sentient

Welcome to the site and PON, Cedric.

I really hope you can find a good way for your dad to keep going to matches. Watching from home just isn’t the same, and there’s nothing quite like being at Meadow Lane in person.

I agree with @Robbie. The real focus should be on forcing the sale of owners who are clearly harming football, no matter where they’re from. But it shouldn’t stop there, there needs to be proper checks in place to stop these types from getting involved in the first place. Prevention is key. Trying to jail foreign owners, especially those from places like the Middle East or the US, is unlikely to happen. There are too many political and legal barriers. A heavy fine or banning them from owning clubs might be the only realistic option. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than letting them carry on unchecked.

Winning is always welcome, and snatching results from teams who thought they had it wrapped up is part of the game. But if Notts wants to be one of the top sides in this league. and ready for the next, we need to rely less on luck and more on the quality we’ve got. Gritty wins are fine, and sometimes the football won’t be pretty, but that doesn’t mean the performance was poor. Holding onto a lead, staying organised, and doing the hard work to see out a result matters just as much as creating chance after chance. We should accept that not every match will be a showcase of flowing football. What matters is building a team that can win in different ways, whether that’s through skill, structure, or sheer determination. If we want to be serious contenders, we need to focus on consistency and control, not just hoping for a lucky bounce or a late goal. The signs are there, and if we keep pushing the standard, Notts can be both effective and enjoyable to watch.

The Premier League has clearly leaned towards overseas coaches because they often bring fresh ideas and a more technical style, which suits the top level. Lower down, it’s a different world. League Two especially rewards physicality and direct play, and that can make it hard for technical players to shine. I think the real challenge is finding a balance. You don’t want to abandon passing football just to grind out results, but you also can’t ignore the reality of what works in this division. The owners clearly have a vision, and I respect that. It’s refreshing to see a club trying to play the right way, even if it’s not always easy in League Two. Martin Paterson has a tough job, no doubt. He needs to stick to the style the owners want, but also find ways to make it effective against teams who play rough and direct. It’s not impossible, like you said, Eddie Howe managed it, and there’s no reason Notts can’t do the same with the right approach and patience. I’d rather see us try to play proper football than settle for hoofing it and hoping for scraps. Let’s back the vision and give it time to grow.

The training sessions seem to be making a real difference now. The midfield looks more settled, and the movement off the ball is starting to improve. It’s still an area we need to keep working on, especially when we’re trying to break teams down. Scott Robertson coming back is a big boost, he’s looked sharp and seems to have added a bit of muscle too, which should help him hold his own in the middle.

It says a lot about the loan players brought in that someone like Curtis Edwards, who can play in different midfield roles, has been pushed out. Jack Hinchy is less of a worry, but it still shows the club has looked back at last season and is now changing how it goes about recruitment. If the loan signings do well and Notts can keep improving, I hope it helps us bring in stronger permanent players in the future. That would be a good step forward.

Thanks to everyone for the warm welcomes. I really appreciate it. I wasn’t expecting this. If you don’t mind me asking, which parts of Cincinnati have you visited? There’s loads to do, and plenty of lovely countryside to explore. It often gets overlooked because of the busy city and the areas around it.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I’m looking forward to joining in each day and getting to know the regulars a bit more. The site looks great and I’m really pleased to be part of it.

I voted for Rod McDonald. He’s played well in the last two games and has looked solid since stepping in for Matty Platt. He’s fitted into the back three without fuss and has helped steady things at the back. At Tranmere, I thought he was excellent. He defended with confidence and looked like the most experienced player in that part of the pitch. He led by example and didn’t shy away from the challenge.

I was referring to this season when I mentioned Mai Traore. We only saw brief moments from him last year, and I do think he still has something to show. But based on what we’ve seen so far, I feel Notts should look at other options. It’s not about giving up on him, but the team needs to be practical. If he’s not fit or ready to contribute, then it makes sense to bring in someone who can. The squad needs depth, and relying on potential alone isn’t enough.

Hello, my name is Geoff. I am 49 and have supported Notts since I was 7. I now live in the United States because of work, but I still manage to travel back and watch a few games in person. I grew up in Wollaton and still feel a strong connection to the area. I enjoy hiking, fishing and watching sport. I also like discussing ideas and hearing different views.

Mai Traore’s injury is a concern. Notts paid a fee, and he hasn’t featured yet. With only two strikers at the club, it’s hard to see how this setup works. Losing Matt Palmer and Scott Robertson showed how thin the squad can be. A third striker would give us more cover. The names mentioned in this thread are all decent options, but I don’t expect Notts to spend. A younger forward might come in to play off the bench. That’s fine, as long as he’s good enough.

Kelle Roos needs to sharpen up. Teams will see him as a weak spot. He reacts slowly and doesn’t always go down when the ball comes in. It’s worrying. He can make good saves, which shows he has ability, but something isn’t right. He needs to take control of his area and get his positioning sorted. With his experience, some of the goals conceded should have been stopped.

Thommo knew the game. He didn’t get the success he wanted as a coach, but he earned respect. He gave everything to the job. It’s a real loss to football and to those who knew him. Rest in peace, Steve Thompson.