Joe Jones

Notts County striker Jon Stead has claimed that a straightforward and direct approach was crucial in getting a 1-0 win at Newport County on a “very difficult” pitch. Genaro Snijders’ strike was the difference on a sandy Rodney Parade surface in Saturday’s League Two clash in Wales. Goalkeeper Roy Carroll also marked his return to first-team action with a clean sheet as the Magpies’ penultimate game, and last away, yielded three points. "It was nice to finish off the away games for the season with a win," said Stead. "We came with a straightforward game plan on a very difficult pitch. We wanted to frustrate and be more direct and it worked. "We stuck at it from the first minute until last on a pitch that was difficult for both teams - we dealt with it well." Can Notts County give their fans a happy ending to the season with a Meadow Lane win against Carlisle this weekend? Share your thoughts by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has admitted he took it easy on the players the day before the Newport County game by not having a training session and getting them bacon sandwiches on the way to the ground. The Magpies beat the Exiles 1-0 at Rodney Parade on Saturday, Genaro Snijders's goal stopping the rot after three League Two defeats on the trot. "We didn't train on Friday," Cooper told reporters in his post-match interview. "We got the players a bacon sandwich, got them on the bus and tried to keep it a little bit lighter. "It is always nice to win a game of football, it's a better feeling in the changing room and makes for a better journey home on the coach. "I thought the players had a go and that's all I have been asking for." Cooper also criticised the Rodney Parade pitch, which was sandy and with parts of it completely bald. "It wasn't pretty but the pitch is a disgrace for a Football League club," he continued. "I am sure they will want to do something about it next season because they shouldn't be allowed to play on it. "It's difficult when you have got one team playing rugby on it, but two? Well, they have to sort it out - players' careers are on the line." Share your thoughts on Notts County's win at Newport County and on Mark Cooper's managing of the team by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has admitted that he has not yet reached the points target needed to secure a permanent deal at Meadow Lane, and that he needs a result in next weekend's League Two game against Carlisle. The Magpies beat Newport County 1-0 on Saturday after Genaro Snijders's third goal of the season proved the difference between the two sides at Rodney Parade. Cooper has not divulged whether he needs a win or a draw, but says he is relishing the challenge in the final game of the season. "All I can say is it is game on next week," he said. "I wanted to be going into the final game of the season with something on it and I've done that. "I need a result next week - the players have been joking about and saying if it's just one you need we will just put 11 men on the edge of the box. "It is what it is. I am happy with the points we have got so far so let's see what happens next week." Can Notts secure the needed result against Carlisle next week, and should Mark Cooper be given a contract nonetheless? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County stopped the rot in Saturday's League Two clash at Newport County as a much improved performance and a Genaro Snijders goal gave Mark Cooper's charges a 1-0 win at Rodney Parade. The Magpies survived an early scare when a scramble in their box caused panic before Alan Smith was able to clear, and moments later Dean Morgan fired wide with an open goal at his disposal. Tommy O'Sullivan was next to threaten for the Exiles as he blasted just wide of goal 12 minutes in, but on the quarter-hour mark Notts countered through a long-range shot from Graham Burke which was forced out for a corner. Cooper's side was then denied a penalty in the 21st minute after Jon Stead appeared to be upended in the box, but the referee gave nothing. Nevertheless the travelling fans would have been happy with how their side grew into the game and fashioned a number of other chances, culminating in Snijders getting a lucky break when the ball fell to him 12 yards out after Stead pressured opposition keeper Joe Day into a mistake, and duly sidefooting home. Notts were bright after the restart, with Stead firing wide from Hewitt's cross 54 minutes in and Smith shooting from distance, but Newport then enjoyed a dangerous spell where both Haydn Hollis and Hewitt were forced to clear off the line. A Burke free kick then flew just over the bar after the hour, while Stead also fashioned a chance which was saved by Day after a deflection. It was end to end stuff for the remainder of the second half as Hollis once again cleared off the line and Burke and Stead weighed in with more chances, while Filip Valencic also came close and Adam Campbell struck the post late on. Ultimately no more goals were to come, which suited Notts fine as they redeemed themselves in front of their manager and fans with a 1-0 win. What did you think of the performance and result? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County have taken a 1-0 lead in Saturday's League Two clash against Newport County at Rodney Parade, thanks to Genaro Snijders's goal five minutes before the break. The Magpies survived an early scare when a scramble in their box caused panic before Alan Smith was able to clear, and moments later Dean Morgan fired wide with an open goal at his disposal. Tommy O'Sullivan was next to threaten for the Exiles as he blasted just wide of goal 12 minutes in, but on the quarter-hour mark Notts countered through a long-range shot from Graham Burke which was forced out for a corner. Mark Cooper's side was then denied a penalty in the 21st minute after Jon Stead appeared to be upended in the box, but the referee gave nothing. Nevertheless the travelling fans would have been happy with how their side grew into the game and fashioned a number of other chances, culminating in Snijders getting a lucky break when the ball fell to him 12 yards out after Stead pressured the opposition keeper into a mistake, and duly sidefooting home. Share your thoughts on the first half by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County assistant manager Richard Dryden has admitted that he is struggling to think of any redemptive aspects to the season. The Magpies were expected to challenge for promotion in 2015-16 but, with two games left to play, their only 'achievement' is that they have survived the drop. Asked if it was hard to see a silver lining to the season, Dryden said: "It's very difficult to see at the moment. "You look at what the club has gone through this season in three more managers, but we still want to acquit ourselves as best we can. "We've still got pride to play for. And again, whoever goes out and wears that shirt, we hope they work hard. "And we hope again that they can show a bit of quality." Can you think of any positive aspects to this season? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham's forum.

Notts County and Newport County have met a total of 45 times over the years, the first fixture coming in 1930, which the Magpies won 3-2. The head-to-head record is skewed in the Magpies’ favour, with 24 wins, 9 draws and 12 defeats. Our last meeting, in December last year, was a thrilling affair, with Liam Noble bagging a 96th-minute winner in a 4-3 victory at Meadow Lane. Notts’s record league win is against Newport – an 11-1 victory. We have also beaten them 5-0, 6-2, 7-0, 6-0 and 8-1 over the years. Newport County, originally nicknamed "The Ironsides" due to Newport being home to Lysaght's Orb Works steel works, started out in the Southern League in 1912 at Somerton Park. The official name of the club was The Newport & Monmouth County Association Football Club, although the shorter Newport County was soon adopted. The club were reformed in 1919 and were first elected to the Football League in 1920. Newport County were Welsh Cup winners in 1980 and subsequently reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup Winner's Cup in 1981. The club was relegated from the Football League in 1988 and went out of business in February 1989, but reformed shortly afterwards and entered the English football league system at a much lower level. In 2013 the club then won promotion back to the Football League for the first time since 1988. In the 1970s and 1980s comedian Frank Carson was appointed as a Director and Vice President in order to raise the profile of the club. Newport based rappers Goldie Lookin' Chain are also supporters of the club and were the team's shirt sponsors for the 2004–05 season FAW Premier Cup matches. --- Newport confirmed their League Two status with last weekend's draw against Luton Town and boss Warren Feeney looks poised to call up academy products Liam Angel, Kieran Parselle and Tom Owen-Evans for their dead rubber against Notts. Striker Tom Meechan can also expect a first-team chance as the Exiles wind up their season with their final two games, against the Magpies and, a week later, against AFC Wimbledon. Elsewhere, there could be a recall for defender Matt Partridge following his three-month injury absence, with Feeney thought to be considering resting Darren Jones and Andrew Hughes. Notts will once again be without the suspended Liam Noble after his red card last weekend. His third dismissal of the season, and his sixth in the past two campaigns, has seen the midfielder hit with a five-match ban and he will sit out the remaining two games of this season as well as the opening three matches of 2016-17. Elsewhere, strikers Jon Stead and Izale McLeod are serious doubts for the trip to Wales and Curtis Thompson's ankle injury will keep him out. Stead missed the defeat to Cambridge United after suffering concussion against Barnet and he will have to prove his fitness, while McLeod is also struggling, having had an upset stomach which also forced him to miss last weekend's game against ex-boss Shaun Derry's team. How will the Magpies fare against Newport? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Mark Cooper has admitted that he has not yet achieved the points tally needed to secure a permanent contract at Notts County, and is unsure whether he will meet it. The ex-Swindon manager, hired as a replacement for Jamie Fullarton, has accrued eight points from eight games, ensuring the Magpies will remain in League Two next season. "The points tally is still achievable, but if you were to look at the last three games and the defeats, it's looking a bit far-fetched," Cooper said. "But I will keep going because I want to give the chairman that problem of getting the target. "I think everyone can see what the problem is and if I was to stay I think we could have a really good year next season. "It's such a massive task for whoever is the manager because there is a lot of work to do. "We've got to get some good characters in the group, some good players and sort it out really. "I've tried to coach, I've tried to play in a way that can get results, but everybody knows what needs to happen. "Let's hope we can get two good results before the end of the season and then we can start preparing for next season." Should Cooper be given a permanent deal at Meadow Lane? Share your thoughts on the Pride of Nottingham forum.