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Dan Jones has signed a new two-year contract at Notts County. The 31-year-old left-back, who joined on a free transfer a year ago scored four goals in 33 games last season, helping the Magpies reach the playoffs. Jones was one of several players to be offered a new deal by boss Kevin Nolan when the 2018 retained list was announced last month. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Meadow Lane so far and there was only one place I wanted to be next season,” Jones told the official club website. "The manager, his staff, my team-mates and the club as a whole have been amazing. “The disappointment of the play-offs is behind us all now and we’re really looking forward to the new season. “We’re all focused on success and, with the group of players we have, I have every confidence we can achieve 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 assistant manager Richard Thomas has described Dan Jones's new contract as "great business for the club". The left-back put pen to paper on a two-year deal on Wednesday, joining goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons and defender Pierce Bird in committing his future to the club. Jones was impressive towards the end of last season and ended the campaign with four goals, and Thomas praised him for his attitude and skills. “We’re delighted DJ will be with us again next year," he told the Nottingham Post. "He's fantastic to work with on a daily basis and is constantly looking to improve, which is all you can ask of any player. "With the attacking threat he poses down our left, aligned with the goals and assists he brings, this is great business for the 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.

So here it is folks, the biggest game of Notts County's season so far and hopefully the penultimate game of our campaign is upon us. Coventry City come to Meadow Lane for the second leg of our League Two playoff semi-final on level terms, though it shouldn't be the case. The Sky Blues won a completely undeserved penalty late on in the first leg at the Ricoh Arena which they converted for a 1-1 scoreline. But as much as it's totally justified, there's no point crying over spilled milk - this is a cup final for us and we best buckle up and get on with it. In this article, Pride of Nottingham looks at some of the pre-match quotes from both camps as well as having a look at the provisional team news. Kevin Nolan on the game “I’m just going to enjoy it. There’s no pressure on us. We weren’t expected to be here. “The only pressure we’ll be feeling is what we put on ourselves because, like Coventry, now we’re here we want to get to Wembley. “We know Coventry – we’ve played them three times now this season and every game’s been tough. “It’s going to be difficult again on Friday night but I’m looking forward to locking horns with Mark Robins once again and hopefully getting over the line. “The lads are in good spirits and looking forward to what will hopefully be another good encounter.” Kevin Nolan on the potential of a Meadow Lane sellout “It’s absolutely amazing. It just shows the hard work we’ve put in has all been worth it. “We urge the people of Nottingham to buy the last few tickets because we’re going to need them – they can influence a lot that happens on the field and drive us to victory. “We want them with us every step of the way because when they are with us, incredible things can happen - as I’ve seen during my tenure here.” Dan Jones on potentially playing in the final at Wembley “Playing at Wembley would be a dream for me personally. It’s an incentive you can’t even put into words. “You’ve got to enjoy these games - everything that surrounds them and what’s at stake. “It’s about rising to it, doing as well as you can and making Nottingham proud.” Dan Jones on the first leg “Lots of things from many individuals were brilliant. Forte’s flick for the goal was amazing – it was a good bit of instinctive play. “Bris and Duffs won a lot of great headers, both wingers and the centre mids put in a lot of work and the work-rate of Steady helped us deliver what we were working on throughout the week. “We go into the game with a lot of confidence from the other night – especially considering the conditions we had to deal with. “They threw a lot at us – they’re very direct – and I felt we defended brilliantly.” Former Nottingham Forest player Garry Birtles "I am not the first to say it, but it cannot go unsaid – Notts County fell victim to one of the worst refereeing decisions the game can ever have seen, at Coventry last week. "What referee Gavin Ward saw to make him think he had to point to the spot mystifies me. "Matt Tootle did not slide into the challenge, he did not take out Tom Bayliss with his trailing leg, he made clear, obvious contact with the ball, which changed direction massively, as a result. "None of the Coventry players appealed for anything. Probably because it was a perfect, clean tackle. He won the ball and made little contact with his opponent in the process. "It wasn’t a foul, it did not look like a foul and I will never understand how the referee has come to the conclusion that it was. "If Notts miss out on a place in the play-off final because of that decision, it will be a travesty, in a football sense. "But I am very much hoping that they will not. Playing the second leg at home, where they have been so strong this season, in front of a packed Meadow Lane crowd – I fancy them to get the job done." Coventry City boss Mark Robins “We need to send our supporters home happy. “It will be a good game and it might even go all the way. We need to be prepared for that. “There is plenty of enthusiasm. Ever since the game finished on Saturday we have been