Sir Magpie

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.

Abbott’s been an absolute revelation since joining. For a 19-year-old, he plays with so much maturity and intelligence on the ball. His ability to transition from defence to attack is brilliant, and he’s got a real knack for picking the right pass at the right moment. That cross for Jatta’s goal showed exactly why he’s so valuable, calm under pressure, precise delivery, and a real eye for an assist. With four goals and four assists already, he’s proving to be a key part of the team’s promotion push. His chemistry with the squad is clear, and you can see how much he enjoys playing here. Extending his loan is a massive boost, and I’ve no doubt he’ll play a crucial role in the run-in!

I think the standout performances are few and far between the usual candidates that we normally see. I thought we needed to dig deep at times to achieve the win and not conceding is a very positive outcome against a poor Carlisle United. Nick Tsaroulla and Jodi Jones did acceptably well, but I don't think anyone quite reached the levels of George Abbott's performance. I think the sponsors are finally paying attention to the game, instead of which player they wish to meet after games. Well done George Abbott, I hope he wins Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match too.

I joined on the 22nd of August 2023. I have been a long-time reader of the content published by the Pride of Nottingham, which I find excellent. I do not get involved much with the forum side of things, but I enjoy talking about Notts and reading discussions. Any area where I can provide a detailed and worthwhile comment inspires me to contribute. I do not like adding a comment if I feel I cannot add to the context or points. From time to time, I visit the forum, and I see something where I feel a comment would be worth adding. Although I have not been a member for very long, I have read the site for as long as some of you have been members. I understand that it is difficult to maintain something like this, but I miss the content and articles put out on the home page.

Jack Hinchy’s comments about adapting to senior football really struck me. Under-21s football can only do so much in terms of preparing players for the physical and mental demands of the professional game. His move to Notts has clearly been a big step forward, and it sounds like he’s embracing every challenge. The goal itself was a great example of being in the right place at the right time and making the most of it. He’s showing signs of becoming a versatile midfielder who isn’t afraid to take chances. With more minutes under his belt, I reckon we’ll see even more progress from him.

Colchester’s recent form makes this one of the toughest games we’ve faced in a while. Keeping three consecutive clean sheets shows their defensive discipline, so breaking them down will require precision. Maynard’s comments about managing player minutes make sense, we can’t afford to rush anyone back. It’s a relief to hear Platt and Abbott are close to returning, and Crowley’s progress is promising too. His ability to unlock defences has been missed, particularly in the Walsall match. I also appreciate Maynard highlighting the fans’ role. The atmosphere at Meadow Lane has been electric this season, and it gives the players that extra push. This game will test us, but if we keep our focus and stick to our style, I believe we can bounce back with a win.

I think our priority should be quality over quantity. We’ve got a good squad, but January is a chance to address specific areas where depth might be lacking. With Jodi Jones and others in and out of the side due to injuries, having another solid option out wide would ease the burden. A quick winger who’s comfortable taking on defenders and delivering consistent crosses would be ideal. That said, we shouldn’t overlook the importance of strengthening defensively, especially at wing-back. Players who are strong in transition could add more balance to the side. It’d also be interesting to see if we target another striker to support Jatta, as having an alternative option up top could give us more variety. Hopefully, the club’s analysis team is already deep into the scouting process!