upthepies

Mick Walker was appointed during difficult times, and I always felt he deserved more time. Notts never gave him a fair shot, and his departure was a bigger loss to the club than many realised. He was a great coach, highly respected, and for me, his sacking marked the point where the club began to slip backwards. The appointments that followed didn’t put the club in a better place. Mick Walker brought qualities to the team similar to those of Jack Wheeler, and he should never have been sacked. His contribution to Notts County will always be remembered. May he rest in peace.

Notts showed great composure in their win against Morecambe, staying focused despite the visitors' thuggish behaviour and constant confrontations with the referee. Morecambe's organisation was solid, but they were clearly outclassed by Notts’ passing and movement. The Magpies could have added more goals, but hesitation in front of goal saw several chances go to waste. Despite this, the team’s creative play and swift movement were key to securing the win, with Charlie Whitaker stepping up impressively in Dan Crowley’s absence, proving there’s life after him. The team’s reliance on Crowley in previous matches had perhaps overshadowed others, but this game highlighted the squad's depth. Curtis Edwards had some neat moments, though his overall performance left room for improvement. Rod McDonald caused some early concern but settled as the game progressed. However, Jodi Jones walking off injured was worrying, especially given the physical nature of Morecambe’s play. Their reckless, late challenges made it surprising that more players didn’t come off worse. Still, Notts did well to avoid getting drawn into the aggression and focused on their game to claim a deserved victory.

The improvement at the back is clear to see, and Bedeau deserves a lot of credit for how he’s slotted into the team. He and Platt have been rock solid, and you can tell there’s a real emphasis on defending as a team. It’s great to hear him speak about the fans too. Meadow Lane really does feel like a fortress when everyone’s behind the lads. We’ve dropped points at home when we probably shouldn’t have, but the signs are there that we’re moving in the right direction. I’d love to see Bedeau get his first goal soon, sounds like the lads won’t let him forget it!!!

A tough match but a well earned three points. We weren’t at our free flowing best, but the defensive discipline made all the difference. Jatta is turning into a real threat up front, and that finish was top class. Still can’t get over the penalty decision, though. The reasoning behind it is ridiculous, it shouldn’t matter how players react, a foul is a foul. Credit to the lads for staying focused and seeing the game out. Maynard’s got this team playing with confidence, and it’s good to see the subs making an impact as well. Gordon and Edwards in particular slotted in nicely. We’re right in the mix now, keep this up, and we’ll be fighting for promotion all the way.

It’s brilliant to see Abbott commit to us for the rest of the season. He’s been outstanding in midfield, and his attacking contribution has been top-notch. He’s got the technical ability to dictate play, but what impresses me most is his work rate and attitude. He’s always pressing, always looking for the ball, and always trying to make things happen. That kind of drive is exactly what we need in this squad. His assist for Jatta was pure quality, but he also does the little things well, like keeping possession and winning second balls. Keeping him here is a massive boost, and if he continues this form, he’ll be one of our most important players in the run-in.

I don't understand what difference it makes if fans know the figure offered in the situation with Alassana Jatta being happy. I don't suspect he's unhappy, as there are no signs of it. There were some concerns with Dan Crowley, but the situation with Jatta is different. The only thing about known bids is that it can tempt clubs to swoop in at a higher price. I am not sure an agent would be bothered by that. It's possible that Jatta is open-minded about making a move, and they want to play it down while nothing concrete has come forward. Rejecting a bid usually sees a team end their interest or re-evaluate what they offered. This could explain the annoyance about the fee being leaked, but this is football and not all "undisclosed" transfers remain unknown. It's quite well-known how much we paid, so I don't see the concern.

Completely agree about the squad needing to knuckle down for the rest of the season. Losing Crowley and dealing with injuries to key players like Ness and Robertson is frustrating, but this team has shown it can rise to the challenge. I’m thrilled Abbott is staying; his energy and work rate in midfield have been crucial. The January signings look promising, particularly Whitaker, who could bring fresh ideas in the middle. A striker would complete the puzzle, though, as we’ve been a bit short on goals at times. Maynard’s taken a lot of stick, but the Accrington win proves he’s still got the dressing room on side. Promotion is within reach if we stay focused and avoid slipping up.

Jack's attitude is exactly what we want to see in our young players. He knows the value of senior influence, which is massive for his development, and he’s clearly absorbing every bit of advice from Palmer and McGoldrick. His comments about the fans at Meadow Lane really stand out too, it’s good to know our energy helps the team push through tough matches.

Colchester’s defensive form is impressive, and it’s going to take a lot to break them down. Maynard’s focus on resilience and staying united shows he understands what’s needed. Injuries have hurt us, but it’s great to hear positive updates on Platt, Abbott, and Crowley. Managing minutes carefully is smart, we can’t afford further setbacks. This game is massive for getting back on track in the league. The team has shown flashes of brilliance, and with the right approach, we can create chances. Fans have been brilliant all season, and the atmosphere at Meadow Lane could give us that edge.

The update to the member ranks and badges system is very good to see. Not only do they invigorate the current member base, but they also set an enticing standard for newcomers. By recognising efforts with ranks like legend and hall of fame, it not only honours those frequently engaged, but also inspires others to reach similar heights.

Happy Birthday, Shaun. It was ambitious when you arrived as the manager and I wish you all the best with your career. It's good to know Notts didn't dampen it.

I agree, it would be between two of the names mentioned in the voting, and I have gone for the one who delivered much of the fight to keep Notts within a slight glimmer of salvaging a draw, which is David McGoldrick.

Congratulations to him. George Abbott has put together some excellent performances during November.

Hard luck to the youth team. A 0-4 defeat might feel disappointing for them, but no doubt they will have earned praise from many fans who have been watching them regularly. Some of them might be the future of the club, so that will be their focus now. They should know we are proud of them for just drawing an academy like Fulham's.

I don't get why we never gave him a chance, even when we were blessed with the options we had. It's like how we could do with Adam Chicksen, with the injury to Jodi and the lack of options out wide. I would have thought it would be easier to allow players to leave permanently than to loan them out while still contributing to their wages. Neither, I feel, will feature for Notts again, despite feeling like Junior Morias could contribute with goals. Chicksen isn't consistent enough, but always tried.