looking forward to tomorrow. “We have had a mixture of rest, recovery and training this week. “We played really well in the first leg and only made one or two mistakes, but sadly that cost us a goal. “There is going to be a full stadium, and that is what we look forward to. The prize at the end of it is great and we have to make sure we get the process of getting to that right. “The supporters should be excited and they should be in full voice and right behind the players. We could do with making their fans quiet.” Opta stats This is the fourth time in succession that Notts County have drawn the first leg of their play-off semi-final away from home, with the Magpies reaching the final on each of three previous occasions. Coventry haven't won any of their last eight away games against Notts County in all competitions (D2 L6), since a 3-0 victory in August 1963. The Magpies are unbeaten in their last nine home games in all competitions, winning five and drawing four. The Sky Blues have lost just one of their last seven away games in all competitions (W4 D2), though that defeat did come at Meadow Lane in April (1-2). Coventry haven't been promoted from any division since winning the second tier in 1966-67. Four of Coventry's five goals against Notts County this season have been scored in the 80th minute or later. Jonathan Forte has scored all three of Notts County's goals against Coventry in all competitions this season. Coventry scored with their only shot on target in the first leg - Marc McNulty's 87th minute penalty. Team news Notts County could be unchanged, with Jonathan Forte expected to be fit. However, Coventry's Tom Davies is suspended having been handed a retrospective three-game ban by the FA for his stamp on Richard Duffy. 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Dan Jones has given his thoughts on Notts County's 4-1 win over Yeovil Town, the remarkable own goal scored by Glovers defender Tom James, the League Two playoff tilt and the atmosphere in the Notts camp. The full-back opened the scoring for the Magpies late in the first half of Saturday's game at Meadow Lane, before James's woefully miscued back-facing clearance doubled the hosts' lead. Elliott Hewitt and Lewis Alessandra added further gloss to the scoreline, with the final goal of the game netted by Yeovil's Alex Fisher as a consolation. The result sealed a playoff place for Notts, while automatic promotion as per a top-three finish remains more than plausible. The playoffs “It is great to be in the playoffs, but we’re going a game at a time. We can only look after ourselves and keep winning. “It’s nice to be part of a successful team - we have done really well. But we haven’t really thought about the playoffs yet. “It’s another win and we keep the momentum going. We can only look after ourselves.” The own goal “I had the free kick first and if the lad in the wall wasn’t eight foot tall that was going in. “But for the goal (Richard Thomas, assistant manager) has told me to get in those positions and get strikes off. “Luckily it came off and then I don’t think I’ve seen an own goal like that. “It was a mad one really and it was just our day really. “He’s done well to get back in to cut the pass out but he’s put it in the top corner so what can you say?” The atmosphere in the Notts camp “An air of confidence has come back. “Training has been good, bubbly, sharp and intense. Everyone is smiling and we’re looking like we were at the beginning of the season. “I love playing for the gaffer, the coaching staff and the boys. It’s a feel-good place with no negativity.” 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 delivered arguably the worst performance of the season as they were convincingly beaten 3-1 by Chesterfield in Sunday's televised League Two game at the Proact Stadium. The Spireites, in the bottom two of the Football League, were hosting a side supposedly chasing promotion at the other end of the table, but you could easily have thought the positions were reversed. Although the hosts began brightly, Notts forced a chance when a the ball was sent long into the box by keeper Adam Collin and headed goalwards by Shaun Brisley, though Aaron Ramsdale managed to tip over his bar. It took Jack Lester's side just 16 minutes to break the deadlock, with Andy Kellett's corner bundled into the back of the net through nudges from Drew Talbot and Sid Nelson, a testament to County's shambolic defending. At the other end, Elliott Hewitt spurned a great opportunity to nod Notts level, but Jon Stead's cross to his unmarked teammate was inexplicably put wide. From the restart, Chesterfield headed up the pitch and a litany of errors at the back from Notts saw Zavon Hines claim the ball 12 yards out and rifle home to knock even more stuffing out of the beleaguered visitors. The Derbyshire strugglers continued to dominate in the second half against a zombified Notts, with Hines volleying into the side netting before Alex Whitmore sent a header narrowly wide. There was still a little more fight in Notts and they dragged themselves back to within one goal through a free kick from substitute - and ex-Chesterfield man - Dan Jones, which bounced inside the far post from wide on the right. Nine minutes of stoppage time were then announced, and for a few minutes there was genuine hope that a second wind could see Notts grab an equaliser, or maybe even a Man City - QPR style comeback win. But no. The Black and White Army were soon put out of their misery when another defensive mishap saw Chesterfield burst through, Kellett brought down by Matt Tootle in the box, a penalty awarded, and Kristian Dennis smashing the ball into the back of the net with Collin diving the wrong way. 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.

