TheSkipper

Yes, I am sorry I missed welcoming you sooner. Welcome to PON, @MikeWood! Join in when you get chance, once you get used to things here you should really enjoy it.

I won't be at the game either, but it should be a good run out for the squad. Alfreton Town are a good team at their level; while we can outplay them, they do tend to be defensively organised and can be challenging to break down. It all depends on how they play. I know previously they stuck a veteran striker up top, and he had no service. For us, it's all about getting shape, communicating, and preparing to listen to Martin Paterson's instructions. The formation will be interesting, and I hope we can start with the strongest XI at the beginning. There are plenty of minutes to get the new signings settled and embedded into the team, though I do think most will start. I don't think the club is doing it, from what I have been hearing; if so, I would have thought they would announce it. It does seem a shame if they don't stream the game to those of us who can't make it.

Excellent poem, well-written and insightful as to how most fans might be thinking. The gaffer will be happy; he's a poet, too. Well done, and thanks for sharing it, Michael!

It's been great seeing the likes of @McPie, @Sheffield Pie, @BridgyPie, @PieHard and even @Michael D Pie. joining in. I am sure there's plenty more; these are just off the top of my head, and the upgrade has made a big difference, too. I feel the site is far more polished, and with further work still needing to be done. I am thankful that the community supports the site. Thank you to all the members who subscribe to PON, especially. Michael. You all are making a difference. 👏🏻

I pitched it earlier today; my editor is thinking it over. Even if he doesn't like it, I might persist in my personal time. It would be a lot easier to use my media credentials. At least from the investigative angle. I might reach out to Peter Trembling, but he may want to distance himself from it now. He clearly was the pawn behind it all and probably was clueless as to Russell King's lies.

I can see you are more a "half-eaten pie" type of fan, rather than a "half-empty, half-full glass" type of person. 🤣 😂😂😂😂👏🏻 I think we need to keep note of some of these lines you use, as I still can't get over your reference to MK Dons having 'the rich history of a microwaved lasagna'. It's pure brilliance and such a joy to read.

@piedestrian, David Button, and Kai Kennedy would be excellent signings for us. That's fair enough; I just thought trying to coax some suggestions might be interesting. I should have thought that some might not have knowledge outside of Notts or the wider leagues. Jack Payne would be a great signing, a very hard-working midfielder. One year left on the deal, too, which could make it more tempting to accept a fee for his services. Another name to suggest is Jack Bridge, although more of a wide player than a central midfielder. He could play either side, maybe even higher up, as he does have goals in him. Jack Bridge - Player profile 25/...Jack Bridge - Player profile 25/26

@Robbie, @menzinho, It’s more about chatting and sharing ideas on who might be a good fit, rather than trying to tell Notts what to do. I doubt any of the names I’ve thrown in are on the club’s radar, but it’s always interesting when people throw out a name you hadn’t thought of.

I hope one day he finds success with a team where he gets the chance to push on in Europe and really prove himself as a manager. He speaks well about football, but he moves about a bit too much for my liking. It’s hard to build something when you're always on the move. I do wish him all the best with his return to AS Trenčín. Hopefully this time it’s a step forward and a proper long-term role.

Ethan Chislett could have been a good target, but he has signed for Kaizer Chiefs. Aldeershot, AFC Wimbledon and Port Vale - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethan_Chislett Here are a few players I would be tracking if I were Notts. Jökull Andrésson: Keeper. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J%C3%B6kull_Andr%C3%A9sson Sam Tickle: Keeper. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Tickle Harry Chapman: Attacking Midfielder. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Chapman_(footballer,_born_1997) Matt Daly: Attacking Midfielder. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matty_Daly Chris Long: Striker https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Long_(footballer)

If I can, I’ll try to put together a feature on how the Kasper fee got misreported and what really happened. My workplace might be keen, but I’d also be happy to run it for PON. I remember the talk of £1,000,000 and £500,000 being paid at the time, but later people began saying it was actually a free. It’d be good to clear that up with the facts. I wouldn’t want to focus just on Munto, but looking into the behind-the-scenes bits of deals like Kasper’s and Sol Campbell’s would make a cracking read.

By choosing to only have Alassana Jatta and David McGoldrick as our attacking options, and allowing Junior Morias to go out on loan, we did remarkably well not to burn out sooner. If we think of Jatta as the new guy replacing Macaulay Langstaff, we’re still pretty short in the spot that really matters on the field. The way we play, we know we can create chances, but I still think Langstaff should have been replaced with someone similar. Even Cedwyn Scott couldn't get much of a chance in his natural position because the club wanted to focus on two strikers. Jatta was always going to lose his form; maintaining it through the season would have been a miracle, but I don't blame him. I don't blame the club as such; I just think we needed to add a finisher. It's not that bad; we have to accept bids, but that reinvestment needs to be made on the pitch just as much as off it. We can't do it halfway, or gamble on signings hoping that they will come good. We have to invest in certain areas, and I think those crucial areas are up front and in goal. The Reedtz are doing well to improve the infrastructure and to look at other revenue streams. Yes, money from the players needs to be balanced out. Any fan questioning the brothers is living in a cloud, but what I think most people would agree with is that if we lose one player, make sure to sign a solid replacement. Not every time a player leaves this will happen, but we are attracting bids for our better players, and we aren't always replacing them as wisely as we could. This is the thing: it's disappointing to lose good players, and as fans we might overvalue their price or worth. I am sure the club is working hard to bring in players, and we might not always be in a position to strengthen, but the only way the club can improve the morale of the fan base is to keep focused on the need for quality additions. I don't think the club sees using money in the short term benefits us in the longer term. It would be nice to have Langstaff back even as a loan, but his wages might be the stumbling point. If Millwall were happy to loan him out and contribute to his wages, for him to do well with us and later be sold. It could work, though Millwall look like they want to get a fee now.

Just think of the glory supporters it got rid of, and how the Munto led to our current owners finding us via two poor owners who had no real clue how to put the club before their own egos and ideas. Supporting teams at our level might be a rollercoaster, with not so many ups as we have downs, but at least we are looking to be on the verge of something special with the Reedtz at the helm. Notts has never been in better hands, and at least we still manage to attract those casual, floating supporters without the money. 🤣

He could be getting some vital experience in our pre-season, with just a week before we play Alfreton Town. Will the club be able to find a suitable number one before the German tour? I am sure they have a list of keepers, and I do like seeing young prospects given a chance. Attracting interest from Palace and Forest suggests he's got character and something special; I just hope we can bring it out more.

I wished I could make it, but with work and the three games, I would have to take holidays at work, and they wouldn't grant them in time for me to confirm this. @liampie did ask very early, but even then I have to give several months notice for things like this. It's a shame because the guide makes it seem even more fun than when Notts confirmed the mini tour in Germany. One day I will get to watch Notts and drink German beer, whilst watching us outside of the United Kingdom, of course! All the best to those travelling!