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You would expect a professional team to do their homework, and by this I mean know, going into games, how they can punish us. Most, if not all, of the goals we give away come from trying to pass when very few options exist going forward. We play ourselves into tight angles and just pass back. Luke could do with getting us to be a bit more fluid and instruct the players to shake off their marker because there's not enough movement in the middle of the pitch. It's very easy to blame defenders and the keeper, but most defenders are known for their passing ability. We need to cut out going back and just make space to take the ball a few yards more forward. John Bostock had the ability to distribute the ball to either side, while everyone can link with each other. It would take the pressure largely off the defenders because currently it's like a wave when the shore's coming in. It's never-ending, and this leads to errors, poor judgment, and bad defensive decisions.

If you look outside of our fan base, Notts are still being praised, and although some are pointing out the awful defending, most say this is the price of transition back into the football league. Maybe some of it is self-doubt, a lack of confidence within individuals, and maybe some teams have just deserved the results more. I know we can get frustrated, but look how far we have come. The recruitment will fix the defence, and Luke Williams will then get us back on track. Provided we stay up, why lose our heads over a poor run of results?

You’ve stolen my thunder @CliftonMagpie I was going to start a thread later in the week about plans for Christmas. You are absolutely right about Christmas being a sad time for some, it’s a time traditionally when families get together and when someone is missing it naturally leaves a hole that will never be filled again and that is the case for me and I know for other people on here. So folks when your enjoying your festivities with your families around treasure every moment because it could be the last Christmas before you lose someone that won’t be there next time. I will offer the same invitation to anyone that wants to talk, please message me, I am a trained volunteer and help to run a support group for people bereaved by suicide after a tradegy in our family. I don’t have all the answers but I’m a good listener. This year my son and his family including two of our grandchildren will be coming to our house for Christmas Eve until the day after Boxing Day, we will have a fun time but there will be an empty chair again this year. Christmas Eve we will have a buffet with some games etc., Mrs. T and myself will cook the turkey Christmas Day and on Boxing Day our son and Daughter in Law will cook a lovely roast beef dinner. Fun anf laughter will be the order of the day. @CliftonMagpie what will you be doing this year?

I haven’t seen any calls for Luke to be sacked but I’m not surprised some football fans are very fickle and some are just thick! I honestly wouldn’t give them the time of day let alone spend time explaining why he shouldn’t be sacked. It’s totally ridiculous.

I’ll be celebrating Christmas in Northampton with my family. I don’t have many other plans, and I don’t really celebrate the New Year unless I’m invited by family. I hope everyone here is doing well. Have a lovely Christmas holiday, everyone!

I think many fans tend to overreact, but that doesn’t negate our poor defensive performance. I can’t take calls for Luke Williams’ dismissal seriously, but those who are demanding improvements and expecting them to come from the defence have valid points.

I’m tired of encountering negativity online. It’s not beneficial for me, and it certainly isn’t for Notts. I understand and share the frustration with the defence, but we need to move on. We won’t win every match, and if we persist in feeling frustrated by every occurrence, no progress will be made.

Some fans only care about the present instead of the future. Football is like every sport. If you win, it's seen as a success, and what isn't is a run exactly like we are facing right now. Luke Williams has never had this uphill fight with Notts. It will take time and commitment. The very least die-hard fans can do is give him their backing and support. Trust goes a long way; 6th at this stage isn't a bad thing. We need to take stock and account of this. I am even more thankful to be back in the EFL.

Our boss is super excited and has asked me to make sure if our members are subscribed. If not, are they okay with me manually adding their emails to our brand new newsletter database? We’re really eager to include most of the active members of our community. Of course, we wouldn’t dream of adding anyone’s email without their permission. If you’re okay with it, just leave a comment below to let us know. No need to share your email address here - if it’s different from the one you use for Pride of Nottingham, just mention it and I’ll send you a private message. This way, we can avoid any unwanted spam. Please be aware that this doesn’t cover the mass emails sent through the system with updates or alerts. It also doesn’t include the occasional in-house email that our gaffer sends out. This is strictly for members who love PON, want to hear from former players, and look forward to receiving a monthly newsletter.

