DangerousSausage

"My greatest concern is that some people are being misled by the idea that our chosen format of the Checkatrade Trophy is providing a pathway for 'B-teams' to be inducted into the EFL. This, quite simply, will never happen. We would certainly never vote in favour of it." This is almost impossibly naive and short-sighted. If B teams are allowed to become a normal and accepted part of the English football landscape, it is only a matter of time until some executive comes along, who wants to make a name for himself with some "blue-sky thinking", and has the grand idea of allowing Premier League B teams in the League system. It'll help the England team, he'll say. And all it would take to make it a reality is a bit of extra cash from the Premier League. The point of their inclusion in the Trophy was to give young players experience of senior competitive football. If the Trophy isn't competitive enough for them, the next step would be their inclusion in other competitions - the League have long been looking for ways to "liven up" the League Cup so I wouldn't be surprised to see it there. This could then be the gateway to League status. Not next season, but in 10, 15, 20 years. The Football League is a cherished institution and must be protected from this kind of pointless nonsense.

Firstly, welcome to the community! Secondly, what you say is fine. The Paintpot Trophy is not attractive but it is a realistic opportunity to reach Wembley. And if the other story posted today is correct, most people opted for its continuation without the B teams. It was a while back so I'm not sure, but I think the survey was held before the takeover. But the B teams are the problem here. They need to go, for the reasons outlined above.

They've gone for the money. In the article it's claimed that more than 50% (probably not much more, otherwise they'd have told us the figure) of Notts fans who responded agreed that the competition should go ahead "in some form". But these are split between those who want to keep the current format and those who don't. How many of them wanted to stick with the current format? We don't know, it's not disclosed. It's highly likely that it's less than the 40-49% of people who want it scrapped altogether. This is short-termism at its very worst. If B teams are allowed to become normalised then it's only a matter of time until some Premier League executive floats the idea of letting them in the Football League. And as we've seen, if you offer League clubs enough pound notes they'll accept anything. If you want to see for yourself what this would mean you're welcome to come to Germany to watch a match involving a B team. Experience the thrills and spills of 300 spectators in a stadium holding 50,000 watching a team that fluctuates wildly from one week to the next, distorting the competition. This is why it is essential that B teams are not allowed to become normalised in senior football. It doesn't matter if the League offers us 10 million, letting them get a foot in the door is a massive act of self-harm. Right now I'm ashamed of my club. I hope the other clubs have seen sense on this.

It seems that money rules everything. B teams must NOT be allowed a way in to senior football and frankly Notts have let themselves down by thinking short-term and taking the money. I regularly watch matches against B teams in Germany and more often than not they bring 0 away fans with them and distort the competition. Having to play our first team against Derby B or similar is simply a humiliation. If we get drawn against a B team at home I would hope to see a boycott.

WHAT?!?!?

Good piece. How hairy did the table look at times this season! Not to mention the shenanigans behind the scenes. We only have to look a Leyton Orient to see how lucky we are. Next season will be a different kettle of fish with stability behind the scenes. Much depends on Kevin Nolan's reshaping of the squad over the summer - an area in which he is a novice. Hopefully he can avoid Shaun Derry syndrome, bring some good talent in and give the team the right mentality by August.

It was disappointing to end the season on a bum note but on the plus side it should kick any complacency about our prospects for next season into touch. And at least it doesn't sound as though we were on our holidays - it was just rubbish defending that was our undoing, yet again. I feel sorry for Hartlepool getting relegated like that after being safe up to the 89th minute, but they've been hanging around the trap door for most of their 80-odd years in the League so it was bound to happen sooner or later. I'm sure they'll be back soon. On the other hand, I genuinely fear for Leyton Orient.

Those rules are for spectators though. For instance, both teams always have a stack of water bottles for the players at every match, yet if you applied that regulation across the board (and not just to fans) they wouldn't be allowed in as bottles and cans are banned. Same for fireworks. There are fireworks at every FA Cup and Champions League final. The problem is just that they look a bit rubbish in daylight

I wonder if the yellow thing at the end was Colin's beeper that goes off on 45 and 90 minutes? I'm going to miss that.

I dunno @CliftonMagpie, we're involved simply because we're playing there on the last day. We just have to remember it's not just Newport fighting for survival. We should give our all to maintain the integrity of the competition, and I think we will. Whether that will be enough for the three points is anyone's guess, the hosts are on form and they and their fans will obviously be up for it.

I hope the lads give their all and end the season on a high. This match is vitally important for the hosts as they need to win to secure their League status. Even a draw could spell disaster for them. I wouldn't want Hartlepool to slip out of the League because our players are on their holidays already, but I can't see that happening to be fair.

I think the pyrotechnics are just banned in the stands for safety reasons @4everapie, I've seen them on the pitch on a number of occasions. Fireworks don't really work at football matches though, especially during the day. Nice that the club marked the last home game though. I wonder if the flag on the Sirrel stand is going to be replaced in the summer? Black flags are a bit too ISIS for my taste.

Sounds like I missed a treat then. I'm sad I couldn't go but on the plus side I was plied with free pork pies! I'll be in town again in August and this time everything will revolve around the football By the sound of it this performance was a marked contrast to our last home game of last season, a 5-0 spanking by Carlisle. Hopefully that's a good sign.

Congratulations on your promotion and thanks for the three points earlier in the season! Glad you enjoyed your day. It was a practice run for our celebrations next season

I wish I could be there for this one, it'll be a brilliant atmosphere! I fully expect the away end to sell out.

Man in contract negotiations thinks his boss is really great

I'm looking forward to unexpectedly stress-free end to the season. But "serenity" in football soon grows boring - let's have a promotion fight and some positive stress! On a side note, the "and it's amazing" bit of the title reminds me of those clickbait articles you see on Facebook. Maybe this is the way for PON to go? "Kevin Nolan spoke to the press – and you'll never guess what he said next" "Kevin Nolan spoke to the press – and it was amazing" "Seven things Kevin Nolan has in common with Donald Trump" (might be getting slightly carried away there)

I'm glad he turned them down. The last thing the club needs is more upheaval and the uncertainty of another takeover. If these investors were put off by something as transient as our league position then that indicates short-term thinking on their part too. We're better off as we are.

He doesn't say he wasn't trying, just that he was hurting after losing. I'd be more concerned if he wasn't bothered.

It's a shame you didn't pick a more creative user name, like Enormous Banana or something.

Colchester are one of those teams I dread seeing in the prediction league as they're so inconsistent. They've won four, drawn one and lost five of their last ten (our own form is 6-2-2). If we keep doing what we're doing this is a winnable game. @notts-joe Adam Campbell has had plenty of chances to prove himself. From what I've seen he's hard working but one dimensional, but he is still young.

I feel sorry for them too. I hope they can get rid of their owner and bounce back soon. Great choice of picture by the way!

Brilliant move at the start of that video, deserved a goal!

Good read. I'm not a fan of drinking beer with my breakfast, but I'm partial to a couple before the match should the opportunity arise. "Hooligan" is an overused word and can mean virtually anything. In Germany it still means something specific - those individuals who organise "meets" with other clubs' hooligans for a fight or who ambush away fans. That's not what you're describing. By all means enjoy yourselves and support local breweries!

Winning with 10 men for nearly the whole match is fantastic! After the red card I revised my expectations down to be honest - to get anything at all out of that would have been a bonus. Overcoming the odds to win shows we're made of sterner stuff now. No way are Orient or Newport going to make up an 11-point gap in the last 8 games. They need to win half their remaining games just to catch up with us. Also nice that we've established a cushion over Cheltenham.