We failed to get automatic promotion again this season. A couple of lessons learned that might have contributed. Firstly there is a saying in football (derided by some) “respect the point.” Looking at the league table at the end of the season is very revealing when we compare the Draw and Lost columns of the top three and ours.

Bromley lost 7 drew 15        MK Dons Lost 8 Drew 14    Cambridge Lost 8 drew 16.

Notts Lost 14 Drew 8

Interestingly we won 24 matches the same as Bromley and MK Dons and two more than Cambridge 22.

Since Ian Burchnall we have had the philosophy of the aim win every game no matter who the opposition is and wherever we are playing. This is a noble aspiration, one which many of us agree with. However sometimes in-game decisions have to be made as to whether it’s wise to “respect the point” rather than keep on taking risks that result in defeat.

Another contributing factor to missing out on automatic promotion was our disciplinary record.

Notwithstanding losing Jatta, Norburn, Robertson, Nlovu and Hall for a number of games for red cards, it was the impact on the actual  games in which they were sent off.

If Robertson had stayed on against Bromley we might have won that game.

Norburn against Chesterfield after 19 minutes. Surely we get something from that game with 11 on the pitch. And also against Grimsby Nlovu is sent off in the 76^th minute and Grimsby score in the 85^th. We missed out on Automatic promotion by 3 points.

 Small margins or our own doing?

Whatever the case is, lets hope we have learned the lessons for next season!

 

Excellent analysis @McPie I definitely think the disciplinary record harmed our cause, I hope MP tightens up on that next season. I guess we can always look at games and think “if only that hadn’t happened we might have won/got a point etc, it was ever thus for Notts, did I read somewhere that we have been in more promotions and relegations than any other team? It certainly seems like it.

Yes it's true @Fan of Big Tone Ifs, buts and maybes don't count for much. In the end it didn't matter we achieved promotion anyway. I think from the three playoff games we already are seeing the value of being difficult to beat, but still playing positively without going gung ho! I think this will be key for a good season in league 1.

Good post! Conversely, you could say that we won games we would have drawn with a more cautious approach - ultimately, you get more points by winning one and losing one than by drawing both. It's swings and roundabouts.

All the same, next season we'll be in a different situation where we can't really expect 80+ points, so I expect us to settle for the odd point more. A draw isn't such a bad result when you're not shooting for automatic promotion. But we need to carry on where we left off in the playoffs and be harder to beat, the losses column was a bit too high for my liking.

I think it is self evident that Martin Paterson learned from past mistakes by getting 3 clean sheets in the playoffs & beating two teams that did the double over Notts earlier in the season.

There could be an argument that Martin should have learned lessons a little earlier, but I do believe he & the team were handicapped by key players getting injured then the sendings off.

It's to Martin's great credit that he changed the way that the team play to deal with two teams that like to bully and physically intimidate ball playing teams like Notts & his tactics worked perfectly.

I would agree that Martin Paterson settled into the role as the season grew, he didn't stress or panic. He never looked like Ian Burchnall (rabbit in the head lights) and he never seemed worried or stressed (Stuart Maynard). Naturally as the squad settled in together, it opened the floor for Paterson to understand which players are key to starting.

Even then, I feel he managed to figure out that playing Rod McDonald in the centre got the most out of him and that is something I don't think many previous managers would have attempted.

The younger squad players, they clearly took on board the freedom and instructions given to them because once the likes of Tom Iorpenda grew in confidence the better his performances grew on the pitch and this is something that is obviously improved with the support of your gaffer. I wonder if Iorpenda thought he would be in and out of the squad, especially with the likes of Matt Palmer, Scott Robertson and Ollie Norburn.

I also think it shows as fans we need to be a bit more patient and less judgemental of games that happen early, or if we lose our way a little. This is more directed to those on social media who called for Paterson's head after our 6 game unbeaten run ended or those who said we had no ambition because we didn't bring back Ruben Rodrigues. Clearly, competing with Bolton's resources is outside our limit and I still believe we wouldn't have had the room for him. Who would we have dropped? No point backing talent, that could lead to unhappiness that they are not starting often enough.

You need team players, and I am sure Rodrigues is that, but I highly doubt he wouldn't want to start week in and out.

41 minutes ago, Chris said:

Even then, I feel he managed to figure out that playing Rod McDonald in the centre got the most out of him and that is something I don't think many previous managers would have attempted.

