Chris

Victories sometimes are lost by focusing too much on playing pretty football, yet it was a decent game - quite exciting in fact. I left the game feeling like my club is on the verge of finding the right path, let's make it clear - we won't win every game. Notts has never been a side that turns over opposition teams and we are in the National League for a reason. Wrexham played well, I thought they look good on the counter and played neat passing football. First half they had a tendency to drop to the floor in an attempt to break up the play or just disrupt it. It's probably the best team performance I have seen for quite a while, attacking wise we played very well. Wrexham caused some issues at the back, so early on in the season, I think those kind of misfortunes are natural. It's something Neal Ardley needs to stomp out over the course of the season. I absolutely agree with the harshness of benching some of the best performers from the Harrogate win, however, there might be a valid reason such as fitness or slight niggles. Back to the game, Regan Booty looks a class player. He threw his heart into the first half and I honestly feel he played well. I know some fault him for the goal conceded, yet even experienced players ball up and this is the second time he's played for us. Wes Thomas looked a threat, when you run with his type of pace, it's difficult to slow down to pick out the perfect pass. I felt every player tried, even Michael Doyle (although his work rate could be better). The team played as one, they seemed united in moving together and I feel the signs are promising. I think this team could become something special, provided everything continues to work in the right direction.

Some Wrexham fans are giving it 'large' on social media, going on about them being a big club and how Notts is Nottingham Forests B team - very weak banter at best. They're not a sleeping giant, just like us, we have found ourselves exactly where we belong but at least Nottingham isn't Wrexham. To the game, I just think Notts needs to control it by passing wisely. Wrexham has a few good players, they're a decent team, but nothing special. Exactly nothing to be afraid of, if they win it will either be down to being better on the day or poor defensive play by Notts. I am quite confident we could make it two back-to-back wins.

This is going to sound bad, however, I have been busy and I forgot all about Notts playing. I saw Notts had scored a penalty, I was pleased and a little nervous from that point. I think this win is quite a big result for Notts, hopefully the team take shape from here. Just very pleased to see Sam Osborne gaining praise for his performance and of course the 3 points.

Both teams started quite well, I felt Notts was the better side for about 35 minutes and the lack of a clinical striker up top was very apparent. I keep being told Notts requires a tall striker, which I agree with but against Barnet it wouldn't have changed much. Notts needs to learn to be more direct, there's a lot more pace in this season's squad, but they're very ineffective with using it correctly. The issue is, we felt bombarding Barnet would have lead with a second goal for us. However, it left us wide open and defensively, it's just not there at the moment. Once Notts concedes, confidence is lost throughout the team and I felt the play after this point became extremely wasteful. In recent weeks, I have felt Mitch Rose has been our best player but he underperformed massively. Enzio Boldewijn is an absolute luxury, did he play well? No, voted as the Man of the Match for simply scoring a wonderful effort. Ben Turner did well at the back, yet the mistake for me was dropping Pierce Bird, who has been quite solid I feel in recent games. The inexperience of Sam Graham, and I'm sorry to point this out really made it easier for Barnet. The fact to the side of him, Dion Kelly-Evans struggled not only with Barnet's height but also their pace. Both of these played well in the first half, yet quickly became the point of threat via The Bee's attack. I would be tempted to use Kristian Dennis has a bargaining chip, his stature and persistent injuries make it hard for me to see how he can be successful in this league. He tried, however, he didn't look effective at all and I realise he's the only natural goal scorer on our books who seems capable of scoring 15-20 goals - whilst I would love this to happen in Notts colours too, I just don't see it happening now that I have seen him against established National League sides. Honestly, I feel if the club can target signing a target man/someone who can hold the ball up - swapping Dennis for a taller and more suitable striker might make the world of a difference. The confidence and pace of this Notts squad will have teams worried, we'll be hard to play, but the goals conceded won't disappear until we learn to sit on the play and attack games properly.

I think this game should be more open, Barnet are likely to want to play proper football and have a decent standard. I really feel Neal Ardley needs to drop playing one striker, at least have two strikers close together - as it limits the chances. I felt the midfield was more creative and confident against Stockport, Mitch Rose is a good captain in my eyes as he's a calm influence. Notts needs to learn to defend without committing too early, protect Slocombe and get the ball back to the players who can damage Barnet. Saying this, I know he will score, but I would drop Enzio Boldewijn. He seems a luxury still and wastes a lot of chances someone more 'passing' minded would enable someone else to benefit from.

