Game 34 - The Exiles (A)

Team: Newport County

Date: 17/02/18

Where: Rodney Parade

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.

Most on here will know I rate Jonathan Forte as a player, he's a capable backup on the win (although I prefer him to start up front) - I do feel he's a very good player at this level.

I realise most say he drifts, doesn't give much etc.

However, I think he should be in our plans more. He's a natural goalscorer, he does give 100% but he relies on the team to be playing well (as most players do) but his run in the starting 11 wasn't the best time considering the form had dipped. Yet despite the dry patch, he still gave more than some players and he did chase every ball at least when I have seen him.

Whilst some fans are speculating that he doesn't have a future, mostly going on the 'Alan Smith' card - I disagree.

What do you think? Should Forte be in our plans?

Who was your man of the match for Notts County against Carlisle United?

So yeah, it's Valentine's Day today, so from a purely platonic perspective I want to wish you all good feelings and whatnot!

What's everyone up to today? Looking at social media, there's going to be a real battle of the sexes going on among a lot of couples - the women who want to go out to dinner or do otherwise romantic things, and the men who want to watch the Champions League (and to be fair Real Madrid vs. PSG looks a corker)!

Let us know!

As it's Valentine's Day, Notts County have posted a video of everyone's favourite Magpie bromance pair Matt Tootle and Elliott Hewitt answering questions about each other.

Who's the most intelligent? And the tidiest? And the best singer? All is revealed in this entertaining video!

Tuesday Night's Fixtures:
Cardiff City v Bolton Wanderers
Sheffield Wednesday v Derby County
Charlton Athletic v Bradford City
Oldham Athletic v MK Dons
Mansfield Town v Newport County
Wycombe Wanderers v Swindon Town

Game 33 - The Cumbrians (H)

Team: Carlisle United

Date: 13/02/18

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.

Ross Fitzsimons gave a great account of himself in goal for Notts County during Adam Collin's absence but his moment of madness against Crawley Town coincided with Collin's return to fitness.

Fitzy is now back on the bench, with Collin back in between the sticks, but should he be drafted back into the first team?

We want your thoughts!

12 February, a day that lives on in the memory of every Notts County fan due to it being the anniversary (1994) of the last time we beat Nottingham Forest - indeed it's our last league meeting, and victory is ours!

Just a reminder of the goal...

Were you at the Lane on that day? What were your emotions on the day? Let us know!

Game 32 - The Bees (A)

Team: Barnet

Date: 10/02/18

Where: The Hive Stadium

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.

Not a particularly good performance by a lot of players but who would you give Man of the Match to for Notts County at Barnet?

I get that he's annoyed, but this interview just shouts a manager who is having a meltdown at his own decisions. Why no motivation during games? It's okay to blame the players, yet his decisions and bizarre tactics have caused us issues. I really don't get why he always seems to portray that he's faultless and anyone seriously thinking of defending him - think about the recent downfall.

Notts are ruining their own chances, yet I expect better from a strong manager like KN.

I'm very disappointed with this interview, he's just saying what we as fans want to hear.

I still believe that we have a strong squad (on paper), albeit there's obvious gaps and the potential Mason Bennett injury could be a pretty major set back. I still feel now that the 'air' has been cleared and, once the dust has settled - we just need to get on with the season.

There's a potential chance that Kevin has done more damage with his meltdown.

Would he accept this from us? No he wouldn't, it was a meltdown and he should have chosen his words more wisely.

The facts are we are safe, I just hope we don't give up on the hard work. We have had 'dips in form' before but this is clearly more than just that. If it was as easy to be written off, I don't think the post match interview would have taken place. It's clear there's a lot of pressure, not just on Kevin but the players.

Let's do our part and try to forget about the performance, the upcoming home games will be massive now.

Saturday's Fixtures:
Bolton Wanderers v Fulham
Derby County v Norwich City
AFC Wimbledon v Northampton Town
Shrewsbury Town v Plymouth Argyle
Coventry City v Accrington Stanley
Stevenage v Luton Town

"Don't stop, never give up, hold your head high and reach the top, let the world see what you have got, bring it all back to you."

The cheesy the better! Haha

From BBC Sport (link to full story):

The German Bundesliga, Spain's La Liga, Italy's Serie A and France Ligue 1 are some of the leagues in Europe to have a winter break in their schedules, and the Premier League is also considering introducing one when the next television rights deal is agreed.

In a statement, the Premier League said it had been "in discussions" with the EFL and the FA, but, due to the intense calendar of the EFL, Shaun Harvey says it is not feasible for a winter break to be rolled out below the top flight.

