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Notts County head coach Martin Paterson believes his side’s growing resilience will be tested again this weekend when they face League Two leaders Gillingham. The Magpies head into the fixture on the back of consecutive league victories against Tranmere Rovers and Fleetwood Town, results that have lifted spirits and given Paterson the platform to build momentum. Paterson was quick to acknowledge the impact of striker Matthew Dennis, who was recently named League Two Player of the Month for August. But while pleased for his forward, the head coach stressed the award also reflects the work of the squad as a whole. “I think that when someone gets individual awards there must be credit obviously to the person because Matthew has done really well,” said Paterson. “But also it’s a case of understanding that it is his job to score goals, lead the line and work hard for the team. Other people are working hard to get him opportunities, other people defend for him to then go and release him forward. The team and the club should be rewarded as well as Matthew.” Paterson added that Dennis has impressed with his willingness to respond to coaching. “What I’m really pleased with is that he’s taken constructive criticism and coaching and propelled himself to be better every day,” he explained. “On Tuesday I filmed the training ground when the main session stopped. We had 12 players by themselves, not coach-led, practising heading, shooting and passing. That’s the culture I’m trying to set.” The head coach admitted Dennis required extra fitness work in pre-season but praised the effort he has put in. “When he came into pre-season I quickly assessed that he needed to get fitter. He’s worked hard on that aspect and still does,” said Paterson. “The work that’s gone into all the players has been a high volume of videos, a high volume of repetitions. It’s as simple as that. It’s hard work to your craft.” Paterson has also been encouraged by the wider squad’s response to his demands for extra practice. “When I first came to the club, it was me almost telling and dragging players back out there to do more. Now we see the start of a little bit of freedom for the players to be more accountable. I like the things I’m seeing at the moment, but it’s just a start.” Looking ahead to Saturday, Paterson views the clash with Gillingham as an ideal measure of progress. “I think it’s a great game. Unbeaten, top of the league. It’s the best challenge we can have. There’s a reason why they’re top, even though it’s early, and we’ve got to go there, be aware of that, but still be ourselves and challenge ourselves. It’s a really good challenge for us and a great game for the players.” Set-pieces are expected to play a key role, with Gillingham posing a serious threat in that area. Paterson confirmed his side has been working on defensive organisation during the week. “I think early on we were susceptible. I have to own that one, but I think we’ve made good adjustments over the last three or four games. Lots of teams at this level have big set play threats. There’s nothing wrong with it. We’ve just got to deal with it.” Paterson also provided a positive injury update ahead of the match. “Jodi Jones trained yesterday, so he’s fine. Lucas Ness is getting closer, probably next week he will play a part. Platt is a little bit longer, just settling down, but Jodi’s fine and Lucas will be pushing next week.” As Notts look to extend their unbeaten run to five, Paterson remains focused on keeping standards high and building on recent progress. Please take a moment to join the Pride of Nottingham, so that you can share your thoughts, engage with fans and help us when it comes to voting for our Man of the Match which we do after every league game. BeestonPie believes keeping the squad settled matters more than gossip, praising Notts County's handling of the rumours about star striker Alassana Jatta's head being turned earlier during the transfer window.

