Chris

What a season the 2018/19 League Two campaign has been, never would have dreamt that Notts County would be on the verge of relegation from the Football League. It’s something I find very sad, certainly it’s not good to see the faces of worry in the crowd but you know what? This is football after all, once you brush off the hurt and come round. I think the majority will accept that having the club still in existence is the main thing. The community around the club is one I would consider to be very solid, it’s been a huge privilege and its seasons like this when you miss the old days. I often think back to when I was bitten by the away day bug, how seeing the fans anticipate the game for me was one of the most exciting aspects – feeling that match day atmosphere floating around, not knowing what to expect. The club’s actual history could never be erased by being relegated to the Vanarama National League, yet it’s important that a smooth takeover happens – especially to avoid the worry of falling into administration. This is where the risk of the club’s heritage falls into concern, yet for me this isn’t something I feel is likely to happen. As fans, we just need to ensure that our support is there. After all the moans and groans, would a Saturday afternoon be right without seeing Notts County take to the field? That’s where the community comes into, we’ve all made a connection to other fans on match days, it’s almost like a ritual for some and the flocking of magpies’ is one that has great meaning behind it. Feeling like you’re a part of that community, knowing that you’re right behind the football irrespective of what happens on the pitch. I have seen fans come and go, quite a few who are no longer with us, but I will personally do my best just in the hope of making a small difference. Notts County has three massive games remaining in League Two season, games which need to see the players fight – not just for the badge but for the club itself. Survival is important, going down without a real fight isn’t what we want to see. Too little, too late? I have the feeling this might be the case, but I do restore the hope that the very last game of the season against Swindon Town will be one to remember for all the right reasons.

Please, please, please, please, please try to play attacking football Neal Ardley. Listen to Jim O'Brien, who has made several cries to get you to see that "parking the bus" or switching attacking player for defensive ones is insane. You don't win games this way, you really can't and even someone who doesn't follow football would understand this. Send the players out to have some freedom, but make them bust a gut to work as a team, get people being responsible. Fans might blame the players, but it's madness what Ardley is doing, he should be pushing them. If they're lost, low in confidence - man manages them and just try to appease us fans by fighting for the results needed.

Notts didn't play bad, they just didn't play well enough to make something of the game. The disappointing thing is the fact that Notts could have easily taken something from the game, it's not the midfield - it's how Neal Ardley has set up this squad. I don't think he has enough faith in the players to allow them to play with some level of freedom. It's all too defensive, I'm not against him, but I just feel attacking games would show a lot more fight. MK Dons looked capable of winning, they were good on the ball and to a point Notts looked quite decent defensively. However, I feel the balance and organisation disappears and Ardley does nothing until the games totally out of Notts hands. Robert Milsom - he's shocking at left back. Yes, he can defend, but he offers nothing going forward, he can't cross or pass. I'm sick to death of how wasteful he is and I would happily welcome back Dan Jones or Cedric Evina. Right now Notts should be aiming to win, not being set up to draw games and inviting teams to relegate us. This team shouldn't be defensive, we don't have the ability to attack well if we do. As I say, it wasn't a bad game, but the likeness of Notts winning or drawing always seemed unlikely.

Notts has to start passing more carefully, the games far from over but from what I am reading it doesn't seem likely that a good enough chance will come unless something is changed. Neal Ardley is very defensive and it's time to focus a lot more on attacking, if we continue to invite Crewe I am afraid that they might get 1 or 2 more! We need to pull level and build from there. Disappointing so far.

I think the game will be very scrappy, Crewe is quite a good passing side, but their inexperience could become a weakness. They do have some very good player's mind, it won't be all plain sailing for Notts. The defence needs to be more mindful about how to create space from the back. Whilst avoiding the hoof ball, that's fine with pressure, but if you can bring it down - pass it forward then do it.

