TheSkipper

Notts County now sit 17th in the League two table, six places above relegation, maintaining their unbeaten record after their third win this season, which ended 1-0 against Macclesfield Town on Saturday 6th October. Macclesfield had three shots on goal, along with the Magpies also having three shots but they were all blocked. The match remained goalless at half time. In the second half County's Jon Stead, Enzio Boldewijn, Nathan Thomas had a shot on goal and Macclesfield's Scott Wilson had one too. Enzio Boldewijn got fouled in the box in the 80th minute, resulting in a penalty being awarded to Notts, and Stead duly converted in the 82nd minute. Macclesfield's Callum Maycock attempted another shot in the top right corner but it was saved. The final score was 1-0 to the Magpies. Here's a round-up of the post-match reaction from us at Pride of Nottingham. Harry Kewell "Nine points was the target so I’m very happy we have met it, It was an important week because I felt they were three games that we could win but we knew they’d be tough. "The players have worked hard since we came in and over the last seven days we have started to see the benefits. It wasn’t a pretty game and I’ll be the first to admit that, we knew coming here would be tough and we had to dig in, defend well and wait for that bit of magic. "You have to win ugly in any league by doing the hard things first and that is where the goal came from. Things don’t go well every match but you can run, put pressure on an opponent and work hard for the team. Today’s result is probably the best we have had." Elliott Ward "It was a battle and any game at the end of a three-game week is probably the toughest, when you are playing somebody who is bottom of the league then it’s always going to be hard. "It was about mental toughness, concentration and playing until the last minute. We scored a late goal. You don’t have to play well, but you have to win. "Defensively we are a lot stronger, It’s not just about the back four and the goalkeeper, but about everybody. We are a lot harder to play against and to break down." Notts fans on Twitter @wavey2000 @sjp_magpie @NCFCshaun15 The Black & White Army on PON Chris: "Not a good game but a great result, we'll take it and build further. Neither side looked 'good' but I do feel Macclesfield looked more lively, as I mentioned in my scouting report - they panic and if they took a little bit longer to decent how best to finish chances. Well, I think they could have caused us more trouble. Notts was very flat though, there was no signs of a game plan and I say this not to be negative but to give my honest opinion of the game. The usual players that 'lift' us, well they wasn't in the zone and I can't blame them for all the minutes they've put in. I would have taken Jon Stead off today, he wasn't coping and he looked unable to cause trouble. Instead of bringing on Nathan Thomas, I would have taken Stead off and introduced Kristian Dennis. Also, Shaun Brisley should have gone off sooner - he gets a lot of stick these days but he did struggle to be effective. Harry Kewell didn't seem to understand how to plan Macclesfield or how to change the tactics to get us going, however it's three massive points on the road and a fantastic win." menzinho: "I was only able to listen today but I was incredibly surprised to hear Brisley in centre mid. I get that he's big and he'll win headers but his passing and general skill level is pretty low, on his good day he's your basic, kick it, head it, win type of defender. I can only guess he was a kind of stopper and I can't imagine he really helped build any attacks. It's also not exactly a vote of confidence for the likes of Vaughan and Husin. My only tiny gripe with Kewell would be substitutions, when we went a man down against Crawley I was surprised he didn't get fresher legs on quicker, we waited for about 20 minutes, they should have been on much sooner in my opinion. Likewise today, we didn't really have many opportunities until the pen, but he chose to keep it as it was. Why bring Dennis on with about 5 mins left, what is he supposed to achieve? He's proved can be very effective in this league, give him a bit more time. That all said, not really complaining 9 points from the last 3 games is fantastic, unbeaten in 5 as well. On the whole it's a big improvement and it finally feels like our season has started!" Magic magpie: "Not the greatest of win but we got the points and moved up the table that is what counts.... but when u have ref that blows up for every little thing against the lads will be nervous to do anything. CliftonMagpie: "Just happy with the three points, Enzio chasing the ball for the penalty was class. All the players will make mistakes at times but when a player doesn't give up, you have to give him credit. Brilliant penalty by Stead too." You can read the full Pride of Nottingham match discussion with comments post and pre-game here. Share your thoughts about this 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.

