Chris

I would hope for a strong performance, which rewards the fans in attendance and gives us at home a sign that we are still very much amongst the automatic challenge. I do worry that a defeat could lead to disappointment and a bit of hope lost. Barrow outplayed us earlier in the season at their end, a game we never looked like scoring until Matthew Dennis did, then we collapsed straight after like a pack of cards. Harrogate are a better team, I thought they would do much better from what I saw at the beginning but they have plummited. Still, as always, you can't under estimate them. I would love to suggest it would be easy, but I think for a strong performance by us Martin Paterson may need to make changes. Would it be worth starting the game with a back 4, just to give us some stability to attack and not concede an early goal? It's going to be interesting to see the selection and how it will unfold, but I would make changes based on Oldham. Tom Iorpenda looked tired, while Jodi Jones appeared to be a casual bystander. Perhaps some fresh legs would be helpful.

Yes, I hope you feel better soon @Fan of Big Tone. I haven't got much to say, other than I have fine tuned a few apps I made and now my attention does turn back to content during the day. Setting up my tasks for the next day at night, and finding some time to work on the various remaining items. It's been a bit cold the last two days, I haven't really felt like doing much. I have some blackberries to make Super his favourite type of crumble. So, at some stage this weekend I will have a few things to do that are productive.

I have said this countless times on here, I think Shaun Derry would have done well in League Two had he been given the chance. The previous seasons we were always rolling dice, swapping gimmicks for pretense "football philosophy" in an effort to fool season ticket holders and general attending fans. It gave a false impression, but I do feel Derry could have improved at our current level. I think it would have given us a bit of stability at a time, Notts were clearly being poorly run. Thank god, the Reedtz know how to pay and handle finances because the Trews and Hardy didn't.

This is being written to be negative, but to see what fans think. How impactful do the Grimsby, Chesterfield and Olham defeats feel? We had a game in hand that could have positioned us nicely alongside Cambridge, but that opportunity has now passed. Even one of those games won would have made such a huge difference, and I don't want to dwell on past games but with the remainder of the 7 we have left, it will put more pressure on maximising the amount we can gain in order to seal automatics. I am swaying more towards the playoffs being likely, simply due to Swindon Town and Salford City now being on our toes. Such crucial games, swung against our odds but there's plenty to fight for.

It's nothing that we didn't already know, since the club had been open about the Reedtz having cleared the debts and it was always likely that the real loss would be smaller than most teams at our level, especially those competing for promotion. I wouldn't say a few bad signings is a major diaster because we can't always predict outcomes purely based on stats, ability and other infomation. It can come down to the footballer themselves, and whilst I do think the reported fee spent on Mai Traore could have been better spent. I am less concerned about a loan signing with a certain wage than about a transfer fee where it's unlikely to see a return on the investment. Even with that said, I don't think our recruitment is subpar or unacceptable and I bet even the club would agree there's room for improvement. Yet, there is always a much more positive stance with how we do go about recruiting and building a squad in a competitive way that doesn't put the clubs long term future at state.

Hello, @ted beardsall. I want to apologise upfront for how long it has taken me to validate your account. I should have noticed sooner but I do appreciate your answer upon joining and I am glad to be welcoming you. I bet you have many fantastic memories of supporting Notts over the years, and despite the tough times we are always stronger as a community in the end. I hope you enjoy being part of PON, and our part of the Notts community. Feel free to reach out if you need any help! Again, I am sorry for not approving your account sooner.

Hello, @Peter Craddock. Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham! If you need any help, or are unsure about something please do reach out. We are pleased to have you here, and I hope you enjoy being part of our Notts County community. I hope to see you joining in around PON.

Who's been coaching who? Are we coaching them, or are they coaching us? 😂

There's no denying Oldham won based on a very strong performance by them, very impressive parts and the first half I didn't think we looked capable of making a game of it. This season, we have been very hit and miss away from home. Having been to most games, I think it's one of the worst in terms of consistancy. We haven't hit much form away from home, and we need those points at this stage. Some players really don't defend enough, just run watching the play unfold and it's not just the defenders. We can't allow this to continue. I also noticed that a few stayed on the ground wanting free kicks. I want Martin Paterson to kick this out as he promised at the start of the season. Everything is still to play for, dust ourselves off but the goals we have recently conceded is either us becoming nervous, or a lack of focus. Maybe both? I don't know, Oldham deserve a lot of credit for playing the way they did, I felt entertained by them when I shouldn't really, but I credit them for it.

