Chris

I'm hoping I don't have casual fans behind me for this game, at the Torquay match I found it restraining just to tell these two middle-aged men to stop moaning [which they did for 90 minutes]. The mention of DKE or Slocombe might also trigger me, as neither of them are at fault for much. It's a good start to the season in my eyes, undefeated and confidence should start to increase with the steady flow of games. On paper, it should be a straight forward, but I think Matt Palmer needs to get more time on the ball. He's much calmer with it and generally distributes play in such fashion that it enables others to do what they can - at their best. I think Ruben Rodrigues benefits a lot from Palmer's passing play. I'd like to see Aaron Nemane make his full start at home, provided he's fully fit. Also, it would be nice to see Alex Lacey back in the squad but we shouldn't rush him in fairness. I just feel that Kyle Cameron and Connell Rawlinson would benefit from having a stronger CB by their side, instead of Richard Brindley would for me would be better as a wing-back.

Wrexham will require time to get the most out of their signings, which, for me, does benefit Notts right now. Our squad largely understands the players around them and this can make a difference. Notts need to make a lot more movement in the opposition half, I am slightly concerned about them finding our formation to be something of a weakness mind. We need to be a lot more organised and determined to keep a clean sheet, then build from that. Roberts will likely be the player who can make things happen, yet I hope Rodrigues plays a more central attacking role - as he is someone who can create something out of nothing. Wrexham putting on a strong performance, against another promotion rival, could make them settle together a lot quicker. It's going to be interesting to see if there are any changes, I would give Taylor the start over Chicksen and allow O'Brien to start ahead of Francis.

Good performance by both teams, that made an exciting game in all fairness. Torquay came out looking to score early on, Their build up play at times was very good but lacked the end product. Notts started sluggish and lacked directness, but people should understand it's simply due to how high Torquay pressed. The main issues in the first half, was the high balls to DKE - it's ridiculous and anyone who genuinely blames Dion for this issue needs to get their heads checked. I felt the chances Notts created in the first half were actually much better than Torquay, yet they are few and far between. It was a decent first half, I don't think anyone can really say it was awful or rubbish. I'm starting to believe that the signings and, win over Barnet is starting to cloud some peoples' judgement. Much like Don Masson's comments at half-time has got people all in arms over us playing the ball out from the back, it was difficult for me to hear exactly what was said, but I made the jist of it. I just wasn't sure if Masson was trying to claim Slocombe couldn't hit a free kick to our striker - if so, this is nonsense. In the second half, Ian Burchnall actually addressed some issues from the first half. However, I think it's completely unfair to blame DKE for his performance because he did fine with the ball at his feet. Nemane made a huge difference, but he needs to avoid doing to much. I mean when it works, it's exciting, but it does seem wasteful when theirs better options available. O'Brien seems revived and keen to play a bigger role in the squad, he was a real bright point when he came on. His movement and ability to get forward, it made a huge difference. With Roberts and Nemane pulling strings over on the right side, it forced Rodrigues to drift to the left and I think he would've been more effective if he could have stayed central. O'Brien went to the left often enough, but Chicksen didn't really support O'Brien. He seemed more interested in taking players on and, getting the ball into the box. Chicksen played okay for me, he did some exciting things, but largely I feel he could've worked better with others. The decision-making wasn't always ideal from Notts, I do agree at times it could've been much better, but the game was good. Torquay knew the pressure would mount on them. They slowed down and took to dropping to the ground to kill any momentum or simply to hold onto their lead. Their keeper should've been booked earlier than he did, and still managed to time waste beyond a point where he could get away with it in my eyes. I got the impression the referee didn't want to make any more bookings after a certain point with Torquay, as he looked to hold out and 6 minutes for all the antics was short. Yet, I accept it because a draw isn't the worst result. Notts played some exciting football in the second half, Burchnall needs to make sure we maintain the same level of intensity and directness. If a team decides to park every player in their penalty area, we need to draw them out with the creative players that we have - Roberts did well in this regard, he tried to draw people onto him, and it often created Nemane time to get a cross in. Unfortunately, Nemane's crosses was hit-and-miss. This needs to be improved, but I don't think people suggesting we should shoot from outside the box understand anything about football. You've got to have a clear target, or see a way for your ability to get something in on goal - this won't happen with 3-5 bodies all in your way. Honestly, I left happy and felt we could've won - yet I will always take a point in games like this. It could've easily turned in favour of Torquay, although Notts really should've made the most of them having 10-men. I don't think it's worth criticising and, moaning because it's very early in the season. Just because we won Barnet 5-0, it doesn't mean we'll batter every side [unlike people on social media seems to think].

Kate added the fixtures yesterday for me. It needed this one to stop from generating a match discussion. Let's just stick with the 5-0 win, I don't want to tempt fate.

Notts County was a club on its knees during the remaining days of the 'error era', I am incredibly thankful that the Reedtz brothers have come in and given us some solid foundations to build on. Back-to-back playoff finishes, stronger recruits and players signed for a fee. The futures black and white!

@CliftonMagpie: No point playing Cal Roberts, he will want to feature, but we should slowly ease him back in when the season starts. I keep saying it, but another injury would be a big loss for us. I don't want a repeat of Jimmy Spencer, although the chances of an injury are much higher with Roberts. Hopefully, Tyreace Palmer gets a run out against Coalville Town.

