Alan Hardy posted a message of thanks to us fans following the end of the 2017-18 league campaign on the official website.

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I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us throughout the campaign.

Unfortunately there was to be no fairytale ending and, given some of the refereeing decisions we were subjected to over the course of our play-off semi-final tie, perhaps it simply wasn’t meant to be.

When the dust settles, we will be able to look back on an amazing season of progression on and off the field, culminating in a breathtaking occasion which attracted a record crowd this century.

It’s difficult to put into words the level of pride I felt looking around the stadium ahead of kick-off last night. Nearly every seat was filled and there was a terrific atmosphere swirling around Meadow Lane.

We are all united in our desire to have more nights like that and with your continued backing, I’m sure we will.

While the players will now have some well-deserved time off with their friends and family, behind the scenes the hard work begins straightaway to ensure we continue on our upward curve.

As always, I will keep you informed of the latest developments in our exciting journey.

Thank you once again.

Alan

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2018/may/chairman-end-of-season-message/

What would be your message to the club be in terms of this past season and going forward?

What other stadium or hospitality or general improvements would you like to see Alan Hardy make at medow Lane.?

He has not had the chance to get into the first team! Wish him all the best! Be a really good addition to a lower league two club. So far PON i think this retained list is going well. Thoughts?

I like him and always thought he gave his all to County I’m sad to see him leave.

So next season @Chris and myself were thinking about having a few Pon days. For example meeting for a drink pre and post match or upgrading to a executive box which myself and @Chris @super_pie and @super_ram @hissingdwarf @Fan of Big Tone and a few others. It was a great day Would anyone be interested in doing this next season or maybe something else all suggestions are welcome we would love to have a Pon group guys 

cheers guys 

According to a few sources, we have enquired about Chesterfield striker Kristian Dennis. An actual goalscorer. 

An actual goalscorer

https://mobile.twitter.com/SpireTweet/status/998541649553887232

https://mobile.twitter.com/EFLtransfers3/status/998584786741596163

Dane Arnold wrote a lengthy post on the PON Facebook page and I thought it was too good not to put up on here for discussion.

The squad needs an overhaul now some of the players past it and some not good enough

Gk Adam Collin not sure about him might be me I just don't like him as a player I'd get rid

Gk Branislav Pindroch not seen enough of him to decide worth keeping as third choice keeper keep

Gk Ross fitzsimons thought he looked good in goal till his moment of madness is have him fighting for number 1 jersey keep

Defender Matt tootle keep

Defender Carl Dickinson to inconsistent for me get rid

Defender Elliot Hewitt improved under nolan keep

Defender Richard Duffy I personally don't think he's good enough but think he will be sticking around one of nolans lads get rid

Defender shaun brisley worth another year chips in with the odd goal and assist keep

Defender Nicky hunt past it get rid

Defender Dan Jones on is day great worth another season keep

Defender pierce bird not seen enough of him will be on a low wage keep

Defender Mike Edwards still registered as a player although he's not played take him off the squad list

Midfielder Michael oconner come back from a long injury worth another year

Midfielder Terry hawkridge a bit light weight but on his day an impressive player keep

Midfielder Elliot Hodge low wage back up keep

Midfielder Curtis Thompson personally I like him but think his days are numbered get rid

Midfielder Alan Smith please please retire not been good enough for years just takes a spot on the bench off a youngster get rid

Midfielder Liam noble hopefully will see the best of him next season keep

Midfielder noor husin young lad showed glimpses of quality keep

Midfielder Robert Milson last year's player of the season not featured enough this year expect to see him go get rid

Midfielder Sam Osborne exciting young player want to see him on the bench more next year keep

Forward Lewis Alessandra to inconsistent for me when he's not having a good game we might aswell be playing with 10 players get rid

Forward shola ameobi probably past his best but we seem to play better with him in the squad think he's worth another year even if he can only mange 1 out of 2 matches expect him to retire but I'd keep him

Forward Jonathan forte worth another year on his form over the last month needs to be started more keep

Forward Callum Saunders not to fussed about him but if he dos stay get him on the bench personally I'd get rid

Forward john stead been a great servant to the club but I think it's time he goes not a goal scoring forward I know there hard to come by but his wage could help us bring a decent forward in get rid

What's everybody else's thoughts on the current squad not included loan players?

