Joshua

Sunderland 1-0 Bristol City Watford 1-1 Preston North End Burton Albion 1-2 Oxford United Joker Charlton Athletic 1-0 Barnsley Bradford City 0-2 Gillingham Tranmere Rovers 1-0 Walsall Boreham Wood 2-2 Wealdstone York City 0-0 Eastleigh

With only five games left, it would be pleasant to end up in the middle of the table or slightly above. Given that we have more games away than at home, I believe we stand a good chance of securing some victories. It’s always a surprise to see how much better we perform on the road these days. I anticipate a tight game as they are familiar with our style of play, which could pose a challenge. However, if we dominate the attacks, I believe we have the quality to pull off a surprise. I have high hopes for Macaulay Langstaff and Alessandra Jata. Personally, I wouldn’t field David McGoldrick or John Bostock from the start as their performances have been problematic. Their brilliance hasn’t been on display for some time, and considering McGoldrick is likely our top earner, we should expect more from him. I believe we are more likely to see this if he comes off the bench in this game, rather than playing for 70 minutes.

The measures being implemented don’t seem to make sense. They are excessive and potentially threaten freedom of speech. While hate crime is a serious issue that needs addressing, the matters Scotland is pursuing don’t appear to be related to hate. It seems like a case of political correctness gone awry.

It is hoped that Rishi Sunak will soon become a forgotten figure, much like a humorous cartoon. The upcoming elections are likely not something he is eagerly anticipating. It is my hope that this time, people will cast their votes with wisdom.

Deciding who to recruit will be a challenging task for the board or those responsible. It seems clear that we need to part ways with certain players such as Aidan Stone, Will Randall, Connell Rawlinson, Geraldo Bajrami, Sam Slocombe, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling, Richard Brindley, and Jim O’Brien. Some of these players, like Richard Brindley who is a very good right back, might be retained if we were to change our formation. However, he doesn’t fit into a back three role and although he’s performed admirably at times, we seem to be pigeonholing him. Connell Rawlinson is a nice guy, but we should be aiming for better. His height is neither a benefit nor an advantage for us. He’s at a stage where he needs to rely on others or he will be exposed, and that’s not a sign of a player we can realistically progress with. We need to avoid reducing the squad too much, but ensure that we have depth and quality. Signings like Junior Morias and Will Randall are extremely wasteful, even though Morias appears to be a capable player who has performed well when given a chance.

I found the game enjoyable. MK Dons took their opportunities, even though they didn’t seem particularly impressive until they scored. Their goal was beautiful, but it was a pity that their player behaved so unprofessionally with his celebrations and antics. He should have been sent off, not just for that, but also for several fouls he committed during the game. I didn’t see them causing us any trouble, and I thought that us scoring a goal just before the end of the first half would give us a boost going into the second half. It seemed like the players had been spoken to, as they came out with more determination. I also disagree with Stuart Maynard. I thought we performed better in the second half than in the first, but overall it was a good performance. Aaron Nemane can be a shadow of himself, but when he gets into the game, he’s unstoppable. I wish Jodi Jones would work on his crossing, as many of them tend to be overhit and end up being wasteful. Adam Chicksen setting up Jatta was a real highlight. That was a great goal to celebrate. It was typical of Notts to collapse at crucial moments, with individual mistakes costing us the full amount of points. The players should take confidence from having played well against MK Dons, a team that believes they are much bigger than they actually are.

@True Magpie I agree with you. I believe the players will continue to perceive our ambition. We topped the table this season with significant momentum, but unfortunately, our defensive quality was lacking. When we were hit with injuries, it made things considerably harder. I can understand Macaulay Langstaff’s desire to challenge himself at a higher level. He has expressed contentment playing for Gateshead after being discovered playing with his friends. Yes, Notts showed interest in him, but I think the difference between us and Gateshead is our potential scalability with the right management and players. We could potentially be a Championship team one day. To lure Langstaff, they would have to be similar to us when he was in the Gateshead squad. Many Championship teams are very unpredictable due to the money spent, and it’s easy for a player to get lost. As for Jodi Jones, he clearly enjoys playing football. I believe he will have the mindset to stick with us as we strive to return to League One. Oxford United couldn’t bring out the best in him after he left Coventry City. He was very loyal to them, and he’s rediscovered a lot here. With the birth of his daughter, he might prefer to settle down and continue to enjoy his football.

