Joe Jones

Here we are in mid-November and Notts County continue to hold top spot in League Two. Up next for us is a home encounter with Cheltenham Town, who currently sit 16th in the table. Ahead of the game at Meadow Lane, Pride of Nottingham spoke to Robins fan Dave to get an insight on this weekend's opposition. About Dave: I've been a fan since 1995, and my favourite player is Scott Brown. 1) Cheltenham dropped out of the Football League in 2015 but came back up the following season with a 101-point haul in the National League. What went wrong in the relegation season and how was it put right so soon? We survived narrowly in 2013-14, a season which followed two playoff position seasons and afterwards we lost key players, there were also managerial changes, and yeah, it was a case of a club in disarray going down. But the following season Gary Johnson signed a two-year deal, there was a squad clear out with good, hungry players brought in, and everything just clicked to get us back up. 2) Martin Allen, who's remembered fondly at Notts County, managed Cheltenham for a while - how did he do with you? Allen managed the club during a very tumultuous time when we had money problems, narrowly avoiding administration and having to put all players up for sale, but he wasn't particularly good - we got relegated to League Two under him, had a bad spell and then he was put on gardening leave due to allegations of racism, of which he was formally cleared but ended up leaving by mutual consent. So that was that. 3) Cheltenham were drawn against Spurs in the third round of the FA Cup in 2012 - what cup memories do you have with your club? Both that game against Spurs and the one against Everton were exciting ties but sadly we got hammered in both encounters. My favourite cup memory is actually the 97-98 FA Trophy win, completely different kettle of fish to today but still a very enjoyable occasion. 4) Who would you describe as Cheltenham's biggest footballing rivals? Traditionally it's been Gloucester City, but given we're several leagues apart, the only time we'll get to meet is in the cups, like the Gloucestershire Senior Cup. In the League it's Forest Green Rovers. 5) Who are your team's danger men? Carl Winchester is our midfield lynchpin, a nimble player who can pick a pass and has also weighed in with a couple goals. Mohamed Eisa, meanwhile, is a great finisher, has plenty of pace and has done well in front of goal. 6) Score and scorer prediction I reckon a 1-1 draw, with Eisa getting our goal. Share your thoughts about this Opposition View article on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

What's been happening in League Two over the last week? Here is Pride of Nottingham's round-up of the biggest League Two news from the last seven days. - Nathan Jones of Luton Town won the League Two Manager of the Month award for October, while Tom Pope of Port Vale won the Player of the Month award. - Plymouth manager Derek Adams offered to pay for the club's disability squad training sessions for the rest of the season after making an impression on him when he joined in at a recent session as part of the club's community programme. - Barnet appointed Mark McGhee as their new manager after he left his role as Scotland's assistant manager after the end of their failed bid to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. - Shamir Mullings returned to Forest Green Rovers after his loan spell at Macclesfield was cancelled. - Swindon Town winger Donal McDermott will be out for four to six weeks after suffering an ankle ligament injury. - Carlisle United will be without winger Nicky Adams for the rest of the season after he suffered a knee injury in Saturday's win against Yeovil Town. - Luton Town left-back Jack Senior signed a one-year extension to his contract, and will remain at Kenilworth Road until the summer of 2019. - Colin Slater, BBC Radio Nottingham's former Notts County match commentator, has been named as an honorary vice president of the club. - Cheltenham Town defender Jordan Cranston was ruled out for the rest of season with a hamstring injury. - Coventry Rugby Football Club chairman Jon Sharp ruled out any possibility of footballing neighbours Coventry City moving to the Butts Park Arena. - The cost of watching football in League Two has risen more than in any other English league for the 2017-18 season, BBC's Price of Football survey found. All news stories sourced from BBC Sport and Sky Sports. Share your thoughts about this news roundup on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Ryan Yates has stressed that his main role for Notts County is as midfield enforcer, although he wouldn't mind to reach double figures in terms of goals. The on-loan Nottingham Forest teenager has scored five times so far, making him second-top scorer behind Jorge Grant on 11. Yates recently hit four goals in five games, including two in the 4-2 victory over Bristol Rovers in the first round of the FA Cup at Meadow Lane. Despite his purple patch, he remains committed to his role in midfield, breaking up play. “My dad told me to get 10 goals this year and I was like ‘woah’,” Yates told the Nottingham Post. “I would love to get double figures because that for a midfielder is unbelievable. “I know Jorge has already got that, but that would be fantastic for me also. “But first and foremost my role is to break up the play, but if I can chip in with a few goals then great. “I’ve had a few chances that I didn’t take and I was a bit gutted not to, so I can’t see why I can’t score more." