Chris

Hello, welcome to the Pride of Nottingham @Strawb66. I hope you enjoy being a part of our Notts County community.

It's truly remarkable how swiftly things can turn around in football. Notts has gone from a free-falling circus, with owners who put our club into the headlines for negative and financial reasons. We were so close to the brink of extinction due to those past errors and misguided leadership. To a well-managed club, with owners investing in the squad and club. A manager who is still learning but doing great with passionate players who care about Notts, even if they're not the best in the world. Yet they are ours, they give and make memories through their efforts. I would rather have this discussion about defensive mistakes, then to see any of the struggles prior to the Reedtz takeover of Notts County. @menzinho and @liampie make some interesting and superb points. We as fans are deeply invested in the club and only want to see it succeed, but this doesn't mean we have to turn on our existing players and say well we need to get rid and sign a brand new defensive line. Even the top teams in the Premier League usually don't go to this extreme. Coaching is a very valid point to be made - we can coach the players in defensive strategies, how to deal with threats and cope under pressure. This is an area that will take time, but the results would see a more cohesive defence. Tactically - we do leave ourselves very vulnerable at the back because we play so high. This is one of the areas where we may see instant improvements, but it may come at a cost of impacting the overall team performance. Ideally, we would instruct the defence to move inline with how the games are advancing, allowing them to drop back in an organised fashion and with teammates coming to fill the open spaces. The issue is currently, we aren't very well-organised and that leads to defensive mistakes, along with being flustered. I would like to see more urgency with just clearing the ball away from danger, allowing us to reorganise. I think defensively we should worry so much about playing the ball on the floor, we have players who can press and win it back if we really must lump it forward. This tends to be one of our biggest issues, because we don't lump it forward when the timing is best. We try to make a pass and keep it on the floor, leading to mistakes. We also have the issue of overthinking and blindly making decisions. This is why it's usually better to keep things simple: we are over doing it when we try to head the ball to one of our players when in a position to bring it down or just kick it out further up for a throw-in. Which would give us some chance to reorganise and take away the stress. Notts doesn't cope with pressure defensively very well. I agree that we ideally need a strong centre back bringing in to the club and, I have said for ages, someone in the mould of Mike Edwards would be ideal.

This is excellent! I would suggest doing day to night next time, as that would be interesting to see, vastly different, but having seen the seasons it's got me thinking. Awesomeness at its highest!

Richard Brindley sounds like he did very well on goal, I have seen their opening goal via the BBC website. It's such a disappointing error, that I am glad I wasn't in attendance as I would be shouting to get up. ???? https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/67597158 Highlights here https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/67597161 Time to focus on the league, but just because Shrewsbury are a League One side doesn't change anything. The gap between us isn't that far; it sounds as if we didn't progress due to common mistakes. Aden Baldwin seems to have had a shocker. I am not sure what Richard Brindley was doing with their third goal, defensive errors are the difference between us and them. Not the league standard. Shrewsbury deserves credit for being attentive, but we unfortunately failed to do the same.

I can't fault him much, despite the tinted glasses. I appreciate his words about us being a good team; it shows that some clubs don't see us as being a former National League club but one perfectly capable of doing well in League Two.

It's 100% a foul, but I think it's a good thing it counted because if it happens more often, then it will put keepers off from being so mindless. ???? Either that or create more funny football videos.

Sorry, we did, but I ate it all. ???? Notts doesn't look the age it is, we are finally starting to look like one of these fashionable clubs to support.

Hahaha!! It is funny. Personally, every culture has stolen something. Whilst we may be one of the worst for taking artefacts, a lot of them would have been found and kept being preserved. There's a chance that some of the things might have been lost forever, damaged or just unappreciated. I'm sick of this attitude these days that the past must be rewritten.

It wouldn't surprise me if we don't end up seeing a few additions come in. With Dan Gosling not featuring much so far, his signature might seem a little doubtful. I can see movement being made to sign another midfielder, I just have this feeling but I won't disclose why. Also, if we did sign Lewis Macari, we do ideally need someone a bit more phsyical. If we could capture a CB that deals with threats well, has the mindset of defending before anything else and is steady on the ball. I would be very happy.

No plans, but my brother has asked if I will help him with his move and that will be how I spend Sunday. I'll make sure to check back in tomorrow, if I do anything worth mentioning. Fingers crossed I can get chance to visit PON's Team Member of the Month, make sure he's not been heavily celebrating. I mean, what else does he have to celebrate supporting Derby?