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has ordered Liam Noble "not to come back" to Meadow Lane for the time being after his red card against Cambridge United. The midfielder lashed out against Darnell Furlong in last weekend's fixture at County's ground, which finished 2-1 to the visitors. It was his third dismissal of the campaign and sixth in two seasons, earning him a five-game suspension and ruling him out for the rest of the season, plus the first three matches of 2016-17. Cooper said: "I thought it was disgraceful. As much as I like him as a player and as a lad, I can't condone that. "That's probably symptomatic of the problems that have gone on this season. "It's not the first time it's happened and there have been too many incidents. "I spoke to him after the game and I told him not to come back. I will ring him when I want to speak to him. "He is not training with us. I sent him back to Newcastle. He's now got some time off and I will deal with him when I want to." Noble's out of contract in the summer, with the likes of Portsmouth and several League One clubs reportedly interested in him. Is Cooper right to punish Noble? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Work has begun to install the statue of legendary Notts County managerial duo Jimmy Sirrel and Jack Wheeler outside Meadow Lane. The Jimmy & Jack Memorial Fund met its target at the start of 2016, reaching a grand total of £102,000 thanks to a series of fundraising events over the last few years. Construction workers began digging outside Meadow Lane on Tuesday, laying the groundworks for the statue and exposing the original cobblestones. The public unveiling of the Jimmy & Jack statue will be at noon on Thursday 5th May, with lunch in the 1862 Suite for a 1pm start. To find out more, contact Lisa Black, Jimmy Willan, Yvonne Jago or Andy Black on the Jimmy & Jack Statue Fund Facebook group for more info. Will you be going to the public unveiling of the Jimmy & Jack statue? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the discussion.

Notts County defender Haydn Hollis wants to use the last two games of the League Two season to restore some pride before they head into the summer break. The Magpies will travel to Newport County this weekend before ending the campaign with a home clash against Carlisle United, who are managed by former Notts boss Keith Curle. Defeat against Cambridge United last Saturday was their third loss in a week, following on from losses to Mansfield Town and Barnet, and with neither promotion nor relegation possible, there is very little to play for. "We want to restore a little bit of pride," said Hollis. "The gaffer said before Saturday's game that, with the profession we are in, there are great opportunities to rectify mistakes. "But they are not easy games against Newport and Carlisle – there aren't any easy games at this level. "Be it the top or the bottom, it's never straightforward and in Carlisle they've got Keith Curle, another ex-manager who is going to want to beat us." Will Notts get more points on board before the season is over? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County's winding-up petition has been adjourned for a further two weeks, despite the club reportedly insisting that their debt with HMRC is settled. The Magpies were back before the High Court today expecting the order to be dismissed - according to the Nottingham Post, they received assurances by HMRC on Friday that it would have been the case after 'making three fast payments and furnishing them with bank receipts.' HMRC do not comment on individual cases, but the Post claims that the club is now expecting the matter to be resolved before they are due back in London in a fortnight's time. The original case was brought before the High Court last month, but was adjourned because the club was in the process of being sold. Notts is still up for sale, as talks with several bidders are understood to be still ongoing. Share your thoughts about this latest development by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County defender Haydn Hollis has admitted the atmosphere in his side's dressing room was "horrible" after their 2-1 defeat at home to Cambridge United. The U's sealed what turned out to be a comfortable win as Shaun Derry secured a league double against the club which sacked him as manager in March last year. Hollis said: "The atmosphere in the dressing room is not good. The lads in there want to win, but we just can't do it. "The most frustrating aspect of it all is that Cambridge aren't 10 times better than us. "That should be us in their position, but it's not because for some reason we can't win games and we concede goals. "We've got two games left now and we just want to do our best and show a little bit of pride. "We've made mistakes but you have a chance to go and put it right a couple of days or a week later. "There's not an easy game in this league whether it be at the top or at the bottom. We've got Carlisle to come and Keith Curle, another former Notts manager, is going to want to come and beat us. "It's horrible at the moment." Do you believe things will improve at Notts in the close season? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Cambridge United manager Shaun Derry has claimed that his side deserved their 2-1 victory against Notts County after profiting from good fortune for the second time this season against the Magpies. The U's were up and running on four minutes when Luke Berry charged down Scott Loach's clearance and the ball flew in - a carbon copy of Ben Williamson's goal in November's corresponding fixture. And though Haydn Hollis pulled the home side level, Williamson hit the second-half winner, with Liam Noble getting sent off with 11 minutes remaining to help Cambridge see the game out and place them five points off the play-offs with two games to play. Derry said: "It was a deserved victory for us and we could have been out of sight in the first 25 minutes. "I thought we started exceptionally well until Mark (Cooper) made a change (midfielder Lartey Sarpong for striker Graham Burke), which was the right one for them. "It caused us a few problems, but we knew we had extra in the tank for the second half. "I thought it was going to be a scrappy encounter in the second half but I thought we were excellent at being scrappy. "The first goal was a carbon copy of the one we scored at the Abbey Stadium when the goalkeeper cleared it straight at our man and it's gone in. "They say lightning isn't supposed to strike twice, but it did for me. It was fantastic and a welcome goal for us. "It settled us down and I thought we played some really good stuff and caused Notts County a number of problems." Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts on Shaun Derry's comments by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County assistant manager Richard Dryden has praised his 'hardworking' players after recovering from a “ridiculous” start against Cambridge United to put up a fight in Saturday’s League Two defeat at Meadow Lane. The Magpies were a goal down just four minutes in when Luke Berry charged down Scott Loach's clearance and the ball went into the net – a carbon copy of Ben Williamson's goal in November's corresponding fixture. Though Haydn Hollis pulled the home side level, Williamson hit the second-half winner to give Shaun Derry’s side a 2-1 win and place them to within five points of the League Two play-offs with two games to play. Speaking after the game, Dryden said: "It's been a very long week. "I said after the Mansfield game that it was great to have a game on the Tuesday against Barnet to rectify the defeat in the derby. But Barnet wasn't a great performance or result. "I thought against Cambridge we started horrifically for the first eight to 10 minutes. "It was ridiculous how we started, but after that we ran around and had a go for each other. "Alan Smith epitomised what we are looking for. He was up front, battling away and causing them a lot of problems. "But you just can't work out how we are conceding so many poor goals. Whether it be set-plays or open play, if we are going to do anything then we have to be much better. "In my opinion, although we worked hard, we were just a little bit short on quality. But we were lacking in the final shot or final ball." Share your thoughts on Richard Dryden's post-match comments by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County have settled their debt with HMRC, according to reports. The club were due in London's High Court on Monday with £84,500 outstanding, but the Nottingham Post claims that owner Ray Trew has now settled the debt out of his own pocket. It is now expected to be dismissed on Monday when the case is brought before the judge with the HMRC expected to confirm payment. The case was originally heard last month but was adjourned because the club was in the process of being taken over, with Trew promising he would settle the debt himself if the sale of the club had not yet gone through. Notts County remains up for sale, with the likes of Paragon owner Alan Hardy, an Asian corporation and a UK-based hedge fund having expressed their interest in recent months. When will the club be sold, and to whom? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County's season continues to peter out into nothingness after Shaun Derry's Cambridge United came to Meadow Lane on Saturday and left with all three points in a 2-1 win. The hosts took the lead in the League Two clash after just four minutes when Luke Berry charged down a clearance from Scott Loach which flew into the far corner of the net. Harrison Dunk then struck the base of the post with a fierce shot moments after the restart, with Zeli Ismail following up and forcing a fine save from Loach as United dominated the early stages. Mark Cooper's side, however, weathered the storm and were back in the game just before half time, as Haydn Hollis leaped on to Liam Noble’s long set piece delivery in the 39th minute, which was sidefooted against Norris and into the net. It took the U's just ten second half minutes to restore their advantage when a scramble inside the Notts area from Max Clark’s corner ended with Williamson prodding home from three yards. From that moment on, the visitors continued to press on and saw not one but two more strikes into the net ruled out by the linesman. Any hope that Notts had of claiming something from the game went out of the window when Liam Noble lashed out at Darnell Furlong with his right boot to receive a straight red from the referee 11 minutes from time. Will Notts get any more points this season? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Cambridge United manager Shaun Derry has expressed his pride at having played at and managed Notts County, but insists that he will be focusing solely on managing the U's to victory at Meadow Lane. Derry, who helped the Magpies achieve the Great Escape in 2013-14, also admitted his father, a lifelong Notts fan, will put family first on Saturday by rooting on his son's side. Derry said: "I'll be walking back into Notts County's stadium full of pride that I'm the manager of Cambridge United. "I've enjoyed every single moment that I've been here and I'll be going there only concerned with what my team do. "I've got no concern whatsoever of Notts County or the job they've got over there. My single goal is what I can achieve for Cambridge United. "I'm always looking forward. You can't look back – not just in football, but in life. "I had some wonderful times at Notts County, with some highs and some lows, but that's the nature of the game. "My dad's been a Notts fan all of his life and I think it will be the first time he'll be sitting in the away end. "He'll be fully behind me, as his son, and then wishing Notts County well after the weekend. "He's been a great support mechanism for me throughout my career and will continue to be so. I know he's looking forward to the weekend, as are all my family. "They'll probably be seeing it from a different angle to what I will. I'll be seeing it as my job and they'll be seeing it as a bigger event than what I'm seeing it." Do you think Derry will claim victory over his old side? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County and Cambridge United have met just 24 times in their history, with the first meeting coming on Boxing Day 1970. The result? A resounding 4-1 win to the Magpies at Meadow Lane. Notts hold the advantage in the head to head, with 11 wins, 7 draws and just 6 defeats against the U’s. The last game, however, was a 3-1 win for Cambridge earlier in the season. The club was founded in 1912 as Abbey United before taking the name Cambridge United in 1951. It first competed in the Football League in 1970 and stayed there until relegation in 2005, nine seasons in the Conference following until climbing back out of non-league. Cambridge have had two spells in the league's second tier, and reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup twice and Football League Cup once during the early 1990s, the club's most successful era to date. United's highest ever finishing place in the Football League is fifth in the Second Division during the 1991–92 season, competing in a season-ending four team playoff for the final promotion slot to the Premier League's inaugural season. The club is based at the Abbey Stadium on Newmarket Road, just under 2 miles east of Cambridge city centre. The stadium has a capacity of 8,127, made up of terracing and seated areas. During their days in Division Two, with John Beck at the helm in the 1980's, the club earned a reputation for bizarre training methods and "dirty tricks" to make their opponents feel ill at ease. These included freezing cold showers for his own players, dirty changing rooms and deflated kick-about balls for the opposition and long grass in the corners of the pitch to slow the long balls into those areas, allowing the U’s forwards to reach them. Beck carried on his dirty tricks even after leaving to take charge of Preston North End – taking nine of the Cambridge United players with him. He was not the only famous manager at the club, with Ron Atkinson taking the club from the Fourth to the Second Division and Ex-England and Derby County centre-half Roy McFarland also sitting in the hot seat. Before their entry into the League, a local animal sanctuary had an escapee and it was found grazing on the pitch at the Abbey Stadium. This lead to the moose connection with the club, and in the club shop you can buy a range of moose souvenirs to show your allegiance to the U’s. Famous alumni include Dion Dublin and Luke Chadwick, while famous fans include football commentator Gary Newbon and Tom Findlay of Groove Armada. And connecting the two clubs – none other than former Notts manager Shaun Derry, now a the helm of the U’s. --- Notts County manager Mark Cooper laid into his first-team players on Tuesday night following their meek 3-1 defeat at Barnet, a result which followed a 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield Town, and said he could potentially bring youth team players into the squad to see the season out. Montel Gibson was recently handed his debut by Cooper and has featured in the last three matches so he could be in line for his full debut against the U's, while fellow teenagers Lartey Sarpong and Luther Wildin might also get a chance to impress. Cambridge are expected to name an unchanged squad following Tuesday's 7-0 thrashing of Morecambe. They are aiming to sneak into the play-off places and were boosted by the return, to the bench, of midfielder Ryan Donaldson against the Prawns. Ryan Haynes and Leon Legge are short-term absences, while forward Barry Corr, defender Greg Taylor and midfielder Conor Newton are all out for the rest of the campaign. Share your thoughts on the game by signing up to the Pride of Nottingham website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has claimed he is already looking at players to sign next season in case he is given the job on a permanent basis at Meadow Lane. According to reports, the former Swindon boss is yet to trigger the points tally which will guarantee him a permanent deal at the club. Nevertheless he is not