Talking Notts - "Fans deserve better"

Smith: Well at least we scored twice mate.

Moss: I am glad to see you taking something positive from an otherwise sour

McParland... A lot to answer for

night at Spotland. It was all looking so rosey at the break on course for a potential hard fought draw, on par with the goal less away trip to Peterborough last month. But the game seemed to spiral out of control. We write this piece straight after the final whistle as we are still soaking in all that happened in an action packed second 45 minutes.

Smith: We just seemed to collapse as Rochdale chucked the kitchen sink at us, but I don't want to blame the defence too much, they have been the only thing that has kept us in contention to stay up. But it is looking disastrous now, far too close to call. Earlier in the week I issued something of a battlecry to NCM stating we'd definitely stay up. After one more defeat it looks harder for readers to agree with me, and I'm finding myself disagreeing with some of my reasons why, especially Ian McParland.

Moss: It would be unfair to blame the back line who have been imperious in recent weeks. It is important we see a reaction from then on Saturday. Some cohesion and most vitally a returning clean sheet. It could be pivotal. Just four games remaining, I share your views to say the situation is far greater than worry. It is dread. Just four games remain and the job is still far from

Lee... Ready to become a shock hero?

done. I have been ever the optimist regarding Notts' survival hopes but I must now admit I find myself with the least confidence I have had all season about County's Football League status. Saturday is huge for sure, but tomorrow is equally important and it is out of Notts' hands - that is the scariest thought in my eyes.

Smith: Don't you start doubting it as well mate. That is all I need. You are usually right, and I have clung to your wisdom all season, so believe for us. After all you were jammy again tonight on your accumulator? How much return was it again? That must be your fourth big win of the year! Any tips? Back to the serious stuff, Jason Lee looked a bit better at Spotland, can he emerge as a surprise late hero? It needs one.

Moss: £82 and Arsenal out of the Champions League. A tidy evening, if only Notts could have completed a fine trio. Any tips? Stockport for automatic promotion, Leicester to be relegated from the Championship. They're my latest predictions. Back to Notts, yes, Jason Lee put in a good shift. His experience says he can be a surprise late hero for sure. As Charlie told us earlier in the season, he is a man, and the players need to be men. Someone needs to step up. It is not good enough for players to look around at each other. Someone please deliver and reward the club's fantastic fans for sticking by the team all season. Did you get a sense of the finger being pointed at the fans in McParland's post match interiew? Or were his comments fair?

Smith: Definitely. Wasn't it something along the lines of 'if they'd got behind us all season like that it might be different?' I must stress that might not be the actual quote, but it said as much and I think that is a disgrace. The fans shouldn't be criticised, only the players can make things different, well the players and the coaching staff. What has McParland done to improve things himself? Couple of decent signings, tightened up the defence, or so it seemed, but we have only gone down the table. He needs to look at himself, the fans deserve nothing but praise. If we go down it will be heartbreaking,

Fans... Deserving of much more

and I cannot envisage what I will be like if that happens, but it is an increasingly likely possibility. God I hope not, it is unbearable.

Moss: In fairness, he said he can understand fans frustration but 'frustration' is an under-statement. I think there is more fear and concern than frustration. You are frustrated if it rains as you leave the office not if your side face the possibility of relegation out of the Football League. Fans may be over critical in defeat but they are over praising in victory too. It works both ways. In my opinion, the players should give the fans something to cheers about, not the fans giving the players something to play for. Fans pay the money, players earn it.

Smith: Absolutely spot on that. The two Dale games we've had now show that completely. Even though they were well worth a point at Meadow Lane we got all three thanks to a quite incredible defensive effort, and afterwards most fans were saying 'we're safe, the defence is unbelievable,' etc, myself included to be fair. Now, after tonight, it is 'what a terrible defence, we're doomed,' that's the way it goes. Were'nt we promised a play-off push at the

Gannon... Did Notts a favour

start of the season? My god that seems an age ago, I wish I had a crystal ball and could see that we will be alright come May 5, we have to be, we simply have to be. Thankfully your mates Stockport did us a favour over Mansfield.

Moss: I thought they would. I think County are a very good League Two side. They are in better form than both Hereford and Darlington at present. They have everything to play for. Surely, Notts were due a slice of luck?

Smith: I'd say we haven't had our fair share of luck to be honest this season, but we can't say going down would be unlucky. I had my fingers crossed for Jim Gannon's men, and then you look at the fixture list for Saturday. Absolutely massive. Notts at home to Stanley... who knows? Mansfield at Macclesfield and Dagenham host our conquerors Rochdale. Absolutely massive. This is how ridiculous it is, this time next week, results go our way, and the confidence will come flooding back into me. This season has been hell mate, absolute hell.

Moss: I say it every week in my preview but it is another fascinating fixture list. More crunch games, more consequences, more twists. The best Notts can do is win at Meadow Lane on Saturday. Eyes will be glued to results of sides around the Magpies though naturally. I would like to think the same can be said of the players. I agree they should be focussed but fan in them should have an eye out.

Smith: At the completely opposite end of the scale now, but the exact same score as Rochdale and Notts, on the night, came at Anfield with Liverpool

Wenger... A glum night

defeating Arsenal 4-2. An unbelievable game and one which was decided by what Gunners boss Arsene Wenger described as "dodgy." Considering the penalty that wasn't at the Emirates a week prevously, has Wenger got any grounds to complain about the standard of the officiating, considering how big a match this was for them. I know if I was an Arsenal fan, I'd be spitting feathers.

Moss: I couldn't care less and I am sure the Scousers won't either. The history books will go down as Liverpool winning the match, that is all that matters. I am pleased to see Liverpool in the semi-final, they have more English players and are a better representative of the country. Well done lads!

Smith: Certainly agree with the last point, although one Englishman almost got Arsenal a ticket to the semi-final when Theo Walcott came on and superbly delivered an assist for Adebayor's goal which, albeit briefly, had the Gunners going through. For me, that was the first time I have seen why Walcott has so many plaudits backing him to be a star. If he can produce things like that consistently I will start believing them. A truly great run past four or five top class performers from his own area. As a full blooded Englishman, that was a good thing that came out of Arsenal tonight. But it is Liverpool and Chelsea in the semis once more. How do you see it going? I go for Chelsea.

Moss: I feel like I should go for Chelsea but how can you bet against Liverpool in Europe. You would have to be a fool. Manchester United have joined them so once again it will be three English sides in the last four of the European Cup. Superb!