The day that we have been looking forward to will arrive on Saturday, 2nd August, at 3pm, when Notts play Newport at Rodney Parade, in their first League 2 match of the season.

Notts have already signed 10 new players during the summer window, & the expectation is that there may be one more incoming to bolster the Squad before the transfer window closes.

Notts are unbeaten in their last four matches against Newport & will be looking for another positive result on Saturday.

Head Coach Martin Paterson, initially played what he believed was his strongest 11 against Cardiff, & Notts achieved a creditable draw against League 1 opposition.

Top scorer last season, Alassana Jatta will be absent due to suspension, so that will be a big blow. But it means that others have to step up to the plate & take this opportunity to impress Martin Paterson before Jatta will be able to return.

I’m looking forward to seeing how MP’s Notts County play, let’s hope we get off to a flying start. It’s on Sky Sports+ I believe so I’ll probably watch with a nice beer.

I am almost 80% excited, with the rest being a nervous feeling. It's likely this will repeatedly change before I set off to Newport, but it's good to be back.

Martin Paterson might not have a fully fit squad, but I believe his selection is relatively easy.

Roos

Aljofree Platt Bedeau (Centre Backs)

Javris Bennetts (Wing Backs)

Lorpenda (Defensive Midfielder)

Palmer (Central Midfielder)

Grant Jones (Attacking Midfielder)

Dennis (Striker)

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Subs: Griffiths, McDonald, Gordon, Cotter, Norburn, Kouhyar, Traore

This assumes that Nick Tsaroulla is still out, along with Lucas Ness and Scott Robertson.

Traore might not be available; I haven't read anything about him, but he should be fit. If he's not, it leaves the concern that we don't have someone who can replace Dennis if we need him to. Of course, there's still time for signings to be made, but this is the squad I would choose going into the game. I don't think Ollie Norburn is fit enough to start; with him coming back from an injury, which we signed him with, it might be best to introduce him gradually to the XI.

I would go for Maziar Kouhyar as he's quite direct and would be my preference ahead of Curtis Edwards.

Up front is the only area where I would like to see more quality.

its going to be interesting to see how martin paterson lines up his first team and how they will adjust from pre season into competitive games. i hope we are defensively solid and avoid making any errors from backward passing. it would be good to see us having a more direct attacking presences.

For me the time period in which we were waiting for the new head coach to be announced really seemed to drag, but the pre-season has flown by and I can't believe the new season is already kicking off in a few days!

I’m quietly confident, I think we’ve ended our pre-season really well and from what I can gauge everyone is more encouraged by Paterson too.

I watched a bit of the EFL Cup match that Newport were involved earlier this week. They conceded two goals in the 97^th and then 99^th minute which was pretty shocking after being 2-0 up. Even so, given the flow of the match they were a tad lucky to be 2-0 up, it was only thanks to two wonder goals they scored, it wasn’t through good attacking team play. Barnet we the better team and the 22-8 shots and 76% possession tells a bit of a story.

Newport has been a good place for us the past few seasons too, we strolled to a 2-0 win there last season truth be told. If we are switched on and play with the kind of tempo Paterson will want I see no reason why we can’t start the season with a win.

I think we've all got an idea of how MP wants to play, now it's time to see it in action and hopefully pick up our first points. I wonder if we'll see Bennetts from the start - my gut feeling is that him and Luker will start on the bench and Cotter will be in the first 11. Cotter and Jarvis would be a very attacking choice of wing backs though.

Can't wait to get underway after all the talking!

It’s an awful place to go, but it’s best to get it out of the way early.

They’re the sort of team that will waste time and try to frustrate Notts. Expect them to mess about near the corner flag and drag things out.

With them likely fighting relegation, the pressure will be on. If Martin Paterson makes sure we stay on the front foot and don’t let Newport mess around, they’ll be forced to play properly.

I just hope the officials are decent, because three points and a winning start would be massive.

Newport are a poor side. It wouldn't surprise me if they got relegated this season. You'd expect Notts to pick up 3 points and I think they will.

