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? 

Has to the wheel barrow song 

I’ve just been watching the excellent Team Talk on Notts TV and guess who popped up on the screen being interviewed. Only our very own gaffer @Chris along with @UnitedPie well done lads only a quick glimpse and if you blinked you’d miss it so don’t spend your appearance fee all at once. 

I’ve watched all the second leg matches on tv so far and it makes me laugh when the team that goes through celebrates with their fans as if they are promoted, the players go mad, the crowd spills onto the pitch and put the players on their shoulders etc., err hang on lads you aren’t up you’ve still got another game yet! 

It will probably be the same tomorrow at Meadow Lane whoever wins.

In view of the HUUUUGE crowd expected at Meadow Lane tomorrow, I thought I'd post some of the songs we've come to know and love over the years in hopes of as MAH-HOO-SIVE Singalong to see the lads all the way to Wem-bl-ey...and League One..

I'll admit, I'm a bit 'rusty' on some of them...and a bit confused, too. You see, last week at the Coventry game, I heard "All Notts, aren't we?" being sung, then read it's (apparently), "Oh, Notts, are we..." Then someone kindly posted this on fb today, so I've got approximately 24 hours to catch-up.

Enjoy!

https://www.fanchants.com/football-team/notts-county/#all-chants 

Came across this today...from Footballs Finest. How S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G is this? Hope the lads see it!!!

Afternoon guys,

I'm focusing my research project on ticket prices in English football and to see how commercialisation of English football affects supporters in attending live football matches.

May interest you that the Premier League (95%) has a higher attendance utilisation than Germany (90%).

Please could you take 5 minutes to complete this short survey. It's multiple choice so no brain power needed. 

Considering the impact of ticket pricing strategies on fan engagement in English football clubs.

I'm more than happy to respond to any questions about the survey or the project. 

Cheers in advance.

Not sure I’d send my budding footballer to be schooled by Haydn Hollis. 

Hearing Omar Bogle (forgive spelling if incorrect) being mentioned a lot around social media today. So,e even claiming that the deal is already done and we are paying a fee for him.

If, and it is always a big If in these conversations, it comes true, then well done Notts. Every time I’ve seen him play he looked a class above anyone on the field and was a serious handful in the air and on the ground. He ripped us to shreds last year at Cleethorpes! Obviously the big money move didn’t work for him, but may work to our advantage as he looks to rebuild a reputation?

I know he was on his way to us in the Jan window, but was sent out to a higher division against his will from what I heard so might still have positive vibes with Notts.

I would be very happy to see Grant sign for us on a permanent deal if one could be reached. He clearly is a talented player and has the skill to be successful and I think would be a great addition to the notts County team.

I spent all evening yesterday trying to buy an online ticket for the match on Friday without success and gave up at 11.30pm, I finally succeeded this morning at 6.30 am, it seems Notts fans aren’t early risers. 

Got a great seat on the half way line near the dugout can’t wait for the match, come on you pies. 

Being utterly optimistic...

What are peoples plans for getting to Wembley for the play off finals?

Long time since we've been and last time I'm sure I went in the back of a bloody transit van with loads of mates. Think I'm past that stage now I'm a little !!!! older now and would prefer a comfy seat! lol

From Sky Sports:

We calculated how much each club in England has improved or declined since last season by measuring the difference in points - excluding teams that were promoted or relegated last term.

Based on those metrics, Premier League-bound Wolves are the most-improved club with their 99 points being 70.7 per cent more than their 58 last season.

Skip forward a bit...

Notts County (+37.5 per cent), Newport County (+33.3 per cent), Bristol City (+24.1 per cent), Wycombe (+21.7 per cent), Charlton (+18.3 per cent) and Manchester United (+17.8 per cent) are also among the most-improved teams.

And here is the table:

I’ve been watching a few crucial relegation and promotion battles on telly and I noticed that the cameraman always focuses on people who are biting their nails nervously, so if you want to get on the telly get yer hand to yer mouth and look nervous, then as soon as the camera points at you hold up a notice saying “hello mum”. 

Though to be fair, it would have been incredibly brave to bet on Allardyce or Moyes still being in charge of their respective clubs next season!

Allardyce and Moyes relieved of duties at Everton and West Ham.