Alan Hardy is launching a new female team to be called Notts County Women to differentiate from the now defunct Notts County Ladies.

Thoughts?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44195466

should notts look to sign some players who are not available on frees like we did this past season?

if so, does it make a difference what positions these are or would you have a preference ideally?

I would definitely welcome him back with out a doubt he had a possitive impact on County and he played like he was a County player not on loan. 

With today, set to be the day the squad is announced for the World Cup, what would your England squad be?

Here's mine. Obviously some of these have been confirmed that they are not going e.g. Arnold, Wilshere etc. I changed my mind over who I would have taken. Ryan Sessegnon was originally in and Wilshere was out. But after seeing comments on Twitter and seeing that Sessegnon might get the Walcott 2006 effect, it would probably be better not to take him. Wilshere has shown he can be fit and be creative and we need that spark in midfield. Kyle Walker would play centre-back because that is where has been playing under Southgate in a 3-5-2. He also likes to use Raheem Sterling as a striker with Harry Kane. So if we're playing 3-5-,2 this is my Starting X1: Pope, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Henderson, Wilshere, Rose, Alli, Kane, Sterling

GK - Butland, Pickford, Pope

RB - Trippier, Arnold

CB - Stones, Walker, Tarkowski, Maguire, Dunk

LB - Rose, Bertrand

CM - Henderson, Shelvey, Dier, Wilshere, Loftus-Cheek

W/AM - Rashford, Sterling, Alli, Lingard

ST - Kane, Vardy

Right so now the season has ended and the transfer window opened officially on Thursday, what do we need to go one step further.

Let's start at the back and go forwards

Collin is probably going to be kept on. Fitzsimons and Pindroch will most likely stay

Left back and right back need some changing. Both starter and backup have to have the same traits. Both have to be fast, strong in defence and tackle and have the ability to get forward. Currently, in these two positions, we have polar opposites in Tootle and Hunt and Jones and Dickinson (even though Dicko does try bless his socks)

A centre back is obviously needed. Brisley and Duffy are alright but we need someone like Hall who can reassure us in defence and help play out from the back (especially at home where we need to press the opposition from the off). Jack Baldwin from Posh would be good as he's recently been put on the transfer list there and clubs will not have to pay full value for the transfer listed players at London Road as Lincoln got Michael Bostwick and Harry Anderson for less money than people thought before the start of this season (17-18). 

Onto the midfield and in my opinion, we need a midfielder who will protect the defence more. O'Connor is a more forward thinking central midfielder, Husin is kind of a deep lying playmaker and I don't think 4-4-2 is his thing, Hewitt is the energy and then Noble is... well Liam Noble. 

Two new wingers with more end product than Alessandra and Hawkridge and two wingers who have more consistency than Alessandra and Hawkridge. Someone who is technical, pacey, can beat their opponent and someone with a good finish on them. There are a few available. Leeds, Doncaster and Crawley are currently interested in Crusaders winger Gavin Whyte. I would keep an eye out for him. Kal Naismith, Alfie Potter, Lawson D'Ath. 

Then there is the trouble up front. No pace whatsoever, Stead should have retired or moved on. Ameobi needs to retire in my opinion. Matt Godden is going to Peterborough so that's him out of the question. Kristian Dennis is out of contract at Chesterfield and has been offered an extension which he is yet to make his mind up about, but 19 goals in a team that finished bottom is quality. Jason Gilchrist (Southport) was the top scorer in National League North this season with 26 goals and could be worth a punt. I would also get a striker who is powerful but not exactly a target man. Maybe someone like Kane Hemmings. Mason Bennett looks like he's coming back on loan. As for Jonathan Forte, we'll just have to wait and see if he stays or not. 

