Game 30 - The Robins (H)

Team: Cheltenham Town

Date: 11/02/17

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.

Thought it would be interesting to start a thread on looking at the opposition players.

3 were worthy of consideration

#8 Billy Waters Neat footballer, caused Notts some problems with good choice of passes around the Notts area

#33 Liam Davis

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38797960

#32 Manny Onariase

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11685/10148516/brentford-sign-emmanuel-onariase-from-west-ham-for-an-undisclosed-fee

Saturday:
Leeds United v Cardiff City
Rotherham Unted v Blackburn Rovers
Bury v Swindon Town
Oldham Athletic v Coventry City
Plymouth Argyle v Exeter City
Stevenage v Wycombe Wanderers

Who was your man of the match for Notts against Cheltenham and why?

Based on a mean of 5

Collin - 6 - better than normal but still question his decision making

Bola - 6.5 - Some tidy stuff and good link up play. Defensively didn't take risks
Duffy - 7 - Best performance in a Notts shirt
Audel - 6.5 - Solidity, good partnership with Duffy
Hewitt - 5.5 - again much better than normal Hewitt fare. Dear diary, Hewitt put in a good tackle. Still suspect positionally

Yeates - 6 -Better 1st half, but does give the side some balanceiet game, good shot that hit the bar
Thompson - 6 Excellent 1st half, faded in second
Milsom - 6 - Did simple things well, but overshadowed by O'Connor
O'Connor - 6.5 - Gem of a pass to Stead for opener. Combative in midfield in winning headers

Stead - 7.- Back to the Stead of all. Class finish
Ameobi - 6 -Good touches but lacked pace

Subs:

Grant - n/a
Forte - 6 - Should have buried the game
Campbell - 5 ... Should have scored from follow up to Forte's shot

From the Ladbrokes News website:

Notts County may still be involved in a battle against the drop in League Two, but having delivered victory in their last home game, and now brought in three new players – including himself! – new boss Kevin Nolan is optimistic about the Magpies’ prospects.

With Ladbrokes being the proud shirt sponsors of the world’s oldest Football League club, the Ladbrokes News team have developed quite the affinity for County. So we were hoping Nolan’s optimism was well-placed when we caught up with the gaffer ahead of this weekend’s meeting with Cheltenham Town.

Ladbrokes News: The game at Accrington last weekend didn’t go as you would have wanted, but form has improved with four points in as many games since you took over. What’s encouraged you most about this squad and the players at your disposal?

Kevin Nolan: Last week was disappointing, but I was delighted with the previous game [a 2-1 victory over Crawley Town]. What we need at this stage of the season is consistency, and I think the lads here have the quality to deliver that.

We need to start seeing results improve on a weekly basis, instead of just one good performance every now and then. But I’m already encouraged by the fact they’re taking on board what I’ve said, following instructions and working hard in training.

If they keep doing that, I’m confident we’ll see a marked improvement in results on the pitch.

Ladbrokes News: You won the last home game against Crawley Town 2-1. County showed great character to go on and get that 90th-minute winner when you had 10 men. Has that given everyone a lift and an added belief that you can stay up?

Kevin Nolan: Definitely. Winning games brings confidence, and the way we dug in and got that result is something which has given the players a real spring in their step.

When you’re down to 10 men, especially during a difficult run, some players might buckle under the pressure or let their heads drop, but we did the exact opposite – and our determination and level of performance meant we ended up with a thoroughly deserved victory.

LN: It’s a real six-pointer at Meadow Lane on Saturday as you take on Cheltenham Town. The reverse fixture finished 3-2 to County. Do you think we’ll see another open game and plenty of goals? Or might this be a tighter affair?

KN: Well, I’m hoping it’s not like the last home game where we leave it until the last minute! We will get at Cheltenham and attack them right from the first whistle, and won’t allow them to get comfortable. That’s the ethos right now.

If it’s an entertaining game again, great – but at the moment, just getting the win, enjoying it and then moving on to the next game is by far the most important thing. So we’ll go out there, put them under pressure and hopefully our game plan will yield the three points.

LN: You’ve registered yourself as a player for the remainder of the season. What kind of role do you see yourself playing on the pitch? I’m sure it’ll be beneficial for the younger lads to have such an experienced head on the field with them.

