Reviewing 2025/26

At 12/1 for the League Two title, you'd be forgiven for not expecting too much from the Magpies. After game week 11 they found themselves in 13th position and to pinch a famous Harry Redknapp quote, weren't pulling up any trees. But 8 wins from the next 11 games found them comfortably in the play-off positions by Christmas and despite a small blip over New Year and a couple of postponements dropping them back out of the top 7, six wins on the spin got them back involved at the top and despite briefly going 3rd with 10 games to go, they eventually finished 5th and after beating Chesterfield in the semi's, disposed of Salford City 3-0 in the final to return to League One after an absence of 11 years.

Looking ahead to 2026/27

The oldest football league club. There's just something romantic about that and it makes you want the best for them. When I first started watching football back in 1991 they were in the top flight. Relegated the season before the Premier League started and haven't returned since.

After last seasons play off win, they start life in League One and the bookies think they're going to have a long hard season battling relegation. It's tough to argue that. Matthew Baker has been signed to help sure up the defence and Emile Acquah arrives from Dundee to add some much needed goals.

Court Offside Tip

After finishing 5th in League Two and sneaking up through the play offs, County will take a 16th place finish this season. The bookies are expecting them to be in the relagtion mix and if you're thinking similar thoughts then 3/1 is good value, but I don't. They're Evens to finish higher than Mansfield. That sounds like better spent money to me.