A draw wouldn’t surprise me, but Martin Paterson needs to go for the win. I think we look strong in every area, but missing Alassana Jatta is a big blow.

I just hope Matthew Dennis can step in and offer a threat up front. We do have midfielders who can score. A good start now could make a big difference by the time we reach 15 games. Seeing Notts start well would also give fans more belief in Paterson and the squad.

In The Beginning.

Second of the eighth is where we start,
The first of many to tug at our hearts.

Travelling away for our first encounter,
Rodney Parade where we must not faulter.

Black and white army ready for the new season,
Hearts full of pride, Cos we have good reason.

Martin and his team through pre season worked hard,
Players fitter and faster, won't give a yard.

Alfreton, Germany, Cardiff and one no one could see,
Giving us momentum, hardening and total unity.

Now our Team Notts County we turn to you,
Because we love you through and through.

Do us proud and make everyone shout,
Give your all, leaving nothing to doubt.

We believe in you, our Super Magpie team,
Three points from this game is definitely not a dream. COYP.

@Michael D Pie. Nice one!!

I worry that without Jatta the goal threat will be reduced but as someone else said it looks like we have more of a goal threat from midfield, Newport are tipped for relegation soon paper we should win, I hope so.

@Fan of Big Tone, Matthew Dennis looks capable, but having seen him play, he looks more like an attacking winger to me. He did some really neat touches, controlling the ball well against Cardiff, and we are a side that tends to serve the ball on a plate for someone to score.

The main thing is to keep working, avoid frustration, and focus on ways that break Newport down.

They'll defend in numbers, I am sure of that, but my previous calls for movement (last season) could see space open up. Barry Cotter and Will Jarvis look fully capable of striking from distance. On his day, Jodi Jones can be a real threat, but it depends on how he's taking to his potential new role. Alassana Jatta is a real loss, but the club seems to have faith in Dennis, and these opening games give him the chance to prove himself without being overshadowed by Jatta.

My only concern with Dennis is if he doesn't impress during these first 5 days, it will lead to further calls and unrest about how we need a striker. He needs to be given a chance, and I am hoping he can show us some firepower early on.

Newport County might not be the strongest side, but we shouldn’t underestimate them. They play well as a team and can cause problems if we’re not careful. If we lose focus or switch off at the back, it could cost us. I’m sure Martin Paterson will set us up to control the game, and I do think we’ll create chances that trouble them.

It’s the first game, though, and that makes it tricky. What’s on paper doesn’t mean much. We need to be sharp in front of goal and defend with courage to get the job done.

Just on a slight side but still relevant and possibly tedious note... As per league rules: "Clubs also need to name at least one club developed player in their matchday squad; if they don't, they must name one fewer player on their bench".

So after our promotion we had the luxury of Didzy counting as this player everytime he was in the matchday squad. This season we don't have that luxury, we'll technically get 6 subs, because the 1 to make up the 7th will have to be Reynolds, Perott, Robinson, Sanderson etc. Against Newport one of them makes the bench, or we just name the 6 subs...

The day we've all been waiting for. It's Matchday. CMON U PIES.

The Notts team against Newport.

Luker is the seventh substitute

All ten new signings feature, I think? So we've signed fit players! Albeit Norburn would start if fully fit I think.

Looks pretty strong, despite Jatta, injured players, departures etc.

And looks to be in line with the set-up of recent years - 3-4-2-1?

If Aljofree is the answer to our long-standing RCB problem, then we'll have taken a big stride forward anyway

There’s a delay to the kick off because of a medical emergency, two air ambulances have landed on the pitch. Very worrying, I hope everyone stays safe and a full recovery is made. 🙏

LET`S START STRONG! COYP!

11 minutes ago, Fan of Big Tone said:

There’s a delay to the kick off because of a medical emergency, two air ambulances have landed on the pitch. Very worrying, I hope everyone stays safe and a full recovery is made. 🙏

Poor supporter, scary for family too. Hope they make a full recovery.

The match will commence at an agreed time to give the players time to warm up when the helicopters have departed.