KN: As much as anything, I just feel it’s handy to have the cover if we get a few injuries, or for rotating the squad during periods where the games are coming thick and fast.

But it’s going to take a lot for me to oust Michael O’Connor and Milly [Robert Milsom] in the middle of the park, because they’ve been fantastic since I’ve come in. But if I need to, I’m happy to slot in, and think I can complement what we have in midfield.

LN: We’ve seen a couple of additions to the squad arrive from elsewhere too – a former teammate of yours at Newcastle, Shola Ameobi, and Mark Yeates from Blackpool, who’s got plenty of pedigree in the Football League. What are you hoping to see from those two?

KN: Shola adds quality in his all-round play. He’s also got tons of experience, and you can rely on him to chip in with a few goals. Mark is excellent on the ball, and has the ability to really open up defences with his dribbling, and he’s a real threat from set-pieces as well.

They’re two great additions in a playing sense, and good lads to have in the dressing room as well, so hopefully they can make a big difference for us.

There's a lot of talking points regarding the amount of debt that has been floating freely around the club for a number of years, even prior to the Munto takeover. It seems that football auditing of the accounts is quite messy, however with rumours of Mike Edwards not being paid his testimonial money and the talk of millions of pounds of debts - I wondered what people though?

Obviously I imagine much of the debt has now been paid, the likes of what was owed to Ray and of course the HRMC.

4 hours ago, Fozzy said:

To quote myself on the transfers thread...

"The only thing that was missing and disappointing was a dominant centre half, which still evades us for some reason, so I hope that Audel and Duffy develop a decent understanding and neither get injured."

Quoting @Fozzy I wonder just how much the unearthed debts have effected the business we did in the transfer period?

The embargo has held things back, really something that wasn't helpful and for me it was always likely that the club would move quicker with regards to looking into the loan market.

On paper much of the news seems completely unnecessary.

There was talk after the Munto saga that the Football League had to address the 'fit and proper' owner protocols, I think there's more depth required because the clubs books should really disclose everything (in clear sense).

Lee Hughes has applied to become manager of non-league side Worcester City.

From BBC Sport:

The 40-year-old has told BBC Hereford & Worcester that he would be interested in succeeding the long-serving Carl Heeley, who stood down last week after 22 years' service.

Hughes is keen to carry on playing and said: "I just love scoring goals.

"But I'd be up for it. I've spoken to the board about it, outlined my ideas to them and we'll see what they think."

Hughes, who has scored 33 goals in 57 appearances since signing for Worcester in September 2015, intends to start doing his Football Association coaching qualifications this summer. But he hopes that, for now, his vast experience as a player, both on and off the field, will count for something.

"I've played with some top quality managers and I've learnt a lot from them," said Hughes, who has had 28 bosses (not including caretaker managers) in his 22 years in the game.

"I had six or seven in two years at Notts County. I'm well used to managers coming and going. You just have to get on with it."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38904616

What do you think about Hughsey's credentials - would he make a good manager? Could we maybe see him at Notts in a couple years time?

Is anybody else watching this dire game of football? 

Both teams made lots of changes only one player has stood out for me and that's Anya of Derby, huffed and puffed but no ones getting on the end of his crosses into the box.

Anybody want to hazard a guess at who'll win and what score?

Leyton Orient play their game in hand tonight. They are at home to Morecambe. Orient are the only team in the whole football league who have a grand total of 0 points in 2017. Hope that continues tonight........

it seems the doom and rain clouds are being lifted now the takeover has happened. i really wish the revolution helps to return notts back.

Olga Wheeler, Jack's widow, has sadly passed away this week aged 97.

We at PON would like to express our condolences to her family and friends for this sad loss.

http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/olga-wheeler-3562728.aspx

how does js get players ready to step into the first team when he does not even give many a chance? surely he needs everyone pulling together and fighting for a first team place, this is my only criticism of sheridan. hes like the biased coach who always picks his son and his friends, rather than actually testing the full depth of the squad available. i really do not see how he can expect players who dont feature enough to have the motivation either, people call burke but surely his morale is pretty low?

i think js should try to switch things up and give players like burke and snijders a chance.

