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It's hard for me to be objective about yesterday's game having supported Notts for nearly 65 years so I was pleased Oz thought a draw would have been a fair result which is my thought too.

Wrexham are a team of good footballers who are well versed in the dark arts and are also quite physical whilst Notts have lacked the physical side to their game all season and have topped the table based on their footballing skills alone. Looking at this and previous seasons it's arguably not enough and I'm inclined to agree having watched Notts get “roughed up” by teams of clogging giants on several occasions over the last three or four seasons.

So a few points from the game.

Mary's right when she says Wrexham should have had a penalty early on but £4500 a week Paul Mullin has done himself no favours with his laughable diving antics in the past so the ref was wise to him. Any other player and he would have given it.

Most Wrexham fans feel the foul for the free kick where Bostock scored was a dive. I haven’t studied it yet but I wouldn't be surprised. Notts are quite good at simulation too. It's become one of their weapons of defence against the rough treatment they get.

The free kick itself was sublime. 
The Wrexham equaliser was preceded by a clear foul on the Notts defender which the ref waved away.

Wrexham's winner was a gift from Notts very shaky defence.

The last minute penalty was a surprise. The replay shows it was handball which the ref did well to spot. Slightly harsh however. With our regular penalty taker Ruben having been substituted Cedwyn Scott opted to take the kick. It was a very well executed penalty which Foster saved brilliantly. Or did he?

The replay shows he was off his line when the ball was struck. Even if the ref spotted it there was no way he was going to order it to be retaken.

So the Hollywood dream goes to script whilst Notts will probably have to win the playoffs.

Why probably?

Well it's still mathematically possible for Notts to win the title. Unlikely yes but if Wrexham take their foot off the gas and Notts win their remaining games it could happen. It might even come down to goal difference. 
Of course I've got my black and white tinted specs on but if it doesn't happen there's probably a Wembley final on May 13th awaiting where Notts can put all this behind them. Even this scenario isn't a given.
COYP the fat lady hasn't even got her helmet on yet.

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Just when you thought the world couldn't get any more unbelievable and ridiculous.....   Forest 1 - 0 Liverpool.

Forest in 2nd division......early 50s   Run by a commitee.. Reserves in Midland league.. Trent end 1/6 Players going to Ground on the Bus... Had to take a job in Summer

Football is/was the beautiful game..........nobody loved the game more than me.......played till i was nearly 40....loved Forest and County...........however money took over alot of years ago now....

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Media reports are saying that Marinakis is working to snare Jorge Sampaoli who was recently sacked by Sevilla. It appears that he may have done a U turn on keeping Cooper on as manager. Reports say it appears unlikely that Sampaoli will come on board before the end of the season.

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Media are saying that Forest are chasing Glasgow Rangers sporting director Ross Wilson to replace recently sacked Fillipo Giraldi who was sacked on Tuesday? Now I am totally confused, see the post above. Can somebody who is closer to the action please put me straight.

It appears that those in charge of the shambles at the City Ground set more store in administrators than what is desperately needed, a decent striker who can consistently find the back of the net.

I fear their one season in the top flight is coming to an end and if they don't get what is wrong sorted soon it will be a very long time before their time in the sun comes again.

Forest close in on Rangers' sporting director Wilson (msn.com)

 

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County - Three second half goals, among them Sam Austin's brace Saw Notts beat 4th placed Woking 3-0.

With Wrexham only managing 0-0 draw against Barnet and playing their game in hand against relegation threatened Yeovil on Tuesday vs night need only six points from their final three game to secure the champions spot and automatic promotion thus consigning Notts to the risks of the play off. Away at bottom of the table Maidstone next Saturday and then the final league game at home against York City on 29 April

 

Stags - Holding on to their play off spot by goal difference with a 1-1 draw away at Grimsby they have now gone seven games unbeaten. Away at Newport on Tuesday then two home games to hopefully consolidate their play off spot

 

Forest - At home against Manchester United on Sunday at 4:30pm, I'm not holding out a lot of hope for much needed points. Everton and Leicester both lost 3-1 and at least did not make Forest's cause worse.

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If Notts play like they did in the second half yesterday then even if they end up in the playoffs they will walk it.

But just to remind everyone Notts could still nick it.

Yeovil who are Wrexham's opponents at The Racecourse ground on  Tuesday evening have drawn 19 games this season, yes 19. They are well versed in parking the bus as Notts know having been held to a 0-0 draw by them last November and just to add, Yeovil drew 1-1 with Wrexham earlier this season.

