Chris

Both teams are in similar form right now, only difference is the defeat Notts suffered to Chesterfield. Barrow have won 4 of their last 5 games, having drawn the other. I always feel more confident with Neal Ardley's squad at home, we seem to always play better at Meadow Lane. I'm hoping we start off calm and collected, nothing fancy. Just get a feel for them. I can't really comment much on the opposition, they look a tidy team but I don't know much else about them.

I have to be honest, the World's Oldest Professional Football League Club while it was nice - it did seem to be part of the curse that Meadow Lane has. I wasn't that bothered about the title, for me relegation from League Two was more about the uncertainty of falling out of the Football League for the first time and how we seem to sit in divisions once this happens. The club is certainly big, the potential is there to take us to the Championship and although I feel our natural level would be League One (if we go by stature). I think we need to earn it, right now it's promising under the Danish owners. Neal Ardley to his merit has remoulded the club and got us playing quite well, this season has mainly been exciting for that reason, and recruitment seems to be spot on. This commitment and level do need to be met continuously, then perhaps we can grow again further.

Hartlepool have a good midfield, they tend to be blessed there and when the players work hard - you can't write them. It will be a difficult game in my eyes.

Things are looking quite promising, the team performs on the same wavelength and I honestly feel that they have finally clicked. Notts looked very lively and up for it at the beginning, for me - all this talk of Tarquay being difficult to beat and the home record being lost due to it might have been something which fuelled them. I want to say Tarquay played well as a team. I disagree with comments about them being 'poor' or 'substandard', I felt they did well, but fell to a brilliant strike by Richard Brindley who has been a quiet underrated performer in my eyes. His opening strike was just lovely! Notts also played as a team, however, they performed at a much higher standard. It was very entertaining, with a lot of quality moments. It just feels like we have a team which will fight, work hard and play together as a unit.

Proper old school football, it's been years since I have seen Notts play Torquay United. I'm hoping that Notts can continue the home form, as we played quite well to control the last game but I do feel Torquay will be trickier. I think they've got a fair amount of height about them too, so it should be quite interesting how we handle that. I am confident, just imagine if we picked up back to back wins again just how much better this could do for the team's morale. I would avoid changes personally, I don't think any are needed. Kristian Dennis is great coming on from the bench, he should rotated start, but perhaps during away games. Michael Doyle shouldn't start, yet I am sure he will find himself selected.

I used to work with a really nasty and vile person, she used to tease me about Notts because her then thing (I can't say partner, she had many) supported Dagenham and Redbridge. For this reason, I hope Notts stuffs them and we get a victory similar to Chorley. Meadow Lane is looking to be very important in terms of picking up points, so I hope that we can do enough. The performance does need to be there after the last home game, hopefully the regulars will be where I know them. I'm looking forward to it.

Decent result considering, I am pleased that we battled for the point. To some degree, it sounds as if Notts was lucky because Dover did well from what Charlie Slater and Mark Stallard said.

Some of the comments expressed online about Matt is nothing short of disgraceful, it's not right and this is football. I just feel Tootle needs to focus on his training and just go about doing whatever he can. A chance may come, he's a good player who can impress. It's good to know he's mentally well, this shouldn't be knocked or used to justify a reason to get rid of him. Neal Ardley has his mind set on what he expects, I just wished we could see the same standard being met by others who so far this season are falling short bar the odd wonder goal. It's about working hard for the badge and playing well, not earning selection just because you can score or do a few good things at random times.

It was a solid result in terms of Notts digging deep and doing what must in order to keep them at bay. First half, I felt they were very poor. A livelier Notts could have finished the game here, if best chances had been created, but as a whole I thought it was good enough. Some fans suggested to me, that in their opinion, it stunk, yet winning football games is the only thing I feel that matters - then you can win them well with confidence high. A real highlight was the slick movement and passing of Kyle Wootton to create chances for Wes Thomas to get in behind the last defender. This was smart football, and whilst I think Wootton should attempt to narrow down some of the gap by pressuring defenders - I do see why Neal Ardley wanted him. This type of neat play can see a partnership form, I think all three of the strikers in Thomas, Nathan Tyson and Kristian Dennis can benefit from this. Honestly, all it takes is a bit more movement - this type of quick thinking is hard to master and Wootton shows us right now he's got it. The final 45 minutes, well Notts just did what they needed to. It wasn't pretty, nor the best football and for the most part AFC Flyde had us under the cosh. They never seemed likely to score, Sam Slocombe did make some wonderful saves, but that's the confidence in which he gives. It was a decent game, which shows how the job can be finished if we take the chances created and limit the opposition at the back. Final thoughts, how comedic was the referee who became injured falling over. ???? I think the only reason he went off was due to his pride being hurt, you think footballers play act about injuries - well this ref seems to have written the text book.