He can get us going down the left flank, it will be encouraging seeing how he does for us.

I'd avoid playing Cal in the pre-season, allow him to focus on training and then wait to slowly give him chance to gain match fitness in the league. He's better protecting, than losing again. Avoiding the Jimmy Spencer type situation, I am sure Roberts is ready and keen to go. Just need to be safe IMO.

After losing Jake Reeve, which now in hindsight always seemed to be the case - what with Neal Ardley being sacked and the single year deal. I think retaining Sam Slocombe and Connell Rawlinson gave the club a boost, plus eased the minds of the fans who might have felt their would be a mass exodus from Meadow Lane. Michael Doyle also agreeing to become head coach is a big thing, although I believe he had already started his coaching badges with us - so that seemed highly likely but nonetheless its great news.

I think Torquay did their homework, happy to allow us to attack but break in a creative way. They had the advantage over Notts with the quality of crosses/set pieces, hitting balls into areas Notts can never quite deal with properly.

Agree to a point, the officiating was extremely poor and inconsistent. First goal looked offside, the penalty should never have been given. A lot of strange decisions at times, whilst Torquay dropped like flies at any given opportunity to time waste without any repercussions. That said, Notts didn't make the most of the possession. The quality wasn't quite there, but I feel nobody can be harsh on the squad. They tried, even at 4-2. I can't complain about anything, I just feel the game wasn't allowed to play smoothly or consistently - yet even this wouldn't have changed the outcome. Torquay played well, they didn't look great but they were effective. If Notts could learn to create and control games like Torquay, we'd win a lot more. The club can improve, merits for a decent season but no fury or flame should be said. Not even to Michael Doyle who gave the ball away very softly and without pressure, but today did prove he makes more mistakes than he contributed positive play. Extremely wasteful, but then others could be criticised - i.e a sub that contributed nothing, could've involved himself a lot more but wasted any chance of influencing the game.

The clubs teased that Jim O'Brien has trained well, this amused me. I think Notts are very determined to do well right now, so I agree that the focus is there. It depends on how the game goes, but our midfield is good enough to control the game. We just need to create more chances - or at least more than Torquay and actually take them. One concern for me is Ruben Rodrigues he looked shattered against Chesterfield, yes, I am sure he's very fit but for me he looked like someone who needed a rest. I would rather start Enzio and rest Rodrigues, to allow O'Brien to come in. That said, I think we'd miss Rodrigues but sometimes you have to balance these things. I Suppose he could start, then come off if we're comfortable. It's all for Ian Burchnall to ponder however, and it's a difficult decision.

Ruben Rodrigues stole the show in my eyes, he was absolute class and started off looking to break a very poor Weymouth side down. They played like we do when we have no clue, defensively poor and no creativity to get in in goal. However, I do feel our midfield bossed them but we could've won by a much higher scoreline. Superb team performance but Rodrigues would be my Man of the Match.

@Piethagoram it's what happens when I use my phone.

He's done well in the games I've seen, able to mix it up and play on the wing. Think Millwall would take Enzio In part exchange? Massive upgrade for us.

Who's going to want the win the most? I think it's going to be a fight from both teams, on paper I would favour us but I know Barnet has a tendency to suss us out. I'd like to think we'd focus more on a balanced side, rather than attacking or purely taking any risks as a means to forge a result. Barnet do have some players who will punish a poor defensive side and that is exactly what Notts are right now. It will come down to who takes their chances and whose midfield will work the hardest to make those happen. My minds saying this will be a 2-2 draw.

There's a lot on social media, I hope it does work out but it's still a disappointing hiring/start. Fingers crossed Burchnall can get an experienced assistant behind him come the end of the season. Experience could make a difference in speeding up his learning curve.

Good result, determination shown to get the win even by going to 10 men. Some of the comments I read on Facebook about Sutton had me bemused, I've seen them about 5 times this season and they've always given a good account of themselves. I think it's a positive but we can't read to much into it - at least it leaves the playoffs with a glimmer of a chance.

I haven't changed it, I really should but part of me wishes he was still here. Those fools who called for Ardley after every defeat/draw, poor souls are now in overtime. I imagine they'll be doing it even if Ian Burchnall wins 3 games in a row back to back.

This could be a good indication as to what type of manager we currently have at the reins of Notts, Hartlepool will be a tough team but defensively if we attack they could crumble. Their midfield controls games, they work hard to create chances and have plenty of players who can finish the game. If we start as we did against Wrexham or just slow in general - I can easily see them assuming instant control. It's going to be a difficult game, unless we approach it the right way. First 20 minutes both teams will be wanting to feel each other out, so avoiding an early setback is a must.

I checked at 2-1 to Woking, then a short time later it was 2-2. Then 2-3 and 2-4. At 2-1 I thought 'here we go' and I honestly didn't expect much from the game but when I last checked. I felt happy, as it seems we might have found our confidence - rebounding and responding from set backs has been something we've struggled with bar Chesterfield (who gave us that win).

Match days aren't the same without speaking to MG, she's a burst of light and a very brave young person. I have the utmost respect for her and I have been touched by her struggles, but her attitude still remains incredibly bubbly despite the hardship. Her families always at games, I hope to you reach your goal MG. Best wishes to you and your family.