So it’s the return of guess the magpies and as always we have prepared a good one so let’s how many of you can get it right. 

The answer will be revealed on Saturday evening. 

Good luck and happy guessing 

So Notts on Saturday at meadow lane may have to be careful of one man more than ever. James Norwood is Tranmeres leading scorer and leading statsman and will surely want to add to his total this Saturday. 

So at the advice of the police Notts county have changed there home fixture against Mansfield on Saturday 16th February 2019 from 3pm to 1pm at meadow lane. 

The latest Pride of Nottingham PONcast is now live!

Join @Chris and @samwatto2008 for episode 50.

The lads review the recent Derby day game against Mansfield Town away at Field Mill.

They also discuss how David Vaughan and Nathan Thomas played in the last game. whilst touching upon the speculation that Kevin Nolan was coming back as Notts County's manager before Neal Ardley was appointed.

Finishing off with their thoughts on the players wages which is rumoured be causing a disruption and the appointment of Academy Manager Dave Regis.

What do you think about the talking points mentioned in this PONcast?

So we about to hit the half way point of the season and I was thinking about teams where they are in the League league one or league 2 any professional team etc and which team has surprised  me the most whether it’s a team flying high i thought wouldn’t or vis Versa a team flying high that at the begining of the season I thought wouldn’t do anything. 

So which team has surprised you the most so far this season.? 

So Notts v Tranmere we are all hoping this will be the revival of Notts County’s season .. 

so what’s your score predictions then everyone.? 

Does anyone else feel like Notts pundits can get a way with making a negative comment, whereas if a "fan" makes a comment which might be a knee jerk reaction the club, chairman or other people class it as 'abuse'. I don't get it, Mark Stallard has just made comments about 'being a professional' and whilst I agree.

It doesn't half seem like if I or another Notts fan said similar it would be labelled negative or singled out.

I feel I am very polished and aware of what happens, it's rare that my heart will rule my mind but sometimes when there's jibs being aimed at players, or questions asked about their passion - I can't help but feel people don't understand how fans see the game. As an ex professional I don't see how anyone is more entitled than a paying supporter.

So if I’m January Alan Hardy approached you and said you could sign one realistic player for Notts in the January transfer market who would it.?

I can't help but think we still need a goalkeeper maybe on loan in January. Don't get me wrong Fitz is becoming a good keeper, good shot stopping ability and handling. Kicking and distribution does let him down from time though. Is it worth looking at bringing in a loan keeper in January for 6 months. A keeper who has plenty of ability and experience.

The logical choice would be from across the river. Both Jordan Smith and Stephen Henderson recently completed emergency loan deals to Barnsley and Wycombe. They both kept clean sheets which to say they only spent a week with the team is good going.

Jordan Smith's game: Accrington 0 - 2 Barnsley 

Stephen Henderson's game: Wycombe 1 - 0 Barnsley

I personally think that we should be looking to bring in one of these guys in on loan as we need the experience and assurance that we have a fighting chance at the back. I can't help but think sometimes that Fitz struggles to deal with certain shots and is still lacking the experience. 

What do you think? Would you be against signing a keeper or for it? Does Fitz need some more experience to become No. 1 next year? We haven't got competition in the GK spot as Pindroch isn't good enough. We need clean sheets and Fitz is struggling to keep them. While the defence is the majority to blame for this Fitz still has a big part to play and has been the goalkeeper since the opening day of the season. So his partly to blame for our current situation. 

So this Saturday Notts County host Tranmere in Neal Ardleys first home game as the new gaffer .. 

So who is  heading to meadow Lane this Saturday to cheers the lads on as Notts take on Tranmere 

I have suddenly realised that once upon a time I went to Meadow Lane and I would go with my family, then I would return home. Usually after seeing a woeful display but feeling humbled by being a fan of a club like Notts. Once my wife stopped attending, I found myself taking my children and I quickly felt I had to get out of the Pavis Stand as I could stand it.

After @super_pie had a grumpy old git threaten him (as a very young child), I moved into the Kop and I mostly love it.

Now I have a routine with @Magic magpie, Jake and Callum. We go for something to eat before, we share laughs and discuss the game ahead. Sometimes we manage to go for a drink before but this all depends on how we feel, I enjoy seeing people I know and this makes the match day more enjoyable - especially with seasons like this.

The away games tends to allow me to see people I would not otherwise and I wished I felt well enough to travel more. I tend to fall asleep a lot due to being tired or getting headaches.

But home games for me are about feeling optimistic, or when nervous just trying to enjoy it.

