CliftonMagpie

To be fair, I didn’t hear as much nonsense after going behind or due to some of the mistakes, which was good. I think the majority of the Kop just wanted to support the lads, and the support wasn’t just when we scored or led the game; we sang throughout, despite a few quiet spells. I think that’s the encouragement the players need. It was there at Sutton, but I think nerves got the better of them. Jodi Jones showed his class as always; it was such a pleasing sight to see him take on the opposition. Hopefully, this result will be the boost we need to crack on.

In the first half, I thought we looked quite decent. However, we were very indecisive when going forward and played the ball back too many times, which killed any momentum we had gained. Instead of opening up the play, it became frustrating to see us get somewhere on the pitch where it looked like we could make something happen, only to bring it all the way back to the keeper or last defender. This tendency of not making space or having players move can cause unnecessary problems. In the second half, things were very routine. I think David McGoldrick played very well in both halves. He and Jodi Jones linked up nicely, allowing others to get more involved in the game.

It is commendable that Notts took some time off after the last season to rest and recharge before resuming their training. This demonstrates their understanding of the significance of balancing hard work with rest and recovery. Such an approach is likely to benefit them in the long run. By allowing themselves time to recuperate, the team can return to training with renewed energy and focus. This can help them to perform at their best and achieve their goals for the upcoming season.

It is crucial for Notts to start the season with a positive result. Securing that first victory can provide a tremendous sense of relief, and I don’t believe we will have an easier opportunity for an opening game. This is not meant to be disrespectful towards Sutton United, but they will be fortunate to finish near mid-table. It is commendable that they have managed to retain their place in the EFL and even build upon their debut, but I suspect they may be one of five teams that might struggle as the season draws to a close. It is important not to underestimate them, as Notts did when Sutton United beat us to secure promotion, and it would be painful if history were to repeat itself. We have a strong squad that needs to fight for each other and for us, in order to secure those vital opening day points.

This was a very good article, gaffer! The pre-season has been more successful than some fans might think. We lost to Stoke City and some fans lost their minds over it, but that’s just the nature of fickle fans. Every club has them. But if we go on to do better as a result of what we learned from that game, then those same fans will be the first to forget what they said. They’ve probably already forgotten or deleted their comments, just so they can say “I knew this would happen” later on. I’m thankful that Luke Williams doesn’t pay any attention to social media.

I’m also happy to provide updates on my fitness activities, such as when I go for walks, runs or bike rides. The latter isn’t something I do very often, but I do enjoy keeping fit and staying active.

The signings and squad look good on paper, and the whole club appears to be in a great position. If we can start the season off well, I think the momentum will grow, allowing things to build naturally. With this being our first season back, there’s no reason why we can’t do as well as Stockport County. Good teams need to play against them too. The fact that our standard has improved, as has the opposition, means I think we will rise to the challenge.

It’s good that Luke Williams is ready for League Two. We played well against teams in the National League, and we were above most of their level. Were all the performances great last season? No, but we got the much-needed results. Winning and playing well is great, but the points are what we need. Let’s get off to a flying start and work harder than we have. We’ll be right behind the lads; they can do us proud again.

The squad is very settled right now. We managed to retain most of the players and added depth in the areas required. So, with the new faces, we are going to need to adapt a little, and pre-season was all about that. Replacing Ruben Rodrigues isn’t easy; it’s one of those areas where we need to dig deeper, but David McGoldrick has done superbly since signing, and his goal against Alfreton has sparked him to take more chances. I understand the mixed feelings, but I don’t think there are any major concerns.

The draw doesn’t bother me, nor does the performance as such. I think both teams would probably agree that the draw was fair, considering the 90 minutes overall. I thought Notts looked sharp getting forward but could just do with taking a bit more time with the finishing. On to Sutton away, which I think will be a different story.

It’s a private jet, isn’t it? Does anyone know for sure what the fuel emissions are? The tabloids are digging deep into this. Yes, it’s excessive, but without all the facts, I can’t really comment. I have seen Notts fans on Twitter talking about it, which makes me laugh because I wonder how eco-friendly they are. Hopefully, the plane is low in carbon and uses sustainable aviation fuels. If this is the case, fair play. If not, maybe it should.

