Talking Notts - "Pilkington best in league"

Smith: It is now four games unbeaten, or perhaps three games without a win - depends which way you look at it. I used to be an optimist and would definitely count it as four unbeaten, with things looking up and Notts incredibly difficult to beat. But after so many seasons of hurt I can't help but be pessimistic and say it is still only one win in ten and we have picked up just three points from a possible nine.

Moss: I can see why you may be down beat but surely things are looking

McParland...Unbeaten in four

rosier, performance wise anyway. Draws away at both Morecambe and Brentford are really positive results. Before Christmas Notts may have lost those games and as for Grimsby, they are back in play-off contention after a run of nine unbeaten, and despite being at home I think that is still a point gained. That said, there are only so many games you can draw - a win is still needed to pull clear of trouble.

Smith: Fair points for sure - but like you say, there is only so many draws you can take. We must be the divisions draw specialists now. The long suffering Notts fans have tasted league wins just six times in 29 games. That is ridiculous and makes for another poor season. It angers me. I still think player for player we have a good enough squad to be challenging for the play-offs. That won't happen of course now, but on paper I do believe in the players we have. Would you agree?

Moss: From what I have seen it could be the case but the League Two season is a marathon and the players haven't been consistent enough. As a group they have perhaps only produced their best in short spells over the season (45 minutes spells at that). This is where the problem for me lies. The management must find a way to groom what they have, add some more players of their own and get them playing how they should be week in week out.

Smith: Talking of the management, we haven't done a Talking Notts since before our exclusive interviews with the Trust and Ian McParland. From those respective interviews do you have the confidence that Notts can be successful again, and more importantly - quickly?

Moss: McParland took over a sinking ship at the start of the season so to expect them to turn things around inside a single season was unreasonable.

Pilkington... In great form

That said, they will steer County clear of relegation worry I believe. And then next season when they have more time to re-assess the club and bring in their own players I think they can be successful. I would not like to say they will take the team to promotion next season because that will also depend on an element of luck over the season as well. But, I certainly believe the club is going in the right direction on the whole.

Smith: Helped in no small part to the brilliance of Kevin Pilkington who has said he wants to be part of the future by signing a new deal. That would be great for Notts because he has been phenomenal lately. In this form I do not hesitate to call him the best goalkeeper in the division. He has been that good. With your knowledge of the rest of League Two - who rivals him for this crown.

Moss: I do not think the quality of goalkeepers are as high as last season. The division seemed to be littered with quality keepers who now play at a higher level including Dimitrios Konstantopoulos, Clayton Ince and Steve Phillips. This season Willy Gueret of MK Dons has been in good form. But the recent addition of Joe Lewis to Peterborough United from Norwich I think will prove an excellent long-term signing. On recent evidence though, Pilks can pride himself up there as one of the best in the basement tier. His new deal would be a major boost.

Smith: Note that the three keepers you mentioned as being the best last term went up with their respective clubs. That shows that the solid platform of having a good goalkeeper gives you a great chance of building that success.

Butcher...Praise from editors

It is important therefore that Pilkington is given that deal. Another player in good form - still - is Richard Butcher who got his tenth of the season. It caused mixed opinion on the messageboard but there is no denying his brilliance - he is the only player who looks like scoring at the moment.

Moss: I would go along with that mate. Butcher has been a shining light for Notts throughout the season in my opinion. The value of a goal scoring midfielder should not be under-estimated. People may argue his contribution to be less than maybe Gavin Strachan and Neil MacKenzie, but Butcher is a different player with his only qualities. They should be appreciated more. But the addition of new striker Ryan Jarvis should take some weight off Butcher's shoulders as the main source of goals. Maybe with a striker finding the net, Butcher will flourish further and his goals will make a difference.

Smith: That's the thing isn't it? Jarvis has been brought in with the task of being a striker who gets a good source of goals. He should have opened his account immediately when he missed a one-on-one at 0-0 against Grimsby. But I'm concerned there is too much pressure on him too soon to produce because of the inadequacies of the strikers so far. I hope he is the right man, time will tell, but we can't expect too much because he is young, inexperienced, and it would be unfair.

Moss: Onto League Two, Stockport have been in excellent form of late and are unbeaten in seven. They are also next on the horizon for Notts, can you see them bringing an end to the Hatters recent exploits?

Smith: I can't unfortunately. I am desperate for that to happen, and it might be a bit hypocritical considering I said I rate the Notts players man for man above a lot of teams - Stockport included. But it is the inconsistency and the lack of team ethic that concerns me and makes me say Stockport will win through. They are looking a good bet for the play-offs and the race for the top seven is really hotting up of late isn't it?

Moss: Yes it is. All the sides in there were looking like comfortably making it through to the top seven, but of late some sides from mid-table have made a push. In turn the likes of Rotherham, Darlington and Peterborough have really moved up a gear to try and secure a top three place. Wycombe are on fire of late and the likes of Hereford and Chesterfield look in real danger of failing to hold onto a play-off post they have held all season long. Rochdale, Grimsby and Stockport are all coming good as usual I expect a fierce fight for places.

Smith: And how disappointing it is for Notts not to be amongst them. I was shocked when before Christmas you placed Rochdale in your top seven in the Drapes v Moss predictions, but you are being proved right and I have to say they are looking very impressive - if only they sorted their pitch out and got some games played at home! Notts go soon and I don't anticipate an easy tie. I thought Grimsby looked decent but they aren't quite good enough yet - my outside tip is Bradford. They were frightening against us and ten points isn't that much!

Richards...Could be left out

Moss: Bradford could be a great shout I think at last they have got to grips with the division but I think another season in this flight may not be the worst thing for them as Stuart McCall is still a relatively inexperienced manager. It's England tonight and there looks to be some changes in the side according to this mornings papers. The most notable the omission of Micah Richards and Michael Owen along with the selection of Matthew Upson. What do you make of all that and the captaincy being given to Steven Gerrard?

Smith: The Richards omission would be both a shock and a little unjust. I think he has been one of England's best players in recent games and one of few to leave the qualifiers with any credit. I think he should be blooded ahead of Wes Brown and the likes of Upson who doesn't have a future as a regular at centre-back for me. He ain't good enough. Owen deserves dropping, his overall game doesn't excite me anymore and I prefer to pack the midfield with goalscorers like Gerrard - the right choice for captain - and Joe Cole. Do you agree with me that it is time the great talent of Wayne Rooney starts to stand up and deliver?

Moss: Rooney is crucial to the future of England. Everyone knows what he can do and now he must work to produce that every week. Tonight is not so much about the result but about the performance. Come on England…