Sorry Don't Care he made a callosal mistake at Notts by stating It's My Way Or The Highway. Which he may have got away with if he'd been a decent sort of manager. Owner at the time Alan Hardy got  something right for once by getting rid of him Early Doors. And he didn't pull up any trees in any other of his English football Coaching positions. Yeah Coaching in Japan might just be about his level. He certainly wasn't Going To Make it  at the Lane. He seemed to get both Players and Fans backs up Not something you need from your Head Coach.

Kewell was probably appointed partly due to his excellent reputation as a player, but excellent players don't always make good managers or coaches. We've seen it in the past and we will see it again.

Funnily enough, I was quite encouraged when he was appointed but soon got dissilusioned with him.

I wish that bloke nothing but failure in all that he attempts. 

Ooh, yes please. 

Another Club Struggling because of Poor Ownership. Who Vets these People (Is it the EFL OR FA) who want to own a Club and Why aren't they doing their Jobs Properly?

@Wheelbarrow repair man

"Acquisition of Control & Owners & Directors’ Test"

"In any potential ‘takeover’ or acquisition of control as it is formally known, it is the responsibility of the Club in question to inform the EFL of a proposed change". 

"Once the League has been made aware, the process of making the necessary checks against the requirements of EFL Regulations will then begin. The Regulations ultimately set the criteria regarding who is permitted to own a Club, or exercise control over it, and whether they meet the requirements to do so."

https://www.efl.com/governance/acquisition-of-control-the-owners-directors-test/

The tests that are undertook by the EFL are obviously not thorough enough are they.

Morecambe is not the first club to get into trouble like this, and they won't be the last either.

@Wheelbarrow repair man

Just looked on transfer market website for Notts County.

Out of the squad of 27

Three are loan players contracts expire  31 May 2024

Seven players contracts  including 4 defenders expire this summer 2024.

Twelve player's contracts including 3 defenders expire summer 2025

Three player's contracts expire 2026

Two players contracts expire 2027

So we will await the retained list out of the squad of 27

Now there's another idea for a New Topic Robbie. Name all the current Squad and the length of their contracts and we can all go over the Pro's and Con's of each Individual player . Reckon it will produce a good Debate.

I agree @Wheelbarrow repair man 

Will wait untill after the final game of the season.

Very poor show from Barnsley sacking a Manager with one game to go.

If they saw the writing on the wall it should have been done earlier so that a new man could get to know his players and how they play before the end of the season.

Now a new person has to be recruited then start from scratch after a summer break, and wait till the start of next season to be able to find out what his best team is.

How can the Barnsley powers that be think that the team will make a blinding start to next season when they don't even have a new man at the helm yet?

For some added context, Barnsley have looked dead certs for the playoffs at least, but after a string of defeats they need to win their final game to be sure of a spot on the top six.

All the same, this is a panic move aimed at saving their season. The idea that the players were deliberately throwing away their chances of promotion in protest against the head coach is absurd.

Jon Stead remains as a coach

I don't see that as a negative statistic at all, it demonstrates to me that Langstaff is getting into positions to give him a chance of scoring. He is also getting supplied in a good position by his colleagues too.

Macca has scored 28 and missed 29 good chances, that's a 49% success rate In my book that is an outstanding scoring rate.

There are many variables regarding those missed chances, last gasp blocks, outstanding saves, hitting the woodwork, and a last ditch tackle.

Notts have an outstanding forward line plus attacking midfield players, the fact that they are creating so many chances and scoring a good percentage of those chances just backs that description up.

I wonder why the Person who did the graphic didn't go into Greater detail? After all as Robbie as Stated there are many different reasons Macca didn't take his chances All top scorers miss chances. Lee Hughes scored 59/60 goals for Notts and you can bet he missed a fair few. Even the Great Les Bradd would tell you he's missed some sitters in his time. And do you mean to tell me that a Club from higher up the Football Pyramid who's interested in Macca is going to lose all interest in him because he's Not taken 29 chances? Or is that what the person who's produced this Data is hoping for? If that's the case, they're quite right Nothing to see Here Leave Macca at the Lane.