Notts County striker Matthew Dennis heads into tomorrow’s trip to Priestfield Stadium with confidence high after a flying start to the season. The 23-year-old forward has scored five goals and provided one assist in six games, form that has already earned him the League Two Player of the Month award for August. His performances have been central to Notts County’s early campaign, and his partnership with Alassana Jatta promises to give the Magpies another attacking dimension. Reflecting on his award, Dennis admitted the recognition felt special. “I'm delighted, I'm buzzing. Obviously it's a good achievement as a player, like I said before as well, there's a lot of players in the league too. It's a humbling experience that I've got chosen to be, you know, the League Two Player of the Month this month. Thanks to my teammates, coaches, everyone that believes in me as well. I'm pretty much happy and delighted.” Despite his fine form, Dennis is not resting on his success. He believes there is more to come from him and the team. “Yeah, I'm happy. I feel like I can do better and there's still things that I can work on to become an even better player. To be fair, I'm just focused on getting more wins as a group, as a team and climbing up the table.” Settling into life at Meadow Lane has not been without its challenges, but Dennis credits his focus and mindset with helping him adapt. “It's difficult, obviously. It's a new club, new surroundings, new city. You have to take your stride quickly. It's not been easy, but I just try to stay focused, stay grounded and concentrate on why I'm here and what I'm meant to do and how I'm meant to help the team and so on. I hope it keeps going and continues throughout the season.” Dennis arrived at Notts County in the summer after interest from several clubs. He explained that the club’s style of play convinced him it was the right move. “I had a few options. Obviously, at the time Roberto was here, I had a good conversation with him. Told me what the club's like and what they wanted. It's not too far from home as well. Great city as well. And to be fair, what kind of pulled me was how Notts play football and their DNA. How they like to play football and the way they do stuff. It kind of represents me. I felt like it would have been a good start for me based off of that as well.” In recent weeks, Dennis has been joined in attack by Alassana Jatta, who has returned to the side following injury. The two strikers already look a promising pairing. “It'll be good, obviously. Everyone knows that he's a good player. Very, very good player. Physical, strong, can do a lot as a striker. I know as time comes, as we play with each other and get comfortable with each other, we'll get a lot of goals between us, a lot of assists. I feel like me and him can hold the team as well. Nah, he's a good guy, great player. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season playing with him, alongside him. Yeah, I can't wait.” Tomorrow brings the toughest test so far, with Notts travelling to league leaders Gillingham. Dennis expects a difficult encounter but is confident his side can deliver. “Yeah, I mean, yeah, good team, good opposition. They're obviously doing well, started off well. But I have confidence that we will go there and do the job and come back with three points. Pretty sure.” Dennis has now scored in five consecutive games, but he insists that personal records are not his focus. “To be fair, I'm not really focused on that, I'm just trying to stay grounded, stay focused and try and obviously do my best in every game that I play in. Obviously, at the end of the day, a goal is good but it's a bonus. I'm just trying to help the team out up there and just see if we can get as many wins as possible. Like I said, the goals is a bonus and I'm obviously thankful for that. But on beat, the run I'm on, I'm not too sure.” As Notts County prepare to take on the early pacesetters, Dennis’s form and attitude underline his importance to the side. His focus on team success over personal accolades reflects the approach Stuart Maynard will hope can carry the Magpies through one of the season’s toughest fixtures. How would you line-up Notts County ahead of Gillingham, do you feel Jodi Jones should be placed straight back into the team? Share your pre-match thoughts on the Pride of Nottingham's match discussion. Take a moment to read about what the Pride of Nottingham community thinks about Matthew Dennis being named the EFL League Two Player of the month. Click here to share your thoughts and to congratulate Dennis.

Notts County defender Jacob Bedeau hailed his side’s resilience after the Magpies earned their first clean sheet of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town at Meadow Lane. The victory extended County’s unbeaten run to four matches and brought a sense of reward for a squad that had come close on several occasions earlier in the campaign. For Bedeau, the conditions on the day meant that it was less about style and more about substance. “Yeah, I think because of the conditions, obviously we've had problems with the pitch,” he explained. “We knew it wasn't going to be a normal game. We weren't going to be able to play the football we normally play and at times we'd have to go a bit longer and look into AJ and Matty Dennis. To be fair, I think it worked. Obviously it was a battle, a bit like last week as well and you're going to have games like that in this league. And I'm just delighted to get the three points really.” The Meadow Lane pitch had undergone a morning inspection, and while it was playable, Bedeau admitted it impacted how the side approached the game. “It probably stopped us playing kind of the game we wanted to play. But at this level and in the length of a season, you're going to have kind of things you have to get over and have to overcome. And I think we did that today. And obviously the ground staff here are top draw and I'm sure that pitch will be back to normal soon.” County’s defensive record had been under scrutiny after conceding goals in earlier fixtures, many of which came from set pieces rather than open play. Saturday’s clean sheet marked a significant milestone, ending a run without one since April. “I think there's been a few games where I thought we'd been unlucky there,” said Bedeau. “And I think even the start of the season, it was a lot of set pieces and teams weren't getting chances. They were just nicking one goal, two goals against us. So I think the lads deserved it today. It's not just the defenders, not just the keeper, it's the whole team. And yeah, we've deserved that and it's been coming.” Fleetwood’s late push for an equaliser required focus and discipline, but Bedeau felt the squad handled the pressure well. “Yeah, they're a good team. They've got quality coming off the bench. So we knew when we took the lead, obviously we had a couple of chances after and it would have been nice to get one of them in and have a bit of a break. But yeah, sometimes you have to weather the storm and I think, man