I've been pacing myself this week, trying not to get too excited too early in the week. It's Thursday so the excitement is bubbling. I should come to the boil around 15 mins before kick off lol. This is a massive game. Absolutely massive. It's an opportunity to get back to the FL. We don't belong in the NL, we are a league club, full stop. To be fair, Chesterfield are a FL club and belong in the FL, but this about Notts. Let Chesterfield look after themselves. It will be a game filled with tension and expectation. The pressure on both teams will be immense. I think it will go to penalties. Notts to win. I can't and won't contemplate defeat. Let's do it for the fans in the stands, the fans at home and especially for those who are no longer with us, what a fitting tribute that would be. I'm getting a bit emotional now.....

Hopefully the first of 3 big games, each we will have to win. Adrenalin rush waiting for Saturday #COYP 

I hope Notts starts with s steady pace, I don't rate Chesterfield's defence at all but if we throw caution to the wind - I can see us making it harder for ourselves.

For me, I expect it to be a close game and perhaps a stalemate for the majority of it.

As I suggested in another topic, I would start Enzio and Miller and allow Rodrigues to come on from off the bench.

I fully expect Chesterfield to play at a quicker pace than us, they'll look to counter at times and I think this will lead to them tiring out.

Can't call this at all. Chesterfield's form is just as good as ours and their pressing tactics were very effective the last time the sides met. But I think and hope we'll approach this one very differently.

I'm just going to chew my fingernails and hope for the best. Hopefully this time tomorrow we'll be a step closer to Wembley Ashton Gate...

Going off on a slight tangent here, it seems there used to be a bit of a trend of the losing play-off finalist coming back and winning the year after:

2015: Bristol Rovers 1-1 Grimsby (BR win on pens)

2016: Forest Green Rovers 1- Grimsby Town 3

2017: Forest Green Rovers 3-1 Tranmere Rovers

2018: Boreham Wood 1-2 Tranmere Rovers

I wouldn't mind bringing that back! Or have I cursed us by mentioning it?

Notts started well. Put Chesterfield under pressure. Then a 30 yard free kick gives them the lead. Should it have been saved? Maybe. Then a mix up and Wotton takes advantage. Have to say Chesterfield's second was a classic counter attack and clinically finished off. Nice goal. Notts need to take the game to Chesterfield in the second half. Chesterfield will be happy to counter. Squeaky bum time. 

That was character. I'm going to need a stiff drink before I get my thoughts into some kind of order. 

You pies! 

That was nerve wracking! I was really worried at half time. I thought they’d just sit back, time waste and proper s’house their way to a win – and they gave it a good go until it we got it back to 2-2!

IB talks about wanting to attack and we’re not shy when it comes to throwing players forward but christ that high line with only Ellis back trying to then step out made me panic! Ellis v Tyson was only ever going one way when it came to pace and maybe if we’re going to be that open at times next season we’ll need someone quicker there…

And that’s just part 1 of 3 done! I need the week to recover now!

Speak about putting us through the wringer. Ups and downs the whole game. Crowd were superb and it’ll be one to remember for a while.

Cracking end to game. Heart in mouth stuff occasionally, but it’s never easy being a Notts fan.

Enjoyed being part of it. Liked my seats as well. Dead centre in the JS stand. Would be happy to sit there regularly!

 

IB is certainly going for the high risk, high reward strategy. Not good for the blood pressure but it's bloody exciting. It's fun to watch, if you are a neutral! Is it better than what went before? Yes is my answer. It's invigorating!

Great spirit shown and great result. Torquay away next, 12.00 kick off seems strange.

Torquay haven't won any of their last 4 games.  1-2 Pies.

I was casually checking for updates whilst enjoying a beverage outside a pub in Skegness, felt disheartened when I saw Chesterfield took the lead and the next time I checked it was 2-1.

The responses of comments I read on social media wasn't encouraging, I thought it was going to end up 2-1 to them.

Then I got a goal notification that Kyle Wootton had scored, I felt encouraged and hoped he would bag his first hat trick for us. Surreal reaction when I jumped up, almost knocking the table as I shouted to my son that we had scored. I got a little nervous as the scorer wasn't named, so I was a bit mindful that it might be disallowed. Thankfully, Ellis popped up and I can't say how I hated keeping tabs on updates from the 90+ mark.

I can't comment on the performance, though it seemed Chesterfield tried to kick off at times as a means to distract the game.

Fantastic comeback and win, if we can improve defensively against Torquay it could be happy days. It's a positive change to see fans optamistic about the clubs' progression, I think we as a fan base is largely behind Ian Burchnhall now.

The response when the third goal went in, every Notts fans reaction! Great win.