Leaderboard

Hmm, not a tough choice really. Only 2 candidates for me, McDonald, who defended on his own in the 1st half and provided composure on the ball and was solid in everything he did. Iorpenda provided energy & grit, which was sadly lacking in Norburn today. I’d go for McDonald, simply because Iorpenda’s end product & final ball often let him down - but he was the only player offering any threat until Luker came on. We need their Glover (15) & Stead (10), not to mention the gigantic Chinedu (22). They were the 3 outstanding players on the pitch today. I’d have had a contract in Glover’s hand before he reached the touchline when they subbed him. We have no one with that pace, energy & creativity. He tore Bennetts apart from wing back then moved into central midfield and ran the show. Yes, he conceded the penalty but we have no one who’d have got back from the opposition’s box to make the challenge!

Performance does not really matter at this stage. What matters is going into the final run with some level of consistency, especially with the chance that even if we beat Barnet, we could still be sitting right on the edge of the playoffs. Winning is what counts now, and these points could be the difference between automatic promotion and the playoffs. The match might feel tense, but I think Martin Paterson will have pushed the players hard after the last defeat. Winning in a scrappy way can help rebuild belief, and once that belief returns, performances often follow. Football is never simple with Notts County, but getting the result is what keeps the season alive.

I’m not sure how much form counts in the play-offs. Take last season, Chesterfield were the in-form team whereas Walsall since January had been struggling, yet they won 4-1 overall and were than a tad unlucky to lose in the final. We have been a bit better this season against the stronger teams in the division overall and on our good days we can compete with the best teams in the division. For me we should almost go into them with a nothing to lose attitude, no sitting back playing for 1-0s. Go man for man, press hard, front-foot brave attacking football. If we lose we lose but at least do it having tried to be positive. Jatta back will be a massive boost and if we can get Tsaroulla, Tangen and Robbo back too I’d be even more optimistic. If it is to be play-offs I’d be more hopeful than last season so that’s something (assuming we avoid Salford!)

I don't know. The problem with the play-offs is that you have an opponent! Usually one that really, really wants to win and to beat them you usually have to want it more. It's as much about will as it is about skill. It's not about being 'nice' or 'nasty' but you've got to be really competitive and it doesn't look like we are (again).

I totally think you can get out this league playing the way we do, just my opinion, I think we are just a couple of pieces short in the puzzle. At the start of last season, we had the luxury of both Crowley and Didzy in the attacking midfield roles… It’s tragic that Crowley has only started 13 matches for MK this season and spent more time off the pitch than on it. I hurts me to think where we’d be if we had players with the quality of these two... No idea if we missed out on certain targets, I think we probably did due to the late loanee signings, but going into this season and basically asking a handful of very inexperienced 20-year-olds to shine in this position was too much.

I believe the performance will be better, but I want to see the lads show that they are trying. This doesn't mean I don't think they are, but having watched the Cambridge United game and seeing us unable to really trouble them even though their keeper got sent off, resulting in them going down to 10 men. How vital that game was, we didn't give anywhere near as good of an account that we should have. Barnet shouldn't be underestimated, but on paper it shouldn't be as difficult. There needs to be more urgancy to get the ball forward, and certainly more zonal awareness at the back. James Belshaw can't be left exposed so easily, because these 3 remaining games could ease pressure off us if we handle them right and the results go our way. I agree that having 4 at the back would give us some stability. It could always switch during the game, as I also like the idea of two strikers. Now it is crucial we get the most out of what remains, and I just hope the results go our way. As per usual, and I keep saying this, it will go down to the very last game of the season.

There was a lot wrong with last weekend’s performance, mostly defending set-pieces, but luckily Barent aren’t a big physical side and in theory shouldn't worry us in that way. But they are still a good side who have beaten Cambridge and MK Dons recently and with an outside chance of play-offs they’ll need the 3 points as much as we do… Should be a cracker, but we thought that last weekend! I think Jatta is still missing, so purely for his goal threat I’d have Dennis starting. I wouldn’t be against him and Ndlovu upfront, but I would be against a midfield three of Palmer, Norburn and Iorpenda which I think would likely back them up… Right now I’m all for the win-loss run continuing, just for this weekend anyway!

