We witnessed an encouraging performance by Notts in their first league match of the season against Newport, however, it will be a bigger test for Notts when they meet Salford at ML on Saturday in the early kick off.

Salford are tipped to challenge for promotion this season after just missing out on the playoffs last term. Salford did the double over Notts last season, having totally outplayed us in both league games, so Notts will be very keen to reverse that trend of poor results.

I expect Head Coach Martin Paterson to pick a similar starting eleven to the one that faced Newport. Alassana Jatta is still under suspension, so I expect Dennis will once again lead the attack. New signing Tyrese Hall is expected to feature in the matchday squad probably on the substitutes bench.

I think that this first home game of the season against a strong Salford side, with a large ML crowd in attendance will be a cracker. By the end of the match we may have a better idea of where this Notts team are in the league 2 scheme of things.

I wish it wasn’t 12.30 kick off it messes up my whole day I much prefer 3pm kick offs, I haven’t got a ticket yet I can’t decide whether to go or watch it on telly, it depends if Chloe wants to go or not. Should be a good game either way I’m looking forward to seeing how our new players perform.

I'm feeling more negative about this game than I should be.

After a few days to take in the Newport game, I'm wondering if we know who we want to play and where & how we should play them. Having a couple of the same below average performances we had on Saturday would be enough for Salford to extend their winning run against us IMO. All selected players will need to be at it.

I appreciate the concerns regarding our match against Salford following their defeat to Crewe; however, I believe that playing at home presents us with the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities as a strong team and capitalise on the chances that arise. There's always that concern about former players returning, and Jorge Grant can be someone who punishes teams.

The only change I would consider is replacing Kellan Gordon; if Will Jarvis is back, get him in.

If it weren't for that, I wouldn't choose to start Keanan Bennetts.

My biggest concern will always be the absence of Alassana Jatta, but I do think Matthew Dennis will score some goals. I would just feel more confident if there was a spark or instinct to suggest to me that he was a striker. Perhaps he needs to be a little selfish when it comes to opportunities, but I largely feel optimistic, and I can't wait to get back in the KOP.

Start with the same intent against Newport County, be see it through, and just try to slow down at times when it comes to striking the ball.

Salford City are a team I always want Notts to do well against. On paper, I think we’ve got the edge in terms of quality, and the home crowd could really help us see the game through. I expect Salford to want a response after losing their first match, but Notts needs to be smart. I hope Martin Paterson doesn’t make changes just for the sake of it. Newport was a solid start, and I’d like to see the same team given another go if possible.

I think the squad will feel more pressure to get that first win, especially with all the home fans watching at Meadow Lane. If the crowd is big, the nerves might start to show. That’s why I feel a bit uneasy about it.

Salford City can play good football. We can too, but if we don’t take our chances, they’re the sort of team that will.

16 hours ago, allardyces tash said:

I hope Martin Paterson doesn’t make changes just for the sake of it. Newport was a solid start, and I’d like to see the same team given another go if possible.

I'm not sure I agree with that, my moustachioed friend. With such a big squad and no clear first choices in a few spots, I want MP to get ruthless right from the off.

Having a couple of poor-performers drag the team down over a run of games is how automatic places are quickly lost. We lost all momentum in the 2nd half against Newport so on 54mins MP dragged off Gordon (having a stinker IMO) and Grant, who was fading and just wasn't going to do the business for us. Bennetts did way way better than Gordon and nobody was feeling bad about Grant going off (despite Iorpenda playing worse in the more advanced position).

I admit they're far from my favourite players, but that should cost Gordon and Grant their starting places - already, after just one game.

My hope is that the technical board helps MP to act decisively and nip things in the bud early. It's all subjective, and my examples won't be other fans examples, but I don't want to see things like successive managers pick Stead till we got relegated, Nolan to persevere with the likes of Duffy, Ardley pick Turner over better players in massive matches, Burchnall play DKE all season at WB (with no goals and assists) when he had Nemane all the time, SM to play Austin over Jarvis in last season's big finales. I hope the board can help MP by pointing it out when a player is doing jack **** and making a negative contribution to the team.

Saturday was kind of alright overall, but there's still stuff there that needs acting upon early IMO.

