Joe Jones

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has hailed the "good point" gained at Carlisle United in Saturday's 1-1 draw and admitted that results such as the one at Brunton Park will mean a lot later in the season. The Cumbrians took the lead through Hallam Hope in the first half but the Magpies rallied round and Ryan Yates struck back in the second half. The result was a welcome boost after the 2-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra in midweek and keeps Notts second in League Two with a tally of 30 points from 15 games. "It was important to come away with something," he told the official Notts website. "The most important thing after a defeat is not to lose the next one. "It's a good point because they are a good side and we're delighted with it, although it could have been three because we had some good chances in the second half, which we dominated. "Ross Fitzsimons made some fantastic saves in the first half but I think we showed them a bit too much respect and we didn't get in amongst them. "It was a great reaction in the second half and we fully deserved to get back into it. Even though we went 1-0 down, the players stuck in there and made it difficult for Carlisle so there are a lot of positives to take. "We've got to respect the point because these are the ones which will mean a lot if we're going to be in and around it come the end of the season." 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 fought back from a goal down to claim a 1-1 draw in Saturday's League Two encounter at Carlisle United. The Pies came close to getting off the mark early on when Mike Jones sloppily gave away possession in midfield, with Shola Ameobi setting up Ryan Yates on the edge of the area, but Jones was able to charge down the ensuing effort. Carlisle countered through Tom Miller, who was on hand to rifle a Jamie Devitt cross goalwards from close range, but Notts keeper Ross Fitzsimons pulled off a great two-handed save. At the other end, a looped delivery from Jon Stead at the back post invited Jorge Grant to shoot, but the loanee sent his volley wide. Both sides continued to trade chances, with Fitzsimons bailing his side out once again when he parried Hallam Hope's toe-poke then kept out Reggie Lambe's follow-up diving header. Terry Hawkridge then burst clear and fired an effort against the post which then deflected off keeper Jack Bonham and out to safety. The opening goal came not long after that chance and it went the way of Carlisle, with Nicky Adams crossing towards the back post, Devitt nodding the ball back to centre and Hope bundling home. County came close to drawing level just before the break when Matt Tootle's shot was kept out by Bonham, but eventually succeeded in getting their equaliser just before the hour. Tootle was involved once again, overlapping with Hawkridge and sending a cross into the box which Yates steered into the back of the net. Notts went close to a second on 73 minutes, when Shola Ameobi headed Grant's cross against the post, while a last-ditch tackle from ex-Magpie Gary Liddle then denied Lewis Alessandra. Yates then headed over a chance late on as Notts finished the game with a share of the spoils which keeps them second in the League Two table. 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.

Keith Curle has spoken highly of Notts County as his Carlisle United charges prepare to welcome the Magpies to Brunton Park later today, expecting the visitors to be full of confidence and a dangerous proposition. The former Notts manager told the official Cumbrians site: “They’re near the top of the table but if you look at the last four games we’ve had you see we’ve been up against very good teams. “There are no easy games and that’s why our approach to each one is exactly the same. When we do our jobs properly we think we can cause teams problems. “Notts County are one of the division’s good sides and I’ve played against Kevin [Nolan] a few times. He likes to play a certain way. We’ve reviewed their last three or four games and their approach is based on percentages. “They like to get the ball forward, keep it alive and get it into good areas quickly. They’re a real threat in the box and they’re reliable, consistent and dependable in what they do. They’re very inventive with set pieces and they’re comfortable in their style. We know what to expect so it’s now down to how we deal with it. “They’ll be full of confidence even though they were knocked slightly with the result at Crewe the other night. If you isolate that result you see they made a few changes and other players had opportunities to shine. That probably means that their line-up will have a bit more in the way of predictability about it on Saturday.” Curle also spoke highly of Notts defender Shaun Brisley, formerly of Carlisle, being quoted by the Nottingham Post as saying: “Shaun is a very good player. “That’s why we brought him here. He has gone and fitted into a club [Notts] very, very well. He is putting in performances and is scoring goals. "I think he made a lot of friends when he was here because he applied himself very well. “He was a little bit unfortunate with the injury he first had at the beginning of last season. But you got to say, he is a very good professional, has ability and is applying himself at his new club.” 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 owner Alan Hardy has spoken out in favour of the introduction a safe standing area at Meadow Lane and is eager to consult the fans on the topic. His comments come as Shrewsbury Town look set to become the first club in England to have a safe standing area after a crowdfunding campaign raised £65,000 to pay for it at the New Meadow. “I love the idea of a safe standing area because I genuinely believe it could add to the atmosphere,” Hardy told the Nottingham Post. “Shrewsbury are obviously in the process of introducing it but I am not sure whether we would do a whole end here. “The first three or four rows is an option as that would then allow fans sat behind them to see over the top. “You could do that in the Kop or in the Family Stand. “There is an increasing argument to have it in the latter so you are standing there with your son or daughter. “But we need to consult the fans over it as it is going to cost a few quid. “We don’t want to get it wrong and don’t want the fans to think we are enforcing it upon them. “If 80 percent of them come back and say they don’t want it, then we won’t do it. It’s about giving the fans the choice.” 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.