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Oxford City's director of football has expressed his delight with their FA Cup second-round tie at Notts County being televised. The National League South club will receive £72,000 as part of the deal, which sees the encounter at Meadow Lane shown on BT Sport 1. City, who have progressed from the second qualifying round, have already earned £42,500 in the cup so far, and the winner of the game on Saturday 2 December will also pocket a further £27,000. “It’s obviously fantastic for us as a club, we’re delighted," Justin Merritt told the Oxford Mail. “We were hopeful of a highlights package, but to get a live game, it makes the world of difference to us. “We’re a club that are going through a difficult period in its history. We’ve got a debt we’re servicing and we’re working every day trying to clear it all. "But for us that just makes the sustainability of the football club a lot more achievable. “It’s not like we will suddenly be investing money in players and so on, but we will look at the whole club, improve the facilities and make sure we can keep going. “It’s really good to have excitement about the place and we will be talking about some positives rather than how tough it has been. “We’re delighted. We want to give a good account of ourselves and to pull off another shock would be what dreams are made of.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Soccer AM used to be a must-watch for all British and British-based football fans. When I was younger, I would get up before 9am and watch Tim Lovejoy, Helen Chamberlain and the rest of the gang serve up an entertaining slice of football pie to get me in the mood for the Saturday afternoon games. It was part and parcel of the whole football package. But that was then - I've not watched the show for years, and by the sounds of it, many other fans have given up watching it as well. Maybe it's the fact television is no longer the dominant medium and things like "Third Eyes" can be delivered online in the blink of an, ahem, eye. Maybe it's the struggles of making a traditionally un-PC show PC in the current era, or maybe it's something else, but it's definitely not the force it used to be. For the record, the last time I saw the show, it was a couple of years ago, and there was this rock band on who was playing a game where they had to guess the brand of water from sampling several shots of the stuff, or whether it was from the tap. I found it so cringeworthy I made a mental note never to watch it again. Last weekend, Soccer AM was mentioned a fair bit by Notts County fans on social media and elsewhere, because six individuals who were supposedly supporters of the club appeared on the show. Only problem is, the Notts fanbase is a fairly close-knit community where most people tend to know each other, or at least recognise who their fellow supporters are, and nobody had a clue who any of these "fans" were. Closer inspection found that several of these guys were actually supporters of other teams, like Nottingham Forest, Reading and Sunderland, and needless to say, the Black and White Army was not best pleased. Chris and I spoke about this at length in (open link) our latest PONcast (close link) and ended up going on a bit of a rant because, as much as the whole debacle has been played down, it's unacceptable. Since the turn of the century, Notts have been a notoriously difficult team to support. Save for a relatively bright spell between 2009 and 2013 when we were promoted and put in a decent stint in League One, plus a couple of enjoyable cup days out, it's been nothing but misery. And Notts fans, the real Notts fans, would support their team even though they were getting humiliated by non-league teams on national television, even though they were fighting relegation from the EFL, even though there have been various winding-up orders and, earlier this year, the real fear of the club ceasing to exist. Now that the ship has steadied, now that there's a good chairman at the club, now there's a good young manager, now the infrastructure is good, now the team's flying high in the league, how have the long-suffering fans been recognised on national TV? By bringing in a bunch of photogenic "lads" to parade as Notts "fans" despite supporting other teams and not giving the real fans a look-in. And by the looks of it, it's not