retired_teju

1st July Don't try walking through the revolving doors at Meadow Lane today. A veritable tidal wave of new signings arrive, as the transfer window re-opens. Goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, attackers, the lot. (see earlier posts for transactions)

The squad, in League Two terms, is massively powerful now. I can basically field two teams of equal ability, having learned from my mistakes last year. The depth is such that people are going to start complaining early on, but that's too bad. We want to win and win now, so we're not worrying about people's bruised egos.

I have no excuse not to be promoted now, although the board are rather easy to please, having requested only a respectable league position. I think I can do that. But the only respectable league position as far as I'm concerned is a finish in the promotion places.

The players are back in training in a week or so, then we'll get to work.

10th July A convoluted search for a new assistant manager is finally at an end. I ran the ad four times, the fourth time drawing a response from my old mate Kit Symons (see Forest of Mediocrity). I tried to come to terms with him but the board were too cheap. Attention turned to my second choice Mike Rigg from Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls coach was a very handy second choice, and I had no qualms about bringing him aboard. We got on great, and the deal was struck inside two days. I have a good feeling about this managerial double-act.

16th July My obsession with a deep squad drives me to sign ex-Forest stopper Darren Ward on a free transfer. He'd been kicking around, and I thought sure he'd sign for a bigger club, but nobody seemed to want him so I sniped in. He's a bloody good keeper, always has been, and will be my number one.

18th July One area of my squad that wasn't so deep was left back...I didn't have any to be precise. To fix this, I signed Scott Morrison from Dunfermline on a three month loan. He was at the club for one day, then I thought "hang on, this guy's good and they're ready to sell him for a thousand quid, that has to be worth a punt." Mike was all for it, and we brokered a deal, from which I came away feeling like a thief. Still, it's dog eat dog in this world, and you won't find me in a tin of Pedigree Chum.

19th July Nottts County vs Crystal Palace
Our first home friendly. Our new look side reads: Ward, Richardson, Morrison, Pettigrew, Evans, Jones, Morais, Palmer, Johansson, Calliste, Ebanks-Blake. Palmer is the only name on that list who was here last season, and that's only because Tim Sparv got injured in training.
We are terrific in the first half, Calliste netting after 3 minutes and Ebanks-Blake after 12. Then it's the Andy Johnson
show. He scores a 12 minute second half hat-trick to down us 3-2. I'm not too bothered, we played really well, and one player was the difference.

Notts County 2-3 Crystal Palace ATT: 7156

22nd July Another familiar face turns up at Meadow Lane. Kenny Cooper had been on the free transfer list for a while too, same thing as Ward. He just kept floating around, and I said "f**k it, let's sign him" even though we had loads of new strikers. He's got the talent, it's his injury history that's the knock on him. With a deep squad, that's not so much of a gamble. I'm delighted to have him aboard.

24th July Notts County vs Sunderland
Same team for this friendly, will ring the changes at half time. They score after 10 minutes, Calliste equalises after 17, then they clinch a lively, open game with a goal just after half time. Again, we played well and looked good despite the loss to a team miles above us in the pyramid.

Notts County 1-2 Forest ATT: 6987

After the game Kevin Pilkington finally sods off to Burnley for 100k. I organised this deal ages ago, but for some reason it dragged on. He's a decent player, but I'll take the cash thanks.

26th Notts County vs Inter
This is our showpiece, televised pre-season climax. Same 11 but with Sparv on the left now that he's back in harness. 25 minutes in the Italian giants score, then amazingly Ebanks-Blake fires in an equaliser just before half time. They overpower us with 2 goals in the second period, but it was a terrific effort from the lads, against a hatful of world class names.

Notts County 1-3 Inter ATT: 14888

The three defeats have left our confidence low, so I decide to arrange a booster, against non-league Grantham 3 days later. I'll spare you the endless detail, because we won 9-0 but Ebanks-Blake got 4, Calliste 2, with Cooper, O'Hara, and Cooper again rounding out the scoring. We had 28 shots in the game.

31st July My other obsession, that of getting rid of all the relics from last year, continues with the departure of defensive midfielder Matthew Gill for 6k plus a 25% sell-on to Tranmere. Supposedly, they're a promotion rival, but I doubt if this guy will come back to hurt us.

