- Comment on the Richard Montague interview here
- Who should be recruited in January? Read this excellent recruitment doc from member ARLukomski
- PON member Robbie has highlighted a tough run of fixtures for the Magpies in December, do you have any thoughts on this?⚽
- Former Notts head coach Luke Williams is hoping to reunite with goalscorer Macaulay Langstaff at Peterborough United.
- 👋🏻 Welcome the newest members of Pride of Nottingham! Drop by and say hello, it’s always great to see fresh faces joining the community. 🫱🏼🫲🏼
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POST-MATCH | BOSTON 0-1 NOTTS COUNTY | LUKE WILLIAMS
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Match Discussion: PSF - The Reds (A)
PSF - The Reds (A) Team: Alfreton Town Date: 25/07/2023 Where: North Street What line-up should Luke Williams opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be? Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.
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Notts County Manager Luke Williams Discusses Player Injuries and Pre-Season Training
Notts County manager Luke Williams recently spoke about player injuries and pre-season training. He discussed the minor issues that some players had with tightness and how they were removed from training and the friendly match to avoid making their injuries worse. The club is preparing for the start of the new season by avoiding unnecessary complications and injuries. Williams said that these minor issues are to be expected given the amount of workload at this time of year and that they are not too big of an issue with three friendlies still left to get in before the season starts. He also mentioned that Aden Baldwin is recovering well from his injury but will need a bit longer, while Junior Morias is in a similar situation. Both players have completed the beginning of their rehabilitation inside the gym and on the treatment bed and are now spending more time on the grass. Pre-season training was also discussed by Williams, who explained that it is focused on conditioning and getting the players to the correct level of fitness to sustain them over a long season. He mentioned that this is the time of year when they get their base fitness and that they also work on their understanding of tactical stuff. The training session on the morning of the game, although not ridiculously hard, still took some energy out of the players’ legs, and they came into the game a bit fatigued from the week and from the morning session, according to Williams. In an interview with Nick Richardson of the Notts County media team, Notts County manager Luke Williams discussed player injuries and pre-season training. Williams mentioned that some players, such as Tobi and Connell, had minor issues with tightness and were removed from training and the friendly match to avoid making their injuries worse. "When he [Tobi Adebayo-Rowling] felt some tightness, we said it's not worth risking him to make it a worse injury," Williams said. "So it's a very minor thing, and we expect him to be on the grass again on Friday." He also mentioned that Aaron Nemane had a similar issue with tightness from repeating the amount of times he hits the ball in training. "He [Aaron Nemane] felt a tightness," Williams said. "But it's something that we know well with Aaron. We know how his body is and as soon as he feels the beginning of something, we remove him from training and from the friendly." Williams said that these minor issues are to be expected given the amount of workload at this time of year and that they are not too big of an issue with three friendlies still left to get in before the season starts. "When guys are picking up some fatigue, really, if we didn't push them really hard this time of year, we're doing something wrong," Williams said. "So we have no problem with these minor things, and we withdraw the players at the right time." He also mentioned that Aden Baldwin is recovering well from his injury but will need a bit longer, while Junior Morias is in a similar situation. Both players have completed the beginning of their rehabilitation inside the gym and on the treatment bed and are now spending more time on the grass. "Aden [Baldwin] is recovering really well from his injury, but he's going to need a bit longer," Williams said. "And he's on track and everything is going according to plan. So he's now on the grass running on the training pitch." Williams also discussed pre-season training, explaining that it is focused on conditioning and getting the players to the correct level of fitness to sustain them over a long season. He mentioned that this is the time of year when they get their base fitness and that they also work on their understanding of tactical stuff. "This time of year is really very much about conditioning, getting the guys to the correct level of condition that they need to sustain them over a long season," Williams said. "And this is where you know we get our base from." Williams acknowledged that the training session on the morning of the game, although not ridiculously hard, still took some energy out of the players' legs and that they came into the game a bit fatigued from the week and from the morning session. However, he said that this was done deliberately to get them into the right place for the league. "Ordinarily, of course, the players would be fresh going into a game, but this time of year we're topping up their conditioning and also topping up their understanding of tactical stuff," Williams said. "So we trained this morning not ridiculously hard but of course it still took it out of their legs. And then they come here a bit fatigued from the week and a bit fatigued from this morning." Confidence in his team’s ability to handle minor injuries and fatigue during pre-season training is expressed by Williams. He believes that pushing his players hard at this time of year is necessary to get them into top condition for the upcoming season. With three friendlies still left before the season starts, there is plenty of time for Williams to continue working on his team’s fitness and tactical understanding. Please consider starting a new topic if you can think of a good discussion within the forum. Also, don’t forget to check out the latest content within the Pride of Nottingham via the dashboard page!
