Chris

Will they thrash us? Can we win? Or will it be a stalemate and boring? Part of me feels that we could do well and take the points, though I am mindful of the comments about Mansfield dropping points and that makes me anxious that it will lift them even more for the local derby. They are in a position where maintaining their good form is very important, we are desperately needing to pick up our away form and having lost to them at home - the pressure swings back to us. Notts needs to start the game off positively, keep it calm at the back and protect our goal. If we can maintain the ball, we need to make sure that at times we break up our focus on how we do attack. If we rely solely on the flanks, Mansfield should suss us out and that won't benefit us. Yes, we have quality, and it can change games, and I am not doubting it's an important area to exploit, but it should restrict us from working the central areas. This is the best area to feed Macaulay Langstaff the ball. Our best form came when Dan Crowley and Matt Palmer would take the edge of the five yard box, with passes which overlapped and in the cases when space didn't open up, we would play it out wide splitting the defence but importantly making space to move into. Honestly, part of our current issues is how predictable and unimaginative we are when it comes to creating chances. If we can make use of the middle of the park, I would fair our chances much higher against Mansfield. I think they'll be thinking it's won before kick off, so we need to match their mentality and just be brave.

Oh, the joke of the first image would be lost on some of today's teens. @liampie I believe nobody owns it. I think it's internationally governed. If the land were to be able to be settled on, then a whole host of countries would be arguing over it.

Barrow is a good team, but nothing special. I felt more disappointed by how much we relied on the flanks to open up play, for me, it was the centre which presented a great means of opening them up. We have great talents out wide with Jodi Jones and Aaron Nemane and on a different day, some of their crosses would have paid off. When I watched how Barrow were defending, I was crying out for us to exploit the game more through the middle. Scott Robertson played a pass to Macaulay Langstaff that had a little too much power and was extremely direct. It looked like we could open them up if we had played through the middle and our reliance on the wing just became predictable. Some of Jodi's crosses were very inviting, but Barrow knew to commit players into defensive areas. The majority wasn't even 50/50, more times than not it benefitted Barrow to clear the ball. Again, all it takes is for one of our players to connect, but to me, it didn't seem likely to happen at all. Macaulay Langstaff did very well at times even to manage to bring the ball down or get an attempt on it. There were some crosses which were very wasteful, but you have to accept this. We never played a style that would benefit Langstaff all that much. I know a lot of fans expressed disappointment in our performance, but Barrow stuck to their game plan to make it difficult. We either adapt to that or we hope that our quality will show. I also think we are lucky at times that Barrow didn't capitalise on mistakes, I thought Aidan Stone was very good. He looked calm and quick to react to threats, pulling off at least three key saves to deny them. Notts didn't have that much about our chances, we didn't ask enough or trouble the Barrow keeper. In possession, we were quite poor at times, easily losing the ball and misplacing passes. Some, like Robertson, grew into the game. Others like David McGoldrick and John Bostock didn't. Bostock wasn't in a position to be taken off due to his defensive cover, but McGoldrick should have gone off for Sam Austin instead of Robertson. In the centre we were very average, which presented the issue that we would be sloppy in our play. Had we brought the midfield more into the game and played through the middle, it may have benefitted them more. I thought Dan Crowley was class, sometimes I wished he would drop a little deeper and then go forward. He's very influential on the ball, but when he goes back, usually it's to pass and then reassume his position. I don't think we move all that much; Barrow impressed me for their desire to always try to make space. This urgency is lost with Notts; it's not a case of wasting energy but allowing it to open up play and to free someone else who will be able to use the space presented better. I hope Stuart Maynard sees this, as we are just way too relaxed. Performance wise, I don't think we were all that bad. Notts is simply in need of fresh ideas and more creativity in these types of games. Aden Baldwin showcased an extraordinary performance in defence, excelling in blocking and delivering crucial challenges. Crowley was exceptional with retaining the ball and holding it, so that it could release someone else. Langstaff played his usual way, trying to chase and make things happen - he just needs better play to work with. Stone was good, Kyle Cameron looked better defensively. To end, I felt disappointed in Barrow. They were very dirty and reckless at times; several of their players talked smack (tried saying silly things to provoke our players). Kian Spence should have seen red for his aggressive play, from grabbing Robertson around the throat and pushing him back. Luca Stephenson I am surprised to learn comes from Liverpool, he was one of the worst for speaking nonsense in an attempt to get into our players heads. A player who was very arrogant and kept trying to interfere with Stone during corner kicks should have seen a yellow card. You could argue, again with his attempts to delay and disrupt set pieces. You can't deny his foul on Jodi Jones didn't deserve to see red alone.

