Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan admits he and his Notts County side cannot rest on their laurels ahead of Saturday's League Two home game with Yeovil Town, but insists that they can match anyone on their day. The Magpies boss is yet to taste defeat at Meadow Lane since taking charge on January 12 and his side are unbeaten in their previous three matches, which has seen them rise from dead-certs for relegation to having a fighting chance. "I was always confident of staying in the division and I was always confident of doing it with this squad," Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "But it's alright saying that, we've got to prove it. "While we took seven points out of nine in the last week, we could go and lose the next three games. Everybody would then be saying we are back in a scrap at the bottom so we can't rest on our laurels. "We have proven we are a good side and that we can match anyone on our day. That's what we have to prove again on Saturday. They have set the standard and the players cannot drop below it, or they will have me to answer to." "To pick up seven points out of nine was a massive week for us, and I was delighted. It gives us a bit of breathing space from the bottom two but that's all it was – a good week. "My priority now is the home form which has been fantastic since I came in and we are going to keep working hard to make sure we try to do our best to win the three points on Saturday." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Jon Stead has set a target of breaking the 20-goal barrier between now and the remainder of the season following his return to form. The veteran striker scored goals number 12 and 13 last weekend as Notts County claimed a precious 3-2 win at Leyton Orient which saw them edge further away from the League Two drop zone. Stead began the campaign brightly with nine goals in his first 10 league games, then failed to score for three games before an injury saw him ruled out for two months, and after he returned, he scored just one in his next ten. Now, with three in his last three and the Magpies in a better place than they were just a few weeks ago, he is looking to make the most of his upturn in form. And asked if he was thinking of finishing the season with 20 goals, he told the Nottingham Post: "Twenty would be lovely. "It's one of those where you want to take your fair share of chances, rather than missing them. "I was disappointed with the header from the set-piece in the second half against Orient, but the other two half-chances I got, I stuck them away. I was happy with that." Stead also spoke of how the Notts fans are finally starting to reap some dividends for all their support with a much-improved team. He added: "They have been fantastic all season through difficult times. It's nice they have got that belief back. That's obviously been instilled by the manager and the new owner. "They are getting that buzz to the club and that only helps us out on the pitch. I think we are starting to repay that a little bit as players." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Jon Stead has admitted he let a prospective move to the United States affect his Notts County performances, but is eager to make amends by focusing fully on the Magpies for the remainder of the season. The veteran striker took his tally for the season to 13 after a crucial brace in the 3-2 win over Leyton Orient at the weekend. Stead began the campaign brightly with nine goals in his first 10 league games, then failed to score for three games before an injury saw him ruled out for two months, and after he returned, he scored just one in his next ten. However, all is well again with regards to his goalscoring, and he has expressed disappointment in letting his mind wander, promising to make amends until the end of the season, when his contract expires, and only then will he consider his future at Meadow Lane. He told the Nottingham Post: "There was interest from America and at this stage of my career I can't deny that it still attracts me. "It's a complete lifestyle change but it's difficult because it was all in the pipeline before the new manager came in. "It needed putting to bed but the manager knows that given the type of lad I am that I wasn't going to throw my toys out of the pram and be disruptive. "I'll give it everything until the end of the season, but then I will regroup and have a look then. "I will consider all my options in the summer, but there is so much going on at the minute in respect of climbing the table and ensuring we are safe. "That's my sole focus and I think that has shown in my last three performances. "I was disappointed a little bit in letting my mind wander prior to that. "It would have been very easy for me to make it clear by the way that I conducted myself around the club that I didn't want to be here. "But that's something I couldn't possibly do. It's not in my nature and I've not been brought up like that. My mum and my dad would not be happy if I was behaving in that manner. "I will give it everything like I have at every club I've been at." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Amazing how much can change in just a number of weeks, eh? In fact, make that a number of days. The first week of 2017 saw Notts County's freefall into oblivion continue to pick up speed with eight goals conceded in their League Two fixtures at Cambridge United and Morecambe, consecutive league defeats number nine and ten, while Alan Hardy's takeover was reportedly in danger of collapsing. Then the takeover was completed as the old was out and the new was in, thank the gods and the stars and everything else that could be thanked. But was it too little too late? Then Kevin Nolan was appointed as manager. Some hailed the news, others thought he may have been too inexperienced. More tension. Then came the derby and it ended a goalless draw, which signalled an end to the rotten losing run and allowed Notts to save face against a local rival who has had our pants down on way too many occasions in the last few years. As January ticked on, the transfer embargo was still not lifted, while the defeat at Grimsby Town proved more bad news. Was the draw just a blip? We still hadn't won in bloody ages. Then Notts beat Crawley Town around the same time as the embargo was officially lifted, which boosted the atmosphere no end. But would we have enough time to bring in players, and would they be good enough for the job? And would Jon Stead leave the club, as it was rumoured? As it turned out, the players brought in appeared promising enough, while Stead stayed put at Meadow Lane. All good so far. Up next, another downturn. Accrington Stanley sealed a 2-0 win at the start of February, and suddenly it was out of County's hands - the two teams below us had games in hand. But soon, the highs again (though by no means easy rides). A great first half against Cheltenham Town and a perseverence which allowed the Magpies to hang onto their lead, 2-1 the final score. Then, seemingly another crushing defeat as Exeter City led 2-0 with 88 minutes played, but out of nowhere, Notts struck twice in injury time to salvage a point. And this weekend, another two-goal lead, another occasion of being pegged back, but another late goal and resolve to see out the win, and Notts left Leyton Orient with all three points and in the process kneecapped a relegation rival. As it stands, Notts sit four points clear of the bottom two, with Orient in 23rd and Newport County at the foot of the table. Even skeptics like myself, who have seen enough false dawns to immediately tell myself not to get excited if things begin going right, have been pretty much won over by the Hardy-Nolan revolution. We're talking a team that had spent the majority of the season prior to February disgracing itself on the pitch under some of the most toxic conditions ever to encircle a football club, finally getting their act together, playing under a new lease of life. Sure, it's not over until the fat lady sings (as Exeter found to their surprise when they posted on social media that they had sealed up the win #eggonface), and there is still work to be done to secure this damned safety once and for all. But under Nolan, Notts are a team transformed. Previous liabilities like Richard Duffy are now putting in performances worthy of man of the match, new signings like Marc Bola and Jorge Grant are impressing, Jon Stead is now scoring by the bucketload again, and best of all, being at Meadow Lane is no longer seen as an ordeal, torture even - the atmosphere is nice again. Prior to Hardy and Nolan's arrival, Notts were hopeless. Many fans had accepted their fate as a non-league side in 2017-18. But now, there is hope again. Hope of safety, hope of once again having pride in their team. Share your thoughts about this article on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has hailed his side's 3-2 win at Leyton Orient as the end of their away hoodoo and something to build on. The Magpies took a two-goal lead through Jorge Grant and Jon Stead but were pegged back before Stead struck a late winner at Brisbane Road. It helped Notts climb further away from the League Two relegation zone and also marked a first away win since October. Nolan told the official site: "I'm pleased to end the hoodoo of not putting in performances away from home. We got our just rewards in the end thanks to some quality finishing. "We knew it was going to be tough. The response after they got it back to 2-2 shows the character and belief we have in the squad, which I'm delighted about. "The home supporters and the stadium were both rocking when they got their equaliser so it was about us managing the game and getting us back on the front foot, which the lads did fantastically well. "You always need a bit of brilliance and we got it from Marc Bola, who showed great composure to pick out Steady and if you give him that type of chance he will put it away. "We're on a three-game unbeaten run now and looking forward next Saturday's game at home to Yeovil." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