Florist were hard done to, but that statement is a total embarrassment and completely unprofessional. Claiming that the official is corrupt is also surely libellous. If the VAR wanted to benefit Luton, surely he'd have given a penalty to engineer a draw?

Florist's owner is an accident waiting to happen. Another Portsmouth in the making. 

I don't think it's the Owner DangerousSausage, it's the Owners Son, who seems to be getting more and more influence in the Running of the Club.

@DangerousSausage

I get what you are saying and the fact that the statement was posted just a few minutes after the final whistle was crass, to put it mildly, but it has certainly ruffled a few feathers at the FA and PL 

It may not in the end change anything and Forest may finish up with a big fine and censure from the PL.

It will be interesting what the transcripts from the VAR conversations regarding the penalty incidents say.

What I've read on social media is that Forest will be allowed to hear them privately, so the World will have to wait on what comes out of those VAR conversations or yet again, the public will never know.

But we'll probably know by the Forest reaction.

Scandalous. Gateshead adhere to the rules, but couldn't provide proof until after the 1 March cut-off date. It has no relevance to next season at all.

And a special gold star goes to the National League, which announced that Solihull had a bye before, after consulting THEIR OWN RULES, realising that Alty should actually have the bye and Solihull have to play. And all this 48 hours before the playoffs begin. What a shambles! 

Proof DangerousSausage if proof was needed that the  controlling bodies of British football need to be totally reorganized and people at the top need to be removed and replaced with people who have an understanding of the Modern Game and have the Fans interests at Heart.

Spot on @Wheelbarrow repair man they have not just messed up a 46 game season for Gateshead, they've made things very awkward for Solihull too.

I blame the EFL and the NL for this. 

Surely, with every team in the NL playing for promotion to the EFL, each club must be eligible for that promotion if it occurs. That should be agreed before the season starts.

Looks like things might be settled in the courts once again which isn't good for football.

What a Shambles.

A well put together article @Wheelbarrow repair man and you put your case well.

The owners philosophy on how they want Notts to play football is well known, and they appointed Stuart Maynard because he believes in that footballing philosophy too.

Neil and big Sam were both successful with their style of play at Notts and they will always be regarded as legends who guided Notts to great success.

Unfortunately, I don't believe their style of playing fits into what the present ownership wants to see. 

Of course,  Notts have to ensure that they don't get predictable with their play, with the tippy tappy side and back movement that has generated mistakes and has proved so costly this season.

We have to remember that the same Notts defensive players that have let in 98 goals this season, were one of the best defensive units in the NL.

Unfortunately, a step up in level exposed many shortcomings, that I'm sure good recruitment of players are are either league 1 or league 2 level, can fix things for next season. 

Although it may be a good idea for some, I just don't believe that bringing in either Neil or Sam at this point to help Stuart would work and could prove counter productive.

I can Not really take Credit for a vast majority of this article Robbie has I am quoting things both Sam and Neil said in the Podcast and I've only added my own thoughts which are relevant with what I think is wrong at the Lane. Regarding what type of Football should be played at the Lane if it's Not Working next season will the Brothers or more to the point Richard Montague allow Stuart Maynard to change certain things or Stick to the present set up come what may? Even if Notts end up in a season long Relegation Battle? And as was stated by Sam and Neil, young Managers can't play any other way, but the passing side to side backwards and forwards between defenders and the Goal Keeper. Even if Notts look like being stuck with this type of Football there are many ideas from Sam and Neil that Stuart Maynard can adopt, which wont interfere with the playing style. 

Examples Man Management Luke Williams had it in Bucket Loads, as stated he improved all his players, which is something Stuart Maynard needs to attain even if he needs to take a course in it. Also be willing to mix things up, something Williams refused to do. There have been times Maynard has attempted to do this the trouble was he kept changing things around the Victories at Newport and Bradford prove this he tinkered with a winning formula and the Magpies lost their following matches. A Good Goalkeeper is needed boy do Notts need a good Goalkeeper. If Tiernan Brookes isn't that guy he still needs to be in the Squad as back up. next season, sending him out on loan again will only destroy his confidence. Man Management skills. Maynard doesn't come across as the hard type of Manager. No that's wrong  he doesn't come across as a Strong type of Manager. This is My Team and I'm in Charge, because if he doesn't Toughen Up  he isn't Going To Survive. Be your Own Man Stuart Not A Yes Man.

