Joshua

No one is going to disagree, mate. Go get yourself checked out and start recovering. I hope it's something that will get better with a little care. Please let us know how you get on.

It's very sad news about Matija Sarkic. Rest in Peace.

Selling Macaulay Langstaff now could be a bad choice. If we do decide to sell him, it should be at the end of the season. Keeping him for one more year wouldn't hurt. I think we should only let him go if we have no chance of promotion. While any money from his sale could improve the team, it might also weaken us. He's more than just a goalscorer, and making him captain shows his importance. We have a good chance of getting promoted to League One, and we are stronger with him in the team.

Rest in Peace, Kevin Campbell.

This is a question for Tom Weal, who has shouldered much of the blame for the goalkeeping errors and the signing of Aiden Stone, likely without having any say in the matter other than working with him. I value the hard work of all the coaches, but if we’re discussing those who often go unnoticed, I’d highlight the youth teams and academy. They nurture our future stars, a role that can seem thankless when the club is hesitant to field them.

In my opinion, Dan Crowley was more consistent and crucial throughout the season. Jodi Jones is an excellent player, but wingers often have an easier time getting assists, and he fits our style of play well. I don’t mean to downplay the significant number of goals he’s created, but I’m trying to provide some perspective. It’s always encouraging to see any of our players recognised, especially Macaulay Langstaff.

At present, two of our defenders have experience in League Two and they appear to be of a higher standard. I’m hopeful that Stuart Maynard, given the trust placed in him, can bring out the best in all the players. We need individuals who are resilient, focused, and committed. In past seasons, it’s been suggested that we need players with more Non-League experience, but we’ve been successful with quality. This notion seems to be reiterated simply because it’s a convenient label.

As of now, I don’t have any firm plans. It’s likely that my day will unfold spontaneously. If the weather allows, I’d like to take a walk around Nottingham on Saturday, a routine I’ve been enjoying. I might visit The Embankment and Meadow Lane, provided it doesn’t rain. However, these are just thoughts and not concrete plans. What about you? What are your plans?

It’s truly heartbreaking to hear about Willie Carlin’s passing. I don’t know much about him as a player, as his era was before my time. However, reading these warm comments about him is quite touching. Rest in peace, Willie Carlin.

I’m pleased with the arrival. Although I don’t know much, his experience at this level and his reputation as a good defender suggest that the move to Meadow Lane will be successful. I believe we’ve signed two of the best possible options, so I’m very happy.

Notts gave him a great chance after he left Hartlepool. His mistake was being too ambitious because he moved around too much and never settled. I don't blame him for wanting to play at a higher level, but I think if he had stayed with us a few more seasons, he would have found better options to move forward. I'm glad he's still playing; he was a good player for us.

I am impressed that Notts managed to sign him. I think it's important that we started by focusing on the defence, and I hope he settles in well. Then, we can focus on finding a first-choice number one or competition for Sam Slocombe and Tiernan Brooks.

In my opinion, Archie Mair isn't up to the mark. Whenever the ball is played to his feet, I get anxious, fearing he might lose possession or inadvertently pass it to the opposition. Despite his heroic contributions at Wembley and during our promotion season, I believe we need a better player. Alex Bass could be a valuable addition, but I doubt he'll join us. Now, Tiernan Brooks has the opportunity to play regularly. I hope he gets the chance, and I wouldn't mind if we signed another young goalkeeper, especially since we still have Sam Slocombe for his experience.

I believe Notts already have a clear idea of their recruitment targets. Our recruitment strategy seems to be centred around monitoring player development and potential opportunities. While the Adam Senior project could be a promising signing, he's still relatively young. I'd prefer someone with more experience, a commanding presence, and a no-nonsense approach. An ideal candidate would be a young Connell Rawlinson who is adept both on and off the ball. As for Lewis Macari, he should be starting games alongside Kyle Cameron. Our defence could be bolstered if we manage to sign a tall defender who can effectively deal with set-piece threats, among other things I've mentioned.

Did anyone catch the Champions League semi-final match between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich? There were several instances where VAR was used, and I thought the officials handled it brilliantly. They were quicker and more decisive than the officials in the Premier League. I concur with earlier remarks that it's more about how VAR is utilised and put into practice. It could be a helpful tool for assistance, but problems arise when it's depended upon excessively.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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