What would be the benefit of dismissing Stuart Maynard at this moment? It wouldn’t resolve any issues for the club. Letting him go would only cause more disruption to the team. I think the board will give him another opportunity next season, once the squad has adapted to the players at his disposal. Indeed, a manager should be able to extract results from the current squad, but our defence has been lacking for several seasons now.

Clever and practical modifications have been made, and it’s gratifying to see how the new features are positively impacting our community.

A warm welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, @John Catling! We’re eager to see you participate.

This is a positive development that demonstrates the unity found in sports, not just football. It’s truly extraordinary to give Sven the opportunity to lead the team he supports.

I don’t envision the Reedtz wanting to dismiss Stuart Maynard. The club could resolve many of the issues by the beginning of the next season. This leaves us wondering if Maynard can handle league football. He displays comprehension, but his game management and decisions aren’t always brave enough or correct to alter the outcome of the match. I don’t wish to criticise Maynard, as I believe he will learn given the chance, but he needs to start showing progress.

I believe there’s a sense of fear and worry within the club, with the threat of relegation looming. However, I don’t think we’ll find ourselves in that situation. The points we’ve gathered in the first part of the season should suffice. I’m hopeful that things will start to fall into place for Stuart Maynard, as I see most of the problems stemming from the players themselves. The team’s morale seems to be low, and they’re struggling to finish games on a positive note. I believe our promotion last season and the unity it fostered helped us climb the table initially. Having someone who could bring out the best in players certainly helped, especially after the defeat on the opening day against Sutton. Notts has transitioned from a team that looked like they could beat anyone, to a team that’s fighting to draw, and then to a team that’s losing games, particularly ones where we start off well. If the players don’t believe they can win, that would be even more concerning. I’m very supportive of giving Stuart Maynard time, but the more we lose and the closer we get to the bottom of the League Two table, the more I think the club will be under pressure to make a decision. The playoffs are definitely off the table, but finishing mid-table or slightly above halfway is still possible if we pull ourselves together now. Getting out of slumps like this is tough, and losing games is hard. Winning can boost confidence and motivate players, but when the results are against you, it’s all about stopping the downward spiral and picking up whatever points are possible. Would sacking Maynard change this? I don’t think so. I believe it would lead to more problems.

This is going to be the first weekend where I have no plans at all. I won’t be at Notts and I haven’t scheduled anything for Saturday or Friday. The sun has made a few appearances today, so if the weather is good, I might venture into the city centre for a bit of exploration, perhaps take a stroll along The Embankment. Sunday is likely to be my day of rest. With no college assignments or work, I’ll be as free as a bird.

In my opinion, Notts needs to play intelligently. It was fascinating to observe how much ball possession Notts had in the match against Crawley. I don’t believe that having 80% or a high amount of possession is a bad thing, but Notts needs to utilise it more effectively. If we are taking risks to advance and consequently losing the ball more frequently, then so be it. Notts just needs to be more strategic in their approach to the game. I hope Sam Austin stays in the team, and I believe most players should start from the Crawley game. We need Jodi Jones to really push forward and attempt to take shots when the play opens up. This advice applies to all the players.

Dan Crowley, despite some dips in form, has been the standout player on the pitch from an overall perspective. This season, fewer players deserve to be in contention, but I believe Crowley is by far the most consistent. He gets involved defensively, and while he has committed a few silly fouls, these are rare. He’s skilled at retaining possession and utilising the ball effectively. Jodi Jones is a reasonable choice, but in my opinion, he can be quite inconsistent. We depend on his assists and moments of brilliance, rather than seeing a consistently high standard most of the time.

