https://downthewritewing.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/criticism-surrounding-england-southgate/

The show goes on on Tuesday night (24 November) - these matches all kick off at 7.00 pm, so that's the deadline for your predictions. As always, you get one joker each. Good luck!

 

QPR v Rotherham United

Stoke City v Norwich City

Accrington Stanley v Crewe Alexandra

Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool

Barrow v Oldham Athletic

Exeter City v Colchester United

Altrincham v Bromley

Wrexham v Sutton United

I think Notts are missing the players who graft like workhorses in order to jump ahead of others and earn their selection, Neal Ardley on paper has built a decent squad with areas that do require some thought.

Most teams have areas where they focus and require further work.

What I would like to see is Notts identify players like Richard Butcher/Neal Bishop, workhorse style players who do the simple things like pressing and winning the ball. There's too much desire from media and certain fans to expect a squad full of players like Callum Roberts. We don't have any of those dirty workers who will grind out a good result by just working hard, why do we need to build a squad that on paper gets tipped for winning the league.

It would be a better usage of the budget if we had capable players who worked hard.

Very simple, try not to be biased but I imagine it could be somewhat difficult. If you genuinely feel that ours is the best, kudos - I'm not going to suggest otherwise but I am curious how people would honestly rank these.

 

https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/recap-chesterfield-concede-twice-injury-time-fall-defeat-against-notts-county-3043329

The goals

 

https://play.acast.com/s/priceoffootball/ukgovts-300msportbailout-carabaocupcash

I don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but former Notts defender Graeme Lee and his family are having a bit of a rough time. His wife, Gemma, has terminal brain cancer but is trying a new drug that seems to be helping. It costs 5k a month though, so should anybody wish to help out, the link for JustGiving is below. Donny Rovers are donating 10 quid per shirt sold this season, which is a fantastic gesture. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8969857/Graeme-Lee-wife-Gemma-Exclusive-Interview-12-months-terminal-brain-cancer-diagnosis.html


Just Giving:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/warriorgemma

This could be very good news, I am hopeful it will go ahead - people just need to be mindful.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/55010011?at_custom4=A6310350-2D9C-11EB-823F-2A7A96E8478F&at_campaign=64&at_custom1=[post+type]&at_custom3=Match+of+the+Day&at_custom2=facebook_page&at_medium=custom7&fbclid=IwAR2lin92QWaN11SSWbn-3mL8NZzL6gBahWR_AzbvCheLpjea8ohqrlzTRuM

Quality defence splitting pass from Reeves

Welcome back to the greatest show in town - these matches kick off at 3pm on Saturday, 21 November, so fill in your predictions and post them by then - and don't forget your jokers. Good luck (but not too much - I fancy staying top for more than one week)!

 

Barnsley v Nottingham Florist

Luton Town v Blackburn Rovers

Rochdale v AFC Wimbledon

Burton Albion v Northampton Town

Salford City v Bradford City

Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town

Boreham Wood v Altrincham

Wrexham v Aldershot

Game 10 - The Spireites (A)

Team: Chesterfield

Date: 21/11/2020

Where: Technique Stadium

What line-up should Neal Ardley opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Slocombe: 5 - Their first goal was a good strike, might feel he could've done better. but couldn't do anything about their 2nd. 

Brindley - 5 - Doesn't look the same player that was bombing down the right when he first signed last season. Feel a bit sorry for him as when he does go forward, there's no midfield inside for him to play to. Defensively his side was OK.

Rawlinson - 5 - Didn't think he did a great deal wrong, but can't give any member of a defence that let Denton and gang put 2 past them more than a 5. The right hand side of defence was OK.

Ben Turner - 2 - He is still a donkey and largely went unpunished today. Nice how he let Denton go and stand on our smallest player, DKE, for their 'winner'. I used to think Turner was an asset for games like this, against teams who played this type of 'football', but he is even a liability for that too. We would do well to offload him ASAP.

