Joe Jones

Notts County boss John Sheridan has told reporters that he knows who to keep and who to let go from his playing squad in January. The 52-year-old has been vocal about his need to strengthen in the transfer window as he looks to usher the Magpies away from relegation trouble. "I've got players in mind who I want to bring in and who to let go," he told the Nottingham Post. "I find it very hard when I'm picking my team; I don't like leaving people out. "That's one thing I am as a manager, I do care about individuals. They all want to play, they all want to be out on the pitch, and they've all got to look after their families. "I find that hard. I'm just going to make decisions purely for the benefit of us as a club, not because I dislike anyone. "I've got to make decisions, and I'll have to move people on to bring people in. "I've had a chat with one or two players and told them. Likewise, I've made enquiries about players coming in because we need to do something." 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 revealed that academy manager Mick Halsall is leaving the club after two years at Meadow Lane. The 55-year-old initially joined the Magpies in 2014 as head of academy coaching before stepping into his academy manager role last September. Current head of academy coaching Dan Leivers will take interim charge of the academy while Halsall's position is advertised. "We are all very sorry to be losing Mick, who has done an excellent job with our academy and is a fantastic character to have around," Notts chief executive Jason Turner said on the club's official website. "On behalf of everyone at Notts County I would like to wish him every success in his future career." Halsall has also had two separate spells in caretaker charge of the Magpies first team, stepping in when Shaun Derry and then Ricardo Moniz were sacked. 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 John Sheridan has described his team as "a charity case" that keeps giving gifts away to the opposition. The Magpies missed out on a bumper FA Cup third-round tie at Chelsea after losing 2-0 at Peterborough United in Tuesday's second-round replay. Goals from Gwion Edwards and Paul Taylor in the first eight minutes of the game set Posh on their way to a comfortable victory at the ABAX Stadium. "The way we started the game, it's a massive downer," the Notts boss told the Nottingham Post. "I actually think we played well, but we've lost the game. The manner we conceded those goals, the game is over after 10 minutes. "We've more or less thrown the game away after 10 minutes. To concede the two goals the way we did, again, we're a charity case at the moment. We keep giving gifts away. "We just keep making silly errors and putting ourselves under so much pressure and it's cost us the game. "When you give away the first goal, you're fighting an uphill battle. We had a go, but that's not good enough, is it?" 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 missed out on the chance to play Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup after Peterborough United emerged as 2-0 winners in their second-round replay at the ABAX Stadium. Following a 2-2 draw in the original fixture, Posh wasted no time in surging into a two-goal lead inside the opening eight minutes. First Gwion Edwards netted in the second minute by connecting with a pinpoint cross and thumping a free header past Scott Loach in the visitors' net. Six minutes later Paul Taylor doubled their lead after cantering through the Notts defence before unleashing a piledriver of a shot that soared into the top corner. John Sheridan's side had the chance to pull a goal back before half-time after winning a penalty, but Jon Stead failed to convert from the spot. Magpies forward Jonathan Forte came closest to scoring in the second-half, but his lob from 18 yards bounced back off the bar. Ultimately Notts could not launch a comeback and they left Peterborough with the sole consolation of being able to fully concentrate on their awful League Two form. 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 manager John Sheridan has been handed a five-game touchline ban by the Football Association, starting this evening at Peterborough United. The 52-year-old was dismissed by referee Eddie Ilderton during the League Two game against Wycombe Wanderers at Meadow Lane after remonstrating with officials. Sheridan was unhappy that the ref allowed Scott Kashket's 55th-minute effort, from what looked to be an offside position, to stand. "I'm disappointed in myself for being sent-off, but some of the decision making is atrocious," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post after the game. "That's the way the game is and that's why I want ex-players to be referees." Assistant manager Mark Crossley will be leading from the dugout as Notts try to secure a plum FA Cup third-round tie at Chelsea tonight. Sheridan, meanwhile, will not be back on the bench until County's local derby against Mansfield Town on January 14. 