TheSkipper

It’s been an adventure, one where it seemed like we might spend seasons in the National League beyond the four years that we did. I would say this achievement alone is their greatest one yet, considering the limited promotion spots and the number of times we stumbled in the playoffs. It’s no easy feat! The drama around the club has mostly been fan-produced, which is a huge relief compared to the drama during the Hardy/Trew eras. Christoffer and Alexander Reedtz have meant business, invested their money, and not made any false promises. They have allowed their staff to run the club, and I praise them for their loyalty towards the managers. I do think Neal Ardley was pushed a bit unfairly, but they can spot a potential good head coach. I just hope Stuart Maynard manages to remain in his position and help bring us further success. The past five years have been like a dream, seeing how Notts has transitioned on the pitch. I hope we continue to strive for attractive football because it’s a big part of what makes our club appeal to casual and floating fans.

From a productive point of view, the results haven’t been great in pre-season, but more value will have been taken from the games. Most featured two teams, usually one weaker than the other. It showcases which players can make a difference and who has limited capability. These are vital things going into a season. Positives: Depth in terms of quality Possible game time for youngsters who get a chance Goal scorers across multiple positions Plenty of creativity Improved defence A solid young keeper Jatta in good form Matt Palmer will be a massive plus once match fit Scott Robertson/Palmer duo Curtis Edwards’ experience Negatives: Fairly small squad again Potential pressure on youngsters Matt Palmer might still need time to come back fully (match fitness wise) Some injury concerns for potential players Lack of defensive cover out wide Unsure if the squad can handle the demand of fixtures Will Stuart Maynard be able to afford to rest players?

It was a good pre-season friendly, a lot of intent and good chances by both teams. The result means little, so I would caution less worry over the 4-3 finish. I would say, it shows that we can be competitive with good teams, and it's all about form. If we learn to finish the chances we get against League Two teams, we should be fine. Now we can start building the first 11, focus on performances and form. The first few games will only be a good insight as to how we are adjusting defensively and how Stuart Maynard sees which players have what roles in the squad.

Tranmere Rovers have a good side on paper, just like we do. They have a great manager in Nigel Adkins, who has experienced most of it within the EFL. Stuart Maynard must be hoping that the quality we have brought in during the close and pre-season will be enough to make our defence less prone to mistakes. I don’t think either team will slip up, but quality will show by the final whistle.

York shouldn’t pose as much of a challenge, no disrespect intended, but this would be a pre-season friendly that I would hope Notts could control more easily. We are getting closer to the start of the season, and while the result isn’t important to me, the performances are increasingly so. We need to see our starting eleven at their best, match-fit, and ready to kick off the campaign. I hope we can display a bit of flair and creativity against York. I know it’s a pre-season friendly and these matches are meant to be relaxed training games, but I honestly would like to see some form starting to develop, along with standards in the players’ individual performances.

I’ve been planning to buy Ian’s book. It’s a must-have for every Notts fan as it recounts the story of our club’s triumphant return to the Football League after a period of despair. Football, when compared to life, holds less significance. Some may not show it, but deep down, they know it’s true. The tale of how his family has come together and shown unity in the face of a severe diagnosis, such as a brain tumour, is truly inspiring. Making the most of such a situation must be challenging, but from what I’ve seen on Twitter, the Marsden family has plenty of support. I extend my best wishes to Wendy and Ian.

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, @Mark Holland. PON is a very good community, I hope to see you join in.

Pre-season friendlies are essentially a warm-up. People often don’t realise that players are given specific instructions, such as being told to sit deeper to strengthen the defence. This allows the club to assess their defensive capabilities. I’m aware that under other regimes, fans and the board were thrilled when we dominated non-league teams and won every friendly. However, this only leads to unrealistic expectations among those who are easily impressed and the same individuals who complain when things don’t go as planned. The match against Wycombe will provide valuable insights for the club and Stuart Maynard. I anticipate a closely contested game.

I wasn’t able to attend the game, but I followed the updates on the official Notts Twitter account. It seemed like an exciting match. I’m sure there are lessons to be learned from this game, which Stuart Maynard can address. However, a draw in a pre-season friendly isn’t a serious concern. @Robbie, there’s no harm in trying to bring in a young player who can contribute when needed. If his skills are unique, it gives us an extra option, especially with Macca leaving. This would provide someone else in our current squad the opportunity to step up. These friendlies will be crucial for that. If we perform well, the club won’t need to worry about spending money to bring in a striker. The funds could be used elsewhere. Does anyone have any news on why Alassana Jatta didn’t play? Was he even there? I don’t think he’ll be the next to leave, I’m just curious.

Hello, welcome to the community here at the Pride of Nottingham @lucy80. Enjoy, discuss and come back when you can.

