August sees the new football season begin for our three local league teams: Mansfield Town, Notts County and Nottingham Forest. Following a summer of World Cup action it’s back to the day-to-day and hopefully hydration breaks, interference from Donald Trump and middle of the night kick-offs will all be a thing of the past. Our regular fan columnists Josh, Julian and Gareth are all on the case to let you know what you can expect from their teams…
How did last season go?
August to April was full of familiar frustrations. Then we won the play offs without conceding a goal. I was sarcastic about our ‘real time data analytics model’ at the start of last season, but using it we played a perfect game at Wembley to beat Salford 3-0 and get promoted. So we did very well.
What games are you looking forward to this season?
Leicester on the opening day and Sheffield Wednesday, both home and away, for obvious reasons. Burton away, for the geography. Mansfield, for the local derby and because with this coach we might just work out how to beat them. Peterborough for the Luke Williams factor. Cambridge for redemption after they did us 4-0 last season.
Tell us about the gaffer…
Last season was Martin Patterson’s first full season as a manager and he got us promoted. I am beyond happy with him - commission the statue. Will he stay? We know how football goes, at our level, by now. If we start well the Championship strugglers might come calling.
Who are your best three players?
Jodi Jones: He’s only at Notts because of so many struggles with injuries and the recurrence of constant ‘niggles’ that sideline him too often. When fully fit and in form he is on another level. Wembley was the pinnacle thus far.
James Belshaw: One of our own, aside, had we started last season with him in goal, we would have achieved automatic promotion.
Cal Roberts: He was superb when we had him in non-league and now he has returned, two leagues higher, presumably because our data analytics see the potential.
Tell us about your new signings…
Attacking midfielder Cal Roberts has returned. James Gibbons is a quality defender and was Cambridge’s player of the season and scored two against us at their place. Young Australian striker Luka Smyth looks like an interesting gamble. Aside from those we’ve gone for players with experience in the league below us. Midfielder Max Sanders joins from Crewe and in Jack Evans and Matt Baker we’ve signed two young players who captained Harrogate and Newport last season. Darius Lipsuic is a promising midfielder from Stoke, who spent last season on loan at Solihull Moors. Striker Emile Acquah joins us from Dundee, after a season on loan at Harrogate. There will doubtless be more arrivals by the time you read this too.
We are the oldest league club in the world. We walk a righteous path
What big boots are there to fill?
Tom Iorpenda’s loan coming to an end is the biggest loss, as he was our player of the season. Ollie Norburn’s renaissance and massive contribution to the play off success means it was sad to see him go. Striker Matt Dennis has joined Burton after scoring 14 league goals for us last season. There’s also been lots of close season rumours about us selling Alessana Jatta and Jodi Jones. I’d be sad to see either go, but after last season, and with Richard Montague back leading recruitment, I trust the process whatever unfolds.
What’s the mood of your fans?
Don’t worry, be happy.
What’s the best chant on the terraces?
We have the best chant in the history of association football – The Wheelbarrow Song. So that is a stock answer. Along with that, ‘In 1894, we won the FA Cup…’ is stirring, Belshaw ‘One of our own’ as he kisses the badge... and there have been sporadic outbreaks of ‘County, Notts County’ and I would love it, love it, if that were to catch on.
Where do you think you’ll finish?
According to our sustainable progression model, success will be mid-table, then we push on to play off defeat the following season and go up to the Championship in 2029. But this is really hard to judge before the transfer window closes. Right now, our squad looks to be a ‘big ask’ as everyone new has been recruited from the league we have just left.
What’s special about your club?
We are the oldest league club in the world. We walk a righteous path.
If your team was a film, what would it be?
Saturday Night and Sunday Morning. This is from the British Film Institute’s description of the kitchen sink drama genre which this film exemplifies – ‘To be put off by the unglamorous locations and prevailing sense of gloom that, inherently, permeates, however, would be a big mistake'. And there you have it.
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