The Alan Hardy and Kevin Nolan renaissance continues as Notts County put in a gutsy performance at Leyton Orient and, despite being pegged back, persevered and claimed a 3-2 win at Brisbane Road to gain further ground from the League Two relegation zone. Orient were already without Liam Kelly, who was banned for six games after pushing a Plymouth Argyle ballboy earlier in the week, and suffered a further setback when defender Tom Parkes was stretchered off with only eight minutes on the clock. The Magpies broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Teddy Mezague failed to deal with a long goal kick from Adam Collin and Jorge Grant poked the ball past Sam Sargeant. Notts then went 2-0 up within three minutes of the beginning of the second half after Jon Stead beat Sargeant in the box and his touch went in off the bar. The O's, however, reduced the deficit within a minute when McCallum headed home after Nigel Atangana's header had struck the crossbar. Danny Webb's charges were back then on level terms when Mezague unleashed a powerful volley into the net from outside the penalty area with 10 minutes left. It was Notts who had the final word when, with six minutes left in the game, Marc Bola sent in a cross from the left and Stead drove the ball into the net to seal all three points. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

The first time that Notts County faced Leyton Orient was 102 years ago, when the Magpies travel to Millfields Road for a Division Two fixture. The East London outfit won 1-0. A total of 78 fixtures have taken place between the two, with the Nottingham outfit holding the upper hand historically, as 31 games have been won by the Magpies, with 28 O's wins and 19 draws. Leyton Orient were founded in 1881, and have had several name changes throughout the years, including Eagle Cricket Club, Orient FC and Clapton Orient FC. The O's, who play in Waltham Forest, are the second-oldest league club in London behind Fulham. The club's unusual name is alleged to come from one of the club's early players (Jack R Dearing) who was an employee of the Orient Shipping Company. During the First World War. 41 members of the Clapton Orient team and staff joined up into the 17th Battalion Middlesex Regiment (the Footballers' Battalion), the highest of any football team in the country and the first to join up en masse. During the Battle of the Somme, three players gave their lives for King and Country: Richard McFadden, George Scott and William Jonas. Prior to the First World War, O's striker Richard McFadden had saved the life of a boy who was drowning in the River Lea as well as rescuing a man from a burning building. History was made on Saturday 30th April 1921 when the Prince of Wales, later to become King Edward VIII, visited Millfields Road to see the O's play Notts County. The Orient won 3-0 and this was the first time a member of royalty had attended a Football League match. Leyton Orient were involved in a dispute with the Premier League over its decision to allow West Ham to use the Olympic Stadium in London, with the O's expressing an interest in the 2012 Olympics venue, but this has now been settled with a "confidential agreement". Arguably the most famous fans of the club are Andrew and Julian Lloyd Webber. The album Variations, used as the theme tune for London Weekend Television's South Bank Show, was written by Andrew as the result of his losing a bet to his brother on the result of a Leyton Orient match. Julian later presented a gold disc of Variations to the club chairman at half time during a game with Leicester City. In addition, David Beckham and Alfred Hitchcock were born in the borough. Team news Leyton Orient will be without defender Nicky Hunt against Notts County after he was booked for the 10th time this season in the dramatic win at Plymouth in midweek. Hunt serves a two-game ban as the O's look to stretch their unbeaten run to three games. Manager Danny Webb is also waiting to see if midfielder Liam Kelly will be available after he was charged with violent conduct by the Football Association for pushing a ball boy at Home Park. Elsewhere, defender Yvan Erichot and midfielder Nigel Atangana are doubts after missing Tuesday's game with groin injuries. Striker Paul McCallum is set to miss out as he struggles with a recurring knee problem while Sammy Moore is a doubt through illness. Thierry Audel is an injury concern for Notts as he is nursing a thigh problem following the midweek draw with Exeter and will be assessed before the Magpies travel. Haydn Hollis has been overlooked by Notts boss Kevin Nolan for the last two matches but the defender will hope to come back into the squad, especially if Audel is absent. Nolan, on his first return to the club who gave him his first management job, also has the likes of Shola Ameobi, Jonathan Forte and Jorge Grant pushing for starting places. How will Notts fare against Leyton Orient? Share your thoughts on the Pride of Nottingham website.

Kevin Nolan has played down any special significance towards Notts County's weekend fixture at Leyton Orient, describing it as just another game. The 34-year-old began his managerial career at Brisbane Road in January last year as player-manager but was sacked by owner Francesco Becchetti in April despite his 47 percent win record. Saturday sees the Magpies gaffer take his side back to his old stomping ground for a relegation six-pointer, with just one point separating the 21st-placed side in League Two and the second-from-bottom O's. Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "I keep saying it every week, but it's just the next game for us. "I said to the players that there is not a massive importance because we are playing a team around us. But if we lose this one and then win three on the bounce then this game gets put to bed. "All we want is consistency, results and to start building a run of good form. We haven't been great away from home and that's something we are trying to put right. "Obviously there is a bit of history there regarding me and Orient, but that gets put to bed. And if we do our job we give ourselves a great chance of getting three points." