Chris

The Pride of Nottingham website has been updated. With this some of the features and site itself will be a bit querky until I can make sure they're in-keeping with these changes. Our homepage for example needs some care - don't worry about this. Once I can fix the important areas of the site, I will focus on adding content again to the site and returning everything to as it was. I would ask that members bear with me. Whilst asking team members to assist and, check out the team updates as a way to help PON move forward. These are the major things I need to mention: Please don't report any issues yet, as I will be sweeping the site and then asking folks to assist with what I miss or may not have seen. Many thanks, Chris

He doesn't look thrilled, does he? Honestly, it's about time we moved him on, but what does that mean for us? I hope its a sign than someone else might be coming in to help Langstaff/Scott. Someone who can hold the ball up similar to Wootton but pacey too.

I'm not trying to be negative, but we're extreamly lucky that the referee gave two penalties usually they don't do it. I haven't seen the fouls, but I am thankful the referee wasn't one of those to turn a blind eye or give the home advantage.

Right from kick off Notts looked more up for the game, Halifax seemed happy to sit on the ball - they really didn't impress me. Jesse Debrah looked like a weak leak from the moment I saw him. Physical presence but not much football skill in him, we should've exploited him more, but we controlled the game well. I don't mind that the score was only 1-0, we had plenty of chances and their keeper did alright for someone who always wanted to catch the ball when going to ground. Yes, it would've been nice to test him more on target, especially from distance, but the way we moved will only build confidence with Notts. I thought Jodi Jones did okay when he came on, Adam Chicksen got himself into some great positions and crossed the ball very well. Macaulay Langstaff almost gave me a heart attack with his goal, as I have mentioned I thought he was going to miss or their defender make up for the terrible back pass. It wasn't the first one of those, but he made it count, even if he did take quite a lot of touches. It was a good game and result, I think some dwell on the way we won rather than how we played.

I honestly thought he was going to miss, or their defender would make up for the terrible back pass, but Langstaff placed it well. I'm not sure my heart could've taken another touch.

I don't know what to make of it, but to be honest when random people make connections to somewhere like in that tweet. I tend to pay no notice of it. It seems something more geared towards his agenda rather than an honest statement.

I should've perhaps added about his injuries to blunt the harshness of what was quoted by DangerousSausage. It's a good coup for us, even with his injury history. On a positive note, doesn't it show how far Notts has come in regard to working with players who need extra care? We're almost what some might call a specialist at it now. Some people may say it's down to the player's desire, like Cal Roberts, but I really think the club's medical system is very good now at our level. No longer at risk of further injury, both players and medical staff work hard to get the best possible return out of the game. If we hung onto Regan Booty a little longer, it might be a point more would agree. Obviously it's down to the right age too, but even our more senior players we appear to look after well. Much better than the days of gambling on the likes of Billy Daniels [who I really wanted to see work out for us]. Something Coventry could perhaps cope better with considering the connections I've just made.

People compared him rather flatteringly to Dele Alli [pundits and fans]. A good player but someone who declined after his hype, mostly due to the fact Coventry progressed quicker than he did. I watched his interview, he spoke of clichés and I do believe him when he said that he was keen to get going. However, his body language would suggest he's disappointed nonetheless to be here in the National League. It takes nothing away from what he said, it's only natural but his decision after leaving Coventry wasn't a good call. Let's hope he can move on with his career; I think he should prove to be decent enough.

It always seemed likely to happen this season, but I'm not interested though. I think we've moved on to better things.

Whilst playing in Spain he abandoned his car allegedly, although I recall seeing an interview after he retired where he quashed all these rumours. All I can say is that @DonnyNotts is correct. Such a huge amount of talent and prospect poured down the drain, content with collecting whatever good salary he could obtain - instead of preserving his legacy. It shows whoever acted as his agent (I believe his dad did at one point) did a terrible job.

Yeah, this is one we need to avoid defeat. Ideally, we'll control the game and get a good result, but that is wishful thinking. It's going to be a lot harder than that. Two aspects of the players I would like to see are a] them fired up and b] awareness of the opposition. If we can use the midfield well, I am confident chances will come and at this point I really would like to see Langstaff get on the scoresheet. Then again, it doesn't matter who scores for us - I just want to see Langstaff's name pop-up. If defensively a solid performance can be put in, I'll be happy even if the outcome is a draw.

I can't comment on the performance, but I would echo that for all the good performances Notts have, some will be poorer. Fingers crossed we can keep ahead of Wrexham who have games in hand.

I know, some Notts fans don't like me speaking the truth but some of our lot are guilty of this during the Munto saga. Whilst people were telling me we were richer than Man City or, the richest in the world. There were some that took things too far by claiming utter nonsense, and it simply comes from wanting to show off. It's not pride, it's not banter, it's disillusional. Yet it is a part of football and, other sports sadly. We're not special at this level; it's taken us to do things right to turn fortunes around and Wrexham are the same [nothing special]. There will be a time when they'll see the bubble burst, it happens to everyone at some point. I don't have much time for banter pages because it just brings the ars****le out of people. Or, those that suck up to the opposition by giving praise for likes.

As the title says, at your discretion, feel free to share how yours went. Mine was good. I had a few days when I had caught a bug which annoys me because I don't like feeling unwell for multiple days. I spent most of the day doing stuff in the background, whilst watching TV in the living room. Some good films were on, but the strangest thing was the days you'd expect to see films shown, only to see repeats of old TV shows dominating the listings. That's fine, we just fired up our Android box and loaded Jellyfin to watch stuff. Christmas itself was pretty standard, aside from helping Jake build his first full PC build for his eldest sister Ellie. We watched a few things, then had Christmas dinner and then went to wish @GrannyPie a happy birthday. It was nice to see GP and @super_ram open up their gifts. New Year we didn't celebrate it, I spent most of the day watching The Goldbergs.