The club registers a profit of 343k for the month.

The bookies are making their predictions for the title, and our close season turnover obviously impressed them, since were 6-4 on favourites, along with Oxford and Wrexham, for the title. I like it. Now all we need is about 95 points.

retired_teju

4th August Walsall vs Notts County
Saddlers boss Paul Merson tries to wind us up before the game, claiming they'll win no problem. I basically tell him to p**s off, and we get down to business. My first team is Ward, D'Laryea, Morrison, Evans(c), Edwards, Sparv, Morais, Jones, Johansson, Calliste, Blake.
Both teams are very rusty and nothing much happens. Then in the 87th minute, from an innocuous set piece, we concede a headed goal and lose. I'm not too bothered about the long term impact, but always hate to lose when opposition managers have been slabbering beforehand.

Walsall 1-0 Notts County ATT: 6486

8th August Torquay vs Notts County
Another tricky away one. They score in the 3rd minute, and again after 20. Now I am a bit concerned. Johansson replies 10 minutes before the break, and I tell the team at half-time I expect the win...no excuses. We dominate the 2nd period, but have to wait until the 90th minute for Ramon Calliste to slot home a deserved equaliser.

Torquay 2-2 Notts County ATT: 3166

Not quite how I envisaged the start of the season: bad goals from sloppy defending, lethargic front play etc. But my teams always start slowly, because I don't believe in heavy pre-season workloads. We're glad to be home now, and after two games to get their eye in, no more excuses are available.

12th August Notts County vs Rushden
Ebanks Blake starts the game with a remarkable run the length of the field, squaring for Calliste to give us the lead 3 minutes in. A great cross from D'Laryea just after the interval is fired in by Ebanks for 2-0. Then after we miss a penalty on the hour, Calliste wraps it up in the 76th minute. A late "consolation" for them does nothing to blunt my satisfaction. A four week lay-off for Tim Sparv with a pulled hamstring does though.

Notts County 3-1 Rushden ATT: 4984

14th August Still concerned by the fact that we only have one left back, I am delighted to sign young Norwich prospect Anthony Lloyd. I pick him up for 50k, though he's rated at 250k, and he looks every bit the player that we need, both now and for the future.

19th August Notts County vs Cambridge
Palmer comes in for Sparv, and curiously enough Calliste scores in the 3rd minute again. We dominate the whole game, outshooting them 15-6, only for 2 points to be stolen from us in the 89th minute by a dodgy penalty, scored by Craig Westcarr.

Notts County 1-1 Cambridge ATT: 5222

23rd August Bournemouth vs Notts County League Cup 1st Round
Every possible reserve is in for this one. My team reads: Guatelli, Smith, Lloyd, Pettigrew, Friars, Richardson, Tandy, D'Laryea, Harkins, Ugarte, Varney.
Inside the first ten, the home side lead through a deflected goal. Ugarte replies on 23. In the 2nd half, Guatelli gives away a penalty near the hour mark and saves it, then we take the lead when Pettigrew heads in a free kick. It was not to be though, as two late strikes from them put us out of the competition. It would have been nice to progress, but it's not a major part of our plans.

Bournemouth 3-2 Notts County ATT: 5520

Some journalist or other has a pop at Anthony Lloyd after the game, saying he had a crap debut. He did, but I tell the guy to wise up, he's only just put on our club shirt, and I won't be criticising him any time soon.

26th August Southend vs Notts County
We arrive expecting three points at Southend, who always seem to be bottom of the table when I play them, but never end up getting relegated.
It's a poor game, and they are looking for a draw. We have to wait till just after half time to take the lead through Johansson, and we amble to victory in a poor game.

Southend 0-1 Notts County ATT: 5353

Ahead of our away game at Chesterfield, Roy McFarland baits me, saying they will run out easy winners. Funny, I think we'll run out easy winners, and I say so. Let's see who was right.