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Notts County Manager Luke Williams Praises Team's Performance in Pre-Season Friendly
Notts County responded with the opening goal on 10 minutes as Jodi Jones’ excellent cross was headed home by Crowley inside the area. They had to wait another two minutes to have the ball in the net again, though, as Brindley met Jones’ half-cleared cross with a sweet strike from 20 yards. Some of the standout players for Notts County in the match were Dan Crowley, David McGoldrick, and Richard Brindley. Telford United played well in their counter-attacking football, being direct and making Notts have to work. Despite their efforts, Notts County was able to secure the win with their strong performance. Williams praised Telford’s play, particularly on the counter-attack, and acknowledged that his team had to work hard to get the win. In an interview with Nick Richardson of the Notts County media team, Williams said that the match was a “very worthwhile” experience and that Telford played “excellent” football, particularly on the counter-attack. “I thought that Telford were excellent and particularly when they played on the counter-attack very, very well,” Williams said. “But then we managed to get to grips with the game somewhat, and we started to create more chances later on.” Williams was happy overall with the team’s performance but acknowledged that there is still some work to be done for them to improve. He also mentioned that they had to move players around and monitor their minutes to avoid pushing them too hard too early in the season. “So I’m happy overall but still we can see there is some work to be done for us to improve,” Williams said. Williams also spoke about the team’s efforts to improve their defence and find the right balance between attacking and defending. He mentioned that they are working on being more compact and organised when defending, while also being more creative and dynamic when attacking. “We’re working on our defence, trying to be more compact and organised, while also being more creative and dynamic when attacking,” Williams said. “It’s all about finding the right balance and I think we’re making good progress.” It seems that Williams is pleased with how his team is progressing during their pre-season preparations. They will continue to work hard and improve as they get ready for the start of the new season. Please consider making a donation to help support the Pride of Nottingham site. All support is greatly appreciated! Also, be sure to check out the Pride of Nottingham dashboard for all the latest content throughout the site.
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Match Discussion: PSF - The Pilgrims (A)
PSF - The Pilgrims (A) Team: Boston United Date: 22/07/2023 Where: Jakemans Community Stadium What line-up should Luke Williams opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be? Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.
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POST-MATCH | TELFORD 0-2 NOTTS COUNTY | LUKE WILLIAMS
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GOALS | TELFORD 0-2 NOTTS COUNTY
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Luke Williams discusses Notts County’s new kit design and player evaluation
The city of Nottingham was alive with anticipation as two of its local football clubs, Notts County and Nottingham Forest, prepared to play in a pre-season friendly at Meadow Lane. The match was a chance for both teams to showcase their skills and for fans to get a glimpse of what the upcoming season might hold. As the day of the match approached, excitement grew among the residents of Nottingham. Flags and banners were hung from windows and balconies, and the streets were filled with the sound of chanting and singing. Notts County's rivalry between Nottingham Forest was fierce, but there was also a sense of camaraderie among the fans, united in their love for the beautiful game. The atmosphere was electric, with over 16,500 fans in attendance to show their support for their respective teams. Luke Williams, the head coach of Notts County, was thrilled with the turnout and the opportunity for the city to showcase itself. "Well yeah, I think it's just a chance for us as a city to show off," he said. "Where else are you going to get 16,500 for a preseason friendly? And the atmosphere was great, you know, because the game wasn't a thriller in it. "But there was applause from the fans, and we had a great opportunity to show respect and let their families know that their loved ones have not been forgotten." Despite the game not being a thriller, Williams had nothing but praise for his counterpart, Nottingham Forest's manager, Steve Cooper. "Yeah I did [meet with him before the game]. And he's just total class, isn't he? "He came and spent some time with me before the game, which he did this time last year. And that helped me hugely, it really did. "It helped me so much. And I've had some time with him again today. He's a Premier League manager. You don't get that opportunity very often, and we'll try to encourage him to have a chat with me again with my staff and his staff. So yeah, it's brilliant to be able to share the technical area with him." Williams also reflected on his time away from football during the off-season. "Yeah I had some holiday time," he said. "What is done, is done now, no one can ever