like there was a shortage of suitable Notts fans who were keen to go on the show. Alan Hardy has defended their appearance on the show, even going on himself, and stressed that he had no control, that Sky had the ultimate say over which fans would appear on the show. But whatever the reasonings were, the fact of the matter is, six guys went on a show claiming to be Notts County fans, all relatively young and photogenic, all wearing either Jake Bugg home shirts or Paragon away shirts and skinny jeans, none recognised by the bulk of the fanbase and several of those seemingly showing support for other teams on their own social media. And even though it's the kind of thing that shouldn't really be a big deal - given Soccer AM is watched by something like 40 people and a goat nowadays - it feels like a slap in the face to the fans who have suffered for years for the sake of their beloved team, being overlooked in favour of a bunch of phonies. Share your thoughts about this feature article on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Alan Hardy has expressed his joy at Notts County's FA Cup second-round tie with Oxford City being selected for TV coverage and is hoping for his club to go further in the competition. BT Sport will broadcast the game against the National League South side next month which will earn the Magpies £72,000, while the winners of the game will pick up an additional £27,000. In addition to the benefits from that game, there is also the small matter of the draw for the third round, which could yield a tie against a Premier League giant. “It is fantastic news for both clubs,” Hardy told the Nottingham Post. “The FA Cup is a magical competition and one I feel very strongly about because of its history and reputation. “In my mind it is the greatest cup competition in the world for league clubs so to receive this kind of exposure is absolutely brilliant. “You always hope that it will be your tie that is selected for TV coverage because obviously there is a huge financial benefit. “The game is worth a lot of money to us and, as I have always maintained, a good cup run can do wonders for a football club, as it did for Lincoln City last season. “I am sure it is going to be a great day and it is a chance for us to showcase our talent to the nation. “The Premier League teams all come into the next round and it would be terrific for us to have the chance of securing a memorable day out at one of the elite. “But we will not be taking Oxford City lightly as they will come here with nothing to lose and everything to gain.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Elliott Hewitt admits he is disappointed in himself after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season in Notts County's 1-1 draw at Stevenage. The Welshman was booked in the first half after remonstrating with the referee following a foul on Terry Hawkridge in midfield which preceded a Harry Beautyman effort on the Magpies goal. The caution means Hewitt will miss the next game, against Cheltenham Town at Meadow Lane. “I was gutted to get a fifth yellow and it was a bit stupid from me,” he told the Nottingham Post. “I thought it was a bad challenge from one of their players. I turned around and asked for a free-kick but the referee booked me. “I am very disappointed on my behalf because I wasn’t the only who did it in the game either. But it was me who picked up the yellow and that’s football.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County have announced that Colin Slater has been named an honorary vice president of the club. The 83-year-old worked on his first Notts game in 1959 as a local newspaper journalist, making his BBC Radio Nottingham bow in 1968. Slater's radio commentating career spanned 49 years and saw him become a club institution and, although he stepped back from those duties earlier this year, he continues to be the station's Magpies correspondent. "It's difficult to express how honoured I feel that my name will figure next to John Mounteney - a great friend of mine who I miss greatly - whose influence and work behind the scenes was prodigious, and Jack Sewell, who I also got to know well without ever seeing him play," Slater told the official Notts site. "It's something I never thought would happen in my wildest dreams. "I know all the Notts directors and will know some of the visitors. Equally, I expect to know a number of local people who come as guests because I've fulfilled a number of roles in public life in Nottinghamshire. I've a wide circle of friends and contacts, so I'm looking forward to seeing them." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County's FA Cup second-round tie against Oxford City on Saturday 2 December has been picked for live television coverage. The game, which takes place at Meadow Lane will be broadcast on BT Sport and kickoff time has subsequently been moved to 12:30pm. City, who play in the National League South, shocked Colchester United in the first round with a 1-0 win at the Colchester Community Stadium to go into the hat for round two. Notts, meanwhile, cruised into the second round thanks to their impressive 4-2 win over Bristol Rovers, coming from behind to overcome and eventually knock out their League One opponents. The official Notts site also confirmed that fans who buy and retain a ticket for the match will get priority access to third-round tickets should the Magpies progress and be drawn against high-profile opposition. According to the Nottingham Post, Notts will receive TV cash of £72,000 from BT Sport, and the winner of the match will also earn £27,000 in prize money. Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan is hoping that Shola Ameobi will not be out for too long but insists Notts County can continue to cope in case he remains absent beyond this weekend. The veteran striker sat out the 1-1 draw at Stevenage last weekend, failing to make the squad with what is believed to be a groin injury. Nolan suggested that the injury is minor as he was hoping to have Ameobi back for this Saturday's encounter with Cheltenham Town but will not rush him back to action. “He’s done really well for us, but that’s why we have the squad we do in that if we do have these niggling injuries, we have people who can come in,” the manager told the Nottingham Post. “I am hoping Shola isn’t going to be too long. We did the same with Dan Jones when he was injured that we have to make sure he is happy and we give him the genuine care that’s needed. “He’s a top class pro and hopefully fit for this weekend, but, if not, then we have the squad to hopefully keep it going and working hard to get back to winning ways.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Richard Thomas has claimed that his family have played a big part in his development as a coach. The Notts County assistant manager has been a crucial element of Kevin Nolan's side's progress from League Two relegation strugglers to promotion hopefuls. When asked about who has inspired him, Thomas told the Nottingham Post: “It’s not about one person or one big name manager for me, anybody and anyone can give me something that I can take into practice. “My brother and sister-in-law are both PE teachers, my other sister is a teacher and they are educators of people. “My dad is a coach so it’s sort of a family thing. I will lean on them and listening to how they talk and what they say not in their practices maybe, but when we discuss work I will take from them as much as they can give me. “Whether it’s one little nugget of information I can use on a regular basis, I will take that as much as watching your Klopps, your Mourinhos, your Guardiolas and the world’s best. “You draw on your own experiences. I played marginally above pub level, but there are managers there that bring so many good values over the course of 19-20 years I’ve been coaching. “But I was learning things from the under-9s coach at Orient when I was academy manager. It was fantastic. “He may have been on a course, or got his own mannerisms, which I look at and go ‘that’s a great trait, I am taking that one’. “I don’t care who it comes from. If it helps me which indirectly helps the players then directly helps the club, then it doesn’t matter where the information comes from. “Look at the boss (Alan Hardy) in his business field. He’s a great example. I must be able to learn something from him. He may not see it that way in terms of coaching. “But there must be something he does in his business structure that works on the coaching field, or helps me with my week. “If it can make you half-a-percent better then those marginal gains are all important.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has suggested that Jon Stead could go on to play until the age of 40 and beyond. The veteran striker impressed for the Magpies in the 1-1 draw against Stevenage at the weekend, massively influencing the team when going forward. "I think there's a lot of things said about Jon Stead because he is 34 but he doesn't train like he's 34," Nolan is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying. "He trains every day. He trains with the 19 and 20 year olds and he's never too far behind on all the distances and the speed drills. "People don't finish at 34 or 33 or 35 no more. They're finishing at 37, 38 and 39 even 40. "For me he's a top, top pro and that's the reason why he can play and he can do 90 minutes. He's an absolute delight to work with and he's been fantastic. "He probably hasn't had the goals or got the goals he probably deserved but it's what he's doing for the team. Everyone could see (at Broadhall Way) he's one of our top players on the pitch." