Relive Notts County webchat with the Post's Leigh Curtis
Ask our Magpies writer anything you want ahead of Tuesday's trip to Yeovil
Leigh Curtis
Notts County travel to Yeovil on Tuesday night looking to cement their place at the top of the League Two table.
They make the journey to Huish Park on the back of a terrific win over Cheltenham on Saturday when two goals from Jorge Grant helped them to a 3-1 win.
It kept them two points ahead of Luton at the top of the league in what is developing into a fascinating battle.
Our man Leigh Curtis will be there on Tuesday and he will be online this afternoon to take your questions from 5pm today, ahead of the big game.
Leave yours in the box below.
Right that's it, all over.
Thank you for questions today. Some really good ones. If you are making the journey to Yeovil tomorrow, have a safe trip and be careful on the way back. Have a good evening, Leigh. x
Question from Kenneth: I want to see a centre back and a striker come in January.. I'd like us to go for strikers that only have 6 months left on their contracts like John Akinde and Kristian Dennis because strikers can be very expensive! As for a centre back, I remember AH saying our top centre back target wasn't allowed to leave by his club until they brought a replacement in so maybe we could go back in for him or get someone like Santos at Barnet.
Hi Kenneth,
Akinde is a class act at this level, but hasn't had the best of seasons thus far because of injuries. But he's a 20-goal striker in this league as he has proven consistently. I think his goals record for Barnet is phenomenal. Akinde would complement Notts' philosophy too. I also like Kristian Dennis and yes you raise a valid point about their contracts. Would be a lot cheaper than buying somebody who is a year into a two-year contract for example. I think the CB you are referring to was all set to come, had told the club he would come, but parent club needed to get a player in through the door first before he could go. Yet despite all this he has played regularly for that club this season. Funny old game isn't it!
Question from JH: Hi again Leigh, Totally agree with Milsom, thought he had a decent game. Just how good is Shola? I know age isn't on his side but the way he dictates the play, tells players where to run and that bit of extra quality is fantastic to watch. I'm enjoying his partnership with Hawkridge and Tootle on the right. Tootle has also been on another level this season.
Hi JH,
How good is Shola? I think he's a magnificent player to have at this level. He is such a handful. Plays so well with his back to goal. Does his defensive duties well too. Good point about Tootle by the way. There are so many candidates who, at this rate, are going to make the player of the season award a hell of a difficult battle, but that's indicative of how good the team has been.
Gordon Hello Leigh. Do we need to guess what time you do your web chat?
Hi Gordon,
The web chat was moved time this week as the press conference for the Yeovil game was at 1.15pm. I park a fair way from the office, so I would have been in danger of missing the presser had it ran from the normal time of midday til 1pm. I'm sorry for the late scheduling.
Question from Mike Grant: I am lucky to be able see the major changes taking place at the club first hand. With the input by Kevin and his team since January the football side has improved immensely. The work Alan is doing for the fans and the promotion/ refurbishment of the suites puts the club above the league it is in. It goes to show that if you look after your players and your team, put the right people in place, there's only one way forward, don't you agree?
You make some great observations. A football club and how it is perceived always comes from the results on the pitch. Once you get that, and you then start to work on the refurbishment side, it shows the ambition and harmony off it. Put it all together and you have a football club in a very happy place. I think what is happening at ML is wonderful and credit goes to everybody from the chairman right the way down to the players, and the staff behind the scenes.
Question from Kev: KN has said there will be changes tomorrow night. Smith came on Saturday, Forte stayed on the bench. If Forte does not start tomorrow can you see him leaving in January? If so do you think we will bring 2 strikers in?
Hi Kev,
I think the question regarding Forte depends very much on the player. Will he ask to leave if he's not getting games? I think if you make that decision then you make it very hard for a manager to keep you. But if he's willing to keep putting in the work in training, and waiting patiently for his chance, then I don't believe it's the end of JF just yet. It's all down to the player and what he wants unless the manager decides he wants a fresh face in. It's an interesting one so I guess all we can do is watch this space. But his pace does give Notts a different dimension of attack.
Question from JH: Evening Leigh mate, 2 Qs for you. Do you think Milsom did enough on Saturday to keep his place? And two, Hardy has said he wants a Striker, winger and CB - any names you think he'll be looking at? Cheers
Hi JH, good evening to you too mate.
To answer both questions. I thought Milsom did very well on Saturday. Nice and composed. Got about the pitch well and adds balance to the team in that he's left footed. He got a nasty whack at the end of the game, so I am hoping he's fit tomorrow. Nolan praised him afterwards which is always a good sign so but KN is not averse to making changes for midweek games. So maybe Hewitt could start tomorrow.
As for two, I know the club has been inundated with agents of players interested in getting moves to Notts. Danny Rose is a name that has cropped up, but I just can't see Mansfield selling to Notts especially while Steve Evans is in charge. I am sure there will be more names coming forward when we get closer to the window.
Question from Barry: Hi Leigh, A good number of the players who started on Saturday were in the side which struggled so much last season. What do you think has changed it all around?
It's a great question. I just think Nolan has identified a way of playing that suits them and that's the hallmark of a good manager. He doesn't ask them to do anything that is beyond them. If you compare it to the Moniz era, he wanted them to play from the back. Notts weren't good enough to do that so ended up making a bit of a hash of it. I think the players enjoy what is being asked of them. Their roles and responsibilities are well defined, a lot of work is done in the classroom, and I think the players are not confused. You have to give them a clear picture of what you want in keeping with their capabilities as footballers. That's why I think we are seeing so many good performances.
Question from Dennis: Hi Leigh, Do you think Notts can stay top of the table now until the end of the season?
Good evening, Dennis
Why not? I think Luton have spent the more money, but they are capable of some odd results. Losing 3-0 at home to Coventry, 1-1 at home to Barnet. Yet on their day they are devastating. Notts feel more consistent to me. And I've always said that consistency in results and performances usually makes you kings of the division. From what we've seen so far, Notts have that consistency particularly at home. It's still very much early days, but with Jorge Grant on fire, Liam Noble to come into the squad in January and possibly with a new striker then the signs look very promising. Would love to see Notts win the title, but they've exceeded all expectation so far. I am just enjoying it for as long as it lasts.
We are about to get under way!
I am here til 6pm, answering your questions. Get involved.
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