take the memories away. But for now I'm at work again and have to concentrate on what's in front of us. And at some point in the future, hopefully a long time from now, we'll be able to reflect back on maybe more success as well at this brilliant football club." When asked about former Notts County player Ruben Rodrigues, Williams expressed his well-wishes for him. "Yeah we hope so [that he does well]. "You know with this there's nothing we can do. We can't hide them [the players]. They're there to be observed. And you know we wish Ruben well of course because we love Ruben here. And everything that he helped us to achieve last season in particular for me because it wasn't the only one I worked with him, but I know he's been here for a number of seasons and everyone adores him." Williams also discussed his approach to evaluating new players during the pre-season friendlies. "Yeah you know me, I allow the club, the people that really know what they're looking at [to evaluate new players]. And they of course can watch the pre-season friendlies. "If they have any concerns they can act upon it, but you know I'm happy with a group of players and I need to pour all of my time and effort into those players that are already in the building. And if we have new players join us then they will get the same service from myself." Finally, Williams expressed his excitement about Notts County's new kit design for the upcoming season. "Yeah you know I really was so keen for us to be back in a proper stripe," he said. "I loved the pinstripe of course last season; the double pinstripe was great. And of course that shirt will always hold a place for me. But to see the proper black and white bars was... I just thought we looked so close to them, be quite honest." As the pre-season friendly between Notts County and Nottingham Forest came to a close, the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming season was palpable. With a successful turnout and a chance for the city of Nottingham to shine, it's clear that the love for football runs deep in the hearts of its residents. As Williams said, "It's just a chance for us as a city to show off." And with the new season on the horizon, there's no doubt that both Notts County and Nottingham Forest will continue to make their city proud. Join in with the Pride of Nottingham and contribute to the site’s content by checking out the forum. Share your thoughts on the BBC’s interview with skipper Kyle Cameron and join in the discussion with other fans.
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Charlie Slater leaves Notts County commentary with heartfelt message
Charlie Slater, the well-known commentator for BBC Radio Nottingham, has announced his departure from his role as Notts County commentator via Twitter. Charlie, who took over the role on 5th August 2017 following the semi-retirement of the legendary Colin Slater, expressed his gratitude and honour in being Notts' new commentator. In a series of tweets, Charlie thanked his colleagues at BBC Radio Nottingham and reflected on his time with the station. He wrote, "I’ve worked for BBC RNS for over a decade & covered more than 500 games for them. None of that happens without Colin Fray, who took a chance on me & to who I’ll be eternally grateful." He also shared a text graphic in which he expressed his affection for the football club and its supporters. Charlie went on to say, "After six years and almost 350 games I've been at a crossroads, needing to make a decision whether to carry on or to pursue other opportunities. It's the most difficult career decision I've ever had to make, made more so by the affection I have for the football club and of course the bond I have with you, the supporters." He continued, "The way that you have taken to me will never leave me. I can't begin to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for listening and for your kind comments. A special fan base for a special football club, I hope you'll always consider me 'one of your own'." Charlie also reflected on the future of Notts County, writing, "Watching Notts get promoted at Wembley is a good way to go out, but I also know there's more to come. With great owners, the legacy of Jason Turner, the brilliant Luke Williams and his coaching staff and the off the pitch excellence of Richard Montague, Nick Richardson and Steven Carter, to name just a few, Notts County are only going one way." He concluded by expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to follow in Colin Slater's footsteps. "Finally, Notts County has always had 'one voice' and to be given the chance to follow Colin Slater will forever be one of the greatest honours of my professional career. I hope I did his legacy justice. Thank you for listening. You pies! Charlie" As Notts County prepare for their first match of the 2023-24 season, Charlie's departure marks the end of an era for BBC Radio Nottingham and Notts County. His contributions to the station and to the local football community will be greatly missed. Charlie's heartfelt words on Twitter have touched many fans and colleagues alike, and his legacy as a commentator will live on. Don’t forget to check out the Pride of Nottingham Twitter page and get involved - we love to see your interactions! Be sure to check out the latest activity across our site and join in with the discussions you feel like contributing to. We value your input!
