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.

 

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham @joeheadland, I hope you enjoy being a part of our Notts County community.

Game 24 - The Coasters (A)

Team: AFC Fylde

Date: 01/14/20

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.

So we have been drawn at home Vs Aveley FC.

They’ll be well up for this game and we need to treat them with respect and take the game seriously.

If you haven't already check out this article, so out of touch with the game and absolutely shameful writing.

https://amp.theguardian.com/football/blog/2020/feb/06/championship-wider-audience-football-league?CMP=share_btn_tw&__twitter_impression=true

Game 36 - Monkey Hangers (A)

Team: Hartlepool United

Date: 22/02/2020

Where: Victoria Park

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.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50971696

I don't believe it as common as we are seeing now, a few years back, you started seeing it in international competitions or friendlies. Now it seems like its spread everywhere! There is no room for bigotry behaviour in football. To some degree, I accept it at times on the streets but inside major sports complexes I DO NOT.

Younger and middle-age fans seem to think it's a laugh, which it is not.

You see this happening far less in other sports, why all of a sudden is it becoming acceptable again in football?

McDonnell 3 - Made some important saves in the first half but should have done better for both goals

Brindley 2 - The bloke simply could not be bothered

Rawlinson 5 - The poor guy had to make a run down the wing to try and get us going forward

Long 5 - Looked nervous at first. Was fine with the ball at his feet. A tough introduction 

Kelly-Evans 4 - Tried but looked uncomfortable 

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

Rose 2 - Just drop him please. Offers nothing

Doyle 3 - Couldn't pass a ball today

Boldewijn 4 - No real opening for him 

Dennis 4 - Not really in the game before being subbed

Wootton 5 - Tried to bring others into play and battled away without nothing coming off

O'Brien 4 - Offered nothing when he came on

Crawford & Osborne N/A - Not enough time to warrant a rating 

As the title says - can any of recommend a good, free anti-virus program for a PC?

I've been using Avira for quite a long time and have tolerated the adverts it fires at me. But I finally ran out of patience when it told me I had 700 MB of unnecessary files on my computer - but if I wanted to delete more than 100 MB then it would cost me.

Anyone got any suggestions? 

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/february/adam-long-signing-202020/


Strange one really. We have Bird? Would be frustrating to see another teams' unproven youngster played over our own youngster who has proven he can at least hold his own in this league.