I think that was more of a case of needs must, plus SM being quirky with his inverted habit

Rod kept saying in interviews that centre was his position but he's happy to help the team (from RCB).

It's amazes me how horrible he looked at RCB compared to how magnificently he played in the centre. I don't think that was just position. SM's game plans and schemes could make players look bad (Matty Palmer is another example)

48 minutes ago, Chris said:

This is more directed to those on social media who called for Paterson's head after our 6 game unbeaten run ended or those who said we had no ambition because we didn't bring back Ruben Rodrigues. Clearly, competing with Bolton's resources is outside our limit and I still believe we wouldn't have had the room for him. Who would we have dropped? No point backing talent, that could lead to unhappiness that they are not starting often enough.

You need team players, and I am sure Rodrigues is that, but I highly doubt he wouldn't want to start week in and out.

Ruben would've walked straight into the troublesome AM slots, no?

A Championship level player with an elite talent like his (creative passing) would have won us autos I think (if he was fit) but he's out of our league now. Maybe one day we'll see him back. With his vision, he'd certainly still be able to entertain aged 35.

I'm wondering if players like Ruben & Dan would fit into Martin's style of play that he has brought to Notts? I know that Notts have brought in a flair player, him being Cal Roberts. Cal can play on either wings as well as in the number 10 role where he was quite successful for Scunthorpe. It will be interesting what type of players Notts finally recruit in the AM role.

I think so @Robbie. I think Pato was as desperate as the fans for production from AM

All he asks is that we defend as a team, like his comments on JJ in a post-final interview.

Ruben's reputation is cemented as a player who works hard and gets stuck in defensively, rare for a flair player. Cal will have do to that side of the game too....or see the minutes reduce.

Whether Cal starts, or it's still Grant, the other starter will have attributes that complement them hopefully. I'll think we sign a couple as we still need to replace Iorpenda, Luker and Hall.

On 09/06/2026 at 14:31, theAnticlough said:

Ruben would've walked straight into the troublesome AM slots, no?

I don't think so, he's a good player but we have changed a lot since he was last here. His style of play would probably mean tweaks to how we build up, as a means to get him the ball. He wasn't the type to drop back for it; he would drift somewhat but unlike Connor Grant and others, there's no way he would play deeper just to get the ball. That's just my opinion; it would have presented too much at a time when we needed consistency.

Whilst I rate Ruben Rodrigues, and acknowledge his incredible talent. I don't quite think he's the Championship or higher quality that some think he is. That's fiar, everyone sees players differently but I think he will be quite average for Bolton next season.

I hope not, as I like seeing ex-players doing well.

Well, the challenge is right there ahead of him @Chris and he'll get another crack at the championship soon enough.

Oxford struggled, but switching from Des Buckingham to Gary Rowett was bad news for Ruben.

Two goals in the play-off final gives him a platform, and it's a bigger club with a better chance of establishing themselves. He must have a very high level of motivation, and I think it's going to stick this time. He'll have improved since he was with us and that elite, specialist talent of his doesn't grow on trees.

54 goals (from midfield!) and god knows how many assists, (plus those many 'hockey assists' when he's the one to put the likes of Nemane thru to cross) in just 3 seasons, and he missed almost half of the first one due to Ardley. He was an absolute machine of goal contributions for us. And 3 Wembley final wins in 4 years! 4 goals, 2 assists (at least)...an amazing record (Grant can't hold a candle to him IMO)

There used a to be discussions on what level he could reach. Well he already played Championship under Buckingham, and he's back there again. I think you have to say that's the level he reached.

Edited June 10Jun 10 by theAnticlough

i hope we can see that some times slow seasons build and the win at wembley has been one of the proudest moments as a notts fan. to hear some talk notts were going to get relegated and i think martin paterson won people over through hard work. there are some who dont seem to like when notts are doing well, i find it hard to believe they are notts fans. the battle was really against us at times with form and injuries, but we crossed the line.

i would rather notts builds for life as an established leag

Having drawn 4 of our first 5 games in league 1, have we learned the lesson from last year? Respect the point! It seems we have a team that knows if we can't win the game, make sure we don't lose it. That has to be basis for a successful season.

The footballing standards this season are way above EFL2. The whole season is whether we can win matches with so many teams evenly matched