Chris

I have a tendency to seek out good TV series, which I often find to be in short supply, but one that’s caught my eye is The Institute. In some ways, it’s similar to the film The New Mutants, though this is based on a book by Stephen King. It tells the story of a clever 14-year-old whose high intelligence gives him special abilities. Without giving too much away, he ends up in The Institute, a mysterious place where gifted children are taken. Fans of From might feel right at home, as I believe it’s made by the same team. The intro has that annoying one-tone singing that gets stuck in your head. Robert Joy, who plays Victor’s father in From, also appears in this show, though I don’t think his acting is particularly strong. He doesn’t quite pull off the doctor role convincingly. He just comes across as a bit odd. Imagine Roy Cropper from Corrie as a doctor in Holby City. That’s the kind of strange vibe it gives off. Still, it’s a gripping watch and takes you on an intriguing journey. The only way to currently watch it in the UK is via Amazon Prime and MGM+. I would highly wait for Sky to pick it up, as I believe it will be them who will have the broadcasting rights eventually.

Well done, everyone! Brilliant to see so many new members taking part. Let's keep this going, provided you don't outscore me, of course. 😉

Hello, @muskan761947. Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, I hope you enjoy being a part of our Notts County community.

@shuey pie is responsive now, but from the update I have seen, he's groggy and confused due to his treatment. It was a very surreal thing to see; I was trying to find my seat when it was clear someone was receiving CPR. The Newport staff, along with the initial on-site medical team, promptly administered an IV drip. I wasn't aware of who it was; I didn't want to be nosy, but concern did lead me to ask someone who mistold me, "Stevie." It was only upon turning home that I realised it was a friend called Stephen, nicknamed Shuey. I have been told he's doing better, but it has been confirmed that it was a heart attack. 😢 I thought Notts looked very bright, and I wished we had managed to maintain the first-half performance for the whole 90 minutes. The point is decent enough for our first result, but considering how we started, we need to make sure we are clinical on goal. We could have been at least 3-0 up, but despite feeling like we should have won, I do see more positives. There's always a chance that a team will adapt once given a second-half team talk, and they mostly attacked through Michael Amponsah, who did look like a very good player. Going back to the first 45 minutes, it did seem like it was a matter of time before we opened the scoring. Conor Grant had a header saved by the Newport keeper, which denied us a corner kick despite him going down injured. We hit the crossbar; Jodi had two efforts saved, one of which just needed a bit more pace on the strike, but it was a very good effort. Barry Cottter, Jodi Jones, Matthew Dennis, and Conor Grant were superb in their efforts to start brightly. Defensively, Matty Platt and Jacob Bedeau looked class, and I thought the young lad from Manchester United did very well. Naturally, there were times when he was outmuscled, but I thought he always recovered well. The difference in the second half was that urgency had gone, and we started trying to force things. We were nervous in possession and made some very poor decisions when it came to passing. Much of this came from the way Newport had adapted; it was like watching two different halves, from two different teams. What looked like a training game in the first half became really gritty in the second. I would have liked to see more focus on building a bit more slowly, at least until the final third. There's also no point in putting in crosses if nobody is there to attack, so those in the area to get forward need to support the wider players by making sure they can be a target. First game overall, it's perfectly acceptable, and it is promising. My only criticism is the way we conceded; Newport pulled off a very good, team-worked goal. I did think Matt Platt was fouled, but re-watching the highlights, I can see why it wasn't given as a foul. I think Kelle Roos should have done better to not be beaten so point blank from what looked like a soft header. I watched him come in slow motion, but I think he should have reacted. Defensively, he needed to be better supported, better too.

There were elements in the first half which stood out for me, and I think that performance was some of the best attacking football I have seen. Some might say, "It's only Newport," along with how poor they are, but they stepped their act up in the second half. They executed a well-taken goal and further caused us to start making mistakes. Nerves really did creep their way in as we attacked the other end. Jacob Bedeau, Matt Palmer, and Matthew Dennis stood out for their effort. My vote went to Jodi Jones because I thought he urged us on from the moment the ball was first kicked. His powerful low shots and relentless movement created significant problems for Newport. I believe he performed admirably alongside Conor Grant and Barry Cotter. I wasn't that sure about Kellan Gordon, but I thought he did okay. My vote is based on memory; if I watched the full game again (and sooner), I think I might have voted differently.

@Robbie, I thought it was John Lennon. 😂 Why didn't his son have more success?

Have you ever heard a song and thought, "Hang on, is that (insert artist name)?" only to find out that it's someone completely different? Well, just for fun, I thought I would see if we could start a quirky topic about this very thing! It's aimed as a laugh, and I didn't seriously believe, in my case, that it was sung by the actual original artist; I just think it sounds like him. "Love Changes (Everything)" by Rod Stewart (real artist Climie Fisher). Also, "Lonely This Christmas" by Elvis (Real artist Mud). From time to time, the last one actually has people still believing he is Elvis. My friend was singing this last Christmas. I asked him if he liked Mud; he asked me what it was. 😂 He replied, "No, this is the King of Roll 'n Roll. Elvis". Sorry mate, but it's not. 😝 @super_ram might not agree with me with the first one, he likes Rod.

