allardyces tash

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.

I'm happy for my email to be added to the list, and I'll add both emails to my contact list. The update and the change to the site login method sound like positive steps forward. I agree that communication is important, and people just need to be engaged.

I'm a bit surprised that Will Jarvis didn't make the starting 11, but the lineup looks good and the bench is much stronger now. Johnson, Edwards, Jones, and Jarvis give us some excellent options to come on. I don't mean to overlook Whitaker, but he is still somewhat unknown to us and might need time, just like Martins did.

Jatta becomes a different player once he scores. His confidence is high right now, which is great for Notts. We need to see more direct play in the second half. However, even if it ends 1-0, the result would be important. It would keep us nicely within the top three. Walsall are a good side. They have improved a lot this season, and we need to be sharp in defending their attacks.

Burnley 1-1 Watford QPR 2-0 Preston North End Blackpool 2-1 Stevenage Northampton Town 0-0 Charlton Athletic Chesterfield 3-2 AFC Wimbledon Morecambe 1-1 Bromley (joker) Hartlepool United 4-2 Yeovil Town Wealdstone 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge (joker) [EDIT: Just for transparency - you named two jokers here so I only counted the first one. - D. Sausage]

If Birmingham recall him, they might want to play him or loan him out to a bigger League One club. I wouldn't rule out a potential loan move for him, but I think it's quite unlikely to happen.

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, @k9muers. We are a friendly bunch and we love talking about all things Notts. Jump in and get involved; you should find the site fun to be a part of. I hope you do!

Happy Birthday to the one and only Shaun Derry!

Happy Birthday to Cedwyn Scott. I hope he's feeling happier and getting the support he needs. I hope his birthday is a highlight and a turning point for him.

@Chris Feel free to post it, but I would prefer it not to be shared on Twitter. I know fans there can get upset easily. I would rather see how it does on a more neutral social media network.

Hello, @Jatta1999! Welcome to PON. You should find the community and site very useful. I hope to see you around the Pride of Nottingham.

Hello, @Jonathan Raimondi. Welcome to PON. You should find the community and site very useful. I hope to see you around the Pride of Nottingam.

Hello, @Jon Lowe. Welcome to PON. You should find the community and site very useful. I hope to see you around the Pride of Nottingham.

Hello, @Peter Speers Welcome to PON. You should find the community and site very useful. I hope to see you around the Pride of Nottingham.

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.