PoN on One - #4

We see the return of the PoN on One! In this edition we see a little twist as we turn it into a special feature for our Capital One cup tie against Liverpool. I've taken the time to ask two American based fans questions ahead of the tie, whilst throwing in the traditional quiz at the end. We will be following up with an Opposition View tomorrow but if you ever wondered how fans from another country get around timezones etc. We have this covered in this addition! I very much hope you'll enjoy reading this, as it's a feature which brings fans together in a good way. Keep tuned for more news, reports, articles and of course features such as this.

Firstly, could you tell prideofnottingham.co.uk a little about yourself, such as how long you've been a fan for?

Liverpool - Mike; My name is Mike Creuzer, and I've been an EPL fan since I was about 11 give or take, and I'm 22 now so half my life! My brother and I would watch the games when we were younger.

Notts County - Dana; Well Firstly: My name is Dana Shoup. I was born in Ketchikan Alaska, been playing soccer/football my whole life, i'm 29, spent some time in England going to Harlaxton University just outside Grantham. We did a tour of the grounds of Notts County and it was 2003 when Notts was really close to dissolution and literally fans were knitting scarves just to make some extra money for the club. I absolutely fell in love with the notts family after that and I have one of those hand knit scarves proudly up on my wall right now. I did what I could as a broke college student to help. and I've been a big fan since. Become a lot more involved in the last few years though.

What's it like being a fan of an English club in America – For example do you find it difficult keeping tabs on the games?

Liverpool - Mike; Here in the States, American football is the primary sport and to get soccer/world football, let alone EPL, you have to pay for special channels. We used to pay for it until it was too expensive. Since then, I stream online or catch the game at a local bar. It is very very difficult to stay on par, but I do what I can to catch the noteworthy matches.

Notts County - Dana; It's Hard to be a fan so far away, especially cause every game you want to be at Meadow Lane chanting with the rest, but thank the internet and things like Twitter and Facebook to really keep close on games and how all the fans are feeling, being able to talk with players, owners, board members, it really has let me become more involved and I'm thrilled about it. Biggest problem really is being able to watch the games, obviously with Notts being lower in the divisions, i'm stuck with watching a lot of Premier games. And at least if I can't buy season tickets, there's options like sponsering players or Lifeline to help out from afar.

Can you please tell us what you know about the opposition your team faces and how you feel the Capital One Cup game will go?

Liverpool - Mike; I know very little about Notts other than they are a very old and well respected club. Probably not wise to say to Notts fans but I'm not too worried. Liverpool have won this cup more than anyone else, so they clearly understand what needs to be done. We have a young side but a strong one. We do have some issues we need to clean up in the back, though, so it'll be interesting to see how things play out.

Notts County - Dana; I know Liverpool enough to know they didnt have the best year last year, they have quite the Biter on their team, Gerrard who they have had forever has been amazing for them. Just like how I love Notts being the oldest club in the world, I have a love for players that stay with their club for a long time as well. Obviously Liverpool wont start their best squad, I hope we can take advantage of that, maybe knock in a few quickly and maybe knock them up a bit to take away their confidence, if they can do that, we can pull it off!

Who's your current favourite player and why?

Liverpool - Mike; Gerrard. He has always been a solid presence of fortitude not just as Liverpool's skipper but for England as well. Got a fantastic boot on him and I certainly hope he has many more years left in him. Carra retiring was tough, he was a close second.

Notts County - Dana; Favorite Player.... I was a massive fan of Bart and Spiess last year, just love the amount of wonderful saves they have done for us. Bart has taken some knocks but he just keeps being an amazing player/goalkeeper for us. And because he has, He has really made it to where I think we can win against anyone. I've seen undefeated teams lose to a team that shot just one shot while that undefeated team shot 30 plus times and their goalkeeper saved some 20 shots. I just really appreciate what goalkeepers do out there. Its the one position I just have no ability to play.

Lastly – What were your reaction to the cup draw and what are your expectations for the season?

Liverpool - Mike; I'm looking forward to catching a good number of these games. Bristol City/Crystal Palace, Doncaster Rovers/Leeds, and of course Liverpool/Notts. As for the season as a whole, really interested to see what's going to happen with some of these transfers. Looking forward to watching a great season!

Notts County - Dana; Reaction to the cup draw... I mean I'm all about moving on in the cup so I would have liked to see maybe an easier opponent, but I would say getting a bigger club early, they may be more relaxed, not far enough in the cup yet to be really determined or in better form so its a stronger possibility that we can pull of a stunner and of course more money for the club is always a benefit in my mind. I'd love to see us pull off a run like Bradford City. and Expectations, every year from the start til the end, I'm hoping and shooting for promotion, I know we lost some key players, but I will back Notts no matter what and believe we can pull off anything. Cause it comes down to 90+ minutes and honestly anything can happen. I had a scoring drought one soccer season and suddenly one game I had 4 goals and 3 assists, I couldnt do anything wrong and it was against a good team. You just never know.

-Quiz-

Q1) In which year did Anfield open and what is the current capacity of the stadium? (closet to both figures will get the full points)

Liverpool - Mike; 1884, and I have no idea but I'd guess at maybe a bit over 40,000

Notts County - Dana; 1884 and 45,525

Q2) What was the score the last time Notts played Liverpool at Anfield?

Liverpool - Mike; I have absolutely no idea.

Notts County - Dana; 4-0 Liverpool in 1991-1992 Season

Q3) Have Everton ever ground shared with Liverpool – Yes or No?

Liverpool - Mike; Oh I doubt that very much, too tough a rivalry for that.

Notts County - Dana; No, I think Everton moved to Goodison Park and then Liverpool was formed and took over Anfield after Everton left. So they didnt share grounds at the same time. Ha I think I'm guessing this right.

Q4) Who were Liverpool's highest goalscorers last season and also who were Notts County's?

Liverpool - Mike; Suarez had 10 or 11 and Gerrard had 5. I've only ever watched a few Notts games, we rarely get any Championship or L1 here.

Notts County - Dana; Suarez, Sturridge, Gerrard and JCR, Judgey, Arquin, and Bishop

Q5) Steve Finnan had a successful career with both clubs – How much did Notts County sign him for and how much was he later sold for. Please combine your two answers and let us know the figure roughly?

Liverpool - Mike; Finnan was on the 2005 CL side, but I don't know how much he was purchased for or sold for.

Don't be too tough on me fellas. I cant name every player or every game final, and I can hardly say I know a lot about the history of Liverpool or any other club. But I will say that football in the UK is the best sport in the world. The passion from the fans, the skill from the players, the intensity of the matches, all make me love every minute. Thanks for the opportunity to talk with you, got one hell of a community here!

Notts County - Dana; 300,000 and sold for 600,000 for Notts, So made a good 300k off of him, not too bad

Final Score

Mike - 2
Dana - 4

Pride of Nottingham would like to thank both Mike and Dana for taking part in this feature, it's something we hope to do more often, so if you're interested in taking part please contact me.