Chris

Hartlepool United manager, Ronnie Moore has told his players to go and 'enjoy' playing their football - He insists they should show no fear, starting with the Pools trip to Meadow Lane tomorrow. Hartlepool finds themselves a single position above the drop zone of League Two, a mere 12 points behind the Magpies'. In a mid-week interview More said "Pressure? it’s for whimps". Before adding "Just go and play football, we’re not getting shot at out there! Yes, it’s people’s livelihoods and the fans have supported the club all their lives – they don’t want to see us go out of this league. But it’s game of football - go out there and enjoy it." "It’s a matter of getting together, taking the chances when they come." Pools dropped to 22nd in the table this week, it's their lowest league position since last May - It follows after Yeovil managed to secure a point against Luton Town, though the Pools have a total of 4 games in hand. "We can’t do anything about other teams winning. You have to live with that. But we have the opportunity with our games in hand." explained Moore. "They mean nothing though unless we are winning them, we know it’s going to be tough, there’s no doubt about that but we have a decent squad here now and one we should not fear anyone. We need a little break, we need someone to put the ball in the net, however it goes in, it does not have to be a wondergoal." Former Hartlepool United striker Luke James will be availible for the pools selection and will be tasked with causing Notts County's defender trouble. He will remain with the side on a half-season long loan after signing from Peterborough United. Also availible would select the 21-year-olds partner from a range of players such as Rakish Bingham, Rhys Oates, Billy Paynter and Scott Fenwick. "Luke can play with any of our strikers,” said Moore. “He can play in a 4-4-2 or just off the forward, It’s a hard decision for me because given the amount of forwards here now, one or two may not be in the squad altogether." "But all the lads have had ample time to put a smile on my face, none of them can knock on my door if they are out. Scotty is maybe the only one who can feel hard done by, but the reason I went for Bings last week was his pace." "It wasn’t anything to do with me thinking Bings is a better forward than Scotty. It was horses for courses, but we can all be wise after the event can’t we? We can all say at 5pm, 'oh, I wouldn’t have picked him'." Nathan Thomas will be a certain starter for the pools, along side Luke James - who returned after putting an outstanding performance last Saturday against Exeter City. "If we had someone like Luke last week we would have won as Nathan was unplayable," said Moore. "He has ability, he is bright and quick and creates chances. Nathan can be our saviour – playing at that pace, opposition players can’t handle him. I don’t want to pin too much responsibility on one boy, but everyone has seen what he is capable of. I’m sure if he produces that week-in, week-out there will be enough balls coming in to satisfy any striker." Have your say on the Pride of Nottingham match discussion - Here. Don't forget to join in and if you haven't registered - you can do so here.

Hartlepool United presents Jamie Fullarton an excellent opportunity, as does the run of fixtures taking place within February. Yet, it’s tricky in a sense because we feature the Pools twice within recent weeks of each other and those games are quite hard for teams struggling to insert themselves on the field – especially when the first game is at home. York City, Leyton Orient and Accrington Stanley are games coming up. We also face a difficult Plymouth Argyle towards the latter part of the month. York and Accrington are games which I feel we can secure points; it is aided by the fact that Jamie has restored faith in the away performances. So tomorrow we face the challenge which a struggling Hartlepool United presents and the conversations within our match discussion has instantly raised concerns regarding both midfields. I don’t think they will sit back, it’s not the style of play they try to incorporate into their tactics. Most likely, they will build with patience or result to keeping the ball in the air, so that this breaks the game up and allows them to edge closer to playing it on the ground within the final third. They will want to involve their wingers as much as possible, with so many young and eager players and a packed midfield this could make it hard for us to break them down. Which will be a test of character for Notts to enable play to break them down. With York City also being a side which struggle, I think this will be the game that could entice confidence from our own attacking play. Orient are a different scenario, we know that they will look to play with confidence and aggression – whilst Accrington are just your typical League 2 team. Plymouth being the final fixture of February, will rely on the morale and confidence picked up from the previous five games. I think picking 10 points could happen; it’s the mid-range of what I would predict personally and much depends on our home performances’ that break up the away games. I don’t dismiss that there will be tests, yet for us to finish as high as possible (forgetting about the play-offs for now) – we will need to acquire much of the points here, as March could be a month where we could seal further victories. It may seem negative to think about this now, but I have thought about comments made about next season. Surely re-building in the summer will allow us to focus on challenging wisely for promotion from League 2? C’mon You PIES!! What do you think? Don't forget to have your say by voicing your opinions within the Pride of Nottingham community | Not a member? Join us today - be a part of our growing Notts hub.

