Fozzy

Congratulations to Nottinghamshire CCC, a really amazing achievement given Surrey’s monopoly over recent seasons. Every year I go into the season just wanting us to stay up, never thought we would be strong enough to win it.

I did, I lost 3 and a half stone in total but looked a bit gaunt so I put half a stone back on and feel much better for it. The secret to not piling it back on is unfortunately a permanent change to a healthier lifestyle. Gone are the takeaways (except very occasionally) and processed foods. We now cook nearly everything from scratch so we know what we’re eating and I make sure I exercise regularly. I can at least still enjoy a sweet treat once a week but no longer every day.

I played cricket against Steve a few times back in the day whilst he played for Collingham, always insightful and still had the insider knowledge on the happenings at Notts (before his return). A good bloke who will be sadly missed. As a side note for anyone that doesn’t know, he used to play for the same cricket club as (then starting out) referee David Coote.

Very odd to let him go after deadline day, so it couldn’t have been to make room for someone to come in. Can only assume that Robbo coming back to fitness had pushed him further down order, or a possible cost cutting measure.

Not having a coach in place for most of the summer must have really hurt us as our recruitment has been poor at best. Six permanent signings including a young goalkeeper punt, a player playing in the Italian 3rd division and a National league North player, plus five loan signings (mainly kids) shows that we have got this window badly wrong. Only Dennis and possibly Norburn, along with Iorpenda of the loans have looked decent, but have any of the midfielders / wing backs looked better than Sam Austin who we let go? Has the keeper looked better than Sam Slocombe? All I can say is that the playing budget must have been slashed this season (especially with Edward’s now going), but it will end up as false economy because they will lose probably 2000 off the gates as a reward.

I like the potential that Grant has but I’m just not sure that he is a natural attacking midfielder, he would be far better on the right hand side of a midfield three. He’s not quick enough, strong enough or sharp enough yet to play as an attacking midfielder.

I’m becoming increasingly baffled as to what our transfer policy is this summer. We’re now looking at another young loan in central defence which I just don’t get as we’ve only made 3 permanent signings so far and only one of those is an experienced league player. We must have something major lined up as we have lost 8 contracted players and one of those was on a significant wage, either that or not having a coach in place has made us miss out on quite a few signings. We are currently far weaker than this time last season, so they need to get a shift on as this squad is looking very ordinary.

Totally gave up chasing back for the one on one miss in the second half. Looked thoroughly dejected. Still miles off what we know he can do. Embarrassing when a young lad on loan is the only player willing to put the effort in. He was light years ahead of his teammates.

I liked the way Rovers played, solid back four and runners from midfield, Street up front for them also looked quality. We on the other hand did the same old thing that we’ve been doing for months now, a stretched three across the back, a boxed midfield and two wide players trying to get it to Jatta. It just has not worked at home and any half decent set up can easily hold it at bay. I think we’ve won 4 home games all season against any side in the top 17, that is a shocking and quite frankly an unacceptably statistic, and we looked a totally dejected side, bereft of any ideas. At least we’ll get the spring bank holiday weekend off.

Jarvis for definite @Robbie, Whitaker I’m not so sure about as he is a bit weak. Totally agree about Palmer, he’s always been the guy that makes us tick, but too often this season he has just been content with sideways passes and has lost a yard of pace. JJ is a different matter, if we make the playoffs he is vital to us and he needs to get match fit sharpish, so he will only do that by starting. I would prefer us to play three in the middle with Didzy playing further up and alongside Jatta, too often we get outnumbered in the middle of the park so playing a central three would address that.

Missed the game as I was driving back from Manchester, but listened to the 2nd half on the radio. All I will say is that to lose seven home games in a season where the opposing have been so poor is unforgivable and the management cannot be defended over this. Promotion has been there for the taking this season and the whole club have badly let the fans down with some huge mistakes. Playoffs even look doubtful now as we can’t buy a win and a poor Donny Rovers side are more than likely going to win the league when they play us which in all fairness is quite laughable. A lot of talk on X that Matt Palmer told the fans in the Kop to “F Off” during the game, did anyone see this?

Absolutely, Maradona’s skill was just on another level and you cannot argue with his ability to raise average teams to greatness, he was definitely the most skilful that I have seen. I suppose the article though does state “Complete” player and you would find it difficult to argue against Ronaldo.