to man, we did that today.” Bedeau also credited the calm approach from head coach Martin Paterson at half-time, which helped the Magpies maintain control. “To be fair, the gaffer was very calm. He kind of said, keep doing what you're doing. Keep trying to look for AJ and Matty Dennis in behind because they're such a threat at this level. To have them two in the team is going to be one hell of a strike force over the course of the season. I think it showed today with AJ playing Matty in and then I think AJ had a chance off Matty the other way around, so it was good to see them linking up.” After the final whistle, the squad celebrated in front of the Kop, a moment Bedeau said reflected the connection between players, staff, and fans. “Yeah, of course. When the fans are on it here and they get behind us, it's such a fortress. And obviously because it's such a good stadium and such a nice pitch, usually teams come here and really kind of want to beat us. And so when we're together, the team, the staff, the fans, it's just a great club to be at and a proper atmosphere to play in.” Notts now find themselves unbeaten in four, a run that has built confidence without encouraging complacency. “I don't want to jinx it, so I'm just going to say we take each game as it comes,” said Bedeau. “But I think even the other games over the course of the season, if you look at Barrow, the last minute goal when we're down to 10, Salford here, Newport was a draw, but we should have won that game really. So I think the signs were there before the run started and the gaffer made sure we all stayed calm, no one panicked. And I think we're reaping the rewards for that calmness now.” Looking ahead, the defender believes the depth of the squad will be vital in sustaining momentum. “Yeah, I think so. Obviously, I think there's not many injuries at the moment. Obviously, there's only a couple. We've got a good squad, a big squad and everyone wants to kind of play every game. So there's real competition for places, training's intense every day and that just breeds success, really. So I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season and seeing what we can do.” For Bedeau and his teammates, getting a clean sheet against Fleetwood was about more than just solid defense. It showed how well they work together and how strong their team spirit is, which could really make a difference as the season goes on. Pride of Nottingham member McPie has asked fans to share their thoughts on the Reedtz time at Notts County; click to join in with his review and share your thoughts. Take some time to digest and look at the popular dashboard page here on the Pride of Nottingham. We welcome your feedback, thoughts, and insight into our community content.

Notts County head coach Martin Paterson praised his side’s resilience and winning mentality after a narrow 1-0 victory over Fleetwood Town extended their unbeaten run to four games. The Magpies, missing winger Jodi Jones through international duty with Malta, relied on a decisive moment between their strike partnership. Alassana Jatta’s well-timed assist set up Matthew Dennis to score the only goal of the game at Meadow Lane. Reflecting on the performance, Paterson admitted that his side had not been at their fluent best but highlighted the importance of grinding out results. “We didn’t play great football today. Absolutely not. But we played winning football at moments and we defended the box ever so well,” he said. “There’ll be days when we’re not great, but you must take points.” Fleetwood’s organised approach forced Notts to adapt their style. Paterson explained the challenges his players faced. “Fleetwood came, organised, sat off a little bit and then almost asked us questions: okay, what are you going to do now? Sometimes at this level you have to play forward and stress back lines. I’m not embarrassed about doing that, I think it’s a really good pass.” Paterson revealed he had been frustrated at half-time, demanding more direct play from his forwards. “I’ve got two centre-forwards on the field for a reason,” he said. “In the second half we started to be a bit more positive with our passing and decision making.” The Notts boss was also quick to underline the significance of substitutions. Jatta and Dennis were both withdrawn as the second half wore on, with energy and fresh legs needed to see the game out. “Big AJ’s not match fit and Matthew’s been brilliant for us but he needs a rest,” Paterson explained. “I’ve got no fear of taking big names off because sometimes you need to bring energy on to secure the game. Conor Grant came on, got hold of the ball and won important fouls and throw-ins. That’s the dark arts. That’s where we were at.” While the Magpies created chances to extend their lead, including a Jatta one-on-one and a goal-line clearance, Paterson admitted his team had not been clinical. “We should have scored more in the early part of the second half. We should have put the game to bed,” he said. “It wasn’t beautiful football, it was playing forward and running forward. Now we have to find that balance between earning the right and then playing.” The clean sheet was another source of satisfaction for Paterson, who has been keen to see improvements in his team’s defensive resilience. “A clean sheet is something that I’ve been banging on to my staff and the players about. There is a requirement to do things at this level,” he said. “I saw a doggedness and a desire to defend the box.” Paterson stressed the importance of turning solid performances into victories. “We’ve played better than that and lost this season,” he said. “The key thing why we won today is because at half time we decided we’d come out and do what was required in that moment. We played winning football and wasn’t at our best, but got out with three points.” Looking ahead, Paterson called for further progress despite the recent unbeaten run. “Four is a mini-run. We need to continue to get better,” he said. “I’m really pleased with the group, but they’ll know come Monday there’s things inside that I am not happy with. Sometimes you’ve got to give them a well done for getting over the line. It was a big win.” The win puts Notts County in a strong position heading into their next fixture against Gillingham, but Paterson insists there is no room for complacency. “When I wake up tomorrow I’ll be thinking about Gillingham and then it will all start again,” he said. At Meadow Lane, the points mattered more than the performance. For Paterson, the sight of his team standing firm under pressure was proof of their growing resilience. “They were excellent in playing proper football to win a game,” he concluded. CliftonMagpie has asked fans if they believe the Fleetwood Town performance by Notts has been the best at Meadow Lane so far this season, with some points regarding Head Coach Martin Paterson's take. Read the Pride of Nottingham match report if you haven't already; see what other Notts fans have had to say of the 1-0 victory against Fleetwood Town at Meadow Lane this past Saturday.

