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In at the deep end
The new season is upon us, with the 2014/15 campaign starting to take shape.
Here at Sky Sports we will look to take you to the very heart of the Football League over the coming months, with our Spotlight features intended to give you a greater insight into the clubs and players that keep us on the edge of our seats.
We hope to bring you the views and thoughts of a representative from each of the 72 teams over the course of the season, with those involved asked to give their take on the division they compete in, the club that pays their wages and those we should all be keeping an eye on.
Notts County’s Haydn Hollis is next into the hot-seat, with the Magpies defender taking time out to discuss remarkable survival bids and captaincy pride with Chris Burton.
On a personal level, 2014 has been a pretty good year, hasn’t it?
Yes. First of all, relegation last year, surviving that, and then, personally, I have played every minute so far this season, so long may that continue.
QUICK QUESTIONS
Best side faced: Tough one. I don’t want to sound over-confident, but I don’t think anyone has really troubled us. It’s probably got to be Bristol City, but I didn’t think anyone really troubled us.
Player of the Year so far: Roy Carroll has come in and done brilliantly. For me, I’d probably go for Hayden Mullins. Playing alongside him, he’s been a perfect match for me, someone I look up to.
Best characters in the dressing room: Roy Carroll is one of them, he’s still a bit crazy! It’s hard to pick out one because we’ve got such a good group of lads. I have been at the club a while now and I don’t think we’ve had a changing room like this, with so many good lads. Everyone has different characters, but we’re very close.
The gaffer: The thing he says to us is that sometimes you do have off days. The gaffer, every day he just wants you to give it your all. We do that. You can see from him on the sidelines that he gives us everything and all he asks for is that we give it him back. He’s very passionate and he’s very passionate about the club.
What have you taken from those experiences towards the end of last season, because you were thrown in the deep end, weren’t you?
You haven’t really got time to think about it, to be honest. I think we were 10 points adrift when I got thrown in. I scored a few goals to help us along the way and you look back on it and it was a very big achievement.
Was it a case of playing without fear, as people had written you off and you were able to just go out and express yourselves?
I think credit for that has to go to the manager and his assistant. They have come in and with the group they had, they changed the mentality of the group. They couldn’t bring in their own players, they had what was there and they did an absolutely fantastic job. Credit to them and the lads for digging in and putting in the performances.
You must be proud to have played your part in that, because it was a remarkable achievement wasn’t it – given where you were?
Massive. As I said, helping the team with a few goals as well. I don’t think I had scored a goal before! It was a massive achievement looking back on it, but at the time you can’t really think about anything because you just want to get your points on the board. You never know what’s going to happen.
I take it that, as a group, there was a lot of talk over the summer about the need to make sure that, having gone through that and survived it, you don’t let it happen again?
It’s a completely different group this year. The lads have come in and asked questions, ‘How did you pull it off?’ and all that. But as much as I enjoyed the last game of the season and the celebrations after it, I never want to be put in that situation again.
I take it you are confident that won’t happen, you’ve made a steady start this year, haven’t you?
Yes. Like I say, there have been massive changes and the gaffer has brought his own people in. The group this year is very, very close and we would run through brick walls for each other out there, so I don’t think there is a chance of that happening again. But you never know, do you.
You’ve got a good mix now haven’t you, the experience of the likes of Roy Carroll and Hayden Mullins and then a few young lads as well?
I think in the last few games, I’ve been the oldest in the back four. I don’t think we’ve had anyone older than 21, and you don’t see that very often. The likes of Alan Smith, Roy Carroll, Gary Jones, Hayden Mullins, you need people like that. Again, credit to the gaffer because he’s brought the right people in, absolutely brilliant people that we can look up to and structure your game around them.
As one of the younger ones, you must have been delighted to take the armband recently against Oldham?
It was a massive honour for me. I captained the club at youth team level and reserve level, so it was a completely different experience out there. I see it as a massive achievement as well, getting the armband for the first team at such a young age. Hopefully that does inspire the younger lads coming through. They can see what I’ve done and hopefully one of them can grab the armband.
Did you know it was coming or did the gaffer drop it on you late as a surprise?
He just threw it on me at 1.30. He just said, ‘Go and lead the lads out there’. It didn’t change my game much, though, to be honest. We’ve got a team of leaders, whether you have got the armband or not. We’re all very close and a tight group this year.