Carlisle United and Notts County have met 32 times since their first clash back in October 1959, a Fourth Division clash that was won 2-0 by the Cumbrians. Out of those, the Magpies have won 17 and lost 12, with just 3 draws. Our last meeting was on 8 April this year in League Two, a 2-1 win at Brunton Park. Carlisle staged their 'home' fixture against Notts at Preston North End's Deepdale stadium in December 2015 due to floods in Cumbria which impacted on Brunton Park as well. Carlisle is one of the northernmost clubs in the Football League, just 10 miles from the Scottish border, and one that’s normally mentioned among the most difficult away days – talk of “Carlisle away” is one for the most hardcore fans, especially in midweek (Newcastle United are further north than Carlisle, however). The Cumbrians have spent a season in the top flight, back in 1974-75, and recorded a double over Everton, as well as home victories over eventual champions Derby County, former titleholders Ipswich Town, Arsenal, Burnley, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers. They were relegated at the end of the season though. Carlisle is the smallest location, by population, to have had a resident top-flight English football club since 1906. Prior to this, Accrington FC, Darwen, Grimsby Town & Glossop North End were smaller. Despite their small stature, the club has experienced moderate success with regards to silverware – they have won a Third Division title back in 1965, two fourth-tier championships in 1995 and 2006, and two Football League Trophies, back in 1997 and 2011. Carlisle are famous for one of the most dramatic Great Escape scenarios in all of English football, when on-loan goalkeeper Jimmy Glass scored in the last 10 seconds of their final game of the 1998-99 season against Plymouth Argyle to keep the Cumbrians in the Football League at the expense of Scarborough. Team news Carlisle have defender Danny Grainger back from a one-match suspension. Steven Rigg came off the bench in the 3-3 draw against Wycombe on Tuesday night and will be eyeing his second full debut after re-signing for the club last week. Jason Kennedy is also pushing to start after returning from fitness problems but midfielder Kelvin Etuhu remains a doubt. Striker Shaun Miller has been hit with a two-match ban after being retrospectively punished for diving - the first player in England to suffer this fate. Ross Fitzsimons is expected to remain in goal for Notts with Adam Collin still ruled out. Fitzsimons made his first league start in midweek after Collin suffered a knee injury against Barnet and the problem is still being assessed. Share your thoughts about this Stat Attack 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 launched an astonishing tirade against the Notts County online community and social media, calling on "some people" to "have a reality check". Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Magpies' trip to Carlisle United on Saturday, the manager aired his grievances about what he felt were knee-jerk reactions from fans. “There’s a lot said about us that is very untrue,” Nolan is quoted by the Nottingham Post as saying. “But I only hear it because I am not on these sites. I only hear it from my staff or the players. “If they don’t want to see winning football, then don’t come to Notts County because that’s what we are trying to do. “For people to be complaining how we play given the club has lost one home game in a calendar year, then there’s not much you can do. “We only won three games in the previous calendar year compared to what we’ve done now so some people have got to have a reality check and look at themselves in the mirror if they are criticising.” Last week, Pride of Nottingham published photos which were sent in by a fan which appeared to show Liam Noble in training at Basford - Notts subsequently announced that the midfielder had rejoined the club. Despite the training sessions being open and accessible to supporters, Nolan continued his tirade, criticising the individual who took the photos. “Let’s take last week for instance,” Nolan said. “Liam Noble comes and trains with us for the first day and somebody turns up, and the next minute the pictures are on the internet within an hour or two. “That would never have happened a few years ago. But they didn’t know what was going on yet still wanted to put something out there. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it. That person, because we know who it is, will come back to training ground and then want us to respect him and not tell him to go away. “When he asks the players for selfies what does he expect them to say? “There has got to be respect for us as much as we have got to have respect for them. “They will all expect us to say ‘yeah, no problem you can have your photograph’. “And that’s my biggest issue with social media. People will come and ask for your picture, then they will sit there on Twitter or whatever, type something, and have a rant. “You only have to look at Arsenal Fan TV to see how it gets millions and millions of viewers. “It’s crazy. It makes headlines in the papers and it’s just taken over. It’s something as a manager I have to deal with and all I can ask of the fans is to be respectful. “A lot of my family are on social media so how is it going to feel for them to see something written about me. It’s hurtful for them and that’s what people have got to realise.” 