I remember reading about this: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/dec/20/shane-macgowan-a-wreck-reborn-new-teeth-tv-special I felt happy for him, as he seemed to have a lot of demons which fueled his behaviour and habits. He was very underrated and possibly one of Irelands best songwriters. I am very saddened to learn about his death.

@KingWilliams No, I read something about the only way would be to see it is live.

I didn't get a chance to publish one of these stories yesterday, so it's a little content crazy today, but I have put a lot of effort into this. I stayed up last night to ensure today's stories would go out in a timely fashion. Check them out! Provided nothing changes, I still aim to publish a preview and match report (if someone else wants to write the preview, please let me know... I'm giving it a pass). I think this is the most I have published and written in a day. ????????

Experienced blunder, alledgedly done in protest if you believe the rumours.

@Fan of Big Tone It wasn't much joy, especially how the QMC inspect your eyes. I ended up with a pretty bad migraine after, but I was thankful they said there was no damage. Poor Kate had all three children and me to look after. It's not an experience I would like to relive. Get your eyes checked folks, it's not pleasant, but it's worth it to know things are okay.

I agree with @liampie, Notts would carefully check, but they wouldn't just remove the covers. In the club's status about the pitch inspection, you will see they have the lights on and this will be just to improve areas where they will have concerns. I would imagine the ground staff will have checked all parts of the pitch by now, along with them knowing where the usual areas are. Plus the picture looks like it was quite an early start for the ground staff. PS. @menzinho thanks for starting the match discussion, you saved us! ????

I had my eyes examined at the QMC about 6–7 years ago, after I was assaulted picking Jake up from school. My vision appeared like a black and white TV struggling to get a picture, it was very unnerving. No damage was found, but it was a weird experience. I am pleased that Charlie Slater has had a successful operation which has saved his eyesight in his right eye. Hopefully, he will be fine from here on.

Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Stoke City Swansea City 2-0 Huddersfield Town Cambridge United 1-0 Fleetwood Town Joker Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Bristol Rovers Gillingham 0-2 Charlton Athletic Newport County 0-1 Barnet Halifax Town 1-1 Solihull Moors Oxford City 0-1 Maidenhead United

I think Shrewsbury Town will see that Notts are a different team at home. We should certainly make it harder for them. It's going to be a challenging game regardless, but despite them being a level higher there's not much difference between the two teams. People will say if we lose, it's because they are a League One team, when in fact they are just a good team. I wouldn't personally say, they would be higher in standard than us. Most League One teams up to mid-table would just be a very good League Two team. It takes nothing away from Shrewsbury who have cemented themselves for a while now in League One; however, if we aim to be there ourselves, then we really must win games like this. The only difference really comes down to game management and showing the true quality on the day. I'm hoping we give a solid account of ourselves.

It shouldn't be called a TV licence to begin with any more, it still makes people believe they have to pay. I know there's people getting fed up with the BBC, but I think most would pay a reasonable fee to still watch their channels and content. However, they use scare tactics and this is extended to them losing the TV licensing money. Becoming subscription based would mean they would have to please people, a lot more than they do now, and it will force them to be more competent, less biased and more focused on quality. In addition to paying silly amounts of money to their board, executives, presenters. They're very much in bed with politics and over the years, the BBC are just becoming lazier and lazier when it comes to their reporting and shows. They have some fantastic content, but it's that which gets cut or cancelled - ahead of what really wastes the TV licence paying people's money. Hence, why there is always outrage over pay increases and who gets paid what. Personally, I wouldn't mind some ads. It's a common thing these days and it's good money for them. I think the BBC would improve a lot more if they had to work for it, rather than this age old system which is very much outdated.

Well done! I'm very pleased to see this back. I simply became sidetracked in the past, but it's something I value. @Piethagoram: You are a great addition to the site. I have enjoyed seeing you get more and more involved over time. I think you may have been a bit reserved in the past, but it's nice to see you starting topics and even replying to some. The generation side of the content, well it is very helpful and even though some might not get many replies, I really appreciate your persistent posting. It does make more of a difference than you might realise: you get people talking. Congratulations on being nominated and voted as the Member of the Month! Next year, I am hoping to see you become the Booker T of PON. Also, I suppose I need to say well done to the old man. Pleased for you, @super_ram. If you dare say to me "I don't know how I was named Team Member of the Month, I barely do anything. I'm not even a Notts fan." It will be me delivering the "Book End" finisher move.