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has hailed Notts County's mental strength in coming from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at Stevenage on Saturday. The Magpies fell to a 3-0 defeat at Broadhall Way back in March but were a tougher proposition this time round, Elliott Hewitt cancelling out Danny Newton's opener. "Back in March we capitulated here after going 1-0 down and we didn't look like getting back into the game,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "But now we have a mentality whereby we want to work our way back into the game and, once we do, go to win it. "The players are in a good place at the minute and we have to continue working hard and keep doing what we do. "You saw a lot of quality from us - I am delighted with some of the play." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County have claimed a 1-1 draw in Saturday's League Two encounter at Stevenage. The Magpies fell behind at Broadhall Way through Danny Newton's 38th-minute strike, but levelled through Elliott Hewitt in the second half. Stevenage then found themselves repelling numerous attacks from the visitors and were lucky to hold out until the final whistle and ensure a share of the spoils. Combined with Cheltenham Town's 97th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Luton Town, the draw ensures Notts remain at the top of the table. Here is the reaction from Notts manager Kevin Nolan, several players, and the Black and White Army following the game at Broadhall Way. Kevin Nolan "We could have won it and I don't think people would have been able to argue if we did. We dominated the second half. "I was disappointed after the start we made. We were on top in the first 10-15 minutes but took our foot off the pedal a bit and let Stevenage into the game. "They scored from a third phase from a free-kick which we gave away sloppily so we were disappointed to go in 1-0 down at half-time. We have to stop doing that. "But we have to respect the point. I'm delighted with the squad. They are where they deserve to be." Elliott Hewitt "The first half wasn't good enough today. But in the second half I thought we dominated throughout. "Maybe we deserved more, but you've got to respect the point away. It's a tough place to come, as we found out last year when we lost 3-0. "Maybe last season we would have lost that game, starting the way we did, but all the lads stuck together. "We've got a really good group here and got the draw." Players on social media The Notts fans Nigel Nattrass: A hard-fought point, with Notts showing all the battling qualities and spirit that we’ve come to expect this season. Before the game I would’ve settled for a draw, and I suppose on the balance of things a draw was a fair result. But this was a game that Notts had the lions’ share of in terms of possession and territory, without really being able to open up the oppositions’ defence in the same way they’d done against Newport and Bristol Rovers. Chances for both sides were few and far between, but Notts had the bulk of the half-chances and with a little more incision in and around the box (perhaps with Shola Ameobi available) they may well have come home with all three points. Stevenage are not by any means the most gifted of teams, but they are hard-working, well-organised, and play to their strengths. They are a physical side, although not exactly the dirty donkeys of a few years ago. But Notts are no shrinking violets of course, so stood up to the physical side and imposed their own game when they could. That meant the game was at times a bit niggly ( I lost count of the yellow cards but I think it was five for Stevenage and three for Notts). I think for Terry Hawkridge and Ryan Yates this game was a touch too physical. Neither had much impact in the first half, although Hawkridge did shine a bit more after the break, playing a little further forward. In the first half he’d been playing a very rigid role, tucked in to the right of midfield, so wasn’t finding much space on the ball. Elliot Hewitt's equaliser after about an hour came as a result of a misplaced square pass by a defender. Jorge Grant was fastest to react, collecting the loose ball and playing it inside for the onrushing Hewitt, who coolly picked his spot from just inside the box. The goal gave Notts a big lift and they went on to dominate the last 30 mins. Grant, Stead, Brisley and Hewitt all went close to putting Notts in front, but couldn’t quite get their efforts on target under pressure from opponents. We heard the Stevenage manager being interviewed on BBC Three Counties Radio on the way home, and he said he felt it was “a good point” for his team against a good side. No doubt Kevin Nolan is also satisfied with the performance of HIS team. I am, too... but it's just a shame that we couldn’t turn all that possession into an extra goal. But hey ho....we’re still top of the league and we go again next weekend. Liampie: Disappointed by the lack of performance in the first half but as Nolan says you got to respect the point. Stevenage it difficult to play for sure and they used their strikers well, I can't help but feel lucky considering their chances. Chris: I'm also disappointed by the lack of