| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) 13:09 - May 17 with 9383 views | magpie2k4 |
Hello Rochdale fans,
I come to you in peace and as a Notts fan have experienced the whole journey from shock, despair and now elation.
Here is what to expect:
1) The initial shock will wear off and things will seem almost normal until mid June.
2) The shock sadly returns when in June you realise you aren’t in the league cup draw and even more surprise that your league fixtures aren’t out when everyone else seems to be speaking about theirs (national league fixtures come out in July).
3) When the fixtures do come out, you find it strange that you play the same team twice over Christmas. This is likely to be Oldham for you.
4) When the season begins, you can’t believe how small your squad is. Only 5 subs on the bench and hence most teams don’t carry a sub goalkeeper.
5) The FA Trophy begins for you in December, which is a couple of months after your FA Cup journey starts, as you now have to qualify to enter round 1.
Good luck and don’t put too much pressure on yourselves. In all honesty, you will have a good season if you sneak into the top half. It’s a lot more difficult than you might think.
Stay positive, you will get there eventually. |  | | |  |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 13:41 - May 17 with 9280 views | D_Alien |
The NL revitalised my club and could do the same for you. by nottsfan81 16 May 2023 22:38Notts fan here.
We have been exactly where you are now, wondering how you have managed to drop into the non leagues. To be a Club with a proud history to not even be in the football league and it hurt so much.
In all honesty, for us it had been coming for 20 years - even in our brief good times in those years it was all built on sand and thats why we fell back again so easily. Our attendances were going down every season and every season was a bit of a slog with just a couple of good seasons in between. As a club we were broken from top to bottom.
When we went down we were on our 2nd ego maniac of an owner who had spent money he didnt have and now needed to sell the club asap, we have been lucky to find owners who have been happy to spend some money but most importantly have stabilised the Club and put in place long term plans that are achievable rather than wild promises that would never happen.
We spent 4 seasons down here, the first is the hardest. The first time you have to play in FA Cup qualification game, the FA trophy, playing teams you had heard of before and watching them beat you on a plastic pitch where they had 11 men behind the ball for 90 mins.
There is a culture shock, but once you get over that you find the NL is its own bubble and has its plus points. For example there is no transfer window so you find in the later months of the season loads of players moving between clubs in the division, youll be on tv more than you have been in years and will soon be complaining that Adam Virgo is biased.
But also you find that as long as you do well, and I dont necessarily mean promotion - its took us 4 seasons, that going to games will be enjoyable again. We finished in the playoffs every season and although that has brought some heartache it also means during the season we have got to see our team win a lot more than it has done in years.
We now have an average attendance higher than at any point since we redeveloped the ground in 1993 and that includes time in the Championship, and its the 3rd highest in 40 years, all whilst our neighbours got promotion to the EPL.
So embrace what is coming ahead for you - Oldham came across as arrogant at the start and it didnt help their cause at all. Be humble and accept you are where you deserve to be right now.
But also know that better times do lie ahead and hopefully one day like us you will enjoy the best season of my life (ive watched Notts for 30 years) and the best day of my life at Wembley. We feel ready now with a new lease of life to move forward but I will always love the NL and what it has done for us
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| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 13:46 - May 17 with 9258 views | magpie2k4 |
Here are some other things to expect:
6) Artificial pitches will cost you points. Ex league teams always seem to be less able to adapt. There will be a handful of teams who have them.
7) Boreham Wood have the smallest support of any team you’ve ever witnessed. However, don’t laugh, because they will likely take at least 4 points off you this season. The wood will finish in the playoffs.
8) There is no transfer window, so feel free to make signings all season long.
9) You will be on television ALOT. If you are going well, you will be on tv once a month at least.