29th August Chesterfield vs Notts County
A nice move after 15 minutes sees Calliste give us the lead, but they respond on 38. Calliste is spurred in to action and nets again just 4 minutes later. We dominate from thereon in, and sub Juan Ugarte seals the 3 points with 3 minutes left. We outshot them 18-3, and I'm having a good laugh at Roy McFarland all night long.

Chesterfield 1-3 Notts County ATT: 5534

As the table starts to develop some semblance of meaning, we are currently 5th, with just one defeat. It's time to make our push.

30th August Wary of injuries, and obsessed with stockpiling goalscorers, I sign Icelandic international frontman Hjalmar from Hearts for free. He's a very good finisher, who scored well on loan in the Scottish lower divisions, but got minimal play with the big club. I signed him in the fashion I sign many of my players. Somebody declares in the press that they're desperate to get him, and I sh**ehawk my way in after realising he looks right and good. We now have a formidable corps of strikers, more than a match for anyone in this division.

As if to emphasise this, Ramon Calliste scoops the divisional award for young player of the month, with 6 goals in 6 months. As if to emphasise my signing policy even more, he is promptly injured for 4 weeks.

retired_teju

2nd September Notts County vs Halifax
Ugarte steps in for the injured Calliste and Tandy for Palmer.
The Shaymen take an unexpected lead after 8 minutes, which stands up till the half hour, when a stinging shot from Morais levels proceedings. Another match we dominate, outshooting them 18-8, but we're still sweating it, until Ebanks gets the winner with 20 minutes to go. These days I don't f**k about. If we're leading with 20 minutes to go, I go defensive and look to hit on the break. It seems to work.

Notts County 2-1 Halifax ATT: 5683

Not a great performance, but we win. We're still 5th, with 14 points from 7 games.

9th September Peterborough vs Notts County
Morais, who is bang in form at the minute, scores a great individual goal after 2 minutes, but I never feel comfortable in this game. The lead holds till the half hour, then they take the lead just after half time. It's a crap performance, for no apparent reason, and we take the fall. I feel compelled to give the lads a major bollocking. We shouldn't be losing games like this.

Peterborough 2-1 Notts County ATT: 5341

16th September Darlington vs Notts County
Kenny Cooper is in for Ugarte and Lloyd for the injured Morrison. This is a strange game again. Ebanks scores a nice goal after 2 minutes, then we are swamped, three goals flying in before half time.
Ebanks gets us back in it with 10 minutes left, then Johansson completes the comeback after 82. I tell the lads it was a good performance against a team in 3rd, but can't understand why we're so wobbly at the minute.

Darlington 3-3 Notts County ATT: 6527

23rd September Notts County vs Chester
The visitors are 19th, and come for a point. They hold out until the 45th, Ebanks driving home after a nice move. Then they get a man sent off, but we don't finish it until the 85th, Ebanks the man again. He's in great form right now, vindicating my policy of "you can never have enough good strikers".

Notts County 2-0 Chester ATT: 5423

Proving the old analogy that "as one door opens, another one slams in your face", our celebrations are tempered with the news that Tim Sparv will be out 3 to 5 months with a torn groin. Still, we're performing much better now, and hopefully this is the point where the team becomes the sum of its parts.

26th September Macclesfield vs Notts County
We are ravaged by injuries, and a suspension for Morais. Johansson moves to MR and Harkins comes into the centre, with Tandy in again for Sparv.
This one is the Kenny Cooper show. He grabs a two minute double in the 25th and 27th, then Harkins makes it 3, with a bullet header on 37. They pull one back before half time, but get their keeper sent off with 30 minutes left. It's plain sailing for us. Harkins was absolutely superb in his first league start of the season.

Macclesfield 1-3 Notts County ATT: 3488

We're 5th, 21 points from 11 games. I have this idea that to win titles you need to average 2 points a game, and we're about right at the minute. The squad is holding up well to the injury problems, which is exactly the reason why I beefed it up so much over the Summer. That's satisfying. Apparently the board are impressed lately too.

29th August Trevor Francis, boss of league-leading Tranmere, nasal whines in the press that he's confident of beating us when they visit on Saturday. I say nothing. We'll see about that Trev.

