Randall

During pre-season, and especially in the first five games, things weren’t quite right. Martin Paterson has said himself that he changed the starting lineup and took players off at times because they weren’t fit enough. Fitness is getting better now, but if you look back to when Luke Williams was in charge, the squad was in much better shape. Players were made to run laps around the pitch both before and after matches, even before they were allowed to shower.

I don’t think I’m the only one saying this, but next season Notts should stick to friendlies at Meadow Lane and skip the German tour. Doing it three years in a row doesn’t seem helpful. Those games abroad didn’t just affect how fans saw things, they left us looking a bit off and not quite ready. In past years, the team looked sharper and fitter in pre-season. It’s not about playing big-name teams. Pre-season should be about getting minutes, trying things out, and helping players get back to full fitness. If we’d stayed local this summer, the club might’ve had more time to sort signings and get the squad settled. Sending trialists to Germany didn’t help, and having the team ready earlier would’ve made a difference in that first match. Hopefully Notts can line up three home friendlies that fans will enjoy, plus a few more nearby. That would be a better way to prepare.

From this thread I take a simple view. Winning matters, but the way we win matters more. A team that shows resilience, shape, and shared purpose earns respect even on tough days. We need to see improvements in ball retention, transitions, and finishing. The fans notice when a team fights for every ball and sticks to its plan. If Notts can maintain that approach, the results will follow and the atmosphere will lift. It is not a sudden fix, but a steady build. That is how we become a strong side that people want to watch again and again.

Jodi in the AMC role could work, but it needs a plan. If he is given downtime and protection from a solid midfield, he can influence games more often. The team has looked loose when the shape changes week to week, so consistency matters. MP must build a balanced middle with a hard tackler and a ball player, plus someone who can pick a pass and thread a run. Our forwards need real service, not hopeful crosses. Fans can see when the system clicks and we gain confidence. It will take time, but with careful recruitment and fewer experiments, Notts can stabilise and push up the table. The league is tough, but steady progress is possible.

This has been earned, we’ve beaten tough teams when it counted. Fleetwood showed we can dig in and push on. It’s raised expectations, but the season’s long. Stay focused, stay fit, and this could be the start of something big. The club should prep for the next window, add depth without upsetting the balance.

The divide between supporters and ownership often comes down to perspective. Fans see football as part of their identity, a routine that dictates emotions from week to week. Owners, like the Reedtz brothers, have to think in terms of business sense and long-term development. It’s not that one side cares more than the other, but they view success differently. From what I see, the Reedtz plan is about ensuring the club is stronger year after year, and that matters given where we came from. At the same time, it’s natural for fans to want immediate thrills. The challenge is finding a way to deliver both without losing the stability we’ve gained.

He likely doesn’t match the club’s stats and data model, which might explain why he wasn’t considered. Still, he’s the sort of player who brings a winning mindset, and that’s hard to measure with numbers alone. He could’ve made a real difference in our push to get back to League One. Having someone with his experience and attitude might have given us that extra edge.

The young loan signings should offer something different. They must have shown promise to catch the eye of their parent clubs, so we can only hope the loan spells go well. I don’t mind using this part of the market, as long as every player who comes in is willing to work hard and give solid performances.

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Foreman had that old-school toughness. No fancy training, just raw strength and grit. They don’t make them like him anymore.

Jack's comments show real maturity. It’s not often you hear young players openly credit the work of senior teammates and the fans in the same breath. His appreciation for the pitch staff and supporters adds to that sense of unity we’re all feeling this season. Let’s back him and the lads fully this weekend, they need us, and we need them!

Watching Junior Morias perform at Dagenham, I can’t help but wonder what might have been. His time with Notts was brief, yet the flashes of brilliance were unmistakable. It’s disappointing the club didn't invest more time into developing his skill set here. I understand football is often a game of results and decisions sometimes veer towards immediate impact over potential. However, with our current form lacking, nurturing a player like Junior could have proved beneficial in the long run. Every club has its share of might-have-beens, and for us, Junior stands out as one. It’s imperative we learn to not repeat such oversights with future talents.

Matty Platt deserves recognition for his consistent defending, such a reliable player at the back.

It’s a massive tie for us, no doubt about it. They have the quality to punish mistakes, so we’ll need to be at our best defensively. They’re a side used to attacking with pace, which could test our back line, but I trust the lads to hold firm if we stay disciplined. It’ll be interesting to see how Stuart Maynard approaches this tactically. Will he stick to our usual attacking style, or will he be more cautious? Either way, it’ll need to be spot on to get a result.

The statistic might seem alarming, but it’s crucial to remember that those numbers merely highlight how long we've been in the game. Each defeat was a step in our long-standing history. It speaks to our tenacity and the stories etched in these matches. Despite those losses, Notts has always shown a knack for resilience, bouncing back when we least expected. While others may have faltered, we’ve kept battling. Now, with a new era, it's a pivotal moment to look towards a brighter horizon. Amidst the setbacks, there's a relentless hope to win, energising us fans to stand tall and proud. How we respond to those 1,950 defeats will shape the years to come.

I think Jatta’s development this season has been really encouraging. He’s clearly worked on his movement and positioning, which is paying off. You can see how much defenders struggle to contain him, especially when he gets the ball in full flow. While his goal tally might not be massive yet, his contribution to the team’s attacking play is undeniable. Players like Crowley and Jones benefit so much from the space he creates, and it’s that unselfishness which makes him such an asset.

This feels like a crucial game for us, especially after the frustrating draw with Chesterfield. I like how Maynard stays focused on what we can do better, like being clinical in front of goal. We’re creating plenty of chances, but we’ve just not been converting them. His point about needing magic from players like Crowley is true, but we also need to finish the big moments that should be going in. I think if we can get that balance right, especially with more players returning from injury, we can push for a strong performance today. Wimbledon’s tough, but we’ve got the quality.

Abbott’s comments about the energy in the derby really resonated with me. It’s something you don’t get with every match, and he’s clearly bought into it. His assist for Jatta shows he’s got a great footballing brain, he knew exactly where to put that ball. His willingness to adapt to different roles is such a bonus for us, and it’s a sign of his maturity as a player. Here’s hoping he gets that first goal soon!

I thought Scott Robertson did very well. He was a lively asset back in the squad and took his chance for the second goal well. I acknowledge that Alex Bass made some outstanding saves, but we missed Robertson after he went off.

There’s nothing wrong with taking a point away from home, especially against a team fighting for their first win and to climb away from the drop. However, losing wouldn’t be good, and we need to see a strong performance from Notts. Losing isn’t an option. This isn’t to underestimate Morecambe, but if we are to be in with a shout for promotion, these are must-win games.

It’s a good signing, and I am encouraged to see him play for us. I will be mindful that players of this nature do tend to be inconsistent. Yet, there’s no doubt potential there, and at our level, he should be a boost. I think the arrival of Josh Martin is a good move by the club to cover the injuries.

He looks like a fantastic young player who has earned the honour of being Notts’ youngest player through hard work. While it does highlight the good work the academy does, it’s all down to Kameron Muir. I’m sure the coaching and other support have helped, but it’s his attitude to take it on and improve. I would be very disappointed if the club didn’t push him, much like many other graduates.