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Notts County's season has finally come to an end, two weeks after the regular campaign was wrapped up. The fact we managed to extend the season by making the playoffs is obviously a sign that we have been heading in the right direction, and on the positive side it is nice to have been anxious about things in the top half of the table instead of the bottom like we had been for the previous four seasons. And of course, just the fact that we lost to Coventry City over two legs is no disgrace. After all, they are a big team with good players and a big fanbase, so had it just been a case of "Notts were just not as good", that isn't a big deal in itself. Let's face it, Notts have been punching above their weight for much of the season. An incredible first half of the season eventually petered out due to players running out of steam (namely up front), inconsistency (players putting in displays better than their general quality would muster, only to revert to type the following week), the odd failed tactical tinker (4-5-1) and making a pig's ear of the winter transfer window (Mason Bennett's signing was made in good faith and the player is quality but there is always going to be that risk in recruiting injury prone players). All that considered, being able to finish in the playoffs was a pretty fair assessment of our season, a team largely in transition and seeking consolidation after several traumatic years doing superbly well through a mere change in circumstances off the pitch (a good owner) and in the dugout (let's not forget that Kevin Nolan is a rookie in managing terms so he's only going to get better with experience, a prospect which is pretty exciting). However, let's look at what happened over the two legs against Coventry. The first leg should have ended 1-0 to us. Their penalty late on should not have been given, pure and simple. Had the refereeing been adequate, Coventry would have gone into the second leg a goal down and there could have been a different game altogether. But okay, let's say we led and we still got an awful first half in which we conceded early on and again midway through, as per what happened yesterday. Jorge Grant's goal would have levelled the tie and Jonathan Forte's goal - which was onside - would have put us back in front. The momentum in both the game and the tie would have been with Notts, while Coventry would have been panicking, and who knows what could have happened. Would Maxime Biamou have scored his second? Even if he did, would Notts heads have dropped as they did, knowing they were still in the tie? Football is a very emotional and psychological game. One goal, or sending off, will completely change the heads of both sets of players as well as those of the fans, with a ripple effect. And likewise, having a goal chalked off, or an illegitimate goal being awarded, has a similar effect - witness England's capitulation in 2010 against Germany when Frank Lampard's goal so flagrantly crossed the line and wasn't given - subconsciously, the England players could have been thinking "we've been screwed out of a perfectly good goal - what's the point of carrying on?". The truth is, the football fandom has become desensitised to awful refereeing decisions, so when a team gets screwed over in the big moments, it's usually self-justified as "oh well, these will even out over the course of a season" or "yeah but we weren't good enough overall". Sorry, that's not good enough. The bottom line of the game is to outscore your opponent, and goals are hard to come by in football (compared to, say a rugby or basketball game) so each one needs the utmost scrutiny in accordance with the laws of the game. If we're operating on whatever laws the referee conjures up at any given moment, you're not getting a proper game of football. And sure, you can justify it to yourself with excuses as a coping mechanism, but the cold hard truth is, we've been cheated. Not necessarily deliberately, but even through incompetence, we have been cheated out of what could have been a completely different outcome had the rules of the game been adhered to as, you know, they are supposed to be. That's fine though, whatever. We'll justify it as "the will of the footballing gods", we'll channel our anger towards the players for being bad on the day / during the season, we'll wonder what could have been, and we'll go again next season slumming it at the likes of Morecambe and Forest Green. It's entertainment at the end of the day, isn't it? Shame football is more pantomime than Hollywood movie these days. 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.