It makes a huge difference doesn't it?

I think he's learning much quicker than most younger managers, the progress he's delivered is amazing and compared to last season - I feel excited about the potential we have for the 2018-19 season.

Yes, we have along way to go and it's this past season has only just finished.

Yet players I feel will finally want to be here, so the stability offered by the club seems to be one of the biggest things we have going.

This and, the returning higher gates. #COYP

So after a few discussions on other posts I decided to create this topic so views on our youth system can be shared here. Personally I think we have some quality players currently in the youth system. Players such as Remaye Campbell, Kole Lambert, Pierce Bird, Peter Dearle, Dominic Brown-Hill, Sam Osbourne and Alex Howes. I think Nolan now has a duty to nurture these players and develop them so they can be prepared to step in if needed. I don't think the odd substitution in the Checkatrade Trophy Group stages counts as giving youth a chance though. They need some proper development and then maybe become impact substitutions for league football. Its hard to give youth a chance when there is so much on the line. But there has to be a time where enough is enough and Nolan bites the bullet. 

To all Pies fans from all Millers fans. Join us for a Bank Holiday Wembley weekend.

Play-off semi-final Second leg:The Sky Blues (H)

Team: Coventry City

Date: 18/05/18

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Kevin Nolan 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.

based on a mean of 5

Collin 4 Failure to dominate his area especially on comparison to the Coventry keeper. Needed some big saves from somewhere, Coventry keeper produced 2 of those, sadly our didnt.

Tootle 6 Difficult to give a MoTM but thought in general, he played well against a lively attack

Duffy 5 One comical moment after fouling a Coventry player, there was a 10 second pause before he fell down clutching his face. Even so, the inept ref bought it.

Brisley 4.5 Needed a cool head but got involved in a fracas, which could easily have turned into a red card.

Jones 5 Always strong going forward, but defensive side of his game does fall apart, when he neglects responsibilities

Noble 4 In a word, ineffectual and rightly subbed

Hewitt 5 No matter about his getting around the pitch, totally ineffective when in possession. Coventry had a real grip on the midfield til O'Connor came on. Pass completion rate nearer to nil than 100%

Alessandra 5 Went missing second half, I would say flatters to deceive...but just feel deceived

Grant 5.5 Yes scored but his market valuation continually to deteriorate...Defensive side of game goes missing

Stead 5 Worked hard, had a shot well saved but never really got the better of his markers

Forte 6 A good goal disallowed by inept officials. Offers greater movement that the static Shola Stead partnership

Subs

OConnor 6 gave midfield some purpose with some drive and passing

Shola 4 a farewell cameo maybe. Never really got going

Apologies for not putting this up last night, a combination of heartbreak and a focus on trying to muster a match report meant I completely forgot about the MOTM (not that I'm expecting much of a response given we were pretty crap for most of the game).

Nonetheless, we gotta ask - who in your eyes was the least worst player for the Magpies?

Is now the manager of MK Dons, he gets around doesn’t he?

Not many youngsters will remember Ray Wilson who died today, he was a member of the England team who won the World Cup in 1966.

He came from Shirebrook and his other claim to fame is that he used to live a few doors down from my Aunty Sally and as a boy used to visit her house often.

As it’s my long weekend off I’m in the kitchen hoping that the time will go faster 

It’s @Chris‘s Birthday today so I hope you’ll all join me in wishing him a happy birthday, let’s hope he gets the best present of all, a win tonight.

With the regular League Two season over, the majority of clubs have set about deciding which of their current players will stay and which will have to seek pastures new.

It's a constantly changing list so my best bet for you to keep tabs on the news is via the BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/44057195

Any players that have been released so far from other teams that take your fancy?

Even though I’ve been a fan for many years I’ve never been to Wembley with notts County. I’m hoping for that to change. #COYP

Is he fit?

Is he still recovering or is Nolan bluffing?