Notts County claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Fleetwood Town at Meadow Lane, with Matthew Dennis scoring the decisive goal shortly after half-time. Dennis netted his sixth of the season, linking up well with Alassana Jatta, who was handed his first start of the campaign in place of the absent Jodi Jones, away on international duty. The strike proved enough to secure all three points, despite sustained pressure from the visitors. Fleetwood started strongly and threatened early. Ethan Ennis forced Kelle Roos into a low save inside the opening minute, while Will Davies sent a header over the bar soon after. The away side continued to ask questions, with Ryan Graydon denied by Roos midway through the first half after being played through by Elliott Bonds. Notts gradually settled and created chances of their own. Tom Iorpenda twice went close, testing goalkeeper Jay Lynch with a cross-shot before seeing another effort deflected wide. The Magpies’ best opening came on 41 minutes when Matt Palmer’s well-placed corner found both Dennis and Jatta six yards out, but their efforts clashed and the ball flew wide. Moments later, Jatta’s low drive was held by Lynch as the first half ended goalless. The breakthrough arrived just seconds into the second half. Iorpenda capitalised on a loose pass and released Jatta, whose square ball found Dennis. The striker controlled well before slotting past Lynch to put Notts in front. Dennis and Jatta combined again soon after, with Dennis slipping the Gambian forward through on goal. Jatta showed strength to hold off his marker but his shot was saved at full stretch by Lynch. He was later replaced by Conor Grant on 66 minutes after an encouraging display on his first start of the season. Fleetwood pressed for an equaliser and forced Notts into a defensive shift. Roos was called into action, saving from Jordan Davies’ free-kick and later gathering efforts from range. The Magpies remained dangerous on the counter, with Kellan Gordon firing over following a quick break and Grant sending a powerful strike just over in the closing stages. Late pressure from the visitors included James Bolton heading off target in stoppage time, but Notts stood firm to secure the clean sheet and the victory. The match statistics reflected a competitive contest. Notts held 57.8 per cent of possession compared to Fleetwood’s 42.2, and registered nine corners to their five. Both sides committed 16 fouls, each collecting three yellow cards, highlighting the physical nature of the game. Despite creating fewer shots on target (four to Fleetwood’s six), Notts made their decisive chance count. This result ensured another important win at Meadow Lane, with Dennis’ clinical finish and a strong defensive display underpinning a solid team performance. Help the Pride of Nottingham pick the Man of the Match for our Notts players after their game against Fleetwood Town yesterday. Who do you think stood out the most? Click here to cast your vote! What are your post-match thoughts on the 1-0 win at Meadow Lane yesterday, as Notts County defeated Fleetwood Town? Who stood out for you? What did you make of the tactics and opposition?

