Chris

I am not all that impressed with Doncaster; they are a team that likes to bully others and be physical. They tended to lack any real threat, but do have players who can hold the ball. I can see them trying to keep the game slow, time-wasting, and just trying to frustrate Notts. Whatever the outcome, we just need to be smart and hold our own. I am impressed with our midfield; I think, with the injuries, we are light in the attacking department, but Dan Kanu will help with this. I hope the referee stamps his authority from the start and doesn't allow silly challenges from either club, though I do think Doncaster will be physical. The ground is nothing special, quite soulless, but Notts always manages to take it over even when things aren't going to plan. I'm looking forward to seeing the game live; I just hope we are more alert at the back and don't press off or push up when they are on the ball, because we tend to leave space that I think they will be able to exploit. James Belshaw kept shouting on Saturday to push up and get out of the penalty area, and this led to the same issue. We don't defend certain balls behind us very well, which makes creating chances easy. I think it will be a tight win for us, even if it ends 2-0, because they will have chances due to height and their wingers.

Very good signing for me, but we will need to figure out how to rotate enough so he gets the game time needed. Much like Luka Smyth needing time to get match sharp, I think we need to be patient with Dan Kanu. I think he will make a positive difference, and now that we have another option up top, at least we can try to avoid starting games too defensively, though I can appreciate that we have players who can give their all and try. Kanu will be a big blessing, and I hope he can prove he's a good talent at this level.

My brother and his family came over so we could give birthday presents to my niece belatedly; it was nice to see them. We don't see much of them now that they live in Derby, but it's always good to catch up with her and my nephew Harry. I'm tempted to talk Jake into going to see Super today, but with me going yesterday and Donny tomorrow I don't want to overdo it. I will give him a call later; I must have been on the phone to him for over two hours last night (not that I mind). It's nice to let him talk, be put on hold, have the call terminated, and still manage to pick up from where we left. 😁

Well, I managed to go to see Super. Jake didn't go, but I understand that he doesn't like thunderstorms. It almost looked like I would get away with it, but it did in the end. It was that loud it reminded me of my grandparents saying, "God's moving his furniture." It was nice to catch up with him, but when it stopped raining around 5ish I made a quick exit to go home. No rain, but plenty of thunder quite loud. Other than that, I have been trying to deal with someone very inconsiderate, who called me brother more times than Hulk Hogan said it in a promo.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I know I had some pre-judgement/concerns going into the game, but I felt he was very natural. I overheard a small group of fans suggesting his performance was too "safe" and "casual"; I think that is quite harsh. On your debut you want things to go well; you want the team to know you are capable and reliable. I don't think his performances warranted harsh criticism, but some would have more focus on things. On the ball he was calm, got stuck in and looked naturally at home in midfield. He looked very calm, and his passing was neat and tidy. Some of the sprayed-out balls to the wider areas made me realise what Newcastle United see in him. Defensively, he had no fear and looked like a very established player. Would he have had a training session? Newcastle broke the news before Notts even did, but I think he looked well at home in midfield. As far as baseline performances go, you want someone who can give a strong impression and that isn't to be overlooked by someone who is safe or calm on the ball. We admire Matt Palmer for this exact reason, so I was delighted for him. He looks excellent, and I think he will be more than a rotational player or backup, which was my concern upon the news.

I feel sorry for Jatta, but maybe if this doesn't work his silly agent will be given the push? It's going to be tough for Casa Pia, and hopefully not all games will see them so easily outplayed. They do have a young squad and some very good players, but that doesn't mean it transpires into a good team.

Chris looks so much different from what he used to be, but what a great photo of two former great Notts men. I wish them both well with their careers, and if they choose to remain in football or hang up coaching.

I'm trying to talk Jake into coming with me to see Super; my back is still hurting from yesterday, and there are days when I have been busy, that the following day my walking is impacted. I know that he doesn't like thunderstorms, but he has been putting it off and making excuses for the past week or so. I woke him up at about half past one, but he's only just turned out of bed. I remember how difficult life was when I was his age. 😂 Not only did I have a full-time job, but Jake was two years old and I helped Granny with her work. Plus, Granny wouldn't let me for a moment do nothing or stay up late. Sorry, son, but you need to see the funny side of this. 😉

Standard might not be the highest in terms of quality, or the goal I set for pre-season but please consider sending me a private message. Yet there is still a lot of quality, effort and good reasons to be proud of being part of a community like PON. I am going to close and pin this. I know some have made comments in the past, but fresh testimonials are always a good thing. @menzinho, @theAnticlough, @Michael D Pie., @StarkMallard, @liampie.