Dan Jones has claimed that Notts County's players feel they can beat anybody at Meadow Lane and that recent adverse results have only made the squad stronger. The Magpies go into Saturday's home game against Newport County second in the table and just one point behind leaders Luton Town. However, Notts' form has dipped over the last month, with just one win in their last six games in all competitions, but Jones is eager for the team to put recent results behind them. "The run we went on was fantastic but you are going to have ups and downs during the season," Jones told the Nottingham Post. "In this league, it's tough because every game is a serious battle. "Newport are a good side with good players. They have recruited well but I feel we can beat anybody here. The pitch is fantastic to play on, you have no excuses whatsoever. "We've had a bit of a blip but it makes you stronger as a group. Hopefully on Saturday we can get back to winning ways, put the last few weeks behind us and move on." 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.

Winning football games is never the easiest thing to achieve. However, when you do manage to pull it off, it restores a sense of pride, not just within the club and its players but it spreads within the fan community. The momentum it builds can be a very powerful psychological tool, which I believe is a part of why Notts County have managed to assert themselves strongly after the opening day defeat to Coventry City. It’s been a long time since the club has felt like it’s moving in the right direction, and I believe we should continue to aim high. Another aspect which only deserves praise is the fact that key players have upped their game – something which started from day one after Kevin Nolan arrived at Meadow Lane. It would be unfair to suggest that the form which turned the club around during the 2016-17 season lies anywhere else and I feel strongly that the majority of the squad have continued this within their own right into 2017-18. It’s this kind of form and focus which I would like the club to work towards now. However, I don’t suggest this isn’t the case – I do feel the focus has been lost somewhat. Adam Collin has been a different keeper this term, he’s really impressed me and I still feel right now he doesn’t get the praise he deserves. For the most part Richard Duffy has been solid, although admittedly I am not his biggest fan – I do feel he offers something which contributes to the success we are seeing on the field. Dan Jones as a new signing has been paramount and has given the club a lot more pace at the back – after the shaky start he really has found his form prior to the recent injury. At right back, Matt Tootle has been probably the most consistent player, something which I noticed myself last season. He just seemed a different character on and off the pitch, and I am pleased to see that he feels open enough to talk about depression – something which I myself suffer from. That’s the thing about the 2017-18 season, every player has largely been working towards the same goal and the added competition really has helped people thrive – perhaps not Tootle as much as Nolan has suggested recently but it certainly has for players such as Collin, Jonathan Forte and Carl Dickinson. Whilst Nicky Hunt is a good character to have around, and someone capable for players to learn from, he really hasn’t done anything to push Tootle for his position. I know it won’t be a popular opinion, however I would rather see Elliott Hewitt push Tootle because all Elliott requires is time to learn and gain experience. However, it is still a positive note just how much widely across the pitch we have improved and there is depth within the squad when you take games seriously. Whilst again, people suggest that Notts are unable to maintain their current form, if targets are a part of what got us here, ambition and desire should be more than enough to help us on our way with a return to form. This is exactly why I feel the club should continue to aim high, we need to dig deep and believe – reverting back to the basics will help (as will keeping the ball on the ground). And I really don’t believe in the curse of the Manager of the Month, if you remain grounded and focused on your tasks at hand, this is nothing more than praise for a job well done. The majority of fans know that have leaders on the pitch, perhaps not captain material but we have a squad which cares – so let’s keep Notts flying high. Share your thoughts about this feature 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.

