Over to you Stewart

[Old_pie]

I'm not sure about that Swale. This is the final home game and the biggest match of the season in which we have a chance of making Wembley. We are currently on course for 3000 less in the ground than the penultimate game. I accept that Wimbledon will not bring as many as Cov or Donny, but still, that is a little disappointing. What was our gate in the playoffs when we were in the National League?

I've never seen a fan base so flat heading in to the playoffs (Although maybe Walsall have something to say about that!)

Fair point about the dark days though.

*Just checked and we got 16,500 at Meadow lane against Boreham Wood. Just sayin.

My wife, not a supporter, said she wanted to come to that play-off match, and then so did my sister. Neither have mentioned it this year which is fortunate as I now feel no obligation to go. Of course I wish them luck and hope they go all the way. I might try to listen to Stall if the opportunity arises. I suspect he'd rather not be going after his past few commentaries at home.

[the_anticlough]

My wife, not a supporter, said she wanted to come to that play-off match, and then so did my sister. Neither have mentioned it this year which is fortunate as I now feel no obligation to go. Of course I wish them luck and hope they go all the way. I might try to listen to Stall if the opportunity arises. I suspect he'd rather not be going after his past few commentaries at home.

I get all that Old Pie, and it speaks for the benefits of being a big fish in the small NL pond...

But I don't really get it as a way of following your club...
Every league season starts with an objective - the title or more so just promotion these days (which quickly changes to survival for many).

The status, success of the club is tied in with achieving this objective or not. While it's still in reach, I would've thought all or most would still be really invested in it. The fact that we're a few hours away from our first EFL play-off game since 2018, a trip to a Wembley final and many (not people like your wife and sister, that's just a bonus) have given up/checked out/lost interest is really puzzling to me

I can only make sense of it with actual 'depression', negative groupthink, self-pity, entitlement or mardiness...
I suppose all fans, all people, are different and each to his or her own, but these last couple of months have been an interesting case study and tells us that a football club has to keep the 'good vibes' going even when sitting in a play-off place and still with a fair chance of reaching its goals.

Then again, maybe it's mainly NCM.

[nw6pie]

What was the kick off time v Boreham Wood? People have engagements on a Saturday night more so than in the afternoon plus we were playing better at home then.

It was 12:30pm on a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon.

[LeftPeg_Pie]

He has been fortunate whereas he has used the injury list as an excuse for his failure..

Has he used injuries an an excuse? He gets asked about them. But I think when we have been crap, he has said as much. Generally calls it well post-game, pretty honest.

Not sure he has blamed injuries for much.

[legs77]

Has he used injuries an an excuse? He gets asked about them. But I think when we have been crap, he has said as much. Generally calls it well post-game, pretty honest.

Not sure he has blamed injuries for much.

He hasn?t blamed them at all as you say but you know if people don?t like you then they make stuff up.

If asked about an injury what is he actually supposed to say ? Sorry don?t ask me that as people will say I?m moaning 😂

[1955pie]

I think 12k+ for a Saturday night at 8 o'clock is pretty good.
It didnt go down too well with the family when I said where I was going. The other option is very tempting.
The family stand appears to be less than half full. Not surprising considering any kids going are not likely to be home till gone 11.

[LeftPeg_Pie]

It goes without saying that it is a big night for all of them, not just Maynard.

I am still firmly of the opinion that we are not far off being everything the fan base wants and expects us to be.

I can see tonight being cagey. Wimbledon will do what they have done all season. Soak it up and use their wide men to break and support the forward line.

Notts just need to be patient. Dont force it, but move the ball quickly. I hope Jarvis and Jones start, but I think it will be Gordon and Jones. I also hope Macari starts, especially if Jones starts RWB.

As a slightly left field choice, Id like Austin to start in the 10 too.

No need for total gung-ho stuff from minute one. Move it quickly, look for McGoldrick and move them around.

