retired_teju

1st February I try to sign Jonathon Evans DC from Man Utd but after all sorts of farting around it misses the deadline. I go back and tie him up for next season for 55k. He is another very promising youth team product.

Another request for a new contract for yours truly is rebuffed.

4th February Notts County vs Orient
Jon D'Laryea comes into defensive midfield, with his brother on the bench. We're pathetic in the 1st half, 1-0 down but it could have been 5. Sean Friars equalises with a deflected shot (73). We get a penalty (79) but Barnard misses of course. That's how it ends and I tell the lads rather obviously that we're not good enough. We hang on to 3rd though with 52 from 31.

Notts County 1-1 Orient ATT: 7060

11th February Stockport vs Notts County
After a very poor 1st half I encourage the lads, but we're totally ineffective, culminating in a missed penalty on 82 mins. A woeful game against a rotten opponent.

Stockport 0-0 Notts County ATT: 2637

14th February Notts County vs Mansfield
Hurst is in for the injured Cooper. Morais heads in a cracker after 10, then 13 minute later they have a man sent off. Then of course suddenly they are all over us!! And of course equalise (85). Very believable.

Notts County 1-1 Mansfield ATT: 6651

Still 3rd with 54 from 33.

18th February Notts County vs Carlisle
They come with a negative mindset, yet are creating lots of chances(?!). Yet another penalty for us (87) and this time Barnard scores it! I go defensive and we win, as we deserved to, but we were poor.

Notts County 1-0 Carlisle ATT: 7193

20th February I make Jon D'Laryea permanent-ish. He will arrive on a Bosman to start the next campaign.

24th February Another Bosman job. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is another Man Utd prospect, who had a prolific loan spell at Forest (he's a striker). He'll do us all right.

25th February Lincoln vs Notts County
Tandy is in for the injured Palmer and Cooper for Hurst. As usual of late, they are all over us, but Morais puts us in front with a Beckham impression (31). Barnard sets up Cooper for number 2 (36). They score 11 minutes later, then equalise (54), before getting a penalty (72) that Pilkington saves. We hang in there.

Lincoln 1-1 Notts County ATT: 4646

We're 3rd with 58 from 35, on a 5 game unbeaten run (with only 1 win). The board have a nice profit of 118k for the month.

retired_puly1364

Nice story you've got. Though, hope those draws will turn into wins in later updates.

retired_teju

Thanks Tanel, this story is a bit of a rollercoaster, as you'll see in later updates.

retired_teju

4th March Wrexham vs Notts County
Palmer is back in on the left for Tandy. This is a really poor performance, and we are lucky to lose only 1-0 to a 65th minute goal. We slip to 4th, with 58 points from 36 games. We're not sneaking up on anyone now, no longer a "surprise package" in any sense.

Wrexham 1-0 Notts County ATT: 3572

11th March Notts County vs Northampton
They are top of the heap, and we are playing like a heap of s**t at the minute. Tandy comes back in for Palmer to try and shake something up.
Following a bad error from their keeper, Cooper puts us ahead 10 minutes in. The visitors equalise after 16, then lead after 26. Barnard fires in a timely riposte on 47, and the game flows to an exciting draw.

Notts County 2-2 Northampton ATT: 7339

We sneak back up to third, but now have just one win in our last eight, and are only in contention because of our early season exploits.

17th March Prior to our trip to Grimsby, their bossRussell Slade praises me to the skies, in an obvious attempt at mind games. I praise him back...in an obvious attempt at mind games.

18th March Grimsby vs Notts County
5th placed Grimsby are hungry for success, and dominate the early exchanges, taking the lead after 22 minutes. Our performance seems to get progressively more crappy as time goes on, conceding again in the 58th minute. The recalled Palmer gets sent off with 10 minutes left, and straight away the home side complete our thrashing. A pathetic performance that sees us slip to 5th, with 58 points from 38 games, and no end in sight to the losing.

