Football Season Review

Notts County fans will look back at this season with a feeling of anger and sorrow, as their side missed out on the Play-Off places only on goal difference. It was a stark contrast to last season's campaign, which saw the Magpies battling against relegation until late in the season, but it became clear from the very start of this campaign that the side would have nothing to do with the drop, as Notts County were going strong and sat around the top six from the very beginning. They entered a sticky patch in December and January, and manager Martin Allen was shown the door by the board, a move that was met with rage by the fans, as Allen was a very popular figure among them. A lot of eyebrows were raised regarding the choice of the replacement, as Keith Curle's previous managerial record left a lot to be desired, but these fears were gone soon enough, as his impact was immediate and impressive, with the Magpies collecting 16 points in his first six games in charge, with only a last gasp Tranmere equalizer denying him a 100% record in his first six games. The great run of form was enough for the Magpies to go back into the Play-Off picture, and they were the firm favorites to land the sixth place going into the final three games of the season, only for a 4-2 home defeat to a Bury side that played for nothing to allow Stevenage to go above them on goal difference. It was out of the Magpies' hands after that - they managed to beat Wycombe in a thriller and crushed Colchester in the last round, but it was too little, too late. The Player of the Season has to be Jeff Hughes, as the summer signing was one of the key reasons why the Magpies went from a bottom half side to a Play-Off contender, he was consistent throughout the season, and a constant threat both with his goals and build-up play.

Player of the Season: Jeff Hughes