DKE - 3 - Their winger had the beating of him and did well to keep himself in check and avoid a second yellow. Feel a bit sorry for him as he had the defensive-duo (sarcasm) of O'Brien and Enzio in front of him. Improved when Rodrigues came on, but their first goal was at least partially his fault. Not marked down for the Denton goal, should never have been made to mark him.

Doyle - 2 - Slow, boring, predictable and even inaccurate passing. If you are taking that long to make the pass, you better be sure it gets there. When they put pressure on him, he made mistakes too and he was unpunished. Needs a rest if he had anyone to replace him.

O'Brien - 2 - Offers nothing defensively. You can tell he was a winger before because he doesn't know how to defend and it shows. Passes going forward were woeful and he is too slow to provide work-rate or forward runs. Him and Doyle can't play alongside each other, even in a 3.

Reeves - 2 - In my mind he was probably slightly better than the other 2, but not by much. Rubbish.

Roberts - 5 - He hit the post. Did he touch the ball after that? Can't remember, because our tactic was to keep hoofing it up to him, giving him no chance.

Enzio - 5 - Scored the goal. Was a menace at the start. Can't defend.

Wootton - 3 - You might think 3 is harsh for somebody that scored the winner, but he was on 1 before that. Bring back Wootton of last season. The one from the past few games is pathetic. Spent more time on the floor in the past few games than Jon Stead managed in 3 seasons (and that's saying something!). Held up absolutely nothing and can count himself very lucky to A: have started and B: not have been hooked on 60 minutes instead of Enzio. 

Subs:

Rodrigues - 10* - Took the game by the scruff of the net, tackled, fought and won the game for us. Takes players on, tries to play the strikers in, expansive, quick passing. Superb cameo and superb player. Needs to be one of the first names on that teamsheet. Better defensively than who Ardley is starting ahead of him, so no excuses now conservative Neal!

Sam - 8 - Sam came on and again looked good. Held the ball up, linked play, everything we missed for 60 minutes until he came on. Should probably have been up the middle, but linked well with Rodrigues.

Ardley - 2 - Gets a 2 for the subs made on 60 minutes. Would've been on 0 without it. Feel like the result has delayed what might be inevitable. If I were Danish with a football analytical company, I'd be looking at available managers with decent stats in this league and the ones below, just in case these type of performances don't change. 

 

After a short break, we're back - the prediction league. A tremendous prediction league. The best. Everyone's saying it. I've scratched together some fixtures despite all the postponements (who knew that there were so many internationals in League One?) and will need your predictions no later than 3pm on Saturday, 14 November! And remember your jokers!

 

Northampton Town v Accrington Stanley

Shrewsbury Town v Swindon Town

Carlisle United v Cheltenham Town

Colchester United v Leyton Orient

Harrogate Town v Crawley Town

Barnet v Bromley

Altrincham v Aldershot

Chesterfield v Maidenhead United

For the first time in a long time, I actually enjoyed watching an England game. 

Iceland played a very defensive game but the attacking play from England was brilliant. It's just a shame it's taken till there was nothing at stake for Southgate to play such an attacking style of football rather than his boring defensive play. 

Foden and Grealish deserve to start together, they both love to drive at the defence and can be a frightening thought for any defence.  Was also nice to see Maguire back to his old self playing almost as a centre midfielder.

I really hope that Southgate realises that we should be playing this type of attacking football regularly as we could genuinely be a threat if we play like this. 

Slocombe 5 Didnt really have a lot to do, got something on the ball but not enough to prevent Halifax's equaliser

Brindley 4 Too many sloppy passes and always checks inside rather than over lapping going forward

Rawlinson 5 Perhaps should have pulled the guy down in the final minute. Connel was Ok rest of the match

Lacey 7 Superb block, goes in where it hurts and was hurt

DKE 6 Much stronger on the left side for the team

Reeves 5 Good shot but expecting much more

Doyle 6 Kept midfield ticking

JOB 4 Faded second half, legs gone?

