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The papers usually think as much, was it last season or the one before that News of the World had us down as a predicted 24th place?
The papers views will be reflected in the bookies' odds, with Notts likely to be long for promotion. Last season it was 10-1 at Ladbrokes for promotion in any way, it could be longer after this disappointing season.
In my opinion Notts can surprise a few, even though a lot will obviously depend on the long Summer ahead and the arrivals brought in by Ian McParland.
If that problem strikers position is solved, and somebody comes in with an uncanny knack of getting vital goals at vital moments, a mid-table finish should be comfortably secured.
I tip top ten, but as an outside shout, why not top seven? Might be good odds, particularly right now with the Summer in its infancy.
Next years Player of the Season: Straight away I'd imagine the smart money would be on returning legend Michael Johnson.
The defender has signed up for another year and if he produces the same form he did on loan at the end of last season he will run away with it, no matter what anybody else does.
Away from him, I tip Myles Weston to have a great season, if he stays injury free. His performances in the final few games suggested he was starting to find his feet, and there is a lot of talent in them.
He could create havoc if given the chance on the left wing.
Top goalscorer: Richard Butcher will be hard pushed to have a season as prolific as his last one with a fantastic twelve from midfield.
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Can Weir-Daley produce the goods? Will he be given the chance to do so?
There should be three new strikers brought in, with four a healthy number, so the best guess would be one of the three introduced to Meadow Lane.
However, not knowing who they are yet makes this difficult, and besides I have no hesitation in saying this but I think Weir-Daley himself may come into play a bit more.
His goal against Chesterfield siggested that given a sniff he can find the net, and he ended the season with a goal every four starts, not bad considering the rest of the strikers' efforts.
If he had that all season next year it would leave him with nine league goals, not that great, but getting a better run would improve that ratio, he always seems to have chances in his bit part role.
I predict he will be Notts' top scorer next season.
More to leave? I don't think you have seen the end of the Meadow Lane departures after the releasing of Lawrie Dufield, Jason Lee, Lee Canoville, Gary Silk and Matt Somner.
I predict that McParland will allow others to leave, as he did Hector Sam before the completion of his contract in February, either by mutual consent and paying them off or by allowing them to move to a bidder for free.
Realistically perhaps only Butcher will command a fee from elsewhere and McParland is unlikely to want to part with his top scorer, but I still think he will let more go.
Neil MacKenzie and Paul Mayo are my bets, two players who at some stage under McParland have fell out of favour, and two of the clubs highest earners.
Mayo to join Darlington, and MacKenzie to Chesterfield.
League Two winner? With no big spending Peterborough or MK Dons, the onus this year will be on team work, astute signings and belief.
Which teams will have that? The loser of the play-off final between Rochdale
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The biggest spenders will most likely be Darlington and Wycombe, both play-off semi-finalists, but the hangover they will feel from their failure will affect them in my eyes, particularly the Chairboys who could lose manager Paul Lambert and have an ageing squad.
The teams coming down have ability, but also financial problems. I think Bournemouth have the best squad of the four teams, but much will depend on firstly keeping striking sensation Sam Vokes and secondly avoiding a points deduction.
They will win the league if they do that. If they fall to a deduction I fancy Gillingham, with a decent squad, good finances and a decent manager used to success in Mark Stimson, they are my tip - unless Bournemouth keep their squad and start on a level playing field.
Surprise team: Notts County, for the reasons mentioned at the start of the article. Also watch out for Lincoln City, who are building well under the talented Peter Jackson, and will spend in the summer.
They have some outstanding young talent, and the best central midfielder in the league in Lee Frecklington.
Premiership: Manchester United are again the team to beat, but why can't Liverpool finally win the Premiership?
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They will be fourth choice at the Bookies, so not bad odds either. Rafa Benitez upset Real Madrid and Barcelona to take unfancied Valencia to a title in Spain, and he can do it here with those additions.
The big question remains whether anyone can break the Big Four. It will be hard, but if anybody can it is Spurs for me, with them set to spend big in the Summer, bigger than maybe those inside the top four.
I see Stoke City and the winner of the play-off final between Hull City and Bristol City going straight back down, but fellow promoted outfit West Brom will survive.
The third to go down? Wigan or Fulham, both punching above their weight for too long now.