@Wheelbarrow repair man My cousin was 11 years older than me, she was an Everly Brothers, Dion, & Buddy Holly fan, she liked Elvis too. 

I was only four at the time, but when we visited my Aunt, my cousin, she'd put her record player on & I'd listen to all of them.

I Soon knew the words off by heart, Cathy's Clown, Bye Bye Love, Runaround Sue, Can't help falling in love, True love ways, & many more.

Cardiff City 1-1 Portsmouth

Leeds United 2-0 Watford 

Bristol Rovers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town

Peterborough United 1-1 Blackpool

Fleetwood Town 2-1 Crewe Alexandra

Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Grimsby Town

Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Eastleigh

Tamworth 1-0 Yeovil Town

Cardiff City 1-0 Portsmouth

Leeds United 2-1 Watford

Bristol Rovers 1-0 Shrewsbury Town

Peterborough United 1-1 Blackpool (Joker)

Fleetwood Town 2-1 Crewe Alexandra

Tranmere Rovers 0-1 Grimsby Town

Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 Eastleigh

Tamworth 2-1 Yeovil Town

Cardiff City 1-1 Portsmouth

Leeds United 2-0 Watford

Bristol Rovers 1-1 Shrewsbury Town

Peterborough United 2-2 Blackpool

Fleetwood Town 1-1 Crewe Alexandra (Joker)

Tranmere Rovers 1-2 Grimsby Town

Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Eastleigh

Tamworth 1-2 Yeovil Town

Good afternoon. 

We have cloudy skies here but it has been dry all morning with the forecast saying we might get some Sunny intervals later.

It will have to be quick because the sun goes down just before 5pm today 

We have both been busy this morning, out in the garden first thing for a couple of hours mowing the lawn, weeding & removing dead flowers.

It was nice to do about three hours out there. Hopefully that might be the last cut before winter.

Now it's time to relax with a nice cup of tea & biscuits. Any plans for this afternoon? Not really, just sitting down & going to have a relaxing afternoon.

Plan to go out tomorrow morning & remove our dying prairie flowers that have held on quite well this year.

I was woken up surprisingly early by the sound of a skip being dropped off just outside my flat this morning. It was for a bungalow across the road where a lady I would chat to every now and again lived. She sadly had a stroke earlier in the year and passed away.

I chatted to one of her sons briefly to ask how he was doing, he said the bungalow had sold so they needed to sort through the house. I noticed he was chucking some rather decent stuff inside the skip. There was a small tv, he said he had no use for but still worked. Now, I didn't need a tv and it wasn't my intention to use this as a kind of side-street Argos but I couldn't help but notice there were some other perfectly good looking objects inside this skip, an ice-cream maker being one of them. I asked if it worked and he said he thought so but there were no instructions for it, he said I was welcome to have it if I liked and anything else for that matter...

So long story short, I got myself an ice-cream maker (it does work), an easel for painting and a pair of stools that just needed a bit of sanding/re-painting.

It's a bit sad to throw away things that still work, I guess maybe some people find it hard to go through their loved ones items and just want to move on but I'm glad I rescued (and still might rescue a few more things) from a landfill site.

I couldn’t agree more @menzinho I’ve also noticed perfectly good stuff being thrown in a skip, I can’t for the life of me work out why they don’t take it to a charity shop if they can’t be bothered to try and sell it, at least then the charity would benefit, or it could be gifted on one of the freecycle sites or Facebook market place, anything is better than landfill.

I think I was a tad over critical with my comments against Wimbledon and I undervalued our ability to grind out a result. Plan A is to out-play teams and I know there are some very good teams in League 2 and this isn’t always going to happen. If we grind out another win against Barrow I won't complain!

Their good form at the start of the season has tailed off a bit so it's as good a time as any to play them. They've lost 4 of their last 5 and are struggling for goals a tad, the first goal from us might just dent their confidence even more and should put us in strong position to get something from the match.

If Macari is struggling a bit McDonald would seem the obvious choice, but he is left-footed so it might make things a bit harder for him to play the RCB role. You could move Platt across but he’s been so good I would be reluctant to do it. I think Cundy has looked awkward there, so Ness might be the best option if he's fit enough.