From another thread - former Newcastle and England U21 star Ameobi is a free agent and is training with us. Fantastic pedigree and a quality player in his prime, and competition for places up front has been sorely missing this season. But hasn't stayed anywhere long since leaving Newcastle. Worth a punt?

A relegation six pointer if ever there was one - both Notts and Accy are fighting relegation, sitting 21st and 22nd in League Two on 26 points - but with the hosts having two games in hand, it is absolutely essential for Notts to go for broke and get all three points.

Match trivia and provisional team news on this week's Stat Attack: https://prideofnottingham.co.uk/home/previews/stat-attack-accrington-stanley-vs-notts-county-saturday-4-february-2017-r1303/

How do you think today will pan out? Share your thoughts!

I watched the interview Alan did with BBC Nottingham. He comes across as sincere and refreshingly straightforward.

His Twitter account does come across slightly different, more down to earth and with it. Yet I do not like seeing our chairman swear, he should also try harder to understand views different to his own. I have nothing against him using Twitter as a platform form to exchange his views, considering his honest approach it is good to see but to a degree him revealing the signings and posing in pictures is a PR disaster waiting to happen. Am I the only one who believes this should be all handled through the clubs official channels?

I am aware that some have been calling for him to stop this, even going as far to suggest he should leave Twitter. I am not one of these fans but I would like to see him conduct himself in the same manner as he would in interviews or meetings. The openness I Praise, the fun and charismatic is a welcome change but the very trivial things I hope he cuts out.

I post this to discuss, not to be negative or picky.

with a lack of leadership and quality in midfield, would anyone like to see nolan step out to play or do you feel he should remain in the dugout?

i think if the embargo is not lifted, we should seriously consider it myself.

i know people dont like player managers all the time but i think it was a mistake on the part of shaun derry, tho kevin nolan is much younger in years and is a far better player all round. he did okay from my memory when he played and managed leyton orient.

Saturday's Fixtures:
Cardiff City v Norwich City
Newcastle United v Derby County
Chesterfield v Oldham Athletic
Shrewsbury Town v Bury
Cheltenham Town v Newport County
Wycombe Wanderers v Portsmouth

Cheltenham get away win tonight at Luton , winning 3-2 , the game a week Saturday is massive , with the good feeling coming back to NOTTS let's hope for a large crowd to get the win in a tough game , have to deal with another six pointer first at Accrington , exciting and nervy .

Dear all,

I am involved in some university research that is looking at our use of screens in our everyday lives. We have compiled an anonymous survey via the following link where I hope you can spare a few minutes to share your important views.

https://teesside.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/screen-society

Thanks in advance.

Morning all

Thought you might appreciate this summary of our recent transfer window activity, put together by the guys at LeftLion:

https://www.leftlion.co.uk/read/2017/february/notts-county-deadline-day-signings

Ideal reading for the car journey up to Accrington (not if you're the one driving).

COYP

Now with the transfer window closed until the end of the summer. (Yes I know we can still sign free agents) Who out of the new signing do you think will shine the most? 

For me it's Jorge Grant seems like a good player who will provide some energy and enthusiasm to a midfield that is just starting to look half decent. But Bola is someone who excites me just for the fact he's everything Dickinson is not. Also Yeates could be a little diamond in the rough for us, someone who can cross the ball and pull the strings.

Are you happy with the signings? I'm very happy.

Not a very cheerful topic or poll, but I would be interested to see what other fans would say.

I have a hard time not voting for 2011/12 as the sacking of Keith Curle may have turned out different if all involved had a bit more patience. As I recall quite a lot of fans felt his football was boring and drawing was enough to see it happen. Who knows how differently things may have turned out if we had made it one place higher. Yet this season takes some beating! If a cub was to write a textbook on how to not run a professional football club it would see this season feature for Notts.

Hello @JH96,

I read read your first post and thought I would be the first person to welcome you here on PON. Keep adding your views!

I felt it was time we had a specific thread for transfers rather than them being separate (Carlton Cole) Now that er are out of the embargo!

*just a heads up, no new signings can play tomorrow as the deadline was Friday/today at 12pm