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has praised the crowd at Meadow Lane for remaining optimistic even after they went two down to Exeter City on Tuesday night. The Magpies ultimately claimed a 2-2 draw against the Grecians after injury-time goals from Richard Duffy and Jorge Grant pegged the visitors back against all odds. Nolan says the players "felt a buzz around the stadium" and it spurred them on to claim a valuable point that keeps Notts out of the League Two relegation zone. The gaffer told the official club site: "Obviously you don’t feel as confident at 2-0 that you’re going to get back into it, but you’ve got to believe. If you get one you can get two - and we did. "You felt a buzz around the stadium and that drove the lads on. We deserved at least a point out of the game tonight. "When you do what we’ve done in the last four or five minutes in this game you can’t get carried away, but what you can take from it is having a team we can all be proud of. We can look at each other and know we’re all in this together. "We know it’s going to be tough from now until the end of the season but tonight goes a long way towards what we’re trying to achieve - which is to get some consistency and try and get a run going." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Most of the time, when a team goes two up in the 89th minute of a match, said team goes on to win the match. Luckily, this was not the case at Meadow Lane on Tuesday night, because Exeter City were supposedly home and dry after taking a two-goal lead against Notts County with one minute to go, but that was not quite how it panned out once the overweight lady had in fact begun belting out her vocals. Exeter, a team whose away record ranks among the top in the division, took the lead in the 33rd minute through David Wheeler, who made the most of a Thierry Audel error from Reuben Reid's wayward throughball to bear down on goal and slot past Adam Collin. The visitors then went down to 10 men late in the second half (sort of late, not late late) with five minutes left as Jake Taylor picked up his second yellow of the game for a sliding tackle on Michael O'Connor by the corner flag in County's half. Despite this, however, Kevin Nolan's side found themselves seemingly out of the game when Exeter broke through Liam McAlinden, whose drive was pushed away by Collin, but Ryan Harley was left free at the back post and he guided the ball over the line to make it two-nil. Injury time is when things got really interesting for the Magpies, with four minutes of added time announced, and in the first of those, a free kick was glanced home by Richard Duffy for his second goal in as many games, which instantly put the Grecians under pressure. And then, a minute later, the unfathomable happened as O'Connor played a superb reverse pass to an unmarked Jorge Grant and his ball across the face of goal struck Jordan Moore-Taylor and found its way into the net to send the home faithful at Meadow Lane into raptures. Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Kevin Nolan has revealed that he wants Jon Stead to remain at Notts County next season and tips him to get more goals this season. The 33-year-old has scored 11 times during the current campaign and gave the Magpies the lead on Saturday when they ultimately claimed a 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town. Nolan previously spoke of Stead being the subject of a bid from the United States in January which the boss did not sanction. With the veteran striker being out of contract at the end of the season, Nolan is now hoping that he will commit to a new deal given his usefulness to Notts. Asked if he would like to keep Stead for next season, Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "Without a shadow of a doubt because he brings so much to the squad. "His intelligence off the field as well as on it and his game management is a real asset to us. "The goals then speak for themselves and I think you will see a few more fly in from now until the end of the season. "He's really enjoying his football and hopefully now we will start seeing the best Jon Stead because he's just got one focus which is Notts County." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Kevin Nolan has revealed that Notts County's players are full of confidence following their 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town and are eager to get back into action against Exeter City on Tuesday. The Magpies have fate back in their own hands as they sit three points clear of 23rd-placed Leyton Orient, who have played the same amount of games as Notts, and five clear of basement side Newport County, who have a game in hand. With the feelgood factor back at Meadow Lane, the gaffer says his charges feel "like they can beat anyone" if they put their minds to it and play as they did on Saturday against the Robins. Nolan told the club's official site: "They'll want to bounce back. When you win a game, the first thing you want to do is get back out on the pitch and it's the same when you lose because you want to eradicate that defeat. "Exeter have been on a fantastic run of form. I've watched a lot of videos over the last 48 hours and they play well. They do things right more often than not and that's why they've had so much success. "But, if we do what we did on Saturday, we can certainly win this game. We're looking forward to what will hopefully be another good spectacle that goes in our favour. "The players know if they get to the levels they did on Saturday, they can beat anyone. They are starting to believe what I believed when I first came through the door - that this team is well capable of staying in this league." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County and Exeter City have met a total of 43 times over their history, the first meeting coming at St James’ Park in Division Three (South) which finished as a 3-3 draw. The Magpies have an excellent record against the Grecians; out of those 43 games, Notts claimed a result in 35, with 17 wins and 18 draws. Our recent form (last five) is not too bad, with two wins, two draws and one defeat. Exeter was formed in 1901 as St. Sidwell's United and played in the Southern League from 1908 until 1920, when that league's top division was absorbed into The Football League as its new Division Three. The club was the first ever team to play the Brazilian national team in 1914, a match which was commemorated in a 2014 friendly game against Fluminense. City took 60 years to achieve their first ever promotion, finishing fourth in Division Four in the 1963–64 season. Since then, the club have mostly yo-yoed between the third and fourth divisions, spending five years in the Conference between 2003 and 2008; having been promoted a further four times (in 1976–77, 1989–90, 2007–08 and 2008–09) and relegated five times (in 1965–66,1983–84, 1993–94, 2002–03 and 2011–12). Famous fans include Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Adrian Edmondson, Mark Nicol and Noel Edmonds. Singer Joss Stone signed up as a member of the Supporters' Trust, being introduced to fans on the pitch as a new member during a League Cup match against Liverpool. In 2002 pop singer Michael Jackson was made honorary director of Exeter City. He visited St James Park with celebrity friend Uri Geller, who was also a director. The crew of the HMS Defender also adopted Exeter City as their home team and use their strip if playing games whilst on tour. Team news Notts have no fresh injury concerns and a fully-fit squad ahead of the visit of Exeter. Magpies manager Kevin Nolan could keep faith with the side that started Saturday's 2-1 home win against Cheltenham, although he has plenty of options. Carl Dickinson was back in the squad for that game after recovering from a knee injury but he had to settle for a place on the bench, while Adam Campbell and Haydn Hollis were both left out altogether. Jorge Grant, on loan from Nottingham Forest, made an impression during his late cameo from the bench at the weekend but it remains to be seen whether the midfielder did enough to force his way into Nolan's XI. Reuben Reid will once again feature in the Exeter attack after recovering from illness to lead the line in the 3-0 defeat to fellow promotion hopefuls Plymouth Argyle. Reid will be joined in attack by Ollie Watkins who recovered from a foot injury in time to face the Pilgrims, with Liam McAlinden and Robbie Simpson again likely to have to settle for a place on the bench. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Richard Duffy has claimed that Notts County have "nothing to fear" when Exeter City visit Meadow Lane on Tuesday night. The Magpies are looking for their third consecutive home win following their 2-1 victory over Cheltenham Town at the weekend, in which Duffy scored. Exeter have the best away record in League Two, with a massive 10 wins out of 16 fixtures on the road so far, but the former Wales international is up to the challenge. Duffy told the Nottingham Post: "They've got the best away record in all four divisions I think. They will come here full of confidence. "They've been on a great run although they lost to Plymouth at the weekend. But we have nothing to fear given the way we played in the first half against Cheltenham. "We saw the game out in the second because they are not an easy team to play against. They are direct and you have to defend for your lives." Duffy had kind words to say about the turnout in the game against the Robins, adding: "The crowd got behind us and it was probably the best first-half performance of the season. "It was great support for where we are in the league. The teams around us are getting nowhere near that, so a big thanks to the fans for turning up." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has revealed that Jon Stead was in fact the subject of a bid from the United States, but was not willing to let his top scorer go. There were rumours going round in January that the striker was on the radar of an American club, but ultimately he stayed put at Meadow Lane. Stead scored his 11th goal of the season against Cheltenham Town on Saturday, which proved crucial as the final result was 2-1 and helped the Magpies create some distance between them and the bottom two. Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "He's had a great opportunity to go and play across the water and it would have been life changing for him and his family. But I just told him that I could not let my top scorer go. "I brought people in who can work with him, but nobody who could replace him. He's been first class since I came in and I just thought it looked like a different Jon Stead. "There's been a lot of speculation but we finally put that to bed earlier this week. He has been fantastic since I came in so I am delighted for him." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Kevin Nolan has described his Notts County charges as "absolutely fantastic" after their 2-1 home win over Cheltenham Town on Saturday. The Magpies moved three points clear of League Two's relegation zone as Jon Stead and Richard Duffy scored, while Manny Onariase's late strike did not prove more than a consolation in the end. Nolan told the official Notts site: "I've got to take my hat off to the boys - they were absolutely fantastic. "We created a lot of chances, which is very pleasing, and hopefully we can now start to chip away at the goal difference we've inherited over the last few months. "The more games we win, the more the confidence comes back. "Attention now turns to the next game. We've got to make sure we're professional and ready for Tuesday (against Exeter City). "It's going to be another tough one and it's about building momentum." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County have extended their gap above the League Two relegation zone to three points after a 2-1 win over Cheltenham Town in Saturday's game at Meadow Lane. The Magpies began brightly and took the lead in the 24th minute when Michael O'Connor unlocked the Robins defence with a delightful pass which curled into the path of a charging Jon Stead, who bore down on goal under pressure and rifled past Scott Brown into the roof of the net. Just nine minutes later, Kevin Nolan's side had doubled their lead with the kind of goal which has often been their undoing this season, so it was a relief to see it scored at the other end of the pitch as Mark Yeates swung a corner into the box and Richard Duffy shrugged off the opposition defenders to nod home. Notts could have been three to the good just before half time when Stead raced through one-on-one, but Brown blocked well this time. Despite a tactical shuffle by Cheltenham boss Gary Johnson, which saw his side improve, Notts remained a threat as substitute Jonathan Forte hit the post and Tahvon Campbell skewed the follow-up wide in the 75th minute. Manny Onariase managed to grab a late goal for the visitors to set up a nervy finish for the home crowd, but the Magpies held firm and secured all three points which gave their first against the drop a much-needed boost. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County and Cheltenham Town have faced off just nine times in their history, and all meetings have come in the 21st century. The first clash was on 28 September 2002, when the Magpies played away at Whaddon Road and won 4-1. The last game, meanwhile, was earlier this season, a 3-2 win at Whaddon Road with Jon Stead bagging a brace after Jonathan Forte opened the scoring four minutes in. As it stands, the Magpies have 5 wins, 2 defeats, and 2 draws against Cheltenham. Cheltenham Town was founded in 1887 by Albert Close White, a local teacher. However, the town has prior football history - in 1849, the first use of three official referees in a match, two in field and one in tribune, was recorded in Cheltenham. Promoted to The Football League as Conference Premier champions in 1999, Cheltenham have played as high as League One, the third tier of English football, spending a total of four seasons there. Their best FA Cup run saw them reach the last 16 (fifth round) in 2002. The last piece of silverware won by the club was the National League title in 2015–2016. Its league status was lost with relegation in 2015, only for the team to return, as champions, a year later. Two former Notts managers, Steve Cotterill and Martin Allen, have also done time at the Gloucestershire club. Team news Notts County boss Kevin Nolan hopes Thierry Audel will be fit to give him a full squad to choose from against Cheltenham Town. Audel limped off injured during the first half of the defeat at Accrington last weekend and the Frenchman will be assessed. Fellow defender Carl Dickinson has returned to training this week and is available along with midfielder Curtis Thompson, who served a one-match ban against Stanley. Former Newcastle United striker Shola Ameobi could be in line for his home debut after joining the Magpies last week on a deal until the end of the season. Cheltenham manager Gary Johnson must decide what shape to select his team in. Last week's more positive side drew 1-1 at home to Newport, having most recently won 3-2 at Luton in a defensive 5-4-1 formation. Recent signing Liam Davis made his debut last week and is expected to retain his place. Danny Wright could be pushing for a recall after appearing against Newport as a substitute. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County goalkeeper Adam Collin has admitted that the season has been tough so far, but believes that the Magpies are "steadying the ship" following Kevin Nolan's arrival. The 32-year-old joined Notts in the summer following a career which began at Newcastle United and saw him turn out for the likes of Rotherham United, Carlisle United and non-league Workington AFC. He told the Eastwood & Kimberley Advertiser: “The move to Notts County came about as soon as John Sheridan and Mark Crossley were appointed as the new management team. “I was out of contract after a successful three years at Rotherham United and they got in touch asking if I would like to come in as No.1 goalkeeper. “It’s been a very tough season so far. We started well and then all of a sudden the wheels fell off and we lost 10 games in a row. “We were conceding too many goals and not scoring enough and now, with a change of manager, we look to be steadying the ship and getting back to looking a solid team. “The new manager has come in and looked to make us harder to beat and more solid. We have good players we just needed a settled shape to the team and to be more organised.” Collin also spoke about playing in the derby against Mansfield and keeping a clean sheet, as well as feeling pride at having youngsters from his academy in attendance. He added: “The derby was a great game to play in. The atmosphere was fantastic and to get a clean sheet and to make a good save off the deflected shot was the highlight for me, plus to have quite a few of my young goalies from the academy there watching was a big bonus.” The AC1 Goalkeeping Academy is based in Mansfield and currently has around 30 youngsters learning the ropes - for more information click here. Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Kevin Nolan has revealed that Richard Duffy has chosen to have a clause removed from his Notts County contract which would have trigged an extension in order to continue being picked for the Magpies. The Notts boss claimed that Alan Hardy, having taken over the club a month ago, was not happy with the clause, given the club's risky situation near the bottom of League Two, but they would review his deal "as soon as we're safe". Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "When I first came in he had to make one more appearance and he would've got a new contract. "But the chairman wasn't happy with that, so we spoke to Duffer and said 'if you take the clause out you can be available to play'. "He said 'take it out, I don't care, I want to play for this club' – and fair play to him, hats off to him, the man has been absolutely fantastic since I've walked through the door. "The fans should know what he's done because he wants to play here, he wants to do the business here. "I've seen a lot of players down the years when they've got it, going 'no I'll just sit here and take my money'. "But that's not Richard Duffy, he wants to be involved, he wants to help the cause. "And he knows if he keeps performing the way he is there's going to be people wanting to sign him at the end of the season, and hopefully it's going to be us who gets him. "I've said to him, 'as soon as we're safe, we'll talk'. "Hopefully we will get safe as soon as possible and then we can start talking contracts with lads who we want to keep. "Listen, that's way down the line. All I want to do is put it out there what that lad's done, and how much he's here for the cause. "When you've got people like him in your dressing room you've always got a good chance." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Mark Yeates has claimed that the next two games for Notts County - both at home - will have a huge bearing on whether the club will survive in League Two or not. The Magpies welcome Cheltenham Town to Meadow Lane at the weekend before hosting Exeter City on Tuesday evening. With Kevin Nolan's side just a point above the bottom two and basement side Newport County having a game in hand which, if won right now, would put them above Notts, Yeates wants his new club to keep up the good work at home. The former Leyton Orient manager has enjoyed an unbeaten start at Meadow Lane since taking over as Magpies boss, having drawn against Mansfield and beating Crawley. "It goes right down to the wire with these things," Yeates told the Nottingham Post. "We are hoping to get a good run of results and put a bit of breathing space between us and other clubs. "It's only February and you don't want to be putting negatives or positives on anything at the moment. "It has to be one game at a time. I know it sounds like a cliché but it has to be like that. "But we've got two home games coming up which I think are going to be massive. If teams are going to win leagues or stay up, then they have to have a good home record." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Aaron Collins has spoken fondly of his loan spell at Notts County, praising the club's staff, players and fans. The 19-year-old made 22 appearances for the Magpies - 18 from the bench - scoring three goals in all competitions, including a strike in the FA Cup against Boreham Wood. “I was able to settle into things really quickly,” Collins told the Wolves website. “I signed on a Thursday for Notts County, then on the Friday I trained with the team for the first time and on the Saturday I made my league debut for them and I scored. “I managed to start off really well and that is because I think I settled in there really easily. “I haven’t got a bad thing to say about the club, they were fantastic with me. The staff were very welcoming and the players were all really nice to me throughout my time with them. “Like I said, I started off really well and from there I just