upthepies

You’ve captured the excitement and tension of the playoff final @Chris, against Chesterfield so vividly. Your writing truly brings the game to life from a fan’s perspective. Thank you for sharing your talent with us!

Notts County has demonstrated a strong performance throughout the season and if they are able to maintain their focus and composure during the match on Saturday, they stand a good chance of emerging victorious. On the other hand, Chesterfield has had its ups and downs but has shown significant improvement towards the end of the season. Finishing in 3rd place in the league is certainly a commendable achievement for them.

Jodi Jones excelled on Sunday, but I felt that we could have benefited from more players performing at their best rather than just being average. Adam Chicksen was barely involved, delivering some neat crosses but not living up to his full potential. Even Ruben Rodrigues and Sam Austin seemed to be just above average.

This kind of gesture can bring fans together and promote positivity in the football community. It’s important to remember that we’re all in this together and should support each other, even if we’re rooting for different teams.

I was on the edge of my seat! Notts has a history of struggling in important matches. Boreham Wood's first goal was skillfully executed, but Notts' defense was lacking. Some fans thought Sam Slocombe could have done more, but the real issue was a lapse in defensive focus. The second goal was a disastrous mistake. In the second half, Notts played more like their usual selves. If their first goal had come later, the outcome may have been different. Penalties are always nerve-wracking, but Luke Williams' decision to switch Jodi Jones and Aaron Nemane proved successful.

No matter how many changes occur or who is in charge, Notts always struggles to rise to the occasion when it comes to big games. The first goal was actually very well constructed by Boreham Wood, but the defending was typical of Notts in games like this. It is frustrating to hear comments during the game that fans actually believed Sam Slocombe should have done better. The error was switching off defensively and failing to react well enough to cut out the original mistake of allowing them through so easily. The second goal was a nightmare of a mistake. The poor pass was always going to invite danger and the Boreham Wood player did well to win the ball and go on to score. Again, these defensive issues are too common in big games. It’s like our players start off as jelly moulds and require time to set. The second half was more like the Notts we know from this season, with smooth passes and a constant threat. Had the first goal for Notts gone in later, I believe it would have ended in their favour. We scored at the right moments, including the winner. Penalties are never kind or good to watch; that is where the home advantage ends. Thankfully, we had enough class and Luke Williams’ decision to switch Jodi Jones and Aaron Nemane paid off.

It would be great to see new deals being offered to the majority of players. Jim O’Brien has a lot to offer and could be a valuable backup/rotational player, sharing his experience with younger players such as Frank Vincent, who has shown potential but has been inconsistent at times. Sam Slocombe could remain for another one or two seasons, but after that the focus should shift towards developing younger players like Tiernan Brooks. A pacey striker or someone who can hold up the ball like Kyle Wootton used to do is needed. A defender who can also play on the left would be ideal. The midfield is in good shape and if Jodi Jones signs permanently there will be little need for additional players. It’s a positive development that Notts is no longer relying heavily on the loan market as it has in the past. Losing a player like Ryan Yates can cause problems, as can signing an entirely new team every season.

As the season draws to a close, it’s crucial for Notts County to remain vigilant and not become overconfident. The team has put in a lot of effort to reach this point and it would be unfortunate to falter now. Finishing the season on a high note can give them an extra boost as they head into the playoffs. A resounding 5-0 victory for Notts County would be an amazing way to end the season. It would send a strong message to their rivals that they are a formidable opponent and ready to compete at the highest level. Such a dominant win could set the stage for a successful playoff run.

I hear Luke Williams has just signed a professional wrestling contract with the WWE, under the ring name 'Luke “The Buck” Williams',

I thought Luke Williams made it harder in the first half when he decided to switch the wing-backs. Jodi Jones might be able to play on both sides, but Adam Chicksen cannot. He looked uncomfortable on the right side, but I thought he did much better in the second half when he played in his usual position. Woking had spells where they looked good going forward, but they looked shaky in defence and gave the ball away very easily. The pressure from Notts was spot on, and they did tremendously to win the ball back. The goals may have seemed late, but that's football. When Notts have scored much later on, it's even more nerve-wracking. It was a solid win for the club to keep pressure on Wrexham.

The switch made it harder for Notts in the first half, it simply did not work until the second half and was not as effective. It was quite a bizarre decision.

Reportedly, Notts had 63.55% possession overall, with only 6.38 average shots on target. However, I perceived that Notts created several exceptional opportunities, and from what I can recall, the final score could have easily been around 5-0. It was a delight to see Richard Brindley return to the side. Although he didn't engage in the attacks as much, he proved to be dependable when called upon. The return of Brindley and Cadwyn Scott came at an opportune time, and they were both sorely missed from the line-up. If Luke Williams can make astute decisions, he might not have to worry about the playoffs. Nevertheless, I hope that we can avoid such a roll of the dice for our own sake, although I had believed that we had done so previously!

