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Jon Stead has suggested that Notts County's players have not been "putting in the miles" as he spoke about the team's poor form of late. There has been much discussion about lack of fitness among the fans as the Magpies remain stuck at the bottom of League Two with just two points to their name all season. Indeed, new manager Harry Kewell has claimed that his players need to get fitter and that they are making poor errors because of tiredness. "It's a difficult one. It might not even be the fitness. It might be that we've not been putting in the miles we need to," Stead told the Nottingham Post. "Maybe that's down to a lack of confidence, but there's no excuse. No matter how bad things are going you put 100 percent in and you work hard to get to the ball. "We've got to show a real obvious statement that we are working hard as a team. That will translate through the lads. "We've got to help each other out. You can't be in a difficult position and expect someone else to get you out of it. We can't rely on Enzio to curl one in from 25 yards every week. "It's the same at every club. If players are having a tough time and results aren't good then fans want to see players working hard for the shirt, working hard to put a performance in. "The fans were brilliant [in the Stevenage game]. They stuck with us all day. It's probably been an entertaining game for good and bad reasons, but I think fans saw that work ethic. "We want to get better and improve. I do feel progress is being made. Fans will look at it and feel it's difficult to see that progress, but steps are being taken. "We've just got to keep working at it. It takes hours and hours on the training ground to get it right." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Harry Kewell has claimed that he knew exactly what he was getting into when accepting the Notts County manager's job. The Magpies have endured a spectacular fall from grace in going from the playoff semi-finals last season to dropping right to the foot of League Two. Kewell lost his first two matches in charge but managed to scrape a point in Saturday's 3-3 draw with Stevenage, albeit having been pegged back three times. "I knew exactly what I was getting into. I'd watched a couple of games beforehand so I knew the level they were at," the Australian told the Nottingham Post. "It's hard to get fitness into a team when pre-season has gone. It's the most important time for a player. "Pre-season sets you up. The way I've set them up, for 45, 50 and 60 minutes we're looking good and strong. We need to top that up now." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County put in a much improved performance in Harry Kewell's first home league game in charge but defensive issues came back to haunt the Magpies as they were held to a 3-3 draw by Stevenage at Meadow Lane. Three times Notts went ahead in the game and three times they were pegged back by the visitors, yielding just a second point of the season. The Magpies took the lead midway through the first half as Ben Nugent brought down Jon Stead in the box for a penalty, which the veteran striker opted to take himself as he sent goalkeeper Paul Farman the wrong way. Stevenage countered with their first equaliser seven minutes before the break through Ben Kennedy, who turned home Danny Newton's low cross, only to fall behind again on 43 minutes when the livewire Enzio Boldewijn cut in from the left and bent in his third goal of the season from 20 yards. However, the first half ended all square as Alex Revell leapt above debutant Cedric Evina at the far post to connect with Steve Seddon's cross and loop a header beyond Ross Fitzsimons two minutes later. Kane Hemmings restored the advantage four minutes after the break with a smart finish from Lewis Alessandra's through ball. Stead could have effectively wrapped things up for County just before the hour mark as he miscued a volleyed opportunity after a deep cross found him unmarked at the back post. As proof that more work needs to be done, Notts were pegged back yet again after 73 minutes, Danny Newton connecting with a cross and drilling home a left-footed finish from eight yards. Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County have signed defenders Cedric Evina and Jamie Turley on a free transfer. Both players have experience of playing under new Notts boss Harry Kewell at previous club Crawley Town. Left-back Evina spent last season on loan at the Checkatrade Stadium, having previously helped Doncaster Rovers win promotion to League One in 2016-17. The 26-year-old began his career at Arsenal and also had stints at Oldham and Charlton Athletic. As for centre-back Turley, 28, he made 34 appearances for Crawley last season before being released. He made his way through non-league football before joining Newport County at the start of last season after rejecting a new deal with Eastleigh. Notts have not disclosed the duration of each player’s contract, but are thought to be eligible face Stevenage at Meadow Lane on Saturday in Kewell’s first home league game in charge. Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Harry Kewell has spoken of how he gets "10 times more" of a buzz as a coach than he ever did as a player as he prepares for his first home league game as Notts County manager. The Australia international won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 as well as many other trophies, while also representing his country at the World Cup. Ahead of Saturday's home game with Stevenage, Kewell - who is hoping to steer Notts to just their second non-loss of the season - opened up on his fledgling coaching career. “My buzz from football has been 10 times more as a coach than it ever was as a player," Kewell told the Nottingham Post. "[And] I loved playing, I’m not going to lie and I loved playing at the highest level. “I had a great chance at Watford (as Under-23 boss) to be able to work with Premier League players, to talk to them. I was nervous, but it’s great learning. "I think it’s the thought I can’t physically do it. It’s got to be my mind, my ideas that I can actually make someone go out there and do it. "I can actually get you to play in a certain role, to have the confidence in them to be able to perform what I want, to go out and score. "I always go back to George Graham. He won the title as a player and won the title as a manager and they asked him which one was better? "He turned around and said ‘winning it as a coach’ because as a player, you only look after yourself. As a manager, you’re looking after the whole team and I think he just got more joy out of that. "Some people may think differently, but this feels like what I was supposed to do. I love it, I absolutely love it." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Rob Milsom is glad to put a "crazy few months" behind him as he returned to Notts County after being released in the summer. The former Magpies Player of the Year fell out of first-team contention last season and was eventually let go, eventually getting a trial at Crawley Town. Since his move to the West Sussex club, Notts have fallen from grace, leading to the departure of Kevin Nolan and the arrival of Harry Kewell from the same club. Now back at County as part of a loan move expected to culminate in a permanent January transfer, Milsom lifted the lid on the trials and tribulations of the last few months. "It was really difficult when I got released. As a player, if you've not been playing too much in League One and Two it's tough," he told the Nottingham Post. "You're in a position where you have to find and a club and play football. It's hard. I was lucky to get a trial at Crawley. It was certainly pleasing to get signed by them. "It's been a crazy few months. Not just for me, but for my missus too. You don't know whether you are coming or going. "We were lucky we were settled in Nottingham. We weren't at Crawley long enough to lay any roots down. We still had a house here so it was easy coming back. "I'm just concentrating on every game as it comes. It doesn't matter whether you have a short-term contract or a long-term one, anything can happen. "I'm a prime example of that given the last few weeks. You never know what's round the corner. You can only focus on the now and trying to get better every single day." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Harry Kewell has admitted that he would like one or two more recruits to bolster the Notts County squad although he stresses he is "happy" with his current crop. The Magpies did the bulk of their transfer business early in the summer with numerous high-profile players arriving at Meadow Lane. However, the Notts back line has been woefully exposed time and time again this season, the outcome of which is no wins and a spot at the bottom of the League Two table. With the permanent and loan windows shut, Notts can only sign free transfers at present, with Elliott Ward arriving this month. “We would like one or two more people in,” Kewell told the Nottingham Post. “But I am happy with with the squad. "Look, you can’t keep making simple mistakes. “We’ve got to be smart, but the ultimate thing is we controlled the game at Exeter and then gave a silly goal away. “We have to make teams work hard for goals.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Harry Kewell has moved to reassure Notts County's fans that the team is "going to improve" for sure but he nonetheless called for patience. The Magpies were beaten 5-1 by Exeter City at the weekend, with the Australian sent to the stands in his first league game in charge since succeeding Kevin Nolan as manager. Kewell thanked the 278 supporters who had made the long trip to Devon and promised brighter days ahead with the team currently in transition. "I want to thank them for coming because Exeter is not just around the corner," Kewell told the Nottingham Post. "I love it when you have a good away following and I’m just disappointed that we didn’t put on a better performance for them. "I want to reassure the fans that we are going to improve. The style of play and fitness levels needed are in transition so we need them to be patient." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Harry Kewell has criticised the performance of referee Neil Hair following his disastrous first league game in charge of Notts County. The Australian was banished to the stands as the Magpies went 4-1 down at Exeter City for arguing whether his side should have been awarded a penalty. Nonetheless, Kewell had no complaints as Notts were eventually beaten 5-1 at St James' Park. "We went in at 2-1 and it was game on," Kewell told Sky Sports. "I was confident we were going to get something out of the game. But another set-piece and a mistake and we are 3-1 down. That is when the anger kicked in. "I questioned the handball and you have to change a few other things because we are chasing the game. The eagle-eyed referee sees another handball, gives it to them and they miss it so we are still in it. "Then there was a cross in the box and it was one of those 'does it hit his hand, or does it not?'. The referee says no, we are complaining, they go up the other end and score a goal. "That was disappointing and that is when I get my marching orders. I said 'well done' to the referee; I said you can see one in the far corner but not one straight in front of you. "Everyone wants to win, I am a winner. We had to try things and we had to be vulnerable at the back to get players in the box." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