I don't know why people think that the appointment of a Director of Football in the Warnock/Allardyce mould would upset things at the Lane. After all learning from a Master manager would help Stuart Maynard No End. They would help him toughen up, they would help him with his Man Management Skills. Even if Notts don't appoint a Director of Football, which seems highly unlikely you can't tell me adopting some of their ideas isn't going to Help  Stuart Maynard become a better Head Coach.

@Wheelbarrow repair man

I get what you are saying.

Let's just see how things develop in the summer.

Looking on the bright side, Stuart has 3 wins out of 4 and a win on Saturday would be 4 wins out of 5 which would be Notts's best run in 39 matches including the last 19 of of Luke William's tenure.

In the form table over the last 5 matches Notts are in 7th place so we are starting to see an improvement even with the current team, that clearly need strengthening.

When changes come in the summer, and with time to work together on the training ground after a summer break, I am optimistic that we see a much tighter defence next season.

With Matty Palmer back to partner Robertson in midfield, that in itself is a mouthwatering prospect, even without the new players.

Thanks for replying @Piethagoram, I was beginning to think I was talking to myself in this thread it doesn’t seem very popular, perhaps folk don’t want to chat about everyday things. ????

Saturday afternoon I watched my first team on Rams Tv plant one foot back in the Championship.The opposition,Cambridge United,are still fighting relegation and put up one hell of a fight in the second half but my Rams hung on to another away victory.Nevertheless it was an extremely nerve wracking time and although sat comfortably at home I found myself continually kicking and heading the ball imaginatively every time danger threatened.By the end of the game I was absolutely exhausted.My old mate ,Gordon, was listening to the game in his house in Alfreton on Radio Derby and he said he was the same.It took me all day Sunday to recover.I must learn to relax while waching games..

2 hours ago, super_ram said:

I found myself continually kicking and heading the ball imaginatively every time danger threatened.By the end of the game I was absolutely exhausted.

I’m glad it’s not just me who does that @super_ram 

Ashby-Hammond 7

Macari 7

Cameron 6.5

Baldwin 6

Robertson 7.5

O'Brien  8

Austin   6.5

Crowley 7

Nemane 6

Jones 6

Langstaff 7

A solid performance today by the team, dominated Colchester for long periods. Should have been a larger win. The team looked better balanced with an extra midfielder.

Pleased the team got another clean sheet. 

That's now 3 wins in 4 for Maynard.

He also has 2 clean sheets in 4 too.  

Stumps on the 3rd day.

What a day for the Notts batsmen.

Notts 418 for 2, lead by 157.

Clarke not out 209

Young not out 156

Day 4. The expected rain has come.

With heavy rain falling the Umpires have decided to abandon play, so the result is a draw.

Well I've pinned my hopes on an East Midlands rumpus in League One the season after next, so they'll have to stay put!

I think they'll nail it though. If they get four points against almost-safe Cambridge and Carlisle, it won't matter what Posh or Bolton do. Three points would probably do it too. Say hello to our nearest and dearest next season!

Great win for the Rams yesterday. One more point and their back in the Championship. Don't bother with a draw Go for a Win and make sure. Come On Derby.

It’s certainly in their hands, they’ll only have themselves to blame if they don’t clinch it. I hope they manage to get over the line.