10) The playoff system is much better and fairer than in the EFL. There are more teams in them, but a proper, clear advantage given to higher placed teams. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:16 - May 17 with 9191 views | JimmySquirrel61 |
Thanks magpie,how do you feel about the 2009/10 Munto season,do you think that Notts can get back to those wonderful times again? |  |
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| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:25 - May 17 with 9159 views | magpie2k4 |
All I hope for is stable, steady progress. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:45 - May 17 with 9109 views | Brierls |
Thanks for the heads up. I think it's going to be a journey of discovery! |  | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 21:22 - May 17 with 8813 views | TVOS1907 |
Would imagine we're more likely to play AFC Fylde, Altrincham or Halifax on Boxing Day & New Year's Day, as the police might suggest Dale v Oldham isn't wise for two public holidays, not to mention the increased costs of staging the game at such a time.
Dale and Oldham may also request the games be played elsewhere in the season, to give us a larger crowd away from holiday times.
Oldham had Notts County as their Boxing Day/New Year fixtures in the season just ended, despite several other clubs being closer.
So, just for a bit of fun, here are my localish Boxing Day & New Year's Day games for next season. (Which will probably be completely wrong!!)
AFC Fylde v Rochdale
Altrincham v FC Halifax Town
Boreham Wood v Solihull Moors
Bromley v Ebbsfleet United
Chesterfield v Kidderminster Harriers
Dorking Wanderers v Aldershot
Eastleigh v Oxford City
Gateshead v York City
Oldham Athletic v Hartlepool United
Southend United v Dagenham & Redbridge
Wealdstone v Barnet
Woking v Maidenhead United
One other point missed out, the National League tends to play fixtures on August Bank Holiday Monday. |  |
| When I was your age, I used to enjoy the odd game of tennis. Or was it golf? |
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| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 10:35 - May 19 with 8285 views | samueloneils |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 21:22 - May 17 by TVOS1907 |
Would imagine we're more likely to play AFC Fylde, Altrincham or Halifax on Boxing Day & New Year's Day, as the police might suggest Dale v Oldham isn't wise for two public holidays, not to mention the increased costs of staging the game at such a time.
Dale and Oldham may also request the games be played elsewhere in the season, to give us a larger crowd away from holiday times.
Oldham had Notts County as their Boxing Day/New Year fixtures in the season just ended, despite several other clubs being closer.
So, just for a bit of fun, here are my localish Boxing Day & New Year's Day games for next season. (Which will probably be completely wrong!!)
AFC Fylde v Rochdale
Altrincham v FC Halifax Town
Boreham Wood v Solihull Moors
Bromley v Ebbsfleet United
Chesterfield v Kidderminster Harriers
Dorking Wanderers v Aldershot
Eastleigh v Oxford City
Gateshead v York City
Oldham Athletic v Hartlepool United
Southend United v Dagenham & Redbridge
Wealdstone v Barnet
Woking v Maidenhead United
One other point missed out, the National League tends to play fixtures on August Bank Holiday Monday. |
I asked a business pal who is a llifelong Tranmere fan why they stayed in the National League for 3 seasons.
He listed:
Transfers were poor despite good money spent.
Poor managers.
He felt that if you don`t get back out first time, like Bristol Rovers etc, its very difficult to hang on to your better players.
Interestingly he said the standard of football was pretty similar to League 2.
The only good point was you get on TV much more. Useful to exiles or fans who cant afford to travel all round the South of England. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:34 - Jun 24 with 7380 views | magpie2k4 |
Hi Rochdale fans,
Do you feel that my first two points are accurate?
It’s a weird feeling that non league fixtures aren’t out until July.
Mitchell is an interesting signing. I thought he had something about him at first, but he sadly seemed to lose his confidence. Is he going to be your main striker? If you are aiming for promotion then he would need to be a squad player I think rather than a number 9 | | | |
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| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:42 - Jun 24 with 7345 views | leedsdale |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:34 - Jun 24 by magpie2k4 |
Hi Rochdale fans,
Do you feel that my first two points are accurate?
It’s a weird feeling that non league fixtures aren’t out until July.