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 Duffy has acknowledged that Notts County must raise their game on Saturday at Carlisle United given how opposition teams will do the same against a team high up in the table. The Magpies have been one of the pace setters over the last two months, twice going top of the League Two standings, and currently sit second going into the weekend's encounter at Brunton Park. With Carlisle 15th in the standings and having won just one of seven home games, Duffy has spoken of turning it into a "horrible game" for the hosts and cause the crowd to get exasperated with their team. "The manager has been on to us," Duffy told the official Notts site. "He's said whoever we play against will be our toughest game of the season because they will raise their game with us being near the top of the table, and that we have to raise our own game even further to combat that. "We're not stupid enough to think we can win every game or perform to a level which is acceptable every time. Sometimes you will slip below it for whatever reason, but we have to get back on it this Saturday. "We've just lost at Crewe and it's vitally important we don't follow it up with another defeat. "When you go away from home you have to try and turn the home crowd against their team because it makes it tough and puts their players under pressure. "When teams aren't 1-0 up at home after 15-20 minutes and then a pass goes astray you hear a few groans in the crowd and things can get a bit hectic. "We have to turn it into a horrible game and keep them on the back foot." 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.

Alan Hardy has revealed that Notts County have complained to the Football League over their fixtures this season. The Magpies have been handed long midweek away trips to Yeovil Town and Exeter City this season, while Boxing Day will bring a trip to Morecambe followed by an away day at Swindon Town. Notts manager Kevin Nolan has already criticised the schedule as “scandalous” and Magpies owner Hardy has followed up with an official complaint. “The Football League have got it wrong,” he told the Nottingham Post. “I think first of all, the long trips such as Exeter, like we have already had this season, should be on a Saturday. “People will at least make a day or weekend of it. They will set off early in the morning, stop for some lunch, get to the ground early and prepare for the match. “We’ve already complained to the Football League about it and especially our Christmas fixtures. “Christmas is dreadful for our fans. Fans shouldn’t be returning home as late as they will when we play Morecambe on Boxing Day. “They’ve got that one badly wrong. Boxing Day fixtures, in my view, should traditionally be reserved for derbies. “Could you have imagined playing Mansfield or Lincoln? The gates we have had for those games already this season would have been boosted by another couple of thousand at least. 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 backed his Notts County players to show a big improvement when they travel to Carlisle United for Saturday's League Two fixture. The Magpies have experienced a downturn in form since the Mansfield Town defeat at the end of September, which was one of two defeats and a draw in their last four games. Up next comes the long trip to Brunton Park and Nolan admits that his boys will have to get themselves fired up as the Cumbrians will raise their game against the high-flyers. "It's about getting back to doing what we have been doing," Nolan told the official Notts site. "We had a lot of the ball at Crewe but our first shot on target wasn't until the 63rd minute, which is not good enough for us. "But the good thing about this league is that you get an opportunity every few days to put it right. "We're looking for a big improvement and I hope it will come because the lads have been fantastic since Tuesday. "Teams are going to raise their game when those at the top come to town. "As a manager you don't need to motivate your players because they will want to prove to everyone they are better than them on the day. "My lads have to start finding a way to get themselves motivated. You can't go away from home and expect to be given anything cheaply. You have to earn it. "We can't worry about anyone else. We need to strip everything back and make sure we are ready for Carlisle, which will be another tough game; they are a good footballing outfit. "You want to get momentum going again in the next game but there is no need for anyone to panic. "We are well in control of what we want to do and we are well ahead of where anyone thought we would be." 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.