Michael O’Connor has called for more ex-players to go into refereeing after Notts County were knocked out of the League Two playoffs against Coventry City. In the first leg at the Ricoh Arena, Matt Tootle was wrongly penalised for a foul on Tom Bayliss which saw Marc McNulty score a late penalty to earn Coventry a 1-1 draw. And in the return leg at Meadow Lane, Jonathan Forte saw an equaliser wrongly chalked off for offside when the score was 2-1, while Maxime Biamou's third Sky Blues goal was offside. “Forte was two yards onside, and there were two offsides for their third goal,” Notts captain O'Connor told the Nottingham Post. “If the goal stands and it’s 2-2, they were gone. They were shot and I think we would have won the game. “It’s easy looking back now saying this and that, but look at the penalty decision in the first game. “It’s never a penalty. That’s three big decisions over two legs in a play-off semi-final. “That’s not good enough. These are meant to be the best referees in the league. “It’s hard being a referee, I get that. But people’s livelihoods are at stake. “Do I think the scrutiny on the decision will make a difference next season? No. “A lot of referees haven’t played the game before and that’s why more players at the end of their careers should officiate. They know the game better.” 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 Wembley dream came to an end on Friday night as Coventry City ran out 4-1 winners in their League Two playoff semi-final second leg at Meadow Lane. Level at 1-1 on aggregate following the first leg, the hosts admittedly put in a dire first-half performance as Maxime Biamou and Marc McNulty struck in the first half to put the Sky Blues in control. Jorge Grant pulled one back for the Magpies before the break while Jonathan Forte had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside. Biamou then scored again in a move which saw two separate offsides in the build-up and Tom Bayliss added another late on to end County's dreams of promotion to League One. Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at Meadow Lane to document the occasion, giving his thoughts throughout the game and in the aftermath. Want to watch one of the finest up and coming Notts bloggers around? Here's the video! Follow ARLukomski on his YouTube channel by clicking here. Share your thoughts about this vlog 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 2017-18 season ended on a sour note as Coventry City put in an assured display, helped in no small part by several dubious refereeing decisions, to run out 4-1 winners at Meadow Lane. The first leg of their League Two playoff semi-final ended 1-1 as a contentious penalty saw the Sky Blues edge level on the night and in the tie, but the hope was that home advantage in the return leg could prove beneficial for the Magpies. However, the first half at the San Sirrel was little short of atrocious for Notts, who fell behind after just six minutes when a corner was not properly dealt with and Maxime Biamou was able to unleash an overhead kick and find the back of the net. The hosts were truly pedestrian in the opening 45 minutes, mostly playing hoofball and proving unable to stop Coventry from playing through them, indeed going on to concede a second goal on 37 minutes when Marc McNulty combined with Liam Kelly to lash home from eight yards out. Out of nowhere, however, Notts claimed a lifeline in the game when, shortly before half time, a long throw was flicked into the box by Richard Duffy and Jorge Grant thundered home at the back post, halving the deficit and setting up a high-stakes second half. Shaun Brisley and McNulty were involved in some handbags just before the whistle just to make things a little tastier and, much to the home fans' delight, Notts were right out of the starting blocks in the second half. On 65 minutes, Jon Stead forced Lee Burge into a superb save from just inside the area, and moments later they had the ball in the back of the net, but Jonathan Forte's effort was unjustly - here we are using this word again - ruled out for offside. To make matters worse, Coventry's killer third goal, which caused County's heads to drop, actually was offside, Biamou finding time in the area to turn and fire a low shot into the bottom corner. The Sky Blues eventually added a fourth, Tom Bayliss running into space and rifling home a long-range effort five minutes from time, to trigger an exodus in the stands, the dreams of Wembley torn asunder. 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's Wembley dream came to an end on Friday night as a referee-assisted Coventry City side ran out 4-1 winners in their League Two playoff semi-final second leg at Meadow Lane. Level at 1-1 on aggregate following the first leg, the hosts admittedly put in a dire first-half performance as Maxime Biamou and Marc McNulty struck in the first half to put the Sky Blues in control. Jorge Grant pulled one back for the Magpies before the break while Jonathan Forte had a perfectly good goal disallowed for offside. Biamou then scored again in a move which saw two separate offsides in the build-up and Tom Bayliss added another late on to end County's dreams of promotion to League One. Though it makes for infuriating viewing, here are the highlights of the game so you can see for yourself just how badly we were screwed over during the encounter. 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 were robbed of victory at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena as Kevin Nolan’s men had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their League Two playoff semi-final. The Magpies led through Jonathan Forte’s deft second-half finish and looked on course to record a morale-boosting victory to put them in pole position for Wembley. However, "referee" Gavin Ward incorrectly adjudged Matt Tootle to have felled Tom Bayliss in the area and awarded a penalty to the hosts. Marc McNulty stroked home the spotkick, sending Adam Collin the wrong way, to send the Sky Blues into next Friday’s Meadow Lane showdown on level terms. Relive the key moments from the match with the official highlights, which we've posted on here for you. 