I’m pleased to hear this, for my age I consider myself reasonably fit but I do struggle sometimes when I get a ticket near the back of the stand. I remember when I could bound up those steps no problem. Well done Notts.

I understand that Christmas can be a challenging period for some, so I wanted to extend a hand to the PON community. If anyone is struggling or would like to chat with someone who's always ready to listen, please feel free to send me a private message. In the meantime, how about we engage in a general chat about topics not related to football? I'm aware that Tony usually posts about the weekends, but I thought we could discuss what everyone is planning for Christmas and the New Year? To get the conversation started, we can then shift to any topic that comes up. The main goal is to have a discussion where we all listen to each other.

I do feel the defence gets a hard time at times, I agree with @The Heff the midfielders are just as culpable as the defenders at times, when they get pressed they pass it back simply giving the responsibility to the defender. So when a defender gets pressed they can only really play it back to the goalkeeper. He'll play it out to another defender, who passes it to midfielder… If they don’t go forward it can become a vicious cycle! We’ve kind of sorted the individual errors and awful decision making from the Wimbledon/Shrewsbury games but in the last two games we’ve just lost that dynamism and the whole team’s ability to quickly win the ball back isn’t quite there. I think the general health of this squad this season is definitely hampering us now, especially as we are running with a small squad. Bostock is still clearly struggling as he only managed 60 minutes against Harrogate, so the midfield is in a right state at the minute. This is not a dig at O’Brien, he’s been great for us, but when you are suddenly relying on him to be the main man in midfield something has gone very wrong. Gosling looks to have been a proper cross your fingers and hope for the best signing and so far with January less than 2 weeks away it's not worked out. But it’s definitely not all doom and gloom, far from it. We’re still in the play-offs and whilst it would be amazing to get promoted, not getting promoted isn’t the be all and end all. We’re not in some race against the clock to get into league 1. I think when you get promoted you want to do it like last season when you are comfortably one of the best teams in the division, that way you have a better chance of continued success. There’s no point going up only to come straight back down. The Reedtz Bros have shown they like to build, and it’s absolutely the right way of doing things and that takes time. Luke Williams has shown last season he’s 100% the right man for the job and I’m certain we’ll have a few fresh faces in January. The club is the best position it’s been for years, probably the best in my time supporting Notts.

The club`s vision in terms of how the team should play is clear: we want attractive and dominating possession-oriented football. They appointed LW, and he has delivered brilliantly. The issue is that the football style is only suited for a handful of the squad. The team is extremely vulnerable to injuries on key players due to one simple reason: the differences between the injured player and the backup player are massive, and becomes even bigger due to the chosen style of play. There is a huge mismatch between LW`s preferred tactical approach and the team`s ability when key players are out. With all due respect, Austin/JOB/Gosling simply can`t replace a Matty Palmer or a John Bostock. The midfield suddently goes from dominating to inferior. This becomes even clearer in the tactical setup LW has implemented, which to be fair, is quite complex for a League Two club. And I love him for that. However, we can`t "blame" everything on injuries. There has to be some sort of flexibility from LW, at least some tweaks in key situations. We haven`t been able to use the midfield properly after Matty`s injury, even after Bostock`s return. Should there be a larger emphasis on going long in stressed situations, even if Langstaff will lose 90 % of the headers? Then we would at least be able to fight for the second and third ball and establish play between our best players, which are upfront. Should JJ be more included in the built up in central areas? Just look how the last game changed when he was more included. Hopefully we can achieve a draw against Stockport and get a double win against Doncaster and Morecambe before New Year. I`m forever optimistic!

i will be spending christmas with my mum and then later on in the evening i will be visiting my dad. i dont really bother much with christmas, i buy presents etc but other than it feels like a normal day to me. i dont have much up in terms of decorations, just a tree.