What goes up must come down, and following Notts County's incredible spell between mid-August and late September, things have taken a bit of a downturn. The Magpies still remain in the upper reaches of the League Two table, but following three poor performances from the last four games, alarm bells have started ringing just a little. Up next is the long trip to Cumbria on Saturday, where Carlisle United await us. In this Opposition View, Pride of Nottingham speaks to Cumbrians fan Elliott to give us an insight on the weekend's opposition. About Elliott: 25 years old, fan since 2004, favourite player is Karl Hawley. 1) "Carlisle away" is often considered one of the most dreaded away days due to the distance - how do you feel about this reputation? It's quite funny really. I mean, if fans dread coming to Carlisle, even if it's just because of distance, then that's half the battle won. But it's only one game out of 46 for away fans. For us, virtually every away game is a trek. 2) Jimmy Glass's injury-time goal in 1999 is the stuff of folklore - what do you make of it? I'm too young to really remember it but having spoken to older fans, it really seemed an incredible moment. At the time, relegation to the Conference could have easily bankrupted Michael Knighton, the owner at the time, and in turn put an end to Carlisle United. Even just watching it back on YouTube, it sends shivers down my spine. Can't even begin to imagine having been there. 3) Since the turn of the millennium you've been as high as League One and as low as the Conference - where do you feel is your natural level? Is there such thing as a "natural level" in football? You've got teams like Huddersfield and Bournemouth in the Premier League and the likes of Portsmouth and Blackburn in the third tier. We are where we deserve to be at present. Obviously I'd like to see us back into League One and then go up into the Championship but every club's where it deserves to be. 4) What's your proudest moment as a Carlisle fan? A single occasion - the 1-0 win over Brentford in the JPT final in 2011. In terms of a spell- the back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League Two and then winning the title to go up into League One. 5) Who are your team's danger men? Reggie Lambe can't stop scoring at the minute, he's going from strength to strength and it shouldn't be a surprise to see him in double figures before Christmas. And Danny Grainger is also bagging the goals - and a couple of assists too - from left-back. 6) Score and scorer prediction 2-1 Carlisle, Hallam Hope and Reggie Lambe to get our goals. 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. - Carlisle United striker Shaun Miller became the first player to be charged by the FA since simulation laws were introduced in May, the 30-year-old being charged with "successful deception of a match official". - Grimsby Town announced the signing of former Norwich City defender Reece Hall-Johnson on an initial one-year contract before loaning him to Chester FC. - Newport County signed 34-year-old striker Paul Hayes, formerly of Wycombe Wanderers, after manager Mike Flynn contacted the player on LinkedIn. - A pitch invader angrily confronted Coventry City players in their 1-0 home defeat to Forest Green Rovers in their League Two game at the Ricoh Arena on Tuesday. - Accrington Stanley announced that Jordan Moseley, an academy player in their Under-16 side, sadly passed away. - Notts County announced the signing of Liam Noble just days after having his contract cancelled by Forest Green Rovers by mutual consent. 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 claimed that Liam Noble's return to Notts County will make him work harder to improve as a player. Noble departed Forest Green Rovers by mutual consent citing a need to be closer to his family in the North East and has now linked up with his former club. The 26-year-old will not be able to play for his new club until January, given his registration was with FGR at the closure of the transfer window. Yates, however, believes that Noble will be an asset to Notts once he becomes available and will give the youngster more impetus to prosper as a footballer, both on loan at Meadow Lane and back at parent club Nottingham Forest. “Liam is a great player,” Yates told the Nottingham Post. “I’ve heard about him and watched him before. “I watched him play against Swindon for Forest Green on television a couple of weeks ago. “He is going to add to the squad and there’s so much healthy competition for places. “I love it because he’s only going to push me to become a better player for when I go back to Forest and hopefully prove myself.” 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 urged Notts County to raise their levels as their opponents have been doing the same against them in recent weeks due to their lofty position in the table. The Magpies put in an impressive run over August - following the Coventry City defeat - and September which saw them soar to the top of League Two. However, a defeat at Mansfield Town right at the end of last month has given way to a blip, with a win over Barnet sandwiched between a draw with Forest Green Rovers and a defeat at Crewe Alexandra. The downturn in form has led to Notts slipping off the top of the table, with Nolan stressing that opposition teams are now stepping their game up against a team deemed as contending for promotion. “I said to the players that teams are giving them the respect they deserve,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “Why that is happening is because of what they have achieved so far. “But I told them what they have to do now is raise their levels. They have to keep to their standard and go higher again. “And I keep saying to people that these players have certainly got it in them to do it.” 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.