I agree, and to that end I would suggest another crack at 4-4-2, at least for the first 60 minutes. Play Browne with Ness in the middle, Jones and Bennetts as attacking midfielders, and Dennis with Ndlovu up top. We need to scrap for points in each of our last 3 games, in order to gain a bit of confidence after last weekend, and we also need to develop some versatility and unpredictability to tackle the playoffs.

I initially went for McDonald, but with two goals conceded it just took the the shine of it. But great to see him back! So my pick is Iorpenda, not his best game in a Notts shirt, but he epitomisies the desire and will to make something happen especially in a team performance that was lacking ideas and quality.

You’re absolutely right there. One thing we know about the club is that they’re not always ready to react when bad stuff happens Like when Luke Williams left When Montague left When Crowley left followed by Didzy The No10 positions have been an absolute nightmare this season, yet we play to a system that depends on that area for creativity and production (goals and assists) which have been chronically lacking

I also went with Palmer, just for the kind of default he did what he does. It was good to get McDonald back, I thought he did well too, I just feel more assured with in the middle than Ness... (even though we lost!)

I kind of feel like we’ve ended up in a situation where Iorpenda has become the go to attacking midfielder because none of the other players are really up to scratch. Luker is just back from a serious knee-injury, Hall has got worse as the season progressed and Grant sitting on the bench when we needed a goal tells a story... I agree he should be playing alongside one of either Palmer or Norburn in CM. I don't think the Palmer and Norburn partnership works because they are too similar in terms of style. And playing them both also means we have no other genuine central midfielders on the bench. If we potentially want fresh legs for the last 30 minutes or so we have none! The side just feels a tad lacking and unbalanced at the minute, and we've also had the situation where basically for a whole season we’ve had no natural right-footed wingback, that for me has been a massive hindrance. Anyway as for today, it seems the pressure has got to the players, it was far from a confident performance or one where they were up for the challenge of catching Cambridge. The thought of the play-offs just fills me with dread, especially if we have to play Salford again.

I picked Palmer as well, although he feels almost like a default choice. He consistently does his thing. Yet I feel we lack a character next to him, a Bish type, somebody who steps forward when it counts and refuses to be beaten. Palmer is Mr Reliable, but we need more.

I'm so fed up of us failing at the crucial moment and having to watch other teams' fans celebrate instead. We were scrappy, wasteful in possession and vulnerable at the back. "They wanted it more" is overused in football, but it certainly looked like Barnet did today. They weren't special, but they were a little bit sharper, a bit faster to claim loose balls, a bit more confident. Playoffs it is then. I've got zero expectations. Looking at the table, it's agonisingly close. If we had drawn against Cambridge (and let's not forget we were playing ten men for most of that one) and lost today, we would be third now. The bar isn't that high yet somehow we're managing to miss it.

I think that last Saturday's match against Cambridge, demonstrated that possession is not the be all or end all when it comes to being successful in a football match. If the players are not motivated to play their socks off to win this match then they shouldn't be playing in the black and white. It's as simple as that. Hopefully, there will be a good crowd to cheer them over the line. The crowd can play a big part in doing that because it will be a very hard match against a side that is 2nd in the form league.

It is very simple, play as we did last weekend and we are toast, play to our potential then get ready for promotion. 🙈🙉🙊 COYP ⚽️🥇

The main thing I want to see on Saturday is desire. This time last year we were letting every opponent get what they want, and we perfected that generosity in the play-offs. Barnet need wins, draws aren't that much use to them... I want autos as much as anybody, but if the game's difficult I'd be happy to see us stop them getting want they want. A bad-tempered draw would at least show we care and we won't be pushovers any more, continuing for anyone we face in the play-offs. Just don't end this season like the last one. If we fall short, let us go down kicking and screaming and fighting for every last ball.

