I'll dip my toe in the water first:

Collin 7 – great agility to re-adjust from the deflected JCR shot, looked the part.

Tootle 7 – a bit exposed late on, but a superb cross for the Yates goal.

Duffy 6.5 – unfair criticism for their goal, generally in the right place.

Brisley 6.5 – did the basics well, looked unflustered.

Dickinson 7 – defended well and a genuine threat going forward.

Allessandra 5.5 – a few good bits but too often on the periphery of the game.

Yates 7.5* - normal service resumed.  Always involved, good finish for his goal.

Milsom 7 – nothing spectacular but gave us shape and held the midfield together.

Grant 5.5 – missed a very presentable chance, tried but struggled to get involved.

Stead 5.5 – given a rough ride by Barnet, but didn’t offer much.

Ameobi 6.5 – offered a physical threat and kept the Barnet defence busy.

Fitzsimons 7 – superb save low down, looks a more than capable deputy.

Forte 6 – struggled to get involved, but nearly scored a goal of the season contender.

Hewitt 6 – not much time but offered a bit of protection late on.

Only a ‘just about deserved it’ performance, but the sort of game we would have ended up losing last season.  In terms of quality we look a long way from top of the league, but Nolan has managed to instil the sort of fight and resilience we have lacked for so long.  Happy as a pig in sh!t tonight, but I still cant help but share the manager’s view that we are that bit closer to safety!

based on mean of 5

Collin 6 One save to remember....

(sub Fitzsimons 8 So so confident as a replacement. Carried on from his great work at Scunny. One outstanding save)

Tootle 7 Great work for setting up Ryan...

Duffy 4.5 Slipping into errors of last season

Brisley 6 Does the simple things right... Never a rock solid centre half...but will he be credited for the goal?

Dicko 5.5 solid defending, 

Yates 8 stood up to the battle well, bouncing back from last week. Did chooses the wrong option at times but plays with a maturity beyond his age

Milsom 6 more defensive work than creative.

Alessandra 5.5 Seemingly a major disagreement with @Chris Just thought he faded second half and maybe needed Hawridge's work rate

Grant 6  Missed a great opportunity to score...but one lovely disguised pass down the left...lingers in the memory... needs to get involved in the game more

Stead 4 Cannot understand why the offside goal was disallowed...but was off the pace for most of the game

Shola 7 Leads the line well, good header for the first

Here we go, what does everyone think? Should Kevin Nolan consider any changes to his regular starting 11?

Let's discuss the build up.

Given his apparant availabilty would you like to see him back at Notts?

Kevin Nolan's brilliant work at Notts County has not gone unnoticed in other parts of the country, particularly regions where he has formely worked.

The North-East based Chronicle Live has published an article looking at how Nolan shook off a potentially fatal awry debut management job to become hot property at Meadow Lane.

It ends with the statement: Who knows? He may even take the Newcastle United hot-seat in the future.

Do you think it's just a matter of time before Nolan's managing a top-flight club? Potentially one of his former employers? Or maybe even a Sirrel or Warnock-style ascent to the top with Notts?

Anyone having/had troubles with Facebook today? I'm getting a white page now, earlier some of the messages being sent flashed up late - who said MySpace had the biggest problems? 

Oh well...

In case any of you are able to follow it, Australia are currently being held 1-1 by ten-man Syria in their World Cup play-off and it's 15 minutes from going to penalties with a place in Russia at stake. Could be one of those cheesy World Cup stories in the making...

Name: Meet the Fans 17/18 - Forest Green Rovers (07/10/2017)
Category: Meet the Fans
Date Added: 2017-10-09
Submitter: Chris

Pride of Nottingham was at Meadow Lane for Notts County's draw with Forest Green Rovers and interviewed several Magpies fans ahead of kickoff.

Questions asked include what they thought of former Notts employees Mark Cooper and Liam Noble, now at FGR, and just how deserving Kevin Nolan is of September's Manager of the Month award.

If you would like to feature in future Meet the Fans videos, get in touch! Feel free to submit potential questions below and we will look into asking them.

Be sure to subscribe, share, like and comment - Your support is greatly appreciated.

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Website: https://prideofnottingham.co.uk/

Community: https://prideofnottingham.co.uk/community/

Don't forget to register on our site, look out for us on social media and at live games. COYP!

Meet the Fans 17/18 - Forest Green Rovers (07/10/2017)

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Once upon a time I tried really hard to give a sense of encouragement around Notts, when fans approached me saying whatever concerns they had - this could be from the tea bars to the recent performances (including that they wouldn't be coming back). I would always try to be the voice of reason, but you soon learn to listen more clearly.

I think there's a concern that anything you disagree with these days is considered 'negative', and having read a status put out on our social media by @Joe Jones - I'm a bit disappointed that someone at the club can't try to encourage supporters to remain optimistic.

