The balls are out of the sack and we face Ebbsfleet or Woking away in the first round of the cup. I can't deny that I'm underwhelmed - it would have been a nice change to play a League club again. Still, we should keep the ball rolling and hopefully we'll make the third round.

What do you think? Will you be making the trip, or is the cup an unwelcome distraction?

Things are looking very good right now, performance wise Notts seems fired up and, Meadow Lane is quickly becoming a fortress.

Neal Ardley's position seems to be secure, despite some concerns early on by some fans.

Team wise, we have depth and have managed the 'injury crisis' that certain areas of the media attempted to push, perhaps as a way to excuse the defeats? Either way, it never seemed liked a major issue at all.

The injury to Jim O'Brien and return of Sheffield United youngest Sam Graham seemed the only genius issues Ardley faced.

We've seen that Mitch Rose can partner pretty much anyone in the centre of midfield, Pierce Bird can come in and do a steady job. The depth that Sean Shields and Richard Brindley highlights we have cover, in terms of quality and players able to come in at any point.

A few bad results, may creep in some nerves but I feel most fans are optimistic right now.

Importantly, the belief and feeling that Notts is able to do well had returned.

How do you feel currently?

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/former-notts-county-defender-turns-3420864

Does anyone know what is happening with the monthly shirt sponsors? Are we still doing them?

We're now into our third month with Lifeline on the front of the shirt. While their logo looks very snazzy and all, I can't help wondering whether we'll be getting an external sponsor again. Is there really so little interest in the monthly packages (I'd expected the owners to stick Football Radar on there for a month at least)? Or do you reckon they're looking for a main sponsor to go on the shirt next season too? I know the National League is a hard sell, but it's quite possible that we will be having two Wembley trips in the spring, with plenty of exposure for our sponsor...

Any thoughts, rumours, insider info?

Our former chairman died yesterday at the age of 97.

He was a bit before my time, but he was the man who brought Jimmy Sirrel to the club and took us on a crazy journey from the fourth to the first division. RIP Jack.

Here's an NEP article with an excerpt from Paul Mace's book on Jack Dunnett. Recommended reading!

I get and fully understand that some fans are not impressed with Neal Ardley.

At this stage in the season I think more time needs to be given, those who call for his head seem more impatient and unrealistic in their expectations. A modern sign of football supporters, I think on a rational basis we have to hope he improves because there is a lot that needs to be done.

So, I ask you what is your view on the gaffer?

What about his managerial traits do you not like? More importantly how do you think he can improve?

Notts County Football Club can't keep sacking the managers, stability is needed and I think Neal Ardley is struggling to make use of the players at his disposal. He has the CV to suggest he can do well, is it more his in-game tactics that fall short or does it all stem from his approach leading into games?

I might sound out of my head, I think given the time and chance he will do a steady job.

Hey everyone,

So a couple of months back we came up to Nottingham to film a video about the Pies, and it finally went live at the end of last week.

Big thanks to Chris and everyone else who spoke to us at Meadow Lane, wouldn't have been possible without all your input.

If you want to have a watch, here is the link:

Mean of 5

Slocombe 6.5 Poor clearance in length  led to the wonder strike for Ebbsfleet's first. Chooses to punch a lot but without 100 % conviction. Good save in the second half

Brindley 6 Subdued in offensive sense , unlucky with penalty conceded which from my restricted view, looked harsh

Rawlinson 6 No nonsense at times, which sometimes is what is needed at this level

Turner 7.5 a £35k winner for the Club at the back stick. 

McCrory 6 Took fifteen minutes to get the measure of Myles Weston, whose pace is not in question, still cannot cross though. Like McCrory's ability to get a tackle in

Rose 4.5 Too many square passes, perhaps the weakest link in the team at the moment as we really need him to drive the team forward. One yellow card

Doyle 6 Held the team together in the opening twenty minutes when we were under pressure.

Booty 6.5 Touches of quality at times, needs to get more involved

Boldewijn 7.5 Whistled a great shot that could have made it 3 much earlier. When he steps up a gear, defences can't live with him

Thomas 7.5 Works hard , some good turns

Wootton 7.5 Two goals to match a target man's performance

Who do you feel is the best summer recruit for Notts County?

Remember, remember the second of November ... for that is when the next round of prediction league fixtures are played. As always, post your predictions and one joker each by 3pm on Saturday. The loser may or may not be put on a bonfire. Good luck!