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 were robbed of victory at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena as Kevin Nolan’s men had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their League Two playoff semi-final. The Magpies led through Jonathan Forte’s deft second-half finish and looked on course to record a morale-boosting victory to put them in pole position for Wembley. However, "referee" Gavin Ward incorrectly adjudged Matt Tootle to have felled Tom Bayliss in the area and awarded a penalty to the hosts much to the disbelief of the Notts contingent. Marc McNulty stroked home the spotkick, sending Adam Collin the wrong way, to send the Sky Blues into next Friday’s Meadow Lane showdown on level terms. Pride of Nottingham vlogger ARLukomski was at the game, and in his latest video, he shares his thoughts before, during, and after what shall henceforth be known as the Coventry Screwjob. Follow ARLukomski on his YouTube channel by clicking here. Share your thoughts about this vlog 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 were robbed of victory at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena as Kevin Nolan’s men had to settle for a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their League Two playoff semi-final. The Magpies led through Jonathan Forte’s deft second-half finish and looked on course to record a morale-boosting victory to put them in pole position for Wembley. However, "referee" Gavin Ward incorrectly adjudged Matt Tootle to have felled Tom Bayliss in the area and awarded a penalty to the hosts much to the disbelief of the Notts contingent. Marc McNulty stroked home the spotkick, sending Adam Collin the wrong way, to send the Sky Blues into next Friday’s Meadow Lane showdown on level terms. Here is how the Notts contingent reacted to the Coventry Screwjob. Kevin Nolan "It's been taken away from us by a referee, by a really really poor decision. That buoys the crowd and players, he misses a blatant handball too. Is he trying to even it up? Probably. "We shouldn't have been in that position, we knew it was going to be tough, with the conditions and everything else, but we should've been coming away with a 1-0 but the referee has made a howler. "I've just said to the lads, you obviously feel robbed and we would've taken a 1-1 before the game if we'd been handed it, but the circumstances have made it more disappointing." The Black & White Army Chris: First half it was frustrating to see how much respect we gave Coventry, I mean we didn't seem to have any sort of active game plan. It was a case of hoofing it all the time, even when the ball could have been played on the floor. I know the conditions were shocking but hitting the ball forward in hope that Stead or Forte could get control over it never seemed likely to work. Besides, Coventry managed to retain the ball on the ground even in areas where the water literally stopped the motion of play - so why couldn't we? Second half we played with a bit more of a plan and the game simply changed it all, we grew in confidence but I think we should have pushed harder for a second. The penalty decision is beyond stupidity, there's no credible reason why the referee gave it - it's just absolutely insane that he believed it was fair foul. The player, slipped and then went down like a sack of spuds. There was no discussion over the decision, I actually think he had a very good line of view but decided to ignore 'common sense'. I'm confident that we can lift our game and push on, we need to be stronger at home and us fans need to make ourselves known. Disappointed but not overly bothered now, stupid decisions seems a common thing for us - we move past it. COYP! Hissingdwarf: I think the team played to Nolan’s brief for the whole match. First half, keep em subdued and tight defending in all areas, second half, attack and push on. Worked well apart from dismal ref decision. Michael Belshaw: Unfortunately this has been happening for a few seasons now.The quality, or lack of, refs has gone down.Also what is the point of linesman,sorry assistant referees,they are incapable of making a decision. Richard Thompson: To add , why do goalkeepers simply flop to the floor and give up on pens and dive the wrong way? You can bet your ass if it's a free kick 1 yard outside the penalty area they will dive the right way??? Colin Metcalf: Yet another **** ref which the spineless money grabbing tossers at the EFL will do **** all about. Mark Rogers: how anyone can make a decision on the penalty from the away stand where we were sitting at the other end of the stadium, as opposed to where the referree was right on top of it, is ever so slightly beyond my comprehension?? Scott Weatherbed: Fix Chris Jordan: Notts set up for and played this spot on. Robbed of a goal advantage tonight but heads should be held high after a cracking performance. Carl Webster: To be fair we were ****... we can’t keep the ball Paul Bruce: Forte was also kicked off the ball towards the end. Grant Redwood: Robbed Darren Handley: Cheating Coventry wankers and the **** of a ref who got bullied most of the game by their fcuktard fans buckled under pressure prick David Skelding: The penalty was an awful decision but when you sit back too long things like that can happen. I'm happy with the draw and make us favourites now. Luke James: outrageous get the fa on it now worst ref decision for a long while Richard Thompson: Time for refs to be brought into disrepute 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.