Carl Dickinson has revealed he's been busy practising free kicks but insists Notts County's strength in depth from set pieces is impressive. Jorge Grant, Dan Jones and Dickinson have all scored directly from set pieces this season, the latter smashing into the top corner of the Mansfield Town net from 25 yards out. “It was great to score against Mansfield and I was delighted with it because I have been champing at the bit to take one,” Dickinson told the Nottingham Post. “I’ve been taking them in training and have been smashing them past Adam Collin, who has been getting a little bit wound up! “But we’ve got some great lads and great technicians who can do it. Jorge popped up with one and so has (Dan Jones). We’ve been a lot better from set-pieces as a whole. “We look dangerous and defensively we have looked really solid against them too. More goals from set-pieces is only going to help us.” 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.

September 2017 is now over, but as foundations go, Notts County have laid some great ones over the month, with a huge six wins from their seven games. So who have been the standout Magpies players in September and how do they line up? Pride of Nottingham, alongside a selection of Notts County fans, have come together and, following much deliberations, drawn up a September starting XI. So to all those picked, well done and keep up the good work going into October and for the rest of the season! Goalkeeper: Adam Collin Left-back: Dan Jones Centre-back: Shaun Brisley Right-back: Matt Tootle Left wing: Lewis Alessandra Left midfield: Rob Milsom Centre midfield: Jorge Grant Right midfield: Ryan Yates Right wing: Terry Hawkridge Striker: Jonathan Forte Share your thoughts about our picks for team of the month 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.

August is over and done with, Notts County's first month of the season is now just a memory, and we move on to September's fixtures with the Magpies nicely nestled in seventh place in League Two. However, much like any other job where its employees are routinely recognised and rewarded, it's worth recognising the players who have impressed in the black and white in August. Jorge Grant has already been named the player of the month by Notts County, the fans picking him head and shoulders over everyone else (64.8 percent compared to second-placed Terry Hawkridge with 20.1 percent). But here at Pride of Nottingham we have decided to name the standout players for each position in August - so to all those picked, well done and keep up the good work going into September and for the rest of the season! Goalkeeper: Adam Collin Left-back: Dan Jones Centre-back: Shaun Brisley Centre-back: Richard Duffy Right-back: Matt Tootle Left wing: Jorge Grant Centre-mid: Ryan Yates Centre-mid: Elliott Hewitt Right wing: Terry Hawkridge Striker: Jonathan Forte Striker: Shola Ameobi Share your thoughts about our picks for team of the month 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.