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 could find themselves in the Championship in the next five or six years if new owner Alan Hardy is able to take them forward, according to former captain John Thompson. On Monday, it was confirmed that Hardy had agreed a deal with current owner Ray Trew regarding a takeover of the club. The Magpies are currently languishing in the lower reaches of League Two, but Thompson is hopeful of Hardy taking the Meadow Lane outfit in an upward trajectory. He told the Nottingham Post: "I'm not surprised there was interest in buying the club at all. It's a fantastic club. They've got great history, a great stadium and a big fan base. "If Alan Hardy is able to take them forward then there is no reason they can't be in the Championship in five or six years. Of course that would take a lot of hard work though. "The first thing he needs to do is get fans enthused again. Gates have been falling and there's a pretty miserable atmosphere around the club. "When I was there, the year we won the league we were getting 9,000 or 10,000 gates. You wonder where those people have gone. "If he can get them back then it would be huge. He needs to get Meadow Lane buzzing again." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Peterborough United manager Grant McCann is expected to name an unchanged side as the League One club hosts Notts County for a place in the FA Cup third round. Striker Lee Angol completes his three-game ban for his red card in the original tie, when Louis Laing completed the Magpies' comeback in injury time. Forward Marcus Maddison, who has not featured since that game, remains sidelined with an ankle injury while on-loan midfielder George Moncur is ineligible. Posh have won five of their last six League One games to sit sixth in the table, 38 places above the Magpies on the football pyramid. Notts captain Michael O'Connor will sit out the second game of his three-match suspension after he was red-carded against Wycombe Wanderers earlier this month. Magpies midfielder Curtis Thompson could keep his place, though, after making his first appearance of the season in the 2-1 defeat to Colchester United over the weekend. County have endured a run of six successive League Two defeats and manager John Sheridan will also be missing Stanley Aborah and Alex Rodman for the trip to London Road. Midfielder Aborah has not featured since the first-round tie at Boreham Wood due to a number of niggling injuries while winger Rodman is also suffering from a series of minor setbacks. The reward for the victor tonight is a bumper third-round FA Cup tie at Premier League leaders Chelsea. Share your thoughts about Tuesday night's game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County have released a statement confirming that Ray Trew has sold the club to Alan Hardy. Trew put the club up for sale back in February and, on Monday, the official club website said "a deal with Mr Hardy was the best option for all parties and will now work towards finalising the agreement and completing the transfer of ownership in due course." Hardy, the owner of Nottinghamshire Golf and Country Club and a Magpies supporter, said: "I am delighted to confirm that I have reached an agreement with Ray Trew to purchase Notts County Football Club. "This follows a series of discussions over the weekend. As part of the agreement, I will be ensuring the club is able to settle a High Court hearing scheduled for Monday. "There is still a considerable amount of work to be undertaken in the coming days and, together with my team, we will be working around the clock to conclude our agreement and make a more formal announcement in the near future. "I wish to emphasise my passion, desire and commitment to all Notts County supporters to drive this club forward." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

John Sheridan has warned his Notts County players that they are free to leave the club if they don't like his style of management. The Magpies fell to their sixth consecutive League Two defeat as Colchester United claimed a 2-1 win at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. Notts now sit one point above the drop zone thanks to Saturday's loss, in which eight of Sheridan's summer signings were involved. "I've brought a few players in here at the start of the season, and on paper they looked good signings and everyone thought they were the right decisions," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post. "But now, I've got to question myself - have I brought the right players in, am I picking the right team? "I've got two weeks before the transfer window opens, and I've got to work very hard to bring the right people in and hopefully I can do that. "I'm not someone who picks on my players. Whatever I have to say, I say in the dressing room, I don't make it public. "They know where they stand with me, but if some aren't happy and are not comfortable at the club and with me being manager, they can knock on my door and I'll try and get them out as quickly as I can." 