Chris

I have intended to keep this blog updated, although it has fallen wayward - much like a lot of things have. Personally, I can't blame COVID or the lockdown. As I made a promise to myself last time, I felt in this position that I would own my actions, and attempt to move past them. Returning to Meadow Lane has been overwhelming, both in a good and an awkward way. I haven't really enjoyed how busy it has seemed, bar the Tuesday night game against Wealdstone which felt more like I know. At the last home game, on the way out - I felt closed, and I feared I would have a panic attack. On the opposite hand, I have realised just how much support and care I have - from people who I have got to know. When I think back about my personal journey, I feel like I have somewhat lost my way, and although I try to address this at the start of every season. It becomes much like a New Year's resolution. Well, something I try to uphold but ultimately fail to achieve. Before I attend games, I try to remind myself that talking does help, and I realise this. The first few matches I stuck to myself, I didn't communicate much at all - simply because I wanted to slowly integrate myself back into the community at Notts after such a difficult year we have all had. I write none of this for sympathy, I won't be sharing the blog directly at all - but it will be there for people who know me. It's something I also feel I can reflect on, as I pick up emotions rather easily and in the right environment I can identify what I need to do in order to help myself. Being able to attend Meadow Lane, seeing Notts and exchanging conversations has been something I have missed. I like looking around, seeing fans enjoy themselves and something I have noted is just how much people I know have changed or grown up. This season seems to be delivering a very good standard of optimistic, something we should all try to embrace, but I have challenged myself to focus on making whatever difference I can possibly do. I care very much about Notts County. My connection to the club, developed first by my grandfather - is something I want to hand down to my family. If I can, I would like to have a positive impact on others. My aim is to pay back to people who have enabled me to move forward, whilst identifying fans who deserve a form of kindness - which I will do by handing out prints. As I try to re-find my mojo, I will be trying my best to keep on the right path. I realise this isn't much of a blog, but for those who read will see my thoughts etc.

@TheSkipper: Sheffield Wednesday fans seem to rate him, plus I do think our recruitment is a lot focused on the quality side of things - rather than the costs or experience.

It was a poor and difficult start for Notts. The passing game is being pushed to give us confidence on the ball, so that we aren't pressured as much - giving us chance to express our creativity and quality. Yet, against Maidenhead this never really worked. Slow build-ups, leading to quicker play, never allowed us to slow down in order to create many decent chances. It always felt very forced and rushed. Even in the second half, I think we fell victim to allowing the frustration to build up. Yet a win is a win. At the end of the day, I thought many of our players had were just too average. Maidenhead wasn't anything special, bar a couple of players who looked to be very direct. Cal Roberts, Alex Lacey, Ruben Rodrigues and Kyle Wootton all had a poor game in my eyes, yet it wasn't down to a lack of effort. Merely the way we played and approached the game, whilst some allowed the frustration of events to effect their performance.

I don't think Notts was lucky to win, we had a perfectly good goal disallowed at a key stage in the game. Sam Slocombe also kept us in the match, which I don't expect to see him being given the credit for. It's the most demanding role on the pitch, but I think he's showing his experience whereas when Ross Fitzsimons was here - he got defended rather blindly until the later stages of the season. If Fitzsimons was here now, I doubt we'd be doing as well. Yet every keeper makes at least a few mistakes. Defensively, we do need to be better. Slocombe and Kyle Cameron have both said this is an adjustment for Notts, which will take time, but the signs are positive. Wealdstone gave us a good game, They started off sluggish, but defensively I always felt they were poor in this department. Going forward, they played a direct game which was opposite to my thoughts on their defence. A better team might have caused more issues, yet in the second half we were on top of the game. The entertainment value was one of the better aspects I've seen in a while, but I still believe there's an unhealthy expectation that Notts should be keeping clean sheets and winning games 5-0, home and away by some fans. This isn't realistic and even the poorer teams in the National League will be able to cause any team issues. It's all down to improving, getting those wins and boosting the confidence within our squad. Cal Roberts could've easily ended the game with far more goals, he got himself into positions where he unselfishly attempted to assist someone else - had he shot and not scored, he'd fall criticism to being selfish. Yet he's alert, bright and eager to do what's best for the team. His free kick was a very close attempt. Kyle Wootton, Ruben Rodrigues, Kyle Cameron all came close to scoring chances which didn't quite work out. That's football. Very few attempts by Wealdstone in the second half had that edge or worry of a goal threat. Despite feeling nervous when they attacked, we hung on and defended well in the dying moments of the game. I think it was a fair match, which both teams took seriously and gave everything - we came out of it deserving the win. Yet I feel Wealdstone proved that they're no pushovers. PS. It's also unlike Weymouth who went 2-0 up, then lost 2-4. I used to argue that winning pretty was better than winning ugly, which most fans seemed to prefer the win however it came - it's happening now, and we want this crisp attractive football where we don't concede. ????????‍♂️ Each game is different, but improvements will be made - yet I think in the National League we must sometimes accept results are the main thing without being overly critical of performances.

need a win to lift morale, I think the chances should come, and we appear to be much better at home. On goal, we seem to be far more creative with our efforts, but this will improve as the fixtures come - Notts are in a very good position right now. Being undefeated and at home, Meadow Lane needs to show its full support. I haven't seen Wealdstone's highlights so far this season, but I assume they'll be similar to last season. They are decent on the ball, able to score and can fight their way back into games, but ultimately have a cagey defence that panics. I don't think their keeper was very good either from what I watched, and I had seen a lot of live games on TV. Hopefully, not much has changed.

Weymouth can score if they control or manage to create changes. The key would be for the Notts midfield to hold the ball, whilst playing at the right tempo - not too slow, not thoughtless rushing. I think the majority of opportunities should fall to Notts, provided we keep the recent standard we have set so far this season. The build-up play needs to make use of the channels, whilst drawing players onto the likes of Kyle Wootton, so that others, i.e. Cal Roberts/Ruben Rodrigues can get on the ball and visa versa. Weymouth for me, are the type of team who will be looking at this fixture and considering a draw would be a good result. No doubt they'll want to win, but a draws much more realistic. I don't think they come anywhere near to the depth we have. The second half should be where the game opens up, as I can see the first half being extremely close. A draw/defeat wouldn't be a good result in my eyes for us, but it comes down to how good Weymouth are and if we can match or beat their efforts. I always reflect on my thoughts based on the whole picture, rather than the result or a single conceded goal.

Despite some mistakes, I'm not going to sit here and type a comment berate anyone. It was a good game, both teams created chances and made the game alive for the most part of the game I think ideally we would've kept Aldershot out, however, they did well at times and the certainly turned the game on its head. The points I've taken away from this is the fact it could've easily ended in defeat or a draw. Notts played with a level confidence and spirit, which saw us created some very good chances which didn't go in. Aldershot continued to cause us headaches with their play, especially when we had to throw literally everyone in the way and Slocombe did superbly to tackle one of their players - after he had the ball kicked out of his hands. Roberts had a good game, first time I've agreed with the Man of the Match so far. Lacey is a joy to watch with his passing, and general defensive work. Taylor did well out-wide and going forward, although he stopped trying to take them on after a while which was disappointing [yet IB might have asked him to avoid it]. O'Brien was back to being average, although this wasn't through a lack of trying. Wootton looks like he will score for fun, given the right chance. Notts will improve further, they won't always keep a clean sheet and no current squad member doesn't give anything less than 100%.

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.

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.