Sir Magpie

I really like that we’re going for young players with something to prove instead of short-term panic signings. Sonny’s got leadership experience, good technique and sounds like he’s not afraid of a challenge. That’s the sort we should be taking a chance on. The fact we saw off League One competition says a lot about how we’re viewed now too. A season with us playing regular football should do him the world of good. If he kicks on, he’ll help tighten us up at the back which could be the surprise signing we needed.

Pre-season is all about helping players get fit again, letting new ones settle in, and letting things go a bit wild so they’re ready to deal with proper matches later. Playing against teams like us helps the lads know what to expect when the real games start. I’m really starting to like Martin Paterson. He seems sharp, says all the right things, and you can tell he wants Notts to go for it, no matter who we’re up against or how big the gap is. That attitude’s what we need. The score might make us look better than we were, but it’s only a friendly so that’s alright. We must’ve shown a bit of fight out there, which is good to see. With the goal we scored, and Paterson saying the squad was getting tired, it’s nice to know we can still put a tidy move together like we did. Conor Grant’s rebound tap-in was a lovely moment. Shows we can play some proper football, even when the legs are going.

Yes, the goal was simple, but the build-up was clever. It was a smart pass into space that should have been finished off first time. Conor Grant did well to follow up, but it’s the quick play from the back that really stands out. That kind of attacking intent is good to see. Last season, Notts wouldn’t have taken that sort of chance. Now, with more focus on keeping the ball, there’s a willingness to take a bit of a risk by running behind the defence. That change could work well over time. A 2-1 defeat away from home, with a mixed and rotated squad, isn’t a bad result at all.

It’s been a strange summer, hasn’t it? On one hand, we’ve brought in a mix of hungry young players and seasoned heads, and you can tell the club is trying to reshape the squad to fit Paterson’s style. Players like Norburn should bring grit and experience, while someone like Matthew Dennis might just be a hidden gem if he settles quickly. The midfield’s definitely looking more balanced already. But I can’t help feeling uneasy about the keeper situation. Griffiths is unproven at this level, and while I wish him the best, it’s unfair to expect him to replace Bass seamlessly. If we don’t sort that position soon, it could undo the rest of the good work. We’re a couple of signings away from looking genuinely ready to compete at the top. The club have said they’re looking to bring in a replacement for Alex Bass. But things can change quickly, and if a good player becomes available, other clubs might think we’ve got money to spend and raise their asking price. I’m not sure which goalkeepers are available on a free at the moment. Still, buying one outright often gives the best results when it comes to getting real quality between the sticks.

Alex Bass leaving genuinely feels like a bit of a body blow, we were just starting to build something solid, particularly defensively. His consistency and composure between the sticks gave a lot of confidence to the back four, and losing that isn't something easily fixed. We’ve sold for good money apparently, but I feel we've undersold the true worth of Bass given what he's delivered and his potential to improve even further. This means the club really must step up their recruitment game now. We’re not exactly swimming in reliable keepers and Harry Griffiths is largely unknown at senior level. He deserves a chance, but surely this can't be the only solution here. It's crucial we reinvest wisely; otherwise, we’ll be kicking ourselves come mid-season. I'd love to be optimistic, but Notts haven't always shone when juggling squad turnover. Let’s hope this time they pull it off.

Foreman’s career was one of the most fascinating in boxing history. His early years were defined by raw power, an undefeated streak, and a devastating win over Joe Frazier. The Rumble in the Jungle showed his weakness, but in hindsight, that loss helped him become a better person. Instead of letting defeat ruin him, he found faith and walked away from boxing, dedicating himself to helping others. Few fighters have shown such personal growth. His comeback was nothing short of miraculous. To return after a decade away, in his 40s, and reclaim the title against a much younger champion was inspiring. But what makes Foreman truly special is his warmth, humour, and ability to connect with people. He wasn’t just a fighter, he was a storyteller, a mentor, and a man who gave back. Rest in peace, Big George. A legend in every sense of the word.

What a shift from Tsaroulla! He’s got everything you want in a wing-back, pace, aggression, and an eye for goal. The way he got himself into that position was fortunate, but his finish was instinctive. He’s becoming such a key player for us, both defensively and going forward. Hearing him speak about the fans was great too. It’s clear he thrives off the support, and that bond between players and supporters will be massive for us this season. You can see the belief growing within the squad, and wins like this, in tough away games.

