Game 38 - The Bluebirds (A)

Team: Barrow AFC

Date: 07/03/2020

Where: Holker Street

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.

McDonnell 6 - Collected crosses when he needed too. Didn't really have much to do from the 65th minute onwards. Was on the end of bad tackle by Quigley resulting in his red card

Brindley 8 - Forced Barrow back to goal and got in the face of Dan Jones and Patrick Brough. Never gave them room to breathe

Rawlinson 7 - Commanding. Couple of wayward passes due to the wind but overall solid as per usual. Dior Angus was in his pocket all game

Lacey 8 - Wall. Just a wall

McCrory 7 - Couple of times where he left too much space for his man and have away the penalty. Did fine 2nd half

Bagan 9 - Forced Barrow back well and constantly put Josh Kay under a lot of pressure, everytime he received the ball. Don't think anyone got past him all afternoon

Crawford 9 - Pressured brilliantly. Snuck in from the corner to get the 1st. Passing was class. Unplayable at times

Doyle 8 - Few wayward wind affected passes 1st half. Won the second ball on many occasions. Pure sh*thousery as well. Love it. Made the refs mind up for the red card too

O'Brien 7 - Won the second ball many times like Doyle. More expressive 2nd half and got on the ball more

Thomas 6 - Not much service first half but chased down the Barrow defence well before being subbed

Wilson 6 - Like Thomas, chased the Barrow centre halfs well in the 2nd before being subbed

Wootton 7 - Won us free kicks. Linked up the play nicely

Roberts 8 - He wears a magic hat. Give him the ball let him work his bag of tricks. Sent two or three Barrow players for a hotdog for the 2nd goal 

Long 6 - Only came on to shore it up but we'll give him a rating anyway cos why not

I assume this is the last loan signing to cover all the needed areas.

Difference in this one is he is here for the rest of the season where as the others seem to be initial month so they seem to rate him.

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/scott-wilson-signs-280220/

I know this is a random topic. But do you keep keep your sauces e.g ketchup, mayo etc in the fridge or cupboard? 

My preference is in the cupboard, even though it states on the bottle to put it in the fridge  

So for all the older members of PoN (and hopefully some younger ones as well!) Genesis (Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford) have announced this morning their reunion tour!

They've only played a couple of shows in the uk in the past 30 years, as I was lucky to be at both.

Tickets go on pre-sale tomorrow and general sale Friday at 9AM.

https://www.genesis-music.com/

Cannot believe we are in March already. I've got a feeling this month is going to be a long one. Especially, when there is no chocolate involved. But, I am doing it for a good cause. If you fancy donating, it is my pinned tweet on Twitter or here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/megan-walsh20?utm_campaign=pfp-tweet&utm_content=Megan-Walsh20&utm_medium=fundraisingpage&utm_source=Twitter&utm_term=eekeJnQZB

It's nothing major like a skydive or shaving my hair off. But it's something I know I am comfortable doing. It's my 5th year doing this and it never gets easier. 

Of course, any donation counts no matter if it's big or little, and it will be appreciated. 

So, this week has actually gone my way for once. Even though I've been doing extra hours work, I've managed to find time to see @ARLukomski and spend sometime with my family.

I'm finally back driving on thursday from having a month off lessons, but cannot do the course until April. Also, booked a holiday for me and @ARLukomski in july, which is well deserved. July is look to be a good month. 

How's your week been? 

If you're on Instagram, please feel free to attach one of your photos to this topic.

Let's see what exists out their in the Notts County community, networking and seeing fans enjoying themselves makes the platform enjoyable to browse - especially on a match day!

Here's a picture that @Dan took, which @Chris edited for the Pride of Nottingham Instagram page.

Share yours below, football/Notts related or something you feel is interesting.

Game 24 - The Coasters (A)

Team: AFC Fylde

Date: 03/03/2020

Where: Mill Farm

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.