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 fallen to a sixth successive League Two defeat after Colchester United claimed a 2-1 win in Saturday's clash at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. The Magpies took the lead just after the quarter-hour mark when Richard Duffy flicked on a Carl Dickinson corner and Elliott Hewitt snuck in to nod home from close range. Colchester were level within just seven minutes, however, as Denny Johnstone whipped a cross into the path of Kurtis Guthrie, who headed past Adam Collin into the Notts net. Tom Eastman nodded over in the opening stages of the second half for Colchester while, at the other end, U's keeper Sam Walker denied Dickinson at his near post. In a game of few concrete scoring chances, it took an own goal to settle things as Owen Garvan curled a free kick into the visitors' box in the 75th minute. John Sheridan's defenders struggled to cope as a scramble ensued, but the ball ultimately came off Duffy and rolled into the net, putting the U's in the lead for the first time. Notts threw everything forward in a bid to claw back at least a point, including the goalkeeper, but the hosts saw the game out and condemned the beleaguered Magpies to another loss. The result means Notts sit 20th in the League Two table, just one point outside the bottom two. 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 met Colchester United a modest 41 times over the years, all league encounters except for one Sherpa Vans Trophy tie in 1988. Notts hold the marginal upper edge, having won 20 games to Colchester's 14, with 8 draws. All league encounters between the two have never taken place higher than the third tier. The recent history between those two sides is very positive for the Magpies - we have won the last six games against the Essex side, by an aggregate score of 18-3! Colchester United Football Club is a baby in English football club terms, having been born in 1937. However, Colchester Town Football Club, the club's predecessor, was around since 1873. Despite dwindling crowds in the mid-1930s, though, they refused to follow its neighbours Ipswich Town in turning professional, much to the disapproval of its fans and players. As a result, Colchester United was formed, with the intention of playing professionally, and went on from strength to strength while its stubborn neighbour fell into decline and eventually folded. Colchester United are responsible for one of the FA Cup's greatest ever upsets, when, in February 1971, they defeated the infamous Don Revie's Leeds United, an established top flight side who would finish second that season, by three goals to two. The U's were in the fourth division at the time. The U's won the Football League Trophy (now the Johnstone's Paint Trophy) in 1996-97. and also compete in a competition called the Essex Senior Cup, a tournament contested by mostly non-league clubs within the region (Colchester usually field a youth/reserve team for this), winning this trophy back in 2009-10. Micky Cook holds the all time club record for appearances with Colchester, having played nearly 700 games between 1969 and 1984. Notable former players include Titus Bramble, Alec Chamberlain, Mark Kinsella, Kevin Lisbie and Newcastle cult hero Lomana LuaLua. The town of Colchester is said to be the oldest recorded town in Britain on the grounds that it was mentioned by Pliny the Elder, who died in AD 79. It was for a time the capital of Roman Britain, and is a member of the Most Ancient European Towns Network. Since 2006, Colchester has been one of 12 places in the UK where Royal Salutes are fired to mark Royal anniversaries and visits by foreign heads of state. Team News Colchester will be without midfielder Sammie Szmodics for the visit of Notts County. Szmodics had just returned to action from an ankle problem, but is now back in a protective boot after suffering a set-back while playing for the under-23s against Crystal Palace on Monday night. U's boss John McGreal reported no other new injury problems following last weekend's goalless draw at Mansfield. Striker Chris Porter is still sidelined by a hamstring injury, while midfielder Doug Loft, who has not featured since the end of August, is closing in on a return from his Achilles problem. Colchester captain Luke Prosser has been ruled out for the rest of the season following knee surgery. Notts County captain Michael O'Connor is suspended for the trip to Essex. The defender's appeal against his red card versus Wycombe last weekend was unsuccessful and so he will serve a three-match ban. Midfielder Curtis Thompson could come into contention for a place in the squad after training for more than a week after a long lay-off. After