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Notts County’s Tobi Adebayo-Rowling Makes Triumphant Return to the Pitch
After a long-awaited return to the pitch, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling is back in action. The talented footballer has been out of the game for some time, but he's now ready to make his mark once again. Fans were thrilled to see him take to the field, and he didn't disappoint. Tobi's return was met with cheers and applause from the crowd. He's been a fan favourite for a while, and his absence was felt by many. But now that he's back, there's no doubt that he'll be making headlines once again. The match was an exciting one, with both teams giving it their all. Tobi played exceptionally well, showing off his skills and proving that he's still got what it takes. In a post-match interview, BBC Radio Nottingham caught up with Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, who has been out of action for some time, was all smiles as he took to the pitch once again. "It’s been way too long," replied Tobi. "I thought the performance from the boys was amazing. First half obviously, you got to keep it humble because you know, steady preseason. "We’ve got a lot to do. But just as a team, I thought we were class today, first half and second half. Big improvement on Stoke. So happy to be out there." "It’s tough," admitted Tobi. "But I’ve got good people, an amazing team here who helped me through that and amazing family as well. "But I mean it’s horrible, isn’t it? Watching the boys and not being able to play at all, not even train. "You got to go to the gym and all that. But at the end of the day we’re blessed in it, doing the best job in the world. So I can’t complain but yeah, it is tough." "I had an AFL reconstruction because my ligaments were just basically non-existent in there," explained Tobi. "So I had to get that all tied together and then yeah, just a bit of fluid out of there. It’s all perfect, stable. It’s brand new, I love it." The occasion had started on a sombre note as the clubs came together to pay tribute to those who had lost their lives suddenly. "That was very sad," agreed Tobi. "I saw that news in the off-season. It was heartbreaking. "Obviously it’s an amazing tribute today to do something like that but yeah, God bless the families. I hope they’re ok and really good support from everyone as well." Tobi was thrilled to be back on his home stadium and see half the ground filled with red. "Proper like you know before the game where you have those butterflies?" he said. "It was beautiful seeing so many people here, but we got amazing fans. Like we always have a big turnout but yeah, I couldn’t even hear it on the pitch! It was amazing! So yeah, thank you for the support by the way! Beautiful! Love you a lot!" Tobi also spoke about his connection with Aaron on his right-hand side. "I love it because if you give it to him, he will just cause madness down the right!" he said enthusiastically. "And I feel like we got a good connection like on and off the pitch so like it shows but yeah we still got a lot to do in it and like you know what I mean? "That was a sort of a new position for me as well, so yeah, it was good! It was really good!" When asked about which fixture caught his eye now that they had been released, he replied: "Nothing really personal but maybe MK Dons? They’ve got a lovely stadium! But yeah, just being in league two! Like how good is that? When I was confident South a couple of years ago to be here with this amazing team! League two! Just any team! Any team bring it on!" It's clear that Tobi Adebayo-Rowling is back and ready for action once again. With his positive attitude and determination, we're sure he'll be making headlines once again very soon. Be sure to check out the latest discussions on Pride of Nottingham’s dashboard page and get involved! We want to hear from Notts fans what are your thoughts on the Pre-Season friendly against Nottingham Forest? Let us know.
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Luke Williams Shares His Insight into Notts County’s Pre-Season Friendly Against Nottingham Forest
Notts County's head coach, Luke Williams, recently led his team in a pre-season friendly against Premier League team Nottingham Forest. Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat, Williams believes the match was a valuable exercise for his team. The team played a back four formation, which Williams was pleased with. He said that the formation allowed the Magpies to be more organised and compact in defence while also providing opportunities for quick counter-attacks. Although the result was not in their favour, Williams is optimistic about the future. He believes that the experience gained from playing against a top-tier team will be invaluable for his players as they continue to develop and improve. Williams is confident that his team will bounce back from this defeat and continue to grow stronger. Luke Williams recently spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham about the team's final home pre-season friendly. He said, "I thought they equipped themselves really well, the guys, and we looked like the same team in a very different formation." Williams was also happy with the physical condition of his players. "They look bright and in good physical condition. So, I was happy with everyone, really," he said. Some of the players are still getting up to speed with the work and conditioning required for the team's style of play. Despite this, there were no injuries during the match. However, there was one mistake made during the game. Williams accidentally distracted the captain while he was speaking to him, causing a goal to be scored against them. Williams took responsibility for this mistake and apologised to the captain and team. "So yeah, big mistake for me. Won’t be doing that in a league game," he said. Despite this setback, Williams remains optimistic about his team's future performance. "No, we’re not ready. Unfortunately, you would love to say we were, but we’re not ready. We’ve got a fair bit more work to do, and the players are aware of that. But hopefully, we will use the time wisely, and we’ll be able to make a really great performance in that game," he said. As Notts County prepares for their upcoming season, fans can look forward to seeing how the team continues to develop under Williams' leadership. With a focus on conditioning and strategy, Notts County is sure to put up a strong fight in their upcoming matches. If you enjoy the content on Pride of Nottingham, please consider making a donation to help pay for the site’s upkeep. Every little bit helps! We also encourage you to log in and get involved with the site via the Pride of Nottingham “Topicfeed”. Join the conversation and share your thoughts with fellow fans!
