Chris

I don't care who or where we play; I just look forward to a real competitive cup run. I always feel disappointed when we exit early; we used to have that grit to go further in the rounds, and the money’s good, especially at the stages where a big club may come to Meadow Lane. The League Cup, I care little about and understand that fans would rather focus on consolidating our League One status, but sod it. We have a good squad, highly capable of competing in this league, provided we work hard, support the lads as fans, and avoid weakening ourselves. A cup run could be a great chance to bring fringe players into the first-team harmony.

Yesterday, I rushed round to my dad's as I had planned to go, but he said that his fire wouldn't turn on. He said that he felt cold, so I went round and, unfortunately, it looks like he needs it serviced. Due to it being electric, Cheeky is experiencing issues locating someone who can do this. In the meantime, I rushed back home between popping to the shop for Super so that I could bring back a portable radiator to heat his room. I had forgotten all about the prediction league, but I felt pleased when Kate said that Dad had remembered. Last season, he was constantly reminding me, please repeat this @super_ram. ❤️ Once sorted, we waited for a nearby chippy to deliver us some food. I am very sorry; I still haven't felt great or had much free time. I know people care about us, especially the false county fan who supports us more than the Rams. I just wanted to update you all: happy Halloween, everyone! I hope Super has taken his mask off by now; wearing one of his fleece hoodies, he looks like a traitor. 😂

Last season I was encouraged by this game; it's something I have missed, but since promotion I think it's become overhyped. Notts have the chance to prove they have learned something from previous encounters, and in the years we haven't played them. Mansfield are a good side, tough but not unbeatable. Usually, they win either because we don't turn up or don't want the win enough. I don't care about political correctness; it's a game we should be winning, even if we are considered the underdogs. That said, games like this are what you would class as taking the point and moving on to other sides. We were playing them, which means little. Our form has improved from what had fans scared that relegation was looming; it's a long season, but a good performance here could be our making. I just hope since we are the visitors, we end up taking all the treats.

Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Bristol City West Ham United 1-1 West Bromwich Albion Wigan Athletic 3-1 Bromley Joker Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Burton Albion Fleetwood Town 0-0 Bristol Rovers Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Gillingham Barrow 1-0 Eastleigh Tamworth 0-1 Woking

Just checking in as I go over some of the bugs that have crept in. I had a wonderful week away at Skegness with my family; we loved every minute that gave us some much-needed quality time with Super. We came back on Sunday, earlier than normal because the weather was quite rainy and the wind was strong. It wasn't fair to Super to hang around longer, just for him to get cold even though I am sure he would have liked to stay longer. It just made more sense to come back. I'm not glossing over the previous exchange, and I will find time to properly read them all. Since coming back, I have been struck with phlegm and flu-type symptoms. It's making me feel quite down, as I would like to go and see Super to check in on him.

Lincoln 0-1 Burnley QPR 2-1 Swansea Blackpool 1-0 Mansfield Bromley 1-3 Peterborough Joker Chesterfield 2-0 Crewe Rochdale 0-0 Accrington Southend 2-0 Halifax Yeovil 1-1 Altrincham

It shows the level of determination by the French league to penalise Bordeaux to a standard some leagues are afraid of. I highly doubt Manchester City will face such sanctions or punishment; they will most likely be docked points and given a transfer ban. All the excuses that they have generated money for the country, etc. They need to be treated more severely than the French have in this case.

@Fan of Big Tone: I hope it recovers quickly; I often sprain mine while I sleep, but it's better than dislocating them, believe me. Still, it’s unpleasant when your wrists nag you while you are trying to do things. It feels like a while since I have communicated here, though I am trying to find the time. Things are okay, and I am hoping to have a wonderful week with Super and my family. I am looking forward to the time together, but at the same time I keep reminding myself to make the most of it. In other news, I have been picking up some small custom work, which again takes me away from here, but it helps to keep the site up.