Leeds v QPR

Cardiff v Birmingham City

Doncaster v Burton

Blackpool v Peterborough

Bradford v Exeter City

Scunthorpe v Stevenage

Halifax Town v Torquay United

Solihull Moors v Dagenham & Redbridge

Slocombe 6 - Couldn't do owt with the two goals. Deflection and a good finish. Steady second half

Brindley 5 - Too casual at times. Played the easy ball on occasions

Rawlinson 7 - Was good second half. His diagonal balls to Wootton and Thomas caused carnage amongst the Pools back line

Turner 6 - Got sent to the shops for the 2nd goal. Did the dirty work second half and needed to, to keep it level

McCrory 7 - Always offered that option going forward and played a class ball for Thomas to get us back in the game

Shields 5 - Did ok. Some energetic bursts but sometimes lacked the run in behind. Subbed

Rose 4 - Couldn't pass a parcel. Takes too long to decide what to do

Doyle 5 - Very poor first half. Wayward passes a plenty. Improved a bit in the 2nd

Boldewijn 6 - Always grafted to get the ball back. Nearly always involved in the action 

Wootton 7 - A presence and when we went direct second half, Hartlepool couldn't cope with him

Thomas 7 - Beat the keeper to the ball for the first and a proper poacher's finish for the second. Game saviour. A lot better in the second half when we were more forward thinking. Caused problems

Subs

Booty 7 - Subbed on, gets an assist and makes us a lot better going forward. Our most creative midfielder

Dennis N/A - Came on too late to make any impact 

Game 20 - Monkey Hangers (H)

Team: Hartlepool United

Date: 02/11/19

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.

I've decided to start this again just like I did last summer, even though we've changed leagues. 

May 17th-24th 

AFC Fylde:  Scott Duxbury - Stockport County (LB) - Free

Barrow: Bradley Barry - Chesterfield (LB) - Free, Morgan Penfold - Peterborough United (ST) - Free

Bromley: Adrian Clifton - Maidenhead United (ST) - Free, Michael Cheek - Ebbsfleet United (ST) - Free

Chesterfield: Haydn Hollis - Forest Green Rovers (CB) - Free

Dagenham & Redbridge: Josh Strizovic - Maidstone United (GK) - Free

Dover Athletic: Yusuf Mersin - Crawley Town (GK) - Free

Harrogate Town: Connor Hall - Brackley Town (CB) - Free, Scott Brown - Accrington Stanley (CM) - Free

Hartlepool United: Nicke Kamamba - Havant & Waterlooville (ST) - Free, Michael Raynes - Crewe Alexandra (CB) - Free

Maidenhead United: Shamir Fenelon - Aldershot Town (ST) - Free, Henry Landers - North Leigh (CAM) - Free, Josh Smile - Chippenham Town (CM) -  Free, Freddie Grant - Wealdstone (LB) - Free

Solihull Moors: Mitch Hancox - Milton Keynes (LB) - Free

Woking: Dave Tarpey - Barnet (ST) - Free, Godfrey Poku - Wealdstone (CM) - Free

Game 19 - The Cardinals (A)

Team: Woking

Date: 29/10/19

Where: Kingfield 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.

Mean of 5.0 

Slocombe 6.5 Always good to have a clean sheet , survived some goal mouth scrambles...distribution still not right at times but did ride his luck, like coming to punch a ball he got nowhere near

Brindley 6.5. Not much in offensive play but read the game well

Turner 6.5 Solid headers

Rawlinson 6.5 Good understanding with Turner...recalls the need for "nasty centre halfs"...so we don't get bullied

McCrory 7.5 Pushing forward to give an outlet for crosses, defended well against Woking's main threat down his channel

Rose 4.5 More hospital passes but to his credit defended well

Doyle 8 MotM  Have to say , performance was a step up, recycled possession well and some great cross field balls

Booty 6.5 always tries to be an outlet to receive the ball

Enzio 7.5 cracking goals , provides the extra  class and it counted. One rather stupid freekick conceded in 2nd half

Thomas 7 Gets in where it hurts...good defensive play too high up the pitch

Wootton 7 Missed 2 great chances in the first 10 minutes but led the line well..Ref gave him nothing

Slocombe 6 - Could have had a picnic. Didn't really have much to do

Brindley 4 - Everytime the ball came to him his control was poor and didn't play it forward enough. Disappeared for the goal. Did ok first half but poor after that 

Turner 5 - Bit clunky at times. Felt like his feet were wrapped together with tape

McCrory 5 - Ok ish. Decent with the ball at his feet

Bakayogo 4 - Poor first touch. Another who had his legs tied together with tape. 