Mad to think after last season we’ve now got a lot of defensive options both in defence and midfield but now we’re struggling in attack due to injuries. Think I’d start Brown, with Ceds out we kind of need to see something from him now. We overplayed McGoldrick last season so although I'd want him to start, bringing him off the bench would still be a great option if we needed him. And I’ve no idea who our best wingbacks are still, no-one's found any consistency there yet but I think Tsaroulla and Gordon are the sensible choices.

I think the youngsters will be important in our push to make the next stage. We need to keep fielding the young talent we’ve seen in the EFL Trophy.

Hopefully, we will continue to see them performing well. It’s all part of the journey, and we just have to see how things turn out. It’s a dream to watch them develop and contribute to the team.

We might do something a bit different tomorrow, as we could go to a back 4 and play Bedeau at left back, that would then get McDonald and Platt in playing in their correct positions, with Gordon at RB if Macari isn’t fit. Midfield three of Hinchy, Palmer and Abbott, then Austin, Crowley and Jatta as the loan striker. Pure guesswork but could be an option.

Otherwise, we will definitely rest Didzy, and we may rest Palmer as he has played a lot of minutes recently. Austin will definitely play tomorrow, where though is anyone’s guess.

Barrow have lost 4 out of 5, so can see this being another 1-0 game going either way.

Defensive stability has been the cornerstone of Maynard's approach, and one can't help but feel optimistic about the club's trajectory under his guidance. His vision for integrating young and veteran talents alike has paid dividends. It’s always a challenge when new management comes in, but the players seem to have responded positively. The ability to adapt to different formations and keep opponents guessing has been thrilling to watch. We have a style that’s both solid and dynamic. As long as Maynard continues this approach, there's every chance we'll be pushing for those playoff spots. Stability, adaptability, and a keen eye for talent make him a manager to watch in the coming seasons.

One thing I’ve particularly noticed about Stuart Maynard’s tenure is the sense of unity within the squad. The players seem more cohesive, and there's a noticeable uptick in morale. Each match feels like a fresh opportunity, and the boys are genuinely playing for each other. It's a stark contrast to the disarray from last season. Maynard's tactical flexibility, especially with our backline, has brought a real sense of assurance. I believe he's creating a solid blueprint that will serve us well in the long run. And it's not just about this season; Maynard seems focused on laying the groundwork for sustained success. It's been a pleasure seeing this transformation unfold, and there's hope for even more improvements.

Stuart Maynard has shown significant growth in his management style. Initially met with scepticism, his strategic decisions have proved pivotal in transforming the team’s dynamics. By focusing on building a robust defence and fostering squad depth, he’s created a foundation for sustainable success. The ability to adapt and introduce different styles of play, depending on opponents, shows he's learning quickly. Maynard's management of young talents, alongside veteran players, paints a promising picture for the club's future. It's this balance of innovation and tradition that’s making a real difference on the pitch.

The FA may have made a good decision given the options. I’d much prefer this appointment than some average, clueless Englishman who would look out of his depth after just three games in charge.

2 hours ago, Anti-Red said:

The FA may have made a good decision given the options. I’d much prefer this appointment than some average, clueless Englishman who would look out of his depth after just three games in charge.

Personally, I think that every single coach who is leading a team out today, no matter what level in the football pyramid, are doing their very best for their team. 

Of course, sometimes things don't work out, but personally I wouldn't go so far as saying a coach who has taken a coaching course & gained a qualification as clueless or out of their depth..

In my opinion there are plenty of English Head Coaches that could have done a good job in managing England if given the opportunity. 

I hope he isn’t just a transitional manager. He can actually make things happen, but he needs to build on strong foundations for the long term. 

He’s a good coach, but success at the international level depends on understanding the players. One thing foreign managers often get wrong with England is recognising which players can truly uplift the national team and which ones don’t quite fit in with those around them. 

You can’t just choose players based on reputation or names alone. It’s important to have the right players in the right positions.