No sooner have Notts County got back to winning ways that they suffer another negative result, this time a 2-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra. The Magpies were hoping to build on their 2-1 win over Barnet on Saturday with a result that would keep them top of the table at Gresty Road. However, Notts were not at the races as Michael Raynes rattled home from close range just before half time after Eddie Nolan had headed George Cooper’s free kick across goal. Crewe's win was sealed when, 66 minutes in, Jordan Bowery ran in behind to latch onto a pass from Cooper - the Notts defence caught napping once again - and steer past goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons. Should you wish to see them again, here are the highlights from the game off the official Notts YouTube page. 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.

Notts County have been knocked off top spot in League Two following their 2-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night. The Magpies simply were not at the races as goals from Michael Raynes and Jordan Bowery gave the Railwaymen all three points. The result saw Luton Town leapfrog both Notts and Exeter City, who were hammered by the Hatters, at the top of the table. Here is the reaction from the Notts manager and the Black and White Army following the disappointing loss at Gresty Road. Kevin Nolan “I just thought we didn’t manage situations like we have done this season. “I warned the lads before the game that Crewe will want to play the best game of their season. “They certainly did because I’ve watched all the videos of them this season and that’s why they got the result. “Their fans were up for it because we are top of the league. Their players were going to run that little bit extra, tackle that little bit harder and defend as hard as they can. “We’ve been doing that this season, but you will get hiccups and this was one of them.” The fans Dangerous Sausage: I missed it last night but it did seem a strange decision to play Forte and Alessandro - who both need the ball played to feet - and leave our best ball-playing midfielder on the bench for an hour. If we're going to play the big boot then we might as well play the big men who can win the arial challenges. I'm a bit concerned that KN has started to believe the hype. We've got some decent players on board but we're not so good that we can afford to drop a player of Grant's quality, especially when his replacement is playing out of position and hasn't really arrived in professional football yet. Although I think it's an attempt at man management, dropping players like that could be interpreted as arrogance by the opposition. Nigel Nattrass: A very poor display tonight, but I have to say it wasn’t down to any lack of effort on the field. This one is down to Kevin Nolan. Unless the players totally ignored his pre-match instructions and decided to try it their own way, he, as manager, got it totally wrong. I can well understand the team changes....especially when your first choice strikers are 70 years old between them and incapable of playing two full games in the space of four days.......but whatever your team selection, if you want to succeed with it, you have to play to its strengths. Notts didn’t do that. Starting with Forte and Alessandra up front,......two players who need the ball at their feet,......Nolans’ game plan seemed to be for us to pass the ball across the back four, until a Crewe player came to close it down, then hoof it up the field in the general direction of our strikers and hope for the best. That didn’t work in the first half.....so Nolan thought he would carry on that way for another 20 minutes. The eventual introduction of Stead, Ameobi and Grant ....replacing Walker, Forte and Hawkridge......should’ve added some impetus to our game. But it didn’t. There was no change of tactics and not very much more success up front. Crewe soon gratefully took advantage as FOUR Notts players......Grant, Milsom, Yates and Dickinson....all stood ball-watching in the middle of Notts’ half, and a simple unchallenged pass let in Jordan Bowery to make it 2-0 and put the game beyond doubt. To put it bluntly, Notts don’t have enough pace, and enough quality on the ball. On the evidence of the last four matches, January can’t come quick enough so that we can get Noble (a player I wouldn’t have even considered signing) into the midfield, and hopefully bring in a couple of mobile strikers. Oh......and I’m getting sick of watching hoof-ball. Many Notts fans tonight were calling out for the players to get the ball down and pass it. The crap we are being forced to watch isn’t even effective, it won’t bring success and it certainly won’t bring the crowds in. Kevin Nolan might’ve had some positives to pick out of this (I haven’t yet heard / read his post-match comments). But he’s clutching at straws if he did. He might say we shouldn’t get too carried away, win or lose. But we have now been very poor for four successive games, picking up just 4 points out of 12, and (only just) deserving 3. It’s worrying. Steve Brewer: That was absolutely woeful. We didn't even look like scoring. And they were not a good side. 2 terrible examples of defending. When you dick around with the team and not play your strongest side from the start then that is what you get. At least Luton did us a favour. Forget going to Carlisle Sat, we are going to see my mate's team Altrincham at Warrington. Top two clash in the NPL. Lads we have got to play better than that! Chris Buckley: Just one of those days I'm afraid, we'll bounce back from this - I don't think the tweaking of the line-up helped but it was worth the gamble as I can see what Nolan was trying to do. Share your thoughts about this 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.