Coventry City manager Mark Robins has claimed that Tom Davies is not a cheat despite appearing to stamp on Richard Duffy and kicking out at Jonathan Forte during Saturday's League Two playoff semi-final first leg. Referee Gavin Ward, who awarded a completely ludicrous penalty to the Sky Blues late on at the Ricoh Arena for a 1-1 draw, did not see either of the incidents, meaning he cannot put it in his report. However, the FA can take retrospective action should they deem it necessary, meaning Davies could be at risk of a ban for the return leg at Meadow Lane on Friday night. “I’m not worried," Robins was quoted by the Nottingham Post as saying. “If you are going to get done by trial by TV then it’s different to if the referee has seen something. “If the ref has seen something and deals with it at the time, that’s one thing but you can’t be going back to TV and dealing with things like that, surely. “I have not spoken to Tom about it because I didn’t know about it. Someone mentioned it to me just so I haven’t spoken to him. Tom is a competitor but he’s not a cheat.” 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.

Richard Duffy has praised teammate Jonathan Forte for his "fantastic" form in recent games and was delighted with his goal for Notts County against Coventry City. The 31-year-old, who has found himself frozen out of the first team on numerous occasions this season, opened the scoring at the Ricoh Arena with a deft flick from Dan Jones's cross. Notts were well on their way to victory until Coventry won a ludicrous penalty and drew level late on for a final score on the night of 1-1, but Duffy was eager to pay tribute to his teammate. “Since he’s come back into the team he’s been fantastic,” the defender told the Nottingham Post. “He ran his socks off and ended up with a bit of cramp in the end. “It was a great finish and showed what he is capable of. The manager has got him back playing to his full capacity.” 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.

Alan Hardy has described restoring pride to Notts County's fans as the most satisfying achievement of his tenure at the club. When Hardy took over at Meadow Lane in January 2017, the Magpies were looking odds-on to drop out of the Football League and potentially out of existence. In the 16 months that have followed, not only did Notts survive relegation, but have gone on to finish fifth in the current season, giving them a chance at the playoffs. "I’m often asked what’s been the most satisfying achievement of my 16-month tenure at the club," Hardy wrote in the Nottingham Post ahead of the semi-final first leg at Coventry City. "Quite simply, it’s this: giving back to the fans a club they can truly be proud of once more. "I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say we have collectively delivered fairy tale turnarounds in both our on-field and off-field fortunes. "We now enter our first play-off campaign for 21 years. I shudder to think how many relegation campaigns we’ve had to contend with during that period. "I see real smiles on the faces of every generation of Notts County supporter. Children, parents, and grandparents all united in their enjoyment of supporting our club. "I know many of you felt supporting Notts had become a chore. Not anymore it isn’t. "And wherever this play-off journey takes us over the next two weeks I want us all to enjoy it. "Collectively, I believe we all now feel we are a club back on the up. A club which has a sense of real pride, purpose and enthusiasm." Read Alan Hardy's full column 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.