@Fan of Big Tone oh i have seen some and they tend to be the first people to complain too. notts are in a good position still, this is a testing time for luke williams but to be fair, its a good experience for him to learn from. other clubs fans wont be as invested as our own but even then we need to remember that when luke gets things to click, he is more than capable of taking us higher up. with him still learning, we need to worry then.

I spent saturday using my present and spending time with family. Also as Chris said we went to pizza hut. Sunday i was at home looking after my kids and my nephew and neice. Had a fun day at home and in the garden.

Game 23 - The Hatters (A) Team: Stockport County Date: 22/12/2023 Where: Edgeley Park What line-up should Luke Williams opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be? Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

I stayed at home over the weekend, I didn’t visit Harrogate. I switched off the radio after they were 2-0 up. I didn’t have the drive to bear any more than that, which is unlike me. On Sunday, I caught up with my college work and just relaxed. I had a quick go on my Playstation.

its going to be interesting to see how we do against a team in far better form. a good result could give us no end of confidence but on the other hand, a heavy defeat could cause further complications. i dont expect to win, so i think i would take a draw. hopefully the players are feeling more ambitious as our away games seems unlikely to see where the next win will come.

i am happy to get the newsletters, my email might be already in the list but if it is not feel free to include it.

I miss the feeling of potential victory, as now it seems like we’re destined to lose, and I have a feeling it will be due to our own mistakes. Stockport County could have a great game against us if we don’t show up or play our best. I would have predicted a draw before our recent form, but now I feel they will win. They have everything in their favour, and we’re still in a slump with no signs of getting better.

I don’t think we’re doing too badly, despite recent results being poor. It’s more about the performances. We’re not winning ugly, and the attractive football we used to play that allowed us to control games has diminished, but that’s football. We can’t demand Luke Williams’ dismissal, but we can question decisions, the players’ attitudes, etc. It’s all about making fair comments, not immature ones.

This is something that’s been necessary for years, especially when you’re at the top of the stands. Sometimes you need something to grip, particularly when it’s cold or slippery. It’s not just the Pavis stand, the KOP is also steep and challenging for some.

After Harrogate, thought Sunday , I needed to be in a "stable" condition

@Fan of Big Tone I thought my dad had spent the journey with @Piethagoram. Saturday was @cheeky~k8, I spent it offline and tried to make sure to be around the children. As Cheeky likes family time, we went to Pizza Hut in the evening and had a nice meal - even though it wasn't without its drama. Sunday, I helped my brother @william1984 moved home with his brother-in-law Sean. I haven't slept so well in years.

What’s all that about @Piethagoram and why have you put a picture of @super_ram

Nope.

It’s just me and my parents, no real change but a day where we try to just chat, watch a film or two, and enjoy snacks.

In the days before Christmas and on Christmas Day itself, my family comes to Clifton. I stay at home until about 1:15 to 1:30 in the afternoon. After that, we all gather at my grandparents’ place or at the home of whoever is hosting the Christmas dinner. It’s usually my grandparents, but sometimes other family members do the cooking. After our meal, we typically play board games together until about 7 to 8 in the evening. Then, we go home to enjoy the rest of the night.

https://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/2023/06/15/calvin-miller-joins-the-bairns/

#waffle697 3/5 streak: 7 wafflegame.net

#waffle697 4/5 Yay! Back on track. streak: 1 wafflegame.net

Wordle 913 3/6* Ooh, I’ve done a Piethagoram

I believe if we had signed him at the start of the season, some might have lost interest in him by now due to the time it took for him to get his opportunity. Hopefully, we can find a way to integrate him quickly into our first team and strengthen it. He does seem to be a reliable defender.

From what I’ve observed, it’s a good signing. I agree that he has more to contribute and display, but that will come with time.