This squad is starting to look really well-balanced. Maynard seems to have learned from last season. The clubs seems to have avoided panic buys, just smart, thought-out additions. The forward options now give us something for every situation. Jatta’s physicality, McGoldrick’s intelligence, and Traoré’s pace give us so much flexibility going forward. Defensively, McDonald deserves a lot of credit. He’s stepped up massively, and it’s reassuring to have a leader back there. With Macari and Ness on their way back, we’ll hopefully have a solid foundation heading into the final stretch. Playoffs are the minimum expectation, but if this squad gels, who knows?

This is exactly the kind of signing we needed! A young, hungry forward with good experience at a decent level, but also plenty of potential to improve. The fact that he’s quick, strong, and left-footed gives us something different in attack, which is crucial when breaking teams down. I hope we give him time to settle because stepping into League Two from Norway won’t be easy. But if he can adjust, I think he could be a brilliant addition. Excited to see what he can do in a Notts shirt.

I thought the team played excellently. There are several players who could be in contention for the Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match. My vote went to Nick Tsaroulla, but I could have easily given it to Jacob Bedeau, Jodi Jones or David McGoldrick. I felt very impressed with how Tsaroulla performed. I think he gave an excellent account of his ability. He's someone I would like to see starting more and I think this performance demonstrates why.

We started the match on a high note, completely dominating the first half with sharp play and excellent ball control. Nick Tsaroulla scored a fantastic goal, and David McGoldrick’s clinical finish highlighted his value to our team. Palmer and Whitaker also had great chemistry, linking up effectively in the attack. The second half proved to be more challenging as Gillingham pushed back, making it a real battle. However, our defence held strong, and despite a late goal making things tense, the lads kept their composure. Bass made some crucial saves, and we had opportunities to secure the win earlier. Nevertheless, securing three points away from home is a huge achievement.

Excellent first half, but we made it difficult for ourselves in the second! We came out flying, controlled possession, and looked sharp in attack. Nick Tsaroulla took his goal brilliantly, and David McGoldrick’s finish showed exactly why he’s so important to this team. Really good link-up play between Palmer and Whitaker too. Second half was more of a scrap. Gillingham came at us and made it tough, but we defended well enough to see it out. That late goal made it nervy, but credit to the lads for keeping their heads. Bass made a couple of big saves, and we had chances to put the game to bed. Huge three points away from home.

Curtis Edwards has had quite the journey, and it’s incredible to see how far he’s come. Starting from the Northern League, he could have given up after not making it with bigger clubs, but he didn’t. Instead, he kept working hard, playing in the lower leagues, and even working on construction sites. His time in Sweden was the game-changer, where he proved his worth by stepping up to the Allsvenskan and even playing in Europe. It’s no surprise he’s now making an impact in League 2. His style of play is exactly what Notts County needs. Not only is he technically strong, but he works tirelessly off the ball, supporting the strikers and pressing the opposition. You can tell that he’s used to a high level of football, and he fits right into the way Notts play. It’s unfortunate that injury has sidelined him for now, but when he’s back, I’ve no doubt he’ll make a significant impact.

Another game where we showed we can grind out results, and I’m all for it! Early in the season, we’d have probably let one in late on, but the defensive discipline has improved massively. Credit to Stuart Maynard and the players for sticking to the plan and keeping it tight. Jatta’s goal was brilliant, great to see him getting more confident in front of goal. Still, the officiating in this league is a joke. The penalty shout was blatant, and the explanation given to Maynard is just baffling. How are players meant to react? We tell them to be professional, but that works against them now? Glad it didn’t cost us this time, but it’s frustrating to see these decisions week after week.

Curtis Edwards’ return couldn’t have come at a better time. We’ve been crying out for more depth in midfield, and he showed exactly why he’ll be so important in the coming weeks. Even though he was only on for a short time, he helped settle things down, and his experience will be massive as we push for promotion. The fact that he’s missed four months yet still looked sharp says a lot about his work behind the scenes. Hearing the fans cheer when he came on was class. You could see how much it meant to him in his interview. He’s not been here long, but he’s already made a big impact. If he can get back to full match sharpness quickly, he’ll be like a new signing for us in midfield.