Kevin Nolan has provided an update on Jonathan Forte, who limped off in Notts County's playoff draw at Coventry City. The striker opened the scoring at the Ricoh Arena, only for the Magpies to be pegged back through a ludicrous penalty. “Forte is okay, he was just tired and had given a lot on a heavy pitch as all the players did,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “They were weary. They had a day off on Sunday and I told them to relax and recuperate. “Then it was back to work on Monday and hopefully getting the game plan ready to beat Coventry. “We’ve got 90 minutes or possibly 120 to play. That’s all that’s separating us from Wembley and I am looking forward to 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 found themselves the victims of a robbery in Coventry this evening as referee Gavin Ward awarded the most ridiculous penalty decision you will see in a long time to help Coventry City secure a late 1-1 draw in Saturday night's League Two semi-final playoff first leg at the Ricoh Arena. The Sky Blues began brightly on a rain-sodden pitch in the West Midlands, with Marc McNulty being played clean through by Jordan Shipley and firing against the foot of the Notts post before Max Biamou hit the rebound which was blocked by a back-tracking defender. Notts, however, worked up the gears and threatened through the likes of Jonathan Forte, who headed over from Jorge Grant's corner, Dan Jones lashing the ball across the face of goal, and Forte then being denied by a Lee Burge save. Coventry spurned another good chance to take the lead before the break when Tom Bayliss snuck in behind Elliott Hewitt only to drag his effort wide of the post, and it would be a miss that they would rue as the Magpies went on to open the scoring shortly after the restart. The warning signs had been there as Chris "Notts are a long ball team" Stokes cleared a Hewitt header off the line, and not long after, Jones rode a Jack Grimmer challenge before sending a low ball towards goal, which Forte deftly flicked into the back of the net to send the travelling contingent into delirium. However, Notts ended up getting screwed over when, just a few minutes from time, Tom Bayliss theatrically went down under a Matt Tootle challenge, prompting Ward to somehow award a penalty which McNulty rifled the opposite way of Collin to literally steal a goal back and leave the tie on a knife edge. 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.

Coventry City full-back Chris Stokes has described Notts County as "basically" a "long ball" team and is hoping to see his side put another three goals past them. The two sides will lock horns for the first leg of their League Two playoff semi-final at the Ricoh Arena this Saturday before the return leg takes place at Meadow Lane six days later. Notts fell to a 3-0 defeat in the opening game of the season but won 2-1 when the Sky Blues came to Nottingham. “When they came here last time we put three past them so we will be looking to do that again,” Stokes told the Coventry Telegraph. “We have been studying them this week. We played them recently so we know what they are like and what we have to go up against. We’ll follow the game plan and make sure we get a result. “We have (struggled against more direct and physical sides) but we know where we need to improve. “They are a physical and direct side but we’ll study them and know where their threats are because it’s not long since we last played each other, so if we get done the same way again then it’s only our fault. “I don’t know what their game plan will be but basically they play long ball. “If we go into it with a good result from the first leg then they’re going to have to come at us and we know we’re good on the counter attack. “So hopefully we can get a good result on Saturday and go there with a couple of goals up.” 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.

Head to head Notts County and Coventry have met just 40 times over the 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 was just over a month ago, on April 7, and in the League Two encounter at Meadow Lane, the Magpies ran out 2-1 winners. However, the reverse fixture, on the opening day of the 2017-18 season, saw Coventry beat Notts 3-0 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 – 20 victories over the Sky Blues, 12 defeats and 8 draws. In their last eight league encounters with the Sky Blues, Notts have won four, drawn two and lost two. Standings and form Coventry's form over their last 10 league games is decent, with five wins, three defeats, and two draws. Mark Robins's side only made sure of their playoff place on the last day of the regular season, drawing 0-0 with Morecambe to see them finish sixth in the table. Coventry have scored 64 goals this season, level with Exeter and Lincoln - Notts have scored the most in the playoffs with 71 - but have conceded the least, 47. Team news Robins has tinkered with his side in Coventry's last three games, using three different forward line-ups, with Marc McNulty, Jonson Clarke-Harris and Maxime Biamou playing their parts. After playing with one up front and a packed midfield in their defeat to Lincoln, Robins has since reverted to a 4-4-2 formation, with improved results. Kevin Nolan, meanwhile, has a fully-fit squad to choose from, though he did state that Mason Bennett would not be involved as he continues his rehabilitation at parent club Derby County. 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.

Kevin Nolan has expressed his hopes of getting Mason Bennett back on loan next season but confirmed that he would not be fit for the Magpies' playoff campaign. The striker joined the Magpies from Derby County on the last day of the January transfer window and netted his first goal in his debut against Crewe Alexandra after coming on as a second-half substitute However, he was forced to return to Pride Park after rupturing his hamstring on his first start for the club against Barnet. “He’s back on the grass but it’s way too early for him,” Nolan told the official website. “There’s not enough game time or training minutes, even if we got to the final. “But we’re going to keep in contact with Derby and Mason himself to ensure that if there’s a possibility of getting him next year, we’re at the front of the queue. “We were so impressed with what we saw from Mason – not only on the field, but by the way he conducted himself and his eagerness to play for Notts County. “I’m hoping we can renew that at the beginning of next season but, first and foremost, we hope he gets back to full fitness as comfortably as possible because it was a nasty injury. “I’m sure, because of his professionalism, he’ll come back better and stronger.” 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.