It was hard to bypass the poor officiating, the lack of control really became apparent and it made things a little unnecessary. I felt the game was quite entertaining, Notts started off brightly, but as @Magic magpie pointed out - Powell is a powerhouse for them and he looked a threat. I felt his end product was a waste and then boom, he scored! It was very disappointing. The napping was quite obvious and it just seemed to drag. I didn't see the sending off, I don't feel anyone should be harsh on Ryan Schofield though. Mistakes happen and I heard Les Bradd talking to him after the game, he mentioned the Northampton player ran into his hand and Les felt the player dived. It was just one of them, but there's a lot of positives, yes, we didn't get many shots on target but hey we scored twice! I'd always take a point when 10 men defended so bravely!

I think the game should be quite open, both teams will want to pass and it might start slow. I do think it will be entertaining or at least I hope, it's going to be a tough one, but hopefully we can make the most of it. The form is important at this stage, so if we concede the players must pull together to get on with it.

Raffle Winners 1st Place: @themightymagpies 2nd Place: @Wilfordpie 3rd Place: @Magic magpie 4th Place: @liampie Thanks for the support.

I have extended this twice due to being unwell, I can't extend it anymore folks. PON needs to sell 10 more entry places, so if you fancy helping step forward. These are some fantastic prizes and I would hope we can do this!

@TM1993 the apps now been updated, can you please check.

I'm nervous, I always am away from home but a result today is important. A friend's taken me out, so I won't be able to keep updated as much as I would like but I'm sure Google will remind me. 2-0 away win got me. Hemmings and Tootle.

@Super_Danny_Allsopp The issue is that the squad has too many under-performers, I wouldn't really the class the loans as his own players either - I am sure they are trying, but I suspect if we had the money he would have signed more free agents instead of relying so heavily on loan options. He's already admitted prior to making those signings that he has struggled to motivate the players, the ones here before his appointment have let the fan base and club down massively. If I was Neal Ardley, I would really shake things up and look to re-try the 3 CB's, with two quick wing backs. Notts are too defensive at the minute and this is largely down to the large squad that was signed before him. None of which are really defensive minded which is why he signed Michael Doyle, Jim O'Brien etc.

Neal Ardley needs his own players, yet his tactics are quite frustrating and that’s the disappointing thing about yesterday. At half time I said we needed two strikers, for even sake they went down to 10 men and Notts still sat back. The passing was better, yet Kane Hemmings being isolated was negative. Another noticeable fact is that there was little to no pace upfront. I repeatedly said that Notts could have done with Virgil Gomis. It’s quite a controversial call but the lad does have skill and pace. Taking off Craig Mackail-Smith was stupid, he was the only player who looked capible of shooting. Rob Milsom frustrates me furiously, so wasteful and his passing/decision making is absolutely pointless. People telling me he’s a good defender, yeah he tries but his positional play is a joke. Defensively, Notts looked okay. Richard Duffy did well for the most part. He was caught out of position, Sam Stubbs follows the lead too much - he needs to make his own decisions. Ryan Schofield was lost, yet not blameless for the goal. They all simply switched off, yet no doubt Notts was the better side. I guess that’s one small positive, but it bloody well hurt when Exeter City scored.

I haven't done my homework, so I won't be able to say what I think of the opposition. They are most likely going to try and play a higher tempo than us, it's important we are calm and careful in midfield. I'm hoping for a narrow 1-0 but we shall see.

Today was far from the worst performance, yet for me fault falls on Neal Ardley for the lack of sight and management. Kane Hemmings did okay, he was isolated and unsupported for the majority of the game. Usually people would be crying out about how 'lazy' or 'idle' he is but this is far from the case. The issue wasn't so much the players either, it was the tactics. Morecambe didn't play brilliantly, they were a lot like Notts. The issue for me is Notts should have gone for the win, someone should have stayed closer to Kane Hemmings to give him proper support. I wouldn't care who, Enzio Boldewin, Lewis Alessandra or even Virgil Gomis. Today we just need two people up top and I honestly feel things would have happened, we had chances, but due to the tactics and instructions it was very empty. Ardley should have fired the players up and pushed for the win, Notts looked defensively fine and just needed to balance that gamble. A draw does feel like a fair result, it's just the lack of foresight really.