Chris

Remember, when he joined, he was asked how he would fare with the cold weather of England, and he said that his previous time elsewhere would help. Clearly, the bitterness and cold of the United Kingdom are to blame here. 😂 Whereas Lucas Ness kept popping up, looking like a striker at times, just without the clinical finishing.

Tom Savage has never been more remembered than he is now, at any point in his life, with his legacy connecting two great clubs and forming the foundation of the friendship between us and Juventus. The work done by various people to further his legacy means he will be remembered for many, many more years. One simple act has helped preserve his name throughout history, that might otherwise have been forgotten to time.

I really don't know how Salford are getting away with spending so much; they sacked their manager after losing to us and claimed it was due to budgeting their finances, but then went on to sign Macalay Langstaff for a silly fee at League Two level, on wages rumoured to be the same as what Millwall paid him. Seeing them continue to throw money at League Two, as if they are a big club, makes me feel annoyed. I hope Barnet continue to do well, as they are the complete opposite of Salford.

I have seen Harry Isted a number of times, and from his performance yesterday I would say he could be a useful backup. I haven't seen him perform to that standard, though he looked unbeatable until the fog came in, and our opening goal was just an excellent set piece. There have been times when I felt he looked like a very poor keeper, but that was when he was younger. At 29, he should have more experience, but part of me wonders if we would be better off loaning out Harry Griffiths instead of giving up on him and signing someone similar to Isted. Griffiths may well be someone for the future, but we are failing to push him, and the experience a young keeper needs; he simply isn't getting it here.

Harry Isted had a great game, one of his best performances by all accounts. It was also good to see Tom Crawford working his magic; he really should be back in League Two. Not the straightforward game, but credit to the home team more than ourselves; winning on penalties is great, but their performance warranted the result for me.

I don't think the assistants would have been able to see it, but it's clear that the referee wanted the game to continue, and it is at his discretion as to what happens. For the earlier part of the fog, the players would have had a much better visual sight of the play than those in the stands or at home. Had a yellow or orange ball been used, that would have helped, though I think we can count ourselves lucky that it was allowed to be played on. We'd have been lost without the fog, I think, in my opinion. Calling the game off wouldn't have been helpful for us either, despite how dangerous the situation had become. I have been at games where it snowed, and they weren’t called off far worse than this. Mind, I did have flashes of Mansfield at home some years ago with Adam Collin in goal that did get postponed.

He works hard and has played well for us when he's come on this season during games that have been difficult. Two home games stand out as good performances by him, with the departing player not always having given their best. That said, I think we have signed players who will be ahead of him, and when we did play him I did wonder if he was being given the nod because of how long he had been with us. I wish him well, as I do think that at this level we need players who can score and not just work hard. We have quite a few workhorses, so the wider areas just need that little bit extra quality.

Just a note: the fog is thick, but the players will be able to see better than the cameras capture. That said, I still don't understand why the officials haven't switched to an orange ball. Nothing can disguise how poor we have been at the back; we can't defend those key moments, and when a good save fails to retain the ball, we are punished. Altrinham have done very well so far; good performance by them.

Prior to my break and absence from games due to that, I didn't think Notts played to Daniel Kanu's strengths. I don't think, as an lone striker, it gets the best out of him, so I would find it difficult to select him in our traditional starting formation based on that. On paper, statistically our strongest team would be different from what I would personally choose. Statistically the strongest XI: GK James Belshaw RWB Nick Tsaroulla RCB James Gibbons CB Lucas Ness LCB Jacob Bedeau LWB Ishé Samuels-Smith RM Callum Roberts CM Rory Finneran CM Scott Robertson LM Ollie Cooper ST Daniel Kanu However, I think Ishé Samuels-Smith, Scott Robertson and Daniel Kanu would be replaced in my personal choice. Rosaire Longelo, Jack Evans, and Luka Smyth would come in. I think a fit Emile Acquah could make a strong contention, with Danny Kanu being an option if we were to play two up top. Matt Palmer and Max Sanders are additional optional choices for Jack Evans. I am a big admirer of what Palmer brings; he's becoming underrated by areas of our support, but Evans gives us a bit more defensive cover. Which is exactly what Sanders offers, but I do like the options Martin Patterson has, and he's far more knowledgeable than I am.

We're going to buy a new one; an electrician friend has suggested this would be easier, considering how old his current one is and the likelihood that it's the heating element. Nobody seems to want to touch them, so the best option is to find a new one. I went round earlier today to see him and passed on everyone's comments to him. Jake came with me, and we bought him fishcakes, chips and peas, which he seemed to enjoy. Jake had the same as me; I had a cheeseburger with chips. We both hope you are doing better, Tone. Super did ask me about your eye. When he behaves, he can be quite himself, but it's getting him to listen. 😁😂

Shall we all club together? I think a castle could do us quite nicely. It beats PON towers! Who wants to live in a tower when you can live in a castle?

My first teacher, Mrs Green, was elderly. I had her for about a week or two, and then one day we were told she had died. I remember feeling saddened because, in that small time, she made a big impression; she would read stories before school ended, and it wasn't always picture books but stories that made you think. They had issues replacing her, and we were made to sit watching films on tapes for a couple of days. I can remember feeling more confused and hurt. One of them became a favourite of mine, "The Land Before Time." It was a bit messed up, because Littlefoot’s mum dies in, and I can remember balling my eyes out. I can't imagine a worse thing to show a group of young, impressionable children straight out of nursery. Though it does make me think of Mrs Green and how she came across as a grandmother to us, even in such a short space of time. Sadly, I found every teacher, until I moved, to be ignorant. I have enjoyed reading people's accounts of their school days, even if some of you don't have fond memories, they are part of what made you who you are today.

There were a lot of people performing surprising roles during the Second World War. All deserve to be remembered, and the stories are fascinating. Horrible to read that she was killed by someone she knew, but it is a great story.

A lot of brave souls, who deserve to be remembered and lost to time. It reminds me of a film I came across on YouTube, starring Kirsten Dunst in which she goes back in time and lives through the events of being captured and held by the Nazi troops. I find these well-replicated films hard to watch and deeply upsetting. The time travel might be a 'Hollywood spin' but the story behind it is one that a lot of younger people today should watch. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0179148/

I think the standard of players we have is the main takeaway, as we have had them before, but usually some are on loan and others not quite established themselves as regular starters. It's great to see Nick Tsaroulla for example, getting the call-ups he deserves, as he should have been playing for Cyprus well before signing for us. Also, I know Daniel Kanu and Rory Finneran are loanees, but again the standard they represent is a factor of their quality. Darius Lipsiuc has been a superb addition to our squad; on paper some might have thought he would be overlooked, but in any case he's proving that he's a talented player with a bright future.