The Heff

I’ve done some sightseeing myself during the free time between matches on this short tour of Germany. It’s been a good chance to explore a bit while we’re here. It’s also my first time watching German football, and it feels like a whole different culture. The atmosphere and style are quite something. I’ve chatted with a few fans from German clubs too. They were all very friendly and knew a lot about their teams, which was great to see. Visiting places nearby has made the trip even better. It’s given me more to enjoy outside the football. The photos you shared are nice, some great views and moments in there.

Getting Championship clubs to Meadow Lane, or arranging friendlies at their grounds, is never easy. It depends on their pre-season plans and how much they want a competitive test. It would be great to attract a few though. German football is treated very seriously. Their approach is about discipline, with every player expected to defend and attack. It’s quite different to how we play, with our game working more in phases and structure. The last two friendlies were useful. They gave a clear view of who’s coming along well and who might still need more time. These games aren’t just for fitness, they can show real progress. I think this upcoming match will be tighter. It’s my first proper look at German football, and it’s not bad at all, so long as you’re not expecting miracles. I respect how Martin Paterson treats each game properly. That said, he should also use it to learn just how far apart we are from some of these sides. It’ll be a lesson, not just a test. It’s shaping up to be an interesting match. I reckon we’ll learn a fair bit more about the team and where we’re heading.

I wouldn’t change anything. I’d just love to see Jimmy Sirrel lead Notts into the old First Division. That would be a moment worth watching again. Even the early 90s would be a great time to go back to. There was something special about football then, and Notts were holding their own. The only real success I’ve seen is the 2009 League Two win and our National League Play-Off victory. Getting back into the EFL was a huge moment.

That’s something I really admire about PON. There’s always a feature tucked away that you might not have noticed before, but it’s there if you choose to use it. It makes the site feel rich and full of useful bits. The status feature sounds like a solid addition for the community. It could help bring members closer, let them share more, and make it easier to understand each other.

I like how Paterson didn’t sugar-coat anything but also didn’t throw the players under the bus. Admitting the shape changes didn’t work and pointing out where we were too passive shows he’s thinking things through properly. I’d rather see that than meaningless praise. If we’re fitter and sharper when it counts, this loss doesn’t matter at all. Still early doors but sounds promising.

Thanks for writing this, it’ll be handy for the next two matches. I really appreciate it. I’m hoping to meet a few Notts fans before kick-off tomorrow. It’s always nice to have a chat before the game. If anyone’s going to all three matches and is on PON, I’ll keep an eye out for you. It’d be good to say hello.

It’s not bad, really. I might start to like it more over time. It’s got a bit of a different look. I’m not saying I hate green football shirts, I just don’t always think they look great. But in the photos, this one seems alright. I reckon it’ll look better when I see it for real. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the home shirt is a good one.

I've got mixed feelings about this transfer. On one hand, we're losing a very solid keeper who has performed consistently week-in, week-out. Over the last season, Bass was crucial in pulling us through tough matches, making saves most keepers wouldn’t get near. On the other hand, if the fee is indeed substantial, it could open doors for reinvestment across the pitch, not just between the sticks. But it all hinges on how effectively the club uses this transfer money, there’s no point earning a decent sum if it's not put back into strengthening properly. Interested to see what moves follow this departure.

Notts will likely share some news and show pictures of it. I saw that I could pick the standing area when choosing a seat. It didn’t really say how many spots are in that bit, but it’ll be interesting to see if it’s open for the Cardiff friendly. Has anyone gone for their season ticket in the standing section?

That’s really serious. A fractured skull could’ve ended his whole career, especially as a defender who has to head the ball and go into tough challenges. It’s great he’s still playing. That shows a lot of strength and bravery. If he keeps going like this, he might be a really good player for Shrewsbury Town. Bradford Telegraph and ArgusBantams defender ready to get ahead again after fractured...BRADFORD City centre half Sam Stubbs is back with a clean bill of health after recovering from the fractured skull that ended his season early.

