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Didzy is in the running for the League Two Player of the Month. Good luck to David McGoldrick. No doubt we'll be in support of him earning it. https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2025/february/04/nomination--david-mcgoldrick/

I don't think it should be closed, but it's a narrow road and there are always people walking on one side, which is dangerous, especially at night or in low-vision conditions. Snake Pass has beautiful scenery, so I hope it stays open for cars to enjoy on their route to wherever.

On paper, it looks like a good signing. I don't think it should overshadow the arrival of Will Jarvis, but Mai Traore is still a very good signing for us. Even if he needs time to settle into the club, his speed would be a welcome addition. If he could be a more consistent Enzio-type player, we would have signed a corker for sure.

I just read on the OS that David McGoldrick has been nominated for the Player of the Month award for League Two. His form has been excellent, and I like the comments Stuart Maynard made about him. It's a good insight into what he's like. We see what he does on the pitch, but it reveals dedication off it.

That's not a football stand, it's a mini power plant. It looks like a real eyesore; I have to squint just looking at it. It's the worst design I've seen from any EFL team by far.

He did well for a short time at Rochdale but was terrible for us. I never thought he was good enough for Notts, though I know some people did and that's okay. However, wanting a player back who doesn't score goals, just because he had good form elsewhere, especially when he hasn't maintained that form or goal-scoring prowess, always confused me.

That was a proper battling win! First half, we looked so comfortable, great movement, solid passing, and two well-taken goals. Second half, Gillingham came at us strong, and we had to dig deep. Loved seeing McGoldrick take his chance, his composure makes such a difference up top. Bass had a solid game, and the defence held up well despite the late pressure. Definitely need to manage games better towards the end, but overall, a fantastic away result!

I find this can happen when the owner isn't involved directly and that rules are laid out like law. You will get people who try to bend things, but clearly you were trying to help and it seems very excessive. I would have just left the Discord channel; it wasn't worth your time trying to help them.

It's brilliant to have him back fighting for a place in the starting 11. Curtis Edwards is a good player and can be the one who unlocks the creativity. Sometimes, we rely on players like Dan Crowley, whose ability is above this level, whereas Edwards is quality but more like a jack of all trades. He's just a relentless worker with such a high work rate. Having a player like Edwards, who can contribute in various aspects of the game, is invaluable. His return adds depth to our squad and provides more options for the manager. As we face tough fixtures ahead, his presence and versatility will be a significant asset to the team.

Stuart Maynard is right to be pleased. Carlisle United didn't play all that well, but last season Notts might have dropped at least a point to them. They made Notts work for every inch on the pitch, and it was a touch of class from two players that changed the deadlock. Had the penalty been given, it might have forced the game to be more lively. The officials robbed the game of that, but I won't complain too much because it's important to just get on with it, and I am proud of the Notts players for not arguing with the officials. Their discipline and focus were commendable, and it shows the team's growth and maturity. It's crucial to maintain this attitude and resilience as we move forward in the season.

George Abbott is a good lad, a solid player, and I can only echo the comments about him having a bright future. I wonder if Spurs fans are taking notice of how he's doing, because he could be a big part of their future if they give him the chance to shine. He's a solid footballer, and his flexibility in midfield means he can slot into a defensive or attacking role, which is some feat for a 19-year-old. His ability to adapt to different positions on the field is impressive, and it shows his football intelligence and versatility. If he continues to develop at this rate, he could become a key player for any team he joins in the future.

I don't think the blip was due to the defence, but rather the injuries and a bit of poor tactics because we didn't have a full squad to select from. We have done brilliantly since, and I don't think we dropped many points whereas at the time, I feared Notts would. Stuart Maynard has picked things up, and he's got two rocks in defence with Jacob Bedeau and Matty Platt. That is some partnership, and I feel they make it easy for Rod McDonald to slip in with the absence of Lewis Macari. Even Zak Johnson will have a lot to learn from the pair. Their stability at the back has been crucial for our team's performance, and their understanding of each other's play style is evident on the pitch. This solid defensive setup has contributed greatly to our recent successes and has helped maintain our position in the league.

I feel harsh for suggesting it, but I don't think Charlie Whittaker has done enough to warrant the start. I would much rather see Curtis Edwards play in the open position, even if he is just returning from injury. I get what you are saying, but Whittaker is yet to find his feet, and I am a little unimpressed so far. However, he does need minutes and time to settle in. I think starting him would be a weakness, though everyone will have their own opinion. Will Jarvis does deserve to come in, but I don't think Rod McDonald has done much wrong, so if he's fit, I hope we remain consistent at the back with him, Jacob Bedeau, and Matty Platt.

I am optimistic about Notts getting the result we need to keep our current position. News of a signing would be a boost before the game. So far, I like the looks of Will Jarvis, and Zak Johnson seems more than capable at the back. Jatta and David McGoldrick are proving to be a good partnership, so I would avoid disrupting that, but I am mindful of the amount of minutes Didzy has played recently. This season, he's been more influential, and you can see how the squad's improvement has helped bring that out of him. Gillingham won't be pushovers, but at this stage, every game is as crucial as the last.

Hello, @The Cheshunt Pie. Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, we are delighted to be saying hello to you.

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, @Michael Bramley. Take a seat and settle in when you can.