With the exception of Colchester United, every team that Notts County have played so far in League Two have plundered at least three goals, and today's game against Exeter City saw the largest total shipped by a Magpies side very quickly establishing a reputation for itself as a punching bag in a 5-1 defeat at St James' Park. No doubts about it, this Notts side is a farce. From a full-back one missed penalty away from a hat-trick to manager Harry Kewell sent to the stands in his first league game for his new club, a team that had already suffered plenty of humiliations this season has plumbed new depths, and the way things are going now, relegation is a certainty unless a coach whose appointment has been met in the same manner as that of Jamie Fullarton can somehow work enough magic to turn this shower into something resembling a professional football team. In all fairness, County had started well enough in Devon, with Nathan Thomas going close and Kristian Dennis being denied by Christy Pym from range, but as has been the case oh so many times this season, the defence was sliced apart like butter as the Grecians quickly established a two-goal lead, Pierce Sweeney heading home from a corner - another set piece concession - and Thomas caught out in possession to allow Hiram Boateng to set up Jayden Stockley for an easy drive. There was a sliver of hope with half time on the horizon as Enzio Boldewijn cut inside and curled home a great effort from outside the box, a goal which frankly came out of nowhere but which definitely set up a good springboard for Kewell's boys to mount a second-half comeback. Did this happen? Did it [redacted]. Christian Oxlade-Chamberlain handled the ball in the box while challenging for it, an act so foolish that his own teammates wondered what he was doing, and Sweeney fired an effort into the bottom right-hand corner, despite Ross Fitzsimons diving the right way. Not long after, Boldewijn was found guilty of the same mistake and Sweeney, a right-back, was then in with a chance of securing a hat-trick, but to save County's already-plentiful blushes, he hammered wide. Not that Notts have had any trouble embarrassing themselves this season, not even any need for other teams to do it. The defence practically gave Nicky Law free rein to make his way into the final third before the Exeter man crossed for Stockley to slam past Fitzsimons from six yards out. Just for good measure, Kewell's protestations led to him being dismissed from the dugout and sent to the stands, with BBC Nottingham commentator and Maggies legend Mark Stallard conceding that the Australian would have been better off sitting somewhere facing away from the pitch. With injury time coming up, Exeter added a fifth just to really add the mud-encrusted boot to the face of the beaten Magpies, Aaron Martin heading another easy goal from close range to leave Notts foot of the table on one measly point. Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Harry Kewell has outlined the need for Notts County to be smarter in possession if they are to stop their current rot. The Magpies are currently at the bottom of League Two, having claimed just one point on the opening day of the season. Kewell, who has recently replaced Kevin Nolan as manager, has taken charge of one game so far, the 2-1 loss to Grimsby Town in the EFL Trophy. The former Crawley Town boss was pleased with what he saw in the first half of the game but felt his players should have been more savvy when it came to performing with the ball. “It’s down to the individual and you can only lead a horse to water,” he told the Nottingham Post. “It’s as simple as that. Again, these players have had a little taste as to what is capable. “People think it’s harder running, but it’s actually with the ball. If you keep it and be smart with it, then it takes the pressure off. “There were some instances in the second half that we just weren’t clever enough to shift it and pass it. We then invited pressure, but it’s a learning curve for us.” Fans have commented numerous times on the need to strengthen the team's back line given how many goals have been shipped in recent weeks. Kewell says that, while their eyes remain open to new signings, he wants to give the current batch the "benefit of the doubt". “We are looking at all options,” he said. “There could be a few new faces coming so it could be exciting times. But we are in no rush and you have to give these boys a chance. “They have played a certain way, now a new manager has come in and has asked for something different. So give them the benefit of the doubt and let them try to impress.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Jonathan Forte enjoyed four different spells at Notts County - three on loan and one permanent. No Magpies fan can doubt his commitment to the cause at Meadow Lane, and many were bemused to see him on the fringes of Kevin Nolan's team for much of last season. Now at Exeter City, Forte's new team will be facing Notts, who are having a real bad time at the minute and head to St James' Park tomorrow in hope of getting their first win of the season, or at least their second point of the campaign. Speaking to Stuart James of Devon Live, the 32-year-old - not expected to feature due to a hamstring injury - gave his thoughts on taking on his former employers, whether he was under-used at the San Sirrel last term, and their current woes at the foot of the table. Jon, it’s Notts County on Saturday. A game I’d imagine you are looking forward to given it is against your former employers? Yeah. Obviously I was there for two years - and in previous years before as well – but to be honest, it is just another game. We will try and get the three points and move on from there. Speaking to a County-supporting friend of mine, he felt that you were largely under-used last year and had you played a bit more, they could have made that extra step and got promotion. Yeah, I would say so myself as well! Yeah… the manager at the time had his views and it wasn’t to be, so we move on. He has left now and the club are under new management. What are you expecting from a Harry Kewell Notts County? Well, when a new manager comes in, the players tend to get an extra boost, if you know what I mean. It is going to be the same on Saturday. Obviously he gets it down and passes the ball, I think that will probably suit their fans a bit more. But he has done well at Crawley and it will be a tough game. It sounds like they have gone for a manager that plays a completely different style to Kevin Nolan. Absolutely. Like I said, I’ve seen a contrast and it is completely different, but it will be a difficult game, whatever. You would have played with a few of the players last season, which ones would you say are their dangers? The majority of the players that I was with have done very well, so I can’t really name names. But there’s Elliot Hewitt and Jon Stead, my old (strike) partner! But like I said, they are a good team, Rob Milsom (is another player there) and it is a good team. But they have a different manager and it will be a tough game. Final thoughts [Notts] are not doing so great, and I think it is a false position they are in at the moment as they have some really good players. Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Paul Hart has returned to Notts County by being appointed as the club's new technical director. The former Magpies academy manager and caretaker boss will form part of a new football structure at Meadow Lane which announced Harry Kewell as their new manager last Friday. Last season, Hart enjoyed promotion from League Two in his role of assistant manager to Nathan Jones at Luton Town. “Paul is a superb addition for us,” Alan Hardy told the official website. “Not only is he one of the most respected men in the game, he also knows Harry very well. “His remit will be a broad one to match his tremendous knowledge, experience and breadth of contacts. “He will be on hand to mentor and support Harry, while also being responsible for setting the club’s overall footballing philosophy with a keen emphasis on our development and academy set-ups. “I have every confidence that he and Harry will oversee an upturn in our immediate fortunes and build a footballing infrastructure which will help us achieve our long-term ambitions.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Harry Kewell has warned Notts County's players that anyone who shirks hard work will be out of the starting XI right away as he bids to mould the team into one that wins "however that may be". The former Liverpool, Leeds United and Australia winger was appointed last week as Kevin Nolan's replacement, the latter dismissed with the Magpies at the foot of League Two. “I want to win, however that may be," Kewell told the official Notts site. "We’ll have a plan and a structure but that can go out the window within five minutes, so it may come down to digging in and working hard to pick up second balls. “There will be a formula for when we have the opportunity, though, and the players will be prepared for that style of play. “From day one I want to improve the effort from the players because that’s something I’m a big believer in. “Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t want to work. You can go through the worst patches in football where you can’t pass, your crossing is poor and your shooting is off target but it doesn’t stop you from working hard, pressing and closing down. “When you do that the ball may drop and then you can start to play simple passes and you get your confidence back that way – it’s all going to come down to hard work. If you don’t want to work then you will find yourself on the bench or in the stands.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County owner Alan Hardy has admitted that he would not have bought the club were he able to turn back time and also described himself as "not the ideal football chairman". Hardy enjoyed a superb 18 months from when he took over at Meadow Lane in January 2017 to the end of last season, helping the Magpies survive relegation against all odds in 2016-17 before sealing a playoff finish the following term. However, things have not gone to plan this season, with the Notts team putting in some frankly risible performances in League Two to drop right to the foot of the table, a fall from grace which spelt the end of Kevin Nolan's reign at the club. Hardy admitted during a press conference on Monday that he has made plenty of mistakes during his reign and confessed that his introduction to the football industry has shattered the romanticism often associated with the sport. “If I could rewind the clock back 18 months, I would not have bought the club,” he is quoted by the Nottingham Post as saying. “I think football is a bubble and this was described brilliantly to me by Gary Brazil (Nottingham Forest coach) a couple of years ago. When you are inside that bubble, you very rarely see anything outside of it. “Gary said that people need to step out of it and see the real world and they don’t. People who are more removed from it see this beautiful industry that’s immense fun and excitement. “It’s not. It’s selfish, it’s cutthroat, and incredibly demanding. It’s emotionally challenging and pulls at your own personal values. You end up behaving in a way aligned to the industry, and not aligned to you. “It’s surprised me how ruthless it is. It challenges you in lots of ways you wouldn’t expect.” Hardy also stated that, while he has received messages praising the work he has done so far with the club surviving relegation then reaching the playoffs last term, it remains of little significance. “It’s nice, but it doesn’t resonate with me,” he said. “That’s because I am not the ideal football chairman. I am too up and too down. “You talk to somebody like Peter Ridsdale for example, he is incredibly straight down the middle. He doesn’t get carried away when the team loses, and he doesn’t get carried away when they win. He handles change very well.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

We at Pride of Nottingham are delighted to announce the winner of our Draw PON Magpie competition. The winner is 7-year-old Caitlyn Marie Elston who's mother Claire Knight submitted the winning artwork to our Facebook page. Well done to the winner and thank you to every junior magpie who took part by sending in your images of PON Magpie, the Pride of Nottingham mascot. We will be in contact with the winners parent shortly, who will have the opportunity to claim a Notts County pennant or equivalent valued prize from the club shop. When asked about the competition, Pride of Nottingham Webmaster Chris Buckley said "When discussing potential competitions, the PON team felt it was only right to focus on something junior magpies could take part in. We left the age range open to anyone 16 years old and under." We're really impressed by the quality of artwork that was submitted to us, it would have been nice to of seen a few more entries but overall the standard of artwork has been good to see. There's still chance for more artwork to be sent in outside of the competition, artwork will be added to the gallery in the next couple of days on the Pride of Nottingham website. If you would like your childs artwork to be put in our PON Magpie gallery please send it to [email protected].