allardyces tash

I've written a blog, and I'm committed to posting once a month. I’m not sure how it will be received, but I started thinking about it yesterday and decided to give it a go. My goal isn't to upset fans or portray PON negatively. I just want to provide some perspective on the situation and address my frustration with those who don't support the club when it counts but still manage to leave a bad impression.

Ah, the beautiful game. Except when it isn’t. Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself sinking deeper into a pit of despair, not because of anything happening on the pitch, but because of the unique breed of hysteria emanating from certain corners of the Notts County fanbase. It’s as if some believe we’re entitled to waltz our way to the top of the league with the ease of a TikTok influencer making their morning matcha. Spoiler alert: we’re not. This sense of entitlement, coupled with a knee-jerk dismissal of just how far the club has clawed its way back from the brink, is as exhausting as a wet Tuesday night away fixture. Let’s rewind to the recent fans’ forum. A glimmer of hope! A rare oasis of satisfaction in a desert of misplaced rage. Those in attendance seemed genuinely optimistic about the club’s plans for January. But, as ever, it didn’t take long for the mood to nosedive. Almost immediately, the pitchforks were out for Stuart Maynard, with some fans sharpening their knives for a couple of players as well. Honestly, the venom is ridiculous. Lest we forget, Notts County has never been a club known for champagne football or a stress-free existence. Supporting this team has always been more of a gritty soap opera than a glossy Netflix drama. Progress here isn’t measured in leaps and bounds, but in the tiny victories. Let’s be grateful we’re no longer teetering on the edge of oblivion like we were not so long ago. And yet, despite six players being sidelined through injury, some fans are spinning conspiracy theories about Dan Crowley packing his bags for London. (Spoiler: he’s not. Put down the tin foil hat.) Where has the logic gone? Has it been benched too? The reaction to our FA Cup second-round loss to Peterborough United was another highlight in this melodrama. Before the game, some fans wanted a weakened lineup. Post-game, those same people were clutching their pearls over the strong XI that Stuart Maynard fielded. You can’t win. (And apparently, neither can we, but let’s not dwell on that.) It’s easy to dissect every decision with the smug clarity of hindsight, isn’t it? Did Maynard make substitutions to rest players or protect them? Who knows? He’s a football manager, not a psychic. Now, about last night’s loss to Walsall. Predictably, it’s triggered another full-blown meltdown. Let’s recap: six players out injured, including key figures like Matty Platt, Jodi Jones, and (the apparently London-bound) Dan Crowley. This isn’t just bad luck; it’s like fate has us on speed dial for its next cruel prank. Here’s the thing: clubs that are serious about progressing use moments like this to recalibrate and come back stronger. Despite everything, Notts County is in a better place this season than it has been in years. There’s actual promise here, and if we can just get through December with some dignity intact, January could be the start of something special. Let’s not forget the bigger picture. Players are drawn to the club because they like how we play and believe in where we’re headed. That’s a huge selling point, and it counts for something. So, while it’s tempting to wallow in doom and gloom, how about we focus on what’s going right? Football is a long, winding road, not a straight sprint to glory. So let’s all take a deep breath, stop yelling at Maynard, and remember why we love this maddening, beautiful, frustrating team. Come on you Pies!

Stuart Maynard won't want this to backfire, as all the outgoing messages have been quite overwhelming. I think those fans would happily see us return to being a team that dismisses three managers a season and shows no signs of progression. Walsall, however, is a big game that we must navigate smartly. Look at our squad and you can see the quality; it's playing well enough to stop them and also to create good chances on goal. I also think those calling for Jodi Jones to return are being hysterical because it isn't happening.

His appointment might have made some fans question why he was chosen, and who he was, but by the time he left us, everyone knew. I always felt he would go on to become a great manager. To be as successful as he was in the league just below the Premier League shows how big a mistake it was to fire him. I wonder if he ever regretted turning down Chelsea to stay with us. Happy 76th birthday, Neil Warnock.

I thought Notts would go on to win the game, despite Peterborough growing into it. The timing and number of substitutions didn't help us, but the squad worked hard and represented the club well. Some of The Posh players had big egos, and I wanted us to humble them, but it wasn't to be.

I’m not very keen on social media, but I do see how important it is for PON to have a page on BlueSky. I hope it helps the community get to know each other beyond the site and has a positive effect here.

We had a chance in the first half. I don't know how Newport County managed to keep it from crossing the line. Had it gone in, the game would have been a lot easier in the second half. I think it was Sam Austin who had an effort that clipped the inner crossbar and deflected out. I agree that we rely on trying to walk the ball into the goal. Notts put on a good performance, but we lacked that cutting edge in the final third. It shows how much Dan Crowley and Jodi Jones both bring to the team with their presence.