Michael O'Connor will be hoping for a key role in Notts County's playoff campaign over the coming weeks. The club captain has slowly returned to action following a long-term injury and made his first start of the season against Luton Town last weekend. With O'Connor going from strength to strength, he is eager to make up for his absence over the course of the regular season and help his club up into League One. “There was a stage at 65 minutes when I made a run from my own box to the other one and I thought that’s me done,” he joked. “But other than that I felt fine. I’ve played five or six reserve games and I’ve had six or seven weeks full training. “I feel really good and I’m now hoping I can play a big part in the play-offs. “We’ve got a 24-25 man squad so whoever the gaffer picks we can do a job for him. “It’s a good squad, we all stick together and whoever is in front of me I will wish them all the best and get behind them. “But I am hoping I did enough at the weekend to give the gaffer a headache.” 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 urged Notts County's players to keep their feet on the ground and concentrate on the task ahead in the playoffs, stressing that they "can't really dream about anything". The Magpies finished fifth in League Two this season to get a shot at promotion, with Coventry City their semi-final opponents. Notts will make the trip to the Ricoh Arena on Saturday before playing the second leg at Meadow Lane on Friday, May 18, and should they be successful, Wembley beckons. “I have great belief in these lads and what we’ve done all season long,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “I am sure if you asked Mark Robins he would say the same about his Coventry team. “He’s a great fella, Mark, and I am looking forward to pitting my wits against him. “Hopefully I am the one who succeeds, but no matter what we will have a beer afterwards. “And I hope it’s me who is getting the congratulations and we are going to Wembley. “But there is so much work to be done before then that we can’t really dream about anything. “We’ve got to concentrate on Coventry now, and while the lads can enjoy what they’ve done over 46 games, it’s back to work (this week). “We will look at what we need to do to ensure we get to Wembley.” 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.

Michael O’Connor has expressed his desire to get stuck into the playoffs as Notts County find themselves just three games away from League One. The Magpies finished fifth in League Two this season to get a shot at promotion, with Coventry City their semi-final opponents. Notts will make the trip to the Ricoh Arena on Saturday before playing the second leg at Meadow Lane on Friday, May 18. Club captain O’Connor, who has successfully overcome a major injury to return to first-team contention and made his first start of the season iagainst Luton Town on Saturday, is eager to get the playoffs underway. “They are all good teams in the play-offs and any one of them would have been tough,” he told the Nottingham Post. “You need to beat whoever is put in front of you and we beat Coventry here not too long ago. “But in saying that they beat us in the first game of the season and we didn’t do too well there. That was a long time ago though. We are feeling confident, so bring it 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.