letting the uncertainty over his future stop his planning and says there are a number of players he is aware of. Cooper said: "You get a detailed list of players in the position you need and I would label them A, B and C. "If we can afford the top target and he wants to come, then great, if not then we move on. That's how it should be. "In the summer there are going to be an awful lot of good players out of work. "There are players out of contract that I know we could go and get straight away, but we need to know what's going to happen with the club first. Nothing is going to happen until that is resolved." What players would you like to see wear the black and white shirt? Share your thoughts by signing up to Pride of Nottingham, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has pledged to put together a group of players that will put up a good fight in the remaining League Two games of the season. The Magpies secured safety last week following a 1-0 win over Hartlepool, but since then they have fallen to a 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield and a disappointing 3-1 defeat at Barnet. County's players received criticism from Bees boss Martin Allen, who said they had let a lot of people down. Cooper added: "Martin has the right to his opinion and if you had watched the second half you would probably have to agree with him. "In the pre-match meeting on Tuesday I also showed them comments made by Mansfield and their manager. "You shouldn't want to read that as a player. It should really hurt. That's two managers now and they can't all be wrong. "What we have to do now is put a group together that's going to fight and scrap and play some decent football. "I want to trust players and pat them on the back and say 'hey, well done out there'. "But they have to give me 95 minutes of effort and desire. You have to earn the right to play. "We will see in the performance on Saturday whether they can drag themselves up and be up for the fight. "We have some players who will fight, but possibly not enough. "I know Martin Allen was desperate to beat Notts in midweek and I am sure Shaun will be too. "It will be the same with Keith Curle, who comes here with Carlisle on the last day of the season. "What we have to do is stand up to the challenge and try to put a team out there that wants to fight. "Shaun's team epitomises him as a player – a good footballer but a fighter. "We have to match it otherwise you have no chance. "They are going for the play-offs, Shaun has stabilised them and if they miss out this year, they will certainly be a danger next year." How will Notts get on against Cambridge United? Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Barnet manager Martin Allen has joined Notts County boss Mark Cooper in criticising the Magpies players following their 3-1 loss at The Hive. Cooper's side led 1-0 at half time through Jon Stead's penalty, but the Bees struck three unanswered goals in the second half to clinch all three points. "You could probably say there was six or seven from our strongest team not playing and we managed to come out with a 3-1 victory," said Allen, who was in charge at Meadow Lane from 2011 to 2012. "I would say it was a very comfortable victory. "In the second half (the Notts players) offered nothing. They turned their back on their club. I think they let all their supporters, their manager and everyone down from the way they played. "Obviously I've got an interest in that club because I worked there and I've got very fond memories of my time there. "But that performance… whoever's picked those players or bought those players or got those players in, needs to take a long, good, hard look at themselves, I think." Is Mad Dog right? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the discussion.

Notts County manager Mark Cooper has criticised his players following their 3-1 defeat at Barnet and 5-0 thrashing at Mansfield Town, saying they "caved in" and that he is considering starting youth team players in their place. The Magpies led 1-0 at The Hive on Tuesday night but conceded thrice in the second half, just a few days after slumping to their biggest ever defeat in the Notts-Mansfield derby. Cooper said: "I was really frustrated that we were really comfortable for half a game but the slightest bit of pressure from Barnet and we went under. "No matter what players play, and they've all had an opportunity more or less, it may get to the stage now where I just throw the kids in. "You know they are going to run about, they will have no fear, and they will be desperate to play. "Maybe we throw all the kids in and they will be proud to play for Notts County. That might be the way forward. "Why not? I don't think we can get relegated and we need to salvage a bit of pride. "The same players keep letting us down. I don't really like criticising players but sometimes you have to be truthful and say, 'hang on, this isn't acceptable'. "We've had supporters come all the way from Nottingham and the tiniest bit of pressure and we cave in. "If I get the job, the first thing I will look for is strong characters that can play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday, can mix it, can play and ultimately can fight." Cooper is in charge until the end of the season and has been set a points target to earn an extended contract. He added: "I said to them 'you have got two managers the sack already and you are not getting me out." Is Cooper right? Let Pride of Nottingham know by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.