Benji

The Reedtz brothers have clearly brought stability and direction, but football will always stir emotion that data cannot fully capture. Supporters judge things on atmosphere, results, and how the team makes them feel on a Saturday. You can understand why some fans get frustrated when they hear business-like answers that sound detached. At the same time, it’s worth remembering the state of the club before their arrival. We have structure, ambition, and a clear path forward. The challenge is bridging the gap between calculated planning and the raw emotion that defines the game for so many.

It would have been better if the graphic showed the teams we beat first, instead of listing them in alphabetical order. That would have made the achievement stand out more. Notts has plenty to be proud of, and this is another great moment to add to the list. It’s another feather in our cap, and it shows how far we’ve come. The team deserves credit for it.

Wins matter, of course they do, but you still have to play well to earn them. It’s not about sitting back like a small team hoping to nick a result against a Premier League side. We should be aiming to play our own game and score through good football. Some fans seem happy just to win, even if the performance isn’t great. I don’t mean to upset anyone, but that attitude feels a bit like fairweather support. It’s easy to cheer when things go well, but it’s just as easy to turn when they don’t. The same people calling for the Reedtz brothers to leave, blaming certain players, and moaning about Martin Paterson are often the ones who say winning is all that matters. Then, when we lose, they complain we didn’t play well enough. It’s a bit of a cycle. Calling the squad rubbish after one bad game doesn’t help. Football is tough, and it’s not just about results. Playing well and earning the win means more than just scraping by. Because of the poor start, some fans are trying to make it sound like winning is the only thing that counts. But we all know that even when we win, people still find something to complain about. That’s football, isn’t it? We feel every moment, celebrate every goal, and ride the highs and lows together.

This felt like the sort of game we might have struggled with last season, even to a point earlier in this season. So it was encouraging to see the lads grind it out. Fleetwood made it difficult and probably shaded the first half, but we defended well enough to stay level. The goal straight after the break gave us the lift we needed, and Dennis finished it brilliantly. It could have been two or three with the chances that followed, but even at 1-0 we looked more comfortable as the game went on. The substitutions helped steady things. Grant, Robertson and Traoré all worked hard after coming on. Sometimes a tight, scrappy win says more about progress than a big scoreline.

The first half felt flat, but credit to Martin Paterson for making changes at the break. Bringing Kellan Gordon on instantly shifted the momentum, and the way Matt Dennis and Jatta combined showed that this team has attacking options that can cause problems. The defence then stood firm in those nervy final minutes, which is something we’ve needed to see more of away from home.

It’s hard not to feel like that was two points lost. Dennis scoring twice should have been enough for us to see the game out. Bromley didn’t create much until we allowed them to, and even then the equaliser was a huge stroke of luck. I thought the referee was poor too, some of the fouls were harsh on us while Bromley got away with more. Jones going off changed our attack as well, we missed his runs and energy. Overall it wasn’t a bad performance, but we’ve got to be more ruthless when ahead. Still, encouraging signs with Dennis in this sort of form.

The pies sold at Notts are hit and miss. They don’t fill you up and the quality isn’t great. They feel like something you’d expect from a football ground in the 1980s, not today. There are much better choices out there. Pukka pies, for example, are everything the current ones aren’t, tasty, reliable, and satisfying. If the issue is profit or trying to avoid waste, then it’s time to look for a better local supplier. There must be someone nearby who can offer good pies at a fair price.

Keanan Bennetts looked really sharp when Notts had that burst of energy and started to push forward. Even before that, he did some good work, and that’s why he stood out to me. Salford City managed to push Notts back quite a bit, and it messed up the passing. That sort of pressure needs to be dealt with quicker so the team can settle and play their game. If I hadn’t voted for Bennetts, I would’ve gone for Cotter. He seemed tired for most of the match, but he still gave it a go and put the effort in.

I think we can forgive Notts if they don’t deliver a full 90-minute performance. What matters is having that attacking mentality we showed from the start against Newport. If we put pressure on them without making mistakes, Notts should be fine. Salford have punished us before because we’ve tried to be too clever. We think passing it around will make them lose interest, but that’s not the case. We should be attacking and forcing them into mistakes we can punish. Instead, we pass the ball back and end up messing it up.

I think Jodi being one of the longest-serving players now adds a lot to the squad. He knows the club, the fans, and what’s expected here. Hearing him talk about promotion as the main goal shows he’s still as hungry as ever. Paterson pushing him to score more is exactly the type of challenge that can take him to another level. We already know what he can do as a creator, but imagine him getting into double figures for goals too. The first home game of the season is always a big occasion and Jodi Jones sounds ready for it.

That first half was one of the strongest away performances I’ve seen from Notts in a while. We looked in control from the start, with the players showing real confidence and composure on the ball. There were some great chances too, including the one that hit the bar, and a few moments where the ball just didn’t quite drop for us. Jodi Jones was involved in everything positive going forward. He looked sharp and always wanted the ball, linking play and driving us on. It was brilliant to see him step up and take the penalty with such calmness.

