First things first, I should introduce myself and my own part of the website. I'm Jacob, the editor the site, and this is a weekly editorial where i'll give my opinion on what's been going on at Meadow Lane, and if the past few years are anything to go by, probably moan a lot. Just to say firstly, if you haven't already joined the NCM messageboard already, do so, it's a hive of (occasionally) enlightening debate, and join us on Facebook and Twitter if you're a fan of your social networking.
Onto Notts, and it must be said that it's been an eventful end to the season at Meadow Lane, like any good soap opera life as a Notts fan has it's many low points, but as they go few can top losing 3-0 at home to Dagenham & Redbridge, a side who were still going through their weekly mergers to become the side they are today when the Magpies last graced the top flight of English football. A wonderful win at Wycombe in the sun on the last day was nice, but really the season was a bit of a disaster, and everyone at the club knows.
The other big news was the power struggle in the board room, with John-Armstrong Holmes seeing trust board members drop like flies, but flies who returned to propose a vote of no confidence in the chairman. This of course failed, and whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, it is unlikely to be something that is going to go away quietly. Holmes surely now has to deliver on his much talked about investment, or at least help oversee a successful season on the pitch, to begin to prove his doubters wrong. Whether he will do so or not remains a matter of much to debate, and will of course become clear in the next few months.
It was nice to have a bit of optimism though, with the signings of Ricky Ravenhill and Neal Bishop coming surprisingly early in the summer. Both are good, solid League Two midfielders, and that both seem to be grafters who enjoy a tackle would concern some clubs, but not one who had to endure Richard Butcher for two seasons. Craig Westcarr is more questionable, but having the option to bring an actual winger into the team if one of our wingers gets injured, rather than moving Jamie Clapham about, is surely not one to be sniffed at.
Having announced a rush of season ticket sales it seems that people are starting to be won over by the new signings, and the surely overly ambitious plot to lure Billy Clarke away from most of League One and a bit of the Championship. One things for sure, we need a new striker, if only to blot out the memory of some of Delroy Facey's missed chances this season.
Keep an eye on NCM over the next few weeks for some exciting new features and interviews, and keep chatting away on the messageboard, and as a final thought to cheer everyone up, the season is over. Thank heavens.
Onto Notts, and it must be said that it's been an eventful end to the season at Meadow Lane, like any good soap opera life as a Notts fan has it's many low points, but as they go few can top losing 3-0 at home to Dagenham & Redbridge, a side who were still going through their weekly mergers to become the side they are today when the Magpies last graced the top flight of English football. A wonderful win at Wycombe in the sun on the last day was nice, but really the season was a bit of a disaster, and everyone at the club knows.
The other big news was the power struggle in the board room, with John-Armstrong Holmes seeing trust board members drop like flies, but flies who returned to propose a vote of no confidence in the chairman. This of course failed, and whatever the rights and wrongs of the situation, it is unlikely to be something that is going to go away quietly. Holmes surely now has to deliver on his much talked about investment, or at least help oversee a successful season on the pitch, to begin to prove his doubters wrong. Whether he will do so or not remains a matter of much to debate, and will of course become clear in the next few months.
It was nice to have a bit of optimism though, with the signings of Ricky Ravenhill and Neal Bishop coming surprisingly early in the summer. Both are good, solid League Two midfielders, and that both seem to be grafters who enjoy a tackle would concern some clubs, but not one who had to endure Richard Butcher for two seasons. Craig Westcarr is more questionable, but having the option to bring an actual winger into the team if one of our wingers gets injured, rather than moving Jamie Clapham about, is surely not one to be sniffed at.
Having announced a rush of season ticket sales it seems that people are starting to be won over by the new signings, and the surely overly ambitious plot to lure Billy Clarke away from most of League One and a bit of the Championship. One things for sure, we need a new striker, if only to blot out the memory of some of Delroy Facey's missed chances this season.
Keep an eye on NCM over the next few weeks for some exciting new features and interviews, and keep chatting away on the messageboard, and as a final thought to cheer everyone up, the season is over. Thank heavens.
Jacob