We’re now 5 games into the season in all competitions and it is looking promising for Notts County. Having made a few additions in the summer with the window still yet to close, here is my opinion on the signings we have made so far and what they can bring to the squad this season. So far with the transfer window closing on August 31, Notts have made 13 signings. In depth 2 being goalkeepers, 4 defenders, 5 midfielders and 2 forwards. Within the 13 signings 2 of these are loan players from the other side of the Trent. Jorge Grant was a fan favourite last season having signed for the Magpies in the January transfer window and was a key player to our survival last season. I think at the top of Alan Hardy’s and Kevin Nolan’s to-do list was to ensure this guy was playing for the Pies for the upcoming 2017-18 season. So, let’s start with the goalkeepers. We have brought in 2 goalkeepers going by the names of Ross Fitzsimons and Branislav Pindroch. Fitzsimons was on trial for us during pre-season and we acquired him from Chelmsford. He made his Notts debut against Scunthorpe in the Carabao Cup First Round. He looks to be a commanding individual with good communication amongst his defenders. He looks to be our number 2 this year with Pindroch looking like backup. With the defenders, most notably Shaun Brisley has joined the Pies on a free transfer from Carlisle United. Brisley so far has made 4 appearances scoring one goal. He has shown real determination and looks a real solid addition alongside Richard Duffy. Other defender signings include Nicky Hunt from relegated Leyton Orient who was part of Nolan’s squad at his short stint at The O’s. Dan Jones was also recruited as a full back from Chesterfield, he slipped up big style against Coventry but has turned it around the past couple of games so I think we can write that off as a bad game for him. Finally, the Pies have recruited Pierce Bird who was unattached. Pierce looks to be a possible loan player in the future but I can see him having a long career here at Notts County. Moving onto the midfielders. With the 2016-17 season coming to a close in connection with most of the players contracts it was important to strengthen this area and boy has Nolan done that. We have recruited 5 midfielders - Jorge Grant and Ryan Yates the loanees from Nottingham Forest. Also, we have Elliot Hodge and Terry Hawkridge from Lincoln City. Terry looks to be a real gem so far with lots of pace and cutting in numerous times, this will really hurt weak teams in the league. The final midfielder recruited is Liam Walker. Liam has plenty of international experience with Gibraltar against teams such as Germany. Good solid central midfielder with good passing ability. Finally, the forwards, while offering new contracts to Stead and Ameobi with Forte still being under contract it looked like the area where least additions were needed. We have made 2 additions. One being up there for signing of the summer Lewis Alessandra from relegated Hartlepool United. So far, he has made 4 appearances for the Magpies scoring one goal and im almost 100% certain that this could reach double figures this season. As well as Alessandra, we have assigned Callum Saunders to the squad from Crewe Alexandra but looks to be a backup striker. So who is the summer signing so far? After seeing them in action in the league I am torn between Hawkridge and Grant but for me I think it has to be Grant. Sorry to follow the crowd but Grant is just class for our league. His ability to get in behind but also show flair and skill on the ball is fantastic to see at League 2. He is a game changer and has the ability to secure all 3 points on his own. However, he must learn from players like Stead and Ameobi and learn quickly that he does need the players around him to be the star of the show. Most questionable signing so far? Personally, I think Callum Saunders. I have never heard of him before and I do not know what he can bring to the team. Also at the moment I can’t see him replacing any of our first team strikers or even getting on the bench so it just baffles me while he is on the wage bill sitting in the reserves but im not a scout or coach so Nolan must see something. Let me know what you think about the star and most questionable signing of the summer so far. Can Notts improve any more areas or should we call it quits on our recruitment this summer? Share your thoughts about this feature 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 have triumphed in a topsy-turvy, nervy and ultimately thrilling game against Wycombe Wanderers, claiming a 4-2 win at Adams Park. The Magpies threatened early on through Shaun Brisley, whose far post header was cleared off the line by Michael Harriman. Notts then took the lead after just 14 minutes, a pinpoint Dan Jones free kick falling perfectly to Richard Duffy, who made no mistake with a thumping header into the back of the Chairboys net. Kevin Nolan's charges promptly doubled their advantage in comical fashion just a minute later, as Luke O'Nien's clearance hit Wycombe captain Adam El-Abd and cannoned past goalkeeper Scott Brown. The visitors continued to impress, with Wycombe forced into another goalline clearance from a Terry Hawkridge effort, Jones causing chaos with another dangerous delivery into the box. Gareth Ainsworth's side, however, pulled themselves back into the game in the second half, as substitute Nick Freeman scored with a powerful half-volley into the top corner four minutes after coming on. Debutant Craig Mackail-Smith headed straight at Adam Collin from Harriman's cross, before Joe Jacobson curled home a free kick from 25 yards out, via the inside of the post, to level the scores. With the travelling Black and White Army fearing a complete collapse, substitute Jonathan Forte was the hero as he latched on to a Shola Ameobi flick-on - from yet another Jones delivery - to head home and edge Notts back into the lead. Forte was the architect for County's fourth goal, hitting the post and scuffing the rebound along the goalline, before Lewis Alessandra fired the ball over the line in front of 362 away fans. The result sees Notts edge to fourth in the League Two table, with two wins from three games. 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.

