Joe Jones

Kevin Nolan has praised midfielder Matty Virtue for his performance against Coventry City. The on-loan Liverpool youngster was deployed on the right wing, despite the fact he usually plays in the centre of the park, in the 2-1 win over the Sky Blues. Virtue, who had received criticism prior to Saturday's League Two game, produced an impressive performance and was rightly lauded by the fanbase. “I thought Matty Virtue was very unfortunate because in every game he plays he usually gets a chance,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post.. “He didn’t get one on Saturday, but I was delighted for him because I thought he played very well. “He’s got a bit of Jorge about him in that he will get good opportunities. And I must say Jorgie looked back to his old self in that he did lots of hard work off the ball. But Matty was fantastic all game and so was Jorge.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has described Richard Duffy as his "most outstanding" player of the season and claims that "people giving him stick don’t know too much about football". The defender has flattered to deceive on many occasions this season but put in a good performance as the Magpies ran out 2-1 winners over League Two promotion rivals Coventry City at Meadow Lane. In recent weeks, some fans have been calling for Duffy to be dropped in favour of a central defensive partnership consisting of Shaun Brisley and Ben Hall. Nolan, however, says the former Wales international has had an amazing season in the heart of the back-four. “Duffer has probably been the most outstanding performer all season long,” he told the Nottingham Post. “He goes under the radar and some people give him stick. “I think it’s because the way he looks more than anything because he doesn’t look like a typical League Two centre-back who is 6ft 4in and heads everything. “I’ve been in the game a long, long, time now and I don’t understand a lot of the stick that players get. “People giving him stick don’t know too much about football. That’s my view on it because if you’re a footballer then you know what he brings to your team and what he does. “His reading of the game is first class and he’s been brilliant since I came in. His character and the way he leads people is a credit to him. “It’s a fantastic attribute he has got and that’s why he’s been ever present for me all season. "He has been one of the best players and he and Bris have had a fantastic partnership. “Then Ben Hall comes in and he has put them under real pressure to perform because he’s waiting in the wings.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Leyton Orient midfielder Charley Barker will reportedly play in a friendly match for Notts County on Tuesday, according to Gloucestershire Live. The 19-year-old recently spent time on trial at Cheltenham Town, making three appearances for their reserve team. According to the local outlet, Barker is unlikely to feature in the Robins' Central League fixture at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday, with County keen to have a look at him. Barker is on the books of the National League side as a third year scholar, but is believed to be attracting interest from several Football League clubs. Orient boss Justin Edinburgh is quoted by Gloucestershire Live as saying: “Charley has been made aware he will not be getting a pro deal at Leyton Orient. "So what we are trying to do is give him and others an opportunity to get ahead of the game and try to secure themselves a contract elsewhere." Magpies boss Kevin Nolan spent time in charge of Orient in 2016 and his assistant Richard Thomas was Barker's youth team coach at the East London club. Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has confirmed that his touchline dismissal against Wycombe Wanderers was punished by a fine. The Magpies boss was sent to the stands during Good Friday's goalless draw with the Chairboys when he protested a decision not to award Shola Ameobi a first half penalty. There was a fear Nolan would receive a touchline ban for the dismissal - which he said he would appeal - but he told the Nottingham Post on Monday that the punishment was financial. “I thought the ref and the fourth official for the Coventry game were great,” Nolan said. “The fourth official managed the game, he wasn’t a mute, he spoke and even when I didn't agree at least we could have a chat. “That’s all you want when, against Wycombe, we didn’t get that and now I am being fined for something when I don’t believe I should be. “I’ve heard back and got a letter through and it’s just a fine which is disappointing. “It does not even state a lot of things in the letter because there are a lot of things he can’t remember. “That just sums it up for me. I am a bit disappointed. But I might catch the chairman on the good day and ask him for a loan!” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has admitted that he doesn't "mind being proven wrong" as Jonathan Forte scored a brace to help Notts County run out 2-1 winners over Coventry City. The 31-year-old has struggled for minutes this term, but took his opportunity wonderfully on Saturday by grabbing two goals either side of a Sky Blues equalised. "Jonathan is a quiet lad and gets on with his business," Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "He has been left out of squads and has something to prove, whether it is to me or anyone else. "He has proven he can score goals at this level and I don't mind being proven wrong. "I could have played Lewis Alessandra but I went with Jonathan because I thought he did well at Accrington last week. "I was delighted for him because he took his two goals fantastically well and he ran himself in to the ground." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County returned to winning ways as Jonathan Forte's brace sealed a 2-1 victory over League Two promotion rivals Coventry City at Meadow Lane. Pride of Nottingham-sponsored Forte broke the deadlock when he glanced in Jorge Grant's corner in the 60th minute. Coventry equalised in the 85th minute as substitute Jordan Ponticelli deceived goalkeeper Adam Collin with a deft flick into the back of the net. However, the Magpies responded immediately when Forte got a touch on Shola Ameobi's low cross to secure a vital three points. Notts had not won in their last four games but victory leaves them four points off the automatic promotion spots and five ahead of their opponents, who hold the final playoff place. How did the Notts contingent react to the win? Pride of Nottingham takes a closer look. Kevin Nolan "The lads were terrific and got their just desserts in the end. "The way we handled them equalising by going up the other end and producing a bit of quality for the winner was fantastic. "I have spoken about the character of the team all season and they have shown it in abundance today. "I'm absolutely delighted because I think we deserved the win. We were back to our old selves and it was really pleasing on the eye today. "Our main focus is now on Colchester and replicating the performance and the result from this afternoon." Jonathan Forte "It's been a while but I'm happy to score some goals and get the win for the team. "From the start of the season I have wanted to play but it's the manager's decision. You want to prove the manager that you are worthy of being in the starting line-up and hopefully I have done that. "I think the second goal came off my heel from Shola's cutback. It was either that or miss it so I tried to wrap my foot around it to flick it in! "Coventry are a very physical team and are good at what they do but I think we matched them. They put quite a bit of pressure on us towards the end but we held out." Matt Tootle Jorge Grant The Black & White Army Chris: Fantastic win today and, I'm pleased for Forte who has proven that he can do well. I get the feeling Kevin Nolan doesn't like quiet people, though I still suspect that his training ground work will be criticized eventually by KN. Did I expect to win Coventry City? No I didn't, yet we deserved it and I praise the way the players responded. It's a good win which gives us a strong fight to secure a playoff place! Well done Notts. COYP! Fan of Big Tone: A great win, especially the way they scored shortly after the Coventry fans were going barmy celebrating their equaliser. They are showing the team spirit and dogged determined mentality that they had earlier in the season, I’m glad we’ve got our Notts back. This will give them confidence for the run in. Great to see Forte scoring two goals and giving KN a headache for the next match. I agree with @chris I think KN hasn’t been picking him because he is quiet but I notice KN said in the interview afterwards that he was happy to be proved wrong. Special mention also for Virtue who had his best game for Notts. Sabretooth: Deserved the win... Coventry fans singing 'who are ya, who are ya, who are.......' brilliant timing Mr Forte... Steve Campbell: Scrappy game, dug in well for the win. Good to see heads didn’t drop when they equalised at a crucial time. Well played Notts! LadyLozClough: TOLD YOU HE SHOULD BE PLAYING! Probably off at the end of the Season and lots to prove to others. Think he’ll have the same work rate TIL then: so play him every game! Nick Norman: I feel forte hasn't been treated fair. He's better than john dead. I've always been a fan of forte and well happy he took his chances today Mark Connors: Great win Notts,how come there are only a handful of comments but when we lose there are tens of comments Peter Hastings: Y forte asnt been involved in team much is stupid all season he's hardly played Dave Woolley: Any odds on Kevin reverting back to Ameobi & Stead for the last few games? Peter Walker: Jonathan Forte is a proven goal scorer for us why does he not get more games Dave Woolley: Absolutely fantastic. I am so pleased for the boy Forte.... well done Thomas George Polkey: FORTE there's only one Jonathan FORTE Jay Dalton: super super notts electric performance second half sheer brilliance play forte now on until end of season coyp Rosemary Sanders: Well done you pies now keep the momentum going more wins please !! Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County returned to winning ways as Jonathan Forte's brace sealed a 2-1 victory over League Two promotion rivals Coventry City at Meadow Lane. Pride of Nottingham-sponsored Forte broke the deadlock when he glanced in Jorge Grant's corner in the 60th minute. Coventry equalised in the 85th minute as substitute Jordan Ponticelli deceived goalkeeper Adam Collin with a deft flick into the back of the net. However, the Magpies responded immediately when Forte got a touch on Shola Ameobi's low cross to secure a vital three points. Notts had not won in their last four games but victory leaves them four points off the automatic promotion spots and five ahead of their opponents, who hold the final playoff place. Relive the key moments from this game with the official match highlights, which we have shared here on PON for you. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan was impressed with Notts County's character and resolve as they got back to winning ways with a 2-1 win over Coventry City on Saturday. Pride of Nottingham-sponsored Jonathan Forte was the hero of the day at Meadow Lane with a crucial brace ensuring that Jordan Ponticelli's equalising flick would prove little more than a consolation. The result saw Notts end a run of four games without a win and reignited their promotion hopes, with a top-seven finish still very much on the menu. “I thought the lads were terrific and they got their rewards in the end,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “I think the reaction shows just how big it is to get a result here for other teams given the way Coventry celebrated the equaliser. “But I thought the way we handled it, and that bit of quality and the goal we scored was fantastic. “We deserved it and we looked back to our old selves. We were really pleasing on the eye and it was a good reaction from the players. “I have spoken all season about the character this squad has and they’ve been questioned over the last few weeks and rightly so in some cases. “But we should never question what this squad have done for this club. They are standing up to the test and I am delighted for them. “We will go back to work Monday and look forward to another tough test at Colchester.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County have claimed their first win in six League Two games as fellow playoff chasers Coventry City were beaten 2-1 in Saturday's game at Meadow Lane. The match began slowly, with little of note happening in the opening 20 minutes, before Notts would muster the first chance of the game as Jorge Grant rifled wide from 12 yards out. Coventry countered with Rod McDonald blasting over, while Tom Bayliss saw an effort deflected wide and McDonald then sent another shot off target. Marc McNulty and Max Biamou also had sniffs of goal, while at the other end, Jonathan Forte - proudly sponsored by Pride of Nottingham - failed to test Coventry keeper Lee Burge with a run towards goal and subsequent tame effort. The restart saw Forte test the opposition stopper once again with a powerfully struck effort, while a flashpoint occurred not long after when a coming together between Liam Noble and Coventry's Michael Doyle prompted handbags from both sets of players. Notts went on to take the lead on the hour as Grant's corner was met by Forte on the leap and headed into the far corner of the Sky Blues net. Grant thundered a half-volley against the post moments after the restart byt Coventry managed to restore parity with five minutes on the clock when Jordan Ponticelli backheeled the ball past Adam Collin. However, the final say would belong to Kevin Nolan and co as Forte converted Shola Ameobi's low cross to secure all three points for the hosts, whose promotion hopes were given a huge boost. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Head to head Notts County and Coventry have met just 39 times in the last 98 years. The first encounter took place on the 6th November 1920, the match at Meadow Lane ending in a 1-1 draw. The last one, meanwhile, was at the start of the 2017-18 season, and it proved a rude awakening for the Magpies as they fell to a 3-0 loss at the Ricoh Arena. There have plenty of high-scoring games between the two, with several 5-1s, 3-0s and 4-2s over the years. Notts County have the upper hand in the head-to-heads – 19 victories over the Sky Blues, 12 defeats and 8 draws. The Magpies are unbeaten in their last seven home league matches against Coventry. Coventry's last away league win at Meadow Lane was in August 1963, when they won 3-0. Stats Notts County are winless in their last four League Two matches (D2 L2), failing to score in each of their previous two games - they last went longer without a league goal back in November 2016 (a run of four). Coventry lost 6-2 to Yeovil last time out; prior to this game the Sky Blues hadn't conceded more than two goals in a League Two game this season, whilst the six goals conceded were more than they had let in in their previous seven league matches, Maxime Biamou has scored each of Coventry's last three League Two goals, including a brace last time out in their 2-6 defeat against Yeovil Town. History The club was founded in 1883 from employees of the cycle (and later car) manufacturer Singer Motors and changed its name from Singers FC to Coventry City FC in 1898. In 1891-92, the club turned professional and won three separate cups that season (The Birmingham Cup, The Wednesbury Cup and The Walsall Cup). Local businessman David Cooke (later to become chairman) produced a 'Three Cups Tobacco' to celebrate the event. In 1898, as well as renaming the club, there was a move to a site of Highfield Road in the Hillfields district of the city, the stadium they called home for the next 106 years. The club became a registered Limited Company in 1907 recording a capital of £2,000 in 5-shilling shares. Coventry City were originally known as 'the Bantams' (a nickname shared with Bradford City) before adopting their sky blue identity in the early 1960s. Coventry were first called the Bantams in December 1908 after the local newspaper noted that they were one of the few clubs who did not have a nickname. Being the lightweights of the Southern League, the Bantams was suggested and stuck with the press and supporters. They remained as the 'Bantams' until the summer of 1962 when Jimmy Hill re-christened them the 'Sky Blues' and the club switched to an all sky blue kit. In 2001, Coventry were relegated from the Premier League after 34 years in the first tier. At the time, only Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal could boast longer tenures in the top flight. A