I like coins. I don't have a huge collection but I collect special ones. Has anyone come across the Brexit 50p? I have people in the UK keeping an eye for one for me but no luck so far. A friend went to London this weekend, but hasn't come across any. I could buy one on ebay, but I think I'll wait for one to turn up. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brexit_50p_coin

This isn't the most useful update you can imagine, but there's some useful quotes from Neal Ardley.

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/march/fylde-team-news-020320/

does anyone watch rugby? i went out for a meal earlier with my family and i saw most of a game, i dont really watch it much but it was a good one.

both teams played well. i have no idea who was who tho.  

Notts County's CEO Jason Turner has published a statement via the official clubs website.

Quote

Chief Executive Jason Turner has released the following statement after the Vanarama National League today granted AFC Fylde’s proposal to rearrange our twice-postponed trip to Mill Farm for next Tuesday (3 March, kick-off 7.45pm) despite our repeated strong objections.

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/fylde-rearranged-again-270220/

It's disappointing, as the NL haven't taken into consideration anything but what I deem to be excuses.

Surely, we are the ones at the disadvantage?

I feel for the fans who have travelled to the game, I honestly do believe the officials and AFC Fylde should be fined. The fixture shouldn't even be proceeding at their ground if a third tie ends up being postponed action must be taken. In the Football League, I believe they would have made the club find an alternative venue.

I can see it easily happening again.

With the Premier League announcing the introduction of a Hall of Fame and the first two inductees to be announced in March, who do you want to see included? 

It's got to be Shearer and Giggs or Fergie and Wenger for me. 

https://www.premierleague.com/news/1624710

I expressed concern before that with all the resources of Football Radar, the best keeper we could come up with was a Wimbledon reserve. I sincerely hope that I am wrong about him and he goes on to prove me wrong but the goals conceded against Hartlepool does not fill me with confidence.

Also, are opposition teams targeting Rose as a weak point. Whether it be standards of EFL League 2 and the Vanarama, are getting closer but rarely this season has our midfield seen to dominate.  Very rarely do we seem to really "click" and when we do, it is normally with Ozzy being in the team, who offers a goal scoring threat. Enzio drifts out of games and therefore lessens the potency of the midfield. Discuss....

i think notts have looked better this season when we have played as a team, a comment shared by @Chris about what happens when new signings arrive has made realise some of this.

it might help is we focus on team building and focused team related exercises.

the squad isnt small, morale within the whole camp needs to balanced. notts have shown a lot of stuff showing that we are working hard as a club in training, but the instructions on the pitch seem to be largely centred around giving the ball to cal roberts now.

before it was enzio, its a lot of a burden but training on passes as a unit. defending together, without leaving everyone back could help put an end to the poor performances. it does seem to come about when we sign somebody new. it might be something that needs to be accepted but i am curious as to what fans think.

I just had to disable a post over on our Facebook group, rightly or wrongly - I just felt it would lead to a bigger meltdown or just inner fighting as it seems there's always going to be two sides.

At this stage, I don't think sacking Neal Ardley would solve any long term issues.

I believe the lack of a long term plan has caused a lack of stability and, whilst I will always admit I find Ardley to be frustrating. I just don't see how we can move forward with this type of negative vibe within the supporters base which seems to be mostly down to losing games. Football is a funny game, we all see differently but this does disappear when we are winning.

We have discussed the manager in length in the past and, listening to the managers comments on the radio, I can see why some have doubts.

Insisting that Adam Long didn't do anything wrong against Hartlepool, it might be just a protective comment but it did sound as if he really struggled. Pierce Bird did fine in the last game, so it does seem harsh.

I don't remotely feel that the return of Michael Doyle impacted the squad, I honestly believe that Hartlepool would have done their homework and we just failed to match them.

Aside like them, they like to pin teams back and use the midfield as the outlet to control the game. I mentioned this in the match discussion, Charlie Slater and Mark Stallard mentioned that their defence looked like it could be exploited, with Charlie referring to one of them appearing to be a "flapper", great piece of commentary that. It does describe what he would have seen quite well to the folks at home.