Ever noticed that little timestamp on posts showing how long members have been part of the Pride of Nottingham? Makes you wonder, doesn’t it, how many of us actually remember joining and just how long we've been lingering around here. I joined over a decade ago, but it feels like it was only yesterday. I was drawn in by the enticing prospect of chatting about Notts and the refreshing notion of reasonable discussions. Since then, things have changed mostly for the better, and I still can’t quite wrap my head around the fact that I’ve been part of this community for ten years. Time really does have wings, doesn’t it? Through the highs and lows of supporting Notts County, we’ve shared so many moments within this incredible community. Here's to many more! 🎉

The "mutual consent" sounds like there won't be any compensation and that the club has just agreed to terminate their contracts so they can pursue whatever they are looking to get involved with. It's a good thing for Notts. They can now hire another coach and find a suitable assistant for Stuart Maynard, who has EFL experience. I don't think Joao Alves should take the assistant role long term. Nothing against him, but I would like to see the club make the decision to strengthen the support Maynard has. A good appointment in the assistant department and perhaps an ex-player, like Jim O'Brien being offered a coaching role, would be the best outcome. I am not saying O'Brien will leave Sheffield United for us.

This game is a must-win, surely. The points up for grabs could keep the hope alive that the club can finish in the automatic places. Now is the crucial point where stability and form are paramount to any promotion push. Also, we have several influential players in great form, so it should be a good game. I don't dismiss Bromley, but with us being at Meadow Lane, I have a lot more belief that we can perform well enough to get the needed result.

Thank you for all the kind comments. It's nice to see my effort in spreading a bit of wit and common sense is valued by the Pride of Nottingham community. Stay tuned for next month!

I hate speculation when there's no actual means to make a story from it. If Macaulay Langstaff came back, I am sure it would help Notts, but I think it's unlikely considering his wages and how Millwall signed him only this season. A loan move now would be like they have given up on him, and I just don't think there's much in it.

Good news that George Abbott has extended his loan spell. It was a touch of class that prompted his arrival, and he's very much the type of youngster we should be taking on loan. He's matured very quickly, from being quite reserved to being a show stealer with his stellar performances.

I have written my monthly post for the PON blog section. I know things have been quiet, especially from me, but I am promising my support with these entries. Please read it and share your thoughts and any feedback.

Since my last bout of keyboard clattering, Stuart Maynard has somehow surfed the tsunami of fan outrage without wiping out spectacularly. Astonishingly, Notts managed to snatch the 2nd place spot. Quite the magic trick for a manager who was being booed louder than a pantomime villain just for losing an FA Cup game and an away match against Salford. Given the circumstances, we haven't nosedived into oblivion, which is, frankly, impressive. I must admit, I was wrong about Dan Crowley before, shocking, I know. But it's crucial not to jump the gun before the ink's dry. Take your eye off the ball, pun fully intended, and you start to slip. As a fan base, perhaps we need to exhibit a tad more faith in the club's ability to adapt to changes without spontaneously combusting. Losing Dan Crowley won't be the catastrophic event some are prophesying. If he genuinely believes MK Dons, a club with all the rich history of a microwaved lasagna, is his destiny, then perhaps his ambitions lie elsewhere, beyond mere promotion. Let's not forget that Notts actually beefed up after selling Cal Roberts. At his peak, he was unstoppable, a player who could flip a game on its head faster than you could say "transfer window." Crowley, talented as he is, seemed to have grown a bit too comfortable holding the midfield like a man clutching a lukewarm cup of tea. The first half of the season, he and Jodi Jones were dynamic, until inconsistency and injuries crashed the party. Twenty-five games in, we're smack dab in the middle of a promotion race. The transfer window swings open, and the club has been busy, snapping up Zak Johnson on loan and the young Everton midfielder Charlie Whitaker. Will Jarvis joins the fray too, an exciting prospect, though I'd personally prefer if a striker waltzed in as well. Things aren't looking nearly as dire as when I first penned my doom-laden scribbles here on the Pride of Nottingham. Stuart Maynard has steered Notts to some brilliant results, and the form has improved from "abysmal" to "actually quite decent." The recent away win against Accrington Stanley was a solid performance, a rare sight worth celebrating. We've been boosted by the news that rising Spurs star George Abbott will remain for the rest of the season, despite the rumour mill trying to whip up a frenzy about a potential recall and another Ryan Yates saga. Add to that whispers of Plymouth eyeing Alassana Jatta, and you might think the sky is falling. But again, let's have a little faith in the club's ability to adapt if Jatta decides to pack his bags. Selling a £400,000 signing for £750,000 isn't exactly a disaster; it's decent business, even if it feels like pawning off the family silver. I get the frustration of offloading our best players. Personally, I'd prefer this sort of wheeling and dealing happened when we're not in the thick of an active campaign, but life seldom bends to our whims. Naturally, these things can't always be helped. The club likely has every scenario mapped out on a whiteboard somewhere and, fingers crossed, we'll hear news of a new striker sauntering in soon. The fan base seems relatively content at the moment, but if a bump does occur, let's try not to descend into collective hysteria. If you've supported Notts as long as I have, you'll know that selling players can be a double-edged sword. But when those sales strengthen the existing squad, perhaps it's time to trust in the mysterious "system" everyone keeps mentioning. A gentle reminder: Notts has to knuckle down for the remainder of the season. The return of Jodi Jones to full fitness will be a massive boon. Yes, the news of Lucas Ness and Scott Robertson likely being out for the rest of the 2024–25 League Two season is a kick in the teeth, but let's pull together, take the rough with the smooth, and see how this rollercoaster ends. The final run of games looks quite exciting from where I'm sitting, and I still fancy Notts' chances of clinching automatic promotion. We've got everything to play for at this stage, and despite December looking grimmer than a rain-soaked Tuesday, we've come through that dreary period far better than we went into it.

I have no issue with Notts selling players, but we should limit the number sold during a season because the loss of a player can hinder the progress made. It also depends on the squad's depth and cover for that position. Selling Alasanna Jatta now, even for £750,000, would be silly unless a suitable replacement could be signed before the transfer window closes. I hope this is just Plymouth floating the idea and that Jatta remains a Notts player for the rest of this season. The money would be nice, but it could hinder us too much.