As a manager or head coach, you have to be cautious about certain decisions. I wouldn’t entirely blame Maynard, but there’s a point to be made. Robertson came with a fiery reputation, and if you see players losing their cool in games, it’s best to substitute them. The sending off was Robertson’s fault, and it turned the result against us. However, Maynard might need to consider these situations. If several players are already on a yellow card, it’s harder to decide who to take off to avoid suspensions. If you leave someone on who has a yellow card, then you risk them being sent off. Notts had three players on a yellow card: Robertson, O’Brien, and Slocombe. O’Brien is experienced enough to ensure he won’t be sent off, despite his physical style of play. Slocombe wasn’t likely to see red. Robertson, being young and fiery, always seemed a risk that would warrant a tactical decision to take him out of the game. Crawley had five yellow cards. Forster and Gordon, who both looked highly likely to receive another card, were taken out of the game. Lolos and Mukena remained, and then Maguire received a yellow card after coming on. I repeat, I wouldn’t completely point the finger at Maynard, but it’s a fair argument that we should have considered substituting Robertson.

Torquay made a hefty investment before we snatched their top players for our own promotion drive. I believe that’s a huge risk, and it makes me appreciate our own owners who cautiously financed the club’s advancement after the turmoil caused by our last two owners. Clubs should spend within their budget, fans need to consider this, and if people truly cared about their football, they would make a sensible decision. Sadly, some owners seek immediate success with a gamble, and fans are all too eager to support it.

Scott Robertson’s dismissal was a big blow to Notts, whether he deserved the second yellow card or not. In his position, he needs to be cautious. Some blame might fall on Stuart Maynard for not substituting him, but who else do we have who can fill this role without it being a weak spot? It could be argued that whoever replaced him could have been targeted for being out of position. That’s why we need a larger squad with more depth. It’s very disappointing, but I’m happy for Sam Austin. He’s earned his spot and has been patient. Right now, he seems to be a threat to the opposition and adds a positive dimension to our game.

It’s easy to criticise players when they’re not performing well and the disappointing results are accumulating, but it’s refreshing to see such positive tweets emphasising a player’s effort in a game that might not have gone as expected. On the field, no position is more scrutinised than the goalkeeper. I believe each of our goalkeepers has the potential to excel and also bring different styles to the table. Sam Slocombe has performed well since his return to action. His experience provides us with a slight edge at a time when we’re chasing points. While every player on the pitch can make an error, it’s usually the goalkeeper who bears the brunt of it all. Personally, I don’t mind having Sam Slocombe in goal. I think there are valid points to play either him or Aidan Stone. I personally believe Stone is better at distribution and command. Both are excellent at stopping shots. The downside for Stone is his confidence; once he’s beaten by the opposition, he can falter, but that’s something he can overcome with experience. It’s not that he doesn’t make some good saves after conceding, it’s just that it’s highly likely more will follow. Would we be in a better position if Luke Williams had stayed? I don’t believe there would be a significant difference. Luke Williams didn’t demonstrate any ability to rectify the flaws. He was excellent at bringing out the best in the players, motivating and inspiring them, but the downturn started well before he left Notts. While we might not be experiencing a series of losses as disheartening as we are now, I don’t think we would be any better off if Williams had stayed. Is this a call for reason or just wishful thinking? I’m inclined to agree with this statement, although Stuart Maynard isn’t doing himself any favours with his in-game decisions. I’ve noticed that he’s tried much of what the community has asked for, from changing the formation to giving other players a chance, and I think consistency is crucial from here on out. There are many issues, but blaming Maynard for everything seems wrong to me. I acknowledge that the team’s form doesn’t make it easy to support him, but this campaign is crucial for learning. Any mistake should be a learning opportunity, and this period could aid Maynard in his development as a manager. Assuming he manages to retain the board’s support, as currently, I can only see him losing support, which saddens me because I feel the club as a whole needs a bit of faith to turn things around. Is this a hope for learning and improvement, or simply a preparation for giving someone else the opportunity to settle with the squad ahead of a new campaign? Personally, I’m against the idea of sacking Stuart Maynard. It would appear as a weak appointment if the Notts board decided to dismiss him after offering him a three-and-a-half-year deal. However, I can understand the club’s perspective in wanting to give someone else the chance to prepare the squad for a new campaign. I believe Maynard would improve given time. He should be aware of what’s holding us back, something the recruitment decision-makers clearly don’t understand, at least not before Maynard joined the club. An experienced centre-back was crucial, and we focused too much on signing a player that was hyped by the media team for a transfer fee of £150,000, which could have been better spent on improving the defence. Alassana Jatta should be ready for next season, but until then, I can’t see him making much of an impact. We need to consider what to do with Will Randall and Junior Morias, two signings who have barely featured and show no signs of being considered for starting games. Ideally, going into next season, we should strengthen the defence, sign players to provide depth, ensure quality is available on the bench in all departments, and abandon the idea of having a small squad. We need cover. If players aren’t being played, they are either not considered good enough or should be loaned out so they can play competitive football with the mindset of recalling them if needed. Follow me on x.com (Twitter) at @20JOSHUA04, please subscribe to my blog here if you liked it and ensure you opt to receive alerts on any upcoming posts.