Notts County now sit 22nd in the League two table, just above relegation, after getting their first win of the season which ended 2-1 against Crewe Alexandra on Saturday. The Magpies were ahead 5 minutes into the game as Rob Milsom scored the first goal assisted by Kane Hemmings and Jon Stead. Crewe, however, equalised with a goal from Jordan Bowery in the 14th minute as the first half ended 1-1. Lewis Alessandra and Elliott Hewitt had shots on goal in the second half but one was blocked and the other went wide. Hewitt did get another shot on target and managed to score County's winning goal in the 61st minute. Crewe had a few more shots on target in the second half but Ross Fitzsimons managed to block them, the final score ended 2-1 to Notts. Here's a round-up of the post-match reaction. Harry Kewell "That was the best 45 minutes I’ve seen my team play, We were aggressive, winning second balls, playing predominantly in their half and forced them to pass backwards and we got on to the front foot. "They were causing us problems in the first half but we changed things at the break and I felt we dominated afterwards. "It’s a big relief but let’s not take away from our hard work over the last couple of weeks because those displays showed we are progressing, to get the result against Stevenage and to follow that up with a clean sheet at Northampton was good, so to be able to come here and work hard for the three points is fantastic." Rob Milsom "We’ve got off the mark but this is just the start, we’ve been working hard and drew the last two games - today we’ve got the breakthrough so we need to kick on from here. "It builds confidence and belief so now we have to focus on getting more points on the board. "There are times when you worry a little bit but, with the results and performances in the last two games, we knew it was coming, We have to make sure we build on this and that starts with getting another three points on Tuesday night." The Players on Twitter Elliott Hewitt Jamie Turley Matt Tootle Notts fans on Twitter @atommo66 @JulieStewart71 @Kimstevenson1 The Black & White Army on PON Chris: "I felt Notts started brilliantly and until Crewe scored, I felt the game would be fairly simple but the mistake (which no one can be blamed for) resulted the lead being taken away. "It was awkward watching Notts after that, and despite Crewe looking quite comfortable with drawing - I couldn't help but feel someone needed to take the game and attempt to change it. I think in the first half we was somewhat lucky Crewe didn't take the lead. "I warned that they had a good midfield that worked hard, they had two fairly capable strikers and moved the ball nicely. "Second half Notts just dominated and the win was deserved. "I'm very pleased they kept battling at it. It's a very good performance but it could have been much difference if the team had worked harder in the first half." Magic Magpie: "First three point thank f-Ing god the first half wasn’t brilliant but the second like a team possessed playing for each other and never giving up ... this the County I’m proud of ...!!" Allardyces Tash: "I am delighted with the performance and 3 points gained. "I felt Crewe did well, they looked more aggressive in the first half. They passed the ball around differently and that made it hard for Notts, the reshuffle in the second half helped correct the balance." Fan of Big Tone: "It was great to get the first win under our belts, second half much better than the first, Fitzsimmons made an excellent save low down to his left in the second half I was right behind that goal it was excellent and deserved the congratulations he got from his team mates. "I think Crawley on Tuesday will be a lot harder." NortonNCFC: "Far better performance over the Stevenage game, fitness did look a little concerning with how the players moved in the first half but some of this may be down to effort or desire. "Second it was fantastic, very enjoyable and it was good to see two teams playing well. "Crewe was a good team, just lacking a bit of grit but they gave Notts a game and outclassed the club at times." You can read the full Pride of Nottingham match discussion with comments post and pre-game here. Share your thoughts about this article 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 sit 23rd in the League Two table, now just above Macclesfield Town, after drawing 0-0 against Northampton Town away on Saturday. Ross Fitzsimons saved a shot from Northampton's Matt Crooks leaving the first half goalless, though the Cobblers seemingly had better chances on ball in the first 45 minutes. The second half kicked off with a bit more pace and the Magpies' Lewis Alessandra had a shot on goal along with Northampton's David Buchanan. Also in the second half Kane Hemmings took a long shot on target and Northampton's John-Joe O'Toole and Leon Barnett had a go on goal. However, the final score ended in a goalless draw as neither side could breach the other's clean aheet. Heres a round-up of the post-match reaction. Harry Kewell "Against Stevenage we proved we can score goals and today we showed signs of being compact and hard to beat, so now we can start building. We’ve planted the seed and now we’re watering it but it doesn’t shoot up straight away, you have to nurture it and make sure the players are in the right mindset. I felt we had the better opportunities today, it was a day when the winning goal was going to be a scrappy one and we made more scrappy chances than them. I don’t think a win is too far away now. We knew it was going to be a tough game today so we are happy to take a point. We’re in a position where we have to fight for everything and take anything we can until we claw ourselves further up the table." Jamie Turley "We had to get ugly, away from