five successive league defeats manager John Sheridan will also be hoping midfielder Stanley Aborah, out for a month, and winger Alex Rodman, sidelined since early November, can return soon. Share your thoughts about this game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County boss John Sheridan continues to have the backing of Ray Trew, according to assistant manager Mark Crossley. The Magpies have lost five league games in a row and are 20th in League Two, just four points above the relegation zone. Despite their awful form, Crossley insists that he and the gaffer have the confidence of the board. The ex-goalkeeper told BBC Radio Nottingham: "If Notts County were without a manager and looking for someone to get them out of it, John would be an automatic choice. "I know the chairman is really eager for us to do well. He has been brilliant with and he still thinks we are the right people to turn it around. We can ask no more from him. He is with us and by us. "But we're realistic. We have lost five on the bounce and this is a results-based industry. "We know what we have to do and as far as we are concerned we will do it. But we need more from the players. "Things have to change. We realise that and they will change in January. "There is only way to get through this and that is by everyone working hard every single day and eventually it will turn." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. Who, at some point in their life, hasn't thought about certain aspects of the past and harked back to the "good old days"? Of course, when the present day is considered bleak, it makes delving into yesterday even more common and generates even stronger feelings. Being a supporter of Notts County is very bleak business at the present day, with a sizeable amount of fans disappointed to the point of numbness about the today and worrying about tomorrow. Because of this, reminiscing about the past is something which can bring joy, laughter and memories. However, nostalgia is not the only reason why One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest is such a great read. Sure, it's great to look back at a time when the Magpies were setting the Football League on fire under the great Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler, and when much-loved players like Lee Hughes were scoring goals for fun. What makes Paul Mace's 650-page book so riveting is that it's so detailed, so in-depth and so anecdotal that it really feels like you're in conversation yourself with the interviewees, which include Sven-Goran Eriksson, Neil Warnock and Hughsey himself. The book, which is out now, gives a fly-on-the-wall perspective of Notts County's last 50 years of history. As we all know, few clubs across England have had as eventful a history as the Magpies, so reliving this in almost documentary-style detail from the perspective of those who were involved makes for an entertaining and unforgetting read. You know when you're down the pub, having a few pints with your mates and the stories just flow out like draught beer from a tap? That's basically what reading this book is like. It's difficult to put down once you've started reading, because you just want to know more and more. Already a number of stories have been published in the Nottingham Post about Roberto Mancini being on the verge of becoming Notts boss, or Martin Allen jumping in the Trent to motivate his players ahead of the League Cup game against Forest, and believe me, there are hundreds of stories like that across the book. From Mad Dog making his players sing nursery rhymes before a game and forcing an overweight steward to perform 50 press-ups, to Lee Hughes telling a current England international to "behave himself" after the two went to a nightclub in "the back streets of Manchester", there is much to shock, entertain and think about. And if you wanted to know the full story about what the hell happened with Munto Finance, there is a whole chapter dedicated to the whole sordid affair. One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest is the kind of book that any Notts County fan needs to have in their collection as soon as possible. With Christmas round the corner, it would make for a fantastic gift. And even for those who aren't necessarily Magpies fans, it's still so rich in entertainment and insight that it would be great for anyone who loves football. One Flew Over The Magpies Nest, by Paul Mace, is available now at www.nottscounty1862.co.uk/order/ - alternatively, it is on sale at the NCFC Club Shop at Meadow Lane, while stocks last. Share your thoughts about this review on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

