allardyces tash

I have written two blogs so far, and like some of the younger members of the site, I would like to encourage those who read this post to follow my blog. It might not be your cup of tea or coffee, but I enjoy adding a different tone to discussing Notts and the club's ongoings. At the very least, I might make you laugh once or twice. Perhaps not at all, but I try.

I don't read social media because there is always a minority who like to be negative and share opinions that make little sense. That's why I don't use X or Facebook, though I have an account to keep in touch with family via Messenger. I know full well what the pathetic portion of our fan base can be like; it's always the usual suspects.

The club is losing money due to the dire food quality in the stands. One area you would think would have improved is the standard of the tea bars and the warm food they offer. @Fan of Big Tone The pies are tasteless, with the worst pastry I have ever had. The hotdogs are rubbery and awful, while the burgers taste like reheated rubbish. The only thing I will eat is the overpriced chips, and that's only if necessary. The options within The Nest are superb, but the stands are still lacklustre, and I don't care for buying doughnuts.

I think Notts are good enough to finish in the automatics, but we need to strive for a bit more consistency on the pitch, no matter who is available to play. Naturally, injuries will make an impact, but it is more the lack of taking chances which usually sees points being lost or defensive woes. The talent is there, but being able to call upon someone special to dig them out of trouble seems to fall on fewer shoulders.

We share many similarities with Bradford Park Avenue, once Bradford's biggest team. They were stuck in their traditions and hesitant to embrace modern times. When I was younger, they were one of the most well-known Non-League teams but have yet to rise significantly. Some very good players have moved to the professional leagues after playing for them. Now, they play in the same league as Carlton Town.

Joe seems to focus on behind-the-scenes tasks at the ground, rather than the fans. I think it would be nice to have more frequent updates, not necessarily monthly. Now that he is a director, his role at the club will be a very important channel of communication, and I hope the club considers this.

You could certainly have a laugh and joke with Granny Pie. I was never much on the other side of her comments, but I agree she's a big loss and came across as a lovely woman. And while we take the time to remember her, it's so nice to see many of her grandchildren and family as members, even if some do not post. We also have Super Ram, which is a blessing nonetheless. I send my thoughts to all the family.

Mark Hughes will demand better, but that doesn't always result in better form. I don't think his appointment is destined to fail, but I don't see how he will be able to change their fortunes either. If Carlisle United goes down, it won't have much to do with their management this season but all the goings-on behind the scenes, and perhaps the wrong people are being sacked.

The home game was very impressive. It was always going to be a tough challenge to ask the team to compete against Swansea City, who were then in the Premier League. The replay at their ground was a very harrowing experience, but fans still chanted, which showed the spirit.

While each transfer window is different, Notts had plenty of opportunity to learn during the National League years when the Transfer Window was always open. This gave the club a chance to see how bringing in some risky players would work. I think over the years, there have been significant improvements, and we have always managed to bring in one or two players that we never would have dreamt of before. Take Jodi Jones in the National League, for example, despite his injury concerns. I never thought we would sign him, but recruitment has been strong, bringing in good players and helping the squad settle together. It shows good players that things are being well managed, and it's not always about who offers the most money.

Great insight and summary of the January transfer window. Notts has strengthened well, and I appreciate how we are not as reliant on players as we were in the past, like Dan Crowley. Although he was a very good player, we might have actually benefited from his departure and the fee. There appears to be a lot more depth, even on the bench, which will give Stuart Maynard the chance to rotate players when games come thick and fast.

On paper, it appears to be a promising signing. The arrival of Will Jarvis shouldn't be overshadowed, but Mai Traore is undoubtedly a strong acquisition for us. Even if he requires time to adapt to the club, his speed would be a valuable asset. If he becomes a more consistent Enzio-like player, we will have secured an excellent signing.

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.