I pray Notts never considers having Poundland as their sponsor, every time a play didn't prove their worth..... You know what would be said. I hope this goes a long way to helping Walsall. If Jamie Jellis hits the ground running, @sadlad should be happy.

I would like to say it should be quite straight forward with it being at Meadow Lane, but there are so many unknowns. Barrow will still see us as a team they want to beat due to the size of our ground and now with the addition of a new manager. This will be our first real insight into Stuart Maynard, something which we need to just remind ourselves that its early days no matter what. If we go on to lose, thrash them or draw. The performance will hopefully just be a starting point. Nothing more than a glimpse as to what we may expect from the newly appointed head coach, defensively we may still make the same usual mistakes. Provided the team works hard, chances should come, and it should be a great entertaining game. Barrow won't want to lose points just as much as us, but we need to make the most of being in front of our home fans. A draw wouldn't be a bad outcome. Barrow is a very organised team which plays to their strengths, I think they're punching slightly above their own weight, but that's what good teams do. I respect that, I can see them wanting to make the most of set pieces and dead balls. Moments where we commonly switch off, as for us, I hope to see us playing in a way where we bombard their area in the controlling manner that is both exciting and threatening.

The managers page has been updated to reflect on the appointment of Stuart Maynard. https://prideofnottingham.co.uk/club/manager/

Good insight and analysis, it goes to show how ideal finding someone who plays similar to Luke Williams can inherit a good squad that has more depth than his previous team but in a way where his ideas should be easier to put over. It shouldn't be a dramatic change. Which is good. I don't think a new manager changing things is a negative approach, because it's down to the players to take it on board and work to incorporate it - yet it's easier when someone has a similar idea. The transitional period between Stuart Maynard taking over should be easier for him to instruct the players because we already have a similar style to Wealdstone. I also doubt any of our players will resist his ideas, as they all seem on the same page and want to continue to do well. So, ideally, Maynard can get to grips with our defence. Figure a way to retain the same formation without leaking goals but also attack with the exciting momentum where you feel it's only a matter of time before we do score. This is sad, I will stand behind Maynard no matter what - even if he gets off to a slow start. It's a cliché, but that first win will be massive and hopefully signify the torch being passed from Luke William/Jim O'Brien to Stuart Maynard.

We are proud of you, James Sanderson! Congratulations to him for signing his first professional deal. I look forward to seeing more of his future appearances in the Notts squad. We want more of our squads spaces filled with home-grown talent.

Good player, lacked confidence when he was here and defensive responsibility. I don't think he was a bad player, but defensively he seemed very weak with us. More adept at controlling the ball and taking powerful shots on goal from long range.

Not so late after all, @DangerousSausage. Good news! I am sure Jim O'Brien would have done his best, but I always do feel it's best for the manager to get involved as quickly as possible - instead of missing a game whilst an interim head coach takes his squad to the field. He will have time to access, tactics might be the same, but it will be interesting to see.

Recently, the nights have been feeling colder, especially during Christmas when the cold seemed to seep in at times. The weather keeps being reported as 'expected to bad' but it's just cold. We have the tendency of over reacting to it; other countries just get on with it - including snow. I am concerned for people due to the high price in energy and the cost of living, I don't like the thought of people being cold and struggling to stay warm. This sort of thing should be classed as a basic human right.

Most likely, but if an appointment is made before Friday - we can't rule out that the new head coach won't want to take full charge. Personally, I would prefer to take control the moment it became official, and I wouldn't worry so much about training, I would just make sure my instructions were clear enough. Though I am not a coach or manager. I think you are right though, the head coach may be appointed before or on the day, then allowed to watch the squad.

@NottsCountyKev Yes, I am no pro, but I am quite good. The majority of graphics on PON have been created by me, except the logo, which I out sourced. A friend called Craig designed the Magpies, but if you need help just ask, and I will try to help.

Stockport County are very blessed in midfield and in their attack, Paddy Madden was a player I once wanted Notts to sign back when he played in the Irish league. We all know that Kyle Wootton is a threat. Those are obvious danger men for them. Connor Evans, Cody Johnson and Isaac Olaofe are all players I would be aware of. I am looking forward to seeing Scott Robertson. It will be interesting to see if we maintain the tactics of Luke Williams, or if by this point the new head coach will be appointed and therefore choose his own setup. I do have the feeling that Jim will remain temporary in charge even if we do make an appointment before this game. I would like to say that the Notts players will be fighting for their place in the team and this ideally would get the most out of the players. I do want to see more of Aaron Nemane because he's unstoppable when he gets going. Defensively and in terms of goal are concerns, but I would stick with the same line-up as Grimsby.

