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Wordle 1,611 4/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨⬜ ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

#waffle1395 5/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 584 👑 #waffleroyalty wafflegame.net

Thanks @Robbie i didn’t know it was on.

Anyone watching the Albania v England match it starts at 5pm. Can they make it 8 wins on the spin?

Strands #623 “Around it goes” 💡🔵💡🔵 🔵💡🔵💡 🔵🔵🟡 No patience today and I agree @Fan of Big Tone .Well done @Robbie

On Magpie Circle podcast, Paul Mace offered the explanation that it was to be the 3rd kit this season but the EFL enforced an obscure ruling that shirts cannot have 2 different club emblems on them. I must admit this seems a tad harsh... and maybe Puma should have been aware of such rules? Hence the shirt being marketed as a Fans shirt. So a 3rd kit may still be coming?

#waffle1395 1/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 44 🥈 #wafflesilverteam wafflegame.net A couple of bad moves

Wordle 1,611 3/6 ⬜⬜🟨⬜🟨 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I think pre-season Cotter is just a good way to assess Cotter in general. For every Cardiff goal, a Kaiserslauten stinker. Personally, if we're rid of the wage which was probs a bit too large in our squad given his playing time, I think it's better attributed elsewhere.

I agree, if Barry Cotter has been sent back I would be somewhat disappointed because all he needed was a run in the squad to get his fitness levels up. He was in and out, and that seems to impacted his performances but there's clearly a good player there. Whilst I think we have good options in his position, and perhaps he would fall behind, I think he would still be worth keeping but if he was to go back I would understand it. I would still be disappointed that we never got the most out of him, and his pre-season friendly goal against Cardiff is a clear sign of his quality.

I noticed how he got a hamstring injury in the second half yesterday form zero contact and no action, which needed the trainer to come on for a longish period of treatment to his upper leg (must've been quite long because all the Harrogate players were ages at the touchlines getting drinks and instructions from their manager) So sorry, I don't think his body can sustain the vigours of pro football if he goes down as easily as that ;)

I'm not sure anyone was head and shoulders above anyone else. I don't think the attacking players covered themselves in glory. I have gone for Ness. His run down the left in the first half shows he is more than just a head and kick it defender. We will need players of that quality if we get promoted. A shout out for Macari as well, often goes under the radar.

@piedestrian Notts need to get better with their communication. Good communication stops or at least cuts down the on rumours spreading.

I went for Grant - partly because many of his 1st touches seem to elude many supporters. He’s aware, instinctive and creative. I thought he provided the spark, as opposed to Hall who seemed lethargic and off the pace until the last 20 mins. The obvious difference between the 2 halves was Palmer tho’. He provided a bit of stability and balance and also allowed Hall a bit more freedom. Robbo & Palmer together are an ideal combination in the centre of the pitch. We look a good side when they play together.

Wordle 1,611 3/6 ⬜🟨🟨🟨⬜ ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

#waffle1395 4/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 62 🥇 #wafflegoldteam wafflegame.net

Strands #623 “Around it goes” 🟡🔵🔵🔵 🔵🔵🔵

Connections Puzzle #889 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟦🟦🟦🟦

Strands #623 “Around it goes” 🔵🟡💡🔵 🔵💡🔵🔵 🔵 That was daft!

@Robbie I'm pleased that Notts managed to get a point out of this game. We have seen games such as this one at Meadow Lane end in defeat. I totally agree with @Robbie as we didnt turn up today unfortunately. The lack of energy and enthusiasm in the first half was confusing especially after such a gritty and dogged performance on Monday. Big boot syndrome from Roos didnt help matters as no one was feeding off Jatta in the first half therefore once again wasting posession and giving them an easy ride. I thought we rallied a little in the second half and when substitutions were made that midfield solidity returned. All in all not bad.

Connections Puzzle #889 🟩🟪🟦🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟪🟪🟪🟪 🟨🟨🟨🟨

I think that as a CM pairing, they don't come much better than Robertson and Palmer who really compliment each other. It's the AM duo that's gonna cost us. I personally think Grant is the weak link. Sure he's got intelligence and presses well, but it's only good up until he's 20 yards and closer to the goal that he turns to mush. Hall I think deserves more time to really make the position his own. I'd like to see Jarvis and Traore there as they both look intelligent and can drift out, but for the love of god don't put Jones back there. Fwiw, had Luker been here the whole season, we would be smashing the league and probs go up.

