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The results: Portsmouth 3-0 West Bromwich Albion Watford 0-2 Swansea City Peterborough United 2-3 Huddersfield Town Stockport County 2-1 Plymouth Argyle Chesterfield 2-2 Walsall Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Colchester United Braintree Town 2-1 Eastleigh Sutton United 1-1 Brackley Town This week, @Garry Lee, @super_ram and @william1984 all share the glory of first place. Not a high-scoring round this time (many of you wasted your jokers on Watford), but no one went away empty-handed. We have change at the top! @super_ram moves past @magpiejue and @Dan to seize top spot. But we all know I'm going to win in the end. And there it is, the first round ever to be calculated on my new laptop using the miracle that is Microsoft Excel 2024. But time marches on relentlessly; as such, our next round is on Saturday and will be posted on Wednesday. Have a good week everyone and take care.

i have been focusing on work which is why i have been absent, i am training to be a facility manager at my depo and work. i have been working away from nottingham for the majority of the new year because of this training. i miss the community, so i reached out to chris and its nice to hear from him. i need to reach out to other members because the time i have been away i do feel disconnected. i have not long got home from work, what was like a 10-15 minute drive is more like an hour there and back. longer drives especially at night tends to make me sleeping. i hope everyone is okay, and that you all feel better for those suffering from illness.

Hope your antibiotics do the trick and you're fighting fit soon @Michael D Pie.. Concur with @Robbie, we're living in scary times and I hope the person/people responsible can climb down again before it starts costing people their jobs or worse. It's a bit melancholy here at Sausage Towers, one of our budgies Lenny - the Official Budgie of the PON Prediction League - died at the weekend. Lenny was intellectually challenged even for a budgie but had an excellent spirit of exploration, wandering into every room in our flat at some stage - always on the floor, on foot, like a little yellow human. I'm going to put a picture of him up in the kitchen, his favourite room.

Yes please, i would like to get rid of the chest infection that has followed last weeks UTI (waterworks) Yet another visit to see my Doctor this afternoon, probably more antibiotics? On the other hand @Fan of Big Tone i think it's an age thing, once over 60 ish everyone seems to be leaving us. The amount of friends, family and colleagues that are ill, suffering or dying increase year by year 😔 we remember them fondly, but life is for living and we are the fortunate ones.

I love the fact that Belshaw is a Notts fan who grew up in Clifton, was a mascot as a boy, grew up supporting Notts, played for Clifton All Whites, played for Notts Academy. I totally agree with @Fan of Big Tone one of our own and full of enthusiasm and experience can only be a positive. The great thing about his experience is that it's been gained at different levels and includes the joyful feelings of promotion and the fighting for said promotions. His attitude and demeanor show how focused and happy he is becoming part of a winning machine. Welcome to our collective James, may your contribution be towards the greater good. ⚽️

Good morning, it’s a dull one again, it’s forecast to be dry but overcast and cold all day here, however this time next week I’ll be basking in the sun with temperatures in the 20s or 70s for you luddites. 😂 Yes I’m off on holiday again flying to Lanzarote on Friday for a week of sun and sea. The count down is on so this week will be all about making sure we’ve got everything, checking lists etc. Have a great day everyone.

As a Norwegian myself, I’m buzzing about this signing. Norwegian football is fast and physical, so I’m confident he’ll handle the tempo and intensity just fine. Wishing Harald all the best and hoping he smashes it here!

Good all round performance yesterday. Everyone played their part. Not been a big fan of Norburn, but showed his real worth against Crewe and could easily have been man of the match, but for me Tom Iopenda just shades it. He has been a consistent performer and his pressing and tenacity were key in winning the game.

The whole back line were solid, so much so Belshaw was almost not needed. Norburn was really good today, probably better than Palmer which is something I wasn’t expecting to see! Jatta lead the line superbly, even when we the balls to him weren’t great he got them down and linked the play really well for us. My vote is for Iorpenda too, just for the sheer effort and never letting Crewe rest. I hope Huddersfield get promoted this season because the chance of us signing him is then a little bit more realistic.

Dennis and Jatta missing their glorious chances to keep the scouts in two minds and therefore increase their chances of staying at the club. Masterful stuff! Although it was a shame Grant couldn't score his, I've never know a player who looks less dangerous the closer to goal he gets. Not much else to add on what was a really good performance from everyone. I think we made Crewe look poor, they were 10th at the start of the day so they are a decent team at this level. But they only really looked threatening from set-pieces, in open play they didn't have much of an idea other than hopeful balls into the channels. Good to get back to winning ways at Meadow Lane, sets us up nicely for Swindon in the week.

