CliftonMagpie

Meadow Lane looks stunning, with its immaculate grass and all the refurbishment work. I commend our ground staff, they’re truly remarkable!

Scotland had a shot at advancing, but after their initial loss to Germany, I always felt it wouldn’t materialise. It was a crushing defeat, marked by the most defensive football I’ve seen all tournament. In their second game, they should have strived to maintain their lead against the Swiss. Instead, they narrowly avoided a loss, as they were outplayed in the final 20 minutes.

Isn’t it a misuse of funds? Are they so desperate to sign a goalkeeper that they’re essentially offering him a free holiday? It’s odd. If Notts did this, I’d be disheartened by the squandered fees involved.

It’s a solid signing. Supporters should hold off on passing judgement about his age until they see his performance. He’s a skilled player who should complement our style of play well. Despite being 32, he doesn’t play like it, demonstrating a strong work ethic and stamina. The majority of fans seem optimistic about Rod McDonald’s arrival, as they should be. I hope he integrates smoothly and enhances our defence.

I agree, it’s beneficial to bring in some seasoned players with the new signings and hopefully, Rod McDonald will vie for his spot in the starting eleven. To me, the move seems more like a reserve signing, but that’s not a negative thing and I’m confident he will dedicate himself fully to the club. I’m pleased to see the defence bolstered even more, it’s quite promising to witness.

Welcome to the community and PON, @Up the Maggies. It's great to have you here.

The work done under the Trew and Hardy eras pales in comparison to what we see now. True, the pitch was impressive back then. However, it has consistently looked superior under the Reedtz and the present ground staff. Their exceptional work is commendable and they truly deserve all the accolades.

Would you consider having Tom Crawford back at Notts? In his time with us, he was a player who simply required more experience and opportunities to enhance his skills. I always felt he performed adequately, with several impressive displays. However, he needed more time on the pitch. I think he has gained this experience at Hartlepool United. We are currently missing a player who can advance the ball forward and has a knack for scoring in the central midfield position. Crawford is a good player. He's keen to regain possession and would likely be content as a squad member. Including him, Scott Robertson, and Matt Palmer would all be beneficial additions. What are your thoughts? https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2024/april/retained-list-202324/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Crawford_(English_footballer)

Under the Reedtz brothers, the transfer window seems quite logical. Yes, at times we might struggle to understand, and the focus might seem different. However, they are dedicated to enhancing the squad both on and off the pitch. So far, all the new signings have impressed me, and they are in areas where we indeed need to strengthen. The fact that we’ve invested in a goalkeeper is another positive aspect. I hope this provides Stuart Maynard with the platform to improve.

@DangerousSausage The commentators and analysis team highlighted those aspects, so I accepted it as it was, especially since many of them remarked on the humidity caused by the closed roof. I wouldn’t have imagined it would have a significant impact, it was merely a point of discussion. Thanks for shedding light on it.

Personally, I believe we need another centre back, midfielder, and potentially another player who can play wide. I wouldn’t want to limit James Sanderson’s opportunities. I believe he should start every cup game to gain experience, but I’m aware of Scott Robertson’s form and potential injuries like we had with Matt Palmer. If we signed another wide player, it would be a bonus if they could also start as a striker. I’m not expecting a player of Ronaldo’s calibre, or a potent striker. Just someone who will give their all and consistently perform well.

I believe we shouldn’t distinguish between different types of wrongdoings. Big Sam has indeed suffered from the incident. I’m not opposed to his hiring, but I don’t believe he’s the right fit for Wales. His trust in football can only be regained by focusing on what he brings to a club or nation. However, his limited opportunities speak volumes. Sepp Blatter’s situation is different and arguably more corrupt. Yet, it’s undeniable that Sam’s actions cost him the England job when he was at the pinnacle of his managerial career. He lost it due to greed and dubious behaviour. I sincerely hope he has learned his lesson.

I continue to feel a sense of disappointment for Tom Weal. He appeared to be quite competent in his role, and it’s not his fault that he couldn’t turn around Aidan Stone’s fortunes. I believe that goalkeeping coaches often don’t receive the recognition they deserve, mainly because their role lacks the glamour associated with other positions. However, their contribution is just as crucial.

