Chris

I felt very disappointed today, almost to the verge that I felt there was no hope. I came home and spent time with my family trying my hardest to forget about the result, it's difficult because I do care a lot about Notts County. I still can't put into words how I feel or what can be done to resolve this issue, this will be a real nightmare for Neal Ardley. The performance was off from the start, I don't see how anyone could say we played well for the first 10 minutes. Macclesfield looked good and well drilled, from the moment the game began they appeared like a side which had a point to prove and this made it hard for Notts to get a feel for the game. Their first goal was always going in, nothing Ross Fitzsimons could have done and I felt sorry for him. Why is nobody attempting to throw themselves in the line of the ball? It's all the basic things this Notts squad is struggling with. I felt Macclesfield should have left having won us easily, yet pulling level allowed us to give them a game and after that goal we didn't do anything to go 2-1 up. We just stopped and conceded. The most disappointing thing for me is how I feel Macclesfield seemed happy to take the three points by leading 1-0, even after we scored it looked like they was happy with a draw. Reckless play gave the game away, it's so frustrating because it should have made the players respond. Confidence and a lot of other things are killing us off.

Massive game and something Neal Ardley should carefully approach. It's important the balance between defending and attacking is met, however until Enzio returns I fear Notts don't have enough pace on the wings and this is something which would be useful. Macclesfield would thrive on Notts attacking via the centre of the park, so injecting speed and players able to be direct could work. It might be worth giving Andy Kellett a go. I don't know, I just feel it could be one of those games where the same squad doesn't quite manage to get the right result. The games a must win match, so despite me saying in the PONcast that I would rest Jon Stead - perhaps he should start? Kristian Dennis and Kane Hemmings could do the trick but I'm just thinking neither really hold the play up or link in others, Stead is a true grafter of this.

Does anyone else have that optimistic match day feeling back? I feel like Notts aren't guaranteed a loss and it's refreshing, hopefully the unknown can be eventually switched to the hope of winning because this alone for the players would give them confidence. It's going to be a difficult game but team work is key here, defend as a united and attack as a group. Don't limit space, find gaps and make room - chances will naturally come if this happens. I still feel the game will end 2-2 but I would take that. COYP!

It's a tough game, Grimsby at home are usually quite lethal. Neal Ardley needs to avoid changes where possible, I'm not sure tactically there are any that I would suggest other than Rob Milsom being switched out. I just felt he offered little against Tranmere and from what I was told he went missing against Mansfield. It's been like that for a few games now, so give someone else a chance. At the back, I wouldn't change Dan Jones simply for the fact we need to see if he can fix the issues from the previous games. Up top I would go for Kane Hemmings and Jon Stead again. Switching Stead for Kristian Dennis once he tires. Likewise reserve other subs for players who are either weakening the team or are tired.

Notts played well. Nobody can say the game wasn't exciting and Neal Ardley seems to have done wonders with the defence, early on it looked different and a lot better. Yes there was obvious issues with Dan Jones and Elliott Hewitt (the latter having done okay) but it was a decent team performance. I felt Tranmere looked okay, nothing flash. I feel the tactics and starting line-up greatly helped Notts. Tranmere wasn't able to dig in as quickly as I assumed they would and Notts controlled things well. Fantastic win! Yes two goals conceded but if these issues can be resolved with more time. I think it looks brighter for the club, as Ardley seems very hands on from the touch line and the subs was superb in my eyes. They corrected what was going wrong which is the whole reason for having them!

Tranmere Rovers seem a very capable side. They don't show any fear in taking players on, I think it's important Elliott Ward and Jamie Turley start in the CB positions because they won't shy away from their duties. In the centre of the park we need to be more mindful and certainly creative, if we run into danger - I can see Tranmere easily winning the ball back. I don't feel confident and I think this is mostly down to the unknowns. I think they're mostly likely going to win and 2-0 seems about right. I hope I'm wrong because Notts needs the points.

Nathan Thomas switches off. He's been only average and he doesn't have the work rate needed, Neal Ardley has a task to get him on the same page but at the same time he's unlikely to be dropped.

Game over! 2-0 Mansfield. The second half sounds poor, the fight seems gone and I feel for the fans who have managed to attend. It could get painful but the fact Mansfield are singing that we are going down. What a joke of a club. Notts will be fine but I will take snippets of the game both video and audio and ensure the players can see how pain. This a shame.

If Notts can re-group and remain focused at the back a goal may come. I still feel the match will end 2-1 and I'm hoping Notts can grab a goal in order to push Mansfield. I think the game probably favours Mansfield now but if I was Neal Ardley I would bombard the Stags defence. Let's get a goal and try to take the game with some form of fight.

I am not remotely bothered about Notts having lost, however I do feel annoyed that Sunderland fielded the squad that they did because it takes the p out of the competition. Is the money really going to make a massive difference to them?

It's going to be a difficult game for Notts. I still feel the scoreline could end up 2-1 but god knows who too. Notts will need to trouble Mansfield's defence and I can see them setting themselves fully expecting Neal Ardley's men to play through the middle since we lack pace on the flanks. This is something I feel could give Notts some way to get into the game, I wouldn't start three up top and I would allow the team to play too deep. Battle of the midfield as always.