application in the first half, and it did sound like we was considerably lucky at times not be stirring down at a defeat. Though I am delighted with the point which happened through hard work, its just one of those things which we can be thankful for because we still sit in a good position - previously this kind of result would have more concern but I guess we are writing our own luck at the minute. Stevenage clearly did their home work, so I just hope we learn to be quicker to assert our own presence over the opposition and take time to be more alert at the back (as it sounded quite poor at times). This month has some decent fixtures, it's just a shame this result wasn't better for that reason. Upthepies: It's a good point when you think about the possible outcome. I do understand the frustration mentioned before me, we was poor in the first half but Nolan corrected this within the second half. It just goes to show that the old saying that its a game of two halves bares true. We also had a number of fantastic efforts within the second half, so either team could have won. Share your thoughts about this post-match reaction piece on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County have remained top of League Two thanks to a 1-1 draw away at Stevenage on Saturday afternoon. The Magpies fell behind at Broadhall Way through Danny Newton's 38th-minute strike, but levelled through Elliott Hewitt in the second half. Stevenage then found themselves repelling numerous attacks from the visitors and were lucky to hold out until the final whistle and ensure a share of the spoils. Combined with Cheltenham Town's 97th-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Luton Town, the draw at Broadhall Way / Lamex Stadium ensures Notts remain at the top of the table. Relive the key moments from the game with the official Notts YouTube's match highlights. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Elliott Hewitt has acknowledged that Notts County's performance in the first half against Stevenage was not good enough but believes the Magpies deserved more from the game at full time. The Magpies fell behind to Danny Newton's strike in an unimpressive first half at Broadhall Way but Hewitt drew the visitors level and they could have easily took all three points following a marked improvement. As it was, the final result was 1-1 and the Welshman insists that, although Notts would have been worthy of a win, the point must be respected given last season's hammering at the hands of Stevenage. "The first half wasn't good enough today," Hewitt told the official Notts site "But in the second half I thought we dominated throughout. "Maybe we deserved more, but you've got to respect the point away. It's a tough place to come, as we found out last year when we lost 3-0. "Maybe last season we would have lost that game, starting the way we did, but all the lads stuck together. We've got a really good group here and got the draw." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has claimed that Notts County did enough to come away with all three points in their League Two encounter with Stevenage on Saturday. The Magpies fell behind at Broadhall Way through Danny Newton's 38th-minute strike, but levelled through Elliott Hewitt in the second half. Stevenage then found themselves repelling numerous attacks from the visitors and were lucky to hold out until the final whistle for a 1-1 final score. "We could have won it and I don't think people would have been able to argue if we did," Nolan told the official Notts site. "We dominated the second half. "I was disappointed after the start we made. We were on top in the first 10-15 minutes but took our foot off the pedal a bit and let Stevenage into the game. "They scored from a third phase from a free-kick which we gave away sloppily so we were disappointed to go in 1-0 down at half-time. We have to stop doing that. "But we have to respect the point. I'm delighted with the squad. They are where they deserve to be. "In March (the 3-0 defeat) we capitulated after going 1-0 down and we didn't look like getting back into the game. "But now we have a mentality whereby we want to work our way back into the game and, once we do, go to win it. "The players are in a good place at the minute and we have to continue working hard and keep doing what we do. "You saw a lot of quality from us - I am delighted with some of the play." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County have come from behind to claim a 1-1 draw at Stevenage but were unlucky not to get all three points in Saturday's League Two encounter at Broadhall Way. Having made widescale changes in the midweek defeat to Lincoln City in the EFL Trophy, Kevin Nolan reinstated all but one of the players who took part in the 4-2 win over Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup. The only change in the starting XI from last Friday's game was Shola Ameobi, who was omitted from the squad altogether, Lewis Alessandra taking his place. Notts were first to apply the pressure in the game, but the Stevenage defence stood firm as Ryan Yates fired an effort from range that was charged down. Stevenage countered through Tom Pett, who blasted over from range, and Danny Newton, who saw his looping header crash off the crossbar after a delivery from Joe Martin out wide. The hosts continued to have the better of proceedings and went on to break the deadlock on 40 minutes when the dangerous Danny Newton fired home from 10 yards out after Notts failed to clear their lines following a free kick. Jorge Grant came close to levelling on the stroke of half time from a free kick after Ryan Yates was clattered just outside Stevenage's area, but the ball went over after skimming the crossbar. The restart saw Darren Sarll's side continue to threaten and Ross Fitzsimons had to be alert to keep out an effort at his near post after Newton had been played into the area with a dangerous ball over the top. However, Notts soon upped their game and weighed in with key chances of their own, Jorge Grant coming close on two occasions in quick succession. Eventually Kevin Nolan's charges found the equaliser and Grant played a key role, pouncing on a loose ball to charge down the left-hand side before cutting the ball back into the centre, where Elliott Hewitt claimed and slotted home. From then on it was mostly one-way traffic as Yates, Grant, Jon Stead and Terry Hawkridge all came close to getting that crucial second goal, but ultimately the hosts held on for a share of the spoils. Share your thoughts about this match report on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Alan Hardy has revealed how Notts County have already identified "three or four" January transfer targets and admits that Meadow Lane is proving a much sought after destination for players. The Magpies' season is going from strength to strength with the club sitting top of League Two and in the second round of the FA Cup. It's a far cry from previous seasons, which have tended to degenerate into relegation struggles, and Hardy says the difference in form and club infrastructure has led to much more interest from agents ahead of the new year. In his weekly Nottingham Post column, the Notts owner wrote: "It’s no surprise to me the manager’s phone has been red hot with agents asking us if we would like to sign their clients. I think it underlines the amazing progress we have made. "Our position in the league table has undoubtedly helped. People can see we are building something special here and want to be part of our journey. "It’s a completely different scenario to what we experienced in the last January window, when we missed out on players because of our perilous league position. "One player who slipped through our grasp is now playing for our league rivals Mansfield Town. "Having been made aware of his availability, we were hoping to sign him before Mansfield picked up the phone late on. "You cannot lay any blame at the player’s door because we were second from bottom. "We had suffered 10 straight losses and could have been playing non-league football this season, whereas Mansfield were safe. "I would like to think now, if he was making the same decision, he would choose us. "That is a prime example of how your league position can affect a player who has a couple of clubs to choose from. "But now, sitting top of the league, a position we hope to be in come the New Year, we have a great platform to see who is out there. "We have already identified three or four we would like to bring in and, while it’s alright wanting them, it’s whether their clubs will let us have them." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County and Stevenage have only ever met 11 times, the first meeting coming on 17 September 2011 at Broadhall Way (known as the Lamex Stadium) - the result on that day was 2-0 to the Magpies. Our last meeting was on 4 March last season, and it proved a humbling day as Stevenage claimed a 3-0 win at Broadhall Way. Our head-to-head record is five wins for Notts, five for Stevenage, and one draw. On a knife's edge then. Stevenage in their current form have only been in existence since 1976, but there have been numerous incarnations of the club that stretch back over a century. A club called Stevenage FC was formed in 1894, but they soon adopted the name Stevenage Town. In 1951 the club were founder members of the Delphian League. In 1956 they merged with Stevenage Rangers to form Stevenage FC, before reverting to Stevenage Town four years later. They had some success in the Southern League but folded in 1967, after which Stevenage Athletic were created in their place a year later. This incarnation again knocked about in the Southern League but went bankrupt in 1976. Stevenage Borough, formed shortly after Athletic's demise, managed to prosper and work their way up the leagues until finally reaching the Football League in 2010, at which point they