30th August Notts County vs Tranmere
Morais is back for Harkins Evans for the injured Pettigrew, and Scott Morrison back on the left for Lloyd.
Kenny Cooper slots home after 17, though they equalise immediately. But the Yankee striker drives home again after the half hour, before producing an absolute gem just before the break, sealing a tremendous hat-trick. Picking up the ball on the left, he cut infield, ghosting past players, before hammering one into the top corner. I go defensive, and we cruise to victory.

Notts County 3-1 Tranmere ATT: 6261

Francis gets both barrels after the game. I tell him he was tactically outclassed. When he fails to respond, I have another pop, telling him he's got plenty to learn, and I hope he doesn't get promotion. Football management is a tough business, and I am not going to get pushed around by anybody, least of all that nasal twat. Hopefully other managers will stop trying to unsettle us, and get the message that we mean business.

Morais had a great month and wins both the young player, and player of the month gong. We now move up to 2nd, 24 from 12, bumping Francis' team to 3rd. The board are delighted, and make a profit of 64k for the month.

retired_teju

6th October Edwards, Harkins and Cooper are in the Team of The Week. Calliste is back in full training, and competition for places is hotter than a Swedish porn mag, which is exactly how it was supposed to be.

7th October Rochdale vs Notts County
We are badly stretched by international call-ups for this one. Guatelli is in for Ward, Richardson moves from DR to MR and D'Laryea is at DR. Friars is in for Evans and Harkins for Johansson.
Cooper taps in a simple goal (13), then heads in a cracker (54). They strike back with 12 minutes left, but Ebanks finishes it in the last minute.

Rochdale 1-3 Notts County ATT: 3978

With this win, we cruise into 1st place. It's a tremendous effort by the lads, and I tell them so, but for some reason they think I don't praise them enough, which is strange. The board are pleased, and the media have been saying we will be hard to stop. If we play to our potential, no-one in this division will stop us.

14th October Notts County vs Cheltenham
Cooper gets us going 4 minutes in but the visitors equalise, and a bore draw ensues. We're still top though.

Notts County 1-1 Cheltenham ATT: 6508

17th October Notts County vs Gillingham LDV
Changes are rung for the meaningless LDV against a higher division team. Being that it's meaningless, I'll just tell you we won 3-2 with a winner from Ugarte in the 115th minute.
Edwards got injured in the game, and will miss a month. Drat!

21st October Bristol Rovers vs Notts County
We put out another injury ravaged team, made worse by the suspension of Johansson, though Ebanks and Cooper are both available.
In an embarrassing 1st half, the home side rain down 16 shots on us and lead 1-0. Ebanks levels it (47), but Rovers get what they deserves 5 minutes from time. A real off day, and it costs us top spot.

Bristol Rovers 2-1 Notts County ATT: 7194

28th October Orient vs Notts County
I'm hopeful of a bounce back against the 19th placed O's, especially since Jones, Pettigrew and Johansson are back for us. On a hunch, I reckon Cooper might have ended his scoring surge, and Calliste gets the start...which proves a good hunch when he shoots in after 3 minutes. After an O's equaliser Calliste scores again (30) and an Evans penalty (35) sends us in well in front. Calliste completes the hat-trick on 63, and despite a "consolation" goal, we run out easy winners.

Orient 2-4 Notts County ATT: 2326

It isn't enough to vault us back to top spot, but we'll take it all right. The media comments that we outclassed the O's, but I resist the temptation to start mouthing off in the press. We must be all business. Prizes aren't handed out in October. The board are however, handed out a 25k profit for the month.

Harkins gets the player of the month award, just desserts for some absolutely sensational performances, making him impossible to leave out. This hasn't been difficult with the injuries we've had lately.
At the start of the term, he was on the bench, and having to fight for that place. He has responded magnificently, never whined, and grabbed his chance with both hands.
Brighton are sniffing around for his services, but I make it known that they can't afford him, and they should get lost, because he's going nowhere.

retired_teju

4th November Notts County vs Scunthorpe FA CUP 1st Round
The visitors are in League One these days, so it should be a tough game. It's certainly an open one, with the shots 16-12 in our favour. Just before half-time Johansson half volleys a cross in, a very skillful strike. It's back and forth from there, till sub Cooper seals it 7 minutes from time. I am particularly pleased that we're playing teams from League One very tough this season. That's promising.