Grimsby 3-0 Notts County ATT: 6424

25th March Notts County vs Shrewsbury
The Shrews are struggling in 19th, but they can't be anymore struggling for form than us. Tandy is back for the suspended Palmer. Barnard gives us the lead (35), then Harkins doubles it with a header 5 minutes later. After the break Barnard heads in our 3rd after 57 minutes, and we run out easy winners, not a scenario I envisaged before the game. We stabilise our position in 4th, with 62 points from 39 games. At least we've stopped the rot. Once you slide, it can get totally out of hand, but at least we've stopped the bleeding, so to speak.

Notts County 3-0 Shrewsbury ATT: 6503

31st March Had I been the chairman of this club, I would have been highly alarmed by what has happened over the last 2 months. Instead, the board surprise me with the offer of a new contract.
The deal contains various flexible packages for the financing of the club. This is a novelty for me, at Forest the flexibility of the package could be summed up in one sentence: "Take it or f**k off."
I negotiate a longer deal, and demand at least the same money as I'm already getting. They agree, and I accept, signing my life away till 2009.
The board make it known how delighted they are, and Glynn Hurst speaks for the apparently delighted players, chastising the board that it took so long in the first place.
The club closes the month with a 48k profit.

retired_teju

1st April Peterborough vs Notts County
Any idea that my new contract would buoy everyone up are quickly dispelled, as mid-table Posh score after 2 minutes. They add another (31), and then a humiliator (87). Never mind Posh, Posh Spice could have beaten us today.

Peterborugh 3-0 Notts County ATT: 4896

We're slipping into dodgy territory, 5th place, just a couple of points ahead of the chasing pack.

8th April Notts County vs Bury
Nathan D'Laryea comes in for the injured Sean Friars, Hurst for the injured Cooper and Palmer for Tandy.
Three from bottom Bury boss us on our own ground, taking the lead after 19 minutes. Despite being reduced to 10 men near half-time, we still struggle badly, until Pipe scrambles home an equaliser 5 minutes from time. We can't find a winner, which is no surprise. We hang on in 5th.

Notts County 1-1 Bury ATT: 6635

15th April Torquay vs Notts County
Another embarrassing performance against moderate opposition, the sort of team we were pulverising early in the season. They lead after 20 minutes, but Hurst grabs an equaliser (65). We just manage to make it stand up for the draw, and hold on to 5th.

Torquay 1-1 Notts County ATT: 2503

17th April Notts County vs Wycombe
Dead last Wycombe fall behind after 50 seconds to a Barnard goal. They respond instantly of course, then take the lead after 38 minutes. Barnard's 2nd goal levels it on the hour, and neither rubbish team can find a winner.

Notts County 2-2 Wycombe ATT: 6427

We rather undeservedly sneak up to 4th, with 65 from 43. What an utterly dreadful division this is.

22nd April Darlington vs Notts County
The home side are upper mid-table, we are crap and injury riddled. Dean Smith comes in for the stricken Pipe and the injured Morais has to be replaced with the totally anonymous Ruben Zadkovich from the reserves. Talk about scraping the barrel (in every sense). They lead (after 20 minutes yet again?!), and we turn in our customary embarrassing performance, until Barnard nets an undeserved equaliser (84). It matters not, as the home side step up a gear, with an 86th minute penalty and a 93rd minute comforter. We were s**t, frankly. We drop to 6th, 65 points from 44.

Darlington 3-1 Notts County ATT: 5045

29th April Oxford vs Notts County
Cooper and Tandy start this one, against the 7th placed team. This is a bit of a sleeper, but we have some good chances, having to settle for a draw in the end. I'll take whatever we can get right now. We hold 6th spot, with 66 points from 45. The 8th-11th placed sides can still overhaul us on the last day of the season, but they need to win and we need to lose (the second part of the equation is no problem).