Mitchell is an interesting signing. I thought he had something about him at first, but he sadly seemed to lose his confidence. Is he going to be your main striker? If you are aiming for promotion then he would need to be a squad player I think rather than a number 9 |
I don’t think realistically we are aiming for promotion this season, as much as the new signings might say words to that effect when they sign.
As things stand we have Devante Rodney, Tahvon Campbell and Ian Henderson on the books (although either of the first two could realistically be sold) so I wouldn’t have thought he would start initially, but a lot depends on pre season and who else may move on. |  | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:56 - Jun 24 with 7320 views | magpie2k4 |
My initial prediction (and I mean no disrespect) based on your signings, is that you are probably not going to get in the top half all season. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:56 - Jun 24 with 7316 views | Dalenet |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:34 - Jun 24 by magpie2k4 |
Hi Rochdale fans,
Do you feel that my first two points are accurate?
It’s a weird feeling that non league fixtures aren’t out until July.
Mitchell is an interesting signing. I thought he had something about him at first, but he sadly seemed to lose his confidence. Is he going to be your main striker? If you are aiming for promotion then he would need to be a squad player I think rather than a number 9 |
Not really Magpie. Not seen any of the positivity you refer to between points 1 and 2. We have (eventually) started selling season tickets and less than half of last years have bought them. Not a lot of posivity around here right now. Hope it returns when we start the season. Can't comment about any of our signings - but as ever we need to trust the manager who has no experience of non league football. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:59 - Jun 24 with 7312 views | magpie2k4 |
Three teams to watch out for (based on prior seasons AND new signings this summer) are :
Gateshead
Alty
Boreham Wood
I can see all three of these getting in the top 10 and probably two of them getting into the playoffs. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 22:00 - Jun 24 with 6919 views | sandylaner23 |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:34 - Jun 24 by magpie2k4 |
Hi Rochdale fans,
Do you feel that my first two points are accurate?
It’s a weird feeling that non league fixtures aren’t out until July.
Mitchell is an interesting signing. I thought he had something about him at first, but he sadly seemed to lose his confidence. Is he going to be your main striker? If you are aiming for promotion then he would need to be a squad player I think rather than a number 9 |
Hi MP
I’ll be honest yes your first 2 points were correct for me, it naffed me off on Wednesday the fixture release, I’d forgotten to take the link off of my calendar on my phone so it popped up as a notification 23/24 EFL fixtures released, even seeing the Johnstone paints trophy fixtures (a comp which I couldn’t really be doing with) felt like a bit of a kick in the spuds, but at least we’ve got the FA trophy to look forward to instead.
On Mitchell I think he will be used more as a foil for the other attacking players, hold the ball up and bring others in to play, close defenders down etc, something we’ve been missing since jake Beesley left.
As for promotion it’s a pipe dream for this season, the club has been pulled to pieces over the last 5 years so we’re in a rebuild phase, I would snap your hand off for a solid mid table finish with a decent cup run. |  | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 22:51 - Jun 24 with 6861 views | magpie2k4 |
The strange thing about the national league is the way it evolves in your mind.
First it’s shock, then hate and then when you rebuild it’s like a reset for your club and it actually becomes enjoyable.
The conference north has some excellent players and some of the best we found was from looking at that level, so it doesn’t have to be expensive to get a side together.
Try and enjoy the ride. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 06:44 - Jun 25 with 6713 views | NorthernDale |
I was talking to some Oldham fans and the also said the standard was quite good within the NL.
One thing I found relevant was that under Unsworth they tried to play out from the back and possession football and they struggled, but when they recruited bigger players and went more direct they improved, and just missed out on the playoffs. This was also echoed on the Hartlepool forum, when somebody said, they need to recruit eight big players and two whippets. So this season may be a transition, but also could be determined on the style of football, McNulty plays. We have some big players, especially at the back (hopefully Graham will sign as well), hopefully Rodney will not be sold, so giving us height up front, combined with Henderson experience and then we can use the pace of Sinclair and possibly Odoh on the wings. We will have to see how our midfield develops over the coming weeks, as Lloyd not signed for anyone yet?
