upthepies

Both teams had spells where you could see that the friendly was against two good teams, I don’t think either squad lifted themselves to a level you would expect in a league and that for me is perfectly fine. Notts, in my opinion, should have won 2-1, but a draw is fair considering.

It’s a good job the club is ready for League Two because it starts in a week’s time! The pre-season has been a good insight, Luke Williams and the coaching team have all played their parts. Conditioning the team ahead of the league’s start is a good thing and as for injuries, none of them sound very concerning at all.

Luke Williams is quite careful, I think he’s also trying to balance our expectations. The team will have a lot of pressure on them to go forward and produce another good season. The squad has the depth and quality, it’s all about timing and taking our chances from here. 10 games in, we’ll be able to see how things are going properly. I think Notts will do well, even if we start off slowly.

Three to four might have been justified due to the distance, but that is beyond luxury. Hopefully, Wrexham will change their stance on this. I don’t think Notts fans have to get a bee in their bonnet on social media about it.

There's so much to admire in David McGoldrick's attitude. He's proving himself a valuable mentor for the young players by demonstrating the importance of physical fitness and continuous learning. With such a positive mindset leading the way.

Glorious display from McGoldrick in this pre-season win. His dedication and skills are truly commendable. His goal was indeed a standout moment and his interview post-match shows how humble and determined he is. It's not just his performance on the field, it’s also the positivity he brings to the team. I am looking forward to seeing Notts County face Shrewsbury Town.

Good run out for Notts, some might complain we won too easily, but you can only beat what’s in front of you. Alfreton really struggled, but again it shows that Luke Williams doesn’t need to panic about us not being able to break down teams that defend heavily. It’s all down to putting away the chances you create or enough of them.

Williams has shown all the hallmarks of a great coach. His philosophy of balance and focus on team morale is likely to have a positive impact on their performance. He has a clear vision of how he wants the squad to play, but he is not afraid to let the players be themselves and incorporate their personalities into something that will benefit the squad as a whole. The unity of this squad is perhaps the strongest it has been in decades.

Fabian Spiess had two spells with Alfreton Town, does anyone know what he's doing these days?

I was thoroughly impressed with the manner in which Notts dealt with their opposition’s defensive discipline. Despite the challenges, they never allowed their frustrations to get the better of them. Instead, they persisted, knocking on the door and demonstrating their determination and resilience. This is precisely the kind of grit one expects from a top-tier team. The lads deserve a round of applause for their hard work and unwavering spirit. Their tenacity paid off in the end, and it was a joy to watch them overcome the obstacles in their path. Well done to Notts for a job well done.

It was a good performance by Notts, who were defensively solid and attacked well. Telford also did well, making it difficult, and I praise their keeper for some of the saves he made.

Thanks for the update, it’s great to see the manager being so upfront about player injuries. Good to hear that Morias and Baldwin are on track with their recovery.

I am impressed by the team chemistry so far. Our new players seem to be conforming well to the framework. Thanks to our manager for designing strategies to improve our defence while not compromising on the attacking front. Notts County is taking strides in the right direction, with steady progress and desired structure.

Welcome to PON, @BeestonPie. This is a very good community to discuss Notts.

Really enjoyed your thoughtful choice of matches, notably the mention of the Forest Green game, @Simon Clark. It's true, arriving at the last game of the season with something to play for is both exciting and nerve-racking! But, just as you've said, it'd be great if we could go into it with nothing other than pride to play for, wouldn't it? Additionally, it's nice to see the thought put into the selection of away games with the consideration of the host city. Using football as an excuse to explore historic cities is such a brilliant idea! I’m particularly intrigued by Bradford City.

Few things made match days special like a solid line of commentary from Charlie and Stall. His affection for the club and the fans was always evident – it went far beyond just calling the action on the pitch. Who's going to fill this void now? I wish him all the best as he looks to broaden his horizons. He leaves some big shoes to fill, but here's hoping Notts County will continue to find voices just as impassioned!

I don’t know how Luke Williams managed to distract Kyle Cameron, or why he would, but from what I remember, Connell Rawlinson passed the ball to Kyle and he was just slow in responding. I don’t really care about the mistake; I just don’t know why Williams is trying to protect Cameron. Even if the manager is trying to get your attention, it’s down to him to focus on the moment. There’s no reason for it to become a negative though. Forest’s quality always looked like a problem and we created far better chances early on than we did in the second half.

Mike Edwards gets a lot of love, but Ian Richardson is 5x more Notts County than him. He would walk over piping hot coals just to make sure that Notts were safe. He’s one in a million and such a very dedicated person.

The inspiration shown by Tobi Adebayo-Rowling is truly extraordinary. Despite having been out of action for some time, he's returned to the pitch with phenomenal grace and strength. His love for the game and his commitment to his team shines through in his performance, setting a brilliant example for his fellow players.

I hope Luke Williams gives the youngsters a chance to play, but I think starting with a stronger squad than we did against Stoke would be useful. We are reaching the stage where settling the squad down for the season ahead is important. I have no objections to seeing them come on as substitutes. Seeing what a strong 11 can do would tell Luke more. I don’t expect this to happen and I don’t really care if Notts lose. The important thing is fitness and getting the squad settled together.

Best of luck to Southend. It would be a football crime to see them join Bury. I hope they survive the next time they appear in court and that there is some good news for their fans.

Great blog! I completely agree about holding an enthusiastic and positive outlook for the Notts County team this season. From the looks of the preseason training and the new additions made to the team, it seems they are determined to leave no stone unturned in their quest for success. The new players, as outlined in your post, bring a blend of experience and youth that I believe will form a formidable force against any adversary. The roles filled by the new players seem strategically planned. Jones and Randall, with these two wingers taking charge of either side, the attack line should pose a serious threat to opponents. McGoldrick’s championship experience should provide crucial guidance to the team, and Crowley, with his experience could impress us with his play-making skills. Stone, as a goalkeeper, could provide the defence strength required. Assuming that they will positively impact the team on a consistent basis, the upcoming season could potentially be highly successful for Notts. I would go so far as to say that a back-to-back promotion should not be deemed improbable for a team as promising as this, especially given the optimistic sentiment expressed by the fans and the solid start to the preseason.

This is excellent news! The opportunity to improve facilities and hire necessary staff to further strengthen the academy's performance is invaluable. So looking forward to seeing the progress Notts County FC Academy will make in the coming seasons.

Exciting times ahead! Williams approach and attitude towards the upcoming season and his appreciation for the fans spark optimism. It’s a testament to the strong unity within the club.

It's interesting to see how much planning goes into a pre-season. I agree with Langstaff's emphasis on conditioning and injury prevention. While everyone loves watching the games and speculating about the new season, we often forget how much work goes into preparing the team before the first whistle is even blown.