Kevin Nolan has described Notts County's 2-0 defeat at Crewe Alexandra as a "hiccup" and has tipped his players to bounce back this weekend. The Magpies were simply not at the races at Gresty Road as goals from Michael Raynes and Jordan Bowery saw the Railwaymen claim all three points in Tuesday night's League Two encounter. "It's a lesson," Nolan told the official Notts site. "I am not one to shout and bawl. "I just try to encourage my players and give them the best advice I possibly can to do the right things. "The players don't deserve a rollicking. They have been magnificent this season and that's why they are where they are in the table. "What they need is someone to tell them where they went wrong and that's what I've done. "I've been delighted with the lads but they have not hit their standards tonight, which happens sometimes. "We're all disappointed but collectively we will work harder and get better from this. "It just didn't happen for us but it was not because of the changes I made. "We can't use it as an excuse because we have done it at other points this season and it's worked. "We didn't manage situations as well as we have done this season and we didn't do what we normally do in playing to our tempo and controlling the game. "Tonight is a hiccup and hopefully that's all it is. Now it's about reacting and making sure we are ready for Carlisle on Saturday." 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 suffered a 2-0 defeat away at Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night which knocked them off the top of League Two. Putting in one of the worst performances of the season so far, the Magpies fell behind just before half time when Michael Raynes rattled home from close range after Eddie Nolan had headed George Cooper’s free kick across goal. Crewe's win was sealed when, 66 minutes in, Jordan Bowery ran in behind to latch onto a pass from Cooper - the Notts defence caught napping once again - and steer past goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons. Kevin Nolan's rotated charges were on top for the opening exchanges but didn’t create any clear-cut chances - indeed it was the Alex who had the first true sight of goal on 14 minutes when Tom Lowery’s delivery was met by Raynes, but his header was well held by Fitzsimons. The hosts began upping the ante as Cooper saw a long-range effort blocked by Carl Dickinson, while on the half-hour mark, Chris Porter raced onto a Bowery flick and lifted the ball over the keeper only for Elliott Hewitt to get back and clear the striker’s second effort off the line. County's bid to get back into the changing rooms on level pegging suffered a blow in the 44th minute when Cooper’s free kick from deep was headed back by Raynes and Porter got a touch as the ball found its way back to the Alex captain, who fired home from close range. Dickinson did come close to netting an equaliser early after the restart after Ryan Yates was brought down for a free kick around 30 yards out, but the 30-year-old's curling effort was tipped narrowly wide of the post by Crewe keeper Dave Richards. On 57 minutes, the ignominious triple substitution was called upon by Nolan, with Jorge Grant, Jon Stead and Shola Ameobi replacing Jonathan Forte, Liam Walker and Terry Hawkridge on the Gresty Road pitch. It made little difference, however, as nine minutes later, Crewe had doubled their lead through Bowery, whose run was spotted by Cooper, met with a through ball which sliced the Notts defence open, and the striker held off his marker and steered a volleyed finish past the onrushing Fitzsimons. Notts attempted to find a way back but for all their efforts were unable to trouble Richards as the Railwaymen saw the game out with little difficulty and left the visitors heading back to the East Midlands empty-handed. 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.