This is another area I need to educate myself on, as I don't know many tennis players, but I do like to watch it. It would be nice if we had more than Andy Murray competing for grand slams, but we put way too much pressure on talent. Emma Raducanu is a prime example of this. I'm also pleased to see the tweet about Alfie Hewett. Someone can correct me, but I believe it was Alfie who did that powerful video about treating him the same and not criticising disabled athletes for being boring.

I completely agree, @DangerousSausage. If we were more established at this level, it might be a bit more different, but really I fully understand that Stockport County are a very good team. The save by Aidan Stone when Kyle Wootton was one-on-one was very good. Plus our goal line clearance, but the issue isn't with our keeper. It's the amount of chances we give due to not handling the threats.

I don't want to be negative, but the highlights from a defensive point wasn't great with the goals, it did sound like Aden Baldwin did very well, but why did we leave so much space open for their first goal? I showed @cheeky~k8, and she asked me if the Notts players were ready for the corner. The second goal (penalty), Tobi Adebayo-Rowling gave me shades of Richard Duffy. Wait, that might be harsh, but I'm sticking with it. Just knock it out or draw a foul, don't do what happened. Anyone else usually would have been slaughtered on social media and I don't think that is needed. Yet it was awful, and is a talking point for us to mention as I can't believe he made such a comical error. It's worse than Richard Brindley's mistake a few games ago, but then you see the way we attacked. There was a lot more effort. Our keepers have made a considerable amount of saves, putting us within a joint third of the league. It really does show that Aidan Stone isn't the issue. I'm not dwelling overly on the issue because I do acknowledge that good teams do cause problems, and the overall performance did sound 100% better. We need to be a bit more careful on the ball though.

Imagine if people actually referred to 'The Beatles' as Liverpool. I know anywhere above London is considered "North" them, which is odd as someone born in the East Midlands being told 'You're a northerner'...

It's going to be interesting, our support hasn't faulted and still continues to sell-out what allocation we get. I hope for the travelling fans that effort is put in and that they have something pleasing to show for the journey. We know what Kyle Wootton is all about. Yet they have a squad full of good talent, and they aren't lacking attacking options. I think we need to get a feel of the game before we even remotely think of bringing the ball back. That just adds pressure onto us from the start; we need to get natural movement and work at creating chances at the other hand. If our midfield can hold onto the ball and use it well, we have the players who can turn the tide at the other end. I'm just worried that Stockport are in such fine form, with all of their attacking options. It will make Notts lack the confidence to apply themselves, and we really should be making teams work harder to get results against us. It's not worth thinking about, Nay. Hopefully Notts can make it much harder for them than we have made it easy for others.

I don't fault him for choosing to take a managerial job, over coaching. So, for that, I do wish him well. As for his decisions, if he wants to become a good manager he will need to choose carefully if ever tempted to leave. I think he bases a lot of his decisions based on his heart, instead of his head but I hope he does alright at Woking.

Harrogate is a decent League Two team, although there's been comments about them being better than where they are and whilst I think on their day they can beat anyone. They're always a mid- to lower-half-team. They're largely unflattering, but work hard as a team and understand what works within their own squad. I don't think they are afraid to have to work harder in order to lift their game, and they can adapt quite well in games, if they are allowed to think. I would have said before our recent form, we would be in such a beneficial advantage with our possession rate. However, I think with them being at home it's going to take something special from us to be more creative on goal. I have this game currently throughout as a draw, potentially 1-1. If we want anything more, we need to think about who can cover for Matt Palmer. I would agree starting Dan Gosling at this stage will aid us in knowing if he needs more time come January or if we should pass on his services. I really want to see our back three settle, but with the defensive wows against Walsall and recent away games. I wouldn't blame Luke Williams for trying to make changes there.If Lewis Macari is completely fit, he should definitely be in the starting lineup.

Alan Sheehan was always a hero for Notts, if playing on the left of defence or as a centre back. I hated seeing some of the comments he attracted from some poritons of our fans who didn't appreciate his ability. He always did give 100%, good luck to him.

Neither of these are correct.