Pace, stamina and youthfulness the way forward for Notts too?

https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/joe-mcdonnell-quits-notts-county-4422726

English Notts County suddenly participates in the race to sign the former Malmö academy midfielder Erik Andersson, currently in Trelleborg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erik_Andersson_(footballer)

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?

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?

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!

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.)

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

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/ceo-update-050820/

https://www.barnetfc.com/news/2016/december/barnet-snap-up-tutonda/

an Ardley connection

Notts in the 1st above F*rest, and an interesting team in 3rd league South, Aberdare Athletic

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aberdare_Athletic_F.C.

Let's assume that Covid isn't an issue, budget isn't an issue and all the players would sign if requested. Also ignoring any current contract lengths etc

Sam Slocombe - Keep
Joe McDonnell - Unsure - Looked flappy when he came in. Think we won a lot of games despite him, rather than because of him. Depends how far along Brooks is, but could keep for another season I guess?

Damien McCrory - Unsure - I'm not his biggest fan, but can we find better?
Ben Turner - Let go - He's too slow and will get exposed so many times. The benefit he adds (height) is outweighed by the negatives, I'm afraid. Probably on a wedge too.
Connell Rawlinson - Keep - Starting CB
Dion Kelly-Evans - Keep - Still young and offers a lot of energy and pace. 
Zoumana Bakayogo - Let go - Always seemed like a space filler. Not his biggest fan. Injured a lot
Richard Brindley - Keep - Bad game today, but a good player at this level.
Alex Lacey - Keep - Starting CB. Class act.

Mitch Rose - Keep - Can still offer a lot at this level. I'd rather him be squad player than an important starter, like he is now
Jim O'Brien - Let go - He is too leggy. Good passing and crossing ability, but lack of pace means it's difficult to justify him being on the wing. Defensively he's terrible, too.
Doyle - Keep - Still has it. Perhaps not every game. 
Regan Booty - Keep - Showed a lot of promise. Shame about the injuries.
Tom Crawford - Keep - Showed in the final parts of the regular season how good he can be. Still young.
Sam Osbourne - Keep - Shows promise. Young.

Wes Thomas - Keep - Offers pace and something in behind. Goal scoring is a bit hit and miss.
Kristian Dennis - Keep - Fox in the box.
Enzio - Let go - He's too much of a luxury. You never know what Enzio is gonna turn up, the Enzio curling worldies into top corners from 35 yards out, or the Enzio that floats around the pitch doing not a lot.
Kyle Wootton - Keep - Very good at holding up the play and bringing others in. Needs to work on his ability to beat a man. Still young.
Scott Wilson - Unsure - Not seen much of him
Cal Roberts - Keep - A step above this level. 

That's a total of 14 'Keep's, 4 'Let Go's and 3 'Unsure's. 

What does our starting 11 look like then?

-------------------Slocombe----------------
- Kelly-Evans---Lacey---Rawlinson---???--
----Roberts-----Crawford/Rose---???---???
--------Wootton------Dennis/Thomas------

For me, our starting 11 needs a new LB, centre mid and left back. 
 

Template

Slocombe * -
Brindley * - 
Lacey * -
Turner * - 
Bagan * - 
Roberts * 
Rose * -
Doyle * -
O'Brien * - 
Wootton - * - 
Dennis * - 

Enzio * - 
Thomas * - 

Kelly Evans

Playoff final - Sulphurites

Team: Harrogate

Date: 02/08/2020

Where: Wembley

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.

Received a reminder of this, this morning. Had totally forgotten about it to be fair and, for a millisecond, considered cashing in now, but no. Hope springs eternal.