Robbie

This will be a very tough match for Notts, Carlisle have some good players that can open defences & Notts will need to be at their best to stand firm at the back. Notts need to start the game very positively and be switched on from the start to ensure they don't concede a goal early. The order of the evening will be for Notts to work hard in all areas of the pitch, but hopefully they will get a little more space than they did against Morecambe. The loss of Jodi till after the new year is big , but I am confident that this Notts team will work hard for each other to try to reduce that loss. We know that Notts will create chances, they just need to take just a few of them, & keep Carlisle at bay.I would be happy with a draw. I think that would be a good result for Notts.

Congratulations @Countyman in becoming a PON Grand Master.

@KingMaynard Tackles from behind were outlawed in 1998, & there were a spike in yellow cards & red cards afterwards & the rule is still in force, but since then it's this dangerous play thing that is unfortunately up to interpretation by the Ref.

Personally as I have said before, one of our best academy players should be on the bench and, League 1 & 2 clubs should be allowed nine players on the bench as the PL are. Why should there be any difference in the numbers allowed on the bench in the football league tier? There shouldn't be any difference. That would allow up to two academy players on the bench. I mean, one could come off the bench & score a hat trick or one or two assists, or even change a game in another way.

Should players have more protection from the officials to prevent players from getting serious injuries? Stuart Maynard has been complaining about the treatment dished out to his players this season & has asked for more protection. Jodi Jones is calling for more protection from referees after being ruled out until the new year with a fractured shin. Of course there has to be a balance in allowing a player to be able to tackle another player legally, but unfortunately, one referee's opinion of a poor tackle is not always anothers. We know there are laws in place that prohibit tackles from behind, but the law is a bit too vague for my liking. There is a rule that retrospective rulings can be made, but it's hardly ever used. All of the match officials have to miss an incident or do not see it due to a player being in the way etc. So what's to be done. Should there be retrospective judgements made if a Ref makes a mistake, or misses a serious incident resulting in injury, & time away from the game?

Well apart from just half an hour this morning it has been raining quite hard all day. Had the heating on all day too. Found a small Ant colony in the garden the other day when I lifted up some weeds. I was surprised to learn that some Queen Ants can live decades up to 30 years. Male drones only live up to a week, & workers about a year. Termite Queens can live up to 50+ years

Cedwyn Scott has played for both clubs. He'll be sorry for missing this one.

Notts used to have a good relationship with Forest when it came to loaning their players. It seems to have dropped off as of late. If there is a talented youngster available from a club in the PL it's worth it for Notts to check him out I think at this time Notts will be looking at players out of contract like they did Martin, to see if they would suit the Notts style.

Bill Shankly was a great Liverpool manager in the 60s. He had a great quote too ???? "If you're not sure what to do with the ball, just pop it in the net and we'll discuss your options afterwards"

Your Monday Evening Weather.

Another great opposition view article. It is great to get the opposition perspective on the match tomorrow. Notts just need to play at their best against Carlisle. This match is going to be the hardest away match that Notts have faced this season. If Notts have to grind out a result & get a result ugly then so be it. A good defensive performance & a smash and grab win would be a good result as far as I'm concerned.

I love the football that Notts play nowadays. When they are on their passing best, it can be very fast and slick. Quick passing movement up front can open up defenses & create chances. But passing from side to side at the back when the opposition has a high press is dangerous & can be costly. Have you noticed we don't see a lot of offsides nowadays? That's all to do with the passing style that has taken over the game. I can remember passing teams such as Liverpool, Man U & Forest in the 60s, 70s & 80s used to pass it around, but most of the time the goalie would punt the ball or kick long from goal kicks most of the time. I've said it before & I'll say it again. I'd just like Notts to mix it up a bit. Try going long if playing short isn't working. Surprise opponents, don't let them settle combating just one style. That's why Jatta in the team is so exciting because he gives Notts that extra option to do that.

Norwich City 1 v 2 Leeds United Sunderland 2 v 1 Derby County Birmingham 4 v 1 Huddersfield Crawley 0 v 2 Mansfield Town???? Leyton Orient 1 v 1 Exeter City Doncaster Rovers 2 v 1 Barrow Newport County 2 v 0 Salford Tranmere Rovers 1 v 1 Swindon

If Notts have to satisfy the sponsors need & have the three different playing kits then so be it. Most clubs now have three kits with three different levels of sponsors. Clubs nowadays, especially in the lower leagues, need to make their money how they can. I applaud the Notts owners for doing this Incidentally, some clubs like Man City have FOUR playing kits.

Stuart may spring a surprise against Carlisle & play Martin from the start, however I think he will be on the bench once again.

Jodi Jones is a pivotal player at Notts & his absence through injury will be a big blow to the team & the supporters. Jodi has had so much bad luck in the past through injuries, however, he's had a new lease of life at Notts, & last season broke records, received accolades from his fellow players, football pundits & became the player of the season. The Notts squad is much stronger this season & I'm sure the team will work much harder to reduce the effect of Jodi's absence. I wish Jodi a speedy recovery from his injury & I'm confident he will come back better & stronger.

A player that will be making a trip back to Carlisle will be Rod McDonald. I'm sure he will feature in the Notts side at some point in the game.

Your Monday Afternoon Weather

Traveling to Brunton Park to meet Carlisle is always a toughie for any team especially for an evening kick off too I think that the Notts preparation for this match has to be spot on. The news that Jodi is out till the end of the year at least is a blow, however I'm sure the players will try to reduce the impact of Jodi's absence to a minimum. I believe Stuart should bring back Macari to start the match in defence with, Platt & Bedeau, with Bass behind them in goal. I agree that Robertson should start partnering Palmer in the centre of midfield. I would like to see Gordon play on the right & Tsaroulla on the left. I would have Crowley & Grant supporting McGoldrick up front. If Jatta is fit to be on the subs bench, that would be a big lift for the team otherwise it's Slocombe, McDonald, Hinchy, Abbott, Martin, Austin & Brown on the bench. I think that Notts need to start very well & ensure that they don't concede an early goal. Notts will have to be at their best in defence & in the midfield area, because I think that this match will be a physical & attritional battle. Notts have shown lots of character when the chips have been down & they'll need it here too. I'm sure teams have watched the Morecambe match & how they frustrated Notts for long periods. I believe lots of teams will try to follow Morecambe's example, & try to do the same to nullify the Notts passing & attacking game. Notts just need to battle hard & ensure they take the opportunities that come along. I'm hoping for a positive result. I would be pleased with a draw.

As @Fan of Big Tone is on his holiday, I will start this thread for him this week. Good Morning everyone. It was a very wet night here. It seems to have relented a little this morning, but the Sky is overcast & it looks like we may be getting more of the wet stuff. Is anyone from PON going up to Carlisle to watch the match on Tuesday? It's a very long way up there, & I believe it is always a tough match for any team going to Carlisle especially for an evening match.

Your Monday Morning Weather

I'm going to give Stuart Maynard credit for his substitutions that gave Notts the impetus to get the point that they deserved. Morecambe had a game plan and it very nearly worked for them but a bit of quality from Crowley when it was needed helped to get a point for Notts. Last season Notts would have lost a match such as this but this season Notts are made of sterner stuff. McGoldrick clearing off the line in the final minutes demonstrated just this.