Notts County head coach Martin Paterson praised his players’ reaction after they came from behind to record their first away win of the season at Tranmere Rovers. The Magpies had to respond after falling behind at Prenton Park, but goals from Matthew Dennis and Kellan Gordon secured a 2-1 victory. Paterson kept faith with the same starting eleven that drew 2-2 with Bromley, with striker Alassana Jatta making a return on the bench following injury and suspension. Paterson admitted that the home side began strongly but was pleased with the way his players responded. “I thought they started well in the first period of the game and they're a well-coached, organised team. I played with the manager, I know him ever so well, and they're difficult. So we've worked on a lot of things and the improvements were there in terms of the defensive actions. I was really pleased.” He emphasised the importance of remaining disciplined during the early stages of pressure. “We had to just respect the game, we had to defend, we had to withstand a little bit of pressure here at Tranmere, it's a tough place to come. And then I thought we started to build our way into the game to then, dare I say it, have good control.” Despite conceding late in the first half, Paterson was encouraged by the team’s attitude. He made his expectations clear at the break and was delighted with the reaction. “I chose my words very carefully at halftime, but I also made sure the group were abundantly clear what I expected in the second half. And what I will give them a massive credit for is the performance in the first half, but again, not the result. Very similar to what we've experienced in the first few games, if I'm honest. So I had that feeling, oh, not again, come on. But then what I saw in the second half was a reaction and a response from the words that I said and my mannerisms at halftime. So credit to my players, because we've got a great bunch here.” Dennis levelled soon after the restart before Gordon struck the winner with a composed finish. Paterson highlighted the improved organisation, particularly during the closing stages. “For the last 15 minutes when they gave and they're probably the best set play team in the division at the moment they threw everything at us and we stood our ground and that looked like a Notts County performance today.” He was quick to stress the importance of progress over celebration. “There’ll be no overreaction from me, good or bad. It's on to Lincoln now and we have to continue the progress that we're making. Sometimes you can downplay certain things, but what I can't downplay is the reaction and the performance in the second half to win a game of football. It's absolute key and I'm really, really proud of them, but it means nothing if we don't kick on now for the next two games.” The head coach also praised his back line, which he felt looked “like a proper back line today”, and the work of his staff behind the scenes to improve the team’s fitness. “What I did see, we look fitter. We look fitter. And that was a big thing for me coming in. I think we really needed to be fitter so that we don't droop and don't fall back in those last moments.” Jatta returned for the final stages and combined with Dennis in attack, something Paterson was pleased to see but cautious not to overstate. “Yes, they are forming a partnership. But again, one swallow is not a summer. So we need to get back to base camp. I've told the players, listen, enjoy it tonight, have a nice film with your family. But come Monday morning, we're at work as we always are because we're just trying to get back to level par.” Looking ahead to transfer deadline day, Paterson confirmed he does not expect major changes. “I don't think so. The owners have been really, really clear on the outs. Inns will be more so if it is the correct player that will improve the group, which is the key thing. I don't think we as a club, owners, head of football and myself plonked underneath that, are in a knee-jerk reaction to just get bodies. It needs to improve us.” Notts will now prepare for their next challenge, away at Lincoln City, with Paterson urging his players to keep building on the progress shown at Prenton Park. Moving on to the EFL Trophy game against Lincoln City, the Pride of Nottingham Match Discussion is now live, and we encourage fans to share their pre-match thoughts with us. We're looking to raise some money for more improvements to our site through a donation drive. If you can spare any amount, we’d really appreciate your support!

Notts County earned their first away win of the season with a 2-1 win at Tranmere Rovers. The hosts went ahead before the break, but County responded well. Matthew Dennis equalised early in the second half, and Kellan Gordon struck the winner with a composed finish. The Magpies stayed organised and saw out the match with little fuss. Martin Paterson kept faith with the same starting eleven that drew 2-2 with Bromley, though there was a welcome return to the bench for Alassana Jatta following suspension and injury. Dennis again led the line alongside Jodi Jones, supported by Tom Iorpenda and Ollie Norburn in attacking midfield. Notts had more of the ball in the first half, enjoying 54 percent possession, but they struggled to create clear chances. Their best moment came on 36 minutes when Jones sent a dangerous cross across the six-yard box, narrowly missing Barry Cotter’s outstretched boot. Tranmere were equally limited in attack until the closing stages of the half. On 45 minutes, a lapse in midfield possession gave Charlie