themightymagpies

The timing feels strange. Pre-season was sold to us as preparation for a step forward, yet here we are talking about another key departure. I can’t fault the Reedtz for trying new ideas, but this one hasn’t worked. Five months is barely enough time to unpack an office box, let alone change the direction of a club. It’s a reminder that football isn’t just about what happens on the pitch. The boardroom has just as much influence on results as tactics. Whoever comes in next must match the manager’s vision and understand what Notts is about, otherwise we’ll end up repeating the cycle again. Continuity is what’s needed, not another experiment.

It’s great to see a Notts player win something like the EFL League Two Player of the Month. Matt Dennis really deserves it. He’s been brilliant since joining, and even in games where the team didn’t play well, like against Barrow, he still stood out and gave us something to cheer about.

I don’t mind if the first half is a bit slow or if both teams take time to get going. What matters is that we create chances and play better in the second half. It’s good that we’re not just trying to keep the ball all the time. Martin Paterson seems more focused on winning games than just having lots of possession but not getting results. Gillingham will be hard to beat, but if Notts manage it, it could really boost our confidence and help us build momentum.

Dennis has been a breath of fresh air this season. To come into a new side and hit five goals in six games is impressive enough, but the way he’s adapted to how we play makes it even better. His comments about staying grounded and focusing on the team show his head is in the right place. It’s clear he appreciates the support from his teammates and the coaching staff. Now with Jatta alongside him, the attack looks even stronger. Gillingham away is never easy, but having a forward in this sort of form gives us a lot of hope. If Dennis keeps his run going, he could be one of the standout strikers in the division.

Investing in infrastructure doesn't always generate immediate excitement, but it's vital for our club's health. The new gym is more than just a facility, it's a commitment to our players' well-being and our future success. Lifeline's funding choices, including upgraded turnstiles and new standing areas, ensure that Notts offers an excellent matchday atmosphere and cutting-edge resources for athletes. We should all take pride knowing these enhancements are driven by our contributions, collectively supporting positive, lasting change that keeps us competitive and ensures our beloved club remains a great place for both players and supporters.

What stood out most for me was the discipline after going 1-0 up. Too many times in the past we have let teams back in by switching off, but every player stayed switched on. Fleetwood had some dangerous players coming off the bench, yet they never really opened us up. That’s the difference a collective effort makes. I liked how Jacob Bedeau pointed out it’s not just the defence, it’s the whole team working hard. When everyone puts a shift in, we look difficult to beat. A clean sheet gives us confidence going into the next set of games, and it proves we can grind results out when the football isn’t flowing. That is vital over a long season.

The game against Barrow sadly brought back memories of the Jamie Fullarton era. Notts were poor at the back and didn’t look like they could cause any problems for the opposition, let alone score. It was unsettling to watch Notts struggle to build any momentum. They kept losing the ball under pressure and couldn’t seem to keep hold of it. Barrow were quick to win the ball back, often just as fast as Notts gave it away. It was a really bad showing all round.

Whatever happens between now and the first ten games will give us a clearer idea of how the board and the Reedtz brothers see things. They’ve replaced an unpopular head coach who still managed a playoff spot with someone who hasn’t won a game yet. I really want Martin Paterson to do well, but I’d be puzzled if we don’t see signs of progress by the ten-game mark. We can’t keep playing like a team that’s never played together before. If morale drops too far, the club might be left with only one obvious choice. We’ve got two big home games coming up. Two good results could make all the difference. I’d hate to think what might happen if they don’t.

I read that the story about the breakdown isn’t true. It sounds like the coach driver swung the turn too wide and ended up getting stuck. Has the club said anything about it yet? I haven’t seen any official comment.

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I voted for Matt Palmer because he was clearly the best player throughout the whole match. He worked hard for all 90 minutes and stood out more than anyone else. I would have liked to see Nick Tsaroulla come on earlier. He added a lot going forward and helped keep things steady at the back when we pushed players up. His impact was clear, even in the short time he had. I didn’t think Jodi Jones ever really got going. He struggled to find his rhythm. But with Tsaroulla out wide and other options in that area, we can keep trying him in the attacking midfield role and see how it develops.

The stats might show we had more possession, but it didn’t feel like we were in control of the game. Salford looked dangerous whenever they came forward and created more from their fewer chances. The difference was that they made their moments count, while we didn’t. I thought the midfield looked a bit disconnected, which made it harder to break them down. We struggled to play through the lines, and our one corner all game tells its own story. Luker’s goal was well worked and gave us a lifeline, but it came too late to turn the match around. Lessons to learn, but nothing that can’t be fixed with better decision-making and sharper defending.

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Jodi Jones’ penalty really saved the day. From the stands, it was hard to tell if it was inside the box or not. Looking back at the highlights, it seems just about inside. It was exactly what we needed to get a point, even though it feels like we should’ve had all three. A good first game overall, so no complaints from me.

I do think we’ve got a lot of midfielders now, but having options is always good for the manager. I’m sure Martin Paterson isn’t too worried, though I do wonder if he’d like another striker. The club should look at this properly, because even though Matthew Dennis looked sharp, I’d hate for us to regret not signing someone later on. Tyrese Hall might help with a few goals, so I wish him all the best.

It’s hard to blame Alex Bass for grabbing this opportunity. At 27, he’s entering the peak years of his career, and if Peterborough are aiming for the Championship, it’s a clear step up. Moves like this are always a reminder of how tricky it is to hold onto top players when they catch the eye elsewhere. From the club’s side, though, the key now is what happens next. If there’s a decent fee involved, it could help the board take a steady, thoughtful approach with the next signings. Fans will want to see that the money is being used wisely, not just to fill gaps, but to push the club forward with purpose.

To be fair, you can't begrudge Alex taking this chance. At 27, he's heading towards the prime of his career, and the potential of Championship football (assuming that's where Posh hoping for from League One) represents a big step forwards. Still, as a supporter, there's always frustration seeing quality players move on, in this instance, it highlights again the challenge we face keeping assets around. The silver lining here might be that a decent influx of cash allows the board some breathing space to make considered rather than rushed signings. Now is definitely the time they have to show fans that money from these sales isn’t just lining pockets, it's actively funding a solid and ambitious long-term vision for the club.

The first mistake was not making them exclusive to season ticket holders at the start. The second issue was letting people buy large amounts, which stopped others from being able to get one. The third problem was how badly the site was run. Showing the stock as sold out gave the wrong idea. These things often feel rushed by the club, and it shows. It was just like when we reached the play-off final. There didn’t seem to be any planning around how many coaches would be needed. They just used the train strikes as an excuse. If they’d thought about it a month earlier, they could’ve arranged a bigger fleet. This might sound a bit negative, but it’s how I see things. I do hope Notts learns from it going forward. In future, they could let season ticket holders pre-order. These fans already put a lot into the club. Some pay on the day and might miss out, but that’s where a reward system should be used. Ask season ticket holders in advance, take payment early, and promise them a shirt. Then offer it to fans who come to 10–14 games a season. If they planned it and did a pre-order, it could help meet the high demand. The only tricky bit is showing the shirt early, before others see it. But if you’re offering something “exclusive,” it needs to feel special—otherwise, loyal fans are just left disappointed.