Do you usually do anything for Halloween? Do you give out sweets to local children who come knocking at your door? Do you enjoy watching horror films at this time of year? Halloween is a time of the year I actually enjoy, and, whilst I used to be against trick-or-treating, I do feel that it brings a sense of community. A lot of the children these days are thankful and polite, whereas in my generation it was quite rough and I don't think it was appreciated like it is now. I look forward to watching spooky and creepy films, and we always tend to watch Hocus Pocus as it's a family favourite. What about you? Don't be put off sharing if you feel like a grinch; all perspectives are interesting to see.

Thanks, @Piethagoram. I'm keeping tabs on him; he's a promising talent who has looked good for us when given chance.

Imagine scoring a very "gifted" goal and then running to the opposition crowd, who are the home team, and starting arrogantly with silent gestures, cupping your ears and blowing them kisses. Mark Harris came across as very immature, and one of the worst attitudes from visiting players I have ever seen. It wasn't even a good goal, so that allowance can't buy him any excuses. That said, Oxford United are clearly a good team. I knew they would hit us on the counter and look to use their pace. From Notts' standpoint, we displayed defensive incapability and a certain awkwardness. Jacob Bedeau is at a stage where I would consider dropping him; Rod McDonald can be forgiven somewhat due to his return from a lengthy injury, but even he was extremely poor. Why didn't we switch Lucas Ness into the middle, take off McDonald or Bedeau in favour of putting James Gibbons in the centre as I don't think at this level wider suits him, but he's a good defender. Ishé Samuels-Smith looked like a Sunday league footballer for most of the first half; the left and centre of our defence really weakened and disconnected us from having any real threat going forward. Cal Roberts deserves so much praise for trying to calm the play and for taking on Oxford, well knowing he was going to get clattered because nobody else was looking over their shoulders or where the space opened up. The substitutes helped, though I think persisting until the first half without addressing the back caused the real problems. I understand what Martin Paterson was trying to do; he wanted to give others a chance to come in while protecting those who had been given international caps, but it was the wrong opposition and a very bad call. They are clearly a good side, with a very capable Championship-level squad, and it just made Notts look as if they hadn't trained with each other at all in the first 45 minutes. Conor Grant, for all he tried, just showed why some fans don't think he's good enough. It wasn't his best game, and in hindsight we might have been better off giving Daniel Kanu a strike partner or a closer shadow striker, maybe even Cal Roberts. That said, some fans need to remember we are establishing ourselves and that mistakes like this will be learned from. If we started stronger, a real game could have been had, but unfortunately, Oxford were just way better than Notts.

Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Cardiff City Middlesbrough 0-1 Wolves Joker Huddersfield Town 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday Wycombe Wanderers 0-1 Luton Town Bristol Rovers 1-0 Barnet Cheltenham Town 1-3 Salford City Hornchurch 0-0 Eastleigh Tamworth 0-1 Barrow

I noticed someone had posted on Facebook that Nick Tsaroulla had created an assist for Cyprus; it's great to see him getting selected, and it's a good thing for his development. Playing on the international stage is great experience, even at 27. Pleased to see our other internationals being given a run out too.

Burton Albion 0-3 Huddersfield Town Joker Leyton Orient 1-1 Plymouth Argyle Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Bristol Rovers Gillingham 2-0 Newport County Rochdale 1-2 Swindon Town Eastleigh 0-1 Woking Hartlepool United 2-0 Tamworth Kidderminster Harriers 1-1 Sutton United

Sorry, I hadn't been well the previous week. I feel even more stressed because I almost always have stomach cramps, and the changes to my medication have helped in some regards but not in others. I have a medical appointment at QMC, which hopefully will improve the pain management in the treatment I am receiving. I love reading these discussions, and I hate that I missed Mr D Pie's better half's birthday (belated Birthday wishes). All the updates Tone shared, NottsNutter getting more involved, which is awesome! Piethagoram travels, and of course Mr Dangerous Sausage... The North Remembers Mr @StarkMallard!!!