Whitaker the space to break forward, and his pass released Omari Patrick, who calmly finished past Kelle Roos to put the home side ahead. Paterson made a change at the break, introducing Gordon for Cotter, and the response was immediate. Within minutes of the restart, a clever passing move involving Jones, Nick Tsaroulla, and Iorpenda created space for the midfielder to cross low into the box. Dennis arrived at the back post to steer the ball home for his latest poacher’s finish, bringing Notts level. The Magpies grew into the half and soon completed the turnaround. On 62 minutes, Jatta, recently introduced from the bench, showed good awareness with a neat flick that set Dennis through. His effort was saved by Luke McGee, but Gordon followed up with composure to put County in front. Tranmere pressed for an equaliser, forcing blocks from Jacob Bedeau and a sharp stop from Roos. Josh Davison and Patrick Brough both went close, while substitute Jayden Joseph struck over late on. Notts, however, stood firm under pressure. With six minutes of added time, the defence had to dig deep, but the back three and goalkeeper did enough to protect the lead. The contest was competitive throughout, reflected in the statistics. Both sides won four corners apiece. Notts committed 10 fouls and collected three yellow cards, while Tranmere were penalised 16 times and also saw three players booked, including goalkeeper McGee in stoppage time. The Magpies were the more clinical side, recording eight shots on target compared to Tranmere’s two. The final whistle confirmed a valuable win for Notts County, who showed resilience to recover from a goal down and see the game out in testing circumstances. The travelling supporters left Prenton Park satisfied after a strong second-half performance. Help the Pride of Nottingham name their Man of the Match from yesterday's performance against Tranmere Rovers. Simply click this link and cast your vote in the poll! Don’t hesitate to drop a comment if you want! Share your post-match thoughts after yesterday's 2-1 win at Prenton Park against Tranmere Rovers. Let us know your thoughts on the game, key moments, and how you felt after the final whistle.

Notts County midfielder Ollie Norburn says he has “settled in really well” at Meadow Lane and believes the Magpies have the quality to challenge at the top end of League Two, but has urged calm and focus ahead of Saturday’s trip to Prenton Park. The 32-year-old, who signed a one-year deal in the summer after leaving Blackpool, admitted he is still building full match sharpness after a long injury lay-off, but feels stronger with every appearance. “Yes, settled in really well,” he said. “Very good club, good set of lads, good staff. I'm looking forward to the season ahead. I'm very optimistic, even though we would say we should have picked up more points so far, but we're remaining positive and looking forward to the weekend.” Norburn missed a significant portion of pre-season and concedes it has taken time to catch up to speed. “It's not ideal really in terms of not having a proper pre-season with the group. I caught the last half an hour of the game at Cardiff and then in terms of match minutes, you're trying to play catch-up, which is always hard when the competitive football starts. I always knew it was probably going to take me a good few weeks to get up to speed and get in the match feel again after being out for 14, 15 weeks. I'm probably still finding my feet with that, to be honest. But with each game and each minute, I'm starting to feel better physically. Hopefully, this time in a few weeks, next month, I'll be fully up to speed and ready to attack what's ahead.” Competition for places in the Notts midfield is fierce, with Matt Palmer, Tom Iopenda and Scott Robertson all pushing for selection. For Norburn, that challenge is something he relishes. “It's good. Obviously, you've got to compete for a place and try and keep your shirt. Ultimately, then the decision lies with the manager. I guess that's his job to pick who plays, but all good players. I think anyone that would be chosen to play is a reliable, good player, especially at this level. So, no, it's all healthy and all good.” Norburn has spent much of his career at a higher level, including the Championship with Peterborough United, but says Notts’ ambition was a key factor in his decision to move to Meadow Lane. “The ambition of the club and where they want to get to, how they do things and the way that the football tries to be played here. It was an attractive one for me. Hopefully we'll be pushing at the right end of the table, which I'm sure over the course of the season we'll be there or thereabouts with the quality that's in the squad. I'm fully optimistic and looking forward to what's ahead.” Reflecting on his own journey, which included a spell in non-league before working his way back up to the Championship, Norburn highlighted the importance of resilience. “I think first and foremost there was probably a reason why I dropped into non-league at 22, 23 years old and the reason being I hadn't played enough games and all types of different things. You've got to try and earn your stripes back if you like and I think the lower down you go sometimes it's tougher, you've got to be mentally strong and resilient especially to fight your way back up and that's what I've done. The message would be to young players is you've got to be resilient, mentally strong. Sometimes in football, things can change very quick. Leave no stone unturned in terms of how you train, how you prepare. Basically, give