John Sheridan has welcomed the impending arrival of the January transfer window with open arms, saying he is looking to clear out some players and get new ones in. The Magpies are in the bottom reaches of League Two having lost five league games in a row, prompting fans to fear a relegation battle and the possibility of dropping out of the Football League. Sheridan earmarked the defence as an area that he needs to improve, with County's 34 goals conceded in 20 games one of the worst "goals against" tallies in the division. "It's not where I thought we'd be. I've got to get a grip of the players," the manager told the Nottingham Post. "Luckily for me, January is coming. I'll have to make good decisions as we need to get out the position we're in. We can't carry on like this. "I need players out before I can get any in. That's something I might have to work really hard to do, to reshuffle the back and build a team to win games. Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

John Sheridan admits that he fears for his job as Notts County continue to freefall down the League Two table. The Magpies lost their fifth consecutive league game as Wycombe Wanderers won 2-0 on Saturday in a controversial clash at Meadow Lane. Although Sheridan was highly critical of referee Eddie Ilderton for his "atrocious" performance, he still acknowledges that his side is not playing well enough. "I'm the manager and we're losing a lot more games than I thought we would. I'm not stupid," he told the Nottingham Post. "I worry about my position. I have to. "I don't like losing matches. I don't like how we play sometimes. "Things have gone against us in this game, but we were on a bad run before that. "It's down to us. The first goal is a prime example. You've got two against one and their player gets a clean header on it." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

John Sheridan has let rip at referee Eddie Ilderton after his performance in Notts County's 2-0 defeat against Wycombe Wanderers, describing the official's decision-making as "atrocious". The Magpies slipped to a fifth League Two defeat on the trot at Meadow Lane on Saturday as Adebayo Akinfenwa and Scott Kashket bagged the winning goals for the Chairboys. Sheridan - who was sent to the stands for remonstrating - feels a number of decisions, such as a Jonathan Forte goal ruled out for offside, Michael O'Connor's first-half red card, and Wycombe's second goal, all went the wrong way. "I'm disappointed in myself for being sent-off, but some of the decision making is atrocious," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post. "Forte is onside for the goal that was given offside, O'Connor has won the ball cleanly and the second goal is a blatant foul on (Richard) Duffy. "It's same linesmen for both incidents. It's a clear foul on Duffy. "I can see it from 50 yards and he's 20 yards away. O'Connor has gone in competitively when it comes to the red. "He (the ref's) gone on about him having two feet off the ground. "He's got all of the ball though. Their lad is late and he's caught O'Connor. "That's the way the game is and that's why I want ex-players to be referees." 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 slipped to their fifth League Two defeat in a row as Wycombe Wanderers claimed a 2-0 win at Meadow Lane in controversial circumstances. The visitors began brightly, with Luke O’Nien playing Scott Kashket through in the first minute, but the former Leyton Orient man couldn’t get the ball under control. John Sheridan's charges created their first chance on the quarter-hour mark when Matt Tootle cut inside and curled a shot from the edge of the area just wide of Jamal Blackman’s left-hand post. Returning striker Jon Stead then had the best chance of the game so far on 22 minutes when he evaded Aaron Pierre and lashed a shot inches away from the target. Jonathan Forte had a goal disallowed just before the half-hour mark when he rounded Blackman after an excellent pass from Stead, but the effort was wrongly ruled out for offside by Eddie Ilderton. The Magpies would go on to rue their missed opportunities when Wycombe then took the lead on 37 minutes, Joe Jacobson whipping in a cross which was headed home by Adebayo Akinfenwa. Notts were further hindered when skipper Michael O'Connor was shockingly sent off on the stroke of half time after a 50-50 tackle with Paris Cowan-Hall, prompting a chorus of boos at the break. Wycombe then doubled their advantage on 55 minutes when Cowan-Hall squared for Kashket who slotted home and, despite being offside, the goal stood, infuriating Sheridan who was then sent to the stands. Both sides finished the game a man down after Akinfenwa was also shown a red card - a second yellow - for persistent fouling. Nonetheless, the visitors were able to see the game out and condemn Notts to a fifth league loss on the trot and a drop to 20th place in the table. Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County and Wycombe Wanderers have faced each other a total of 32 times over the years, with the first meeting coming as late as 1995, when the Magpies won 2-0 at Meadow Lane. The Chairboys are way ahead in the head-to-head, having beaten Notts 15 times and drawn nine – we have beaten them just eight times. In 1887, a meeting held at the Steam Engine public house in Station Road, High Wycombe saw the formation of Wycombe Wanderers F.C. It is highly likely the club was named Wanderers after the famous Wanderers, winners of the first FA Cup in 1872. The club played just friendly matches between 1887 and 1896. Wycombe first entered the FA Amateur Cup in 1894 and the FA Cup in 1895. In 1895 the club moved to Loakes Park, which would become its home for the next 95 years. In 1896 the club joined the Southern League and competed in the Second Division until 1908, but in the summer of 1908 the club declined the invitation to retain their membership of the Southern League. The club decided to pursue amateur instead of professional football and joined the Great Western Suburban League and remained there until the outbreak of the First World War. After the hostilities had ended the club joined the Spartan League in 1919 and were Champions in successive years. In March 1921 the club's application to join the Isthmian League was accepted. Wycombe enjoyed a fairytale season in 2000–01 as the club reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. First Division sides Grimsby Town, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Wimbledon were all beaten before a memorable quarter-final with Premier League side Leicester City. In a game that has gone down in FA Cup history, striker Roy Essandoh headed an injury-time winner to seal a 2–1 win at Filbert Street as manager Lawrie Sanchez looked on from the dressing room, having been dismissed from the touchline during the game. The ensuing semi-final at Villa Park saw Liverpool pushed all the way by Wycombe, but the Reds claimed a 2–1 victory. Team news Leading scorer Jon Stead could return to the Notts County starting line-up when Wycombe visit Meadow Lane. The nine-goal striker suffered an ankle injury in October but is ahead of schedule in his recovery and returned to action off the bench in the FA Cup draw with Peterborough last weekend. With another week of training under his belt, Stead is in contention to lead the line. Curtis Thompson has also returned to training after a lengthy injury lay-off and, while Magpies boss John Sheridan was more cautious about his potential return coming this weekend, the midfielder continues to make good progress and may not be far from his manager's thoughts. Midfielder Stanley Aborah and winger Alex Rodman remain doubts as Notts County look to arrest a four-match losing run in League Two and earn only a second win in 10 league games to resurrect their play-off challenge. Wycombe made eight changes for their EFL Trophy win at Millwall in midweek and should revert to the side which started last weekend's thumping FA Cup win at Chesterfield. However, winger Garry Thompson scored twice in the 3-1 win against the Lions and will hope to have done enough to keep his starting spot. Loanee Paris Cowan-Hall was ineligible for the game against his full-time employers at The Den and comes back into the squad. Scott Kashket has five goals in his last two starts and will lead the line, while Max Muller and Danny Rowe will hope to be involved after building their match fitness following long-term injuries in midweek. Share your thoughts about this fixture on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Jon Stead has claimed that beating Wycombe Wanderers could reinvigorate Notts County's season. The Magpies have fallen to four League Two defeats in a row to slip into the bottom six, but an improved performance in their FA Cup second-round clash against Peterborough United stopped the rot. "We are still looking upwards, rather than over our shoulders. This is the same group of players that were producing good performances earlier in the season and were in and around the play-off places," Stead, who is expected to make his first start, told the Nottingham Post. "We were right in with a chance of doing something with the season and that has not changed. It has been in the space of five or six games that we have dropped off, but you can soon turn that around, in the same space of time. "It is only a month or two since we were a few points away from second place. Many teams in the division have had good spells and bad spells. There are very few who have been consistent throughout the whole season and we still have the chance to get back in the mix. "That is something we feel we can do if we can spark ourselves back into good form and get the one result we need, perhaps, to help us to do that. We need to end the bad run we have been on, then we believe we can start to climb the table again. "If we can get a win, it would immediately change the mood. We were unlucky not to beat Peterborough in the end, but if we can build on that by getting a win over Wycombe, it will only help us to build that belief and confidence." 