home you know it's going to be tough so we had to work hard to limit their chances. We’ve been a bit too nice at times but now we all have the bit between our teeth and we’re determined to do well. "We’re all in the right mindset of wanting to get out of the position we are in and in the last two games we have shown improvement. It was brilliant to play a full match and even better to mark it with a clean sheet. It started from the front where the lads did well and Ross made some good saves when he needed to, so we can build on that. "It’s everyone’s ambition to do well and we’ve all got belief because of the quality that runs through the squad. We are going back to basics now and making sure everyone plays in the right areas, so we defenders do our job before anything else and make sure we put our bodies on the line." Turley on Twitter also added: Notts Fans on Twitter. @properblokefc @County_magpie @_MDCCCLXII_ The Black and White Army on PON upthepies: "I feel Harry Kewell is right, a win doesn't seem that far away but they need to keep the focus set on the goals rather than the performance. Ross Fitzsimons did very well, I praise him and hope that he continues. I feel the defence protected him very well, Jamie Turley looks to be a great centre back for this league. He takes no nonsense and does all the right things. I'm just delighted to see the progress, so its a good point." LambleyPie: "Not the best performance, yes it ended goalless but finally some fight from the squad and Fitzsimons. I hope nobody is quite to say he isn't a worry or a problem however because he had moments. Good draw." Who r ya?? You Pies!!: "Another building block so to speak , a point on the road , a clean sheet , worked hard , steady improvement, let’s keep it going and get 3 points next time out. COYP" Chris: "I am more than happy with the direction of the club, it seems the defence and Ross Fitzsimons are making head way. I am happy that Ross did well yesterday, I'll give credit when it's due and I'm not afraid of that. It sounded like Notts may have been a little too defensive but this will come with time. The positives are there, the draw is a good one and I am pleased that the travelling fans (I wished I could have been there) had some sort of reward. It's time to look up and get behind the squad I think." You can read the full Pride of Nottingham match discussion with comments post and pre-game here. 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.

Notts County travel to the Sixfields Stadium to take on Northampton Town this afternoon. The Magpies recent form over the last five games is (LLLLD) which sees them sit bottom of the League Two table, but a win today could see them move out of the relegation zone. Notts must make the most of this game as they only have 2 points from 8 games played, whilst Macclesfield Town and Morecambe - who play each other today - have 2 and 3 points respectfully. Northampton are currently 20th, having conceded 13 goals and scoring 8, four of which has come from their Dutch striker Kevin van Veen. Their current form being (LWDWL) which is a lot healthier than County's but the game provides each team with a good chance of climbing up the table. A win for Notts could see them climb as high as 22nd in the League Two table, a draw may see them move to 23rd depending on if Macclesfield Town lose. A win for Northampton, meanwhile, could see them move to 17th depending on the scores, there's a lot more motivation for them to push higher up the league but Notts could escape the relegation zone if get the right result. Other fixtures to keep an eye on Crewe Alexandra vs Port Vale Morecambe vs Macclesfield Town Stevenage vs Grimsby Town Yeovil Town vs Swindon Town TheSkipper's prediction I foresee the game being one of two half's, I think Notts will be likely to come out very slow and sluggish. Within the first 20 minutes Harry Kewell's men must develop a feel for the game and understand how to counter any threats that Northampton Town may give to the Notts County defence. For me, making use of Enzio Boldejiwn will provide other Notts players a chance to get into good space whilst using him as an outlet to break down today's opposition. I feel the game will be tight but I have a good feeling! I am hoping the final score will be 2-1 to Notts. If the club can claim their first win, it would be the best possible result but I worry about leaking goals still. SkyBet odds Northampton win 1/1, draw 5/2, Notts win 13/5 (Odds accurate as of 1:20pm Saturday 22 September) Key men Kevin van Veen - The Dutch born player is a tidy finisher, at the age of 27-years-old his experience within the Eerste Divisie will make him the most interesting Northampton Town player to watch. Jon Stead – He's literally in form right now, plus Harry Kewell giving him the captains armband has instilled a new lease of life. His passion, experienced head and current performances can be a major plus today. Final thoughts With the fixtures containing several games which could see the pathway for Notts to escape the relegation, this weekends results are paramount to the club. The gap could increase further and the pressure of securing their first league win of the 2018-19 season will only get harder. I think the away form this season has been quite poor, so a draw would be a positive outcome but a win would hopefully kick start this dreadful season. Northampton have an unknown squad to me, so the tactics leading into the game will be the key to who takes control of the game. Lewis Alessandra and David Vaughan could be the key players to assist any goal chances, with Enzio Boldewijn being the player Notts should look to break down today opposition. Share your thoughts about this article 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.