There's some great comments on social media, Neale Tristram for example "It's his account he can do what he likes with it, as I do mine."

But shouldn't club officials, and staff be encouraging supporters? We don't really know what classes as negativity in Mark's opinion, it could be a fan who has legitimate concerns and to a degree even the tweet itself is negative. I just feel that these two recent games could become bigger if we allow it, and arguing on the internet won't resolve it.

If anything it will just add some unnecessary focus.

What do you think?

Based on '6' as a competent performance:

Collin 5.5 - routine saves, caught out with a couple of crosses.
Tootle 6 - looked generally competent.
Duffy 5.5 - never looked convincing.
Brisley 5.5 - as above.
Dickinson 6 - offered himself for a pass and got forward at times.
Hawkridge 4.5 - Struggled to get involved, didn't beat a player all afternoon.
Yates 4.5 - tried to get involved but very little went right for him.
Milsom 6.5* - wayward passes, but stuck at it and got his reward.
Grant 5.5 - frustrating afternoon, always on the periphery of the game.
Forte 6 - our most dangerous attacker but never looked like scoring, which summed us up.
Stead 4.5 - clumsy at times, another who struggled to get involved.

Alessandra 5 - no worthwhile contribution.
Hewitt 4.5 - poor passing, didn't offer much.
Ameobi 6 - at least posed a bit of a physical threat.

Very few players did enough to manage even an 'average' rating. A pity we put in such a poor performance in front of such an excellent crowd. I doubt many will be in a rush to repeat the experience.  

Name: Highlights: Notts County 1-1 Forest Green Rovers
Category: Match Highlights
Date Added: 2017-10-08
Submitter: Chris

Notts County v Forest Green Rovers.

Highlights: Notts County 1-1 Forest Green Rovers

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Name: CEO Sleepout
Category: Official Notts Videos
Date Added: 2017-10-08
Submitter: Chris

Notts County were proud to host Nottingham's 2017 CEO Sleepout this week.

CEO Sleepout

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Who was your man of the match for Notts County against Forest Green Rovers?

International break this week so 3 fixtures from league 1 and league 2

Saturday's Fixtures:
Doncaster Rovers v Southend United
Scunthorpe United v Wigan Athletic
Walsall v Shrewsbury Town
Accrington Stanley v Luton Town
Cheltenham Town v Swindon Town
Lincoln City v Chesterfield

Game 12 - Green Devils (H)

Team: Forest Green Rovers

Date: 07/10/17

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.

When Shola Ameobi got injured, I personally felt like we might struggle - despite having faith in Jonathan Forte. For me, Shola is a work horse and he just compliments our play above expectations.

I'm curious if fans felt we missed him, or if we became stronger for his absence?

Personally, I think in certain games we clearly did miss him but I think it's highlighted the depth we have. Plus how capable the squad is at adapting and covering positions. We all felt that our strike-force would require a brief rest here and there, perhaps even not playing twice in a row but it's not been the case.
 

It will be a big boost IMO to have Shola Ameobi back, and I'm hoping he can grab himself a goal!

so why cant we beat them? what does everyone think is the reason? manager after manager has failed to do this since god knows when.

How will you greet former Notts County manager Mark Cooper when he brings his Forest Green Rovers side to Meadow Lane this weekend?

On the back of Kevin Nolan suggesting that Jon Stead doesn't get the 'credit' he deserves, I though I would try to canvas opinions on the issue a little wider (without focusing on just one player all the time).

I'm actually getting fed up of this Jon Stead stuff, as for me he's gotten praise quite rightly so and for the right reasons.

He's performances and efforts have largely increased, I am sure nobody underestimates the contributions Jon has off the ball - he's good at that but until he's first goal in work on the ball wasn't actually desirable and it was hard for me to see why he continued to gain backing (although in the long-term he has improved). For me, it was always like Kevin Nolan felt Jon Stead would leave if he didn't start.

Anywho, I am curious about learning who the fans feel doesn't gain the credit that they deserve! So comment below...

Which Notts players deserve more credit?

...

Saturday's Fixtures:
Ipswich Town v Bristol City
Nottingham Forest v Sheffield United
Bradford City v Doncaster Rovers
Fleetwood Town v Charlton Athletic
Luton Town v Newport County
Swindon Town v Cambridge United

Name: Highlights: Mansfield 3-1 Notts County
Category: Match Highlights
Date Added: 2017-10-02
Submitter: Chris

Mansfield v Notts County.

Highlights: Mansfield 3-1 Notts County

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It's a shame that September ended on a bit of a sour note with defeat at Mansfield, but apart from that, it's been a sensational month.

How many marks would you give this month just gone out of 10?

Let PON know!

Game 11 - Stags (A)

Team: Mansfield Town

Date: 30/09/17

Where: One Call 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.

Game 9 - The Imps (H)

Team: Lincoln City

Date: 23/09/17

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.