took the whole thing full circle by dropping the Borough from their name and becoming Stevenage FC. Despite their relatively short history, Stevenage have won a number of trophies and competitions, including two FA Trophy cups in 2007 and 2009. Broadhall Way holds 6,722 people, 3,142 of which can be seated. To put it into perspective, three full houses at Stevenage could fit into the Meadow Lane stands with 45 seats to spare. The highest attendance recorded at the stadium was 8,040 for a match against Newcastle United in the FA Cup fourth round on 25 January 1998. On that day a temporary stand was erected behind the away end to increase the stadium capacity to 8,100, enough to satisfy FA requirements. Two films were set in and around Stevenage: "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" and "Boston Kickout". "Spy Game", meanwhile, was partly filmed in Stevenage but set in Washington DC. A number of famous sporting figures were born in Stevenage, the most notable of which are Lewis Hamilton, Jack Wilshere, Ashley Young, Ian Poulter, Kevin Phillips and Jason Shackell. Team news Joe Fryer, Jack King and Jonathan Smith all missed training on Thursday and are likely to face fitness tests. Defender Kevin Toner is suspended following his sending off at Yeovil Town, while forward Ben Kennedy is out following knee surgery. Adam Collin remains sidelined so Ross Fitzsimons is likely to continue in goal behind Nolan's preferred back four of Matt Tootle, Richard Duffy, Shaun Brisley and Carl Dickinson. Jon Stead and Shola Ameobi will probably start up front while Terry Hawkridge, Ryan Yates, Elliott Hewitt and Jorge Grant are the likeliest midfield four. Share your thoughts about this preview on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County assistant manager Richard Thomas has stressed that the club's players and staff have not forgotten last season's hammering at Stevenage and will be eager to put things right tomorrow. On 4 March 2017, the Magpies travelled to Broadhall way and were beaten 3-0, with Matt Godden bagging a brace in a result that kept the visitors just five points from the drop zone. Notts are an entirely different proposition this season, currently sitting top of the table, but Thomas insists the heavy beating there has not been forgotten and hopes his players will put in a performance to make up for it. "We were walloped 3-0 down there last season and we've not forgotten that," Thomas told the Nottingham Post. "We want to get a bit closer to them this time around. "I know Darren Sarll well, we've been friends for a long time. He will want to combine unbelievable hard work with good football, which is not a good combination to come up against. "We've watched plenty of footage and I know they're a good side with plenty of threats." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Stevenage manager Darren Sarrl has claimed that his side's League Two encounter against Notts County at Broadhall Way will be a tight affair. The hosts currently sit 11th in the table but with things as tight as they are they are just three points off the playoffs. Notts, meanwhile, top the standings and will be eager to build on their impressive wins over Newport County and Bristol Rovers. “Notts County are a very decent side in League Two," Sarll told the official Stevenage site. "It will be a tough game and they will have a strength about their play, just like I hope Kevin has identified a strength about our play. "On the day if we are as good and enthused as we were on Tuesday night, we will have no problems. I still state we are a very good side in this league and we are playing against another. "These games should be quite tight with very few opportunities. It is very much like that and there has obviously been a big improvemnt at their football club and their stability under new ownership that makes them very competitive." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Terry Hawkridge has claimed that Notts County will need to be smart and strong to remain top of League Two, while every player, from the indispendables to the back-ups, must play their part. The Magpies' league campaign was put on hold as the team competed in the FA Cup and EFL Trophy, but on Saturday it resumes with a trip to Stevenage. “We just have to be smart,” Hawkridge told the Nottingham Post. “We know teams are going to want to beat us just because we are top of the league. “It’s all about being professional in your job and taking each game as it comes. We have to do our own thing and be strong. “Obviously I have been there with Lincoln and we dealt with it really well. “The manager there told us we were only as good as our last game. And I just think the squad here is going to have a major part to play. “You need to be able to rotate and we’ve got that. We’ve had players coming off the bench scoring winners and I think the squad is big enough to do the job.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.