All Discussions
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http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/53696424
So it seems that clubs in the lower divisions are getting their acts together and introducing a wage cap. 2.5 million for squads in League One and 1.5 million for League Two, with players under 21 to be exempted.
It seems a good idea, but the devil will be in the detail. The limits do seem rather low (I remember Notts spending more than 2.5 million in L1, and we had a wage bill of 3 million when we got relegated from L2). On the one hand that obviously good. On the other, the better-supported clubs like Portsmouth would be transformed into profit-making enterprises, making them irresistable for all manner of shysters.
When it comes to Notts, I wonder if we're already spending more than the 1.5 million for L2 (as we went spending double that when we went down it seems likely). Would we be forced to have a fire sale if we went up?
What do you all make of it?
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Pace, stamina and youthfulness the way forward for Notts too?
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English Notts County suddenly participates in the race to sign the former Malmö academy midfielder Erik Andersson, currently in Trelleborg
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Thoughts on the new kit?
https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/home-kit-launch-050820/
For me, I like it more than last seasons, but still not ‘right’ I’m my eyes. Don’t know what it is. Maybe a proper collar needed?
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The clubs captain Michael Doyle has extended his contract with Notts, hopefully we’ll learn news on the assistant manager position which I feel would suit Doyle.
Thoughts?
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I hate the play-offs. I wasn't there for either of the Warnock finals, but I definitely was for the debacle in 1996. And now this. I never expected us to get this far, but there's still somethig galling about having the prospect of an instant return dangled in front of you tantalisingly, only to have it snatched away again. This was our first go. Hopefully next season we can get the 90+ points we'll need to avoid them.
On a personal note I have a special relationship with promotion play-offs. My adopted team, Waldhof Mannheim, qualified for, and failed in, the play-offs three years running (once after finishing as champions). The first time getting that far was an unexpected delight, only to come a cropper against a much stronger team (sound familiar?) in front of a full house of 26,000. The manager resigned afterwards. The second time they lost on penalties (the player who missed the crucial one turned his back on football afterwards) and the third was abandoned due to crowd trouble with Waldhof trailing 3-1. They finally made it on the fourth attempt as champions after automatic promotion was reintroduced.
So I'm not keen and I'm not sure I could cope with us finishing in the play-offs next season too. But you've got to show the mental strength to go again and be up there year after year, and that's what Notts have to do now. If we bully this league and bang on the door enough, eventually we'll make it. What we can't allow ourselves to do is to sink into mediocrity like Wrexham have done.
Next seson is going to be a difficult one psychologically, the expectations will be higher and the pressure much greater if we don't get off to a good start. But we've got a good team to have got us this far despite everything, and touch wood we'll have a better one next time round if NA and the owners have done their homework. Here's hoping!
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Quote
We have confirmed our retained list following the conclusion of our 2019-20 Vanarama National League season.
Ten players remain under contract for the forthcoming campaign, while seven others have been offered the opportunity to extend their stay at Meadow Lane.
Sadly, however, five players have been released following the expiration of their contracts and our manager Neal Ardley has praised the contributions they have made towards the club’s resurgence.
“This is always the toughest day in a manager’s calendar, but it’s especially difficult this year as we are saying goodbye to great lads who have given their absolute all to the cause,” said Ardley.
“The relationship I have with these boys goes beyond that of a typical manager and player. They have all bought into mine and the club’s philosophy and helped take us to a play-off final and an FA Trophy semi, achievements we could only have dreamed of at this stage last year.
“Unfortunately football is a cruel sport and disappointing news is par for the course in any player’s career. All I can do is publicly thank each of them for their efforts and wish them all the very best for the future.”
Under contract
Tiernan Brooks
Enzio Boldewijn
Damien McCrory
Jim O’Brien
Connell Rawlinson
Callum Roberts
Sam Slocombe
Wes Thomas
Ben Turner
Kyle Wootton
Out of contract, offered new deal
Richard Brindley
Kristian Dennis
Michael Doyle
Dion Kelly-Evans
Alex Lacey
Joe McDonnell
Sam Osborne
Out of contract, released
Zoumana Bakayogo
Regan Booty
Tom Crawford
Mitch Rose
Scott Wilson
https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news...d-list-040820/
Really surprised that Crawford has been released. Last season, I would have understood it. He came on so much as a player this season though. Rose released so no surprise to me there. Hope Doyle and JoB are there as experienced heads occasionally when needed (more so Doyle tbf.)
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With Fulham joining Leeds United and West Brom in the Premier League, here's my league table prediction..
1. Manchester City
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Manchester United
5. Arsenal
6. Tottenham
7. Wolves
8. Leicester City
9. Everton
10. Sheffield United
11. Southampton
12. Leeds United
13. Newcastle United
14. Aston Villa
15. Burnley
16. Crystal Palace
17. Brighton
18. West Ham United
19. West Brom
20. Fulham -
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53637169
There should be stricter regulations, if their ground isn't ready to meet EFL regulations, they shouldn't be promoted
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Notts in the 1st above F*rest, and an interesting team in 3rd league South, Aberdare Athletic