It was a good performance, the signs throughout the game was there, but it's hard to see where the goals will come from right now. The loss of Nathan Tyson is a blow, he worked hard and chased the ball. A single striker seems to limit things, even if the wider players are supposed to support him - I don't think this is the case. Defensively, Notts looked patchy and I don't get why there's such a fan following Dion Kelly-Evans. I felt he made the side quite vulnerable due to his stature and lack of defensive mind. Good going forward, quite mediocre at the back. Sam Slocombe is a big improvement, I would fear right now if he wasn't in goal because Stockport County had several chances that should have been scored. I think a draw is a fair result, both teams attacked and missed chances. Their goal felt like a sucker punch, yet I didn't understand why Neal Ardley threw two defenders on, when it was clear Notts needed another goal. A goal which never seemed likely to come back of the limitations up top, this said I enjoyed the class and the standard of football isn't that bad at all.

I think Neal Ardley must start with two strikers, having them play out wide as he does with Kane Hemmings isn't effective and Nathan Tyson tried but he's isolated. With both teams having lost, I think both will want to win - I'd be surprised if Stockport sat back. We might have more of the play, yet at set pieces Notts must be tighter to their man when defending. It's going to be a good game hopefully, just hope we can keep going if Stockport tries to break the play up as Eastleigh did, I'd take a draw if I am honest as it takes some of the nerves off but hoping we can grab our first win.

I think it shown how the players haven’t had long to train together, they looked very flaky and at times very unsure defensively. Straight from the off I could see the weak areas, Oxlade-Chamberlain really didn’t have a good game. Michael Doyle played poor, he’s a lot like Richard Duffy with how he whines and complains about things - yet fails to get stuck in. I’m not impressed, it’s made worse by his sending off. For me, Notts wasn’t creative enough. At times the play was decent, yet someone would always rush things. It shows what this league is all about, yet I’m not overly disappointed. Eastleigh played a smart game, they knew when to break our attacks and how to punish Notts. They could have been 3 up at least, so losing by a single goal shows that if lessons Steve learnt here and the players apply themselves better, results can come. The first few fixtures are games whereby clubs feel each other out, start to get full fitness in the squad and establish a regular starting 11. This would help massively, yet creatively it should be better.

I don't think Matt Tootle will be back, he's expected to be okay for Tuesday night though. Overall I quite like the look of the lineup mentioned above my post, I think the pace would be there and Turner must start.

I honestly don't know what to expect, later I aim to watch how Eastleigh has played over the past couple of years and this past pre-season. The game will probably start off slow, I think Notts should be mindful of going straight at them, but I would hope we could try to space things out early on. Get a real feel for the opposition, of course an early goal would ease things, but the game won't be that easy. The loss of Kristian Dennis and Matt Tootle will be a blow, fingers crossed Nathan Tyson is signed in time. Remaye Campbell could be close to starting. Bring on Eastleigh! #COYP

Honestly, it took me a while to accept the massive drop, but I am actually eager to get back on the road. Some of the fixtures will be decent, I'm just not looking forward to seeing Meadow Lane less buzing.

Kane Hemmings did well considering we pushed him out wide and failed to partner him with someone, I think provided he stays scoring won't be an issue as in the National League we should have people who can chip in - I honestly feel Tom Crawford will come good and be one of those players who adds to the goal tally for the club. There needs to be some brute force in defence, yet Notts needs to find two very good centre backs that can form a good partnership. Hoof it when needed, yet bring it down and pass with confidence when possible. Very good write up @George.

My very first season was whilst Mick managed Notts, I recall my grandfather being unhappy that we had sacked the manager before him (Neil Warnock) and I believe we was somewhere like 4th in the old First Division (now the Championship). I was too young to realise that we had been relegated before that from the top flight and narrowly missed out on being a part of the first Premier League season (Oldham and Swindon made it though). I recall the football though, it was pretty entertaining and the squad Notts had worked well together. I'm not sure why we let Mick go TBH, again too young at the time.

Pierce Bird will be a key player if he's given a chance next season, we need to sign an experienced centre back to assist him and it's a shame Mike Edwards isn't younger (as I believe that's the type of player who'd help). Will Patching and Tom Crawford must be given a chance, Crawford especially since he's stood out at the National League level. There's no point having passengers, these are the signings Notts must avoid so it will be interesting to see who Neal Ardley will choose to give his backing.

Good views, thanks @liampie. I would keep Neal Ardley myself, I think Mel is absolutely right about stability. Its key for success and I think there's more chance of establishing ourselves as a good National League team within our first season with him at the helm. We don't need another season where the manager is guessing who to play.

Good luck to Jon, I know there's talk of him retiring, but I have also heard he might stay on for another year and join a League Two team. I suspect he'll hang his boots up, as this falls into what he's mentioned. He came across as quite grumpy and somewhat rude towards the end of his time at Notts, before that always a standout as one of the best to engage with fans. I'm happy with the retained list, however, it would have been nice to hang on to Jim O'Brien - he gave his all for Notts. That standard needs to be met by any new signings next season.