Chris

Things are weighing up on my mind a lot, I’m still in some form of shellshock from yesterday and I am truly disappointed – I honestly struggle to see past my current mood because it’s all very deflating. I attended the game against Yeovil yesterday with my son @super_pie, @Magic magpie and @super_ram. Leading into the game I wouldn’t have gone if Mark dropped out, I just wasn’t looking forward to it but not because I felt Notts would lose. I actually felt positive about the game and 25 minutes in, it was hard to see how Notts could lose the game but sadly they handed all 3 points to Yeovil on a plate. Personally, I don’t attend games to see a side win and I don’t try to promote the club for any other reason than wanting to help. I am used to what happens on and off the pitch, I shouldn’t be fazed by what occurs but somehow it still gets me down. Notts played very well in the early minutes of the first half, they knocked it around well but I felt attacking the KOP wasn’t the best game plan. I don’t know if this was due to Kevin Nolan/Alan Hardy thinking “excite the fans, we have worked hard in training.” Or, if it was simply Yeovil winning the coin toss at the start – either way I feel it made the second half harder. I didn’t take any pictures or do anything yesterday, I didn’t even use my phone until after the game. By the time the whistle had blown I just wanted to bury my head in the same sand that Kevin Nolan seems to be used to by now. I love the Notts Community and most fans will know there’s a ‘family’ vibe amongst the regulars but I honestly feel very dissociated right now. This is the main reason why I wasn’t looking forward to Notts, people don’t seem to understand how individuals feel and I saw a lot of unpleasant stuff going on amongst ourselves. It’s like a bunch of kids fighting over the same wish but doing nothing about it. Notts are poor right now, Kevin Nolan needs to sort the defence out and sign a keeper on loan. This season is far from finished and I wish we could focus on that, it’s just very depressing and I can’t absorb much more of the nonsense that I see. The football club’s better than this, we are better than this. Alan Hardy and Kevin Nolan have their first real test, the issues on the field are Nolan’s problems. Those that say he fixed us from being sure relegation candidates, that wasn’t his mess and it will be interesting to see if he can make the right decisions. I don’t want him to be sacked, nor do I want any pressure to be mounting on him because I think stability will resolve itself eventually. But Nolan needs to get a grip of his squad, he needs to acknowledge the players who are out of form and get the defence focused. The midfield for me would be fine, yes they could help out more, especially the wingers but they play to instructions – so that needs adjusting. Rant over….

Yeovil never looked like a side capable of winning 2-0, let alone 4. It was awful defending and we played too far up the field but Fitzsimons should have done better. He's not faultless but I do feel sorry for him. Notts started the game very well, I thought what is happening when we looked very lively and we should have been 1-0 up in my opinion. I need to see the disallowed goal again but from there it went downhill not long after. The referee was extremely poor, the Notts defending was absent throughout and it wasn't acceptable. Kevin Nolan needs to shake things up, however Richard Duffy isn't a captain - nor is he a leader. At 2-0 down, I'm thinking Notts just needs a goal and I do believe that would have made some difference. The game was just very poor, Yeovil was out matched and played very limited but struck when it mattered. There's so much more I could say but I really don't want too, I said yesterday to @Magic magpie I needed time to reply and I still do.

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It's a whole new game. I don't think Yeovil will be pushovers but I do think if Notts can be strong in possession that the game will favour us. I'm not keen on seeing a formation change but it seems likely, I wonder how many more games Kristian Dennis will miss though? It's best we don't risk him but it's odd that he comes on as a sub sometimes. Yes this may be related to fitness, but I think the answer to our problems is partly who starts up top. If Jon Stead starts, hopefully he will be all fired up.

Tonight is a proud night, hopefully it will lift the squad but I do agree with the comments about the defence needs to take more responsibility to defend. Notts has to make it difficult for any opposition side to score, class will cut through but both Mark Stallard and Charlie Slater mentioned how easy the first two goals was. The hardest part is to actually score against a higher opposition. Yes, it becomes difficult there after to defend it but each time they scored - we resumed the lead only to give it a way. I don't care how much money they've spent, that's not the point because otherwise how do cup upsets happen? However, as I say the spirit can lift the squad tonight. It's highly proud to see several young lads make the team and do well, Pierce Bird sounded like he did alright which I was nervous about. Tom Crawford deserves to start a game shortly, yet against Yeovil I would call for Noor Husin to start alongside David Vaughan.

Pindroch injured, Notts needs a backup. I fear what could happen if we don't but at least Fitzsimons can get a job done tonight hopefully.

Hopefully the deal is good enough, at what price do you put on a talent like that? If the club was going to lose him it's best they got the best price possible. It just would have been nice to see him play properly for Notts.