year later, they were relegated to the third tier in English Football for the first time in 48 years, and now, they have slipped down into the bottom tier, compounding a Portsmouth-like fall from grace. Coventry’s current stadium, the 32,609-capacity Ricoh Arena, was opened in August 2005. Following a rent dispute with the ground's owners the club opted to play their home games at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium starting in the 2013–14 season, a move which didn’t prove popular with Sky Blues fans. On 21 August 2014, it was announced that an agreement had been reached allowing the club to return to the Ricoh Arena for the next two years with the option of another two years. It has been reported that there will be a relocation to another site within the city, as the tenancy with the Ricoh Arena expires in August 2018. The last update on this has seen mediation talks take place between the Sky Blues, rugby club Wasps and Coventry City Council, but as of yet there has been no resolution. The club’s proudest moment was undoubtedly the 1987 FA Cup final at Wembley, which was won by the Sky Blues thanks to an enthralling 3-2 win after two hours of football. Following Tottenham Hotspur player Gary Mabbutt’s own goal in extra time, which set Coventry on the way to their win, a fanzine was created called GMK – Gary Mabbutt’s Knee. Team News Notts County manager Kevin Nolan is expected to make changes against Coventry. Seven changes were made at Accrington Stanley on Monday given the quick turnaround in Easter games, as he Carl Dickinson, Matty Virtue, Liam Walker, Noor Husin, Rob Milsom, Ben Hall and Jonathan Forte, who started as a lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Rhe likes of Shaun Brisley, Dan Jones, Elliott Hewitt, Terry Hawkridge, Liam Noble, Shola Ameobi and Jon Stead will all be vying for recalls, and Jorge Grant is also a starting option after starting the last two matches on bench. Coventry have problems in goal as they prepare for the trip to Meadow Lane. Goalkeepers Lee Burge and Liam O'Brien, who each conceded three goals on Monday as the Sky Blues were beaten 6-2 at home by Yeovil, are both nursing injuries and will be assessed. Corey Addai, who has been on loan at non-league Dulwich Hamlet, is on stand-by to play. Midfielder Carl Baker is also being monitored as he seeks to shake off an illness, while Maxime Biamou staked his claim for a starting place with both of Coventry's goals against Yeovil following his introduction from the bench. Share your thoughts about this preview on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County captain Michael O’Connor has expressed his delight at closing the chapter on the hardest year of his career in returning from a long-term injury. The midfielder had been out for almost a year after damaging his ligaments and meniscus in the Magpies' 3-1 loss to Portsmouth last April. Following surgery and months of rehabilitation, O'Connor made his long-awaited comeback in Easter Monday’s clash at Accrington, where he played the last 13 minutes of the 1-0 defeat. The 31-year-old says the recovery period has been tough, but is hoping he can now play a part in the last few games of the season. “The longest period of time I have been out for before I got this injury was 13 weeks after having a groin operation when I was at Port Vale,” O’Connor told the Nottingham Post. “It’s been hard, probably the hardest year of my career having to sit on the sidelines and watch the boys do so well. “It’s obviously brilliant that they have had that success but I want to be a part of it. There are still seven games left so hopefully I can play some part. “I’ve been getting closer to fitness for the last few weeks and I’ve played in three reserve games too so I’m available and raring to go.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Lewis Alessandra has claimed that nobody within the Notts County camp has given up on the prospect of automatic promotion from League Two. The Magpies sit seven points adrift of the top three with five games remaining in the season and have been in bad form over the last few weeks, meaning many fans have all but settled for the playoffs at best. However, Alessandra is adamant that, with 15 points left to play for and the tightness and inconsistency among even the top teams of the division, anything can happen. "We have five big games left and we're raring to go. If we win a couple hopefully the picture will change in our favour," he told the official Notts website. "This league is mad, everyone can beat everyone. Three of our last five games are at home, where we are strong, so not one of us thinks it's over. "We were disappointed not to win at home over Easter and we knew it was going to be difficult at Accrington but it was still disappointing to lose on the day because we had some good chances. "Coventry will come here looking for a reaction after losing at home on Monday but this is our home and we are strong here." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan says he has not heard back yet from the FA or EFL about whether he will face a touchline ban for being sent to the stands against Wycombe Wanderers. The Magpies boss was dismissed by referee Ben Toner during the goalless draw on Good Friday at Meadow Lane after protesting a decision not to award Shola Ameobi a penalty in the first half. If one does come his way, however, Nolan says he will dispute it and is confident of having it overturned. “I haven’t heard from them as yet,” he told the Nottingham Post. “But I don’t expect to be. If I do I will be appealing it because I think I have good grounds for it to be turned over once they hear my side. “I know I was in the right and the decisions I was asking for, the referee got wrong. There was no clarity from the fourth official, which is what he is supposed to be there for. “If you had watched me on Monday (against Accrington), there was no reaction to anything because the fourth official managed the bench as well as being in constant contact with the referee throughout. “I thought they were magnificent and I told them that after the game.