Now, after a draw at Grimsby and an early Carling Cup exit at Coventry, some fans are claiming that the optimism was dumbfounded and that manager Steve Thompson has got both his tactics and team selection wrong already!
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NCM are of the belief however that the draw away from home on the opening day was very credible, especially with Notts the better of the sides. And nobody should expect a victory at Coventry given their superior finances and expected push for the Premiership.
Some people are too difficult to please it seems, roll on Brentford at Meadow Lane and that first win of the season to shut the doubters up!
Team News
Notts - Paul Mayo, Andy Parkinson, Gary Silk and Matt Somner are all set to be restored to the starting lineup after being rested at Coventry. Adam Tann is a doubt after Thompson admitted he was rushed back too soon while Hector Sam and Austin McCann will be substitutes. Thompson's major headache comes in midfield with Jay Smith's fine form pushing for a recall.
Brentford - Paul Brooker is unlikely to be included after a public spat with boss Terry Butcher. Simon Brown could replace Reading loanee Ben Hamer in goal. Lee Thorpe serves the final match of a three game ban carried over from last season.
Form guide
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Notts - After winning three and losing two in pre-season, Notts have yet to register a competitive win having drew 1-1 at Grimsby on day one and then losing 3-0 at Coventry in the Carling Cup. The Magpies ended last season with two defeats at home.
Brentford - An identical start to Notts having drew 1-1 at home to Mansfield on the opening day and then losing 3-0 to a Championship side - Bristol City - in the Carling Cup. Last season Brentford fared poorly on their travels in League One and lost their last five away fixtures.
The view
Notts - Defender Lee Canoville told the Official Site: "Away from home, a draw is only a good point if you back it up with a home win and that is what we are determined to do, especially as it is our first home game and we want to make sure the fans enjoy it."
Brentford - Manager Terry Butcher on his squad: "I think we've done exceedingly well to squeeze the budget as we have done. At the end of the market where we are looking I think we've got good quality for the money we're paying. But that's what we've got and we have to get on with it. They are a joy to train and a joy to work with. It's a tough league to grow up in, but you have to do this quickly if you want to succeed."
Key men
Notts - Neil MacKenzie is getting a fine reputation in the Notts ranks for his ability to create opening and score goals from midfield. Like fine wine he seems to have bettered with age and after a successful spell at Scunthorpe, the former Mansfield midfielder has become Notts' playmaking jewel in the crown.
A fine goal capped a good display at Grimsby last week which topped off a good pre-season campaign in which he netted three times in four appearances.
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His distribution and ability to get forward to join the front three will surely be instrumental in any Notts win.
Brentford - Youngster Charlie Ide is held in the highest regard by both pundits and Brentford fans alike.
Therefore the former Bees YTS is sure to be a threat to the Notts backline. He scored a respectable seven times for the relegated side last campaign - in his first full season.
He excites the crowd with his pace, skill and enthusiasm and is set to have a good season with his finishing ability better than all attributes.
Big battle
Jason Lee v John Mackie
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Despite coming in for some criticism on the NCM messageboard, Lee is still a key player for Notts, particularly as Thompson's gameplan often centres around him.
He had a good game at Grimsby, winning all his headers but against smaller opposition. Mackie meanwhile is no slouch and an experienced campaigner himself having clocked up promotions with both Leyton Orient and Reading in recent years.
Both list heading and strength as amongst their best attributes, and whoever performs best could help their side to victory.
Likely lineups
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Notts - (4-3-3) Kevin Pilkington, Gary Silk, Lee Canoville, Stephen Hunt, Paul Mayo, Jay Smith, Matt Somner, Neil MacKenzie, Lawrie Dudfield, Jason Lee, Andy Parkinson
Brentford - (4-4-2) Simon Brown, Ben Starosta, Adrian Pettigrew, John Mackie, Grant Basey, Gary Smith, Sammy Moore, John Mousinho, Charlie Ide, Alan Connell, Kevin O'Connor
Drapes' prediction
Notts should come good at home this season with seemingly bigger match players. 2-0 shouldn't be a problem with Jay Smith to prove a point and Dudfield too.