Chris

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Gareth Southgate has spoken twice about stepping down, although going into the Euros - it seemed likely that he would be standing by his word. I find it quite saddening because whilst he's not been perfect, he got the squad resembling a team we could be proud of. This tournament wasn't the best, perhaps the players knew? I can't suggest all the poor performances could have been down to nerves, wanting to end Southgate's reign as well as possible, but I would be mindful of it. I don't think who takes over next has much to do, but at the same time I don't have much enthusiasm that we'll be able to see who could come in. Most likely it will be a lacklustre appointment, I mean the candidates link already leaves me feeling like this. ????

It's great to see Alassana Jatta back in the team and putting us 2-0 up so early. Also, I like that we are playing a squad that wouldn't be far from our starting XI. I assume, we'll still be making changes as each player does need to get some match fitness, but it's good to see that it's started off strongly. Jatta could be earning the number 9 shirt, although I would still give it to Cedwyn Scott. And both players are featuring together.

There's nothing you can do when players are out of contract; you are once again competing for their signature. Crawley has made some good signings, Rushian Hepburn-Murphy is a quality player that at 25-years-old should only flourish. Gevan Holohan is also a very experienced player, that should do well. Likewise with Scott Malone, a decent defender and has a wealth of experience to help keep them in League One. Josh Flint is very much a signing we would make, along the lines of Ed Francis and Will Patching. Unproven, but has plenty of potential and was once held with high regard at Portsmouth - although I don't believe he made an appearance for them. It's disappointing to see a club newly promoted lose players, but it's not like they went out on purpose to rip it apart. Our first season back in League One, it was a mistake for us to gut the 09/10 squad. Crawley, and teams like them would always attract interest in their free agents and key players. Reinvesting and purchasing quality replacements is their own way of combating it. It's sad to see, but not much they can do.

It had me loading the official site up. Good signing for them, it seems he'll be Paddy Madden's long term replacement.

I remember seeing it in programmes, I swear there was a picture in one where Brain Stubbs was holding a County Cola. Don't click the attached link, if you can - read the comments. The link throws an error due to it being archived and old now.

It's worth keeping in mind that Kellan Gordon played for Mansfield, until Crawley Town paid an undisclosed fee for him. I remember him doing quite well for the Stags, but no doubt he did more during his time with Crawley Town. At 26-years-old he has plenty of League Two experience, and I don't think he arrives as a squad member but someone who could play regularly if he puts in the performances. There are times when Aaron Nemane is inconsistent, when he plays a lot I do believe his form suffers and this can be the same for Jodi Jones. Although, I doubt Jones would want to miss a game. He'll push himself, whereas Nemane really does need a break to get him back to his best. It's a very good signing, when I noticed I was about to sit and eat - but I had to get the post out on PON's socials even though it was almost an hour later. I think the reactions by most fans shows this is a potential good move, he should do more than Will Randall and I think he'll connect with fans too.

I know my dad was worried and thought something was off about his bid, it could have become a Munto like experience for them. Certainly managed to avoid a bad decision, which wouldn't have been a good thing for Derby. Thankfully, he wasn't able to prove he had the funds I believe. @super_ram will clarify.

After my Grandather Ray died in 2000 I wasn't that much in the loop with watching games. I had started playing Championship Manager, which would later go on to become the Football Manager series. Tony Hackworth wasn't that bad on it. However, since doing PON I have had many comments about bad players expressed to me and Tony Hackworth tends to be one. I actually liked Tony Agana @Piethagoram, but I was a young kid watching him. I think the idea about signing someone like Hackworth was ambitious, but ultimately the wrong choice. The money could have been spent on two players that could have yielded better results.

A future production for Aardman Animations or DreamWorks, A Tale of Vegetables on the Move. ????

It really shouldn't be like this; if Spanish fans celebrate these incredible young talents then they shouldn't harbour any discrimination. I am sure they celebrated the achievements; there's just no need for racism.

Queen's Walk always used to look like a nice place to wonder, but my Grandfather would say it was dangerous and occupied by certain people. There's some really nice areas to explore in Nottingham; there are a few places in the Meadows where I like to have walks.

Well, that's awkward, isn't it?

Junior Morias impressed me when he had cameo appearances, it left me asking why we don't see him more but with the options we have it would always be difficult to feature him. Now, Macaulay Langstaff has departed it does present the chance where he could feature more - provided the club doesn't deem the void left needing to be filled. I think some of the criticism for Morias comes from him missing so much due to injuries (although I am dubious he was actually injured). We need more depth, I do hope that we don't rely on signing just trialists. It would be a smart choice to continue the strong recruitment, so we can add further quality and depth, with the trialist becoming signings of 'potential'. I don't want to use the term 'squad members' because I feel the way we are building, any player could get a chance to play. It's important we make the competition for first team places down to performances.