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has warned that Coventry City will be desperate to bounce back from their 6-2 home loss to Yeovil Town when they come to Meadow Lane on Saturday. The Magpies, who sit fifth in the League Two table, will be taking on a side just two places and two points behind them. In addition, the Sky Blues - who beat Notts 3-0 in the season opener at the Ricoh Arena - boast the best defensive record in the division with 38 goals conceded in 40 matches. "You have to expect a reaction from them after the result they had on Monday," Nolan told the official Notts site. "Mark Robins is a good manager and a lovely fella. He and his players will make sure they get a response because they will be hurting. "But I want a reaction from my players after losing at Accrington on Monday and not winning our last home game. "Coventry have been fantastic away from home and still have one of the best defensive records in the league so I expect it to be a tight game. "We are going to need people to be confident, consistent and patient because our opportunities may not come until the last 10 minutes." Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

What's been happening in League Two over the last week? Here is Pride of Nottingham's round-up of the biggest League Two news from the last seven days. - Unseasonal weather played havoc with Easter Monday's fixture list with several football matches, including the League Two games of Chesterfield against Newport County and Morecambe against Cambridge United. - Luton Town midfielder Luke Berry was carried off on a stretcher two minutes into Friday's 2-1 loss away to Colchester United, the Hatters later confirming that the player dislocated his left ankle and fractured his fibula. - The EFL has asked Accrington Stanley owner Andy Holt to explain a bonus scheme where he buys the players burgers if they win as the arrangement is not written into the players' contracts, as per the EFL regulations. - Accrington goalkeeper Aaron Chapman went to hospital as a precaution after being involved in a car crash before Monday's win over Notts County. - Accrington striker Billy Kee, Cheltenham forward Mohamed Eisa and Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa will contest the League Two Player of the Season award. - The League Two Team of the Season was also named, featuring the following players: Lee Burge (Coventry), Dan Potts (Luton), Alan Sheehan (Luton), Jordan Willis (Coventry), Jack Stacey (Luton), Michael Bostwick (Lincoln), Sean McConville (Accrington), Luke Berry (Luton), Adebayo Akinfenwa (Wycombe), Danny Hylton (Luton), and Billy Kee (Accrington). - In addition, Accrington boss John Coleman was named League Two Manager of the Year. - The FA released its list of how much money clubs paid in agent fees over the last 12 months - Coventry City were top of League Two (£113,620), Mansfield Town second (£85,940), Chesterfield third (£80,477) and then Notts County on £76,426. Share your thoughts about this news roundup on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Jorge Grant has been named in FourFourTwo magazine's top 50 EFL players of the season. The 23-year-old, on loan at Notts County from Nottingham Forest, has scored 18 goals and claimed eight assists in 50 games in all competition this term. Although Grant's form has tailed off since the turn of the year, with just two goals in 2018, his blistering form in the first half of the campaign has nonetheless seen him claim a place in FFT's rankings. "This Forest youngster is loving life on loan from across the Trent, netting 16 goals from a wide-left position in the opening half of the season," the outlet wrote. “With fine close control, he temps full-backs into making some naive challenges and also boasts a nice stash of reverse passes. However, Grant's supreme match-winning attribute is his knack of sneaking in at the back stick to tuck away those loose balls." Here is the list in full: 50) Danny Rose - Mansfield 49) Charlie Wyke - Bradford 48) Jarrod Bowen - Hull 47) Liam Moore - Reading 46) Matt Taylor - Swindon 45) James Collins - Luton 44) Luke Freeman - QPR 43) Tom Broadbent - Bristol Rovers 42) Brett Pitman - Portsmouth 41) Gary Hooper - Sheffield Wednesday 40) Jorge Grant - Notts County 39) Ben Pearson - Preston 38) Mo Eisa - Cheltenham 37) Bartosz Bialkowski - Ipswich 36) Junior Hoilett - Cardiff 35) Danny Hylton - Luton 34) George Saville - Millwall 33) Ezri Konsa - Charlton 32) Jon Nolan - Shrewsbury 31) Erhun Otzumer - Walsall 30) Billy Sharp - Sheffield United 29) Adama Traore - Middlesbrough 28) Kieran Dowell - Nottingham Forest 27) Graham Carey - Plymouth 26) Josh Morris - Scunthorpe 25) Bayo Akinfenwa - Wycombe 24) Sam Johnstone - Villa 23) Joe Bryan - Bristol City 22) Billy Kee - Accrington 21) Charlie Mulgrew - Blackburn 20) Samuel Saiz - Leeds 19) Jack Marriott - Peterborough 18) Bradley Dack - Blackburn 17) Ollie Watkins - Brentford 16) Richard Keogh - Derby 15) Barry Douglas - Wolves 14) Nick Powell - Wigan 13) John Terry - Villa 12) Bobby Reid - Bristol City 11) Jack Grealish - Villa 