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Match Discussion: PSF - The Bucks (A)
PSF - The Bucks (A) Team: AFC Telford United Date: 18/07/2023 Where: New Bucks Head What line-up should Luke Williams opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be? Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.
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POST-MATCH | NOTTS COUNTY 0-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST | TOBI ADEBAYO-ROWLING
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POST-MATCH | NOTTS COUNTY 0-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST | LUKE WILLIAMS
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Match Discussion: PSF - Forest (H)
PSF - Forest (H) Team: Nottingham Forest Date: 15/07/2023 Where: Meadow Lane What line-up should Luke Williams opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be? Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.
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TRAINING | FOREST NEXT UP
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POST-MATCH | NOTTS COUNTY 1-5 STOKE CITY | LUKE WILLIAMS
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NEW PA SYSTEM | READY TO GO
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Notts County FC Academy Dan Leivers receives significant funding boost after promotion
Notts County FC Academy Manager, Dan Leivers, has expressed his elation over the team's recent promotion, describing it as a "really emotional and happy experience" achieved via a penalty shoot-out victory. Discussing the implications of the promotion, Leivers underscored the significant impact it would have on the academy, transitioning from the National League Youth Alliance to repositioning back in the EFL. The most considerable ramification, Leivers pointed out, is the increase in funds they would receive. "The largest benefit, particularly from an academy perspective, is the funding," he clarified. "This year we have been operating devoid of any support from any leagues, the Premier League or the FA. We will now receive the Football League Cat 3 grant for this year, providing a significant sum of money which will aid us in hiring new staff, improving facilities and procuring new equipment - all of these factors will significantly enhance the players' experiences this year." Discussing staff changes resulting from the promotion, Leivers highlighted new positions that would need to be created. "Reverting back to Cat 3 level brings with it a lot of mandatory positions," he continued. "Despite the fact we have been operating close to Cat 3 level with the staff already on our books, there are key positions we now need to fill - including roles relating to education, player care and part-time coaching." Reflecting on the previous season where several teams were operated under the academy, Leivers confidently asserted that it was a successful move, providing a platform for young players to perform. He exclaimed, "I believe we've had as many as 17 different players train with the first team this year, which is fantastic." With the transition to Cat 3 in the EFL this year, an under-21s team will feature in the EFL Central League, while the under-18s will compete in the EFL Youth Alliance. The promotion's ripple effect extends to new contracts for players, said Leivers, explaining that, "Every single one of our players aged 9 to 16 will now be sheltered by the rules of EFL." He continued, "They'll presently be undergoing a process to sign their forms and officially become EFL Academy players." In addition to this, half a dozen players from the under-16s will advance to scholarships and earn their stripes as paid apprentices within the team. Regarding training, Leivers noted that the regimen would not change drastically from what it was this year, with operations at their training ground at Clifton remaining almost on par. He did mention that the only adjustments might occur on match days depending on the opponent and potential required travel. Leivers confirmed continuing their matches and training at Clifton and talked about ongoing efforts to upgrade their facilities. He extended a hearty welcome to fans, acknowledging their supportive presence throughout the past season. Just over a year into his role, Leivers spoke enthusiastically of his tenure, saying, "Just the people that are here, working with the first team staff has been probably the easiest I've ever known. It's an extraordinary group of people, and we eagerly anticipate how things will progress." With a future back in the EFL, Leivers and his team at Notts County FC Academy are anticipating the fresh opportunities and resources that come with the turf, and are looking forward to nurturing young talent for the club. The Pride of Nottingham is working hard ahead of League Two. We would encourage you all to share it with us by registering and being a part of our community. Check out the Pride of Nottingham Dashboard - your one-stop for all that’s happening across our site. Don’t forget to be a part of it!