Notts County Ladies have completed the sale of England defender Alex Greenwood to Liverpool Ladies 'for a significant' fee. Alex has been a pinnacle player for the Lady Pies since arriving at the club in 2015, helping the side respectfully finish two successful campaigns and also most recently helping Notts reach Wembley in the F.A Cup. The 22-year-old featured also featured in the Continental Tyres Cup Final last season. Former FA WLS 1 champions, Liverpool have added Alex Greenwood in order to strengthen their squad after making an additional six signings, and Scott Rogers was keen to sign the Lioness and liverpool born left-back. "This is a fantastic move for me and I am really enthusiastic about the new season, I had a great year at Notts County but this represents an exciting, new challenge and one that I am really looking forward to." Alex told the official site. The fee, although undisclosed is believed to be a club record sale for Notts County who 'reluctantly' accepted the offer from Liverpool. "We received a significant bid from Liverpool, which was close to our valuation for the player, and considering her wish to leave we reluctantly accepted the offer," Notts County Ladies chief executive Matthew Alexander said. "Notts County wishes Alex all the best for the future." Do you feel Notts Ladies should have sold Alex Greenwood? How can they put the fee to good use? - Join in our discussion here.

Notts County first team manager Jamie Fullarton has completed the signing of Gary MacKenzie on loan, the deal is initially for twenty-eight days. The 30-year-old Doncaster Rovers defender has enjoyed spells with more recently Bradford City, Blackpool and MK Dons. The Magpies’ are looking to further shore up their defensive options with this arrival after recently managing to keep a clean sheet against Luton Town last Saturday. Speaking to the club for the first time, Gary said “I’ve got plenty of experience in the league above but it should work out for everybody. If I can benefit Notts County and myself then everyone is happy.” “My job is to organise and keep clean sheets in the defence but I also like to play football – it makes the game more enjoyable. But the important thing for me is to concede fewer goals.” Jamie Fullarton was quick to speak about his connection with MacKenzie by saying “Gary is a player I’ve known form a number of years from his time with Rangers and Dundee. You find yourself tracking players throughout the years and how they can complement your setup at the time.” “Obviously I’m delighted to bring him in because I feel he offers us something different, he’s a true leader who will help develop our young defenders in the first team and make a big contribution.” The Magpies’ are also said to be looking at former Rams defender Miles Addison and ex-Plymouth winger Jason Banton who are said to be training with the club. What do you think of this signing? Does it reassure you that the defence is being strengthened? Don’t forget to have you say below or within our community discussion, as we welcome Gary MacKenzie to Meadow Lane – Here.

Former Magpies’ striker Alex Kenlock has joined East Grinstead Town. Alex was part of the set-up, which enjoyed travelling to Spain back 2014, where he was part of the Football League Education system with Notts County’s youth team and had signed his first professional deal with the magpies in April 2015. The forward, who spent several years with Notts County – after progressing through the academy ranks, has joined the Ryman League Division One South Side on Friday. On the following day, he made his debut for Matt Longhurst’s side in a 0-0 draw against Herne Bay. Don’t forget to leave a comment below – alternatively you can see what’s happening in and around PON – Here | Also, don’t forget to join the community Here.