Chris

@liampie, @CliftonMagpie, as far as I am concerned, all the subscribers are heroes, but it's not just about money. It's about acknowledging people's efforts; so far, Michael has been an unsung hero. I don't want to draw attention, but I felt a thank you was deserved. I don't want to upset people, so I try to make sure praise is collective, though it really is deserved here. It doesn't take anything away from anyone else, nor does it mean I don't appreciate those who can't donate or subscribe, because I do. I'm very thankful for the things I have learned, the friends I have made, and the people who have made PON enjoyable for all.

Hello, I just wanted to share a quick update on the remaining upgrades from the old version of the site. Thanks to the generous support of our donating members, covering the costs has been much easier. A special thanks to @Michael D Pie., someone whose kindness really shines through, not just because they're generous, but because they genuinely care. Those members who know me well will know I don't like singling people out or giving praise, but Michael has been a significant factor in this process, and it's only right to thank him. The + Create button, which was scrapped from v4, has returned as a custom mod. This adds a level of convenience to starting new discussions, among other content, without the need to go to a specific location. It was such a boost when it arrived as a feature and quickly became something noticeably missed since upgrading. While this is a small update, it should help with content in general and starting discussions as we start to move into the pre-season. As previously noted, the upcoming game features enhanced automation of match discussions. I will be spending time ensuring the full fixtures get added, alongside the help of my wife @cheeky~k8. Mood statuses will be returning, with Terabyte informing me recently that he's wrapping up the finishing touches on his app. Our previous footer will return, but unfortunately the dev working with me on that is currently unable to code at this time. I have enquired about the app which gave subscribers a badge; I am hoping to hear back from the dev with regard to that. The bookmark app, which allowed members to safely store content for future reference, will return momentarily. As should the surveillance system for when discussions need to be moderated to avoid things escalating to a point that they shouldn't. Guest limits across the site will be something I hope will return, but I have no ETA on that. I believe limiting guests and encouraging people to register and join in will only benefit the site, and while I will try to make sure guests can gain value from visiting, I would like to give them more reasons to join and become involved. My focus on newsletters was disrupted due to the sudden announcement that v5 was in beta. While I have tried to send bulk messages from the site, I don't think it warrants the effort. Instead, I will be focusing on the list where members have already approved my sending them the newsletter. At a point, I will make sure a subscription widget is added to encourage more to get involved, but when people join a site, they don't always want to receive emails or notifications, which is a shame because it brings them the community aspects, but it's also understandable that people would not want them. Major news will still go out as per normal, but I will be focusing more on a newsletter and encouraging fans to follow areas of the site in order to get email updates. The latest discussion widget from the old site, unfortunately the dev that had been working on its return isn't able to code right now, therefore I have asked another dev to take it on. There's no ETA on this, but it is of the highest priority. Aside from this, there are little things and some new features that I want to add in time. They are as follows: A proper league system. Additional ways of showing upcoming games, fixtures, and results. Squad page, which is more detailed than what I have created. History and stats. Prediction League system. Enhanced member profile picture gallery (upgraded from previous versions). The PONcast player, featuring the inaugural Notts podcast, will make its comeback at a later date. A member page that displays the total content reach, along with historical records on specific dates, featuring additional statistics for members. I would like to thank all the newcomers, returning, and regular members for their support. It is appreciated, and no effort goes unnoticed by me. I couldn't sing our community's praises any more. Thank you, Chris

It's interesting, as I remember reading about it on the official site and a different post other than the one headlined "Pre-season update ℹ️" of Nick Tsaroulla training. So, did I dream this, or has the club actually removed updates??? I can't say I am overly bothered, but it wouldn't be the first time the club has had a knee-jerk reaction to negative updates and the loss of a player, resulting in a media PR tidy up.

The loss of Alex Bass has created a new, more urgent focus for the club because Bass gave us confidence in his all-round abilities as a keeper. I haven't felt as calm or as assured that our keeper could make those defining saves to keep out the opposition as I have with him. The thing about strikers is I believe we need more than two; ideally, we would have four, ensuring they can get game time in different positions. Notts players have a good style, which has a high creation chance, and although last season we did struggle to score at times. I do feel confident in our ability to feed a striker and allow them to grow with confidence; for example, Kyle Wootton learned a lot from coming to us. This experience has given him a platform to go on. Whereas we once struggled with strikers, it now seems like we could put any hard-working striker with a good finishing ability in this position, and he would get goals. Macaulay Langstaff, Alassanna Jatta and David McGoldrick thrive within this type of setup, and their quality always stood out when in form. Sign a solid keeper that will impress and make us forget about the disappointment of Alex Bass moving on; it would allow us to remember his time as an excellent signing. Rather than wishing we had never sold him. Good keepers are out there, but again, just like with management, I think experience is key. Bass's time at AFC Wimbledon showed his quality, and there will be others waiting for that opportunity to be a team's regular starting goalkeeper. An attacking midfielder of proven class, hard-working, and with the potential to score, would be nice. Signings could easily boost morale in the fan base, as could a good start to the season. Excellent blog!

Wait and see, I never report on speculation because often the stories can't be believed, and you just end up spreading rumours. The only exception is discussing them, although in this case I am unsure where the original source got its information. I only learned about this myself from a chat, where someone said that he would be signing tomorrow. I guess we will have to wait and see, though researching it, it sounds like Blackburn Rovers have shown interest in him in the past.

