RetroPie

He was a fearless boxer who let his performances in the ring speak for him instead of using words. He was a genuine and worthy boxing champion. Rest in peace, Ricky Hatton.

I think Martin Paterson needs to get the players moving more to create space. We are playing too slowly and his results so far have been underwhelming. I do believe we should try to support him, but at the same time someone with more experience might have handled the fixtures better. I like that he makes changes during games to try to improve things. I also like that he keeps the squad mostly settled and does not seem to favour certain players. The main problems seem to be preparation and getting consistent performances from the team. I am not sure why he brought on Tyreese Hall. I have not seen enough of him, but I felt we had better options. I no longer listen to Paterson after games and instead choose to read his comments or watch them later.

I agree that the club sometimes handles matters well behind the scenes. The squad should be respected and players often want to move on when it feels like they have reached their limit here. Many want to win promotion and test themselves at the highest level. The Jatta situation is anyone’s guess, but it did seem there was something to it and it was dealt with quietly and effectively.

I thought Jodi Jones was the only player who looked lively and wanted to change the result. Passing backwards cost us too much. Even with two strikers, we made no progress without direct runs into space and Gillingham were able to control the game. I felt that despite the 1-0 scoreline, both teams were poor in front of goal. Jodi gets my vote.

Matt Dennis is a useful part of the Notts squad. He might find it harder on his own, but when he plays alongside another striker, like Alassana Jatta, it gives us a strong attacking option. They’re different types of players, but they work well together. Their styles seem to match nicely, and that helps the team create more chances. There’s no reason why Dennis can’t go on to score over twenty goals. His calm attitude and focus will be important if he wants to reach that target.

The main positive from this match is how we responded to adversity. We were second best at times in the first half, and Tranmere’s goal was poor to concede. But instead of heads dropping, the players reacted strongly. The build-up for the equaliser was excellent, with Jones and Iorpenda linking up well before Dennis finished. Gordon then showed composure that we have not always had in front of goal. I also noticed Paterson’s tactical tweaks helped, as we pressed higher in the second half. The last ten minutes were nervy, but McDonald and Aljofree defended with focus. It felt like the team showed a bit more maturity here, which could be a turning point.

You can tell Paterson isn’t getting carried away. No bold claims, just straight talk. The line about “one swallow doesn’t make a summer” is exactly what some fans need to hear too. We’ve had good starts before that didn’t last, this time, it needs to be built on something more solid. Let’s give him time and see where this leads. Good start, though.

Rod McDonald seems to be one of those players fans often overlook. Alongside Lewis Macari and Lucas Ness, he adds depth to the defence, which should help keep things steady at the back. With these options, we’ll be able to rest key players, deal with any injuries, and give someone a break during busy spells. That kind of cover is really useful over a long season. He seems like a level-headed bloke, so I hope he gets a fair chance and does well.

It looks really nice, and it’s got proper Nottingham colours too. Even though it’s not something I’d buy for myself, I can imagine loads of fans getting one. It should be a big hit on away days, with people wanting to show their support. Notts have been bringing out some great kits over the years, and they’ve done well with changing things up for the away shirts. It’s good to see something different each season, and I think they’ve made smart choices with the designs. I’d really love to see them go with a yellow kit again. It’s been ages since we had one, and it would be brilliant to see it make a comeback. Hopefully it happens while I’m still around to enjoy it. I’m excited to see what they’ve done with the home shirt. Just hoping I’ve not jinxed it by saying that. Fingers crossed it’s another good one.

Welcome to Meadow Lane, Harry. Hopefully, when your moment comes, you'll be ready to take it. I’m sure you’ll learn a lot during your time with Notts and grow into the role.

It’s a tough one to take. Bass didn’t just pull off big saves, he played a huge part in how we moved the ball from the back. His calmness and passing gave us so much control in games. I was hoping he’d stay at least another season, especially with how well things were shaping up. Still, you’ve got to respect the move. It’s a big step for him at an exciting point in his career, and to have all this happen over his wedding weekend is quite something. Best of luck to him in the next chapter.

