Recently I was 'pinned to the wall' as it were by the Four Four Two Magazine. In the latest edition they asked me several questions and the final question they asked was "Where do you think Notts County will finish next season?". They asked me this question only three weeks after the "Great Escape" had been completed and I was feeling optimistic about the new season and I said " I think we might scrape a play off place".
I really hope that we can push for promotion this season I really do, following all the calamity that happened last season. Three Managers in one season. A new chairman. Crowds dropping to 3,000 in one month and then two months later they go up to staggering 16,000 on the last game of the season.
Notts have a little squad. They have some quality players though, but for me it is in the middle of the park that is the major cause for concern. The thing is. Notts cannot seem nowadays just to pass the ball about without making sloppy little errors that cost us goals, points and league positions. We cannot keep the ball for a long space of time, that for me is what we need to work on, keeping the ball. Just keeping it without giving it away.
 | Richard Liburd |
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Our defence for me this season can be one of the best in the league I really do think that, especially if we can carry on last years form at the back. But it is the midfield. Sadly Richard Liburd isn't a natural left footer therefore he has to cut inside to get on his right foot and cannot use the flanks if he is right footed. Liburd, for me is inspirational. He will always be a crowd please because he gives it his best shot.
 | Whitewash should be on his boots! |
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But no the other side of the pitch opposite Liburd there is the flying Dutchman Marcel Cas. We all know that if Cas played to his full potential each game he would be in the Dutch team by now. But that is the problem he is far too inconsistant for my liking. He will either have a poor game or a great game. He is very predictable though as he also cuts inside, we want to see him making dashing runs and getting to the byline. In Colin Slater's words "We want to see whitewash on his boots".
In the centre of the park we have Caskey. An excellent passer of the ball at times and he Caskey shouts and orders his teamates about, he should get the captaincy for me instead of Central defender Ian Richardson. Caskey is slow though, unfortunately. And although he is a playmaker we need a real ballwinner along side him. Paul Bolland is good but well he hasn't proved enough for me yet.
And the forwards, I don't think we can ever critisize Danny Allsopp, Mark Stallard and Paul Heffernan, if they get the service from the middle of the park they WILL score the goals.
 | King Bill |
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And the coaching staff. Billy Dearden. Well I have praised him and praised him and can't find a bad word to say about him at all. Gary Brazil, well I really think we should give this guy another chance, not in the Manager role however, but in his capacity as Head Coach. Lets see how he does. We also have Goalkeeping coach Peter Fox who is an absoloute gentleman, he really is a top class bloke.
And ofcourse we go further up the Hierachy and come to the Chairman Albert Scardino. When I was asked by The Four Four Two Magazine "Are you happy with the Chairman?". I replied "Yes very happy. Albert had an excellent rapport with the fans and I believe the club is in safe hands whilst he is at the helm." I think Albert is very down to earth and a good businessmen. That's what we need. We don't want a snob as our Chairman do we, mentioning no names at all but we don't. And Albert is most definitely not a snob, quite the opposite infact.
PART TWO TOMMOROW - The other contenders
My Prediction table: | Notts County in 10th is my prediction, I really do hope I am wrong |
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I hope I am wrong with my Notts prediction, I really do. If we can continue last seasons form then I think the position could be higher. But I think the League this season will be harder than last season and it'll be alot tighter at the top and sadly Notts do not have the cash to get new players. We need more quality players especially in Midfield and prefferably a right back aswell. If we get some real hard workers and good footballers in those positions along with a little bit of luck then I believe we will push for promotion. If not I can't really see this squad hanging it out for the WHOLE of the season, can you?
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