My prediction would be 1-0 to Notts.

I would guess that Stead would get the only goal of the game and I do feel both teams will play despite what my prediction would suggest. Another at this point in time could continue to lift the club.

One change Brisley in for Milsom, sounds an odd choice I’m not sure he’s played there before but Kewell obviously feels he will protect the back four but can he pass the ball?

Stead continues up front I’d have thought he’d be rested.

Whats everyone’s thoughts?

A bit off topic but just noticed Blair Adams playing for South Shields today at Grantham Town..... I always rated him in his early days at Notts but as usual something went wrong..... 

7 minutes ago, gtownjohnno said:

A bit off topic but just noticed Blair Adams playing for South Shields today at Grantham Town..... I always rated him in his early days at Notts but as usual something went wrong..... 

I’d forgot all about him, yes a good player on his day.

0-0 half time, I’m listening on the radio it doesn’t sound like a very exciting game.

1-0 Stead penalty after great work from Boldwijn

GET IN

1-0 what a great win for Notts, so pleased for the 800+ fans who travelled including our own @Chris @Magic magpie And @LozCloughSLO save journey back folks.

Not a good game but a great result, we'll take it and build further.

Neither side looked 'good' but I do feel Macclesfield looked more lively, as I mentioned in my scouting report - they panic and if they took a little bit longer to decent how best to finish chances. Well, I think they could have caused us more trouble. Notts was very flat though, there was no signs of a game plan and I say this not to be negative but to give my honest opinion of the game.

The usual players that 'lift' us, well they wasn't in the zone and I can't blame them for all the minutes they've put in.

I would have taken Jon Stead off today, he wasn't coping and he looked unable to cause trouble. Instead of bringing on Nathan Thomas, I would have taken Stead off and introduced Kristian Dennis. Also, Shaun Brisley should have gone off sooner - he gets a lot of stick these days but he did struggle to be effective.

Harry Kewell didn't seem to understand how to plan Macclesfield or how to change the tactics to get us going, however it's three massive points on the road and a fantastic win.

I was only able to listen today but I was incredibly surprised to hear Brisley in centre mid. I get that he's big and he'll win headers but his passing and general skill level is pretty low, on his good day he's your basic, kick it, head it, win type of defender. I can only guess he was a kind of stopper and I can't imagine he really helped build any attacks. It's also not exactly a vote of confidence for the likes of Vaughan and Husin.

My only tiny gripe with Kewell would be substitutions, when we went a man down against Crawley I was surprised he didn't get fresher legs on quicker, we waited for about 20 minutes, they should have been on much sooner in my opinion. Likewise today, we didn't really have many opportunities until the pen, but he chose to keep it as it was. Why bring Dennis on with about 5 mins left, what is he supposed to achieve? He's proved can be very effective in this league, give him a bit more time.

That all said, not really complaining 9 points from the last 3 games is fantastic, unbeaten in 5 as well. On the whole it's a big improvement and it finally feels like our season has started!

 

4 hours ago, Fan of Big Tone said:

1-0 what a great win for Notts, so pleased for the 800+ fans who travelled including our own @Chris @Magic magpie And @LozCloughSLO save journey back folks.

Back safe and sound cheers mate ????????

Not the greatest of win but we got the points and moved up the table that is what counts .... but when u have ref that blows up for every little thing against the lads will be nervous to do anything 

Good away win that, I agree with the comments about having to win ugly but a draw wouldn't have been a bad thing.

Sometimes the weaker teams are the hardest to break down at home, people forget that it's the away form that usually suffers but I felt it was a building block. Just pleased with the win.

Just happy with the three points, Enzio chasing the ball for the penalty was class.

All the players will make mistakes at times but when a player doesn't give up, you have to give him credit. Brilliant penalty by Stead too.

Good win but not good football, Notts played like a team that wasn't well drilled and nothing changed. The point seemed to be what the club was going for but I am delighted with Enzio Boldewijn for pushing.

Steady Stead! Sometimes, it's not how well he plays but just his work rate, for me! He does 'Boss' the younger players too (but in a much 'nicer, more respectful' way than the previous foul-mouthed Captain) and seems to know who to put where, to achieve our aims. Thought he was really unlucky not to get the penalty due to him for being knocked clean into the hoardings by their No.20, too!

(I did hear Sir Les tell a story last Season where he was at an Away match with Ian Scanlon... As they had Tea beside the 4th Official, they commented how Stead had been extremely unlucky at the match, not to have been given a Penalty for being knocked down, to which the 4th official replied, "Everyone in the League knows how easily Stead goes down!" With this in mind, (and THAT 'reputation') perhaps THAT's the reason Stead's deserved awards aren't given to him?)

Not a 'pretty' same of football to travel away for, yesterday; but overjoyed to have returned home with 3 points!

Lovely travelling companions in Mark and Chris; who somehow seemed to compare the 'up's/down's and bumps' of the Peak District roads/inclines (and my driving), with a Goose Fair ride! (Your views, not mine btw, chaps; as I was fully in control of the wheel/vehicle at all times, throughout)!

Very impressed with the Macclesfield Town F.C. Announcer AND the fact that everyone fully observed our applause in the 22nd minute for young (22) Ryan Parkins, lost tragically this week to a roadside accident. Sometimes, 'life' and it's tragedies, has a way of bringing us all back down to Earth, and reminding us what's really important besides football, eh?

 R.I.P. Ryan.

 

I dared to dream we could win again and the dream come true .... just hope we don’t lose momentum now. Fantastic 9 points!

the result was more than just three points, it was massive.

i am glad that they pushed and got clipped for the penalty, it sounds like the officials was very poor but at least notts won.

Highlights:

Reactions from Elliott Ward and Notts manager Harry Kewell.

 

The win is more than enough for fans to be happy with, I am pleased Jon Stead sunk the penalty so well. The Macclesfield keeper had no chance!

Overall, we can’t moan too much. We needed to play ugly and hard to win for a while, so can’t really complain when we do just that. Pleased by Enzio and Stead and Fritz looking solid. It seems, for the moment, we have a good formula. The test, which Nolan failed imo, is the ability to change it up when needed because we don’t want to become reliant on the ugly wins. We want to win convincingly. At the moment HK is playing it safe. Hence the Brisley game. By all accounts he wasted the shirt so will Kate HK think more seriously about how we change it up.

I am more than happy with the three points, over the performance. Winning pretty is great but there is a lot of satisfaction from winning ugly.

80th minute mark I felt like the game would end up a tie and the win can be thankful for the excellent save by Fitzsimons. I hope he has overcome the blip he went through. Beating Macclesfield is a good result but the performances away from home do need work.