Importance of that first game...

[KeepTheMagpieFlyingH]

Paul Lambert was Colchester manager..Brian Gunn Norwich. Gunn got sacked and Lambert replaced him if I recall. A good manager is the key to any kind of success..McParland and Cotterell are great comparisons because they had the same team.

We have the right manager..hopefully he's got the squad.

[queenslandpie]

Paul Lambert was Colchester manager..Brian Gunn Norwich. Gunn got sacked and Lambert replaced him if I recall. A good manager is the key to any kind of success..McParland and Cotterell are great comparisons because they had the same team.

We have the right manager..hopefully he's got the squad.

DO those who dont go to games have the right to moan about those who moan about those not attending games moaning about the stupid opinions of those that do?

[uysapie]

Paul Lambert was Colchester manager..Brian Gunn Norwich. Gunn got sacked and Lambert replaced him if I recall. A good manager is the key to any kind of success..McParland and Cotterell are great comparisons because they had the same team.

We have the right manager..hopefully he's got the squad.

It's his squad now.

[SolSigns]

DO those who dont go to games have the right to moan about those who moan about those not attending games moaning about the stupid opinions of those that do?

If those who don't go to games moan about those who moan about those not going to games, then those with stupid opinions have the right to moan about them IF they went to the game. But then their opinion is stupid anyway, so it's kind of like a waste of a vote.

[KeepTheMagpieFlyingH]

DO those who dont go to games have the right to moan about those who moan about those not attending games moaning about the stupid opinions of those that do?

You quoted my post..so I'll take it that you are calling my opinion stupid.

The OP highlights the Norwich result..others the Notts result from opening day 09. Look at both clubs paths to winning promotion..you'll find in both cases it had nothing to do with players/signings or squads. A lot of us..myself included are putting to much stock in players/signings when this thread highlights perfectly how naive that is.

[queenslandpie]

You quoted my post..so I'll take it that you are calling my opinion stupid.

The OP highlights the Norwich result..others the Notts result from opening day 09. Look at both clubs paths to winning promotion..you'll find in both cases it had nothing to do with players/signings or squads. A lot of us..myself included are putting to much stock in players/signings when this thread highlights perfectly how naive that is.

Incorrect. I was moaning about the moaners moaning about those who don't go to games being moaned at by those with stupid opinions. Are you keeping up old boy? I know you are only a trialist but already getting could do betters isn't going to improve your game.

I don't think your post is stupid but if you dare go to a game and criticise my opinion I'll have you matey boy. Then and only then will you understand my fairly stupid sense of humour.

[upthemaggies]

I don't think Notts have ever been promoted after losing their opening game of the season, which - given all of our ups and downs - is quite surprising.
The last 5 promotions, going back to 1980/81, began with a victory.

[queenslandpie]

I don't think Notts have ever been promoted after losing their opening game of the season, which - given all of our ups and downs - is quite surprising.
The last 5 promotions, going back to 1980/81, began with a victory.

There we have it. Dont buy a season ticket if we lose at Coventry. You can have 12 months of saturdays off safe in the knowledge that if we lose we're ****ed!

[MAD_MAGPIE]

Being Notts County, this site will be jumping around like a box of frogs if Coventry give us a going over on Saturday. The doom scenario will be repeated over and over.
But how important is it to win that first game?
Of the 7 teams who finished up at the top of Notts division last season, only two won their first game of the season. Two finished up as draws and three actually lost. One of the losers (0-3 at home to Blackpool) was Plymouth, who went on to win the division.
I seem to recall some seasons ago in league 1 the team that went on to win the division losing their first game either 0-8 or 1-8. Can anyone out there recall who and when it was?
So a bit of decorum, eh chaps. Win, lose or draw (and my money's on that), there are 45 more games to play.

Whilst it's always good to get off to winning ways it's not the be all and the end all. What will happen in the other 45 games will have a much bigger impact than what happens on the first day.

Some teams who get promoted lose heavily as you have mentioned, other teams can win convincingly and get relegated.

For me it's about seeing how we play as a unit and what strengths and weaknesses we may have to get a feel of what we may come to see over the next 9 months.

[Frigiliana Pie 1]

I don't think Notts have ever been promoted after losing their opening game of the season, which - given all of our ups and downs - is quite surprising.
The last 5 promotions, going back to 1980/81, began with a victory.

You're absolutely right, we have NEVER been promoted after losing the first league match.

However, on two occasions, in 1923 and 1931, we went up after an opening day win away to Coventry City, both by 2-1.

So if we get a win on Saturday, we're as good as up. Simples.