The Heff

Would the club really take this long if they'd already made the decision after the AFC Wimbledon match to part ways with Stuart Maynard? It seems likely the board knew what they were going to do before the game, depending on the result. It wouldn’t make much sense to wait this long for someone who’s out of work. That’s why it feels more likely that the new head coach is still under contract elsewhere. If that’s the case, I’d like it to be Steffen Højer. I was hoping for someone with experience at this level, but managing Denmark’s under-21s suggests he knows what he’s doing. There must be something about him.

I could see the potential, but I never rated him at Notts. He never really stood out, and I always thought he needed to build up his strength or add some muscle. Maybe Carlisle don’t see him as the right fit for the National League, or perhaps Will doesn’t want to go back. If they had stayed in League Two, I think he would still be part of their squad.

I’m planning to make it to the games. I have two friends who enjoy German football and often go to lower-tier matches just for the experience. They watch a lot of European football in Luxembourg, Belgium, and Switzerland. I’m really keen to join in and see what it’s like following a team across three different regions of Germany.

I’m not too worried about his injury history, it looks like a solid signing for us. His future at the club will depend on how he performs, and I’m happy to give him a chance. Hopefully, the club has brought in a player eager to contribute to success, rather than someone on a downward path. If Ollie Norburn gets going, he’ll be a key figure in pushing Notts forward and strengthening the squad.

It’s a fantastic design and a great throwback to the past. These shirts will sell fast and be just as popular as the first batch was. I’m seriously tempted to get one.

I feel more confident about the signing knowing he has performed well before and has goals in him. I don’t put too much weight on players being released, as there are many possible reasons, whether the club couldn’t afford to keep him, he wanted a change, or he didn’t fit their system. That doesn’t mean he will or won’t suit us, but time will tell. For now, I’m happy with the signing.

Notts are taking a gamble, but there’s no reason it can’t pay off. Some fans on social media are complaining about his injury, but we signed him knowing he was recovering and would soon be back in full training. You can’t judge a player on past injuries alone, you have to see how they settle in. As a midfielder, he’s exactly the kind of signing we’ve needed. For all we know, he could start as an impact sub until he regains full fitness and sharpness.

Will Jarvis is proving to be a brilliant signing for the club. He has a sharp eye for goal, and with time, he could become an even bigger influence on the pitch. His display against MK Dons was outstanding, and their players could take a lesson or two from him. That goal of his was simply fantastic, and beyond that, his overall performance was stellar.

First and foremost, it was a fantastic team performance. However, my vote had to go to Charlie Whitaker. Highlighting individual standouts after the event wouldn't be fair to the team, so I'll simply commend Whitaker for elevating his game to a whole new level.

Platt’s attitude is exactly what we need in this squad. He’s not getting carried away, just focused on the next game and keeping things tight at the back. His point about clean sheets being the foundation for success is spot on. We know we’ve got the attacking talent to score goals, so keeping solid at the back will make the difference in the promotion race.

Momentum is everything at this stage of the season, and Notts have it in abundance. Maynard has got the squad playing with confidence, and the defensive improvement has been huge. We were too open earlier in the season, but now we look much more compact. 12 clean sheets show just how much we’ve improved at the back. My only concern is the injuries. Losing Jones and McGoldrick for any length of time could be a real blow, especially with big games coming up. That said, we’ve got depth, and Whittaker stepping up against Morecambe was great to see. Port Vale will be tough, but we’re in such good form. Keep defending well, take our chances, and we’ll be fine.

I respect the effort Curtis put in to get to this point in his career. Having been with Notts for half the season and recently back from injury, I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do for the team! Excellent article, @menzinho.

Solid win for Notts. The first half saw some good football with quick passing, good movement, and two goals. McGoldrick looked sharp, and Tsaroulla was strong. The second half was different, with Gillingham stepping up. We had some struggles, especially after their goal. We need to manage games better, but defensively we held our ground. Bass made a couple of key stops, and Platt was solid at the back. Nice to see us securing wins under pressure. Another three points on the board. The team is getting stronger each week.

Seeing Curtis Edwards come back after such a long spell out and slot straight back into the team like that was brilliant. He brought so much composure and energy when we needed it most. You could tell how much it meant to him, and the way the fans responded was class.

I think Alex Bass was solid for us in goal, even though Carlisle United didn't look much good as a threat to score. David McGoldrick pushed himself and I think he ran his heart out in his efforts to help secure the win. But it's George Abbott who deserves the Man of the Match vote, at least from me.

A lot of young loanees take time to settle, but Abbott has slotted in seamlessly. His movement off the ball is clever, and he’s always looking for a forward pass. That’s exactly the type of player we need if we’re going to push for automatic promotion. His assist for Jatta was brilliant, but he also had a solid defensive game, making key tackles and interceptions. He’s already got four goals and four assists in League Two, which is an impressive return for a midfielder. If he keeps this up, he’s going to have a big future, whether that’s back at Spurs or somewhere else. Absolutely delighted he’s staying.

I reckon he might stay, considering he's still quite young and has potential to grow. We've got some excellent players he can learn from, and if we achieve promotion, he could prove himself further in League One. It's important to give him the benefit of the doubt regarding his recent improved performances, as we hope he genuinely feels settled within our squad.

While I respect other fans votes, for me, it's an easy decision despite the team's overall good effort. David McGoldrick delivered one of his best performances, and it's unfortunate he didn't get his hat-trick.

Luton Town 1-0 Swansea City Plymouth Argyle 3-2 Oxford United Blackpool 1-2 Rotherham United Cambridge United 0-3 Shrewsbury Town Crawley Town 2-1 Stevenage Gillingham 2-0 Salford City Harrogate Town 1-1 AFC Wimbledon Newport County 1-3 Carlisle United Joker

Happy Birthday, legend! It's a shame things didn't work out with you, but you are a great coach, so all the best to you.

Matt Palmer all the way. I think he's getting his stride back in the team. Not that he hasn't been good, but now he's more like he was before his injury. He seems to have a drive that helps us play more calmly.

I feel like we were in control for most of the match, but it just wasn’t to be. We had the possession and the chances, but when you let in three goals, it’s always going to be tough. McGoldrick did well with his penalty, and Hinchy’s goal was a bright spot, but it wasn’t enough in the end. A lot of work to do defensively.

Happy 76th, gaffer! Your passion on the touchline and ability to get the best out of players is something every Notts fan appreciates to this day. Enjoy your day!

Sam Austin really gets the essence of what the FA Cup means to fans and players alike. His point about how even small things, like using different balls in training, add to the excitement is so relatable. It’s clear he values professionalism, which is key if we’re to take on tougher teams like Peterborough. This mindset could help Notts push through to the later stages. Come on, lads!

It’s not just about bad management but also the wider system, where money isn’t distributed fairly. Clubs with huge fanbases often get through tough times due to their size, but smaller clubs have no safety net. I hope the Scottish FA or league system steps in to help, though that’s unlikely. It makes me grateful for the stability we have at Notts now. We’ve seen how bad things can get, so to be in safe hands is a relief. Fingers crossed Thistle find a way to move forward.