Hello and welcome to episode 29 of the Pride of Nottingham PONcast, presented as always by hosts Chris and JJ. In this week's episode we assess Notts County's 2-1 win over Barnet and subsequent return to the top of League Two. We also look ahead to tonight's encounter with Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road, giving our opinions on how the Magpies should line up and play. Liam Noble's controversial return to Meadow Lane is also put under our meticulous spotlight following his even more controversial departure from Forest Green Rovers. Other topics we brush upon include who should take over in goal from the sidelined Adam Collin, and the FA Cup first-round draw. All this and more only in episode 29 of the Pride of Nottingham PONcast! Share your thoughts about this week's PONcast 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 midfielder Liam Noble has stressed that he is more experienced and mature compared to his last spell at Meadow Lane and is eager to repay Kevin Nolan and Alan Hardy's faith in re-signing him. The 26-year-old left Notts in 2016 to join Mark Cooper's Forest Green Rovers and helped the Green Devils to promotion from the National League, as well as earning himself the captain's armband. Noble's spell at the New Lawn ended somewhat acrimoniously, however, as he was ruled out indefinitely due to a medical condition before being released by mutual consent, citing a desire to be closer to his family in the North-East. Now re-signed by Notts, Noble insists he is a "fresh" new player and a different proposition to the card-happy, temperamental footballer he once was. "I'm buzzing to be back," he told the official Notts site. "I had a good chat with the manager and his staff to make sure I was willing to work to the high standards they set every day, which I was always going to do. "I looked up to the manager when he played for Newcastle. He was a top-class midfielder so I knew his standards were always going to be high and you can see that in training. "The lads know when to have a laugh but once we cross the white line for a match or training, we are switched on and giving 100% day in, day out. "It's a good place to come to work every day. Not much is similar to when I was last here. It's become a totally different club in the time I've been away. "I need to repay the faith of the manager and the chairman for bringing me back because some people will question the move. But it'a fresh club and a fresh Liam Noble. "I dropped down to the National League, which was a hard league to get out of, and I had a different mentality going into games. "I was in a good place and played a lot. I only got booked seven times and didn't get sent off. "I'm more experienced and mature now. I'm 26 years old so I need to get my head screwed on. "Come January it's my time to shine and help the rest of the squad keep us up where we want to be." 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 urged Notts County to shut out Crewe Alexandra and believes his players are "up for the fight" on Tuesday night. The Magpies have returned to the top of League Two following their 2-1 win over Barnet at the weekend, leapfrogging Exeter City back into top spot. However Nolan, who will be without the injured Adam Collin for the trip to Gresty Road, has warned his players about the quality within the Railwaymen's squad. "Crewe have a lot of good young players who will be hungry to prove themselves and David Artell is a good manager," he told the official Notts site. "We'll be going there to try and shut them out because they have some good individuals. They play really well and want to do things the right way. "If we go there and let them play, they will hurt us. We have to be up for the fight - but I'm sure they will be too. "When you're winning games, you want the next one to come along as quickly as possible and that's the mentality our lads need to have." 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 been handed a home draw against Bristol Rovers in the first round of the FA Cup. The draw was made on Monday night at 7pm, with the ties to be played on the weekend of November 4. It's a tricky draw for the Magpies, who will face a mid-table League One team, though Kevin Nolan's team at least has home advantage. It will be the first time that the two sides have met since facing each other in League Two in March 2016, with the Gas claiming a 2-0 win at Meadow Lane on that day. Last season Notts made it to the second round of the competition after needing a replay to overcome non-league Boreham Wood. In the following round, League One side Peterborough United were also taken to a replay but Notts succumbed to a 2-0 defeat in the second game. Full draw: Stevenage vs Nantwich/Kettering Bradford City vs Chesterfield Port Vale vs Oxford United Newport County vs Walsall Morecambe vs Hartlepool Yeovil Town vs Southend United Peterborough United vs Tranmere Rovers Cambridge United vs Sutton United Forest Green Rovers vs Macclesfield Town AFC Fylde vs Kidderminster Harriers Luton Town vs Portsmouth Shrewsbury Town vs Aldershot Town Hereford vs AFC Telford Guiseley vs Accrington Stanley Blackburn Rovers vs Barnet East Thurrock/Ebbsfleet vs Doncaster Rovers Leatherhead vs Brackley/Billericay Boreham Wood vs Blackpool Shaw Lane vs Mansfield Town Colchester United vs Oxford City Plymouth Argyle vs Grimsby Town AFC Wimbledon vs Lincoln City Rochdale vs Dover/Bromley Coventry City vs Maidenhead United Chorley/Boston United vs Fleetwood Town Carlisle United vs Oldham Athletic Notts County vs Bristol