What's the point in having players suspended if they can just bring in a replacement outside the window? Where's the punishment? They've got a reserve keeper, they should have had to use him. How is it fair that Cambridge are allowed to bring in an experienced replacement for their suspended player despite already having an alternative, while we have to do without our top scorer for three games?

Why ever was Ness playing at Right back when Macari was on the bench!!!!!he's a centre back.....he was found out several times......for me he should be played there....no where else....iam guessing it was an experiment to fit Mcdonald in....it's the wrong time of the season to be experimenting!!!!!!!!

This season has a last season feeling to it. Our philosophy will only get you so far in League 2 and unfortunately it looks like we have reached that limit again. I hope I'm wrong of course but.....

Ive gone with Iorpenda

I feel that some of fan base is casting around for something to blame for the collapse in form just when it matters. In all of that, Martin Paterson is in danger of getting off too lightly. He's done well overall and I don't think he's in too much danger - but we shouldn't forget he's a 38 year-old rookie coach who has made mistakes. How much has he taken on board input from the 'Technical Board'? We don't know...but his stubbornness with Iorpenda is a case in point IMO. "Tom will score goals'' was his early refrain, but his 3 in 44 have only come from the few games he started deeper in Central Midfield. He sees the game more from there, is under less pressure, and benefits from coming from deep. But instead of that, we have had the poor Gagliardi signing Norburn, who is the wrong partner for Palmer. Macari has played lovely football this year, but he's taken every opportunity to drop or sub him, instead of building the confidence of one of our best footballers. Bennetts shouldn't have been anywhere near the team today after his 3/10 last week. He was even worse today. I think some fans give him the benefit of the doubt because he seems like a 'strong character' but I wonder how easy he is to work with. Is he collaborative and willing to take on board input from others? I'm still excited about what we can achieve with him next season (and maybe still this one), but the Bros need to remember it was our DoF who gave us one the best season of attacking football we've ever seen plus a promotion. If MP can work with that - great. If not, let's find another Luke Williams.

Kind of deja vu, I got Palmer over Ness - the only two who verged on being good IMO. And that's doesn't include any captaincy issues - it's just based on the play that we saw. Maybe Palmer looks good compared to the ineffective, inactive Norburn beside him. The worst? Well that was a contender for worst individual game of the season from Bennetts today. The subs were really poor too.

Oh dear Notts. This season, like last, is turning into a slow motion car crash. We might scrape into the play-offs because of other teams playing each other. But with zero expectation. Hate to say it but at what point do we conclude the footballing side of the club is being badly run? Big crowds, good commercial set-up, transfer fees, data ... but 14 defeats and counting and zero success in the cups, all against pretty limited opposition.

Fantastic news on McDonald - welcome back to one of our best players this season. JJ we expected, but still great to see him on the team sheet. Dennis and Bennetts can consider themselves lucky - hoping for much better from them today

Ironically, as bad as the defeat last week was, Cambridge are by no means home and dry. They know they can still be overtaken and the pressure is on. What we need to see from Notts is a will and desire to go and get three wins. If we do that even if it’s not enough for promotion, I think most fans will be happy with that and the Cambridge disaster will be forgotten. However, ending the season with a whimper, many will feel let down and expect big changes for next season. We know wins in football are not guaranteed no matter who you are, but the will and desire to try is the bare minimum. COYP! Let’s do this!

Automatic promotion is still on the table. We need to win our last 3 and hope that is good enough. There's a decent chance that it might be enough. It's squeaky bum time.

We've still got a narrow path to automatic promotion and it starts tonight. We really need: Bromley to seal promotion by beating Cambridge (8pm) We beat Barnet (Sat) Cambridge fail to beat Grimsby (Tues) If that happens it's game on. Doesn't sound too far fetched?