I think Colby Biship is still a free agent, he's got a decent goalscoring record since leaving us. He does have concerns with his heart but he made a comeback. BBC SportPortsmouth: Colby Bishop 'grateful' after comeback from h...Colby Bishop has described the months that followed his open heart surgery as "horrific" after making a goalscoring return to the Portsmouth team.

I'm confusing things; I thought Cardiff had let him go. 🤨

Has he joined them permanetly, @Piethagoram? I thought he had been released, so someone is playing silly buggers with his Wiki page. Wonder why he didn't hang around Bolton?

Dane has gone to town with this; it's always funny to see what ends up being included. Eyes down! 👀

There is a big concern that clubs have been able to overspend for a number of years and accumulate historical debt. Doesn't it make it all the more important that we, as a club, handle what can be impactful now for the long-term future and put us on a better platform compared to other League Two teams? For me, that's being smart with sustainability because sooner or later we'll outgrow this league naturally. Rather than allowing supporter calls, which only care about short-term success and not the entire vision of the club beyond a season or two, if that. But of course, praising ambitious owners who put their clubs in real jeopardy is not to be applauded (even though it seems to be in that short period). AH gambled on promotion in one season, then paid for it in the second. He not only put Notts in danger, but also Ilkeston Town. It's not just English football; it's European. UEFA and FIFA need to do more to protect the future of the game, as do local authorities such as the FA, Premier League, and the English Football League. It will always be difficult for the Non-League to be given any sort of support, because the money filters down from the top. @Piethagoram, some councils tend to hide behind excuses, some football clubs do, but I would hope that there is some common sense to the situation.

@Fan of Big Tone, Matthew Dennis looks capable, but having seen him play, he looks more like an attacking winger to me. He did some really neat touches, controlling the ball well against Cardiff, and we are a side that tends to serve the ball on a plate for someone to score. The main thing is to keep working, avoid frustration, and focus on ways that break Newport down. They'll defend in numbers, I am sure of that, but my previous calls for movement (last season) could see space open up. Barry Cotter and Will Jarvis look fully capable of striking from distance. On his day, Jodi Jones can be a real threat, but it depends on how he's taking to his potential new role. Alassana Jatta is a real loss, but the club seems to have faith in Dennis, and these opening games give him the chance to prove himself without being overshadowed by Jatta. My only concern with Dennis is if he doesn't impress during these first 5 days, it will lead to further calls and unrest about how we need a striker. He needs to be given a chance, and I am hoping he can show us some firepower early on.

In the clips of the signings, you can see that there was a photoshoot in the back of The Nest. It's just being upgraded, but I did notice that James Sanderson has disappeared from it. Will he be going out on loan? Is he out on loan? He played for the B team against Radford, but he could be out on loan or going.

I don't think it's likely to happen. There was a news segment I saw on YouTube which covered this topic and said that it's possible to "de-age," but I think it's mostly nonsense and sci-fi. I also don't think many people would choose to live forever. It's hard enough watching your loved ones die as you age, and more people around you pass on, too. Every time a celebrity passes, it can hit home just how short our existence is. However, I wouldn't want to live in this world forever. It's possible that, over time, our lifespan will increase, especially through healthier eating and advanced care. Scientists are looking at growing organs, and even organ printing. More realistic achievements need to be made, such as cures for cancer and being able to learn more about what causes it to grow. It might not be "cured", but there's no reason we can't learn more about how best to avoid it. (at least try) Living forever just sounds very unrealistic, even with the advancements made in modern day.

I am almost 80% excited, with the rest being a nervous feeling. It's likely this will repeatedly change before I set off to Newport, but it's good to be back. Martin Paterson might not have a fully fit squad, but I believe his selection is relatively easy. Roos Aljofree Platt Bedeau (Centre Backs) Javris Bennetts (Wing Backs) Lorpenda (Defensive Midfielder) Palmer (Central Midfielder) Grant Jones (Attacking Midfielder) Dennis (Striker) Subs: Griffiths, McDonald, Gordon, Cotter, Norburn, Kouhyar, Traore This assumes that Nick Tsaroulla is still out, along with Lucas Ness and Scott Robertson. Traore might not be available; I haven't read anything about him, but he should be fit. If he's not, it leaves the concern that we don't have someone who can replace Dennis if we need him to. Of course, there's still time for signings to be made, but this is the squad I would choose going into the game. I don't think Ollie Norburn is fit enough to start; with him coming back from an injury, which we signed him with, it might be best to introduce him gradually to the XI. I would go for Maziar Kouhyar as he's quite direct and would be my preference ahead of Curtis Edwards. Up front is the only area where I would like to see more quality.