Decent team highlighted by their achievements last season, it's a shame they missed out on promotion but it will be a good idea what we have as a squad. If we perform well, getting a good result in the process it could change the season. Back-to-back wins would be good. It could start a run but defensively, we have to be spot on and respect them as a team, COYP!

Yesterday was a brilliant result for Notts. Sam Osborne has done well when he comes in, I think he gives us that natural wide man approach to the game and since he's young - his hunger clearly is his self-motivation on the football pitch. I do feel he's sending a strong message out to the doubters and Neal Ardley! It seems this season when people really doubt what this squad can do, they naturally lift themselves. I wouldn't take anything away from Boreham Wood, it seems Notts just controlled the game and despite their late goal - it seemed likely the 3 points were in the bag. I think it gives us some positive motivation leading into Saturday's game.

There's got to me much more focus and effort on working hard tonight, Neal Ardley has to ensure nobody switches off or drops below an expected performance level. It should be a better game for us, they're a decent side but the type Notts should do well against. If the momentum of this past Saturday isn't addressed, there could be an issue leading into the weekends fixture. We can't afford any more injuries, yes, we have covered but Ardley doesn't seem to know how to play certain players. We have to be expecting more from the creative players such as Enzio Boldewijn, Regan Booty etc.

My main objective is the fact we have sacked so many managers already, it would leave someone else with the same task as Neal Ardley but perhaps in a better state all round. Still, you get players who won't settle down or they dislike the changes someone else does. Exactly what Harry Kewell had and would complain about. The standard of football has generally been better, though it annoys me how defensive minded Ardley is - especially against teams like Sutton who looked beatable until the one change was made. That said, we have to stuck with Neal and hope he can fix things, or at least put in foundations for future success. Now isn't the time, thankfully some of this has died off with wins being picked up.

I think the confidence is high at the moment, I don't think the loss of Sam Graham will be something that would affect the club - Neal Ardley just needs to choose wisely whom he brings into the squad. The right player will see this as an opportunity to start regularly and this could be a lift for us. Bromley seems to be a good squad, more organised and team focused. There are a few quality players, but nothing that should concern Notts if we go into the game prepared, I think our quality should shine in a game like this. Do I think they can be written off? Of course not. There's a chance Notts could mess up, they could lift their game but I think Notts will do well.

They're in good form, having won their last four games. At the start of the season, I was told by two Halifax supporters that they had a competitive squad, with a not so attractive budget. The departure of a certain someone therefore came as a surprise, but I think as a side they play with a lot of confidence and will prove difficult to break down. Notts needs to be matching their confidence, it's the only way to shake off the nerves properly! If we could unleash some good shots on target from a distance, I think this could cause chaos for their keeper and defence. Notts will either see a master class from Halifax and we'll buckle to the defence, or we'll do ourselves proud and go toe to toe. Ultimately, I see the latter ending in a draw which I would happily take. I'll say 2-2, with Booty and Thomas finding the net for us.

I think at this stage, Neal Ardley needs to be settling down the squad, and avoiding changes which seem to be within the 4-5 amount per game. The squad really does need to be settled, I'm sure most can manage 90 minutes and this is why we have subs. I'd like to see him go for games a bit more, rather than throwing the one defensive player on around the 70th minute but the National League isn't that bad at all. Hopefully, the promise we have in this squad which is clear - can thrive and grow in confidence. I think we are a few good results away from clicking, just need to demand a certain level of the players on a consistent basis.

I'll be fetching the prints Thursday, so if anyone does want one please let me know. I can adjust the quantity and reflect this on the pre-sale price. A3 prints are £10 (£12 if you want it delivered) A4 prints are £8 (£2 if you want it delivered) After the sale they will return to the regular prices advertised on the Pride of Nottingham store.

I think most would take the point, it sounds like we were unlucky in the second half. Neal Ardley has asked for patience after, however, he needs to start making sure performances are consistent and quit making so many changes before the games. As I say, 1-1 doesn't seem that bad. Most comments have read seem optimistic about the standard of play.

1-0 down already. Regan Booty sounds to be doing his best, yet players like Enzio Boldewijn etc are off their best. Kristian Dennis has almost just scored, but it's looking quite embarrassing that we are being outplayed by so much. Mitch Rose needs to step it up, he has the quality to make those around him click. Just frustrating to see us concede so easily.