Shields 5 - Energetic as usual but lack of end product 

Rose 2 - Generous. It's not illegal to play a forward pass. Sideways and back all the time. Didn't do anything with the ball

Doyle 4 - Tried to get us going but couldn't 

Boldewijn 5 - Good first half. Lively. Made good runs. Faded in the last few minutes

Dennis 4 - Quiet. Too quiet. Didn't really get any service 

Wootton 6 - Always amongst the action going forward. Tried his hardest to get something

Subs 

Booty 5 - Yeh. Woohoo lets play our best passer at left back. That'll influence the game. 

Thomas N/A - Got no service but meh

Tyson N/A - Didn't really influence the game when he came on 

Fate is inexorable. As is the prediction league. So get yer scores in by 3pm on Saturday, and don't forget your jokers.

Huddersfield v Barnsley

Hull City v Derby County

Rotherham v Wycombe

Burton v Blackpool

Forest Green v Crewe

Walsall v Mansfield

Bromley v Halifax Town

Dover v Stockport

Game 18 - The Spireites (A)

Team: Chesterfield

Date: 26/10/19

Where: Proact 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.

It feels like only a minute ago that I posted the scores for the last round (mainly because it is), and now the next round is upon us. These matches kick off on Tuesday at 7.45pm, so I'll need your predictions in by then.

Just a quick reminder - you get ONE joker each (if you post two I can't accept them), and if you copy and paste the fixtures, make sure you copy all eight of them. Good luck!

Preston v Leeds

Millwall v Cardiff City

Portsmouth v Lincoln City

Shrewsbury v Gillingham

Rochdale v MK

Cheltenham v Macclesfield

Plymouth v Leyton Orient

Carlisle v Northampton

FA Cup - Nailers (H)

Team: Belper Town

Date: 19/10/19

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.

Hello prediction leaguers, round 14 is upon us this coming Saturday. The National League teams are playing in the FA Cup, but the other leagues are in action. As usual, I need your predictions by 3pm on Saturday, you get one joker each, and black magic is banned.

Brentford v Millwall

Charlton v Derby

Rotherham v Oxford United

Fleetwood Town v Burton Albion

Doncaster Rovers v Bristol Rovers

Northampton v Salford

Grimsby Town v Leyton Orient

Crewe v Swindon

Slocombe 6 - Reassured us fans when he came and collected crosses and just making sure things didn't untangle in defence

Kelly-Evans 5 - Many times in the first half his passes to Boldewijn were poor. Looked a little off the pace as he's just come back from injury

Rawlinson 7 - Another solid performance. Becoming better with the ball at his feet

Turner 6 - Relatively ok but sometimes would peel off his man. Thankfully, Rawlinson won everything

McCrory 5 - Frustrating. Can tell he's only just come back from injury but everytime he got the ball in an advanced position, he went back

Shields 8 - Superb. Constantly got down the wing. The Belper player who was marking him was shattered just after the hour mark because Sean had done him everytime. Bags of energy and pace. Getting better

Doyle 6 - Lost his man for the goal but improved afterwards and took control and made tackles when needed

Booty 7 - Class act. Defence splitting ball to Wootton for the goal. Some good interplay with other teammates. Will be a key player this season

Boldewijn 7 - Scored a brilliant goal which he is capable of. Helped us get on the front foot. Made life difficult constantly for Belper

Wootton 7 - A good goal. Hit the bar. A decent afternoon

Dennis 6 - Should have had two goals. Intelligent runs but surprisingly for Denno, lacking the finish

Subs

Thomas 5 - Should have scored a 3rd for Notts

Tyson 5 - Good to see him back from injury but then cleared the ball for Belper and then karate kicked one of their players

Hi,

I'm coming up to Meadow Lane this weekend (Friday 13th-Saturday 14th) to film a mini-documentary about the club for the YouTube channel Football Daily.

We're really keen to speak to some dedicated fans about their relationship with the club and how they are adapting to life in the National League.

If you'd be interested in having a chat, or you know anyone who would be, please let me know! Either reply on here or contact me on my mobile: 07496990131

Thanks,

Michael

Mean of 5

Schofield 6 Another clean sheet, distribution still not there..but a confident performance

Brindley 7 An absolute worldie of a strike. 

Rawlinson 6.5 His best game for Notts

Turner 6.5 another solid performance

Bakayogo 6.5 Very strong..contender for MotM until he had to go off

Rose 4.5 Some sub standard passing including a complete hospital pass to Turner

Doyle 5.5 Experience told

Shields 5.5 Can deliver a good ball countered with a complete hash of a corner.

Boldewijn 6.5 Have to say Enzio has been a revelation today with his defensive covering and work rate

Wootton 6.5 Great work rate and a stupendous shot second half narrowly over the bar

Dennis 7 Thoughtful movement...really good flicked goal, in form 

Subs

Booty 5.5 

Kelly Evans 5.5

Thomas 5