Regarding the media team, to give some perspective, it must be challenging to cope with the level of things they have to do at a professional level. I find my role here challenging, which is why I am very thankful for the help I receive so that I can focus on areas where I can get the most out of my time. I have been critical in the past, but that stems from wanting to see improvements, and I always try to ground my criticism in feedback. One example is the production quality of some of the fan forums; as for a professional media outlet, it shouldn't capture people in the way or have people talking in the background when a board member or someone else is talking on stage. I have no qualifications in videography, so I know I wouldn't be able to do much better, but from a professional point of view, there most certainly can be improvements. I don't like how some fans on social media pal up to them but soon call them out; it's the same with the players. I am sure everyone involved in the club is doing their best, and I see no reason why the media team wouldn't want to communicate with fans. The quiet spells this close to pre-season could perhaps have been handled with content to fill in those spaces, but again, from my experience, there's only so much time, and unless you do a role like this, you have no idea how long it takes to do things. This said, something is better than nothing, and I am sure the club will take it on board. I don't personally feel that we should be worrying, not at this stage. Joe Palmer and Roberto Gagliardi need to be given time. It's fine to have your doubts, but only Palmer can really be questioned at this stage. Gagliardi can't really be the person to blame for the transfers when they are conducted by a panel. It's fair to have concerns and to voice them; after all, it can lead to a healthy discussion.

It depends on how you look at things. For animals, it would be easier for them to survive, but at the same time fatalities would increase without vets. Extinction would most likely still occur, but the blessing of no poachers or otherwise cruel individuals would mean it's more natural. The planet would be better off, although at the same time there are things that humans have done in order to protect it; it's just a shame that there has been more damage. Innovation wouldn't exist without humans. There would be nobody to offer stewardship of the planet, nor anyone who could try to make improvements. There would be no arts, languages, or storytelling. No caregiving, volunteering, and many more losses of human kindness, compassion, and cooperation. The biggest loss would be the lack of a witness to the world knowing there is a universe beyond Earth, no scientific breakthroughs, and no understanding of what makes things work. Animals just see that things do; they can't comprehend why.

When I looked on Wiki, I noticed the Rams were the first to win it. I do recall seeing the competition named in some of the Notts OTDs, but none all that memeriable.

It's way too early for anyone to be saying that MK Dons will win the title; they've been throwing money to the wind and have struggled for it. I think they will be more competitive, but I don't think I would have them in my top 3. I also wonder, how on earth can they spend such amounts? They seem to have a never-ending transfer budget, and for a club like them with little history, I find it hard to see how they are not breaking FFP rules.

Thank you for continuing to run this @DangerousSausage. I do very much appreciate the time you put into the community and, of course, the Prediction League. If you need any help or assistance, you know how to get hold of me. Bradford City 0-1 Wycombe Wanderers Doncaster Rovers 2-0 Exeter City Lincoln City 1-1 Reading Plymouth Argyle 1-3 Barnsley Barnet 0-0 Fleetwood Town Cambridge United 2-1 Cheltenham Town Grimsby Town 1-0 Crawley Town Walsall 2-1 Swindon Town (Joker)

I can only make out parts of what Paul wrote, and some of it I am not sure I agree with. I don't think Jacob Bedeau is underestimated, and Jodi Jones needs time to be anything significant. Yet, that's an opinion, and I respect it. My key player would be Alassana Jatta, as his presence at the club, combined with his ability to score, is of paramount importance. Most underrated for me right now would be Matt Palmer because, for some reason, a lot of fans act like he's not a good player. I think some of this stems from him just being the club's captain; whilst his injury did set him back, he's still a vital part of what makes us work. I would close my comment by saying sentiments in football can be quite misleading, such as wishing for Luke Williams to return.

Hello, @Chedozie. Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham. I hope you enjoy being a part of our Notts County community. If you are a reutning member, or you first time here. Please do take some time to familarise yourself with the site. It would be great to see you joining in, there's plenty of discussions and content. I very much hope to see you become a regular contributer, see you around.

I was very much like, "Who, who, who?????" when I read the title. AFC Wimbledon, in fairness, sounds like a good prospect for him, whereas I fail to see how he would improve us. It's a little unfair, as I haven't seen him play, but we do have more senior players, which explains why we didn't sign him.

You can't throw money at a football club and instantly expect it to be a success. There can be smart investments where a club is purchased and money is spent, such as Wrexham, that rides the wave of a mixture of expenditure and the excitement that the club is going somewhere or at least is capable of reaching new heights. I think their fan base is very much in harmony with the club's vision, which I personally think we lost halfway through our first season back in League Two. When clubs foster a strong bond with their fans, it cultivates an atmosphere that enhances the likelihood of achieving promotion. With smart investments and focused recruitment, success can come, but it's never equally measured. A club can't replicate what another successful team has done because it needs to be tailored and molded around individual clubs. Those teams spending money without much thought and seeking only short-term success are basically gamblers. There needs to be equal measure, a strong focus on creating a winning mentality that connects with the club's fans. Fans in nature only think short term, at least a portion. The focus tends to be where we are and where they want to be. It needs to be realistic, reflecting on structure and how the club can progress. A lot of clubs these days look like they don't have a real strategic outline beyond a season.