I don't fault him for choosing to take a managerial job, over coaching. So, for that, I do wish him well. As for his decisions, if he wants to become a good manager he will need to choose carefully if ever tempted to leave. I think he bases a lot of his decisions based on his heart, instead of his head but I hope he does alright at Woking.

The results: Hull City 3-0 Cardiff City Swansea City 1-2 Middlesbrough Barnsley 1-1 Charlton Athletic Port Vale 3-2 Wigan Athletic Doncaster Rovers 0-5 Morecambe Newport County 1-1 Grimsby Town Dagenham & Redbridge 0-2 Wealdstone Dorking Wanderers 1-2 Woking --- A lot of games that looked predictable weren't at all. Our best scorers this round were @KingWilliams and @nottsnutter! @KingWilliams, @nottsnutter - 7 @allardyces tash, @DonnyNotts, @gtownjohnno - 6 @Dan - 5 @4everapie, @DangerousSausage, @magpiejue, @thommo - 4 @liampie - 3 @ARLukomski, @Chris, @CliftonMagpie, @william1984 - 2 @cheeky~k8, @Fan of Big Tone, @Joshua, @Megan_Elizax, @super_ram - 1 @TheSkipper - nul points --- This is our table. @ARLukomski still leads ahead of @gtownjohnno, but the lead has been reduced to nine points. Meanwhile, @nottsnutter joins the top three! ARLukomski - 128 gtownjohnno - 119 nottsnutter - 108 4everapie - 106 cheeky~k8 - 104 DangerousSausage - 103 Fan of Big Tone - 98 william1984 - 95 super_ram - 94 magpiejue - 93 liampie - 90 Chris - 87 Megan_Elizax - 85 Dan - 84 upthepies - 84 Joshua - 76 DonnyNotts - 75 allardyces tash - 63 TheSkipper - 58 KingWilliams - 55 CliftonMagpie - 49 thommo - 49 OoooooTommy - 45 NottsCountyKev - 41 JIMBO - 40 jimbob - 38 Nocturnal-Magpie - 38 AmericanPie - 36 KB1862 - 22 George L - 6 Canadian - 4 --- The next round is this coming Saturday, the 23rd of December, so the fixtures will be posted on Wednesday. See you all then for the last pre-Christmas round!

You should have gone to a tea room instead @liampie!

I’m glad we’ve signed him. I believe he can develop and become a valuable player for us. He’s done well when given the opportunity, he’s a bit small, but that’s no issue if you can defend. It’s interesting to see him left out of today’s team against Harrogate, not even making the bench.

It's a good signing, the long-term deal seems sufficient to see if we can unlock more of his potential. It's probably a sign that we don't plan to immediately include him in the squad but have him ready when needed.

I've had a busy few days - out for a meal with other humans on Wednesday, Christmas market with other humans (who are also work colleagues) on Thursday. So I might just shut myself in and play computer games to recover from all the socialising. I may emerge from my cave to visit my local Christmas market though

Rams tv match Saturday afternoon and frequent checks on Notts game.Nothing much else planned.

Very pleased we signed him permanently and good to see that we’ve got him on a long contract as he has looked our most consistent defender to be honest. We need one more tall, quick centre half now in very early January to come in as an immediate starter, along with another central midfielder and the I can see us definitely making the playoffs. We now know for a fact that Connor Keeley won’t be coming to us as he has just signed for another Irish side (probably just internet gossip that linked us in the first place). I also think we may well see either Rawlo or Brindley being offered out on loan when we do get another defender in. And I agree with @Chris, Tipton can go back to Wolves for me.

Good luck to the lad.

Let's please remember that the 72 usually get things wrong, and it probably just a gamble for them that has worked out - including all the awful papers like picking it up. That said, I am pleased he signed and I think having seen him - I now understand what he brings. He looked good against Walsall, I wouldn't have taken him off personally but now he's ours. Hopefully we continue to give him more time, Ollie Tipton could probably go back since he's nowhere near our lineup.

Go where the white lines are and the hidden parties. It can't be hard to find someone who lives like that.