Good afternoon everyone hope you are all well. It's a drab dreary day here where the light hasn't got much over twilight. These are the type of days that Mrs R has never liked coming originally from a place that was much brighter during the daylight hours & the daylight hours were longer in winter over the pond too. Putting politics aside, over a period of time we have both been concerned about what is happening over the pond & here in Europe. During the last several months, I have been changing my opinion about where the future of this Country lies & where it should be closer to, And that's easy, it's Europe. We are living in scary times where it now seems to be the age of the strong & powerful & they prefer to take what they want & do what they like, while the World looks on. It's much better to have close friends that think alike & believe in similar things & who you can count on.

This league is just weird I came away from Accrington feeling very annoyed with us, especially with how we set up. Paterson was dealt a bad hand with the summer, but he needs to show he can get us playing fluid attacking football at a high intensity. He always says the right things and the gesture on the coach yesterday was lovely and I really just want him to turn the tactical dial up a bit so we can get to that level needed to finish in the top 3. I came away from yesterday, not feeling blown away by our performance, but realising are we that much different to the teams around us? It's just about efficency and organisation and whilst the league is weaker, the quality within the promotion race is tight and condensed.

@Dripsey3 agree that it was a strange one. Probably to do with them - good set of players, good manager but not gelling. Big and physical too. I don't remember MP making those types of subs, so early. Players like Hall and Macari looked like they might get overpowered, so on came Ness and Ndlovu earlier than usual. Not long after likewise with Bennetts on for Dennis. So the last 30mins was a typical bruising L2 game that we might have forgotten about since the days of Nolan

Terrific performance. How we only scored two will flummox the greatest scientific minds for decades to come, but we did it when it counted. The PiesPlayer camera spent most of the match watching Ian Holloway's back, enabling me to admire his sheepskin jacket / blue beret combo and watch him become more and more frustrated as the match went on. Glorious.

Morning all, another week is ahead of us, I hope you are all fighting fit. I learned of another friend/former colleagues death yesterday, it’s been happening a lot just lately, either people I know dying suddenly or becoming seriously ill, I guess I’m getting to an age where people of the same age are having health problems it’s a bit depressing really. Anyway on a brighter note, in two weeks I’ll be in Lanzarote soaking up the sunshine. How’s life treating you? Anything you want to get off your chest? Let us know. Have a great day everyone.

It was a snowy night here in Germ land, with about 7 cm of snow falling so I had to get the shovel out this morning. We've since reached the heady heights of 2 degrees. Yesterday we bade Lenny a final farewell on an Anglo-Saxon-style funeral pyre in the garden. It worked very well. I like to think that he's now wandering the kitchen floors of Valhalla, but he'll probably just live on in my lungs. We also have a successor, six-week-old Eddie (when a budgie dies, you replace them quickly to stop the others from pining for them). Mrs Sausage continued her habit of selecting the most gormless budgie possible, so no doubt we'll have lots of fun with him.

I agree @DangerousSausage but was surprised Norburn wasn't subbed. He was a red card waiting to happen, given this ref's previous EFL record. Yes, we got away with it and the three points was most welcome

I only saw half the game, but I was very pleasantly surprised by Norburn (although he did flirt with a second red on a couple of occasions). He looked much more like the player I hoped we'd be getting in the summer. More of this please!

Great to hear @Fan of Big Tone that you saw @Chris yesterday. I was beginning to think things had turned a little negative for him, as he hasn't been seen on Pon for a while. Perhaps if we let him know that we are all here for him, our thoughts, prayers and blessings, just reach out and let us help. No one ever needs to be alone in our community, just a message and help is at the forefront. On here or even face to face, never suffer in silence, there is always a way forward. 🙏

Good morning it’s a dreary, cloudy, drizzly start to the day here. A bit differnt to yesterdays sunshine which was very pleasant as I walked to the match on the embankment along the Trent, although it was very cold. For those who like me have been a bit concerned about @Chris and his absence from PoN I can report that I saw him yesterday at the match, he was in the kop and I could see him from my seat in the Pavis stand although I didn’t get to talk to him he looked well, I’m glad to say.

