Someone's dropped one...

Jatta misses Notts' pre-season trip over visa issue - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c75rv05vv6qo

I think this is more to do with our level, rather than someone dropping the ball. It wouldn't happen to a Championship team; it's just a trip in pre-season to Germany, and it's not like we're aiming to sell Alassana Jatta to one of the teams we're playing. It's a bit silly, if you ask me, that a player couldn't be granted a visa to play in some pre-season friendlies. If the club did make a mistake, then it would be very disappointing, but I am more inclined to say it's part of the issue of having overseas, non-EU players.

Please ensure that this doesn't become political; let's keep it focused on Jatta and his absence.

one plus, is that the b team will benefit from having alassana jatta within the team but will it impact his pre-season? he should be fine, he misses the first few games anyway. i just find it funny that people are speculating hes on his way out just because of it.

This is going to fuel rumours isn't it? Especially the mardy statement by his agent blaming the club. I wouldn't be too quick to blame the club here, the authorities that deal with foreigners here are hopelessly understaffed and it's very conceivable that they wouldn't have got a tourist visa through in a month.

But it's still incredibly frustrating for Jatta and the team. We're playing three games in Germany, so he'll miss a significant part of our pre-season preparations. MP won't get to work with him either.

Isn't it upon the individual or potentially his agent to sort out the visa? I do believe this is going to be heavily manipulated by his agent to garner some sort of coverage. My guess is that as his agent, he was fully expecting a big team to come in for him but nothing has come so far, so he's getting involved.

It's sad that Jatta hasn't been able to go, but the B team will benefit that's for sure.

I've already seen the negative speculation on social media, which isn't surprising.

We all know how Jatta will play anyway so it will be an opportunity for Traore & Dennis to show what they can do without Jatta in the side.

@piedestrian, agents only assist with the paperwork and helping to get the information which the club might need; Notts would have to hold a special licence. Similar to sponsoring a player for their work permit, it's probably more complicated than it appears. Jatta would have had to use the license/sponsorship from Notts to get the visa approved, but it would have been primarily the club's responsibility.

Providing Jatta filled in the information and applied, it is in the club's hands after that.

It's highly likely there were complications, which might have been due to us being in the fourth tier of English football.

Unless there's more to it, Jatta made a mistake, or the club applied too late.

Didn’t Jatta have to miss the trip to Germany last season too? Surprised we didn’t get some tips to avoid it this time round. No idea how it's happened but it really isn't ideal for him. Not only missing the first team training but 3 matches, that’s half of our pre-season matches! And it’ll be hard knowing that his teammates will have a bit of down time and freedom as well, he’ll be missing all the fun and camaraderie of an away trip, I’d be pretty miffed if I was him.

I have no idea about the ins and outs of obtaining visas but I find it odd Mai Traore has been able to travel and Jatta hasn’t though, surely their scenarios are the same?

You have made an important point @menzinho about Traoré being able to travel but not Jatta. Traoré played for a Norwegian club prior to him coming to Notts. Jatta played for a Danish Club, so it is strange that one was allowed & the other not.

All I can think is there must be something else that prevented him going.

I think it shows we really need another striker, not just Matthew Dennis. I hope the team doesn’t start the season with only two strikers and expect to do well. We’ll probably need more if we want to get promoted.

I’m not sure about Traore. Maybe he has something to do with France? It’s kind of strange and I don’t really get it.

It must be really frustrating for the club and MP that Jatta can be with the squad in Germany. Jatta himself must be really disappointed too, as someone pointed out it’ll be a big miss because these pre season tours help the team to bond, they have down time and no doubt get to know each other better. It’s a real shame.

If Jatta had gone to Germany, it might’ve sparked more talk about him leaving. In football, there’s always gossip around players, and sometimes staying behind can cause even more questions. Supporters need to take a step back and not jump to conclusions. The way the club is run, and which players come or go, isn’t something fans can control. Decisions are made behind the scenes, and we often don't know the full story.

The focus should stay on the matches in Germany. They’re important and shouldn’t be distracted by speculation. Whatever kept Jatta from travelling is something we’ll just have to accept.

Jatta’s a pro. Training with the B team will keep him sharp, and once the suspension is done, he’ll be back and causing problems for defenders. League Two won’t know what’s hit it. We’ve just got to stay positive.

Honestly, this whole situation could've been handled way better. The people in charge of getting those visas out need to step it up and pay more attention. I really believe that Jatta is going to hit the next season with the same fire he had last year. He’s definitely going to keep trying to score goals and stay on top of his game. Even though he's suspended right now, I doubt he’ll think about making any transfer moves. Those games he’s missing could actually help him in the end, especially when the January transfer window rolls around.

i think people are reading more into it because of this.

part of me does wonder if notts did not want to take him jatta now, for whatever reason. i dont think its to sell him but maybe to keep him?