He has said all the things you would want to hear from a loan signing: he is here to prove himself, to be part of the team, and to help bring success. The talk of something special is something that many optimistic fans can feel about the season. Having a young defender come in makes perfect sense to me. It is not a loan signing for the sake of it, but rather an addition of quality, which is nice to see.

The game was very good. Notts played in such a way that they struggled, and credit to Alfreton, they acknowledged how good of a team we were. I don’t think they had much chance to get going because we wanted the ball so much. It’s difficult to defend, and what made it worse for Alfreton is that we fielded such a strong squad with the intention of giving them longer in the game.

I’m not listening to anything yet. Do you have any suggestions? One thing I want to do is listen to old albums in-depth.

David McGoldrick will be an essential player in our quest to achieve back-to-back promotions. While some fans may prefer to take things one step at a time, it is important that we have faith in the abilities of this squad. Luke Williams, in particular, is a real driving force behind the team’s success. It is heartening to see experienced players such as McGoldrick and O’Brien thriving under his guidance. Watching the training videos released by the club, it is clear that the team is focused and determined, yet still able to enjoy themselves and have a good time. Maintaining this balance between focus and enjoyment is crucial for success on the pitch. The smiles and laughter evident in these videos are a testament to the positive morale within the team, which can only serve to benefit us in our pursuit of success.

What I like about David McGoldrick is that he’s always talking to the players around him, he’s always smiling too! His homecoming gives us a fairytale type story and on the back of promotion from the National League last season, well it brings optimism with it too. I have enjoyed seeing him so far, I think once the season begins we’ll start to see more of the class he brings. His experience from his days in the Championship and Premier League is going to be a big boost for us.

I find it suspicious that @super_ram first attended a Notts game at Meadow Lane, rather than at the Baseball Ground and some other random team. It’s starting to paint a very clear picture, that tells me he is indeed a secret Notts County fan first and foremost. This Super_Ram is trying to keep his secret going, but I have said it before we can tell he loves Notts more! Can we have a whip-round to buy him a proper football shirt? ???? This is a lovely and excellent read, I am only pulling your leg Super!

It’s good to have people like Tobi around. He seems to have recovered from his injuries, and from what I’ve seen of him during the pre-season, my confidence in his ability has increased. He appears to be a great guy who will boost morale in the dressing room. Luke Williams’ comment about charging him on the coach for away games is amusing, as is the campaign to have him do every post-match interview. The media team might consider giving Tobi a camera to capture a behind-the-scenes look at the club.

@Chris Is it Brad McGowan? He played for Alfreton Town.

After seeing the goal, Notts moved the ball well and Cedwyn Scott’s finish was very tidy. In time, we will have players splitting the opposition’s defence. I have full faith that David McGoldrick and Dan Crowley will be able to do this, but we must be mindful that this is still a workout focused on experimenting and trying new things. It was a good performance in terms of possession and retaining the ball, as this builds confidence.

It’s going to be a good test to see Notts playing Boston United. I hope that Luke Williams continues to give some of the youngsters game time. It’s always exciting to see new talent on the pitch. I’m also hoping that Sam Slocombe is close to making a return. Fitness is key in these pre-season games, and it will be a good run out for the team. Fingers crossed for a great match!

I appreciate that the club and Luke Williams are addressing this issue head-on, as it instils confidence in their abilities. Some managers prefer to avoid discussing ongoing concerns to prevent panic or negative feedback, but I believe this only generates more concern. For example, with Junior Morias, when we don’t know what’s happening, it’s easy to forget about him and assume he’s been forgotten. However, it may just be a minor issue preventing him from starting pre-season. Addressing issues directly is wise, although the longer Morias struggles, the more I question his acquisition. Nonetheless, I have faith that he will eventually come good.

The home friendlies have shown us how we need to prepare defensively. Those were very good exercises for that, and I think Telford played quite well, although we definitely looked a lot better. The squad is progressing well, and these games aren’t about winning. Although winning does breed confidence, it makes a massive difference to their fitness and the structure of the formation we play.

Hello there, @BeestonPie. Welcome to PON, it's good to have you here.

Interesting choice of games out of all the 23 teams. I think some of the local games, such as Mansfield, Doncaster, and Walsall, are ones that I am personally looking forward to. Having gone to Wembley with @liampie, I am very keen to make sure we meet up or travel to those types of games. I am interested in Stockport County because I want to see how Kyle Wootton does.