I watched the Barnet Wrexham game yesterday and whilst I'm unapologetically biased I thought Wrexham could have easily lost that when they went down to 10 men but credit to the Welshmen who held on. The incident leading to the Wrexham man's sending off was so ironic. Parkinson, the Wrexham manager confronted the Barnet keeper at the end of the game and accused him of cheating to get his player sent off. The ref then gave Parkinson a red card. The irony is that Paul Mullin the Wrexham striker has been regularly diving (probably under instruction from Parky) to win free kicks and penalties all season. Karma or what?

 

Can Forest take points of Man United this afternoon? They really need them and current form says they're destined to struggle against the Red Devils. But in the words of The Beatles “we're getting very near the end” and the surprises just keep on coming. 
Steve Cooper has publicly said that he hopes nobody has written the Reds off. Fighting talk indeed. Forest's remaining fixtures are daunting to say the least but SC is a never say never sort of guy so hold on to your hat because there are still bumps in the road.

 

Mansfield hung on to their playoff place with a creditable draw at Grimsby but I don't think they’re promotion material. I don't want them to go up because the prospect of local derbies with Notts (assuming they get up) really appeals.

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Forest - Sadly another game gone but luckily due to other results not much worse off. I listened to the game on the steam radio and Forest had enough chances in the first half to win the game but could not convert them. A long standing problem that has not been addressed and if it isn't and they get relegated this doomsayer can see them crashing right down to division one. Admittedly they were unlucky not to have been awarded a penalty after a goal line handball, even the commentators said that it should have been given. The second half was all United but Felipe sounded like a stand out for Forest and one of a few with EPL credibility. Seven games left to ensure survival with away at Liverpool next weekend. The table positions of their remaining games are as follows 8thA, 7thH, 9thA, 20thH, 11thA, 1stH and 12thA. Hardly a list that looks like it is brimming with points for survival.

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Stags - Fall out of a play-off spot on goal difference despite a solid 1-2 away win at Newport County. They have a game in hand of the team immediately above them, Salford City. Three home games in a row should see them consolidate their play-off position. I think their form is too inconsistent to gain promotion but here's hoping they can do it. Next up home against 3rd placed Stevenage.

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I hope Mansfield can manage promotion this year, they were so close last season.  Kind of given up on Forest and it’s so stressful following them, (although I haven’t been to a game for 3 seasons)  But I’ve got fingers and toes crossed for Notts to move up to a proper league this term, damn Wrexham!   It’s difficult for me, even though my lovely Dad played for Notts from 1939 til he went into the RAF in 1942, because a good friend of ours, Ben Robinson of Burton Albion FC, his daughter Fleur is the CEO of Wrexham after cutting her teeth at Burton.  Hopefully both teams get promoted!  
 

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Wrexham's convincing win over Yeovil last night has made it even harder for Notts to take the National League title.

It's still mathematically possible for the Magpies to nick it but it's looking very unlikely now.

The Wrexham win condemned Yeovil to relegation which is remarkable if you remember they were playing in The Championship only 10 years ago.

On Saturday Notts travel to already relegated Maidstone for what should be an easy win on paper but as Brian Clough famously said the game is played on grass not paper lol.

Kicking off at 6:30 Wrexham are at home to Boring Wood so called because their style of play is quite negative and produces a lot of draws.

Wrexham have won every one of their home games this season except for one which they drew. That's a mighty impressive record so the smart money is on them to win again which will confirm them as champions.

Boreham Wood currently have a playoff place which they won't want to lose so they won't just roll over but Wrexham are formidable at home which Notts found to their cost last Easter Monday.
The fat lady is getting ready to sing as the saying goes.

 

Mansfield secured a win last night but with Salford also winning remain just outside the playoffs on GD but they do have a game in hand.

 

So by Saturday evening Wrexham may have condemned Notts to the playoffs and a possible meeting with in form Chesterfield. 
If it happens that will be some game.

Wrexham's game is on the telly and I can't decide if I'm going to watch it or not.

 

Forest are at Liverpool so any points the Reds can pick up would be a real bonus. I like Steve Cooper but he's starting to sound a bit desperate in his press conferences. 
Many are saying that if Forest do go down Cooper is the man to get them straight back up. I'm not convinced.

There's something not quite right at the City Ground and I don't think it's all down to the manager.