We should've played him more if Notts wanted to keep him. I am surprised he didn't try a League Two team and instead ended up back in the National League. Gateshead is somewhere he should be guaranteed more game time.

Jim's celebration reminded me of what I tend to be like, surprised that I managed to score such an easy goal. The chip from Nemane was superb. Good goals all round.

He's as you would expect from a player coming in on loan, especially at his age. There were times he shined, others where he struggled to get involved. This is something players learn with experience, as it's not a question of skill or quality but more an understanding of the game's pace. Personally, I would've been delighted if he stayed but at the same time I think there's probably more consistent options out there. Also, Frank Vincent may get his chance to reembed himself into the starting line-up. There were games last season where he became our outlet for attacking opposition teams, to which he reminded me of a young Jim O'Brien. Best wishes to Castro, I hope he settles somewhere for first team football.

This is how Notts should be handling contracts, we're performing well and morale is probably at the highest it has been within the squad for years. At these points, you get your best players nailed down with good contract lengths. Yes, not all players will agree to extend their stay but when you leave things off, they're bound to be tempted elsewhere. If we accept that we might only get a few years out of a player, without selling the club's ambition to players, then I just feel it shows a major lack in that department. Yes, Notts extended Cal Roberts deal when he was here, but more players haven't - with that common "I'm focusing on my game and performances right now." Personally, when I read or hear this, I assume the players have already decided to leave. Well done Notts for extending Matty Palmer's stay! He's a brilliant asset and someone we can further shape the squad around.

@Fozzy I always try to get behind the players, but Mitchell is a dud signing and one we need to move on from. It's a position which we shouldn't be carrying players, I felt like this last season, and he's done nothing better since. I really don't see the point in having a player like him on the bench or even in our first team, a youth striker could gain more experience with the minutes Mitchell wastes. The goals and pieces shown from the game look like we have nailed the passing style, with Nemane looking more effective. At the last home league game, I heard a fan say "[Nemane] he's another JCR, can't cross, can't pass, he just runs with the ball". Whilst I actually thought JCR was a much better player for us, Nemane has the potential to do more overall. His crossing can be good, but it's exactly why he's at our level and not higher. He's starting to come more and more into the squad, something which wouldn't happen if we still had Roberts around. Is there really any dispute about the Austin goal? I see no reason for Scott to attempt to claim it.

I feel sorry for him, two major career injuries and one which massively set back his progress. There was doubt he would be the same player after he broke his leg, I think it was a double break if I recall right. Usually players don't bounce back from that, but credit to him for doing so. It's just a shame that it did have the impact in which it did on him. No way would he be playing in League Two otherwise, but that said, I think he should consider retiring now. I doubt he will, but these injuries quickly mount up, and I would be mindful of the long term damage. Then again, Judgey is a different type of person. Always determined! Best wishes to him.

Plus, nobody seems to be trying to cover things up or sweep it under the carpet. To me, I think the Reedtz brothers are content with the club's spending. It would make little sense for them to run a club at a loss, without plans on how they can turn it around. Keep in mind we're trying to become a club that maximises their income and outcome via the transfer market. Was previous owners really going to see their investments return with the various and many styles of recruitment we went through - no. Some fans will allow this to be a negative, should we be concerned? I don't think so; it's only something to be mindful about.

If they do it right, it will be a great thing all round. It's something the Football League needs to consider, as Derby do their own streaming and my dad praises that. If Notts had a similar service, it would be awesome for those who can't make certain games or live overseas.

At the very start, Notts had a bit of a shaky start at the back. Gateshead had a perfectly good opportunity which I felt incredibly surprised that their player didn't even hit the target, instead snatching his shot wide across the goal. Seeing that, I thought to myself that we would need to be more careful and hoped that it was a sign of their finishing. I can't say they impressed me, their defence seemed woeful and clumsy. They used the pitch quite well, passing and creating space, but it always seemed like they had no clue what else to do - even when the basics was to pull a shot away. The only thing they did well with was being dirty, breaking up the play with needless tripping and putting bodies on certain players. I thought Nemane played quite well, I just wished his crosses were a little more polished, but he had a few efforts on goal. Their number 2, Tinkler punching Cameron and getting away with it royally p-d me off. Notts played quite well despite the groans and moans audible from some, they didn't let the tactics of Gateshead distract them and the patient play led to plenty of chances. I also thought Bostock looked a quality addition when he came on, although Francis did perfectly fine before. Yes, he did some rash things early on, but I think he's someone who will improve with more time - I also think he misses Doyle's mentoring. @menzinho One of the groundsman was probing areas for results throughout the build-up to kick off. It didn't look like anything worried him during any pitch inspection, but I did notice him returning to areas and breaking the ground up in some of the spots he probed. Notts has done generally well with this regard for quite a few seasons, so I never tend to worry about the pitch condition.

At the start of the tournament I said to @super_pie, that I felt Morocco would surprise people and make it out of their group stages. Jake thought Senegal and Cameroon would do well. I actually thought Ghana would do a lot better, but at this stage I'm rooting for Morocco. I do think Messi will get his hands on the gold, France will most likely make the final, but I don't see fancy their chances in the final.

I think Notts are hoping to be in control of the game more by holding the ball in midfield, but it's games like this when you realise that defensively we need to be better. Great victory, vital 3 points but after going up 3-1. We need to learn to close games down and avoid needing to chase a winner. Langstaff is an incredible asset to us.