theMagpies

I’d have preferred Brackley over Woking, so I’m happy with the draw. It won’t be a simple match. FA Cup games rarely are. Still, it’s a good chance to build some momentum and earn a bit of money for the club.

If we go into it thinking it’ll be a walkover, we could end up like we did against Salford City, before they joined the Football League.

Rod McDonald came into the squad at the right time and has taken his chance with both hands. He’s not just filling a gap; he’s grown into the role and brought leadership to the back line. The partnership with Bedeau is growing, and Matty Platt’s injury has turned into a chance for Notts to evaluate how three at the back can work when Platt returns. Rod’s right foot helps balance the defence and his range of passing lets us break out from the back more cleanly. There are tough games ahead, but the unit feels more solid than at the start of the season. If he keeps this level, he earns a longer run and the squad gains confidence in itself.

The challenge isn’t just tactics, it’s balancing identity with adaptation. When Notts play well they move the ball quickly, switch tempo and hurt teams. When they lose control the passing becomes aimless. We have good techs in midfield, but the league is rough. We need to mix longer balls and direct play to relieve pressure, especially away. Let Martin Paterson try different shapes and use subs to shift momentum. The bench must influence games. If fans see steady progress, belief grows and results follow.

Writing off the loan from Football Radar shows the owners want the club to stand on its own feet. It reduces annual interest and frees money for players, training and scouting. It also signals confidence in the club's strategy and the work of the Reedtz family. The change from debt to sustainability means steady growth rather than sudden leaps. Some fans will still ask for more investment, but this step aligns with a longer term plan to reach League One and stay there. It would be good to see the money used for development in the academy and facilities, which benefits not just this season but the club for years. This move feels like a significant turning point for Notts as a club.

Tom Iorpenda had a decent game. He showed some good touches, but he tends to give the ball away too easily. Defending isn’t really his strong point from what I’ve seen so far. Ollie Nurburn looked sharper overall. He was more involved across the pitch and gave a better all-round performance. He kept things ticking and helped link play well.

Rod McDonald stood out the most. He organised the back line, won plenty of headers, and dealt with the danger Fleetwood managed to create. He kept the defence steady and deserves Man of the Match for that.

It seems like he wants to finish his career with one last good run. I’m disappointed we couldn’t agree terms to keep him here, especially since ending where you started is a rare and special thing. Still, it’s clear he wants to write his own story, and I respect that. I wish him all the best.

I just hope he doesn’t let the search for one last bit of glory harm how his career finishes. It’s important to go out on a high, not with regrets.

It was a good message from Alex Bass. Waiting a bit before sharing it was a smart move with how some fans have been feeling.

I really hope no one’s giving him a hard time. This is a great move for him, and the truth is not every player will stay longer than a season, no matter how much we wish they would.

He left in the right way. Players come and go, it’s just how football works.

Thanks for everything, Alex.

I'd love to see Denmark’s U21s give France a good thrashing. That kind of result is always fun to watch. At the same time, it would be good to get some proper news about who the next head coach will be. The wait is dragging on now. It looks like Luke Williams isn’t in the picture anymore. Seeing him working at Bristol’s Airport pretty much confirms that for me.

That makes it even more likely that something else is going on behind the scenes. Otherwise, I don’t understand why it’s taking so long.

Does this mean the club has decided against owning its own training facilities? That’s what has been said at the last two fan forums, and I understand it would be a big financial commitment.

I don’t think it’s a bad idea, but I find it interesting because investments like this usually signal a change in direction. Sharing with the University of Nottingham makes sense, and hopefully, it’s a step towards funding our own facilities in the future. If the Championship is the long-term goal, having our own setup would be ideal, but this is still positive news.

David McGoldrick ticks all the boxes. He's the right man for the job now, but he might not be for next season. How many more campaigns can he continue playing?

I don't think Notts will give a chance. How likely is it that he will end up being released under mutual terms? Then he can find a club to join as a free agent in the National League. I wouldn't rule out a return to Dagenham & Redbridge even if he is injured. It seems more likely than being given a chance in a team he's been clearly pushed out of.

I don't care if Notts wins ugly. A win is a win, and if we get all the points on offer, I would be very happy regardless. I just want to avoid injuries and defeats. The rest should keep us balanced for promotion.

If Notts can control the game and stay solid at the back, Fleetwood might have a tough match. If they make us panic, then we could be in for a rude awakening. We have players like Jodi Jones, Dan Crowley, and Scott Robertson who can get things going. We’ll have to see how it plays out.

Most people who have been watching Notts for a number of years, even decades, will know it’s never as simple as leading a game. I am not as fussed about the League Cup. It would have been nice to make a great run, but we still have the FA Cup, which could pay its rewards if Notts does well. I think Shrewsbury will welcome the distraction, whereas ideally we would be focusing more on the league.

It is interesting to hear Stuart Maynard mentioning wanting to be at that level next season. We have a lot to do in order to be promoted from League Two.

Welcome to the site @Countylad. I am pleased to be welcoming you to PON.

I have been pottering around the last few days, mostly in the garden tidying things up and weeding. It’s been quite nice out, warm but my back garden is nicely shaded. I don’t spend more than an hour at a time doing it. Quick mow of the lawn, then weeding. Break and then sort the edges and overgrown plants.

I never rated him highly. I thought he was decent enough, but he wasn’t the quickest and always seemed to want the ball delivered straight to him. People criticised Yoann Arquin for this reason, but Balint Bajner was far more lackadaisical.

The Nest is fantastic. It’s going to be a significant source of revenue for Notts. I believe it can only bring good things.

Kane Hemmings would have certainly benefited from being in a squad like ours now. I have no doubt that he would have been clinical. He’s such a strong player at this level, Crewe should be thrilled with the signing.

Notts have the upper hand, as others have pointed out, bids don’t mean much. If the club knows there’s interest, they can safeguard their asset by fostering competition to sell to the highest bidder. That being said, I’m not entirely convinced that Millwall would splurge such a large sum on a single player. The reported amount might not be entirely accurate, who can say?

It’s heartening to see the players back. They’ve hopefully had a restful break and are ready for the new season.

It looks splendid, and I have no objections. With all the new shiny things, one might wonder if we’re bracing for some unpleasant news. But no, I don’t believe so.

I can’t contain my excitement about Alex Bass joining us. Having watched him play for AFC Wimbledon, I can say we’re getting a top-notch goalkeeper. His clean sheet record alone is incredibly impressive, but it’s his leadership at the back that will make a huge difference. With Platt and Bedeau also joining, our defence is shaping up nicely. I’ve got high hopes for the upcoming season with Bass as our last line of defence. Here’s to fewer defensive struggles and more victories!

I’m rather pleased with the team selection, especially with the return of Kyle Cameron and David McGoldrick. My only worry is our defence, which seems a bit weak. We don’t have many attacking options if we need fresh ideas or if an offensive player gets weary. However, this could give James Sanderson another chance.

Welcome @StanfordPie, hello! ???????? Keep commenting when you can.