#waffle1395 3/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 14 🏆 #waffleelite wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,611 6/6 ⬜🟩⬜⬜⬜ ⬜🟩⬜🟨⬜ ⬜🟩🟨⬜🟨 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⬜🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Such a weird match, first half we just looked off the pace everything was a tad too slow and we struggled to really get into Harrogate and put them under too much pressure. That said we still created the best chance and their goal was a bit out of nowhere as Grant slides in and ends up playing their forward in on goal. Second half was just all us, we must have had about 90% possession. Harrogate were done by about the 60th minute or so and we just lacked that bit of bravery or magic. We were regularly at the edge of their box but the final ball wasn’t great and Harrogate were just so deep by the end there wasn’t much space for anyone in and around the box to even get a shot off. I was unsure about the penalty when it was awarded, and having watched it back I'm still not sure. The Harrogate defender puts his hand in the back of Jarvis but it didn't look like it was with much force, if anything him then falling over causes the Harrogate player to go over and that makes it look worse. l I think the pressure got to the ref, there were a couple of shouts for pens (all which I think he got correct) and he didn’t give them. Fair play to Harrogate, they’ll be gutted after that. I think their defensive resilience merits a point but my word how did the ball just not fall to us at all, not one deflection or anything went our way. It feels like had that been us playing so deep for 30 minutes we’d have conceded a couple.

Scott Robertson had another good game, so did the defence. I do feel that the substitutions made all the difference for Notts in the 2nd half & Martin Paterson needs to take credit for that. I'd like to pick out Palmer, Jarvis, & Dennis who took his penalty well under pressure. I feel that putting the Skipper on in the 2nd half did give Notts the imputus to get the draw, so Palmer is going to be my PON man of the Match.

A difficult one - I can see there being many nominated, or not many site members bothered to vote. I'll go for Robertson again, just over Ness and Tsaroulla. Bennetts, for the second game running, started really well and then faded quickly in the 2nd half (I think that's worth investigating). Why Robbo? He was busy, active and generally effective in what he did. No great shakes though, it was that type of afternoon.

A frustrating afternoon. Too many of our players were not quite at it today. There was over-reliance on putting in hopeful crosses from wide positions. We didn't have any players willing to attack them through the middle, so we became too predictable. Our defenders often found themselves the spare man at the back with the ball at their feet - but they refused to inject the energy required. Ness did it once, but we needed more from Bedeau and Macari, especially in the first half. And Jatta and Hall were sub par.

#waffle1394 3/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 43 🥈 #wafflesilverteam wafflegame.net

I do think that January will be a time when the club will need to decide which players in the squad can help carry the club forward to the end of the season & those that need to be sent on loan or returned to their clubs. I'm sure the Club will make some new signings therefore there's bound to be some incomings as well as outgoings in January.

Yes @Robbie a promotion-winning AM duo might not be on the books at the moment. Hall had made one of the positions his own, but the drop off over the last 3 or 4 games has been alarming and could've opened things up again. Grant's star has been rising and Iorpenda's falling. Both are capable footballers but I've been saying all along that their output won't be what we need to sustain a promotion challenge over 46 games. MP can try Jones again, Jarvis, Dennis back there, Kouhyar, (I think Traore has shot it). It was a shame Luker got injured, he might have been part of the solution. Hopefully, MP and Montague will settle on AM has a big priority area for Jan. Two might be being greedy, but 1 first choice and let the likes of Hall and Grant compete for the other shirt might be good enough to grab one of the 4 slots.

Morning all, there was heavy rain in the night but it’s dry and bright at the moment. We are having a walk up to the doctors surgery this morning, Mrs. T is still having a few ongoing problems and she’s finished her antibiotics, she then wants to go and see her girlie friends for coffee so I’m on my own till lunch time but I’ve got plenty to do. Later I’ll be watching Notts on the box, safe travels to our supporters. I hope everyone is well, let us know what’s happening in your life.

@super_ram These word puzzles can hit you straight away or it's a real struggle. Sometimes I think it is how the puzzle is laid out.

That sounds logical @Piethagoram if that is the case then I think we can forgive them, it’s certainly sounds like they might have been stuck with a load of shirts that couldn’t be used then some bright spark had the idea of selling them asa “fans shirt”, fair enough. I’ve never heard of a fans shirt before maybe if lots of fans buy them they’ll do one every season.

Still think James Belshaw could do a job for us https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/sep/06/james-belshaw-goalkeeper-with-two-degrees-and-a-second-world-war-thesis

Martin Paterson has chosen a few different midfielders for the first eleven this season, however it appears that he has settled for Palmer & Roberson as his first team picks in the centre of midfield, & has decided on an alternative of Iorpenda, Hall, or Grant in the attacking midfield positions. That leaves Norburn & Iorpenda as an alternative in the centre of midfield & Dennis, Iorpenda, Hall, Grant or even Jones & Jarvis who could all fill the AM positions. So far this season I think that barring any injuries, Palmer & Robertson have made the central midfield positions their own & they are my preferred picks. I think it is a little more difficult in the AM area. At the start of the season Jones was picked to play as an attacking midfielder but it was obvious that his best place was on the wings. Iorpenda started in CM but lately MP has been playing him further forward with Grant or Hall, then we have Dennis who has been unable to get so many starts since Jatta's return. & we have Jarvis who can play as an AM or Winger waiting in the wings... My preferred duo in the AM position at this time would be Grant & Iorpenda with Hall & Dennis very close. I think the AM positions are still up for grabs & we may even see some additional player recruited for that position in the Jan window. It is certainly going to be very fascinating in the weeks ahead to see how Martin Paterson works it all out. What are your Thoughts?