Would Nathan Tyson make a difference? No, people forget that he scored for a completely different team who might have made changes to accompany him in their line-up.

Changes which are unlikely to happen with Notts.

Callum Roberts is still an exciting player, I have mentioned that Tyson could have been given a chance out wide but I'd have Roberts there any day of the week.

Constructively, can you point out what you feel Neal Ardley sees compared to your own views?

Do we have players who can come in and cover, whilst the regular starters have a breather?

For me, it's hard not to play Kyle Wotton due to what he brings.

With injuries, I only feel at right back do we have the most depth right now. The centre of the park lacks creativity and on the wing we only really have Sam Osborne who can come in and do well, Sean Shields isn't very good IMO.

I'm not saying we need to replace people, but perhaps the formation could do with adjusting at times?

FA Trophy - The Millers (H)

Team: Aveley FC

Date: 29/02/2020

Where: Meadow Lane

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.

Sorry, I missed last week, I got caught up with work again and didn't really do much. 

So, this week has pretty much been the same, all I've really done is gone to work. Picking up extra hours here and there.

Went shopping with my mum and trying Yorkshire pudding wraps. Before we went we visited my grandparents as neither of us have seen them for a month or so.  

As I am writing this I am on my way to Skeg (must be bonkers) with my family and @ARLukomski. Hopefully, it will be nice and quiet. I've needed a day like today for ages, just to spend quality time with my family and having time to relax. 

Welcome to the latest round of the prediction league. But who will celebrate leap year day by leaping up the table?

Scores, jokers, blah. Good luck!

Fulham v Preston NE

Sheffield Wednesday v Derby County

Burton Albion v Peterborough United

Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury Town

Oldham Athletic v Newport County

Grimsby Town v Northampton Town

Woking v Maidenhead United

Boreham Wood v Hartlepool United

how long do you think notts will be able to keep him? hes clearly a different class and i think hes the type of player who would choose his own happiness over more money etc.

its early days but i hope notts can get at least three seasons out of him.

biggest issue is getting back into the fl, then fending off bigger clubs but if we can grow with him i think he will be loyal.

We have signed a young lad from Cardiff on an initial months loan to cover at Left back.

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/joel-bagan-signs-140220/

It's a brilliant idea, Lifeline has done some incredible work over the last few seasons and the scheme has assisted with making it easier for the new owners.

However, early season ticket purchases ended up being shafted last season.

The same thing happened this year, those who purchased early despite the uncertainty haven't been given any reward for their loyalty. Whilst the club yet again offered the cheaper prices for longer because naturally they struggled to convince people to come on board [Hardy, would there be a club?].

Where's the faith show to these? I understand the focus of Lifeline, it's deserved but the club forgets about those who are at the root of this club.

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/half-term-ground-tour-170220/

Final league position predictions?

I predict 6th on the current form.

Quote

 

We have completed the signing of goalkeeper Joe McDonnell on a deal until the end of the season.

The 25-year-old was most recently at AFC Wimbledon, where he worked with Neal Ardley and Neil Cox, and his arrival has paved the way for Ross Fitzsimons to return to Chesterfield on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Cox said: “We had a very amicable chat with Ross this morning and he’s decided to move on.

“While we wanted Ross to stay and provide competition for our goalkeeping spot, the manager can’t guarantee anyone a starting role in the team.

“Ross wants to play as many games as he can and he feels Chesterfield will be the best place for him to do that. We wish him well.”

 

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/mcdonnell-signs-fitzsimons-departs-030220/?fbclid=IwAR2dGgVKWDuZNz4i_Tsh9IUnAG6bFgcxeV8KpJQCLwVodIr7VTjmYD03VyU

Slocombe out 'for the foreseeable future' is vague one. If Fitz was here, surely he'd be pencilled in for that number 1 slot, like he was on Saturday. Maybe the manager really doesn't rate him and rates this new lad higher? Who knows.