We've made a lot of signings this week. Six, to be precise. And now Notts have stepped up their recruitment drive, the question on everyone's lips is, how are we going to line up against Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday? There may be some difference in opinions in the formation that we use throughout the season, but I'm going to stick with 4-4-2 as we used that nearly all of the time last season when Nolan took over. Starting in goal. Adam Collin seems like the obvious choice and whilst most of our fans don't like him much, it's hard to see Fitzsimons or Pindroch replacing him just yet. Matt Tootle has the right-back spot sewn up sweetly. If he avoids the injury problems he had last season he could play every league game. I don't expect Jordon Richards or Nicky Hunt to start much at all this season. The left-back spot is easy. Dan Jones will easily displace Carl Dickinson. The ex-Stoke man was very error-prone last season, especially when he consistently allowed opposition players into the box unchallenged. It was obvious we needed a new left-back and he needed to have pace, something Jones has and Dickinson doesn't. Centre-back has plagued us for a few seasons now. The last two especially where we conceded 83 in 15-16 and 76 in 16-17. For me Shaun Brisley has to start. He played in the Peterborough team that reached the League One playoffs a few years ago and we're crying out for stability at centre-half. Richard Duffy has been a lot better since Kevin Nolan came in. For me he beats Hollis to that first team spot alongside Brisley. Duffy, for me, was better under Nolan in the second the half of last season than Hollis was and is just a better player in my opinion. I would like to see Pierce Bird play a few games this season. He seems like a good prospect and someone who I think definitely has potential. Onto the wingers and for me it has to be Jorge Grant and Lewis Alessandra. Grant showed last season he is a quality player, especially for this level and has an abundance of creativity. He could very easily hit 10-15 goals for the 2017-18 season. Alessandra has much needed pace which Notts have been begging for, for a few seasons now. I think Nolan can get the best out of the former Hartlepool man. This pushes Terry Hawkridge to the bench but I still see him playing a key role in creating chances for the Magpies. There is also the option of playing these three together behind a lone striker. I don't see Elliot Hodge featuring regularly unless key players pick up injuries. Sam Osborne has great potential but isn't ready yet and a loan spell out to gain first team football is what he needs. Moving into the centre of the park, there are several options to choose from. Rob Milsom, Elliott Hewitt, Liam Walker, Curtis Thompson and Ryan Yates. It's obvious we will miss Michael O'Connor. As captain he led by example and played a massive part in Notts climbing the table. He formed a great partnership with Milsom and in my opinion, Milsom should keep his place in the starting eleven. He is good at pressing teams and is a neat and tidy passer and very calm in possession of the ball. In my opinion, Liam Walker should start alongside him. Walker is more of an attackive minded midfielder and his long shots and set pieces will be a danger to opposition teams. Elliott Hewitt is getting better by the day. He looks at home in the centre of midfield and moving him there from his right back slot could prove a solid decision. Ryan Yates is more of a box to box midfielder and when played, could be very useful in linking defence to attack. I don't see Curtis Thompson playing many games this season and his persistent injury problems haven't helped him at all. Alex Howes is a another player who I see getting loaned out to gain more first team experience. I don't expect a permanent central midfield pairing. I think Milsom, Hewitt, Walker and Yates will all have their turn in the starting XI. Finally, we move into the final third. Jon Stead and Shola Ameobi signed new contracts in the summer and unless we sign a striker before opening day then it will be them two starting up front. As a strike partnership, they have shown they can be effective but not spectacular. Ameobi is a very good player for holding the ball up and this can help bring other players into the game such as Grant and Alessandra as well as Stead. Despite being 6'3, Stead likes the ball more to his feet and Nolan is the first manager, since the ex-Huddersfield man joined Notts, to realise he isn't a target man. He has done very well to score 25 goals in the last two seasons but he is 34 and Ameobi is 35 and it's clear we need someone younger up front who can take us further up the table than my current prediction of 10th. For me we still need a striker if we're going to break into the play-off places. Jonathan Forte can be an asset but breaking into the first team next season will be difficult for him especially if we sign another striker. I prefer him as a striker to a winger but was utilised more as the latter last season but still managed 10 goals. Whilst he only scored 2 in 23 at Crewe, Callum Saunders looks like one for the future. I've heard that his movement is very good but he needs to work on his finishing. My starting XI for Coventry: Collin, Tootle, Duffy, Brisley, Jones, Grant, Milsom, Walker, Alessandra, Stead, Ameobi Squad GK - Adam Collin, Ross Fitzsimons, Branislav Pindroch, Joe Searson-Smithard RB - Matt Tootle, Jordon Richards, Nicky Hunt LB - Dan Jones, Carl Dickinson CB - Shaun Brisley, Richard Duffy, Haydn Hollis, Pierce Bird W - Jorge Grant (RM), Lewis Alessandra (LM,RM), Terry Hawkridge (RM,LM), Elliot Hodge (RM), Sam Osborne (RM) CM - Rob Milsom, Elliott Hewitt, Liam Walker, Curtis Thompson, Ryan Yates, Michael O'Connor (INJ), Alex Howes ST - Jon Stead, Shola Ameobi, Jonathan Forte, Callum Saunders Share your thoughts about this feature 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. We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!