[Old_pie]

I get all that Old Pie, and it speaks for the benefits of being a big fish in the small NL pond...

But I don't really get it as a way of following your club...
Every league season starts with an objective - the title or more so just promotion these days (which quickly changes to survival for many).

The status, success of the club is tied in with achieving this objective or not. While it's still in reach, I would've thought all or most would still be really invested in it. The fact that we're a few hours away from our first EFL play-off game since 2018, a trip to a Wembley final and many (not people like your wife and sister, that's just a bonus) have given up/checked out/lost interest is really puzzling to me

I can only make sense of it with actual 'depression', negative groupthink, self-pity, entitlement or mardiness...
I suppose all fans, all people, are different and each to his or her own, but these last couple of months have been an interesting case study and tells us that a football club has to keep the 'good vibes' going even when sitting in a play-off place and still with a fair chance of reaching its goals.

Then again, maybe it's mainly NCM.

I've hightlighted the sentence that applies. There was a buzz in the NL as with the Warnock play-offs. Personally I don't like the idea of play-offs at all, to me they are a gimmick (yes I know the theory and benefits). Leagues are leagues not cup finals.

And we're trying, and making hard work, of getting out of a league we never wanted to be in in the first place. Takes me back to 60/61 (that might be more subtle than younger folk realise). Thanks RT and AH. Anyway, enough, there should be enough there to make up for absences though based on previous home performance a lower crowd may well suit Notts, in which case I'll take some credit if we win!

[nw6pie]

About 10,500 Notts supporters there in the end last night, which seems like a good reflection of the fan base’s mood right now. We had about 15,000 in for the Borehamwood semifinal, but that was a “winner takes all” clash after a heavily reported season against Wrexham.

I also imagine that if we were turn it around against Wimbledon (which I am not expecting, but live in hope), we would take less to Wembley for the final than the 22,000 against Chesterfield two years ago.

[MAD_MAGPIE]

About 10,500 Notts supporters there in the end last night, which seems like a good reflection of the fan base’s mood right now. We had about 15,000 in for the Borehamwood semifinal, but that was a “winner takes all” clash after a heavily reported season against Wrexham.

I also imagine that if we were turn it around against Wimbledon (which I am not expecting, but live in hope), we would take less to Wembley for the final than the 22,000 against Chesterfield two years ago.

I think there are a number of factors at play here. Firstly the game last night at 8pm would have negatively affected the attendance in my opinion. There would have been a lot of younger children and supporters or families who may not have wanted or been able to go into Nottm on a busy Saturday evening and be out and get home at 10-11pm. So may have opted to watch it on TV. The same goes for elderly supporters or those who may rely on public transport. Had it been 3pm there would probably have been a bigger attendance.

Also our home form has not been the best recently and coming into yesterdays game on the back of three home defeats to Doncaster, Cheltenham and Salford may have put some fans off from going.

In the National League season we were so good we would have been champions in any other league. So the mentality around the fan base going into the playoffs was one of confidence and positively and it being a case of finishing the job after a great battle with Wrexham. We had momentum and it captured people’s imagination. The final chapter of a great seasons story.

This time the mentality has been different. We’ve been in the playoff places for half a season in what has been a close and competitive league but there is a feeling and expectation amongst some fans that we should have been challenging for automatics following Mansfield, Wrexham and Stockport being promoted last season.

Then you have to add in the head coach. The vast majority of fans were behind Luke Williams. Unfortunately this is not the case with Stuart Maynard which there is a section who like with Keith Curle will always mean he is on a hiding to nothing.

Then we have had injuries to key players and the sale of players and loss of coaches which didn’t happen in the National League season. That’s caused disruption.

All all these ingredients together and it has created a negative cocktail going into the playoffs compared to the National League playoffs.

However we are now in a one game winner takes all scenario next Saturday and what has gone before cannot be changed. The fans were amazing last night and that incredible support will be needed from the 900 next week at Wimbledon.