Notts County 2-0 Scunthorpe ATT: 6575

11th November Oxford vs Notts County
Calliste is out for a month, Ward for 2 weeks. In all, 9 first teamers are unavailable, but Cooper gives us a great start (2), then scores again (9)...and again (17). Brilliant stuff!! A 17 minute true hat-trick. The home team score twice in the 2nd half to give us a scare, but there would be no comeback, and they didn't deserve one. Ebanks punishes them twice on the break as they come forward looking for an equaliser. What a great performance and result, achieved with so many key players absent. A tribute to the squad culture that these guys have bought into.

Oxford 2-5 Notts County ATT: 8915

Before the match, Brian Talbot was sure he'd win. I don't roast him the way I did with Francis because he wasn't arrogant about it. I just say confidence is sky high and we fear nobody.

18th November Notts County vs Stockport
The visitors are in the s**t, and an easy win for us is predicted. However, they come for a point and fight hard, managing a few long range shots themselves.
Finally Ebanks breaks through 20 minutes from time, and doubles our tally 6 minutes later with a stunning diving header.

Notts County 2-0 Stockport ATT: 6454

Unfortunately Johansson has torn a thigh muscle and will be out 1-2 months. A local journalist asks me if the squad can deal with that. I don't answer stupid questions.

retired_teju

Ok guys that's as far as I've got, apologies for the delay in updating, I've been pretty busy. Hope people are still enjoying it.

I am looking to get some serious play done at the weekend. I don't think I have ever had so many good young players in any game I've played, and I think these boys can go right to the top.

retired_aurie

Any chance of a league table to see where you're placed in the division then? Would be interesting to see how things look at this point

KUTGW :thup:

retired_teju

Thanks Axeman, we're first with 38 from 17. I don't know how to do that thing where people reproduce their league table in the forum. Any advice on how to do it would be gratefully accepted, and I'll do it from now on.

retired_aurie

There was some info about it in the Off Topic thread and you could also take a screenshot of the standings and then put it somewhere on the interweb, from where you can link to it

retired_teju

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">| Pos | Inf | Team | | Pld | Won | Drn | Lst | For | Ag | G.D. | Pts | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 1st | | Notts Co | | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 41 | 23 | +18 | 38 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 2nd | | Tranmere | | 19 | 11 | 4 | 4 | 32 | 18 | +14 | 37 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 3rd | | Walsall | | 19 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 23 | 12 | +11 | 37 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 4th | | Peterborough | | 18 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 29 | 19 | +10 | 36 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 5th | | Darlington | | 19 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 23 | 14 | +9 | 36 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 6th | | Rushden | | 19 | 9 | 7 | 3 | 31 | 21 | +10 | 34 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 7th | | Bristol Rovers | | 19 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 32 | 21 | +11 | 33 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 8th | | Cheltenham | | 19 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 37 | 29 | +8 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 9th | | Cambridge | | 19 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 24 | 24 | 0 | 29 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 10th | | Oxford | | 19 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 24 | 20 | +4 | 27 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 11th | | Rochdale | | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 28 | 23 | +5 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 12th | | Stockport | | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 26 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 13th | | Southend | | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 23 | 25 | -2 | 23 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 14th | | Leyton Orient | | 19 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 26 | 26 | 0 | 22 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 15th | | Torquay | | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 22 | 28 | -6 | 22 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 16th | | Carlisle | | 19 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 19 | 25 | -6 | 21 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 17th | | Bury | | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 22 | 31 | -9 | 20 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 18th | | Macclesfield | | 19 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 23 | 29 | -6 | 19 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 19th | | Barnet | | 19 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 20 | 27 | -7 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 20th | | Chesterfield | | 19 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 20 | 30 | -10 | 18 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 21st | | Chester | | 19 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 13 | 22 | -9 | 17 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 22nd | | Shrewsbury | | 19 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 14 | 30 | -16 | 16 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 23rd | | Halifax | | 19 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 24 | 35 | -11 | 14 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 24th | | Wrexham | | 19 | 1 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 32 | -18 | 11 | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|</pre>