Players do need a consistent run to build confidence and rhythm, especially in key positions. But if someone isn’t performing, it’s fair to give another player a chance. That’s how competition works, and it keeps standards high.

The back four looks like it will be settled. The centre backs and goalkeeper seem nailed on. Wing backs might be less certain, but names like Matt Platt, Matthew Dennis and Jodi Jones are likely to be regulars.

It would be good to see the squad take shape early. That helps with understanding and teamwork. But some players, like Kellan Gordon, haven’t quite locked down their spot. The Newport game and the training sessions this week give Martin Paterson a chance to make decisions and set things right.

@theAnticlough said "My hope is that the technical board helps MP to act decisively and nip things in the bud early"

You bring up some good points. Part of the problem with Managers & Head Coaches is that they have their favourites & are inclined to play them even when their form has dropped off, & some players don't even get a chance to perform because the coach doesn't rate them.

I think one of the examples was Maynard & Matt Palmer. For me, he clearly wasn't the player he was after he returned after injury (although in the game against Newport, I thought he had his best game since his return from injury).The technical board might reduce that sort of thing happening.

Salford City excels at pressing when the opportunity arises, yet they primarily thrive on counter-attacks. We are well aware of this strategy, which means we need to maintain tight channels and provide ample support to advance down the wing. Attacking through the center of the pitch is likely to present Notts with the greatest challenges, as Salford will seek to intercept the ball. We tend to struggle against teams that are adept at sitting back while cohesively launching effective counter-attacks.

I don't want to witness Notts simply passing the ball around only to eventually return it to the keeper. This approach invites unnecessary pressure on us, allows them to advance and push us deeper into our territory, and ultimately plays right into their strategy.

We have a lot of attacking intent in the team now, whereas last season we relied on players like David McGoldrick to move us forward on his own shoulders.

Notts feels like a more competitive team; it's just a question of who will score?

If Notts can strike first and keep creating chances, there's every chance we will do well, but if we struggle to score, it might be a tough 90 minutes.

@TheSkipper

Salford outplayed us in both matches last season. We just couldn't cope with their tactics. That's why this game on Saturday is so important to see exactly where Notts are compared to last season.

We have lost our last 3 against Salford by a combined score of 8-2. I watched the highlights of their game against Crewe. It was like Salford were at the start of their pre season or even still on holidays. They would need to up their level significantly just to avoid a battering on Saturday. I'm sure they will because it's us!

There were encouraging signs against Newport. We are missing Jatta. No question. Too many missed chances. Jatta staying or going will define our season I feel. He'd be hard to replace.

I think we'll win on Saturday. The end.

24 minutes ago, Robbie said:

Part of the problem with Managers & Head Coaches is that they have their favourites & are inclined to play them even when their form has dropped off, & some players don't even get a chance to perform because the coach doesn't rate them.

I think one of the examples was Maynard & Matt Palmer. For me, he clearly wasn't the player he was after he returned after injury (although in the game against Newport, I thought he had his best game since his return from injury).The technical board might reduce that sort of thing happening.

That's exactly how I see it @Robbie. When you have a squad of around 25 professionals, team selection is an aspect of a club's fortunes that can't just be left to one man's personal whims and favouritism. Although it has to be his final call. Not everyone will agree, but I imagine some will have been incredulous at that last example I mentioned. Apart from the goal at Cheltenham, Austin was generally out of his depth in games last season. Jarvis, on the other hand, found it far easier to tot up stats for dribbles, shots, key passes, shots created.

Nobody really needs to revisit that, but I'd like to think that the technical board meetings won't be just people tiptoeing around each other sharing a plate of biscuits. There should be instant visual and statistical displays of what has happened in the game for passes completed, touches, turnovers, dribbles, tackles won, yards, aerial duels won and lost, etc etc. It's back to the point about having a big squad - there's no reason to suffer an out of form, low performing player week after week while others rot on the bench or out the squad completely.

there is always a sense of nerves for me going into home games but the confidence from our defence is what gives me more hope, i am not 100% sure about kelle roos. i am sure hes a fine keeper but i think i would be a lot more comfortable if we knew what to expect more clearly. he needs to put on a strong performance at home, and hopefully we have songs for the new signings. the match day experience is great at notts.

i just hope the performance on the pitch matches it but we are only just beginning the season.