The first half was probably the best I've seen us look for a long time away from home. We completely controlled it and the players seemed very confident on the ball. Really unlucky not to go ahead with the effort that hit the bar and a few others that just didn’t fall right. Jodi Jones was at the heart of everything good, and it was great to see him take the penalty so well.

I really value everything that goes into this website. It's a breath of fresh air and I feel proud to be part of the community. I do wish I could do more, especially when it comes to helping out with the site's costs. But I understand that it’s not all about money. In a world where running a website brings lots of bills, it’s just nice to know there are people out there who are in a place to help. Thanks to everyone involved. I appreciate the update and all the effort that goes into keeping the site going.

Anything Notts can do to cut down on injuries will be a positive step, and this appointment seems like a strong addition. His CV looks solid for a director of performance. The club could benefit from a couple of trainee junior analysts to help gather and break down data for him and whoever takes charge. It’s good to see Notts thinking outside the box.

With a striker and midfielder already signed, what positions do you think Notts should focus on next? The question of replacing Sam Slocombe and Tyler Miller still needs to be answered. Is one keeper enough? Maybe the club should bring in another young talent, like they did with Tiernan Brooks. A centre back, winger, keeper, and attacking midfielder would be ideal. The attacking midfielder should be the kind of signing that makes other League Two teams jealous.

It’s where we trained last season, on the furthest back pitch, and it makes sense to keep using it. Even at a higher level, as long as we have privacy and the facilities meet our needs, sharing is still a viable option. If we ever want to upgrade or make changes that the University of Nottingham won’t allow, then it would make sense to have our own setup.

Hello, @PieHard. Great to see you involved and sharing your thoughts on Notts. Yippee Ki Yay! I mean, you pies!!

Bringing in young players on loan is somewhat risky but this seems like a sensible move. He has been at reputable clubs & appears to have the right attitude to step up. Standing at 6'3" and with some Championship experience he could provide something we've lacked, more power and energy in midfield. It's beneficial that he's versatile especially considering injuries can disrupt our formation during the season. If he remains fit he might surprise some teams. It will be intriguing to see whether we deploy him in a holding role or give him more freedom to venture forward.

I agree that a well-structured recruitment process contributes significantly to a club's achievements focusing on players whose skills and mentality align with the team's objectives, clubs can create a harmonious environment that promotes both individual and collective growth. His approach ensures that each addition strengthens the squad's overall dynamics.

I think he would do well with Jacob Bedeau and Matty Platt alongside him. The problem is, he is not a right-sided centre back. I also believe some of our fans treated him unfairly while he was the captain. I wonder if the new arrivals, combined with the negativity directed at him, have made him want to move on. I wish him well at Barrow; it should be a good move. I don't see why Notts and Cameron can't come to an agreement to let him leave. He could then join Barrow or another team permanently.

Swindon Town played poorly. They had some threats, but we dealt with them defensively for the most part. It's noteworthy that the times Swindon looked like they might score came from our own mistakes. David McGoldrick's short pass, intended for Alex Bass, was a comical error. Rod McDonald defended well against aerial threats, but with the ball at his feet, he looked a bit clumsy at times. Not to take away from his excellent performance, but we were lucky the errors didn't cost us. For instance, Alex Bass's throw-out in the second half went straight to a Swindon player with an open net. We defended well to manage that, but on another day, it could have punished us. I'm delighted with the win and overall performance; these are just points I kept thinking about. I wonder if it is being classed as a deflection rather than an own goal. Otherwise, it should have been awarded as an own goal. I am happy that Didzy is credited with it.

Nobody shined more than David McGoldrick. It was a good team performance. It was nice to see Matt Palmer pulling the strings. I thought Josh Martin looked effective, and Sam Austin ran his heart out.

You can't judge a player from a few brief appearances because Josh Martin seems to have settled well. There's definitely a player in him, so I would keep him if his wages are fair. The only reason not to extend his stay would be if his wages are higher than what a rotational player might get, which I doubt. We need to get the best out of players who arrive with low morale. They can be the biggest bargains, so we must ensure he doesn't lose his way.

Honestly, I thought Jacob Bedeau was our best player. However, some fans seem to be very critical of him. I heard someone compare him to Kyle Cameron, but as a better defender. I don't think comments like that reflect his true ability. His performance was superb, and he deserves recognition for it.

What a game and a fair result in the end. Jatta’s early goal demonstrated how well-prepared the team is in their drills and strategies. It’s amazing to see such a plan executed perfectly. The team's energy in the first 20 minutes was outstanding, setting the tone for the match. Well done to them for holding firm against Doncaster’s pressure in the second half. Maynard is spot on about the fans, their support truly lifted the team. Securing a draw away from home is always a good result in this league, especially considering our current injury list. The lads showed great resilience and determination throughout the match.