"We have been involved in the discussions to start with. The EFL won't observe a winter break," said Harvey. "We have a 46-game season. We need as many Saturday 3pm kick-offs as possible.

"The reality is if it is about giving the England internationals a break at the Premier League clubs, we can carry on without negatively impacting on that objective."

Is Harvey right to pour cold water on the prospect of a winter break for the EFL, or is it a shame?

Its not getting beat thats embarrasing its the way we have just been statues with no pace and made them look like fooking Barcelona.

We have been a joke tonight, I don't care for the whole their Premier league etc etc, we have been an absolute joke.

My little lad has just gone to bed heart broken by our farcical performance

I'm expecting this to be fairly straight forward, yet I know there's a lot of split opinions about if we have 'strengthened' or not in terms of the players brought into the club during the January transfer window. It's my hope that an early assessment will enable us to see what might have changed and, what the current thoughts are since the excellent performance over Crewe.

Personally, the deadline day signings made me happy - people have naturally questioned Bennett but he looks comfortable in this league and I always felt his pace would be an asset.

Hall will probably be a backup player, so until we see him play - we'll not really know if he adds much weight to the back but on paper it's a decent addition.

Noble, Virtue and Husin fills the void and improves the squad a fair bit.

That said, I'm personally not sure where Virtue would fit into the squad considering the current form and I think he could become a impact player from the bench - as I can't see him starting really.

We do look much more stronger in my opinion. What about you?

Saturday's Fixtures:
Bolton Wanderers v Fulham
Derby County v Norwich City
AFC Wimbledon v Northampton Town
Shrewsbury Town v Plymouth Argyle
Coventry City v Accrington Stanley
Stevenage v Luton Town

based on a mean of 5...though it can be difficult to give ratings only seeing the match from behind the goal

Collin 3.5 Questionable of being exposed as not match fit? Some really excellent shots by Swansea but sometimes you expect your keeper to pull off some spectacular saves. I would have Fitzsimons back in immediately

Hunt 4 One stray pass early on, the Swans counter attacked and scored. Needed a cool head but many times in the second half, he kicked it anywhere when he should have demonstrated his experience and looked to hold on to possession

Duffy 4 Needed the captain to stand up and help organise. However the real blame was in midfield

Brisley 5 Thought he did well, a learning experience against a real mobile front line of Swansea

Dicko 3 Swansea targeted him for his lack of pace. Cruelly exposed on National TV

Virtue 2 A good examination of him without the ball. It was like playing with 10 men, no challenges, no man marking in midfield, just drifted aimlessly around as Swansea dicted and ran through us

Husin 6 Another moment of class with a slick finish. looks comfortable but missed Hewitt today.

Grant 4 One good shot bringing a good save. Scouts will note he doesnt work hard enough without the ball, goes AWOL for long periods

Hawkridge 4 Did show up his lack of pace with the ball but did try to protect Hunt. Tried to at least put in challenges

Alessandra 3.5 Needed to show some pace and ability to keep possession.

Stead 5 barely had a touch as Notts wasted what little possession we had.

Subs

Milsom 5 good to see him back but proved a training match towards fitness rather than any contribution to note

Forte 5 at least showed some willingness to chase

Smith 5 Left a mark on some Swansea players to remind them what a challenge is

Should we scrap using the loan system next season or do you think its worth exploring?

I feel loans should only be used to top up the squad rather than rely on them as we have during this campaign.

On my normal mean of 5

Collin 5.5.. Wonders will never cease, just seen him release the ball quickly twice in one game. #Astonishing  In terms of his normal job, too static, and poor communication with Duffy and Brisley, for balls Collin should have dealt with.

Hunt 6 Disciplined performance

Duffy and Brisley  7 each. Solid and dependable

Jones 6.5 Got into good positions

Hewitt 7.5 A very dodgy opening 20 minutes with a book full of misplaced passes. After that excelled in a box to box running game, a la Andy Hughes

Husin 8 Stupendous strike, when we needed it.Some studious passing , making the midfield tick

Grant 6 Was well marked by Crewe which in turn gave Elliot the space

Alessandra 6 Cant fathom out if he deliberately chooses not to cross in an effort to find a better ball. Offers movement but lacks the clinical edge when we looking to score 5 or 6

Stead 6 Goal scoring run, temporarily put on ice

Shola 6 Missed a great chance to score

Who was your man of the match for Notts County against Crewe Alexandra?

I think yeah he is this is just temporary glitz which all teams go through. I think he will pick up the team and drive us forward to promotion 

he seems to be thriving in midfield, i thought he would struggle with noble coming in and all the other players who play there but i quickly think its becoming his natural position. its hard to see him losing his place in the team after performances like yesterday.

what do you think?