TheSkipper

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.

Notts County sit bottom of the league two table after drawing 3-3 against Stevenage at home on Saturday 15th September. Jon Stead's goal 22 minutes in took Notts ahead, which was then even when Danny Newton scored an equaliser at the 38 minute mark. Enzio Boldewijn scored another goal for the Magpies followed by another equaliser from Stevenage's Cedric Evina. Half time finished as a draw, 2-2. In the second half, Notts County's Kane Hemmings scored a leading goal which was again equalised by Stevenage's Danny Newton. With the match ending in a draw, The magpies need to work hard to get off the bottom of the table and stop conceding as many goals. How did the fans react to the draw against Stevenage after a long spell of losses? Notts County had lost six games in a row before Saturday's match. Heres a round-up of some of the post-match reaction. Harry Kewell "We were very positive, especially in the first half. Our legs went kind of at the end of the game. Stevenage play a simple way looking for flick ons. I'm disappointed we led three times and couldn't hold out. "We're hurting but it's a point and something to build on. "All the players worked hard and it's just a shame we didn't get three points." Jon Stead "We need to improve the ugly side of the game and make sure we win second balls, It’s about making sure we defend strongly, win the headers and clear it into the stands when we need to. We need to get better at that sooner rather than later. "We’re working hard day in, day out to stop shipping goals like we have been and to become more solid at the back. "With the way things have been going it’s really important that we’ve managed to stop the rot today, scoring three goals and taking a point from the game is a plus because we haven’t done that for a long time. We’ve shown we can create openings and it’s frustrating to have taken the lead three times but we have to take the positives." Enzio Boldewijn Jamie Turley The Black and White Army on PON CliftonMagpie: "The outfield players did their jobs today, I think the performance was better and not far from being okay. We just have a massive issue with the keeper, he doesn't communicate and his attitude stinks at the moment. We can't sign more defenders, I felt these did well and was caught out by play that could of been prevented by the team. The first two goals we might as well played without a keeper." liampie: "I'm worried about Notts, there was an improvement today but there is no little praise for giving the lead away three times. Notts would have had Stevenage, they looked poor but we gave them a way back into it every time we scored. Notts looked good at times especially in the second half. But the opening nerves crept in and times. i have little faith in Fitzsimons, people moaned about Collin for slowing down the game but all Ross does is give the ball away by blindlessly clearing it to the opposition." Countyman: "There is finally something to build on now. I am worried that the club doesn't realise that Fitzsimons is a shadow of his former self, I do hope that he can improve but I don't see it. I felt the defence looked better, all the signings fitted in and worked hard. It's just those moments when nobody takes responsibility that punishes Notts." B&Wstripes: "Normally I would be frustrated but I feel a point has given Notts something to build on from. I am not impressed with Fitzsimons but I hope if we can cut down the shots on target that he may find his hands again, either that or the confidence. I felt the KOP made a big impact and it was a lively response from the fans." Sabretooth: "Played some really good attacking football. What's happened to Brisley and Fitzsimmons they are dire. Need Ben Hall back ASAP. Husin massive improvement, Alessandra, Stead and Milsom never stop seem to be the fittest 3 by a mile. Enzio is awesome needs more fitness." Jimmy Gee: "Still feel most of our problems stem from a goalkeeper whose confidence has gone. Still flapping. Kicked ball straight at attacker when clearing from hand in the goal area. Not imposing himself on attackers. Passing out from his area to marked defender. Not communicating with defence. He must improve! Have we got to score 4 goals to win a game?" David Burkley: "It's early days for Kewell but I saw enthusiasm and commitment today. Still mistakes at the back but I'm confident that once the new lads get up to speed they will be solid. Not sure about Brisley? We deserved the win today but I said before kick of I'd take the draw so can't complain. Stopped the rot, now fill it. COYP!" You can read the full Pride of Nottingham match discussion with comments post and pre-game here. 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.