Also,  always loved how his voice rose and fell depending on who won. You could tell who had won and lost before he even got to the number. I used to imitate it as a kid.

Here's the original Grandstand theme music to go with the old teleprinter. 

Notice the guy putting up the results manually 

I can imagine it was quite exciting to see the results slowly reveal themselves one by one after the final whistle. 

But honestly, I wouldn’t want to be the person typing in the scores. I can imagine that back then, it was quite a nightmare to update everything, especially in a live environment.

He’s one of the best signings we’ve made. If we are to get promoted, his arrival will play a huge part in that achievement. He’s a solid goalkeeper who would thrive in League One. Time and again, he has shown that he makes a real difference here.

If you asked me to rate Alex out of 10 since the beginning of the season, I would say he is growing into his role & I believe he is improving all the time.

I think he has the potential of becoming our best keeper since Kasper Schmeichel.

I would rate him 8/10 since the beginning of the season.

Notts now have an excellent defensive line, but a side also needs a goalkeeper who can command his area, deal with crosses, a good shot stopper & good at distributing the ball. 

Bass has all those qualities.

Great to see Bass complete his treble of clean sheets!

It must give the back line so much more confidence to know they have a reliable keeper behind them. He's already won us points on his own.

It's not a problem for us; we can give him the time he needs. I just hope he can find the inner peace to avoid feeling down over time.

Cedwyn Scott is clearly in trouble, and it’s good to see the club supporting him. We all know he is a very capable player, but he might be feeling the pressure of his own performance when things aren’t going well.

It’s encouraging that the club has reached out to him. Hopefully, with time, he will start to feel better. It’s important for a player to feel comfortable, especially when there are many eyes on the game.

Taking the time for personal development will help him improve. Everyone should welcome this support and use it to encourage himself to get better.

Everyone at the club should give him the time he needs. Some things are more important than football. Notts can bring in another striker to cover (on loan), but Cedwyn only has one life. Hope to see him back soon, enjoying life and enjoying his football!

is he 82 or 83? a lot of articles are saying hes 83, which is an insane age. i have read how he has been let go from his ambassador role. i dont see that as being an issue, but at his age anything could cause issues with being the manager. i dont mean just the possibility of his death happening whilst in charge. that could happen to any manager right now, but will he want to handle training in the cold? risk his own health at such a crucial stage of his life.

i dont believe he will go back to managing united, supposedly hes disappointed to have lost his ambassador role.

@liampie

I Think I'd Be Disappointed If I Had Lost A Job Which Paid Me £2 million A Year.

This is wild. He was paid 2 million a year to sit in the stands looking mardy? I could do it for half that (plus a personal pie budget).

Another Stella performance by our back line against Wimbledon. That's 4 clean sheets for the league season to date.

Notts have conceded just 11 goals in their first 12 matches, the fourth best in the league.

After 12 games last season Notts had conceded 21 goals, just one goal shy of being twice as many conceded.

So the evidence is clear that the Notts defence has improved this season under Stuart Maynard. Long may it continue.

To put that into context, we kept eight clean sheets in the whole of last season.

There's no need to change things unnecessarily now that Nessie has been discovered and McDonald has returned from his farm. However, it does give us a bit more strength in depth and competition in an area in which we were a bit thin. They won't go straight into the team, but they've got an incentive to force their way into the first 11.

We need to keep building as we are, but there’s little point in being strong in defence if we are lacking in other areas.

The squad we have now is the strongest we’ve had in some time, and the addition of Alex Bass is excellent. It’s a positive step, but I believe some areas could still do with further strengthening when the time is right.

@Robbie

No Mate You're Not Wrong. As I've said before Guardiola has never had to Struggle at any Club he's been in Charge of, they have all been Mega Rich and Top Clubs with No or very Little Opposition, in their Respective Leagues. The Guy isn't fit to Shine the Shoes of Managers like Jimmy Sirrel, Brian Clough, Dave Basset who have Got Hold of Clubs and have worked hard and taken Unfancied Clubs and have taken them to Heights that their Owners could Only Dream Of. Cloughie did it with Both Derby and Forest, Jimmy Sirrel of course with the Mighty Magpies and Dave Basset with Wimbledon.

