Discussions are taking place about having fans back in football grounds. Obviously nothing is certain yet, safety comes first and it all depends on how the pandemic goes. However, a limited capacity seems realistic.

However, for clubs from step 3 downwards (so every level below the NL North and South), the number of fans allowed in won't be based on their ground capacity, but on the minimum ground capacity for their division:

(https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1296082796386156544)

So in other words, all teams in the Northern Premier League will be able to let in 300 fans from tomorrow and 600 from the end of August, regardless of how big their ground is.

The idea of the same thing happening in the NL is absurd, as our ground is much bigger than those of many other teams; a crowd of 2000 at Meadow Lane would be much less problematic than it would be at Wealdstone.

And yet...

(https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1296447903217713153)

So it sounds a lot like we'll be restricted to the same capacity as every other NL club (600), despite having a much bigger, all-seater ground. I doubt I'll see the inside of a football ground for a good few months, but that's not really the point. It seems to fly in the face of all logic.

Couple of twitter accounts spreading this rumour. Obviously take it with a copious amount of salt.

Can't say I've heard of him, playing in the 3rd league, perhaps @DangerousSausage knows him?

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/ruben-rodrigues-announcement-070820/

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/august/jake-reeves-signing-180820/

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?

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