In my opinion, we didn’t really give him ample opportunity to progress from his loan periods. It’s challenging for young players, as they are still in the learning phase. Their improvement largely depends on the team they play with and their personal experiences. Nonetheless, I wish him the best of luck.

If you weren’t observant, you might have overlooked him. I believe there was a fair amount of buzz about him from the club during the Trew era, if my memory serves me correctly. I can’t quite recall his performance, but according to his Wikipedia page, it appears his career has been on a decline since then. https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2013/february/leicester-frontman-arrives-on-loan/ https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2013/february/blyth-up-for-the-challenge/

I’m not well-acquainted with him, apart from his involvement with the England team. I believe it was the U19s where I saw a video of him with the “future” England players a while back. A move to Blackburn seems like a positive step for his coaching career.

I’ve not come across her before, but it’s pleasant to learn that Notts has another supporter who is fairly well-known. She must be, given her television appearances. I wish her the best of luck.

At present, England appears to be a team that slowly builds momentum, relying on things going right to play with confidence. This is surprising given the talent within the squad, but talent alone doesn’t necessarily create a great team. I believe some players are getting caught up in their own hype, yet they fail to perform on the international stage. This leads me to think they are overrated by a significant portion of our fans. On paper, we should be dominating the group and we certainly have some real talent. It’s hard to understand why this squad wouldn’t be expected to be in contention for the Euros, but their current style of play makes it difficult to see that happening. I don’t think it’s fair to place all the blame on Gareth Southgate. Some are quick to blame the manager at the expense of the players. Once the players step onto the pitch, they should be capable enough to figure out their opposition. Tactics are more of a guideline, so it’s harsh to blame Southgate entirely. What I would like to see from Southgate is a starting squad where players are playing in their strongest roles. Perhaps someone like Jude Bellingham could drop back and allow someone else to play further up the pitch. Phil Foden might benefit from this switch, but our real strength lies in our wingers. Bukayo Saka seems to focus more on his frustration with being fouled than on getting on with the game. He has the ability to take on players, but so far he has repeatedly made poor decisions when attempting this. He has been very disappointing, as he doesn’t link well with anyone on that side of the pitch. I would be curious to see if he could link up with Trent Alexander Arnold, who our fans seem to be experts on, but who does perform better out wide.

Could this be linked to the chairman of Barrow? It’s puzzling why Newfoundland and Labrador, which appears to be Canadian, would choose to sponsor the front shirt of a team like Barrow. If they were seeking international visibility, there are certainly more effective options available. I’m in agreement with @liampie, it does seem rather odd.

I understand that playing on a pitch where the grass is torn up and the roof is closed can have some impact. However, if we are to accept that the players are truly exhausted, it’s worth noting that the competition will only get more challenging the further they progress. Gareth Southgate could face additional criticism if he doesn’t alter the starting lineup soon. I’m unsure how one can commence a competition of this magnitude with players who are reportedly tired. Some might be two games in, and while it has been warm in Germany, they are professional footballers. I would give anything to be in their shoes, and I can’t envision complaining about fatigue. I would simply relish the opportunity to play football at such a high level.

He may well stay at the helm for a longer duration than his stint with England, but I’m not convinced he’ll achieve as much success as he could have with the Three Lions. That being said, I believe it would be a beneficial appointment for Wales, as long as he remains focused on training and game preparation, rather than being distracted by other matters.

It’s wonderful to welcome you, @Jake. It appears you’re carrying on your family’s tradition. It’s fantastic to learn that you’ve secured a season ticket for the forthcoming season. That’s the initial step towards becoming a devoted Notts fan. We experience highs and lows together, but rest assured, you’ll receive a warm welcome from all. Have a fantastic season! Enjoy every moment!

Hello, @Izzie Dyer. Welcome to the PON site and community, it's nice to see you arrive here.

Hello, @Emma Squires. It's nice to say hello to you! Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham.

Hello, @Jordan Varney-Gee. Your name sounds familiar to me, I don't know why... Welcome to the PON community, it's great to have you on the site. Feel free to share your thoughts with us.