Sir Magpie

Seeing Notts at the top of the table in the last few years has been rare, and this move supports that trend. The debt write off makes the club more attractive to potential players and staff who want stability. It also reduces the chance of another owner stepping in with big injections that skew the season. Fans want transparency and results, and the public statement helps. If recruitment stays smart and the academy feeds into the first team, we can build a strong squad without taking on heavy risk. It is not a guarantee, but it is a sensible step in the right direction.

Not many fans expect perfection from a Fans Forum, but we do want an honest chance to learn what the club is trying to do. When topics like loans or the exit of staff come up, a clear explanation helps a lot more than silence. I think the best outcome is concrete answers to real questions, plus a real sense that the club listens to the people who pay to watch. If the panel can outline a plan for recruitment, youth development, and release of players, with milestones, supporters will feel more confident. It would also help if they set follow ups, like a summary after the event and a simple way to submit questions in future. A calm, factual tone can turn worry into focus, and that helps the fans stand with Notts County instead of turning away.

I think this is a really positive development for Notts, even if it won’t change the day-to-day running of the club straight away. Having that big loan off the books makes the accounts look much stronger and takes away a big shadow hanging over the finances. That can only be a good thing when it comes to long-term planning. It also shows that the Reedtz brothers are not just here to make money, not that you do in football. Yet, they clearly care about building the right foundations and protecting the club from financial risk. Plenty of clubs have gone under because loans weren’t dealt with, so this is a big step towards avoiding that fate.

Jacob Bedeau isn’t playing at the level he showed last season. He’s been poor at the back and doesn’t offer much going forward either. I’m not sure what’s changed, but he’s making basic mistakes. It’s got to the point where I’m wondering what the people who used to criticise Kyle Cameron are thinking now. Sonny Aljofree found it hard against stronger players. Gillingham are a decent side and they made the most of pushing and pulling our lads around. It got frustrating to watch, and both Aljofree and Bedeau had a tough time. Rod McDonald was solid and stood out. Apart from him, only Jodi Jones looked like he was really involved in the match.

What stands out is how Paterson talks about accountability. At first, he had to drag players out for extra practice, but now they are choosing to stay behind. That’s a big cultural change. It shows the squad is buying into his way of working. I also liked the honesty about set-pieces. He admitted we were weak there earlier in the season, but says adjustments have been made. That’s refreshing to hear. If we can tighten up against Gillingham’s long throws, we’ve got every chance of extending the unbeaten run.

The thing about Dennis is how hard he works off the ball as well as on it. He presses defenders, holds it up when needed and isn’t afraid to make runs that give others space. Those are the little things that don’t always get noticed when people just look at his goals. It’s good to see him talking about team wins over individual awards. That’s exactly what we need. Gillingham are organised at the back, but Dennis looks sharp and confident. If he gets a chance, you’d back him to take it.

The pitch definitely played its part in the game. You could see it was hard to get the ball down and play the usual way, but instead of forcing it we played to the conditions. Going longer into Jatta and Dennis worked, and both of them caused problems all game. It is also good to see the gaffer keep calm at half-time, as Bedeau mentioned. That calmness is spreading to the players. Nobody panicked when Fleetwood pressed, and it feels like the side is learning to manage games properly. Four unbeaten is no accident.

For me, this was exactly the sort of match we usually slip up in. Fleetwood were organised and happy to let us have the ball, but we’ve been caught out like that before. Paterson deserves credit for making the changes when he did. Jatta isn’t fully fit yet but he still looks a handful, and Dennis is in the form of his life. The backline deserves praise too. A few nervy moments but overall we were disciplined, won the first headers and didn’t panic. The clean sheet gives us something to build on. We’ve played better and lost, so to dig in and get the points is progress. Not exciting as dominating a team, but effective.

It wasn’t the smoothest display, but it showed real grit from Notts when it mattered. Fleetwood were lively down the right in the first half and caused plenty of trouble, with Roos needing to make a few strong saves to keep things level. On another day, they might have taken one of those chances, but Notts held firm and didn’t fold under pressure. Dennis took his goal well, showing calmness in front of the net, and Jatta looked lively before being forced off. What stood out most was how the substitutes helped steady things late on. Paterson made smart changes at the right time, and it’s clear he’s not afraid to act when the game needs it. The bench looks much stronger now, even with Dennis and Jatta starting together, and that depth could be key as the season goes on. There’s a lot to be pleased about beyond the scoreline. The team showed resilience, the manager made good decisions, and the squad looks more balanced. Winning in tough conditions, especially when the performance isn’t perfect, is a sign of progress. It’s not always about flair, sometimes it’s about finding a way, and Notts did just that.

That was not the most comfortable performance, but it showed the side can dig in when needed. Fleetwood caused problems, especially down the right in the first half, and Roos pulled off some very good stops. It could easily have gone the other way if they had taken their chances. At the same time, Dennis showed real composure for the goal and Jatta looked sharp before going off. It is also encouraging that the substitutes came on and helped see the game out. Winning is sometimes just as important as playing with style.

What stood out for me was how much fitter we looked compared to earlier games. Normally we’ve dropped off in the last 20 minutes, but this time we stayed strong and actually grew in confidence as the game went on. Credit to the staff for working on that. Martin Paterson is right not to overreact though. One win doesn’t mean the issues are solved, but it’s a big step in the right direction. If we can back this up with results against Lincoln and in the next run of fixtures, then it really starts to build momentum.

I thought the first half summed up some of our struggles this season. We had the ball but did not create enough. When Tranmere scored just before half-time, it felt like the same story of not turning possession into chances. The turnaround in the second half was impressive. Dennis keeps proving his worth with the type of finish every side needs, and Gordon’s composure for the winner was excellent. Holding out under pressure at the end was equally important. It was the kind of away win that can build belief in the squad.

Ollie Norburn speaks a lot of sense about staying calm and focusing on what we can control. You can tell he’s been around the game long enough to know that panic doesn’t help, even when results don’t quite match performances. That’s exactly the sort of influence we’ll need this season, particularly in a competitive league. I also liked the bit where he admitted he’s still getting back up to full speed. It shows honesty, but also confidence that with minutes he’ll get there. If he can add his leadership and experience once fully fit, he could become one of the most important players in the side.

Hello, @SoccerLord. PON is a great place to discuss Notts and other matters, welcome to the community!

Given Tranmere's current form, our Magpies will need every ounce of tactical acumen to navigate this match. Their unbeaten home streak and physical playstyle often create hurdles for teams like us who prefer a more possession-based game. Martin Paterson's focus on maintaining a cohesive identity while injecting tempo will be crucial elements of our play. There's no doubt that Dennis could shine if provided the right service, and our defence needs to be alert, especially during set pieces. It's good news hearing about Jatta's availability. Having options off the bench could prove decisive if the game starts tilting. Also, with the transfer deadline looming, stability in the squad might just help in maintaining morale and focus. While a win would be spectacular, coming away with a draw from Prenton Park would be a commendable result, strengthening our standing and confidence as the season unfolds.