A win on Saturday would be a great way to get the season going. Newport felt like two points dropped, but at the same time we did well to rescue one against a side that defended strongly.

I’m hoping Salford are feeling the pressure after their defeat. If we’ve done our homework and the players are told to stay close to the ones who make things happen, we could get a good result.

I might be one of the few hoping things fall into place so we can really put Salford to the sword. I’d love to see Matthew Dennis score twice, and for Jodi Jones, Barry Cotter and the others to get their names on the scoresheet. It probably won’t be that simple, but a strong win would lift spirits and maybe spark a few wild hopes. It’s been a long time since we properly thrashed a team.

A 3-0 win or better would be the stuff of dreams.

Salford City are always tricky when they play away. Oddly, they seem easier to face at their own ground, and I’ve never understood why. I was surprised when they beat us twice last season. We need to take at least four points from the two games this time. A win on Saturday, especially with the early kick-off, would be something to celebrate—and it’d leave the rest of the afternoon free. So if Martin Paterson’s reading this: win, win.

On 06/08/2025 at 11:50, Fan of Big Tone said:

I wish it wasn’t 12.30 kick off it messes up my whole day I much prefer 3pm kick offs

Come on, Grandad. 🤣 Just think of all the things you could do with that extra time. You might miss out on a bit of beauty sleep, but if you're up early, the whole day is yours to enjoy.

You could take Mrs T out somewhere nice, or just relax and put your feet up. Either way, it’s time well spent.

It’s a big challenge for the team, and we need to do something so we don’t lose points. A draw wouldn’t be the worst thing. I know we all want a win, but sometimes we have to be patient and wait for the team to show what they can really do. I really hope we can get a strong win. I’d be super happy if it happens! But football can take time, and not every game goes the way we want.

6 hours ago, Robbie said:

@TheSkipper

Salford outplayed us in both matches last season. We just couldn't cope with their tactics. That's why this game on Saturday is so important to see exactly where Notts are compared to last season.

I went to both games. The away game was really tough to handle. If MK Dons had scouted Dan Crowley for that one, they wouldn’t have signed him.

At home, we didn’t play too badly, but we let things slip. At their ground, they completely dominated us. It wasn’t just being outplayed, they walked all over us.

1 hour ago, Joshua said:

You could take Mrs T out somewhere nice, or just relax and put your feet up. Either way, it’s time well spent.

Careful, don’t give her any ideas, she’ll want to go shopping. 😂

I think we’ll win, but Salford City are always a tough side and I expect a close game. It’ll be interesting to see how Jorge Grant gets on. As long as he doesn’t come back to haunt us, I think we’ll be alright. I prefer the look of our squad on paper.

12 hours ago, TheSkipper said:

I went to both games. The away game was really tough to handle. If MK Dons had scouted Dan Crowley for that one, they wouldn’t have signed him.

At home, we didn’t play too badly, but we let things slip. At their ground, they completely dominated us. It wasn’t just being outplayed, they walked all over us.

Me too, it doesn't happen very often but we gave up in the away game - the Bass to Crowley cock-up for their first seemed to take so much out of the team.

But the home defeat gets my vote as the worst, most annoying game of the season, the way we lost to them, the way they took advantage of a weak referee.

I hate 'em!😄

A victory today would be so sweet. COYP

I think we can forgive Notts if they don’t deliver a full 90-minute performance. What matters is having that attacking mentality we showed from the start against Newport. If we put pressure on them without making mistakes, Notts should be fine.

Salford have punished us before because we’ve tried to be too clever. We think passing it around will make them lose interest, but that’s not the case. We should be attacking and forcing them into mistakes we can punish. Instead, we pass the ball back and end up messing it up.

As a fan, the nerves are always there until the club starts picking up points. Those early wins are so important, they help build the kind of runs that can decide whether a team pushes for promotion or not.

Even if we begin the season slowly, I think it’ll be a good one overall. Salford are a strong side. They’ve got problems of their own, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy for us.

I’d be happy with a draw, even though I’m hoping we can get all three points. What I really don’t want is to kick off our home campaign with a loss.

I’m hoping we can go on an unbeaten run and start climbing the table.