I still need to actively encourage the community to join in sharing statuses. 🤔 Today, I have had a full afternoon/evening of coding, and made some great progress if I do say so mysel. I didn't enjoy coming back from my dads, speeding wheelie bins flying down streets doing 20-30 miles per hour. It was like playing a realistic video game, only difference when the rain and wind hit you couldn't see anything in front of you. Full rant here. 👇🏻

I went to swing by Mark's, who's mum gave me the two Steak Ale Pies he had made Super. We had a catch up. I really appreciate how they have shown nothing but care and consideration to my dad. Mark's literally gone above and beyond, which reminds me it must be a "Mark" thing - as that's the name of my other friend who I go to games with. Of course, I took the Summer Fruit Crumbles and even baked one later on for my dad. Hopefully, he won't mind me saying but I think it's disgraceful that Tesco delivered him milk (small) that went off a day after he received it. So, I nipped down to the shop and I couldn't help but think back on the times my mum would send me to fetch something. Unfortunately they didn't have half a single paint but I got the same size as the one Tesco delivered. Made him a coffee, and used some to make him custard for his crumbe. During my visit, I have been continuing my coding and I have two apps up and running that will hopefully help me attract partners with local businesses. I also upgraded my script for the status page, which now includes member integration for suggestions. Whilst I implemented this, I went the extra step to add functions to update private updates which I might not wish to disclose publicly. I finished the work in the development area and made changes to the social publisher yesterday. All are now on the live site, I can get back to curating content, and cracking on. I really feel optimistic about next season, as being organised and having help makes such a huge difference. I watched the first half with @super_ram, didn't think much of our performance and how we have played from home has been very much hit and miss. Oldham to their credit look good for their position, when I got home I saw their second and third. Quite a long ramble, but coming home it was horrible. I turned two streets away, had to dodge speeding bins flying down and all sorts of rubbish. A 3D version of Donkey Kong, but with bins moving at 20 to 30 miles per hour. Wind much stronger, and rain hitting from all directions, including upwards. It was almost like a diaster movie, "The Day After Tomorrow." Despite that, I would still do it again! Ha! I thought you were going to ask me if I do deliveries. It sounds like our mums were true traditional homemakers, with all the treats they baked. It's quite funny, because my grandmother wasn't much of a cook or baker. The answer to your question is no, I actually don't say it at all. 😄 Not that I think it's annoying but it doesn't quite have the Wazzaaa from Scary Movie and the Buzzwiser adverts.

To be fair, he can play out wide so there's options, and I think having someone else in those wider attacking positions will be help but I do look at our squad and wonder how he will get game time. It's a question for Martin Paterson not me, and naturally Jayden Luker needs to take whatever chances come his way.

I've always enjoyed making puddings and deserts; I used to spend every Christmas making things with my mum. She would bake and make everything, jam tarts, spondges, triffle etc. My favourite thing to make is pizza though; I love replicating Pizza Hut and Dominos. My wife bakes delightful Victorian sponges and brownies. The thing we learned as young parents is we had to make good homemade food. 😁 @super_ram baked me lovely, chesse, potato and beans pies. I think he should return the favour. Ha Haha!!

I spent some time earlier preparing @super_ram some summer fruit crumbles. Mark is making him some steak pies, so he's going to have plenty to tuck into. Cheeky helped me with the crumble part, as my hands are a little painful but nothing I would complain about. I just know not to make them nag any more, but it was nice. I would have made him a dark fruit, but we could only get what I ended up making. Some point Cheeky and I want to make some apple crumbles, and plan to make more for Super. I am still making progress on the coding front, two features I do think will help me massively with bringing in support to keep the site going. The old partner system was merely a page and a set of logos, that has inspired me to make a more robust onboarding system with fair pricing. One of my friends who also runs communities thinks I am under selling the positions, but I want them to be affordable and I hope to build friendships with the potential partners. I still need to setup the tributes and memory database, but I keep prioritising what will make the biggest difference now and what can assist me to getting back to curating content for Notts fans to enjoy.

It's a shame Cambridge didn't draw, but the MK Dons result was very good. Them being two games ahead, they have added more pressure on themselves and if they want to top Bromley, they'll need to do better. I am really hoping they drop into the playoffs, and we continue to secure our automatic promotion. That's the ideal world, but will it happen?