The people I'm with makes my match day, I like going with them and I hope my wife will come once the weather warms up.

What makes a match day for you?

This Saturday is Neals Ardleys first home game and his third game in charge he has been in charge for 2/3 weeks now so my question is 

Has Ardley had enough time with the squad to guide us to a win this weekend.?

Saturday's Fixtures: 

Millwall v Hull City

Sheffield Wednesday v Rotherham United

Plymouth Argyle v Bradford City

Walsall v Coventry City

Bury v Exeter City

Crewe Alexandra v Oldham Athletic

Mine:

Millwall 2-1 Hull City

Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 Rotherham United

Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Bradford City (joker)

Walsall 2-1 Coventry City

Bury 2-0 Exeter City

Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Oldham

The PONcast Extra: Derby day as Notts County head to Mansfield Town is now live!

Join @Chris and @samwatto2008 for a new in-depth preview ahead of the clash at Field Mill.

Firstly, please do let the duo know your thoughts on this and if you would prefer to see the regular PONcast see a split with the preview side of the show becoming it's own thing.

In this week's preview we talk about Notts County's upcoming game away against Mansfield Town at Field Mill.

We also reflect on the opposition and how the Derby day might unfold.

in addition, how Notts should line themselves up and which players could stand out. We also speak about how the Mansfield game is Neal Ardleys first game in charge.

All this and more only in the PONcast Extra: Derby day match preview.

Since we are on the horizon of another derby, I ask, what in your opinion is the most fierce rivalry in English football?

For me it's Birmingham vs Aston Villa

welcome to pon @CMetcalf, i hope you join in.

dont forget to check out the amazing prints found in the pon store and also the prediction league.

Welcome to PON @Paul Francis,

You will see we are a very friendly bunch of Notts and some other clubs fans.

welcome to pon @NonnaofNotts  

So there are still a lot of points to earn this season ,75 in total with 25 games still to be played .All is not lost. 

Neal Ardley looks like he could turn this around for the magpies. He has helped afc Wimbledon survive and then helped to promotion. 

Whether Neal will let players leave in January and bring in players he feels will fit in well in with his plans and the current squad. 

With Ross Fitzsimmons showing signs of improvement  with signs of last season starting to show again. 

Jamie Turley proving he is a rock in defence and having an understanding with Fitzsimmons has played through the pain barrier with his ribs and eye. He is proving to be gold dust and hopefully he will receive a contract extension. 

I think right now we are in a good position a positive view of my view of course we can still survive and finishing In a good position with out the great escape. 

What about you guys and girls what do you think?

So the scoreline wasn’t what we wanted we wanted beat to the ### but unfortunately we didn’t it was a 2-0 scoreline and cj who stole the show. 

But can we take any positives from the game.? 

So Notts County face Tranmere on Saturday at Meadow lane and for season ticket holders its bring a friend day. 

Are you bringing anyone Saturday to help cheers the lads on.? 

can neal ardley make do with this notts squad?

or does he need to go out and make signings to fill the gaps that nobody seems to grasp?

my personal opinion is that we could make do and rebuild at the end of the season, i think the squad is good enough. they just need confidence and to enjoy their football. winning makes a huge difference as we saw after having 3 victories in a row. i just feel signing additional players will be creating more issues long term.

Similar to @ARLukomski's but with a little more light shining on it. An article released yesterday inlcuding an interview with Neal Ardley about the January transfer window. 

 https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-boss-neal-ardley-2308069

He hints at the fact were without a current fit RB with Jamie Turley being forced to play out of position. He also goes on to say we have 5/6 CB's. This makes me feel as if he will look to offload a few defenders. Elliot Ward currently on a reported 3,500 a week with David Vaughan our highest earner at 5,000. 

For me as much as I like Elliot Ward he seems a logical choice to offload. If we need to free up wages then he is a good choice to offload. 

I disagree with peoples views on Vaughan I think he provides class and quality. We saw in both MK Dons and Mansfield that if given the opportunity he can rise to the occasion and provide some cut through passes to kill teams. 

Tootle is another player that I think we should let go. He's constantly in and out the team due to injury and I don't think his head is in the right frame at the moment to be even playing football. I haven't really seen him fit all year.

My Outgoings are as follows: Tootle, Ward, Duffy, Jones, Hewitt, 

Loans: Culverwell, Osbourne, Howes, Dunn, Etete

Cover: Hawkridge, Davies, Bird

Game 21 - Stags (A)

Team: Mansfield Town

Date: 08/12/18

Where: Field Mill

What line-up should Harry Kewell 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.