George Abbott played very well. Defensively, we didn't seem to miss Jacob Bedeau much. I'm sure we missed his presence going forward, but I felt relieved that Lucas Ness fit in as if he had featured much more for us. Matty Platt did superbly too, but I have given my vote to Abbott.

I don't mind winter games. Supporting a sports team that plays outside is part of it. Last Saturday's game against Newport County is an example of how the cold and the game's outcome can lead to disappointment. It's not about the performance, but sitting in the rainy cold for a goalless draw sums up winter games. You would prefer to see more of an outcome by the end, but that's football for us.

Storm Bert, you say?

I appreciate the openness about the club’s recruitment strategy, especially the focus on balancing the budget while still strengthening the squad. Exploring Scandinavian and Dutch leagues is an exciting prospect. It’s clear they’re thinking long-term, which is crucial for sustainability. Let’s hope January brings some smart signings to push us even higher up the table. The club's transparent approach not only builds trust with supporters but also sets a positive example for responsible management. By targeting players from regions known for their technical skills and discipline, they are looking to add real value to the team. January can't come soon enough to see these plans in action.

Do yourself a favour and get checked. Listen to people like Sir Hoy, who speak from experience. Don't let something be too late to act on. You will thank yourself in the long term.

Newport County might be beneath us, but so far this season, they are the type of team we have struggled to play against, especially those at the top half. I think they won't want us to play our pretty football, so it might be a bit of a slog to create momentum. It would be great if we manage to combat their defensive mindset and how they slow the game down. If we handle that, there's every chance, but I feel a draw is the most likely result for Notts.

Did he walk around snapping pictures and pausing the game to do a video? If it was purely a friendly, I wouldn't see the issue, but not for serious games. It does seem a bit disrespectful to me. Imagine what their fans would have thought if they had lost the game.

Remembrance Sunday is a day we set aside to honour and remember those who sacrificed their lives in service to our country. It's important to acknowledge their bravery and the ultimate price they paid for our freedom. By reflecting on their sacrifices, we ensure their legacy lives on and we never forget the cost of war and the value of peace. Lest we forget. ????

A point dropped, but also a point saved. I don't understand why some fans focus solely on the negatives. We have several key injuries, and the only real option we had on the bench was Josh Martin. I wouldn't have put Dan Crowley on, considering how Doncaster were approaching the game, as it could have caused further complications for him. The game was pretty even by the end, despite Doncaster looking like a team we could have beaten.

I believed George Abbott ran a very organised defence and gave us confidence with his ability to disrupt the play. I thought today was one of his best performances.

Derby County 2-1 Hull City Plymouth Argyle 1-1 Preston North End Cambridge United 4-1 Burton Albion Lincoln City 2-3 Stockport County Bradford City 3-3 Doncaster Rovers joker Newport County 2-1 Fleetwood Town Barnet 1-1 Rochdale Ebbsfleet United 2-4 Wealdstone

He could achieve great things if he took charge of a lower Premier League team, but I wouldn’t expect miracles. I doubt he could replicate what Claudio Ranieri did at Leicester City. A mid-table finish is possible, with improvements over the years, but he would need to spend money. However, I can’t see him or Pep doing that.

I still believe we shouldn't rely on him too much, but when he scores and takes penalties so calmly, it's hard to imagine anyone else handling those important moments when we need a boost. It's great that David McGoldrick is setting a good example, but his performance is vital, and we also need to manage his playing time carefully.

It's frustrating to see us improve so late in a game that could have been different if Notts had dealt with Barrow earlier, but they deserve some credit. It felt like an FA Cup match, so we can consider ourselves fortunate to have earned another point. As the season goes on, draws like this will be very important.

It's easier because few stood out, so I chose the obvious candidate: Nick Tsaroulla.

Matty Platt has responded well. The match against Wimbledon was nothing short of spectacular. The team worked together brilliantly, and they are becoming stronger. Despite the injuries at times for Notts, we are still doing well. It might not always be pretty, but at the end of the day, it’s the results that matter. Nobody really cared about last season when we were performing well and would lose games. We need to accept that sometimes we have to grind out results.

I think the youngsters will be important in our push to make the next stage. We need to keep fielding the young talent we’ve seen in the EFL Trophy. Hopefully, we will continue to see them performing well. It’s all part of the journey, and we just have to see how things turn out. It’s a dream to watch them develop and contribute to the team.

Cedwyn Scott is clearly in trouble, and it’s good to see the club supporting him. We all know he is a very capable player, but he might be feeling the pressure of his own performance when things aren’t going well. It’s encouraging that the club has reached out to him. Hopefully, with time, he will start to feel better. It’s important for a player to feel comfortable, especially when there are many eyes on the game. Taking the time for personal development will help him improve. Everyone should welcome this support and use it to encourage himself to get better.