Kevin Nolan has given his assessment of Notts County's performance in their pre-season friendly against Basford United, describing himself as "reasonably pleased". The Magpies won 2-0 at Greenwich Avenue on Saturday, as Dan Jones opened the scoring when his free kick found its way through a crowded penalty area and into the net. Notts then doubled before the break when midfielder Alex Howes skinned his man and slotted beyond the Basford keeper. A reasonably straightforward afternoon was however hampered y an injury to Curtis Thompson in the second half, as he felt a slight tweak in his hamstring. "I was reasonably pleased, I feel we could have punished them more in the second half," Nolan told the Nottingham Post. "In the first we played to their strengths by giving them too many free-kicks which allowed them to put the ball in to our final third and around the box. "It's another clean sheet, but there are a few things we can start drilling into the lads to work on and to think about going forward. "I just said to the lads that I'm pleased we didn't concede and we can drip feed into them a few aspects we want them to think about. "There are things we can get better at. We can do that when we get them on the training pitch. Apart from Curtis Thompson, we've come through unscathed." 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. We at Pride of Nottingham want you to enjoy all our content for free. If you fancy helping us provide even better content, however, please consider contributing to PON by clicking here!

Kevin Nolan has asked Notts County fans to show "trust and patience" in him, his staff and Alan Hardy with regards to bringing players through the door. So far, the Magpies have recruited Lewis Alessandra, Terry Hawkridge and Dan Jones, with a number of other player signings in the pipeline and several other rumours. The relatively slow pace of progress in the transfer window has left some Notts fans disgruntled, especially with regards to nearby clubs like Mansfield Town who have been signing players willy-nilly. However, Nolan is confident with what's going on behind the scenes, and is urging the Black and White faithful to keep the faith. "We have had targets for a while now and we will stick to them," he told the official Notts site. "There have been conversations between us and other clubs but we don't want to be in negotiations for too long and not getting the players in until the final weeks of pre-season. "We want them to be able to withstand what our players have already been going through since they came back. "Hopefully we will bring a few more in but I don't want to put a number on it. A lot of fans will be frustrated seeing other clubs sign a number of players but we are a club in transition. "Looking back to where we were when Alan and I first came in, we are in a fantastic position and can hopefully build this club step-by-step. "All I can do is ask for trust and patience in myself, my staff and Alan because we are working as hard as we can to get players through the door. "We have to do our due diligence and make sure they are the right character and that they want to come here. They have to be able to contribute to the club and hit the ground running. We want to get them in as quickly as possible but it's not always the way in football. You have to be patient. "You never know what will pop up later in the window so we don't want to do all of our work very early on. People can suddenly become available and you think 'We would have had him', so we are not blowing our budget. We have to be shrewd so that if those one or two players pop up - as they did in January - we can go and get them." 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.