I don't think he would want to come and sit on the bench, so that is a positive for me. He's a good prospect, who only has a year remaining on his current deal, I believe, and he looks to be the Lucas Ness/Lewis Macari type of player we bring in with the mindset of potentially striking a more permanent deal. He did well for Walsall and is quite quick, so he would offer us something different during our injury concerns and worries over Luka Smyths match fitness. I don't think he seems to be falling out of favour with Charlton as they stick him out on loan. I don't think it's them wanting to prove him, but rather not doing anything and releasing some of the wages. This is just my opinion, but I think League One is the level at which you want a player like Dan Kanu to be tested. This is why I felt surprised that he actually went to Walsall, who are a decent team but very Jekyll and Hyde.

Birmingham City 1-1 Southampton Swansea City 2-0 Watford Bromley 0-1 Leyton Orient Huddersfield Town 3-1 Oxford United Joker Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday Chesterfield 2-0 Gillingham Exeter City 0-1 Barnet Northampton Town 0-0 Crawley Town

Burton played very well in the first half, but we only really looked lively on the break. Our counter-attack this season is looking excellent, I feel, and, whilst yesterday in the first half it might not have been perfect, it was still promising. Hindolo Mustapha looked awkward leading the line, but I actually said around the 30‑minute mark to my son that I would leave him on but bring on Luka Smyth. I think our injuries made Martin Paterson too defensive, with no real grit in attack. We certainly had chances, but nothing was made to really threaten what looked to be a very poor goalkeeper. I would say that the changes and introduction of Conor Grant massively helped us slow down when trying to create chances in the second half. I think it's always difficult to play a pressing team like Burton; they looked very good until the second half. Their fans might as well not have attended if all they could do was sing that Notts’ support is crap after they scored, and a few chants here and there. Very deluded supporter base, as there was a lot of banging on Facebook about having more history than us in one of those god-awful banter groups. Fair play: if you try but don't come visit a much more historic club and act like poor losers when the game doesn't go your way, they are supposed to be fans, not windchimes. James Gibbons I felt played very well, he looked more at home supporting Nick Tsaroulla too. Cal Roberts looked good on the ball; in the first half he seemed like our only real outlet, but I felt disgusted by Burton's clinical challenges on him and several others. Sulyman Krubally looks useful if you want someone who can convince naive officials that you are being fouled all the time. He looked like he had no feet at times! Very poor, and one of the handful of players I think were lucky to only get a yellow card. If he stayed on, I am certain he would have gone too. There's a conversation to be had about referees who act intimidated toward players and don't wave them on when they should. Only the captain is supposed to confront the officials, yet we are seeing this happen a lot. It's also not about gender, but ability and failure to control a game. I think we were lucky that the penalty was given; I think it was, but at the same time I think it was soft. The slow officiating really hurt the game yesterday, the lack of counting down from 5 when Burton were time-wasting at 1-0. Not spraying or walking the yards until remembering the spray existed very late into the game. Our first half was poor, but partly due to how we were set up and just how much Burton came at us wanting to prove a point. Rory Finneran had a great debut and really impressed me. There were complaints about his age and lack of game time before the match, and I must admit it seemed to me like one of those gamble loans, but this one looks very good and promising.

Rory Finneran got my vote; he was superb from start to finish and very composed throughout the game, well beyond his age. James Gibbons played very well at the back, and I think prior to Cal Roberts going off he would have been in the running. Luka Smyth did brilliantly, but his goals are what I feel are earning him the praise. He was unlucky at times and certainly still didn't look match-fit, but he gave his all. Without him we wouldn't have won, but that, for me, doesn't match his whole performance compared to others. 1–0 down we could have easily fizzled and allowed the game to get out of our hands; James Belshaw turned into a mardy Roy Carroll. While I like a commanding keeper, he's not without fault for the goal we conceded, and his slow reaction to a header I feel should have been saved. It wasn't direct like Smyths; it was actually very poor defending and goalkeeping. Hindolo Mustapha just didn't work as a striker, but he dropped back into midfield after we allowed Smyth to come on. Also, there is no calmness without Conor Grant, who massively helped us to take a more practical stance at attacking Burton. How many times did we rush our play prior to him coming on? Solid team performance, but credit where it's due, I feel.

Afternoon, everyone. The thunderstorm that happened nearby removed the need to have the lights on. It was very bright and consistent. It was amusing watching my CCTV footage, as delivery and food drivers acted as if they had to use whatever they took as protection over their heads. It's quite an overreaction, but I understand that people don't like thunder and lightning. I'm not sure how food would protect anyone, though. I went to my follow-up medical review today; my meds are being decreased, but I am hoping for a different painkiller. There must be another option without so many side effects. The positive thing is that I feel the weight loss is going well, but I am still concerned about certain aspects. It's what it is, and I am not worrying about it, but I am mindful. I'm more focused on. @super_ram.

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