Enzio 3 and thats being kind, like playing as a team with only 10 men. Needless boot forward at end of 1st half

Sam 5 Took goal well, touch rest of the half just OK ish.

Wootton 4 Lack of service and constantly being fouled

Subs

Turner 1 All the experience and he switched off

Roberts 4 Could and should have made it 2

 

So this happened...

He was substituted at half-time. It was 2-1 at that point but Zimbabwe scored again in the 2nd half, so the game finished 2-2. 

Luckily for him, I don't the National League has players quite as good as Mahrez!

Game 9 - The Shaymen (A)

Team: FC Halifax Town

Date: 17/11/2020

Where: The Shay

What line-up should Neal Ardley opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Another England game, another disappointment.

Englsnd cannot now qualify in the Nations League. 

From the moment the team sheet was announced, it was inevitable that it wasn't going to have a good ending for England. The only positive was Grealish getting his first competitive start for England and he played excellent. 

First half was not great at all. The free kick that led to Belgiums second should never have been given. Kane was unlucky not to equalise, Lukaku did well defensively. But other than that chance, we looked like doing nothing. 

Second half was much better, we were getting behind and creating chances more but it was with help from Belgium as they sat back pretty much the whole second half and let us attack and even though they weren't bothered about attacking as much, they still effortlessly got behind our defence and created dangerous chances. 

Southgate needs to realise this formation and some of his selections do not work before it's too late. This nations league campaign with these players and formation has been diabolical. 

When Grealish was attacking and looking to drive at the defenders, you could see how annoyed he was having to play it backwards. We allowed Belgium to regroup quickly rather than catch them on the break which we could have done on several occasions. 

Not to mention that Belgium were missing Hazard and Carrasco who would have added to their attacking threat. 

Great news! Do you think this will stop people speculating that he will be off soon?

 

I don't think @TheMagpieCircle requires much of an introduction really, it's been a smash hit with fans since Paul Mace started production with his son on the regular online show which brings former players back to the spotlight.

However, I am very pleased to be welcoming TMC to our Notts County community.

I'm keen to support our friends and, hope to see their YouTube channel grow further.

You can give "The Magpie Circle" a follow here.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYjVLSvWZce5PtK1LqLX-JQ/featured

Don't forget to give their videos a watch! Neal Bishop is on the show tomorrow!

I'm currently listening to The Dubliners, a band that my father @super_ram enjoys listening too.

I quite like listening to Irish folk songs, it's certainly something which he passed down. I think Luke Kelly had one of the most unique voices that I've ever heard, weather he sang a serious song or something a little more fun. The music behind a lot of it is enjoyable, but a thing of the past. This will sound weird to anyone who knows how much I enjoy my rock music.

Yet some punk bands in the 70's grew inspiration from the genre (among others).

The sound is perhaps the best thing about the genre, especially when it sounds haunting.

What music has been passed down to you?

With Scotland winning tonight, they progress to the Euros.

Date for the diary.. June 18th 2021.

England v Scotland!!

Our forthcoming match against the Hatters has been postponed as four of their players have The Plague. Obviously I wish all concerned a speedy recovery and two symptom-free weeks in front of their XBoxes.

So our next match is at Halifax a week tomorrow. Makes you wonder if this season will ever get finished. It's chaotic already.

I have seen fans on social media claim that those who want Ardley to stay as the manager, are accepting that Notts are second best. Are they forgetting what caused Notts County to demise through the leagues over the years or even what helped the club rise to the old First Division?

The reason Notts ended up out of the Football League is because we sack managers far too easily.

Aside from the odd game so far, the other performances have been quite good. Taking any excuses away from those for and against, have faith in the owners to make the correct decision, I hope the rumours are wrong and I do feel it will be proven to be made up. Notts doesn't have the luxury to get the best manager in, or have a squad of 50 odd players because the next manager decides that half of the current lot aren't good enough.

Neal Ardley has shown he can deliver, it's far too early to close the door.