Dan Jones has claimed that the high calibre of the Notts County backroom staff is conducive to players' progress. The defender is back for a second spell with the Magpies, this time as a permanent signing after initially spending time on loan at Meadow Lane in 2009. Jones insists that the working with the likes of Kevin Nolan, Alan Smith and Mark Crossley - all of whom players in the Premier League - along with their colleagues, is exciting and educational in equal measure. He told the official site: "You've only got to look at the manager's career - how can you not respect that? We play football to try and get to the top level, and he's done that. "Every day you've got to try and impress these people. If you don't want to do that, you shouldn't be playing sport. They know the game, and all the little tricks, inside out. "It's great for me - I'm 30 years of age but I feel like I'm learning everyday. There's a real seriousness, but also a real enjoyment. Everything's intense." Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

Notts County have posted a video on their YouTube channel of new Magpies signings Lewis Alessandra, Terry Hawkridge and Dan Jones in the thick of the action as the team took on the Rolls Royce Leisure Select XI in their first friendly of the 2017/18 pre-season. Here's the video shared here on Pride of Nottingham - see for yourself how the new boys got on in Hucknall. Let Pride of Nottingham know your thoughts by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.

New Notts County recruit Dan Jones says he is glad to be with the club from the start of pre-season, saying he already feels like he's been with the Magpies a long time. The former Chesterfield full-back penned a deal at Meadow Lane just two days ago, but was training with the squad from Friday, when pre-season began. Jones told the official Notts site: "It gives me a long time to bed in before the start of the season and it means I can get to know everyone. "I have been made to feel welcome since I came in - I feel part of it and it's like I've been here for a long time already." Jones also spoke of working under strength & conditioning coach Mike Edwards and head of sports medicine John Wilson. He added: "I played with Mike during my loan here from Wolves and I could see back then that he was into his fitness. The lads all respect him and we do as we are told. There are no shortcuts. "The work we are doing is very relevant to football and we will feel the benefits. The days of distance running where you just plod along are long gone. "We may be doing shorter runs but they are more intense, which actually makes it harder but it will stand us in good stead. We will be a very fit side this season. "You can tell in the running and the things we have been doing in training that it is a good group here. You have lads pulling each other through and helping each other out. You can rely on your teammates, which is a massive thing." 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.

Notts County have confirmed the signing of former Chesterfield left-back and ex-Magpies loanee Dan Jones. The 30-year-old had been at the Proact Stadium since 2014 but was released at the end of the season following the Spireites' relegation to League Two. Jones, who was on loan at Meadow Lane in 2009 for a brief period, won promotion with Sheffield Wednesday and Port Vale previously in his career. He told the official Notts site: "As soon as I found out about the interest I got excited about coming back. "I have been training with the lads for a few days and I've got a good feel of the place. There is a good energy here. "When you see people like the gaffer, Alan Smith and Shola Ameobi around the place you want to impress them because of the level they have played at. "With the plans the manager and the chairman have, the facilities we have and the stadium we play at it seems like a club built for success. "The pitch is big and wide and I cannot wait to be out there playing on it and showing what I can do. It feels right to come here and I am absolutely delighted to be back." 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.

Dan Jones has become Notts County's third signing of the summer after he put pen to paper on a deal at Meadow Lane. Here is some information about the player's identity, career, achievements and style of play. Full name: Daniel Jeffrey Jones Date of birth: December 23, 1986 Place of birth: Wordsley, England Age: 30 Height: 1,88 m Nationality: English Position: Defence - Left-Back Preferred foot: Left Last club: Chesterfield FC Came through the ranks at: Wolverhampton Wanderers Other clubs he has played for: Sheffield Wednesday, Port Vale Career achievements: Promotiotion to the Championship with Wednesday in 2011/12; promotion to League One with Port Vale in 2012/13 Style of play: Former Sheffield Wednesday teammate Anthony Gardner has described Jones as a "strong, tall, very athletic" player possessing "a great left foot" and a "great engine" who is "quick" and "good both defensively and in attack". Share your thoughts about this Dan Jones factfile feature 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.