It was a great show of faith from the manager wasn’t it, showing that he is prepared to look past age and experience and reward those who are deserving of the role?
I can’t thank him enough for it. It’s my home-town club. I have always been a leader in a way, for the youth teams and the reserves, but coming into the first team, it’s a massive honour. I thank the gaffer for giving me that opportunity.
Given how quickly everything has happened for you in the last few months, what are your targets now?
Personally, for me, I just want to play every game this season. I don’t want to look too far ahead, but I think I’ve made a good start. We have got the best defensive record in the league at the minute, so if we can keep that going then… Just for me, I’ll try and play every game and see what happens from there. But I don’t want to look too far ahead because you never know what is around the corner in football.
You’ve got to keep your feet on the ground, haven’t you, because earning the recognition is only half the job, staying in there is the hard part?
Exactly. There are so many players and people out there, but you have got to go and achieve. You are only halfway there.
But it’s an exciting time at the moment for you, the club and Nottingham, as the new City of Football, it’s a great time to be involved in everything?
Yeah, massive. It’s my home-town club so it’s an honour to be involved with Notts County at this time. -
Carroll rolling back the years
Shaun Derry saluted a goalkeeping masterclass from Roy Carroll after he earned Notts County side a 1-1 draw at Chesterfield.
Carroll, 36, was inspired after Chesterfield went into overdrive in the second half with Georg Margreitter cancelling out Blair Adams' shot in the first period.
Adams drove home from inside the left edge of the penaqlty area in the 15th minute and struck the inside of a post eight minutes later, but County came under siege after the break.
Margreitter climbed to power in a header in the 62nd minute, but the rest of the game belonged to Carroll, who made superb saves to deny Eoin Doyle, Daniel Johnson and Dan Gardner.
Derry said: "I think I've got the best goalie in this league.
"He was fantastic and some of those saves were Premier League class and that's why he's played there.
"I've told the players how proud I am of them. They are an absolute pleasure to manage and I wish I was in the dressing room with them as a player.
"What a game that was! We could have scored a second, but I haven't got many arguments because in the second half it was backs against the wall.
"Chesterfield were magnificent, absolutely magnificent and they deserved to get something out of the game.
"I thought it was some game and we are a team that is just developing, we are only nine games in to being a team by the way."
Chesterfield manager Paul Cook also praised Carroll.
"Their keeper was sensational. That's why he's an international goalkeeper and he's had the career he's had, so fair play to him and Notts County.
"We keep having to make changes so we're not getting that continuity in what we are trying to do, but our lads show a great work ethic and they are a credit to the club.
"They got about the game in such a good manner and are so honestly positive in how they try and play.
"Second half we created chance after chance, but Notts County have a very strong defensive record for a reason.
"Shaun has done a very good job and they go away from here unbeaten, so you've got to take your hat off to them and say 'well done'." -
Chesterfield are doing very well at the moment, they're scoring for fun and are doing pretty well for newboys in this league. At the start of the season, I would have predicted them to finish around 10th and so currently finding themselves inside the playoffs is something their own fans must be very excited about.
That said, I just can't imagine them being in the Championship.
I don't expect Notts to get anything here, I think a draw would be a good result. I always hope we can win, though I don't see it. We always stand a chance at getting something, I just see them being able to break us.
Thoughts? -
5pm kick off, need a point to avoid relegation. Anyone joining me and giving them our support. Obligatory drinks in Navvy first. Let's be having ya
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Bobby Zamora in the black n white anyone.
@super_ram would be delighted to see him at Notts espec with goals like this.
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Yes, i was about 10 years old and very influential. I must admit he was my hero, above Hulk Hogan.
I stopped watching WWF when was 11, got bored and was allowed to go in the JS for the first time. Then i became the Ultimate Notts fan
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I just thought I'd share a new computer game with those that enjoy playing games. I'm sure Joe, you said previously you enjoy simulation/startegy games.
It is called Banished and its a town builder. It is what Simcity has always wanted to be!
Cant recommend it highly enough. Its is made by a one man firm, but it has kept me sane in the past few days. Well worth the £15 to buy. Highly addictive and really deep. Good job really as I'm bed ridden for the next two weeks!