The issue for me with how Cheltenham played was always about if they could maintain their start, as they did seem very well organised. I think they were better in spells, collectively as a team but never overall in the first half. It was a good first half, against two attacking minded teams but they fell apart due to themselves. Their goals were well-made, but from a Notts view, they were very frustrating. Second half, Notts did show a lot more of themselves, and even without the red card we would have won. It might have made them a bit more competitive but they were always looking like their energy levels were dropping. Steve Cotterill is a bit of a moron; there's some valid points but he's that typical 90s whining manager. There's a lot of credit to be given to how Cheltenham started, but at the same time you are wearing tinted glasses if you cannot accept that Notts were the better team. If you have to look for excuses, and justify them, then as a manager you know you aren't being completely honest. Referees may give advantage at times to teams, but the sending off was coming at a time where Cheltenham were just throwing silly challenges. If you defend by trying to take out the opposition like that, then you have to blame yourself and expect what might come. You can't pin it down to the official, nor can you gloss over how good the opposition team played when things clicked. We are a very good team when that happens, even at our worst we are. We are fully capable of dismentling teams, so it would be like me avoiding credit to them just because how easy we made the second half look.

I thought Jayden Luker brought the best out of Tyrese Hall, before his injury. I am surprised to have seen him returned at this stage as I am not 100% sure we really need him, but that doesn't take away the usefulness his return may be. Plus with the concerns up top, it's welcome cover. Where ever he fits in, it is better to have him than not to have that cover. I know that might sound odd with me suggesting we might not need him, but that's just because of the amount of games we have left and it does make me wonder if it's more in case of ending up in the playoffs. Please don't get me wrong, I am glad he's back.

I don't know about that; the Peperami mascot could probably take a duck. After all, he's a bit of an animal.

@theAnticlough my son looked baffled at me when I said Matt Palmer was leading as my Man of the Match, he responded by telling me "he's not exactly done much", but he defended, moved the ball and broke down the play. His performance resembled that of a silent assassin, by which just his interlect and football ability allowed us not only to control the game but offer up freedom to others. He also scored one of his best career goals, which was brilliant to see. A lot of technically gifted players, in terms of special awareness and control that give a team a solid anchor do tend to go unnoticed. To a certain degree, Neal Bishop could be referenced but even more so Ricky Ravenhill who was a very tidy and reliable footballer. Palmer performed exceptionally well.

@theAnticlough: I had Matt Palmer's as mine, with Nick Tsaroulla and Jodi Jones, but Tom Iorpenda really came alive in the second half. Not only did he show his class, but he was a real threat that made it difficult for Cheltenham. I love seeing him chase back and win the ball cleanly, only to out skill several players in the most joyful way. It's like watching someone who has the ball completely disposible at their feet, like an extension of their body. Keanan Bennetts also could have merged in the running had he come on a bit earlier, he's a very exciting player and I like seeing him take on players but for me Iorpenda deserves the Man of the Match.

I didn't get a chance to post yesterday. I wished I had more time or it would pass a little slower when I am busy. It always seems to go much quicker, but progress is being made in some key areas. I'm going to see about spending the day with @super_ram on Tuesday, I can't tomorrow but I also need to confrim with Cheeky that she isn't busy. Not a lot to report, I am mostly coding and trying to pre for next season so I can ensure a full active campaign (even if I am unwell) and trying hard to get the content back to standard.

I am going to miss DS as a display name. 🙃

It's my eldest daughter's birthday today, so right now Kate's parents are over to spend some time with her. I am trying to improve, and bug fix some of the applications I have made. The task manager has made important strides, and it's nice to have it there as a way to record issues that I noticed, and need to look into. Mark (former admin) has made @super_ram some meat balls and a cassole which I need to fetch before I hi-jack him to come round to ours. @Hi Humans ツ is looking forward to it, and it will be nice to see him. We are hoping to play some board games, maybe even a quiz of some sort. Much to-do but at least things are on the up, finally it seems, on a personal note I have changed my diet again and I am still finding things to be better. Hopefully, it continues but I have not heard anything about any future appointments yet.

I don't allow bags or luggage out of my sight and I always have my hand on them. It's easier said than done though, because it's easy to be distracted and being without your passport sounds quite a daunting task to deal with. I watch a lot of YouTube, from things like the Honest Tour Guide to other scam-related issues. It's good to know there are active people out there trying to do something but why don't the country authorities do better? It amazes me the level of pick pockets in countries like Spain, France, Netherlands etc. Oh and I know it happens in the United Kingdom too, many years ago someone tried to pick pocket me at Skegness and they walked off with a sprained hand. It's a shame people still target 'trust' because it just fuels the decay of it.

Every football team wants to be the best that it can be, but do we have the money to realistically be that? Start of the season Martin Paterson didn't even want to acknowledge promotion, especially during the poor start but now we are 4th with less than two hand fulls of games we are talking about League One? Whilst I wouldn't knock the ambition as I said, I do think there's one thing talking and another doing it. I still haven't had a chance to listen to it, so it might be a perfectly fine interview but I still think we need to reflect on where we are now.