it what you've got.” Leadership has been a common theme throughout his career, with Norburn captaining several of his former clubs. While he acknowledges Matt Palmer’s role as Notts’ skipper, he sees himself as a vocal presence in the dressing room. “At most clubs I have been captain to be fair. Probably something that comes quite natural. Obviously, we've got the skipper here, Matt Palmer, who's a good skipper and probably leads in a different way, but I'd like to say I'm probably a little bit more vocal in terms of how I lead, in terms of speaking and that type of thing. But there's certainly different ways of how you can lead and lead by example.” Saturday brings a return to one of Norburn’s old clubs, Tranmere Rovers, where he won promotion during his time at Prenton Park. He knows the challenge that awaits. “We know, as you guys will know, it's a tough place to go, so we've got to go there ready, prepared. If we can play our football and play that for a longer period through games, because we look back at games, we review, we assess, I think if we can really get a 90-minute performance together, I think there's not many teams that could live with us. It's all about us, concentrate on us, concentrate on what we do well. If we do and start putting together 90-minute performances, I'm sure we'll be fine.” With Tranmere undefeated so far, Norburn believes composure will be crucial as Notts aim to get their season fully on track. “Yes, but we've got to remain calm with that because there is a lot of expectation here at the club, which is good and rightly so. There's good players, it's a good club, good fan base, but at the same time we've got to remain calm. We've got to concentrate on what we do and execute what we do. I'm sure if we start doing that over longer periods in games, the results will follow.” What are your pre-match thoughts ahead of Notts County's trip to Prenton Park, as the Magpies take on Tranmere Rovers? Join the conversation in Pride of Nottingham's Match Discussion and share your insights! Young 'Ash' has shared his thoughts on the Alassana Jatta situation, urging openness as the club is amidst discussions regarding the Gambian's future. Join in the conversation and share your opinion.

Notts County were held to a 2–2 draw by Bromley at Meadow Lane, despite a brace from Matthew Dennis. Head coach Martin Paterson named an unchanged line-up from the midweek win over Shrewsbury Town. With Alassana Jatta ruled out through a back spasm, Jodi Jones again started up front alongside Dennis, who came into the game looking to score for the third consecutive match. The Magpies began strongly and almost took an early lead when Dennis headed wide from Nick Tsaroulla’s cross. Minutes later, he made no mistake. Goalkeeper Kelle Roos picked him out with a long pass into the left channel. Dennis cut inside on his right foot and drove a precise finish inside the near post to give Notts the perfect start. Bromley hit back on 18 minutes after Notts failed to clear their lines inside the area. Ben Thompson was quickest to react and fired past Roos to level the score. The visitors’ physical approach led to several fouls, and there was controversy shortly before the half-hour mark when Omar Sowunmi’s late challenge on Jones earned only a yellow card. From the resulting free-kick, Matt Palmer’s delivery was met by Dennis, who glanced home his second of the afternoon with a tidy header. Notts carried the 2–1 lead into half-time, but Bromley made three substitutions during the break which helped them grow into the game. Both sides began to trade possession, and although Notts enjoyed 53.3 per cent of the ball, clear chances were limited. Paterson turned to his bench to inject fresh energy. Conor Grant and Tyrese Hall replaced Oliver Norburn and Jones, while Keanan Bennetts and Kellan Gordon later came on for Tsaroulla and Barry Cotter. Notts came close to extending their advantage on 77 minutes when Hall found himself in a good position inside the box, but his attempted cut-back towards Dennis was cut out. The missed opportunity proved costly. Bromley were awarded a soft-looking free-kick in the 83rd minute. The initial shot was blocked, but Mitch Pinnock’s follow-up effort struck Idris Odutayo, wrong-footing Roos and nestling in the net for a fortuitous equaliser. Bromley threatened again shortly afterwards, with Marcus Dinanga heading wide from close range, while at the other end Palmer forced a save from Grant Smith with a well-struck free-kick. In the closing stages, both sides pushed for a winner, with Bromley earning a succession of corners and Notts defending resolutely. Ultimately, neither team could find the decisive goal and the points were shared. The Magpies finished with three shots on target to Bromley’s three, while both sides were combative throughout, with Notts committing 12 fouls to Bromley’s 14. County picked up one booking, compared to four for the visitors. Bromley also edged the corner count, winning five to Notts’ three. The draw will feel frustrating after holding the lead for much of the contest, but Dennis’ fine finishing and another energetic display from the side provided positives for Paterson to build on. Take a moment to vote for Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match if you haven't already, for the performances seen against Bromley. Help us name the Notts player who deserves the fans' vote. McPie has asked within the Pride of Nottingham community if Notts has a "lack of shape" in the team. What are your thoughts? Join in the discussion and have your say.