 

 

 

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12 hours ago, Mess said:

There's something not quite right at the City Ground

Something has been "not quite right" at the City Ground for many, many years. Steve Cooper pulled them out of the doldrums and managed to get them promoted but it looks like they are back in the same old ways. I will say it again "you can't win matches without scoring goals"

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Sadly Notts quest for an automatic promotion spot could be all over by 9:00pm on Saturday. Notts look certain? to beat bottom club Maidstone United and we can only hope that 6th placed Boreham Wood, one of the leagues draw specialists can either eke out a draw or even a win at Wrexham in their late game at Racecourse Road.

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County - Despite the lads doing all they could with a 2-5 away win at Maidstone and Jim O'Brien scoring a hat trick, Wrexham's 3-1 home win against Boreham Wood saw them take out the champions spot and with it automatic promotion to the EFL. Notts finish the season at home against York City next weekend and then face the play offs. With one game left their opponents are yet to be decided.

 

Stags A solid 1-0 home win against 3rd placed Stevenage still leaves them outside the play offs on goal difference but they do have a game in hand over some of their rivals. Home against champions Leyton Orient on Tuesday in what should be a cracking game.

 

Forest - Despite a spirited second half performance the Reds sink further into the relegation mire with a 3-2 away loss at Anfield. I find it amazing that the Reds are still in with a chance of surviving even though they have not won since February and only gained 3 points from 11 games. Home against Brighton on Wednesday evening. I know it is a cliche but it really is a must win game to maintain any hope of staying in the EPL.

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Notts County's veteran Jim O'Brien is such an amazing role model. He's 35 years old and always gives 100%. He scored his second hat trick for Notts as they ultimately recorded an excellent win away at relegated Maidstone but not before the Pies had let them back into the game after taking a 3-0 lead. Sadly it was all in vain as Wrexham dispensed with Boreham Wood to claim the National League title. Congratulations to them. The huge cash injection from Hollywood has started to pay back. A long way still to go however.

Boreham Wood played really well but Wrexham are just so strong with their higher experienced league players.

Should Notts have to face BW in the playoffs then they will need to sort their defence out quickly or it could be their undoing. They cannot afford to let their opponents have two goals regardless of how high scoring their strike force is.

I think it's time to forget about Wrexham now but I suspect the media love in won't let that happen for sometime to come.

 

 

I was delighted to see the Stags dent Steve Evan's Stevenage side's automatic promotion challenge.

There must be many people like me who find Steve Evans an obnoxious bully. 
I bet he got a rocky reception at the One Call after the way he treated Mansfield when he jumped ship as they were closing in on promotion a few seasons back.

The Stags continue to keep us all guessing. Just outside the playoffs, can they win their game in hand and confound their critics and surge out of L2 at the death? I

I've said before I don't think Mansfield are good enough for L1 but I thought Notts would take the NL title on GD so what do I know.

 

Yesterday Forest scored twice at Anfield and still couldn't win. They slipped down another place and are rapidly running out of time. 
Who would have imagined Southampton taking points of Arsenal last Friday in a game they nearly won?
Forest need to start picking up some points very soon.
Brighton visit the City Ground on Wednesday in a game Forest desperately need to win. Things are getting very crowded at the bottom now and after Leicester's win yesterday and Forest's awful GD a draw isn't very helpful to the Reds.

Forest's current form is so dreadful they could finish bottom of the heap. What a massive contrast to this time last season.

 

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Good summation Mess, just a couple of comments.

When I played a hundred years ago our coach always said you only have to score one more goal than your opponents to win.

One Call Stadium??!! It is Field Mill and always will be. I refuse to call the grounds by their sponsors names. Thank goodness Notts and Forest have maintained the historical name for their grounds and at least the local clubs do not have betting sponsors.

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Stags - Are now in danger of missing out on a play-off spot following last night's 1-2 loss to league leaders Leyton Orient at Field Mill in front of 7,000 fans. Despite scoring first in the 11th minute Orient scored two further first half goals to seal the win. Their last two games may just help them squeak a place as they are home against lowly Harrogate Town on Saturday and fish up away at Colchester United who are one point above Harrogate in 19th position, on 8 May Both clubs are safe from Relegation and effectively have nothing to play for so I hope this favours the Stags.

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We watched the game tonight, fantastic 2nd half, well done Forest, a well deserved win but even more on the injury list.  Now they have to rely on Leicester, Everton and Southampton to keep losing their remaining games! 