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Macaulay Langstaff Sheds Light on Notts County’s Pre-Season Strategy
As we approach the brink of another exhilarating season of football, Notts County's sense of anticipation is palpable. With an ambitious schedule of pre-season games against formidable challengers Stoke and Forest, the Magpies are readying themselves to test their mettle ahead of the imminent season. The team's determination and spirit are indicative of their readiness to dive into these highly anticipated clashes, beginning with a face-off against Stoke this coming Saturday, followed by a big game against Forest the subsequent week. Notts County's fervent preparations underline their hunger for success and readiness to measure up against tough adversaries. Key figures from the team have been providing insights into the meticulous groundwork ahead of these encounters. Among them, striker Macaulay Langstaff has shed light on the team's preparation strategy and morale, providing an up-close look at their robust tactical prowess and physical readiness. In discussing the team's workouts and strategic planning, Langstaff emphasised the significance of these upcoming matches. "Yeah, definitely against two top teams," he noted. "Um, you know, we'll see where we are, fitness wise, where we are tactical, tactically." Langstaff's confidence in his team's capacities shines through, in spite of the formidable opposition they will be facing. "Um, it's going to be obviously a challenging game on Saturday, but we're going in their full of confidence. Um, I think we'll see where we are in terms of pre-season. It's a great opportunity to measure how far we've come against a top team, and to test ourselves," he expressed. Notts County anticipates with gusto these encounters as they continue to pave their way towards the new season. With barely more than a week of pre-season tutoring behind them, Langstaff spoke warmly of the team's newest additions. "I think they're fitting in really well. You know, you're seeing the transformation in the chemistry we've developed in the changing room since last season. I believe they've acclimatised quickly and, out on the pitch, they've absorbed so much so swiftly," he stated. Furthermore, Langstaff elaborated on the newcomers' Swift assimilation into the team's style of play. "It's clear in the 11 vs 11s the amount they've absorbed, adapting to our style of play really swiftly. And as I said before, in terms of the changing room, they're merging in impressively well," he cited. The blend of fresh talent and seasoned players yielding promising on-pitch chemistry augurs well for Notts County. They are eyeing strong showings against Stoke and Forest, as they progress with their pre-season preparations unflinchingly. Get involved and join the Pride of Nottingham! Share your thoughts on Notts County’s pre-season preparations and upcoming games. Don’t forget to check out the topicfeed page for the fastest way to dive into PON’s forum content.
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Notts County Manager Luke Williams Discusses Pre-Season Injuries and Stoke City Friendly
In a recent interview, Notts County manager Luke Williams discussed the minor injuries that some first team players have picked up during pre-season, as well as the team's upcoming game against Stoke City. Williams revealed that several first team players were not involved in the team's recent 3-0 win against Nuneaton Borough due to minor injuries. Despite these injuries, Williams is happy with how pre-season is going so far. Looking ahead to the team's upcoming game against Stoke City, Williams expects it to be a different test for his players. He is looking for mental strength, concentration and defensive duties to be on display. Williams also discussed his hopes for the upcoming season and his excitement at seeing fans return to Meadow Lane. He spoke about the bond between the fans, players and staff at Notts County and their responsibility to nurture it. He wants to give fans the performances, energy and passion that they showed last season. The team is looking forward to their upcoming game against Stoke City and the challenges it will bring. Williams revealed that several first team players were not involved in the team's recent 3-0 win against Nuneaton Borough due to minor injuries. "We had Jodi Jones with us, but he had just returned today, and it was probably unnecessary for him to be on the pitch," he said. "Will Randall jarred his ankle and is very sore, but there's very little swelling. Sam Austin's hamstring felt tight, but only tight. Aiden Baldwin and Junior Morias both picked up something in training, so we have to wait a little bit longer. Sam Slocombe has a small injury in the calf that we think will only take a few days, maybe two weeks, three weeks maximum for him to be back." Despite these injuries, Williams is happy with how pre-season is going so far. "We are happy that we are getting across the work that we want to get across," he said. "Of course, we don't like to pick up any injuries, but we are sensible enough to know that this is a reality when we are pushing the guys so hard to improve their levels and make the changes to them physically that they need." Looking ahead to the team's upcoming game against Stoke City, Williams expects it to be a different test for his players. "Certainly for us to apply ourselves defensively and for the players to be able to play the game without being affected by the scoreline because there are no points for grabs, and we play in very different divisions at the moment," he said. "I'm looking for the mental strength and concentration and the defensive duties to be on display, so we look forward to this one. It's a brilliant test for us." Williams also discussed his hopes for the upcoming season and his excitement at seeing fans return to Meadow Lane. "There is a bond with the fans, with this group of players and our staff at the moment that is incredible," he said. "And we have a big responsibility now to try to nurture that. We need to give them the performances, energy, and passion that they showed last season." We’d love to hear your thoughts on this season’s kits! Share your opinions and join the discussion. Don’t forget to also join in with the friendly match discussion against Stoke City and let us know your predictions for the game.