I believe the club has gone with this as a means to generate more funds for January; it comes across as a cash grab, and considering we are still in a cost-of-living crisis where a lot of our spare finances go, it's just a very unwanted move. The design is also not appealing, and I fail to see how it would be any better than the home or away shirt. Obviously, some fans do like it, and I have already witnessed some cocky behaviour about wearing it, meaning you are 'die hard' but really, if someone likes it, that is their choice. It doesn't take away from the fact that the club has come up with a rushed and poorly executed plan. The first teaser I saw had the old single magpie as the badge, and I felt curious as to what it would look like. If the shirt was more a nod to nostalgia and to a past shirt, featuring the single magpie badge, I could see more of a point to it. Despite it being a blatant cash grab and poorly thought out.

Scott Robertson is quickly becoming as important to the squad as Matt Palmer is; yesterday, for example, we desperately missed Palmer in the first half. Robertson is a brilliant player; he works so hard, and in time he should be exactly what Palmer is to us. Right now, they are the midfield pairing that we need to win games. These two work so well together; it seems unlikely that they wouldn't be starting together at the beginning of the season, especially with the arrival of Ollie Norburn. Norburn should be pushing his experience as a contender to be starting, and I think he's okay, but for me, he's more of a rotational player. Tom Iorpenda, for me, is the more exciting option, who could come in for either Palmer or Robertson. Conor Grant moves brilliantly; he's intelligent on the field and wins the ball back in situations where it could create a lively encounter. He does struggle at times to pick his pass, and yes, his finishing could do with work, but he's one of those unappreciated players that can move between the channels and into attacking positions in front of the opposition's D, and it just takes someone else to make the run for him to assist. The main thing is we have options and players who can do different things. I overheard a fan say, "Grant is exactly the same as Sam Austin," and to some degree I can see the similarities.

Strands #622 “We can see right through them” 🔵🔵🔵🔵 🟡🔵 Easy today,for a change.

Yeah, the he calls for his return have quietened down now he hasn’t scored a goal or provided an assist in the League since August… If we had an unlimited budget I’d say yes, but I just can’t see how we can justify paying his wages (he’s probably on even more than he was at Notts now) knowing he can’t play every 90 minutes anymore. There’s also an argument that due to how we press more and play more direct he might also be less effective now.

#waffle1394 3/5 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟩⭐🟩⬜🟩 🟩🟩⭐🟩🟩 🟩⬜🟩⭐🟩 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🔥 streak: 61 🥇 #wafflegoldteam wafflegame.net

I think the thread might need a disclaimer. Us fans will always comment honestly on how we see the team, sections of the team, and individual players....usually from the standpoint of wanting success and the advancement of our club. But when we have doubts about players, I think we all want to be proven wrong. We want nothing more than players proving themselves and making the critics eat humble pie. I'd be over moon if, say, Grant and Iorpenda proved themselves to be promotion calibre No. 10s. The club's advancement is pretty much the be all and end all of being a fan. This should go without saying, but may get a bit lost on forums when debates and discussions get going.

I've said that countless times myself @Piethagoram ! You must have missed the umpteen times I've made exactly that point For now though, I'm happy to support him as we look to gather enough points to put us in a good spot come January. Obviously Hall is ahead of all AMs, but in the absence of Luker, Grant is worth one of the AM shirts, bearing in mind that Iorpenda hasn't notched a single senior goal yet, and looks better playing deeper.

@Piethagoram that's what I've been saying consistently on here since I joined but he's earned the right to stake his claim thru Nov/Dec...January will probably be a pivot point for our attacking midfielders. For now, he's trying his best and giving us much more than last season and is ahead of other contenders for those shirts for the time being I think

It's a "meh" from me. I don't really see the point of it, but if people like it, good for them. I like the idea of using the single magpie as a motif, it's just a shame we didn't do it for the away shirt so it could actually be seen during matches.

agreed @Garry Lee

@theAnticlough My logic is that we can ill afford to have someone in that position that cannot find the net on a regular basis

It's a pity that he hasn't got "it" in front of goal

That was absolutely embarrassing. No fight, no grit no determination. We were out fought by a team that wasn’t particularly that good but still thoroughly deserved to go through. One thing this showing highlights is how important Matt Palmer is to he way we play. We were sloppy in possession and didn’t win second balls. The fact that Ness was man of the match tells you all you need to know.

I wish I could share the confidence in Jarvis tbh. He just seems an enigma to me. The occasional mazy run, a random spectacular shot/goal and a turn of speed are the highlights. In between there has been a lot of ineffective “downtime” and a tendency to go missing in action. I don’t doubt his talent, just his ability to produce meaningful performances. A “cameo” from the bench is how I see him - unless he can harness consistency with his rare bouts of genius.