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Forest - After a solid 3-1 home win against 8th placed Brighton and Hove Albion after falling behind in the 38th minute it sees Forest out of the relegation places by 1 point as Leicester drew 1-1 with fellow strugglers Leeds. It is the first time they have scored three goals in the EPL this season, even though one was an own goal and another a penalty. The others have been in the Carabao Cup. Let's hope this is onwards and upwards as they face 9th placed Brentford away on Saturday.

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A brilliant turnaround by Forest after missing a penalty early on then conceding but grabbing an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. An own goal and a penalty wrapped it up in the second half.

A very timely 3 points after an 11 game winless run. The win lifts the Reds out the relegation zone but the bottom of the table is so tight things can all change again over the weekend. Another win for Forest on Saturday at Brentford would be fantastic the worry is they have only won 1 away game all season. There couldn't be a better time to make that 2.

Their GD could still be the difference of staying up or dropping down and the 3 goals last night certainly helped, but only a bit. It's getting late in the day to change their goal difference significantly so it's down to picking up points in every game. The more the better.

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County - Finished the regular season with a somewhat disappointing 1-1 home draw against 19th placed York City with "that man" Macauley Langstaff scoring his 42 goal of the season. Now to the play offs, we won't know who County play in the semi-final until May 23rd but it will be either Barnet or Boreham Wood. In games against these two clubs Notts have only managed to beat Barnet once all the others were draws. Perhaps it is time to hone their penalty taking skills. Despite not gaining automatic promotion it has been a fantastic season for the Maggies that they can look back on with pride, a 107 points and the most goals, 117 in the league. Sad to note that some names from the past were relegated, Torquay and Scunthorpe.

 

Stags - Sadly the Stags said goodbye to their play-off chances with a 1-2 home loss to lowly Harrogate Town who were 0-2 up at half time. The Stags only managing to claw a goal back in the 67th minute in front of 7,000 fans. Perpetual strugglers Hartlepool United were relegated from the EFL along with Rochdale. The battle for the third automatic promotion and the play offs continues. Leyton Orient were runaway champions.

 

Forest - Took the lead at Brentford at the end of the first half but survival hopes were dimmed by two goals in the last ten minutes of the game by Brentford, the last of which had an element of doubt with a long VAR review with Forest claiming offside. Results of other games to be played this weekend will impact Forest's survival hopes. Southampton at home on Monday is a must win, their last two games, away at Chelsea and finally at home against Arsenal are a difficult end to a troubled season. Let's hope they can survive but if push comes to shove, their goal difference will not help the cause.

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A massive game tonight when Leicester meet Everton, at Filbert Street, two of the three clubs below Forest in the league. The best result for the Reds would probably be a draw but Forest's woeful goal difference would see them back into a relegation spot as would a win by either club. It is getting nail biting at the foot of the table and makes Forest's game on Monday 8th May against Southampton that much more important.

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Forest - A 2-2 draw between Leicester and Everton sees Forest fall back into the relegation mire on goal difference. Scoring goals has been a problem all season and what have they done about it .... nothing. On that basis alone I am sad to say they deserve to get relegated on the grounds of managerial incompetence. Home against Southampton on 8th May should hopefully see three points and that looks likely to be it given their remaining two games.

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As the season draws to a close I have come to the conclusion that if I had a choice for the final outcomes I would rather have County promoted to the EFL and Forest relegated than for County to remain in the Vanarama and Forest remain in the EPL.

As a lifelong Forest supporter I am hoping that we get a fairytale ending to the season for both Notts and Forest. Is Cooper safe if Forest get relegated? I doubt it.

Sadly I am not sure if the Stags can qualify for the play-offs as the wheels seem to have come off over the recent games. Is Clough Jnr safe if they fail to reach the play-offs?

Massive matches for the Maggies on Sunday and for the Reds on Monday.

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I’m not a huge football fan but my dad was a life long County fan. He often joked that the ref would wait for him to sit down before he’d start the match. So it has rubbed off somewhat and I’ve followed Notts fantastic season. What a fairy tale match today. Final score 3 - 2 with Notts scoring in the final few minutes of normal time to draw level at 2 all and then scoring the winner in the final minutes of extra time. Brilliant. Wembley net week then.

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Well done, Notts. They only need to beat Chesterfield now.

 

And in other results, Sheffield Wednesday beat Derby, and with Peterborough also winning, it means Derby are going to have to spend another year in League One. :biggrin:

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