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 John Sheridan wants his players to "prove" their credentials ahead of a tough run of games. The Magpies face playoff-chasing Wycombe Wanderers at Meadow Lane on Saturday before travelling to Colchester United (in the league) and Peterborough United (in the FA Cup). Boxing Day, meanwhile, sees table-topping Doncaster Rovers come to Meadow Lane and, on New Year's Eve, Keith Curle will return to his old club with second-placed Carlisle United. "I'd like to see it as an opportunity for us, yes. Starting with Saturday, if we can get a good result, it is a chance for us to prove something," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post. "When you look at the next four games they are all tough. We are playing three of the top seven and Colchester, who are in a false position. "I like the look of the games. They will test us, but if we can get some good results against teams who are doing well, it will give us a little bit of confidence. "I believe we can beat any team in the division. But our results do not show that. We have played teams who are up there and have been the better team in those games. "It is just inconsistency. We are vulnerable when it comes to letting cheap goals in. "In the last three or four weeks, the goals we have conceded have been very poor and the results have been very poor. "When opposition teams look at our record, our home form is not good. Teams do come here thinking that we are a soft touch, that we let soft goals in and we will concede chances if they get at us. "That is what teams think about, when they come here. So we need to rectify that. We need to address that and make life difficult for Wycombe. They are very good from set plays, so it will be a test. "But if we play as we did for 70 minutes against Peterborough, we have a good chance of winning the game." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Louis Laing has admitted that the Notts County dressing room was in higher spirits than it has been for the last few weeks after their 2-2 draw against League One side Peterborough United. The Magpies are languishing in the bottom six of League Two after four consecutive league defeats, prompting manager John Sheridan to cancel their Christmas party and pledge to play first-teamers in the reserves. However, Meadow Lane saw the hosts come from two goals down to salvage a draw against Posh in the FA Cup, which kept them in the hat for the third round - and the winner of the replay will get to play Chelsea. "It's a much happier dressing room. The last month has been pretty tough on everyone," Laing told the Nottingham Post. "That's football. Sometimes you go through these stages. There's lots we need to work on still. "We've had a good result. It's nice after four losses on the trot, especially against a League One team. "It's nice to get a goal for the fans. It's been a hard month for them. "It's been a hard month for everyone at the club with all the losses we've had. It's nice they stuck with us. "Sometimes I don't blame them if they don't. It's understandable given how we've been going. "It's always good to have them behind you. Hopefully they saw a better side to Notts County on Sunday." Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

John Sheridan has welcomed Jon Stead's return to action for Notts County and is eager to get his match fitness back up by playing him in reserve games. The 33-year-old, whose absence has been sorely missed by the Magpies, came on as a substitute in the last 20 minutes of the 2-2 FA Cup draw against Peterborough United. Sheridan said he wasn't happy about bringing Stead on so early after his recovery but confirmed that the striker will play a reserve game against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday. "Ideally I wouldn't have wanted to use him so early," he told the Nottingham Post. "He's not played much football. He's been out a while. "He's trained for 10 days now. He's short on match practice. "We've got a couple of reserve games coming up and he'll be involved in them. "It's good to have him back. He's experienced and his presence gives the players a lift." 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 fought back from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw against Peterborough United in Sunday's FA Cup second-round clash at Meadow Lane. The deadlock was broken after just three minutes when a Marcus Maddison corner fell to Leonardo Da Silva Lopes and the teenager rifled a low shot into the bottom corner of the net. Posh then doubled their lead on the quarter-hour mark as Paul Taylor's cross was cleared into the path of Gwion Edwards, who was on hand to drill home past Adam Collin's reach. It looked like it was going to be yet another long afternoon for the Black and White Army, but not long before the break, Adam Campbell halved the deficit when he lashed past Luke McGee from the edge of the box. Things got worse for the visitors when first-half stoppage time saw Lee Angol shown a straight red card for shoving Matt Tootle in the face by the touchline. The second half saw John Sheridan's side up their game and the likes of Jonathan Forte, Michael O'Connor and Aaron Collins all coming close. County's patience was then rewarded in stoppage time when Louis Laing squeezed home a shot after Peterborough failed to clear a corner kick, and the final whistle blew to signal a replay at the ABAX Stadium in just over a week's time. 