When I was invited to become a moderator and accepted, I felt not only proud to be asked but also motivated to make a difference, so I joined Twitter. I mainly retweet and comment, I’m not the most active user, but it’s a good platform to connect with fans. It’s more about motivation for me. However, I’ve mentioned in my Twitter bio that I’m a moderator, in the hope that fans will see it and consider visiting the site. If you’re a fan of PON, one way to show your support is by adding the Pride of Nottingham’s social media account to your own socials. You could even leave a comment suggesting others to visit the site. If you don’t have a website, you might consider linking to your own profile or to the community. It’s crucial to attract more visitors to the site. I understand not everyone will do this, but I’d recommend it. It’s a common practice among people my age to recognise the communities they’re part of.

It’s encouraging to hear that he’s returned to training more closely with the team and has resumed outdoor training. This is a significant progress in his recovery from injury, and I hope the team can gain a lift from having him around the camp and training regularly.

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham. We are a friendly group, so don't be afraid to say hello yourself.

We haven’t had a stable team this season. Yes, injuries can be cited as a reason, but we seem to switch goalkeepers on a whim or to keep the other content. The back three hasn’t been consistent enough, and the wing-backs are barely involved in defending. Some recent elements have been good, but they’re not sufficient. We rely on playing John Bostock even when his form is poor. Similarly, with David McGoldrick at his age, you’d want to see him utilised for the impact and quality he brings. He’s a good player, even now, but we’ve overused him, and it showed in some of the home games before his injury. Yes, I started off by saying we haven’t settled the squad, but sometimes smart changes are needed. While incidents involving Matt Palmer, Cedwyn Scott, etc., were all freak occurrences, I can’t help but feel we should occasionally rest a player. Consistency is very important, as is form. If we had a structured first team and changes were only tactical or due to form, then there’s an expectation to maintain a good enough level. Defensively, we’ve been weak, but it’s been made more apparent with Palmer’s absence. Bostock isn’t the same. People criticise Macaulay Langstaff for missing chances, but some forget to point out it’s a team game. Misses will happen, especially when morale and confidence are low. It’s not an excuse to say that when we’re on fire, Notts can be unbeatable, but for the most part, we allow ourselves to be less disciplined throughout the game.

From my perspective, dismissing managers often leads to more problems, and I’m keen to avoid that. I don’t think Stuart Maynard is entirely at fault here, his decisions and efforts so far have largely aligned with what we’ve all been saying. It’s easy to criticise someone for trying and not succeeding, but the result against Wimbledon was a stroke of luck for them. We played well, it’s not as if we’re performing poorly, and I don’t think a new manager can come in with the mindset of reversing the habits we’ve fallen into. Maynard has shown signs that he’s done well to reduce the goals against Notts, and while it’s not perfect, I believe he’s doing his best. Will dismissing him boost the players any more than it would harm us to stick with him? I foresee morale dropping significantly if we let him go.