So this season can be a success, if we have recruited right and continue to do so and McNulty stops plays the right style of football, because on paper the league is quite even and most teams will think they have a chance of promotion, due to Wrexham and Notts County's promotion. But only time will tell. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 13:33 - Jun 26 with 6151 views | magpie2k4 |
We (Notts) played from the back and averaged 70% possession in every game.
We ended on 107 points, so I think with the right players you can play a passing, possession style. The problem is getting players who can pass and control the ball well enough at this level… luckily for us we did.
You don’t have to lump it to get promoted. Barrow played good football to get out of non league a few years ago as well. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 16:07 - Jun 26 with 5955 views | James1980 |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 13:33 - Jun 26 by magpie2k4 |
We (Notts) played from the back and averaged 70% possession in every game.
We ended on 107 points, so I think with the right players you can play a passing, possession style. The problem is getting players who can pass and control the ball well enough at this level… luckily for us we did.
You don’t have to lump it to get promoted. Barrow played good football to get out of non league a few years ago as well. |
Did your fans boo sideways and backward passes? | |
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| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 20:00 - Jun 26 with 5769 views | nordenblue |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 16:07 - Jun 26 by James1980 |
Did your fans boo sideways and backward passes? |
They probably didn't moan, while banging goals in every week, rather than your centre half just completing the most amount of passes on the pitch..... whilst still losing 4.0 | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 21:51 - Jun 26 with 5668 views | Dalenet |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 16:07 - Jun 26 by James1980 |
Did your fans boo sideways and backward passes? |
Ours didn't either James. Yes there was a groan when backpass Jimmy did it 50 times a game - but there weren't boo's. The difference between Notts C and us is that we didn't have the quality of players to play possession football across the back and then get it forward. Our goals scores and conceded tell you that. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 22:30 - Jun 26 with 5621 views | EllDale |
The groans all came when Dale took those those short sideways goalkicks with players ill equipped technically being asked to do this. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 23:07 - Jun 26 with 5584 views | James1980 |
I should have said groan not boo. | |
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| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 10:28 - Jun 27 with 5416 views | magpie2k4 |
I think we’ve been taught to be patient because as fans we’ve just witnessed the greatest run of results our club has ever had.
We keep the ball and strangle the game. Even if we concede first, we know that as the game goes on the opponents will tire and be unable to maintain the press. We scored a lot of goals in the last ten minutes of games.
If we score first, then it’s pretty much over because the opponents can’t get the ball off us.
You need players who can control the ball, pass the ball and run into space for this to work though. | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 11:35 - Jun 27 with 5315 views | James1980 |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 10:28 - Jun 27 by magpie2k4 |
I think we’ve been taught to be patient because as fans we’ve just witnessed the greatest run of results our club has ever had.
We keep the ball and strangle the game. Even if we concede first, we know that as the game goes on the opponents will tire and be unable to maintain the press. We scored a lot of goals in the last ten minutes of games.
If we score first, then it’s pretty much over because the opponents can’t get the ball off us.
You need players who can control the ball, pass the ball and run into space for this to work though. |
How long have you been playing this way? Did it 'work' straight away? | |
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| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 13:56 - Jun 27 with 5178 views | magpie2k4 |
We have owners who demand we play this way. We have now had three managers implementing a similar (but different) style of possession football.
We got to the playoffs every season, so you could say it’s always worked. However it’s only our most recent manager who has the perfect variety of passing football. He was the new manager last season and got us promoted with 107 points (although still in the playoffs ha) | | | |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 18:07 - Jun 27 with 4994 views | Dale_4_Life |
| What to Expect (From a Notts Fan) on 14:56 - Jun 24 by magpie2k4 |
My initial prediction (and I mean no disrespect) based on your signings, is that you are probably not going to get in the top half all season. |
I will take this post.
The Slump starts here magpie2k4. | | | |
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