Check it out.
http://www.shiningrocksoftware.com/game/
There's not many I feel are worth paying full amount for nowadays and yes I am pushing it, because its nice to see somebody striking out on their own and not just sitting in the offices of a firm like EA and taking the wages.
Anyway, anyone who does play it, give me some tips as I've played it for the past two days and am still rubbish!
Plus as you may have noticed the table the wife purchased for me makes it alot easier to post on here now
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One month youth loan.
The England Under 18 midfielder played seven times for the Blues last campaign and is highly thought of at St Andrews.His calming influence on the ball, his determination in the tackle and excellent passing range will be an asset amongst the ranks.He made his first full league start in January against Yeovil Town and his display in the middle of the park was rewarded with the man of the match.Shortly after Brown penned his first professional contract for City, a club he joined when he was ten years old.Brown will go straight into the squad to face Bristol City on Sunday. Look out for reaction on Magpie Player later this week.A little bit of pace we were missing me thinks???
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The deal see's the pair join Boston United on a months loan, they're set to go straight into the squad to face Dereham Town in the FA Cup tomorrow after being granted permission to play by their parent club.
Thoughts? -
The website that I posted awhile back has made a new set of stats for this season (which was posted on 12th September 2014)
http://experimental361.com/2014/09/12/early-look-at-attack-defence/
Our position on defense looks spot on! Competent buy busy, haha.
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This is the game I saw ending as a draw, however I think it's more important we get the result and 3 points now. If the formation is the same, with little attacking I can see more fans becoming rest less.
Oldham aren't a side to fear, however they have a former magpie loanee and he's scoring!
6 from 5 games, quite impressive. I'd like to see a few changes, nothing major but it would be nice to see some more pace injected into the side. The score will be quite close I think, perhaps 2-1... I do feel we can do enough to warrant and take the lead, it will be an hard working game.
Thoughts? -
Saturday's fixtures:
Millwall v Nottingham ForestSheffield Wednesday v Reading
Rochdale v Coventry City
Swindon Town v Sheffield United
Bury v Burton Albion
Portsmouth v Wycombe Wanderers
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Sadly, we didn't get to go over to Sweden to meet the Swedish Magpies, however they did come and visit us this weekend!
[media]http://youtu.be/w8pGiYb5urQ
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I've finally had the pleasure of meeting @Northants Pie, I have to be honest I wondered who it was! Usually it's me on the look for people I recognize but tonight Northants noticed me.
It's a shame Super wasn't with me, I am sure he'd have liked to say hello too.
Hope you enjoyed the game buddy, don't be a stranger. Cheers for saying hello!
Ps. @Cobby was the camera man -
On Curtis Thomson giving away another goal, to add to his collection of 3 up to yet.
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This person was talking to about 4 of us in the MLSB, after the game on Saturday. He told us what Jimmy would do with half the squad, and they wouldn't be anywhere near meadow lane. We said that the 70's team would wipe the floor with this team. He reckons we are in for a relegation battle, we begged to differ on that point, he said you wait and see. Told us about Jimmy and how he managed the team and other staff. It was his club and ran it with an Iron fist. Makes Clough an Angel in comparison.
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This Tuesday's fixtures:
Brentford v Norwich CityHuddersfield Town v Wigan Athletic
Gillingham v Peterborough United
Preston North End v Chesterfield
Cheltenham Town v Southend United
Oxford United v Accrington Stanley
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Does our latest signing indicate that we are going 3-5-2, i think that could well be the case
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Travelled up from Gt. Yarmouth picked my mate uo from Norwich for the game v Orient. Got back a 2.30am. And Notts put on a display like they did, many more displays like that and the fans will turn on Derry or judt not turn up at all.
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As I'm in Yarmouth, I arranged a few games ago to go see someone I've known a while. He lives in Norwich, & goes to all Saturdays home games. So looking forward to meeting up.
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Interesting view of the game from them
http://www.theposhforum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=25319&start=0
The new season is upon us, with the 2014/15 campaign starting to take shape.
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Next Match
Game 14 - The Sulphurites (H)
Date26/10/24Kick-Off14:00TeamHarrogate TownLocationMeadow LaneView Match DiscussionCompetitionLeague Two
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