It's an extension of the overprotection of keepers I think. They definitely should be treated as just another player when it comes to suspensions. You might have to put an outfield player in goal at sometime? That's fun. Everyone likes watching that. The rules should change, there shouldn't be an exception just because the player is a goalkeeper.

It's a good night for Notts after the Tuesday evening games Barrow 3 Oldham 2. Oldham can no longer threaten Notts for a playoff place. Chesterfield 2 Grimsby 1 A win for Notts on Saturday & Grimsby, who remain in 8th place would need to win all their remaining games to overtake Notts. I think that Notts are virtually secure of a playoff place.

Good morning to you lovely PONsters. Nice to hear that you are keeping a positive vibe @Chris i hope things keep ticking along and growing, remember Rome wasn't built in a day. This little chap greeted me this morning with beautiful song, and stayed all the time i was offloading the horse muck. I hope everyone has a great day, it's good to be alive. 🤠

#waffle1550 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 732 🧑‍🎤 #wafflesuperstar wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,766 3/6 🟨⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Have to agree @gtownjohnno He did the same with Platt (to accommodate Rodmac) v Chesterfield and he did his ACL sprinting back and forth down the line. MP's treatment of Macari (constantly subbing him and dropping him for CBs at times) has been one of his blindspots IMO. Either Rodmac was ready to come back or he wasn't, you gain nothing by putting another CB at Right Back for insurance I think Ness can play RCB OK, but not for a must win home game when it means supplanting one of your best ball users

#waffle1549 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 3 ⭐ #wafflerookie wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,765 4/6 🟨⬜🟨⬜⬜ 🟨⬜🟩⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

#waffle1549 2/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 6 ⭐ #wafflerookie wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,765 3/6 🟨⬜⬜⬜🟩 ⬜⬜🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,763 5/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟨🟨⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Final score . Bromley 0 Cambridge 0. Bromley have still not secured promotion. Notts can still overtake them if results go in Notts favour. The pressure is back on Cambridge. They do have an awkward last three games & Bromley's last two are not a given Latest League table.

#waffle1546 3/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 3 ⭐ #wafflerookie wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,762 6/6 ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨 ⬜🟩🟨🟨⬜ 🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜ 🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Phew

But Notts owners aren't investing in the squad, or buying the league. This confirms it! 🤣 I am very proud of the way the clubs are being run and operated, I do wish they would be more family focused and a little more open spirited towards all in the community. Yet none of this is down to the finances, and how fantastic it is that for once we are oeprating in a means that the club is safe, not just now but for the future too. Imagine if we beat Coventry and made it to League One when Alan Hardy owned us, how long until he ran out of money by throwing what he had at players and stuff? I appreciate the majority of improvements, but I still resent the focus on using the club to pally up with Ex-Premier League stars. Congratulations to the Reedtz family for making Notts healthier as we move forward.

#waffle1545 3/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 68 🥇 #wafflegoldteam wafflegame.net

Today's been difficult again, but I have made the most of it. Tomorrow regardless of how I feel, I am going to see Super with Jake. I have been talking to Mark (old admin) about the meals he cooked and provided feedback on the last two dishes he made. He's doing the job of a saint, and I can't thank him enough for doing it. It's not for any other reason than wanting to help Super and provide some quality food. I hope the rain isn't around tomorrow, or the wind. It's Berlin weather at times (take my breathe away).

On our walk this afternoon we were confronted by these little fellows, who after seemingly mistaking my shoelaces for worms proceeded to want to adopt us and followed us a long way until finally giving up. Guinea Fowl I believe.

Wordle 1,759 4/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟩⬜ ⬜⬜🟨🟩⬜ ⬜🟨🟨🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,758 4/6 🟩⬜⬜⬜⬜ 🟩⬜⬜🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,757 3/6 🟩⬜⬜🟨⬜ 🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,754 5/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨 🟨🟨🟨🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟨🟩🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