Oxford 0-0 Notts County ATT: 6468

Jonathan D'Laryea returns to Man City after a decent loan spell in a rotten team. We have gone another 6 games without a win, which makes it something like 2 wins in our last 14 games. Where would we be without Lee Barnard? Bottom of the league possibly.
Still, it's a season beyond the wildest expectations of the board, who tuck away another profit for the month of 81k. Now it's nail-biting time for the last game of the season, which will determine our playoff fate. Not that we have a hope in hell of winning the playoffs, but I want the money and the kudos of actually achieving something this season.

retired_teju

6th May Bristol Rovers vs Notts County
The opposition are no great shakes, which is just as well given our parlous form. It doesn't stop them leading early on, but Barnard levels matters from the spot after 28 minutes. The home team have a man dismissed, and immediately start to dominate us(?!!). I tell the lads it's embarrassing, but we get the draw...and crawl into the playoffs in 6th.

Bristol Rovers 1-1 Notts County ATT: 4886

13th May Notts County vs Lincoln Playoff Semi 1st Leg
I don't fancy us much, though Pipe is available again. It only takes the visitors 2 minutes to score, but then a professional foul on Barnard sees them down to 10 men. Despite going all out for the draw or win, we are totally and utterly pathetic, succumbing meekly to defeat in front of a massive crowd who deserved better.

Notts County 0-1 Lincoln ATT: 19737

15th May. I am in a state of shock. Naively believing that season long loans mean the whole season, I am stunned when the news comes through that Barnard Cooper and Morais have all returned to their clubs. What a kick in the balls! And how come they stayed for the 1st leg but not the second?

16th May Lincoln vs Notts County
We are left with a front two of Glynn Hurst and U-18 striker Pat Sneath. Let me give you the simplified version. We are totally, completely, and utterly hammered 5-0. Without the loan players, is this as bad as we actually were? Our season ends on a very sour note, with me muttering darkly that things are going to change.

Lincoln 5(6)-0(0) ATT: 10877

17th May The loan signings camoflagued many of our failings this season. Having said that, I can't really complain. We performed way above expectations (though not mine). Determined to learn from my mistakes, I begin the long process of overhauling the squad.
Zadkovich, Marshall, O'Callaghan, Ullathorne, Whitlow, Sheridan, Hurst and Sneath are all free transferred. They weren't going to be renewed anyway, so I tear down to the foundations and start building again.

21st May Lee Barnard signs for Southampton on a Bosman. I had a chance to sign him, but it slipped my mind, and by now he isn't interested in signing for us at all. No hard feelings. His loan move was a great deal for both of us.

25th May Dan Martin is pushed out the door by me, for 100k to Hull. Not as impressed by him as everybody else seems to be, and like I say, I'm stripping to the foundations and starting again.

26th May Charlton striker Alex Varney signs on a Bosman. I had toyed with signing him during the season, but he didn't look that impressive. Willing to take a chance on him though...and he's cheap.

28th May In a major surprise, I beat off competition from Sheffield Wednesday, Preston, and Derby to sign Fillipe Morais on a Bosman. He will do a grand job next season, and he won't be missing any playoff 2nd legs this time.

30th May In an idle conversation with Paul Jewell, I discover that his Wigan side are willing to off load Swedish international midfielder Andreas Johannson for 35k. I'm in there like a ferret down a rabbit hole, and secure the services of a player who has played light years above this level, and is only 27 years old.

31st May David Pipe leaves for Reading in a 250k deal totally orchestrated by me. He has a pop at yours truly when he leaves, saying he's glad to see the back of me. Oh well...cheerio Davey Boy!!!

The carnage of the month of May (the Ides of May if you like) comes to an end, showing a profit of 97k for the club. And a decimated staff of about 8 players.

retired_teju

As I recline in the comfort of my converted farmhouse outside Nottingham (a large chunk of which was paid off by my 120 grand Forest severance, the rest almost covered by my shiny new Notts County contract), I look back at the season past and the season to come.

The twins immediately enter the room and start jumping all over me, so I do as Rex Harrison used to do, and shout at the wife, "get those bloody kids out of here!"