- INTERVIEW | DAN LEIVERS
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Macaulay Langstaff on Target in Notts County's Pre-Season Triumph
Notts County striker Macaulay Langstaff scored a goal in the team's first pre-season friendly against Nuneaton Borough. The Magpies won the game 3-0, with Langstaff's goal being one of the highlights. In an interview after the game, Langstaff expressed his satisfaction at getting on the scoresheet. "Yeah, of course. I think as a striker you always want to get on the scoresheet no matter what game it is, and to get to Mark early in preseason, obviously it's important for striker's confidence, so I'm not doing that," he said. Langstaff's goal was a tap-in, set up by a brilliant play from his teammate on the right-hand side. "Obviously brilliant play the right-hand side and just across, across the box I have to be that type of thing," he said. The striker also praised the link-up play between him and Dan Crowley in the first half. "I think you can see what we've been working on, the training going, you know, when it comes to get the ball and plays that one, two with Dan, it's impossible to mark," he said. Langstaff went on to explain that this type of play is something the team has been working on in training. "Um, we've been working on that all week in training since we came back in. So it's good to see it on the pitch and, um, yeah, it's going to be harder to mark for opposition Defenders this year," he said. This early success bodes well for Notts County as they continue their pre-season preparations. With Langstaff and Crowley already showing promising signs of chemistry on the pitch, fans will be eagerly anticipating what the team can achieve in the upcoming season. Join the Pride of Nottingham discussions on our topicfeed and share your thoughts on Notts County’s return to the Football League! Bookmark our dashboard page for quick access to an overview of our site and stay up-to-date on all things Notts County.
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Notts County Manager Luke Williams Praises Team’s Performance in First Pre-Season Friendly
Notts County manager Luke Williams expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance in their first pre-season friendly against Nuneaton Borough, which ended in a 3-0 win for Notts County. In an interview with the Notts County media team, he praised the young players on the team for handling the pressure of playing alongside more experienced players brilliantly. He discussed the continuation of the team’s style of play from last season, noting that there were some similarities in terms of possession dominance and free-flowing play. He mentioned that while there will be some changes during pre-season, it was nice to see some similarities from where they left off. Individual performances were also touched on by Williams, who praised Aaron Nemane for his speed and precision and Dan Crowley for his ability to manipulate the ball and move his body around it in a brilliant way. He also mentioned Jim O’Brien’s class performance and Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott’s goals, which showed their confidence and continuation from last season. Williams cautioned against reading too much into the result, stating that it’s difficult to read too much into a game like this as it’s their first one, and they have a few new faces and some young guys helping them out. “But of course, we have to go through this process to play 45 minutes for everyone, and I’m really happy that we came through it with some good performances,” he said. He was particularly impressed with the young players on the team, who he felt handled the pressure of playing alongside more experienced players brilliantly. “When you are a young guy, and you come in, and you’re on the same pitch with a guy who was a top goalscorer last season, there is pressure and some nerves there,” he said. “But they handled that brilliantly.” The manager also discussed the continuation of the team’s style of play from last season, noting that there were some similarities in terms of possession dominance and free-flowing play. “I don’t think we want to completely rip up everything that we did last season,” he said. “So we try to carry on. There will be some changes during pre-season for us to look at different options, but it was nice to see some similarities from where we left off.” Williams was pleased with his team’s performance in their first pre-season friendly and is looking forward to continuing their progression through pre-season. Are you a member of the Pride of Nottingham? Why not join in and become a regular poster? We would love to have you share your views. Join the match discussion for yesterday’s post-match comments on the friendly win over Nuneaton Borough.
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Match Discussion: PSF - The Potters (H)
PSF - The Potters (H) Team: Stoke City Date: 08/07/2023 Where: Meadow Lane What line-up should Luke Williams opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be? Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.