10) Robert Snodgrass - Villa 9) Ivan Cavaleiro - Wolves 8) Sean Morrison - Cardiff 7) Aden Flint - Bristol City 6) James Maddison - Norwich 5) Tom Cairney - Fulham 4) Matej Vydra - Derby 3) Ruben Neves - Wolves 2) Diogo Jota - Wolves 1) Ryan Sessegnon - Fulham Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has expressed his delight in being able to welcome Michael O’Connor back to action. The midfielder played the last 13 minutes of Easter Monday’s 1-0 defeat to Accrington Stanley when he came off the bench to replace Noor Husin. O’Connor was playing a first-team Notts game for the first time since last April when he suffered a serious knee injury in a 3-1 defeat to Portsmouth. “I think I’ve spoken a few times about Occy and how amazing he has been with the staff,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “Credit to Tom Hallas the physio and his team who have worked tirelessly with Michael. “With the way Occy has gone about his rehab it is an absolute testament to the lad and our medical staff that he was able to have 15 minutes. “I am delighted for him and it has given me another selection headache. But it’s a massive bonus to have your captain back. “I was happy with him and you can see he brings that character and he got involved in a little few bits and bobs. “But it’s going to take him time and that’s why we wanted him to play those minutes because it’s another tick in the box. “Hopefully going into the next three or four weeks we will see a lot more of him. He will feature a lot more and regularly.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

I know I'm not the only Notts County fan who feels deflated following the last couple of months at Meadow Lane, seeing a side that, following full time in the New Year's Day win over Port Vale, was second in League Two - four points behind then leaders Luton Town and seven clear of fourth - now in fifth, seven adrift of the top three and just four above eighth. We've seen Notts put in superb performances this season and also grind out results, and it was superb to see - and obviously expectations rose as the prospect of automatic promotion, or perhaps the title, was a real possibility, and so having such hopes dashed is painful. However, this is where perspective and hindsight come into play. The bulk of the team this season is the same as that of last season - in 2016-17 Notts were punching below their weight for the first half, before Alan Hardy and Kevin Nolan arrived and lifted each of the players to punch above their weight, and indeed safety was ensured before the final day. This time round, the players got off to a flying start in the league (aside from the Coventry opener) and soon enough we were topping the table, and as the weeks went on, the Magpies continued to impress - still very much punching above their weight. But an EFL campaign is very much a marathon, and as it turned out, Notts might have led the pack early on, but the rigours of the 46-game season, plus all the other cup competitions, will take their toll on the players physically and mentally. From a transfer perspective, January didn't go to plan - losing Ryan Yates was a huge blow and I don't feel we've fully recovered from it; Mason Bennett was good but injury prone and unfortunately he got sidelined in his first full game; Matty Virtue has been sub-par, while Liam Noble and Noor Husin have been decent but not superb - and certainly not . I think only Ben Hall has been a legitimately great signing. Alongside losing Yates, the Bennett loan was also a massive blow, given how Shola Ameobi and Jon Stead could now not get their rest, and indeed they have completely run out of steam. But calling for Kevin Nolan to be sacked, as some people have been doing, is very much a joke, except for the fact they seem to be serious. Yes, Notts have all but fluffed automatic promotion; yes, Notts are in poor form and face a battle just to stay in the playoffs; yes, I'm not especially confident that they could succeed if they do finish in the playoffs. But would I have taken worrying in the top seven of the table rather than the bottom two? Absolutely. Do I think Nolan and Hardy will be wiser come the end of the season, whether we get promoted or not? Yes. And do I think both of them, plus the better players in the squad, would remain at ML and a summer of good recruitment could see Notts build on and have a team that could genuinely fight for promotion next season? Yes, I do. Pep Guardiola didn't meet expectations last season at Manchester City, finishing without a trophy. Sir Alex Ferguson wasn't much cop in his first few seasons at Manchester United. But they were afforded time, in spite of some braying fans calling for them to be sacked, and they went on to greatness. Nolan is a young manager and has a lot to learn - same as Hardy in terms of owning a football club. And it's not like we're fighting for our EFL life, like we were last season - worst comes to worst, we spend next season in League Two, we can add a few more pieces to the jigsaw, and we go again. All I know is, anyone calling for Nolan to be sacked is outright deluded - remember what happened with Keith Curle a few seasons ago? Gunning for promotion into the Championship, yet even that didn't seem good enough for some, and now what most of us wouldn't give to be there now. So be careful what you wish for, because as disappointing as things may seem now, they could be much, much worse. Share your thoughts about this feature article on Football Manics by signing up for FREE to the website, visiting the forum and joining the chat with fellow football fans.