Stoke City 1-1 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland 2-0 Millwall 

Blackpool 2-1 Barnsley (joker)

Charlton Athletic 2-0 Shrewsbury Town

Cheltenham Town 0-2 Lincoln City

Doncaster Rovers 2-1 Barrow

Grimsby Town 2-1 Swindon Town

Sutton United 1-1 Crawley Town

Stoke City 2 v 0 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland 2 v 0 Millwall

Blackpool 2 v 1 Barnsley

Charlton Athletic 3 v 0 Shrewsbury Town

Cheltenham Town 0 v 2 Lincoln City joker

Doncaster Rovers 2 v  0 Barrow

Grimsby Town 1 v 1 Swindon Town

Sutton United 1 v 1 Crawley Town

The results:

Stoke City 3-0 Plymouth Argyle

Sunderland 0-1 Millwall

Blackpool 3-2 Barnsley

Charlton Athletic 1-1 Shrewsbury Town

Cheltenham Town1-2 Lincoln City

Doncaster Rovers 4-2 Barrow

Grimsby Town 2-0 Swindon Town

Sutton United 2-2 Crawley Town

---

Congrats to this round's winner, @william1984! Apologies for the avant-garde mobile screenshot style this week...

---

So with one round remaining, @ARLukomski is five points ahead of @gtownjohnno and nine points ahead of @william1984. Don't ask why the second table is larger, see it as a consolation for being in the bottom half! 

But the final word has not yet been spoken - the last fixtures will magically appear on Wednesday and will be played on Saturday. Thanks for playing and see you all then! 

@gtownjohnno

Mark Stallard mentioned yesterday that in all competitions Notts have scored, including yesterday 96 goals and we've conceded 98.

A 4:2 win at Forest Green next Saturday would make it 100 scored and 100 Conceded in all competitions.

Thanks Robbie... I thought I had heard that on the way home from yesterday's game... Would that be a record to be proud of though???? 

@gtownjohnno

Well I think to get 100 goals scored would be a great achievement. Not so much the 100 conceded.

We've already scored 206 league goals in 2 seasons with one match to go, so that's another great statistic too.

And just 6 points off a playoff spot with one game to go just demonstrates how the season could have turned out.

18 penalties conceded in a season will most likely be a record we would want to forget too. 

The attendances since the brothers came in have been truly amazing, I do think we have been helped in that regard by our near neighbours being in the Premiership, lots of folk can’t get tickets so come to Notts. I’ve also been pleased to notice that there are lots more youngsters/children coming to the matches and they seemed to be enjoying the games. As I walked away from Meadow Lane yesterday I overheard a lady with three young boys. “Did you enjoy that boys?” The answer from the boys in unison was “Yeah it was great”.

We do need to keep these young fans they are the future, I hope we keep Meadow Lane a welcoming place for that lady to bring her boys.

The fact that there was nothing on this match as Notts were not challenging for anything, such as the playoffs and just playing for pride, Saturday's attendance of over 11,000 was very encouraging for next season.

Another factor that could attract the floating supporter to Notts next season is the extortionate season ticket and match price to attend the Club across the River.

It was certainly a great day out for families, yesterday with a great atmosphere too. 

We are still waiting for Notts to announce their prices for next season. 

Attracting families could be a big winner for Notts next season, by keeping prices low for Children.

I guess I'll just have to Agree to Disagree with you Robbie. Maynard still could have played Macca and Cedwyn up front from the off even if Ceds had only lasted till half time.  Jodi was kept very quiet today he didn't play to his usual high standard, the Colchester defender  on his side didn't give him anything. Ashby-Hammond almost cost Notts a goal with his wondering out of his 18 yard box, the Colchester player almost chipped him but his shot hit the woodwork. If it was Jim's last game at Meadow Lane he certainly went out like A Warrior, if only he was 5 or so years younger. He needs to be kept at the Lane in some sort of capacity next season. Dan Crowley was outstanding again and Macca well he was just Macca, he came up with the Goal to break the Stalemate and was unlucky not to score more.

Despite the recent Results there still needs to be Massive Changes at Notts in the off Season. An interesting quote from the Forest Green Owner when asked about their two successive Relegations he honestly stated Our Recruitment over the last two seasons has been Abysmal. So lets hope Montague and his team get things Right. The first couple of months next season should be enough time to tell if Stuart Maynard is the Man for the Job at Notts.

There have been some wonderful goals scored by Notts this season.

Every one of those goals on this short list has it's merits.

Aaron Nemane's mazy run against Walsall takes some beating. 

Pleased that Aaron got the goal of the season for Notts, and what a goal it was.