Notts needs to stop sacking managers and actually work towards overcoming the issues, once Meadow Lane becomes toxic that's it but smarter appointments is needed. Harry Kewell failed because he got ahead of himself after winning three games in a row. Neal Ardley needs to avoid thinking he can throw anyone wherever he feels, play players in form and in their strongest position. I hope he can be here for many years.

Honestly, I hope Neal Ardley plays some of the outsiders for this game. If he has an idea that 4-5 players are in starting line-up, use the remaining spaces to formulate an idea on who might take the chance to shine. I don't really care about the result but it would give something positive for the Mansfield game if we worked out which players are ready and prepared to fight.

First half Notts defended with 9 players plus the keeper. We couldn't string a pass really and Steve Chettle had the defensive line far too deep. Defensively Notts got lucky, as Carlisle United moved the ball nicely and created some good chances which they're guilty of being very wasteful of. I felt they look very confident until they struck the ball but a lot of praise for me should be given to Jamie Turley who battled and tried to win everything. In the second half Notts always do better when they attack the Kop. Chettle claims he changed things but this isn't true, we started off exactly the same as we ended the first half but grew in confidence as the game progressed, When Notts started knocking on the door, we looked bright and lively. After Nathan Thomas missed a sitter (decent save by Adam Collin) - I felt Notts look very likely to score. Instead of committing a few players forward, we actually had attacking players and we look good for a spell. This was until we scored, then we parked the bus back. Isolated Kristian Dennis and never properly pushed for a second. Notts grew quite tired of chasing everything, as the main players doing a lot of running - i.e Dennis, Hewitt, Jones seemed knackered and this gave Carlisle a sense that they could get something. Honestly after they scored, I feel they should have won the game because they played some restless stuff. Chettle IS NOT a talented manager, I feel sorry for him but he's utterly clueless and anyone who says otherwise wouldn't have seen what the 4k attending yesterday did.

Poor performance? Not good but at the same time it wasn't that bad. Notts just parked the bus, there was no attack and Kristian Dennis was isolated. After Notts scored, we should have pushed for a second. I think we are lucky too, as Carlisle should have shut the door on us. They was wasteful but fairly decent.

Carlisle United tend to know how to exactly break down a team, if we defend as we tend to do - well I would favour them. It's all about the midfield battle, if we allow them to control the game it will be harder to get something. If Notts can defend aswell as they attack then we stand a chance, I'm not looking forward to it and I think the kop might be depressing. I'm actually considering seeing if I can switch. I don't care about paying more, it's just not a good vibe when the tension is so high. Notts does need to get something from the game though.

I would have taken the draw before the game, so I see no reason to complain. I understand why fans would feel we lost 3 points but at the end of the day we always look likely to concede and it's a hard thought point. Hopefully it gives Neil Ardley an insight into what must be done so that he can aid further improvements, I did listen to the game and I can't comment much else. It sounded like we did enough to warrant the lead which is pleasing to see.

Morecambe could surprise me and play attacking minded football, yet I suspect a scrappy physical team tomorrow. I hope Notts have done their home work. Games are lost on the day but not completely outplayed, if Chettle is as talented as some people claim - he won't find this hard. If he is a good coach, then he will know what exactly needs doing.

@ivansneck It's automated, I need to amend this but I've been busy as of late with many different things. ???? I don't expect anything from the game either, I feel Steve Chettle needs a solid plan leading into the game. IF Paul Hart is having a say on things, then he should be aware how to break a team down like Morecambe. We need to be physical back, smart and mindful about picking up cards. Play the ball down when we can, keep it in the air to win ground - from the back I don't care if Notts hoofs it to the midfield but they need to pass it. My worries is that whoever is making the tactical decisions, they don't think outside of the box. Cheltenham should never have battered Notts, the tactics and lack of game plan allowed it to happen. It made it easy, Saturday we need to work well and make it harder.

Notts played okay until they scored, it wasn't terrible until then. Enzio Boldewijn and Kristian Dennis worked well. The issue was the defence, Jamie Turley is no right back and the partnership in CB was terrible. Turley should have played there.

One striker? Enzio Boldewijn floating around? It's never going to work. Enzio I'd clearly a winger and he did okay but he needs to be disciplined. Roaming doesn't suit him at all. The midfield wasn't very good, defensive Notts was deep and the engine never got going. First goal stung Notts, second goal finished us off. The players was never going to respond, let's not blame them and can we focus on supporting the next manager.

As the game builds I hope fans in attendance will be mindful and supportive, if the players don't perform well - it's something that must be accepted. The clubs without a manager and no blame should fall on Steve Chettle. I just don't want to go and regret doing so because morons decide to be abusive or negative. It's been thankfully unlike this but sometimes some are quick near to where I sit to forget about certain things, the game won't be easy but we could do well. Forget about the previous scores, results and our league position. Go out and stick to a game plan and try to impress.

Who took charge against Doncaster Rovers tonight? Paul Hart?? I wouldn't rush to make an appointment, especially leading up to a game - they tend to sit them out anyway. I would like to see whoever took charge in the EFL Cup game and see if they can spark some revival. It's important Notts gets on with the task, it's a game I could see us winning but at the moment I am a little unsure.

Doncaster Rovers ah? well this will be exciting even for such a tin pot cup.

Jake informed me whilst we on our way to see my mum, he said then it was 2-0. I'm not bothered, a good cup run would have been nice but I didn't expect win because we have no momentum right now.