WHO ARE NOTTS COUNTY?

WHO IS IAN McPARLAND?

LAST SEASON'S VIDEO

WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING?

If ever there was a club that liked buying ex-Lincoln City players, then it is Notts County. In their current squad, they have Paul Mayo, Russell Hoult, Spencer Weir-Daley, Richard Butcher and Jamie Forrester, add that onto last season's squad that included Lawrie Dudfield, Jason Lee and Guy Branston. It's a wonder that Keith Alexander hasn't become their manager yet with his reputation of always buying former City players.

Notts County are a poor side in general and I don't think that McParland is a good enough manager. His record as Notts County manager is poor and if his time at Meadow Lane has seen Notts turn from your average midtable team, to a team that were rated by the own fans as not having a chance in hell of having a shot, let alone getting some points.

I think one of their problems is that their fans have such high expectations of the side. This turns into unwanted pressure and causes players to make the stupid mistakes that were associated with them towards the end of last season. Realistically, Notts are no where near being ready to challenge for a Playoff place. Don't get me wrong, they have a decent enough squad, but the pressure that the fans put on is too much.

It was almost strange seeing City playing Notts County last season. The County players barely looked interested during the game, even less so when they went behind both times and I think they just lack the belief they can get back into games and this will inevitably lead into more mediocrity.

However, I think they'll easily avoid the drop this season, they have a proven goalscorer at this level with Jamie Forrester and he is one of just two players in the Notts squad capable of turning a match of it's head, the other being Richard Butcher. These two are miles better than anything else that County have got, and I think these two will be the difference between a relegation battle and midtable safety.

I personally don't think Notts are good enough as a whole to compete as a promotion chasing side just yet and I think they're still a year away from being half-decent. For that reason I am putting them in a rather average 16^th place.

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