Nottinghamshire LiveSchmeichel on 'mad' season of Munto, Eriksson and private...'Things were happening and I was like 'wow these guys are serious''@Piethagoram: This is a good watch. High PerformanceKASPER SCHMEICHEL — High PerformanceKasper Schmeichel is a Premier League winner with Leicester City, a club where he’s been the No.1 goalkeeper throughout the entirety of his time at King Power Stadium, where he’s also lifted Champi...

Manchester City never received a penny for the transfer fee; they didn't ask for it in the end. Kasper has also been vocal about how he effectively joined on a free transfer. I had the opportunity to serve Russell King several times at my workplace, where he frequently claimed to be of royal descent or at least connected to royalty. He had this fancy gold walking cane that had what looked like rubies and diamonds all over it. He would slam it down as you approached with food, then two big body guards would take the food off you. You weren't treated very friendly, but Sven was always a true gent. Meeting him in person, and the way he would approach me every time he came to dine, changed my thoughts on how the media perceived him.

When I went to Morecambe last season, their ground and facilities impressed me. It's a shame that they are going through so much financial difficulties; hopefully, they find a way to move forward, but I fear without heavy restructuring now, it might lessen the interest from potential buyers. I do hope they manage to find a solution.

After being impressed with how Walsall did last season and how we have a good connection with Stoke City. I would have been tempted to enquire about bringing Tommy Simkin in on loan as a temporary replacement for Alex Bass. I would love for us to go in for a young keeper like Simkin, but I think Stoke will value him at a fee where we might want to invest further throughout the squad. The main areas for me would be the keeper situation and an attacking midfielder. I can understand the calls for Will Jarvis to play in that role, but I also see how immense he can be playing out wide and cutting in. That seems very natural to him, to want to take players on and work his way into striking range. Jodi Jones and Will Jarvis out wide could make life difficult for the opposition, but until Jodi gets his confidence, I think we should allow him to be a super-sub. Maybe we do need to look at someone who can play as an AM/ST.

Yes, this will be a cache issue and a bug relating to new users who do not have a display or custom profile image. It's on my to-do list for improvements. Thank you, @Ash @True Magpie.

Notts had sent through a discount letter, which I used to encourage @GrannyPie and @super_ram to come. We went in the MLSB, which back then reminded me of a very run-down bar you might find at Skegness in the early 90s. It was horrible; the floor was sticky, and the lemonade was awful. Prior to this, I would just go into the ground, but with it being a family occasion, we wanted to have a drink beforehand. I can remember a loudmouth bragging and shouting with his group of friends about how we were going to sign David Beckham. 😂🫣 "We're richer than Manchester City and Chelsea combined." To which I spoke to my family about how scared I was that this would change the club for the worse. I worried the family feel would disappear and more fans who only cared about winning would take over. Due to Notts frequenting where I worked, I managed to stay up-to-date a lot better than most. 🤫 I remember breaking the Sol Campbell signing and being called a liar, and then once it was confirmed, I kept getting people asking me for information. I probably shouldn't have, in hindsight, mentioned Sol, as it could have put my job security in danger, but I was quite pleased that the club was looking to improve. It's due to Sol I knew something wasn't right, and all the antics with Russell King trying to pretend to be more regal than he was, with fake security protection and the bills that weren't paid by him but put on the club's account. I do hope Mr. Hart never saw the light of day with regard to that money.

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest have both shown interest in him, as did AFC Wimbledon prior to them, and it seems like he could be a brilliant keeper in the making. I wish him every chance of enjoying success for us. Everything I am seeing suggests he's "naturally gifted." League Two, as our next first team's number one, could see him flourish with an understudy.

It's a good draw; personally, I am not the biggest fan of how Wigan Athletic have conducted themselves since their Premier League days, but they are a big club. It's going to be a challenge; I just hope they don't play us off the park like Peterborough United did last season and that we can finish the game somewhat respectfully. Whilst there's every chance we could progress, I think it's unlikely at the moment. This and the FA Cup can be a welcome distraction from the league in terms of the stress and grind of promotion. Winning games, especially forming a cup run, can really be a positive thing for a team at our level.

I have started preparing for the season, doing various graphics and starting to obtain the badges, which have changed. Also, I have been writing and playing around with a schedule. Cheeky helped me to be organised for the first part of last season, then I fell out of it, but this time around I am sticking to following it. The server is all updated; everything with regard to that is done as part of my weekly and daily maintenance. My room is quite breezy, but I have noticed the heat has certainly upped since earlier. Between 9-ish and 2-ish it was just really nice, but it's becoming toasty now. I don't plan on doing anything outside, just resting up, but I would like to get around to seeing my dad. Probably Wednesday, as I will need Jake to agree to go with me.

Just as it felt when we signed Alex Bass, Matty Platt and Jacob Bedeau. Losing any of these ahead of a new campaign would feel like it risks the chance of promotion, especially without signing replacements beforehand. Losing Bass today really hits me hard. You build from the back, and the keeper is such an important part. Right now, I am unsure whether we are strong enough to make the playoffs, but we do have plenty of time to correct this.