Changes are required, you can't play that poorly and expect them to play better consistently the next game. Form sometimes needs to be re-focused. Even if they field youths or reserve players, I think our confidence will be low and Kevin Nolan must get them focused. A poor performance could drag into the league, whereas if they played well it could benefit the players.

I hate to think what the scoreline could be. It's just like Notts to play well in the cup or either they will look like Bambi stuck in the headlights. I'm dreading it at the moment because I'm concerned it will lead to more fans feeling deflated. I hate to say it but I warned this situation to @super_ram and @Magic magpie..

Kevin Nolan needs to work on the defending, they need to mark better and stay more disciplined in their positioning. Just a major lack of lack of responsibility, Notts could have won this if we had taken better care of the duties at the back. Score is now 3-2 to Cambridge United. It's almost full time.

C'mon NOTTS! Get level and then clinch it in the final few minutes. Give the away support and fans at home something to be happy about. 2-2 Richard Duffy!!

I'm starting to want to see the squad line-up, and soon I will switch the radio on. I really hope that they do well and get their first win today, I also wished I could be there but unfortunately I can't. COYP!

Very well done Kyle, this is an excellent article. ????

C'mon folks please help spread the word and help us reward some junior magpies! We wanted to do something which would encourage young supporters and PON Magpie is a great mascot for this reason. I'm looking forward to seeing the submissions.

I don't really want to jump in by saying "I don't rate Cambridge United" because this would be testing fate, I think it will be another slow game - unless Kevin Nolan provokes a positive reaction from the squad. The difficult thing from my eyes is how we retain possession, I think it's naturally harder away from home. This might means Notts revert to lumping the ball forward and, I can see this limiting chances. If they play in the ground, I am confident that two or three goal scoring chances will fall. I just hope Notts can lead before the end of the first half. It could swing any way, but leading would ease things in my opinion.

Some seem quick to blame Vaughan who worked hard and played quite well against Colchester. I was impressed with his communication. Not only did he encourage but he organised the players, he's definitely a captain at heart. Well said @Magic magpie. ????

So, it’s the dawn of another new season for Notts and as the feeling has started to settle – I find myself really excited about the prospect of another good season for the club but also to pick up from last season. All the optimism I have right now is making me all the more eager to get the 2018-19 campaign underway. Last season, in reflection was a true rollercoaster, however despite what some may have considered negative then in comparison to previous seasons wasn’t all that bad and although the club lost to Coventry in the playoff semi-final it restored pride to the community. It was refreshing to see fans eagerly optimistic and yes some performances did seem like the old ‘Notts County’ – yet last season did lay the foundations for further improvements. I also promised myself that after the Newport County game on the final day of the 2016-17 season, that I would try to be more sociable and for the most part I had succeeded. Before doing my usual media work for the site, I would try to get out of my shell and I have to admit I found it hard – yet I also enjoyed it. Towards the latter stages of last season, Magic magpie and my sons friend Callum started attending games and this has made a huge difference. I love attending games with my family and Jake had started to slowly drift away but he’s back now. I’m very thankful for this and I have enjoyed both home pre-season games simply because of the fact my father attended both games. I know how much family means to my son and he sees match days in a different way because of it – I often wish that for the younger fans things could be vastly different but I do believe those days will return eventually. 2018-19 will be a massive season, I am eagerly awaiting tomorrow and not just because of the chicken I have before the game! I have a very good friend who is now a season ticket holder, he’s been bitten by the ‘community feel’ surrounding Notts and I have the people I want around me. I may lose track of where I am at times, due to depression and previously because of health issues I have suffered from but I have a new way of thinking. Hopefully, my health won’t prevent me from attending home games. Yet I look forward to making more away trips, this won’t be an easy thing due to the cost but it’s something I want to make more effort with. I look forward to seeing all my friends and all the people who speak to me on a match day. COYP!!

Made me... ???? At the time you was obsessed with Notts and loved being a part of the community, not just with PON. You can say that again, considering now your a season ticket holder!!

Hope the footage I have seen is true and he has plenty of pace to burn, looks pretty skilful too. COYP!

Not quite, the logo needs to be changed. Long story... ????

Promising signing, I hope he arrives on loan wanting to prove a point and to play as much football as possible. COYP!

It's hard to see anyone else doing the roles he did at the club, least not with the professionalism and dedication that Mike Edwards did. I'm actually really gutted to see him leave, I hope he prospers with whatever he does and that the club can find someone who can be half like him.

I swear at the breakfast fixture release, it was said that Alan Smith was working as a scout and would maintain his coaching position at the club.