He offers us something different to both Dennis and Jatta, so I’m pretty pleased with this. There was no way we could've got to the end of the season relying solely on them either they'd have just completely burnt out. From what I can gather from Barnet fans they say the team plays better when he’s in the side because he offers both a physical presence, mobility and can generally hold up and link play well. It’s just in terms of out and out goal scoring where he can struggle, but who knows maybe this will change for him here, sometimes strikers just work at some clubs. He'll definitely have no issue with the physical side, he's was the forward who sent Baldwin to the floor in our play-off semi final and he could've scored another the second half. He was a real handful for our defence that day.

It's easy to forget that this is Tom iorpenda's first season of senior football. That's as amazing as some of his performances. In US sports there's the phenomena of the 'rookie wall'. This is when first year players play well up til a certain point of the season when it all catches up with them. They get mentally and physically exhausted from the rigours of the season. Well, there's absolutely no sign of that yet with Iorpenda, in fact he looks to be getting better and better.

We have completed the signing of Harrogate Town goalkeeper James Belshaw for an undisclosed fee. A lifelong Notts fan, Belshaw signs an 18-month contract at Meadow Lane. Director of Football Richard Montague said: “As well as an obvious passion for the club, James brings vast experience and an impressive track record of winning promotions. “He’s been a very consistent performer over the course of his more than 200 EFL appearances and has been a hugely popular figure everywhere he’s played, which reflects his character and professionalism. “This move will obviously mean a lot to him and his family and we’re delighted to help make his dream of playing for Notts a reality.” Nottingham-born Belshaw grew up in Clifton and regularly attended our matches with his dad, grandad and brother – even celebrating his sixth birthday as a mascot at Meadow Lane. The goalkeeping skills he demonstrated as a youngster for Clifton All Whites were spotted by our academy and he spent a number of years with us before his performances for Heanor Town earned him a contract with Walsall. An outstanding performance against Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup then led to an offer of a scholarship at North Carolina’s Duke University, which in turn saw him drafted by MLS side Chicago Fire. However Belshaw decided to return to the UK and build his career in non-league with Nuneaton and then Tamworth, before joining Harrogate Town and winning two promotions in three seasons as the North Yorkshire outfit rose from National League North to League Two.

Great poem @Michael D Pie.! And you're right, he didn't care about his lack of brain cells. He didn't care about much at all except grass seed. A lesson for us all. My health issues with the swollen mouth still haven't gone away. The doctors think it's an autoimmune reaction and I can't do much apart from wait. Got another hospital appointment on Friday. Since I've seen just about every other kind of doctor by now, I've started seeing a witchdoctor (ayurveda) who has done acupuncture on me and given me herbal pills that look suspiciously like rabbit droppings. It's an interesting experience and who knows, it might even help. If nothing else it gives me an excuse to see one of the nicer corners of Germany.

@Michael D Pie. great poem 👏 @Piethagoram I love that North Norfolk coast, glad you enjoyed your day. Morning all, our son is on day 4 of his trip to Cambodia, he’s had three days of touristy things but today he’s done the first 60km bike ride only 590km to go! Here’s a picture he took of a Royal Palace, street cleaners were washing the street so it made a great reflection.

A day trip to Cromer today. Weather just OK'ish , Cromer was lovely despite it being off season The £12 return ticket from London to Norwich a real bargain. In the Great British Rail sale

@DangerousSausage this is for you. An Ode to 'Lenny' Sausage Towers will never be the same, Without our Lenny, yes that's his name. He came from an egg, but not all there, Didn't matter to Lenny, he didn't care. Official Budgie of PON Prediction League, Always on the move, full of intrigue. Exploring all, as did Edmundson and Scott, Full of spirit and guile, frightened not. Each and every corner, leaving nothing to chance, Walking all the way, led all a merry dance. The memories you gave will never die, As off into the sunset you gently fly. RIP Lenny.

Totally agree with everything you said @Robbie lets hope for the sake of our children and grandchildren the tide turns and the bullies in the world get taken down a peg or two. @DangerousSausage I'm sorry to hear about Lenny rip. @Michael D Pie. i hope the antibiotics do the trick, get well soon.

The signing is exactly what fans were asking for. It's too much to ask in January for a surefire new No.1 like Bass was, but for a high level alternate keeper - reliable and experienced, James Belshaw is perfect. Which way is it going to go though? Scenario 1 - Roos has had more good and Ok games than bad ones, and we've the 4th best defensive record in the league. If we dropped Roos straight away and then Belshaw got injured, we'd may have pissed off or broke the confidence of someone we need. If Roos responds to the new competition by being better, then the Belshaw signing will have worked in an unexpected way. Obviously if Roos has another really bad game, or say 2 poorish games in 5 or 6, Belshaw comes in then Scenario 2 - We heed MP's unusual description of Chesterfield's 2nd goal - pathetic. You don't often hear a coach describe an individual mistake like that. It was both Roos and Jatta, but you'd guess he was saying Roos' part was the more pathetic of the two. Maybe MP brings in Belshaw right away.