Hello, welcome to the community here at the Pride of Nottingham @Scotty. Enjoy, discuss and come back when you can.

It was a shocking and vicious injury, but Sam Stubbs’ comeback and focus is a positive sign. I’m sure he’ll be mindful of the injury, but hopefully, like other professional players, he’ll be able to bounce back as if it never happened.

Hello, welcome to the community here at the Pride of Nottingham @Izzie Dyer. Enjoy, discuss and come back when you can.

For those who attend, I’ll be counting on your feedback about the new players. I understand we can’t make judgments yet, but early impressions are useful for comparison once they’ve settled in. It’s nice to see how far they’ve come, and it will be refreshing to hear some positive thoughts from fans after the first game in a while.

Notts might have included a sell-on clause in this deal, which could result in a better outcome for us. If I were in Notts’ position, I would have aimed for a 10% share of any future profits. I doubt we could have secured much more, and there’s a possibility that Lucien Mahovo might be let go before he reaches the standard of Norwich. I hope he does improve, as it would demonstrate that Notts just needs to give their young players more time to develop.

Well said, Gaffer. Your words echo my sentiments exactly. It’s true that all good things must eventually come to an end. It’s a bit sad that Macaulay Langstaff’s journey with us is ending so soon, especially when he had just begun to carve out his legacy. While it would have been wonderful to have him for another season, we must respect his decision to embrace a new challenge. This new chapter at Millwall won’t be easy, as the team is expected to face some tough times. However, they now have a striker who has proven his ability to adapt and score goals. Just as he did for us, I hope he continues to make his mark in the football world. It was a privilege to watch such a fantastic striker don the famous black and white of Notts. His story is far from over, and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter holds for him.

The club certainly knows how to let us down. I don’t think we’ve received a fair deal, but we won’t know the specifics. If it’s £700,000, we’ve been short-changed. I don’t want to dwell on the negatives, I just wish Macaulay Langstaff all the best. He’s provided us with some wonderful memories, and after seeing us demoted to the National League, he definitely helped propel us back to League Two. Thank you, Macca.

The move suggests that Norwich City is planning for the future. It’s less of a risk and a big step up for a young player. Lucien Mahovo will be eager to prove himself at a higher level. If Notts had held onto him, we might not have seen his full potential. It makes sense for us to accept the transfer, but I hope the fee is fair. I’m not expecting a large sum, but a fair price would be nice.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to you, Connell Rawlinson. Your service to Notts has been commendable and has given us numerous moments to treasure. Despite your departure, your time as a player here will be remembered for your courage and relentless effort in your performances. We hope that you find a club where the fans will embrace you just as we have. You are deserving of regular play and we wish you the best of luck in achieving that. Your journey with us may be ending, but your legacy will continue to inspire.

Rawlo, a good player and passionate, was everything we desired in a defender. Even though we’ve moved on, his departure still saddens me. For him, it’s the start of an exciting new chapter. I hope he finds a suitable club to conclude his career. Best of luck, Connell Rawlinson.

Macaulay Langstaff is a crucial part of the team, and any bid should reflect his importance. The club needs to consider whether the fee is adequate. Just because an offer has been made doesn’t mean he’s leaving. We shouldn’t fret, but rather wait and see how things unfold. I have faith in the club and am confident they will make a sensible decision. If the bid is deemed acceptable, we should be prepared to accept it.

My money’s on @super_ram! Apologies, @Fan of Big Tone. I know you’re fond of your jogging and exercise, but I’ve heard from an unnamed source that Super has strength and a bit of a mean streak. To tell the truth, I find great pleasure in contributing to PON. Being a writer can sometimes be exhausting, but this is my outlet. I genuinely feel at home here.

Without a doubt, his signing is crucial given his experience. It seems he was likely to join an EFL club, and I am glad it’s us. He brings a wealth of experience from playing overseas. It’s encouraging to know that we are building a squad with individuals who can take control of the ball, put pressure on the opposition, and get things moving. He should be a fantastic signing for us.

If it were up to me, he’d be my pick for captain, as he’s the first name I’d put on the team sheet. He carries out his midfield duties without any bother, gets involved and takes pride in always giving his all. He’s a natural footballer who plays like a true champ on the pitch. We’ve certainly noticed his absence after his injury, but coming through that, he’ll no doubt be stronger. I reckon teams will have a tough time handling him on the pitch.

The platform we’re providing is the most thrilling I’ve experienced as a Notts supporter. It genuinely seems like the club is progressing well, and that’s down to everyone involved. The Reedtz brothers are focused on bringing in the right players, and their efforts to enhance the club’s prospects are evident. Nick Tsaroulla certainly thrived at Crawley, and it’s our turn to foster his success. Crawley developed a fantastic part of Nick’s play, and I’m eager to see him in action for Notts.