wanted to enjoy myself and enjoy the football that I was playing. “I didn’t perhaps play as much as I would have liked to but that was because they had two really good strikers who were already at the club and it was hard to get into the team. “However, I scored three goals - all on my left foot - and it was a good experience to have and it was nice to score some goals in the league. “It was a really good way to start things off at the club and I was just happy that I could give the fans something to cheer about because I wanted to make a good early impression and I felt I managed to do that. “I felt like all the way through my time with County that the fans were great with me and it was nice to feel welcomed immediately because sometimes that isn’t always the case. “If you don’t get off to a good start then sometimes things can turn sour but luckily that didn’t happen for me. “The fans were always interacting with me saying I should be playing more games and when you see fans calling for that it gives you that little confidence boost and it makes you want to try harder for them because that is what they want. “When I got my chances to play, I tried to give them something to cheer about and I just want to say thank you to them all for making me feel so welcome during my time with the club.” Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has claimed that shouting at players in the dressing room does not work, as his charges "know what is expected of them". The Magpies hover just above the League Two relegation zone following their 2-0 loss at Accrington Stanley. Notts currently have the worst goal difference in the league and have suffered 17 defeats out of 29 games, but Nolan insists - speaking from experience - that a more constructive approach works better. "I know I am a shouter and bawler on the side, but in the dressing room I don't because I want the message to get across," he told the Nottingham Post. "I remember when I was a player you sort of switch off when somebody is having a go and becoming confrontational. "If you talk to the players how you would if you had won then I think it sinks in more. "The majority of the time I just say how disappointed I am, what I was disappointed with and why. They will get all the information back once I have shown them the video. "But it's important that we don't get too high when we win, and too low when we lose. "We have to keep a happy medium. That is what I am here to do as are Tommo (Richard Thomas) and Norm (Mark Crossley). "But the players know what is expected of them and come the end of the season I am sure we will be happy." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Shola Ameobi has pledged to use his experience to help Notts County stave off relegation after describing joining the club as a "huge honour". The 35-year-old penned a contract until the end of the season before the 2-0 defeat at Accrington Stanley, in which he came on as a substitute. He believes that having played at Newcastle United alongside Magpies boss Kevin Nolan and player-coach Alan Smith, the three can be a catalyst for an unturn in form. "I know the manager and Alan Smith very well from our days at Newcastle," Ameobi is quoted by the Shields Gazette as saying. "So it has been great to join up with them again. "I feel I can use my experience to help the club on and off the pitch and the manager will value that. "It's all about playing - that's all that matters. Regardless of who you play, you still get the same buzz and the adrenaline still pumps. I'm really excited to get back playing again. "It's a huge honour for me to join a club like this, one of the founder members of the Football League." Manager Nolan is also delighted to have the considerable experience of Ameobi on board. And he revealed the frontman was training with the Newcastle Under-23 side in order to remain fit, with a view to a return to football. Nolan said: "Shola is a great lad and he has kept himself in great shape by training with Newcastle's Under 23 side for the last six months. I'm delighted we have been able to get the deal done." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Kevin Nolan has stressed to his Notts County players that every game from now until the end of the season is crucial if they are to survive the drop. The Magpies slipped to one point behind League Two's bottom two after losing 2-0 at Accrington Stanley. Nolan plans to debrief his charges by showing them the video of the game at the Wham Stadium before telling them to put it behind them and focus on Cheltenham Town. The manager told the Nottingham Post: "Every game from now until the end of the season is a big game and it doesn't matter who you are playing. We have to make sure we are up for it. "We can't put in inept performances against anyone and then think it's okay because we have another game the following week. It's not like that. "When you are in this situation, every game counts no matter whether you are playing teams at the top of the league or the bottom. "The Cheltenham game is no more important than any other. Yes, they are around us but for me it's 11 men versus 11. We've just got to be sure to be better than them next week." Notts have lowered the home ticket prices for the Cheltenham fixture next Saturday at Meadow Lane to £12. Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.