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 Peterborough have met a grand total of 45 times over the years, dating back to the 1960s. The first meeting between the two, a Third Division fixture on the 7th September 1961, ended in a 2-2 draw. Our record win over the Posh is a 6-0 drubbing at Meadow Lane in the 1970-71 season, while our record defeat to them is a 5-1 loss in 1963. The head-to-head is 12 wins for Notts, 19 defeats, and 14 draws. Peterborough United are nicknamed "The Posh" because Pat Tirrel, then manager of Fletton United - the current club’s previous incarnation - was reported to say he was "looking for posh players for a posh new team". Fletton, previously known as the 'Brickies', re-formed as Peterborough and Fletton United in 1923, and both nicknames were in use through the 1920s, although supporters complained that 'Posh' references were sometimes used by newspapers in a derisory manner. Peterborough and Fletton United folded in 1932, the present club was formed two years later and a Midland League debut against Gainsborough Trinity on 1st September 1934 was greeted with cries of 'Up The Posh' from the crowd. A few years ago, Peterborough United clashed with Victoria Beckham, aka “Posh Spice”, over the use of the “Posh” nickname. She had apparently objected to Peterborough's plans to register "Posh" and "The Posh" as registered trademarks, but eventually backed down after realising the club had been using that nickname some 50 years before she was born. Notts and Peterborough played a blinder of a game on the 28 September 2010 at London Road, the Magpies surging into a two-goal lead courtesy of Ben Davies, before Gabriel Zakuani’s header halved the deficit. Craig Westcarr restored the away side’s two-goal lead, before Craig Mackail-Smith made things tense for the last half hour thanks to his angled shot. The game is also known for a 22-man brawl at the final whistle, which resulted in an FA charge for both teams and a £15,000 fine. Team news Notts may have leading scorer Jon Stead back for their FA Cup tie at home to Peterborough on Sunday. The nine-goal striker resumed training last week after more than a month out with an ankle injury, but a late decision will be made on his fitness. Rob Milson is available again after a one-match ban but fellow midfielder Stanley Aborah remains an injury doubt. Winger Alex Rodman could overcome a groin problem as the Magpies look to make it through to the third round for the first time since 2012. Peterborough manager Grant McCann has no fresh injury or suspension concerns. However, the Posh boss is expected to make changes from the side which lost to Scunthorpe after claiming this week that he is not scared of dropping players who are "not trying." Peterborough's match against Oldham last week was postponed due to a frozen pitch which means defender Jack Baldwin will be unavailable. Baldwin was booked for the fifth time this season against the Iron and is joined on the sidelines by Jermaine Anderson. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

John Sheridan wants an improved showing from Notts County as they welcome Peterborough United to Meadow Lane in Sunday's FA Cup second-round clash. The Magpies will get a welcome distraction from their League Two troubles this weekend as they welcome League One Posh to NG2 in a bid to determine who goes into the hat for the fabled third-round draw. Sheridan says that, as Notts have already taken big scalps this season, they can cause an upset against Peterborough, even if he is unsure about whether Jon Stead is fit enough to take part. “Getting through against a team like Peterborough would give us a big confidence boost, and prove to us again that we can beat really good teams”, the 52-year-old explained. “We’ve already taken something from games against some of the best League Two sides, like Portsmouth and Luton. When that pair came to our ground, we were better than them. So we’ve shown we can do it. “I’m looking for the boys to show a bit of endeavour and a will to win. I’ll feel more positive about things if we give a good account of ourselves in this tie. “Even now, I get excited about reaching the Third Round of the FA Cup. If you’re in the hat then there’s a real buzz about the chance of a big tie. That’s the magic of the cup.” Share your thoughts about this story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.