Rovers Dartford vs Swindon Town Cheltenham Town vs Maidstone United/Enfield Town Woking/Concord Rangers vs Bury Crewe Alexandra vs Rotherham United Gillingham vs Dagenham and Redbridge/Leyton Orient Hyde United vs MK Dons Gainsborough Trinity vs Slough Town Solihull/Ossett vs Wycombe Northampton vs Scunthorpe Charlton Athletic vs Truro City Wigan Athletic vs Crawley Town Gateshead vs Bath City/Chelmsford Exeter City vs Heybridge Swifts 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 confirmed that Adam Collin will miss Notts County's trip to Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday and will be sent for a scan a knee injury. The Magpies goalkeeper suffered a blow in the first half of the 2-1 win over Barnet and despite toughing it out for a while, ended up having to be taken off. Ross Fitzsimons came on in Collin's place at Meadow Lane on Saturday and is likely to line up between the sticks at Gresty Road, though Branislav Pindroch could also be considered. “Unfortunately Adam won’t make the game against Crewe because he has had a nasty bang on his knee,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "We are just hoping that it is a bit of bone bruising and that he will be available for the weekend, but Tuesday has just come too soon. “He is going for a scan, which will give us a bit more knowledge of what is going on in his knee. “But we have two understudies who have been pushing him to the limit, which is why I think you’ve seen Adam in the form he is in. “He’s been fantastic for us, but now it’s up to one of the other two to come in and claim his spot and keep his spot.” 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 head-to-head history with Crewe Alexandra dates back to September 1893, when the Magpies faced the Railwaymen at the Alexandra Recreation Ground. The result was a 2-0 win for Notts. After several further meetings in the late 1890s, the fixture would experience a hiatus of 63 years; between 1896 and 1959, the two teams didn't play each other. Despite our shared history going back so far, there have only been 43 meetings between the two sides. Notts have the upper hand with 21 wins to 13 defeats, and 9 draws have taken place. The Alex have been on the receiving end of several thumpings at the hands of the Magpies – in 1894, we beat them 9-1 and 5-1, in 1896 we won 6-0, in 1959 we recorded a 4-1 victory, 1970 brought a 5-1 victory, while in 2013, a 4-0 scoreline at Meadow Lane brought some light to a gloomy first half of the campaign. The origins of the “Alexandra” moniker in the club name aren’t fully known. Whether they took the name from a hotel, patronised by those connected with the railway works and where they held their meetings, or whether it was after Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who married Queen Victoria’s eldest son, later King Edward VII, is open to speculation. In 2013, the club won its first-ever major silverware after beating Southend United 2-0 in the Johnstones Paint Trophy final at Wembley. Crewe are known as the Railwaymen because of the town’s links to the British train network. Crewe station was completed in 1837 and is one of the most historic railway stations in the world. Nowadays, as well as serving the town of Crewe that has grown near it, it still operates as a major junction on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). It also serves as a major station on the WCML and as a major rail gateway for the North West. The town of Crewe has an interesting roll call of local legends, including rugby player Mark Cueto, professional BMX racer Shanaze Reade, 1990s heartthrob Adam Rickitt, Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, and Jimmy MacDonald, also known as the voice of Mickey Mouse. Team news Crewe striker Chris Dagnall has been struggling with a knock but is expected to be fully fit for Tuesday's game against Notts at Gresty Road. The visitors, meanwhile, will be without goalkeeper Adam Collin after he was forced off in Saturday's win over Barnet. Collin required treatment after injuring his knee in an aerial collision in the first half and though he initially played on, he succumbed just before the hour mark. Ross Fitzsimons took his place and is now in line for a first league start, with manager Kevin Nolan hopeful Collin will be available to face Carlisle United on Saturday. Share your thoughts about this match 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.

Ryan Yates has praised his Notts County teammates for helping him develop as a player and says he is enjoying his time at Meadow Lane. The 19-year-old joined the Magpies on loan from city neighbours Nottingham Forest over the summer and has impressed in black and white. On Saturday, Yates bagged County's second goal in their 2-1 win over Barnet, leaving their opponents with too much work to do despite bagging a late goal. "You have to put everything on the line to get the win and we're doing that at the minute, which is great," Yates told the official Notts site. "I'm not looking at the league table because it doesn't mean anything at this stage. "The gaffer wants us to just focus on ourselves. The initial aim was to get to safety and then build from there. "I'm enjoying my time here. Learning every day from the likes of Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith is unbelievable. "The boys have been fantastic with me. They know I'm young and raw so they give me tips on how to improve. "Playing week in, week out is fantastic and I want to keep that going." 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.