This one stings. Bass wasn’t just a great shot-stopper, he was brilliant with his distribution too, and you could tell how much he improved our build-up play. I’m glad the club held firm for a high valuation, but I really thought he’d be here for at least another season. Fair play to him though, big move, new challenge, and on his wedding weekend too. Talk about timing! Wishing him the very best.

Andy Edwards should be the assistant. It feels like the sort of help Stuart Maynard should have had when he was here. I’m not sure this is the best choice we could have made. Still, I’m glad that Sam Slocombe is staying on as a coach. Let’s just hope Martin Paterson doesn’t think it’s going to be a walk in the park and puts in the work to get the results we need.

Sam Slocombe joining the coaching staff is a great move. He’s got the respect of the players and clearly loves the club. Seeing him move from the pitch into a coaching role keeps continuity, which is often overlooked in rebuilds. Plus, he’s already shown coaching potential when filling in last season. Excited to see what he can bring in a full-time capacity now.

It’ll probably be someone who’s either young and not played much, or someone older who’s okay with being second choice. That’s usually how these things go. I’m not sure who’s available on a free, but judging by how Notts have gone about signings before, I reckon they’ll look for someone aged 28 or older. That way they get a bit of experience in the squad. Even so, I wouldn’t mind seeing a young lad get a chance, if he’s good enough, then let him prove it.

I hope you had a great birthday, @Fan of Big Tone.

The worst thing about heatwaves is having to go out in them. Everything feels more stressful than it should. Drivers seem to lose all sense, racing around like they’re in a rush to nowhere. It makes the roads feel unsafe. People get short-tempered too. It’s like the heat boils over and no one has much patience. There’s not much calm when it’s this hot. It makes the day feel noisy and unsettled. You just want to get back indoors and shut it all out.

It looks like Steffen Højer is becoming a real option. Right now, he seems a much more likely choice than bringing Luke Williams back. Højer’s work with young players might be a key part of it. It could explain why the club is shaping the coaching setup the way it is.

Congratulations to David McGoldrick and Alassana Jatta. It’s great to see them achieve this, really proud of what they’ve done.

There’s a heat warning in place across the UK. Hopefully everyone takes care and keeps cool to stay safe in this weather.

A warm welcome to Nimesh Patel. It could be a good time to take another look at how the academy is set up. Some changes might help more young players make the step up to the first team.

I’m truly thrilled about Ollie Norburn's potential contribution to the squad. His ability to handle pressure and maintain ball control is exactly what Notts requires. However, I share the apprehension some of you have regarding his past injuries. Maintaining his fitness will be crucial, and I trust that our new member of the staff Dr. Rhodes will be instrumental in ensuring Ollie’s longevity on the field. With Matt Palmer and Scott Robertson also vying for a spot, competition will certainly be fierce. This could very well push the entire squad to up their game. It’s an exciting addition, but I’ll keep a cautious optimism until we see him consistently perform week in, week out.

Brilliant responses, and no worries @Chris. It's an easy mistake, and I thank you for sharing the discussion on social media. I hope it gets more exposure and we see more replies from fans. To follow up on @John Wardle, I agree. League Two teams won't know much about them, but our squad's depth gives us the advantage of being able to throw in different players who could make an impact. This is a benefit of good recruitment and having a strong squad where all players have a chance to make an impact in the starting 11.

I would be inclined to agree that the earlier signings were a mixture of what we could attract at the time and the newly appointed staff members and board learning the process. The recruitment at Notts right now means we are able to sell players and not always offload them for free or mutually agreeing their releases. Though this is an area I would like to see reduced given more time.

The club's current owners have been around for almost six seasons now. We all know how much the Reedtz brothers have restored pride in the club, attracted new fans, and invested in all the right areas. What are your thoughts on their recruitment from their first season to now? Obviously, they didn't have much time to work at the beginning with the takeover stalling and how quickly the club had to prepare. We also don't know how many of the signings brought into the club were Neil Ardley's focus or the board's. Some, on paper, look more like Ardley's type of player to me. We can single out where signings have failed and praise where they have succeeded. But, as a whole, I think the club is recruiting a lot more efficiently. I also believe the Reedtz brothers are largely responsible for attracting players who want to play for the club because of the environment they have built and nurtured over time. I await your thoughts on this before I share my own in detail.