Wish him all the best wherever he end up. Not a great keeper to be honest. As @Sophie dsays, he had slow reactions and was also poor under the high ball, choosing to stay on his line rather than coming for any crosses. His kicking wasn’t that great either, yes the defence was terrible in front of him granted but he did nothing to inspire any confidence.

Love Wagamamas, food is freshly cooked and really tasty if you like Oriental cuisine. Personal favourite is the Beef Donburi and sticky rice but I also love the Katsu curries. Not the cheapest but well worth it.

His comments really haven’t helped his cause in trying to convince people that in reality, he isn’t a very nice person. He’ll go to MK and within 12 months he will be looking for another exit because he isn’t getting everything his way, the man is showing precisely why he has the journeyman tag above his head. I look forward to hearing the very warm welcome Notts fans will give him in April, he’ll have a stinker…

If it is £300K, there is no way I wouldn’t snap their hands off, especially for a league 2 journeyman who’s already had 12 clubs. Would prefer to keep him because he does make us a lot stronger going forward and can do things that no one else in the squad can, but I wouldn’t want a disinterested player just seeing out the season and trying not to get injured. Probably explains the signing of the Everton lad and the clubs thinking around signing Jarvis to play more centrally.

I assume the 6 month contract is a form of insurance for both parties to see if he can make the grade and get regular game time for us? He will also be putting himself in the shop window for the summer if he does make an impact, so would hope we may have an option written into the contract to extend. Looking like Crowley is on his way to MK either tonight or tomorrow, so it would seem he will definitely get some opportunities to play.

The top teams of League 2 have a far more effective high press and that is our Achilles heel. We need more pace higher up the field (hopefully Jarvis will help with that) as an outlet and we need to make better decisions at the back. Sometimes you just cannot play your way out of trouble and need to put your boot through the ball. I think the Walsall home game highlighted brilliantly our strengths and weaknesses in one game. First half they let us control the ball and they couldn’t get close, second half they made changes and brought much more energy and urgency both on and off the ball which we just couldn’t cope with. A lot of league 1 sides would spot our weakness quite quickly, so we need to find a solution.

Still not convinced that he is worth keeping to be honest. I didn’t see the Cheltenham game but thought he had a steady game against Walsall. I wasn’t impressed with his performance against Swindon and thought he flattered to deceive, a lot of nimble footwork but more often than not he played the simple short ball back rather than attacking and taking on his full back. I doubt we are paying him much but would give him no more than a contract till the end of the season, and I wouldn’t be disappointed if he leaves with Brown in the next week or two, especially if it creates space for a better option up front.

Looks like a really good signing and appears to be comfortable with either foot, but I would say he is predominately right footed @Robbie as from the videos I’ve watched, he mostly shoots with his right and also takes penalties the same. Appears to also be quite sharp and we’ve been missing pace up front ever since letting Nemane go.

Wish him all the best, and going to work for his old manager might be just the pickup he needs to really get his career going again. Without the injuries I’m sure we would have has another great striker on our books because he had the game and finishing ability for it. Carlisle could be the right club as I’m sure he will get the game time, he just needs an early goal. Don’t forget Sam Slocombe is also still at the club, at least until the end of the season.

Looked like an own goal from where I’m sat. Not complaining ????

I’ve also wondered this, and can only think that he is struggling with his health, otherwise he should at least be on the bench. Surely we will be replacing both Martin and Brown in January? Neither have done enough to stay with us. I must admit that after the Salford game I was bemoaning the decisions made by the management in playing 4 players out of position, it just shows what happens when the square pegs end up back in the square holes.

I’m hopeful of a win tomorrow as long as we don’t concede another sloppy goal as I can see heads dropping. The one thing I’d like to see: Dan Crowley banned from our third of the pitch and find he’s playing just to the side of Jatta.

My top 5 cheeses. Stilton (I could write this 5 times to be honest), loved it since a kid. Roquefort Wensleydale (with cranberry) Mature Cheddar Danish Blue Bought some Shropshire blue to try this Christmas which is a new one for me. I’ve always Loved a blue cheese, but even more so as I’ve become older.