Alone once again with my thoughts, the strikingly obvious comes easily to mind.

We were occupying a false position in the league, due mostly to the quality of the loan signings I made (and my adroit stewardship of course!). In that sense I was dead right to let all those players go at the end of the season.

As far as I'm concerned, if a player in a top six side in League Two can't manage an average rating of 7 or thereabouts, then what the hell sort of a player is he? Not one who can survive in League One I'm pretty sure.

We did very well with the hand we were dealt, and I am starting to wonder if it was better that we didn't get promoted. Better to wait one season and go up with a competitive side, than bounce straight back to League Two with a crummy one. In addition, we must be one of the wealthiest clubs in League Two, with 1.2 million quid in the bank. The foundations are very much in place for a march through the divisions.

I am only targetting proven players next season, which doesn't mean grizzled 34 year old cloggers who once got an international cap back in 1991, when 17 first-choice players were injured. Quite the opposite.

There are some very juicy prospects in and around the reserves and youth team set-ups of the Premiership, quite able to hack it in League Two, and maybe as high as the Championship. I've already signed several. It's a game of numbers, and if I keep signing them on modest contracts, a few diamonds are always going to be amongst the rough.

I'm also targetting a new assistant next year, after the departure of Ross McClaren. Call it a failure to a renew a contract or a sacking if you wish, either way Ross was about as happy as a man who won the pools and forgot to post his coupon. He did a reasonable job, and we worked ok together, but he's hardly Sir Alf Ramsey. It's an opportunity to improve, just as I have taken with the purge of the first team squad, and I won't pass this one up either. An advert has been placed. I'd love to improve the coaching staff too, but the cost in severance would be prohibitive. A good assistant manager in charge of most of the training would kill two birds with one stone.

retired_mjs74

Get that Wheelbarrow going again mate. Good stuff, good luck with new season!

retired_teju

Thanks Okkas, next season is well underway, I've been doing more playing than updating of late, hopefully I'll get a chance to update very soon.

retired_teju

3rd June I continue my Richard and Judy makeover of the squad with the Bosman signing of ex Italy Under-21 goalkeeper Andrea Guatelli from Portsmouth. He has good ratings and I would be happy to go into the season with him as number one.

6th June Two more signings. Juan Ugarte signs from Crewe on a Bosman. The Spanish striker has a good goalscoring record, but was surplus to requirements for them last season.

Tim Sparv DM/AM/LC is a player I've been interested in for a while, and tried to sign in another game. He's a Finnish youth team player at Southampton, and I am delighted to acquire such a good prospect for just 8 grand.

8th June I open the wallet for another 8k to sign Frazer Richardson D/M/R from Crystal Palace. The former Leeds hot prospect had been languishing in the reserves at Selhurst Park, and their loss will very definitely be my gain I feel.

10th June This could be the jewel of my offseason acquisitions. Striker Ramon Calliste arrives on a Bosman from Liverpool, having been relatively dominant in their reserve team last year. He had practically no chance of making their first team because it's so strong, but he'd walk into ours, which he will. Don't be fooled by the exotic name. He's Welsh.

This also allows me to release striker Steve Scoffham. Nothing personal, it's just in keeping with my policy that I want players who look like they can cut it a couple of divisions above where we are now. We need to get promoted and stay there, and the way we'll do that is with a lot of firepower.

18th June The board announces a transfer budget for next season of 275k, which is all right, though we are now sitting with nearly 1.5 million quid in the bank. I can't complain given we're in League Two. As I've said, this board of directors is a picnic to work with compared to the pygmies at Forest

28th June Gary Harkins is voted the supporters Player Of The Year. A tad surprising, though I guess the deliberations don't include loan players. The lad had a fine season, and I very much rate him, though competition for places next season is likely to be fierce, especially in midfield and up front.

The club raked in a profit of 266k in June. How come that bank manager never sends me a Christmas card or a bottle of booze?