Kevin Nolan has claimed that Notts County would be “in a much better place” had Mason Bennett’s loan move from Derby County not been thwarted by injury. The striker joined the Magpies on the last day of the January transfer window but was forced to return to Pride Park after rupturing his hamstring on his first start for the club against Barnet. “You only have to look at the impact Mason had when he came on against Crewe, got his goal and hit the bar,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “He gave us something different to what we didn’t have. He is such a quality player and for his injury to happen in his first full start for us was a devastating blow. “If we had him, we would have been in a lot better place because of the quality I would have had at my disposal. “He gave us that lightning pace, and he was clever with it. He could carry the ball too and he was our main target in January. “We had to wait until the final hour to sign him, then a week later he is going back to Derby. “It was incredibly frustrating but that’s gone now. But I still feel we have a good enough squad to achieve what we want. What we’ve got to do is prove it.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County are now seven points adrift of League Two's automatic promotion places as they were beaten 1-0 at Accrington Stanley on Easter Monday. Mark Hughes's early goal was enough to settle the game between the sides at the Wham Stadium as the Magpies slipped to fifth in the table. Notts wasted three gilt-edged opportunities to equalise with Jonathan Forte hitting the bar, while Matty Virtue and substitute Jorge Grant both shot wide when unmarked. With Stanley winning, and Luton Town and Wycombe Wanderers also recording victories, Kevin Nolan's side face a mountain to get back into the top three, and surely the target must now be remaining in the playoffs. How did the Notts contingent and fans react to the loss? Here is a round-up of some of the post-match reaction. Kevin Nolan "We didn't put them under enough pressure. We had very good possession but we didn't put it in the right areas. "We had two glorious opportunities and didn't put either in the back of the net. When you do that, it changes the game. "I thought we more than matched them in a few areas and Adam Collin made some good saves, which is the difference. "Our goalkeeper has had to make saves whereas we have had opportunities to get shots in and we haven't made the goalkeeper work, which is the most disappointing part of it." The Black & White Army Mark Connors: Shut up moaning KN is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t - if he had named an unchanged side the moaners would have slated him - at the end of the day we are a middle table side who KN has motivated to do better,we have run out of steam and need the fans to try to get us in the playoffs by getting behind the lads not keep moaning and criticising Kevin Hopcroft: Hang on we are away at top of the league. This is a team that is beating everyone. I would have taken a draw. Admitted we need a quick striker. But lets remember where we have been the last few seasons. This is progress just need to buy in a few positions. I can not stand the haters coming out when we lose. The re build was mid table this season and push for promotion next season. We have been over achieving. In Hardy and Nolan we trust. COYP Matt Craig: Same old **** nolans tactically inept 1 shot on target all game nolan out Neale Tristram What on earth happened over Christmas?? We've gone back to playing like we did before Nolan! Play offs looking dodgy with 2 points from 12 which isn't going to keep us in the top 7! Big clear out in the summer. Craig Spencer: just got back and we lost to the better side.end of. Coventry city 3 points at the lane plz#and to all the nolan moaners YOU KNOW IF HE f@@ks off somewhere else i hope your happy.its a crucial stage of the season UNITY IS NEEDED NOTTS FANS ;CMON UNITE AND LETS GET THE LADS OVER THE FINISH LINE.YOU PIES #BIG SHOUT TO NOTTS CO SUPPORTERS CLUB 1947 FOR A GREAT DAY OUT!! Andy Whibberley: Can't believe people are calling for Nolan to go. The endless managerial merrygoround at Notts was a disaster on the pitch and made the club a joke. Coleman has been at Accrington a total of around 15 years. Or about 25 managers in Notts terms. Look where consistency gets you. Sheridan is doing well again. Shall we get him back?? Adrian Wheatley: Just can not put the ball in the net if the rumours are right sign up Ranger till the end of the season or we won’t even make the play offs Will Hart: At the beginning of the season I was hoping for a top 10 position based on the fact this season was all about stability. Therefore a bonus if we make the playoffs. Darren Handley: Blah blah blah for the people that have a bad opinion about the bad tactics I wouldn’t waste your breath as the nodding dogs who was nodding away with the trews will always call you a non Notts supporter these noddies would still be happy if we was in non league.it was in trew we trust now it’s in hardy we trust another business man with no football brain but hey wait untill we get new hotels we can all be buzzing about that Luke James: Well played Nolan! what a half hearted attempt at a vital game in the season. We will be lucky to get play offs on this form. Spencer Burrows: we've been poor for some time now, we're not even good enough for the play offs. Nigel Trueman: No surprise tbf. playing mid table results wise. fully expect to finish outside the playoff places and sorry to say it but with a rebuild required next season a mid-table finish David Nicholls: We've **** it now.... playoffs at best... 2 points from 12 isn't it.... that's not the performance of winners.... Martyn Malone: Was never going to win there even with 7 changes bye bye Automatic might just make playoffs at this rate Share your thoughts about the match on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Kevin Nolan has refused to concede defeat in the chase for automatic promotion from League Two despite Notts County's latest bad result. The Magpies are now seven points behind third-placed Wycombe Wanderers following their 1-0 loss at tabletopping Accrington Stanley on Easter Monday. Mark Hughes's goal settled the contest in Lancashire where Notts hit the bar through Jonathan Forte, while Matty Virtue and Jorge Grant also squandered good opportunities. “We’ve got 15 points to play for and if we get all 15 then who knows what can happen?” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “You can never stop believing but what we’ve got to do is keep doing what we have been doing all season and wait for the next one to come along. “On Saturday that seven point gap could become a four-point gap and then the week after it could be one if we do our business. “All we have got to do is get back to what we were earlier in the season. But I thought there were lots of positives to come from the game. I was just disappointed that we didn’t test their keeper enough.” Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Notts County's automatic promotion hopes have been left in tatters after succumbing to a 1-0 loss away at Accrington Stanley. Magpies boss Kevin Nolan made seven changes to his starting XI given the quick turnaround of games, with the last League Two fixture - the home draw with Wycombe Wanderers - taking place three days earlier. Notts began brightly as Carl Dickinson rifled an effort wide and Liam Walker forced a save from goalkeeper Jonny Maxted in the early exchanges. Sean McConville had the hosts' first sighting of goal, his effort deflecting just wide for a corner, and from the ensuing set piece they would take the lead. The visitors twice failed to clear their lines before Seamus Conneely found defender Mark Hughes unmarked at the back post, the ensuing finish buried into the far corner beyond Adam Collin. Notts continued to boast a lot of possession despite the early setback and, on 21 minutes, Jonathan Forte rattled the bar with a bullet header from close range. Stanley, however, were the more dangerous side, with Collin keeping out efforts from Kayden Jackson and Billy Kee. The second half brought about little change at first as a Conneely effort was fumbled by Collin with Jackson unable to convert the follow-up, while Jordan Clark fired wide in a good position. Matty Virtue should have levelled for County on the hour as Rob Milsom's delivery found him unmarked six yards out but the Liverpool loanee somehow his header wide. Jackson came close to doubling Stanley's tally but was denied by Collin while Jorge Grant fired wide for County in a decent position with 10 minutes to go. Nevertheless, John Coleman's side succeeded in extending their winning record come the final whistle, while for Notts, the focus now surely changes to remaining in the playoffs. Share your thoughts about the game on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.

Head to head Notts County have played the current incarnation of Accrington Stanley just 16 times in their history, with the record standing at 6 Notts wins, 5 defeats, and 5 draws. The first fixtures against the "new Stanley" were in August and December 1958, when both sides played in Division Three. The Magpies drew 1-1 in the first match, before losing 3-0 in the second. A hiatus of 48 years followed before the teams met again in the fourth tier, now League Two, on 9 September 2006. The result was a 3-2 win to Notts. Our recent record against Stanley is poor - 4 defeats and 3 draws in the last 7, and no win over them in the league since 2010. Stats Stanley have won each of their last eight home league games, the longest run in League Two this season. John Coleman's have also won their last five league games outright to extend their run in the league to one defeat in their past 15 outings. History The original town's team, Accrington, were amongst the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888, before resigning from the league after just five years. A team called Stanley Villa already existed at the time, named as such because they were based at the Stanley Arms on Stanley Street in Accrington. With the demise of Accrington, Stanley Villa took the town name to become Accrington Stanley. The club re-formed after World War I and entered the League in 1921 with the formation of the old Third Division North, along with the other top northern non-League clubs. This original incarnation was dissolved in 1966, before re-emerging two years later. In 2005–06, Stanley won the Football Conference and were promoted to League Two. Ironically, Oxford United, the team they switched places with, was the team that had been elected to replace the former Accrington Stanley as members of the Football League in 1962 when they were struggling with debt. Accrington Stanley is perhaps most well known for being mentioned pejoratively by two young boys talking about their professional football prospects in a late 1980s advert by the Milk Marketing Board. Famous people from Accrington include Vicky Entwhistle and Julie Hesmondhalgh from Coronation Street, Yes singer Jon Anderson, cricketer Mike Atherton, Diana Vickers from The X Factor, and Mystic Meg. Team news The League Two leaders will check on Janoi Donacien ahead of the game against Notts, as he was struggling with illness. Ben Richards-Everton came in for the first change to Accrington's starting XI in five games and contributed to a fifth straight win. Notts boss Kevin Nolan made two changes to the side on Friday - Lewis Alessandra and Dan Jones replacing Carl Dickinson and Jorge Grant - and promised further alterations on Easter Monday. Dickinson and Grant are pushing for immediate returns, while Jonathan Forte and Michael O'Connor are also in line to feature. Share your thoughts about this preview on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans. Fancy showcasing your brand or business on Pride of Nottingham? Click here to find out more about sponsorship and advertising opportunities with us.