Hello, @Ash. You will fit in perfectly well with PON, it's a good site and very friendly. Welcome!

Edwards is a really smart addition. His work with England youth setups means he’s got an eye for talent and development. That could help us massively with bringing through younger players and building a squad with long-term potential. Also good to have someone with experience of pressure situations at Leyton Orient. He won’t be fazed by the EFL grind.

Luke Williams must have a strong work ethic if he’s taken a job at the airport. Fair play to him for getting stuck in. I do hope he thinks about coming back to football, though. He’s got what it takes to be a good manager. His move to Swansea City felt rushed, even if it made sense at the time. It reminds me a bit of Ian Burchnall. You learn more by building experience and staying at the level where you're already settled. Some people think it’s like managing on Football Manager, but Williams is handling things well in his own way.

I wouldn’t throw money into buying a football club, but I’d happily support one like Notts as a private investor. If I couldn’t stay out of the public eye, I’d stick to being a shirt sponsor or help out in other ways. I understand how being closely involved can change how you see the game.

Well done to Alassana Jatta and David McGoldrick. This really is something special. It shows just how important both of them were to our season last year.

Would the club really take this long if they'd already made the decision after the AFC Wimbledon match to part ways with Stuart Maynard? It seems likely the board knew what they were going to do before the game, depending on the result. It wouldn’t make much sense to wait this long for someone who’s out of work. That’s why it feels more likely that the new head coach is still under contract elsewhere. If that’s the case, I’d like it to be Steffen Højer. I was hoping for someone with experience at this level, but managing Denmark’s under-21s suggests he knows what he’s doing. There must be something about him.

I could see the potential, but I never rated him at Notts. He never really stood out, and I always thought he needed to build up his strength or add some muscle. Maybe Carlisle don’t see him as the right fit for the National League, or perhaps Will doesn’t want to go back. If they had stayed in League Two, I think he would still be part of their squad.

I’m planning to make it to the games. I have two friends who enjoy German football and often go to lower-tier matches just for the experience. They watch a lot of European football in Luxembourg, Belgium, and Switzerland. I’m really keen to join in and see what it’s like following a team across three different regions of Germany.

I’m not too worried about his injury history, it looks like a solid signing for us. His future at the club will depend on how he performs, and I’m happy to give him a chance. Hopefully, the club has brought in a player eager to contribute to success, rather than someone on a downward path. If Ollie Norburn gets going, he’ll be a key figure in pushing Notts forward and strengthening the squad.

It’s a fantastic design and a great throwback to the past. These shirts will sell fast and be just as popular as the first batch was. I’m seriously tempted to get one.

I feel more confident about the signing knowing he has performed well before and has goals in him. I don’t put too much weight on players being released, as there are many possible reasons, whether the club couldn’t afford to keep him, he wanted a change, or he didn’t fit their system. That doesn’t mean he will or won’t suit us, but time will tell. For now, I’m happy with the signing.

Notts are taking a gamble, but there’s no reason it can’t pay off. Some fans on social media are complaining about his injury, but we signed him knowing he was recovering and would soon be back in full training. You can’t judge a player on past injuries alone, you have to see how they settle in. As a midfielder, he’s exactly the kind of signing we’ve needed. For all we know, he could start as an impact sub until he regains full fitness and sharpness.

Will Jarvis is proving to be a brilliant signing for the club. He has a sharp eye for goal, and with time, he could become an even bigger influence on the pitch. His display against MK Dons was outstanding, and their players could take a lesson or two from him. That goal of his was simply fantastic, and beyond that, his overall performance was stellar.

First and foremost, it was a fantastic team performance. However, my vote had to go to Charlie Whitaker. Highlighting individual standouts after the event wouldn't be fair to the team, so I'll simply commend Whitaker for elevating his game to a whole new level.

Platt’s attitude is exactly what we need in this squad. He’s not getting carried away, just focused on the next game and keeping things tight at the back. His point about clean sheets being the foundation for success is spot on. We know we’ve got the attacking talent to score goals, so keeping solid at the back will make the difference in the promotion race.