, still clinging near to the autos until the final game.

Not only can we get automatic there is also a chance we could finish top of the division and be champions, however before we get too excited there is also a chance we could not even make the playoffs. The division is so tight most of the clubs at the top are inconsistent, the players need to focus on being the very best they can for the remaining games, Maynard needs to focus on picking the right players and tactics for each match and also making the right decisions about substitutes during matches.

Its going to be a roller coaster let’s just enjoy the ride.

I think that automatic promotion is less likely now. Notts will need to win their last three games & for other teams to drop points above them. 

Why is the game at Harrogate Town a 1pm kick off.....no sign of the game on Sky+ schedule????

I think we can finally put our automatic dreams to bed now. From those 16 matches that were initially posted we've picked up just 16 points (with 2 still to play) and we’ve only won 2 of our last 8, it’s quite amazing it’s remained a possibility for so long but it was always looking less and less likely...

I thought we would manage to get back into the automatics by this stage, but it's not going to be, and whilst there's talk of it still being mathematically possible. In all seriousness, our form suggests otherwise, and if we are unlucky, we might slip out of the playoffs if we don't at least get 4 points or the remaining fixtures go our way. I still believe our squad is good enough for promotion, and I feel playoffs will be achieved, but the season has been a good one regardless.

It's a shame, but I think the club handled the injuries and recruitment well. Mai Traore looks like he's finally settling, and could be a good asset for next season.

If we remain at this level, Notts wouldn't have to do so much to improve ahead of competing with other League Two teams. I think more extensive improvements would be required if we do secure promotion. We need Junior Morias' position covering, with another optional striker to take off the burden. The future of David McGoldrick is unknown at this stage, and defensively we could do with a few more improvements.

We have a good core squad for both situations, which is pleasing, but I really hope whatever happens we really send a message that we are not there to survive (League One) or settle for playoffs (League Two), but make a bold strategic move to establish ourselves as a good League One team, or a firm promotion favourite with a squad that has the depth to rally when our form dips or injuries happen.

I am not suggesting the club blows the players wage budget and risks the future. I am just saying it would be a big confidence boost to see us not "settle" but continue to build well.