Robbie

For me it would be very dissapointing if Notts didn't make at least the playoffs this season. The first half a dozen matches will be a big pointer to what could happen, however the three pre season games have been encouraging, so I do remain hopeful of success in 2025.

I think Southgate looked upon Ollie Watkins as a man who could come on and change a game, nothing more than that. Football has become a squad game nowadays where it is no longer looked upon as 11 players and their substitutes. Now we have a starting 11 & a finishing 11 with every player in that 18, or 20 in the PL, or even 25 in international matches, having a specific purpose to perform depending on the circumstances

A bit of both probably. It is now becoming common that newly promoted teams change their squad drastically to compete well in their new league. Players who were thought good enough to get promotion are then not seen good enough to compete in the higher league. Unfortunately, after promotion, Notts got it wrong with their recruitment and paid the penalty by not getting to the playoffs.

Hope we get some positive news about Alex Kirk joining Notts by the start of next week.

I think Jatta, if he stays fit, could be a sensation this season. He's a different type of striker compared to Macaulay, but I'm sure the resultant goals scored could be very similar to Macca's.

I think your suggestion might have some merit It would certainly cut out the negativity of playing for a draw, & would certainly change the mindset of some Managers including a certain Gareth Southgate.

It's good for the Notts players & the new ones, to get together in this way. Helps with the bonding and team spirit. Looking forward to the game against Duisburg on Saturday. I think that Stuart will treat the game much more seriously than the first 3 friendly games. I hope that he sees it as an opportunity to play what he believes will be his Matchday eighteen. Altogether, both teams might have agreed to have even more substitutes than is usually allowed for league matches.

I wouldn't have thought that Notts will be playing trialists in this game, but I could be wrong Stuart should be getting to the stage in knowing which players are pushing for a starting eleven places. I say starting eleven places, because we know it is a squad game nowadays, so as we saw with England at the Euros, tactical substitutions are becoming more & more important. Last season we lacked quality on the bench for a variety of reasons, injuries, poor recruitment, & not a big enough squad. This season, it looks very different. So 18 players, 11 on the field, & 7 on the bench, (up to 5 can be used), will always be involved & with hopefully, a 25 man squad, competition for places will be very competitive. The key to success is having 7 on the bench who can come on & change a game if necessary & I believe Notts are very close to having that. So for this match I hope Stuart has a starting 11 and a bench of 7 that will together all figure on the pitch at some point & this will be a big marker for things to come.

Hopefully, the Club will get the funds to avoid administration, but unfortunately we are seeing more & more instances of this sad situation being repeated across clubs in the lower leagues, as these clubs try to compete in an industry that requires more & more finance that far outweighs the incomes that the lower league clubs can generate. The only way now is for these clubs to go amateur, because even at a semi professional level, it is still very hard to keep finances on an even keel for nob league clubs. We keep saying, and it is so true, that we are in the age, where football is concerned, of the haves and have nots, & there didn't seem to be any prospects of this changing at all. So I'm afraid that we will see much more of this happening and it could spread up the pyramid to include EFL clubs too

Unless Morias goes, I don't think Notts need a striker to replace Langstaff. We have three excellent strikers already who are quite capable of scoring at least 15 goals a season with the attacking midfielders we have to supply them. Jatta & Scott have to be the top two with McGoldrick & Morias, if he stays in reserve. I'm very happy with the strike force that we have. If we need to strengthen this area in January we can do it then.

The problem last season was letting in 35 to 40 more goals than we should have done. If we hadn't have let them goals in, Notts would have either won the league or would have at least come third & got promoted. There is no question that Notts had the best attacking midfield & strike force in the League, but unfortunately, the worse defence. Notts have now fixed that problem on paper, & with Matt Palmer back, we should get automatic promotion on paper, or at the VERY least, a playoff spot. The recruiters have done their job, now it's up to Maynard to do the work he's paid for to get Notts into successful working unit. There are no excuses now for Stuart, he has to deliver otherwise his job will be in jeopardy.

Your Friday Morning Weather

@Wheelbarrow repair man Fun fact. If the points system had been as I suggested with the number of goals of three or more scored in games, Notts would probably have made the playoffs with the extra points awarded.

@Wheelbarrow repair manIt's just a bit of fun guys. Of course it will never happen.????

Well we can't complain about the weather today, almost wall to wall sunshine, plus a small breeze that gives a little relief from the heat. We've actually had the ceiling fan on today. That's the first time this year. How long is this wonderful ☀️ going to last? Will be great if it lasts the weekend.

Very good ideas @Wheelbarrow repair man I'll throw in some ideas myself 3 points for a win. 1 bonus point for scoring 3 goals or more. If a side wins 4:3 or 5:4 the winner gets 4 points, the loser gets 1 point. 1 point each for a 0:0, 1:1 or 2:2 draw. 2 point each for 3:3 draw or more Also penalty shootout: if a match finishes as a draw. 1 bonus point for the winner of the penalty shootout after a draw after 90 mins. So if it's 0:0,1:1 or 2:2 winner of PS gets 2 points, loser 1 If the match ends 3:3 winner gets 3 points, loser gets 2 points. This would encourage sides to score goals and get the chance to get extra points if the match ends in a draw

Looks like the Notts Management are holding a team bonding session in the Netherlands, while they are preparing to face Duisburg on Saturday. By all accounts, Matt is settling in well and he's optimistic for the upcoming season.