I'm happy too. It's great that he's a proper magpie, but the bottom line is that this signing strengthens us. He's been playing regularly and can hopefully slot straight into the team. And goalkeepers often reach their peak after 30. So this move makes perfect sense to me and gives us a bit of breathing space to find a younger goalkeeper for the longer term.

Delighted with this - more than useful keeper, surprised at some of the negativity surrounding his signing tbh.

I love the fact that Belshaw is a Notts fan who grew up in Clifton, was a mascot as a boy, grew up supporting Notts, played for Clifton All Whites, played for Notts Academy, his family are Notts supporters, his Dad is a season ticket holder in the kop and has been for sixty years. What better credentials for a player who will obviously give 100%+ for the shirt, the fans and his family sitting in the stands. Welcome James, I love you already!

The results: Leyton Orient 1-1 Cardiff City Peterborough United 3-1 Bolton Wanderers Accrington Stanley v Barnet - POSTPONED Chesterfield v Colchester United - POSTPONED Tranmere Rovers 0-2 Bromley Aldershot 1-5 Solihull Moors Sutton United 1-2 York City Woking 4-0 Hartlepool United Drum roll for this round's winner @Megan_Elizax! And also a mention to @4everapie, who got 8 points despite only predicting five games, which is frankly showboating. No change in the top ten this week, @magpiejue still leads the way with @Dan banging on the door in second. The next round is on Saturday, so the prediction league pixies will post the fixtures on Wednesday. Thanks for playing!

#waffle1478 5/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 663 🧑‍🎤 #wafflesuperstar wafflegame.net

Unbelievable effort from both the fans and players in dreadful weather conditions. Those saves by Belshaw at the end could be the difference for us between playoffs and automatic, absolutely crucial saves at the end of another top performance by him. COYPs!!!

The fact that we are beating our potential rivals for promotion is big. Long may it continue because if Notts can keep beating our biggest rivals the promotion dream is on.

#waffle1467 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 86 💎 #wafflediamondteam wafflegame.net

Iorpenda, miles above everyone, Norburn a distant second

#waffle1464 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 652 🧑‍🎤 #wafflesuperstar wafflegame.net

#waffle1462 1/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 2 wafflegame.net

#waffle1462 2/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 129 🌟 #wafflecenturion wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,677 4/6 ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ 🟨⬜⬜🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,676 5/6 ⬜⬜⬜⬜🟨 ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Wordle 1,675 5/6 ⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩⬜⬜⬜ 🟩🟩⬜🟩⬜ 🟩🟩⬜🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

#waffle1457 1/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Two sliders today 😁 🔥 streak: 124 🌟 #wafflecenturion wafflegame.net

#waffle1457 2/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 76 💎 #wafflediamondteam wafflegame.net

Pity that things didn't quite work out for Kellan at Notts. He had a few good games for Notts but I always thought that he was inconsistent with his performances. Unfortunately he was unable to get a regular place in the starting eleven this season. The move is probably best for him and Notts. I do wish him luck at Crawley.

Replacing Bass with Roos was a major mistake of the summer so I'm glad we've taken steps to correct it. Roos showed some good reaction saves, but too often he didn't do the basics in commanding his area and catching and punching the ball. I hope we've now got a calm presence between the sticks, and of course I hope Roos does well in Scotland.

Wordle 1,670 3/6 🟩🟨🟨⬜⬜ 🟩⬜🟨🟩🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I think those that say it depends on the transfer window are close to the mark. We need a couple of immediate, quality first-team contributors to have a shot. By definition, promotion seasons require promotion-level players for the respective league. Not the whole team, but you need at least seven and then the rest can be below that but aren't weak links. We might be on the wrong side of the line there. Palmer and Robbo were playing like promotion-level players, but when they're out we're so obviously not a promotion team. We have Platt/Rodmac, Bedeau, Tsaroulla, Dennis, Jatta, Robbo and Palmer, fit and on best form take you to the 7. Macari is border line. And Iorpenda when playing CM. IMO We need that GK alternate and the promotion-level AM [For reference, our NL final. team in 2023 - Baldwin, Cameron, Palmer, Nemane, Jones, Rodrigues, Langstaff were the 7. Bostock almost. Rawlo, Austin, Chicksen, made up the numbers but didn't let us down]