Notts County has the potential to reach the 100-point milestone, which would further reinforce how fantastic the 2022/23 season has been for the club. This achievement would be a fitting tribute to the club's devoted fans who have sadly passed away, including the recent loss of Jason Turner. The team must maintain their excellent form and continue to perform at their best to reach this significant milestone. It would undoubtedly be a proud moment for the club and a testament to their hard work and dedication. To achieve this goal, it's crucial that key players such as Matt Palmer, Ruben Rodrigues, and Adam Chicksen are at their very best. These players have played a significant role in the club's success this season and will be instrumental in securing the remaining points needed to reach the 100-point milestone. It's important to acknowledge the significant losses that the club and its fans have endured this year. However, reaching the 100-point mark would be a positive step forward for the club and a way to honour those who have passed away. We look forward to seeing the team's continued success and celebrating this achievement with the rest of the Notts County community.

Luke Williams' remarks appear to be more of a gesture of respect and praise towards the opposition team rather than his actual evaluation of their current performance. It's common practice for managers to publicly acknowledge the strengths of their opponents, particularly when they face them in upcoming fixtures. By doing so, they aim to maintain a sense of sportsmanship and avoid underestimating the opposition. However, it's possible that Williams' comments may not truly reflect his personal views on the team's current form.

What a brilliant professional performance by Notts. It's hard to believe that we have amassed 97 points, which would have secured us the league title by this stage in almost every other season. This season has been completely bonkers. It's even more insane when you consider that we need Wrexham to suffer two more losses than us to obtain the reward that we truly deserve.

Notts pulled off a remarkable victory over Scunthorpe, thanks to Chicksen and Langstaff's two outstanding goals that sealed the deal. The team displayed a tenacious and determined attitude right from the outset, with Chicksen's goal in the early stages of the game setting the tone for the rest of the match. Langstaff's 39th goal of the season was truly remarkable, and it was a proud moment for fans to witness him equal the club record. As the season nears its end, it's crucial that the team keeps up this momentum and works towards closing the gap to Wrexham even with it being unlikely they will be caught.

I can definitely see how the fact that Wrexham won't be playing until Saturday could add some extra pressure to our upcoming match against Eastleigh. We know that our rivals will be watching closely, and we'll want to make sure we maintain our pressure on them in the league table. At the same time, I think this could also be an opportunity for us narrow the gap on them. If we can come out with a win against Eastleigh, we'll be able to send a message to Wrexham, which could give us a bit of breathing room and make us feel more comfortable in our position just behind them in the league. Of course, we can't take anything for granted. Every match is a new challenge, and we'll need to be at our best to come out on top against Eastleigh. But as a Notts County fan, I have faith in our team's ability to rise to the occasion and get the job done.

Losing a game is never easy, but it's a part of the sport. We knew that at some point, we would experience a loss, and unfortunately, that day has arrived. While it can be frustrating, we were not outplayed by the opposing team. Instead, it was a combination of bad luck and some questionable calls from the referees that contributed to our defeat. Despite the disappointment of the loss, we are not giving up. We have a week off to regroup and refocus before our next game. It's essential to use this time wisely to address the issues that caused us to lose and work on our weaknesses. The season is not over yet, and we have many opportunities to turn things around and come out on top. In the end, we must stay positive and keep our heads up. It's important to remember that losing one game does not define our entire season. We must continue to work hard, stay focused, and believe in ourselves and our abilities. With perseverance, determination, and a little bit of luck, we can come back stronger than ever and achieve success in the remainder of the season.

I am delighted with the team's performance against Southend United. As the league leaders Notts comfortably collected all three points at Meadow Lane, outclassing the sixth-placed Shrimpers. Although Southend made some changes to their starting line-up, they could not stifle the creative play Notts shown. Macauley Langstaff scoring his 31st goal of the season is a pleasing moment, and John Bostock and Sam Austin worked well to find the back of the net. Southend had some early threats, but this Notts dominated most of the game. One of the finest performances this season,

The club will be in mourning after the loss of Colin Slater, its hard to see how the game may unfold due to this. Notts must be at their best for this.

Play no fear football, with smart but less obvious risks and Notts could reap the rewards. On paper, I think Notts looks the more creative outlet.

@DangerousSausage I think tomorrow is a good chance to see what Vincent has to offer, we haven't seen much of him and if Notts progresses further in the cup. Ian Burchnall will need to mix things up, know who can come on and make an impact.

The upturn has to happen sooner or later, I just worry that a few more defeats will happen before something gives. Yeovil aren't a side I think anyone should write off. Ian Burchnall needs to make sure we have the right balance in attacking and defensive play, if we lead, he should be mindful of the players switching off and try to shout out commands to experience players to try to weather the storm.

I thought Notts had a lot of luck to take the lead, Halifax created more chances that could've resulted in goals but seemed to struggle to get the clear cut to take them. At 2-0, Notts needs to learn to close the game off and just kill time, without making stupid mistakes. To allow a game to go from 0-2, to 3-2, especially after the result results its just neglectful and naïve. Something has to be put in place in the training to improve this, otherwise the season will soon be over.

On paper, it looks like a young lad who is close to becoming his clubs first team keeper. A loan like this could help him if he impresses, if he don't it's no loss to us really.