Game 22 - The Shots (A)

Team: Aldershot Town

Date: 23/11/19

Where: Recreation Ground

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.

Slocombe 6 - Not troubled much. Distribution slow at times

Brindley 5 - Guy isn't bothered sometimes

Rawlinson 6 - Cleared one off the line and alert. Our best player

Turner 4 - Accident waiting to happen 

McCrory 4 - Not quick enough on the ball and again poor with his passes. For the first goal, he wasn't alert and didn't track his man

Boldewijn 4 - On occasions, failed to track back in the first half. Lost the ball for the first goal. Quiet 2nd half

Rose 5 - Completed passes this game but lost the ball in the build up to Aldershot's first goal. Still not anywhere near effective 

Doyle 5 - Apart from a wayward shot that ended up being an assist, did not do enough to impact the game

Booty 6 - Good deliveries into the area but no one on the end of it. Why is he playing on the wing

Wootton 5 - Scored but barely did owt second half

Thomas 4 - The old Wes is back. The one who can't finish

Dennis/Shields/Tyson N/A - Nothing of note

Welcome to Pon! @Nick Kennedy

I hope to see you join in our site as we have alot of friendly members.

Hello Bromley1972,

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

does neal ardley squad now have good enough depth?

i think the squad has the depth we need, i know there are concerns about upfront but wes thomas, kyle wootton and kristian dennis all seem bang in form. they are capable of scoring goals, and nathan tyson does offer us suitable squad rotation.

with the signing of alex lacey seems to give us the final jigsaw which was loss of sam graham.

what do you think? do you have any concerns?

Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed the break and used the time to hone your top secret prediction league-winning formulas. I know I have. As usual, post your predictions below by Saturday at 3pm, you get one joker each.

Bolton Wanderers - Milton Keynes

Gillingham v Lincoln City

Exeter City - Cheltenham Town

Macclesfield Town - Mansfield Town

Leyton Orient v Scunthorpe United

Bromley v Harrogate Town

Dagenham & Red v Aldershot

Woking v Halifax Town

Game 21 - The Bluebirds (H)

Team: Barrow AFC

Date: 16/11/19

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.

Yesterday was very disappointing. Seeing how far we have progressed over the last few months has been great but yesterday's performance made us feel very dis-heartened. 

This is because of how expectations have risen over the past two months as the team has got better.

One loss does not suddenly make us a bad team. Before yesterday's defeat we had not lost at home for 3 months and had lost only 3 games in our last 17. We also had scored in ever game bar 3, had the joint best defence and had the highest goal difference. 

We were beaten by the better team who obviously had come with a game plan and had done their homework. Couple this with a below par performance from Notts (not something we've seen much of this season) and you have your winner.

Barrow played some decent football and worked us out. They closed us down quickly, not allowing us the freedom we'd normally have. We played into their hands though as we were not quick enough on the ball and made rash decisions inside our own half and in Barrow's half as well. Decision making in both boxes was poor and our passing was not good enough. We rushed into passes without thinking

Notts weren't brave enough or clinical enough when in possession with the ball or going forward towards the final third. This is the one thing that could determine our season. Our tempo must get quicker if we are to challenge the top of the table. 

However, this season has shown so far, we will have more good days than bad days. We have shown we are a good team this season, battling in and around the play-offs for the best part of two months despite only starting to sign players, the week the season started (not using that as an excuse). Notts have played some decent football this season. Every team has bad days and we had a bad day yesterday. Need to get it out our system and go again at Aldershot.

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