Shaun Brisley wants Notts County to put the disappointment of the defeat at Grimsby Town behind them, keep the momentum going against Luton Town and go into the playoffs full of confidence. Wycombe Wanderers took third spot in the table as they won their 45th game, while the Magpies fluffed their lines at Blundell Park in a 2-1 loss. The promoted Hatters await Notts on Saturday in the last game of the regular season and Brisley is eager for his side to make the most of it. “We obviously wanted to win to take the fight for third spot into the final game,” Brisley told the Nottingham Post. “But we weren’t as good as what we have been in the last three games. “We’ll take it on the chin and we’ll look forward to the play-offs. It’s important we get back to winning ways against Luton and build momentum going into those extra two games. “But to be in the play-offs is a great achievement given where the club was last season. We are still in with a chance of promotion, which is the target we set ourselves. “But there was a sense of frustration about not taking it to the final game. We’ve just got to keep our heads up and go again.” 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 described Notts County's League Two regular season finale against Luton Town as a "fantastic opportunity" to prepare for the playoffs. The Magpies' 2-1 loss at Grimsby Town, combined with Wycombe Wanderers' 2-1 win at Chesterfield, saw the Chairboys fill the last top-three spot in the table. Notts cannot finish any higher than fourth or lower than seventh, but before navigating the playoffs, must first see out the 46th and final fixture, and awaiting them on Saturday is second-placed Luton. “It’s just about making sure now that we’re ready and we’re prepared for the playoffs,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “There’s no better time to do it than start with a fantastic opportunity and a fantastic game with Luton who were deservedly going up. “They are going to bring 4,000 plus fans and it’s going to be a great atmosphere and a great occasion. “Then we know we’ve got the business of two games which is going to give us the season highlight or lowlight. “But I said to all the players that no matter what happens from now on, I’m proud of every one of them for what they’ve done and what we’ve done as a team this year. “We’re just hoping that we can get over their final hurdle now.” 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 claimed that he is not fussed over who Notts County will face in the League Two playoffs. The final matchday of the regular League Two season will be played out on Saturday, with the Magpies facing Luton Town at Meadow Lane. Notts will be seeking victory in order to finish as high as they can in the playoff places, and have already beaten Exeter City, Coventry City, Lincoln City this season. “It doesn’t matter who we get,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “We’ve just got to make sure that we be ourselves. “We’ve had some good success against all those teams so for me, it doesn’t matter. “We will know this time next week who we’ve got and we will start preparing. “Hopefully that preparation will do us right and we’ll be having a trip to Wembley.” 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 quickly switched attention to the League Two playoffs and says he is looking forward to them as he hopes to guide Notts County up to League One via Wembley. The Magpies were beaten 2-1 at Grimsby Town on Saturday, a result which, combined with Wycombe Wanderers' win at Chesterfield, has seen the Chairboys take the last automatic spot in the table. Luton Town are up next for Notts, who will seek to finish as high up in the playoff positions as possible, to determine who Nolan's boys will face in the semi-finals. “I’m looking forward to them now,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “I’ve been involved in two play-offs and I’ve won them both. It’s a great way to go up, it’s a great occasion, but we’ve still got a massive job to do. “We’ve got three big and tough games coming up now, whoever we meet in the play-offs. Our lads will be up for it and we’re going to have a right good go at it. “Hopefully over the two legs we will be the better team and see ourselves at Wembley.” 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 urged his players to "start standing up" and enjoy the pressure as they seek promotion from League Two. The Magpies have secured a playoff spot at the very least but, with two games remaining, there is still a plausible chance of nicking a top three spot, which would ensure automatic promotion into League One. “We’ve got to now start standing up,” Nolan told the Nottingham Post. “We’ve been a bit indifferent for a while now. I think it’s partly that people are starting to question (the players), so they want to show people. It could maybe be a bit of that. “For me, they’re working hard and just want to get success. They want success, this team. To be where we are at this moment in time, I’m absolutely delighted. “We’re still within a shout of getting automatic promotion, and we would have loved the play-offs at the beginning of the season; I’m delighted we’ve secured that now. “We’ve got to make sure we take momentum into it, and I didn’t realise we were only two points off Wycombe, now. It’s nice, isn’t it? “There’s going to be drama, I’m delighted with it and we’re going to enjoy it. I’ve told the lads to enjoy this, because these are the best times, you know – the best times of your life. “You’ll look back at these days. I still talk about the promotions I’ve had like they were yesterday, so it’ll be special. "After what we walked into last January, to be involved in all that come the end of the season is absolutely fantastic for these boys and what they’ve done this year.” 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 good enough to launch a League Two playoff challenge next season, according to Shola Ameobi. The Magpies finished last season strongly, losing just once at home since Kevin Nolan took charge of the first team in January. Ameobi played a key role himself in driving the club out of relegation danger by scoring four goals following his arrival at the start of the year, and is now hoping for a top-seven finish. "I am always looking to do the best we can," he told the Nottingham Post. "We had a great end to last season and we want to make progress from that. "We don't want to be in another relegation fight and ideally you want to be in the top half of the league. "You want to be fighting for those promotion and play-off spots and personally I think we are good enough to be in those positions. "We want to be fighting for the play-offs and I know the manager will look to bring more players in that will help us try to achieve that." 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.