Yes, he also stamped on Lewis Macari after knocking him to the ground. Both incidents he did on purpose, I heard the yell and from Macari as he was on the ground. Orsi ran to another Crawley player, quite close to where I was sat, put his hand to his mouth then started making hand gestures, that seemed to motion that he believed Macari had dived. They both proceeded to laugh, when the referee finally spoke to Macari, Orsi jogged to the half way line to surround himself more with their players.

Thank you, @Fan of Big Tone. Not everyone will be in a position to subscribe but those that can, and want to help will be making a considerable contribution towards the sites upkeep. This doesn't mean members can't help in other ways, such as posting and commenting. Even visiting helps! One of the biggest free ways to help, would be to share our content on social media in which you enjoy. The subscription plans are just a way to help PON, nobody should feel any different.

I have defended how we play the ball from the back, including how we have a tendency to bring the ball back from an attacking position to the keeper. I can see how effective this can be in some cases, but it's not when you are being pressed so much and the opposition are relentless with doing so. Notts started off well, very early on but after a very short time it quickly became Crawley's opening. They seemed very efficient with playing smart little one, two's and at times we simply didn't suss out that they would make such quick movement. I can understand how this situation would make you nervous, but defensively and from Sam Slocombe's point of view it just made things worse. I felt very sorry for Slocombe, he's clearly giving 100% but isn't used to playing in this way - at his age it can be difficult if you are not comfortable with the ball at your feet, passing to and from nearby players. Some fans near me thought it was appropriate to give Slocombe stick, some very foul comments and I told one usual suspect to "shut up, and sit down". Right at the moment David McGoldrick went on to score for us. But going back a little, Adam Campbell's effort wasn't going to be saved it was just a superb strike. Crawley truly deserves credit for their exceptional passing movement, relentless pressure, and unwavering determination to chase after every single opportunity. I must admit, it was truly impressive. Credit should be given where it's due. McGoldrick proved to be a game charger, and he worked so hard to get us going. It gave us what we needed going into half-time, as we needed to adjust to how Crawley were playing. I wasn't pleased with some of their antics, such as their number 9, Danilo Orsi such a dirty player. Elbows, stamping, and forcefully pushing with aggression. How he wasn't sent off, I don't know. Second half, we did exactly what was needed, and I think Aidan Stone wasn't a needed change, but I do acknowledge that he's far more comfortable with the ball at his feet. The cross for Jim O'Brien's goal, it was perfect! I saw it in slow motion, and it was timed to perfection. O'Brien deserved the goal. Dan Crowley for me played very well, he was my Man of the Match. Playfully, Crowley teased Adam Chicksen after the game, suggesting that Jodi only won the vote due to the presence of his family. ???? Jodi Jones played very well, looked hungry to score and create chances but for me Crowley got us moving with so much purpose. His interceptions and quick turning gave us a front foot, and although he missed a couple of chances. He helped others to get into the game, whilst showing so much of his own energy. Before the game, I spoke to @ARLukomski. I asked him for his score prediction, and he said he wasn't sure. I replied, 3-1, and that I can see them scoring first.

Once David McGoldrick put us level, we did settle into the game. I feel sorry for Sam Slocombe, he took no end of nonsense and very aggressive personal abuse from one individual near me. He's clearly not a keeper who is used to having the ball at his feet and, playing in such a way that naturally will give him a lot of pressure at times. I try not to make excuses, but some of our fans really don't appreciate him for what he does do well. Was it the right decision to remove him? I don't think bringing Aidan Stone made much difference. At times, Slocombe is his own worst enemy and does make mistakes, but it's not through a lack of effort. The same could be applied to Stone. I would imagine even Brooks if he were to get a chance, I mean when he filled in for us last season. I've been hearing some utter nonsense spoken about him. I'm getting pretty sick of it, because keepers have the hardest job on the pitch. Once we started moving the ball better, we did look a lot happier defensively and I may need to correct that the switch of keepers may have given us a bit more comfort moving forward because Stone is very good with controlling and passing. Dan Crowley was outstanding; he was the true Man of the Match. Jodi Jones did incredibly well, but Crowley, he's such an important part of what makes us work so well when it comes to breaking teams down. Jodi's brilliance is relied upon in various times, and although he played exceptionally well, I do feel it was second to Crowley.