Oh wow, I would have loved that! The only time I would have caught using my phone, would be to snap pictures of the scenery and memories @Fan of Big Tone! It's typical teens these days, they're too glued to technology. I think it was Toton where @cheeky~k8 planned for us to go have a family day, there was an old steam train in service their that did a short track, but it was closed by time we found it. Around 2pm, but I recall seeing many old abandoned trains and information. I have never been on a steam train to my recollection, my grandfather Ray loved them and one of my favourite films is The Railway Children. Back on subject, It's nice to see Loughborough preserving this type of thing and trying to keep it going.

I totally forgot about the Euro final, so Sunday I should see @super_ram anyway - if he will have us over again. Also, @super_pie wants to go meet up with my brother tomorrow to play Pokemon Go. So, my lazy and carefree weekend is out of the window. Yet there's no better way to watch England, than with my dad and son. It reminded me of rushing home from school to watch Euro 96, 3pm kick offs really made it a rush. It's finally our year! It's coming home!! ????????????????????????????

Repeat the same plan as the Netherlands, Spain will want to retain the ball and attack. This will natural allow space to open up, we just need to keep in check our creativity and ensure that we don't make mistakes when passing. Some are fine, but if we give the ball away easily - Spain are one of those teams who can quickly turn nothing into a counter attack. Attacking carefully but directly, it will put pressure on Spain. We have the quality to make their defence have a nightmare for 90 minutes, but they also have clever players who can make it difficult. I will be watching with @super_ram, if he'll have us over again.

Interesting to know, @super_pie was very quick to point out that Cole Palmer got the assist. It felt like Michael Owen type moment, when he scored against Argentina after coming on.

I wouldn't have expected it, but it's a good touch on the Embassy's part. England being this successful in recent years, it's been long due. Fingers crossed, they'll be congratulations us come the final. ????????

They seem very popular, I keep seeing friends of mine sharing them on Facebook. They've got a very Wallace and Gromit style to them, when they stand like they're in the picture they are very uncanny valley. I am expecting one or more to be a bad guy, but they do look nice.

I still need a weekend off, so I won't be doing much. I might try to coax everyone to watch a film together, we haven't done that for a while and I wouldn't mind making popcorn for it. Otherwise, I plan to do nothing. I'll be sure to give @super_ram a few video calls, as Ava has mentioned wanting to tell him something. ????

@DeadlyMacca: I remember when you joined as DeadlyDennis, and if you wish to change albeit, but I am with @Fan of Big Tone. You don't have to make any changes, as Macca still works. I mean, you could take up @Robbie's suggestion, and join the trendy way Tony declares his appreciation to a former Notts great - with the Fan of. I'm sure whatever you decide it will be great.

It was a great performance by England, we played without fear and even after conceding to such a spectacular goal. We pushed, controlled, and created numerous opportunities, demonstrating that we clearly outperformed the Netherlands. They tried to counter with their elbows and other sly tactics. It's a shame, because when they didn't - the Netherlands could break looking like they could cause trouble. The game was very entertaining, with a moment where I was going 'Yes, yes, yes... Shoot'. Alongside @super_ram, doing the opposite 'No, no, no, what are you doing'. As Phil Foden hit the bar. @super_pie was shell-shocked by all three goals, yet he froze like ours hadn't gone in. ???? By which point I was already jumping, shouting and celebrating. I think it took Jake back a little just how well we played, but Super also made it enjoyable with his remarks. I am just teasing a little with the Foden incident, but it was funny.

The thing about Junior Morias is he's very fast; when he has been given games this has caused teams to almost fear him getting the ball. Having a striker that can gain this type of attention can be a good thing, so hopefully he catches Stuart Maynards eyes more within the pre-season. Most fans will be curious about the trialists and players who might make an appearance before signing. Wycombe will be a good test for much of our squad, but the results aren't important and neither is the performance - it's not something you can reasonably rate. I do think on an individual level you can. It is also encouraging to see good play, but if it's inconsistent, which a lot of friendlies are, it's more a training exercise.

It's not been nice seeing Cheeky feeling unwell; she has a lot to deal with due to her sinuses. I couldn't live with the amount of headaches and migraines that she gets, it's something which I have tried to push her to get seen for years. Unfortunately, progress was being made, but COVID delays have pushed that back. I feel much better now. It's difficult to tell if tiredness is coming from a bug or just my body. I look perfectly healthy, but I'm not really as able-bodied as I look. I am hoping for a quiet weekend. I still feel quite drained, but I get that from walking. I do one to have a family picnic at some point. We haven't done this for a while and having three teens can be quite a challenge to get them to do these types of things now. Also, it would be nice to get @super_ram out to Alfreton. I haven't paid respect to my grandparents for a while now. It would be nice to do that, I know this means a lot to my children too.