And it seems that Phil Parkinson is Now doing a Job at Wrexham. Admittedly he has the Money, but Nowhere near the Amount that Pep has been given at City or over his Career. Plus it was Rumored last Season that should Parkinson Fail to get Wrexham Promoted,  to League 1 he'd get the Sack. Something tells Me, Pep's never had to Face That Kind of Pressure.

In an Update it would seem Guardiola will be Staying the Etihad, and Raking In his Millions. But Once he's Retired how is he going to Look back on His Career, Yes he's Won Trophies, but has most Fans have said, he's bought His Glory, he's Never Truly Had To Work For It. As you have said Yourself any Coach Worth His Salt could achieve what Pep has done with all His Billions.

Want Respect from this Notts Fan Guardiola and Others ? Go and Coach a team currently in the National League, get them Promoted take them to the Premier and win a Trophy, then you can call yourself a Proper Coach. It will Never happen of Course and Pep will look back on his Career and tell people look how Good he was with all the Trophies he's Won and Yet Even He Deep Down will know his Career is A Falsehood.

I know it won't probably happen but if Man City are guilty of most charges they are accused of & Pep has already committed himself to the club.

What if the club get lots of points deducted or even get relegated out of the PL, will he stay with City getting a transfer ban & losing most of their team due to FFP rules?

That would be a big test I think.

Pep is the least of their worries. With the money and talent they have, they should be a stronger force in the Champions League.

It's not good for football when a manager seems bigger than the club. If he decides to leave, so be it. They should be more concerned about the serious charges they are facing.

I'm in Full Agreement with you @Robbie. Of course we British should still Celebrate Nelson's Famous Victory. As We Should Continue To Celebrate All Of British History Not Just War Or Battle Victories. Even Though These Are Extremely Important. Think of all the Inventions that have Benefitted Mankind all over the World, which have come from British Inventors.

Never Mind These Wishy Washy Unpatriotic Morons, that are Around to day, trying to Undermine this Great Country of Ours. Stand Proud and Give Thanks that over the Centuries  Brave Men and Women have fought and some made the Ultimate Sacrifice to Keep Us Free, from People Who Would See An End To Those Freedoms. A Battle That Still Rages Today.

Totally agree with you @Wheelbarrow repair man This Country & the people within it, have fought against tyrants all through it's history from Queen Boudica to PM Churchill.. 

I believe that we should celebrate our history, & all those great events should be taught in our schools, so that new generations can celebrate them too.

I was in the Kitchen the other night, the wife was sat at the edge of the table, and she crossed her legs.

Sweetheart, I said I've Never Noticed It Before, But You've Got Beautiful Knees.

She Smiled at me.

Of Course I said My thoughts Are Above Such Things.

Your Weather for Monday Morning 

Your Monday Evening Weather 

If Somebody doesn't Agree or Like What I Say, Well That's Fare Enough. It certainly doesn't bother me whether they answer my Comment with a Like, a Heart, or any of the other Emoji's which are available, or don't pass Comment at All.

It would also seem that we may have drifted Slightly Off Topic Regarding a Down Vote Button, which is the Question I originally asked and Why there isn't one on PON? My Argument for one seems to have  moved the Debate in a Different Direction and by all sense and purpose PON Members Don't think there is a need for One. Which is Fair Enough and I accept the Majority Decision with Good Grace.

I agree with @Robbie and @Chris here, a downvote button would be negative to the climate and vibe of the forum. I've seen it in Reddit too, it makes it much too easy to just downvote something you disagree with and move on. The way things are now, you can only show that you disagree with something by making a post and stating your view, and isn't that what a discussion forum is all about?

I want to hear different views (as long as they are stated respectfully of course). Unless they're disagreeing with me of course. In that case it's off to the dungeon!

I understand this is just an idea, and there's nothing wrong with that. It's good to share thoughts on topics that could help the site. I believe we should encourage healthy discussions, so I wouldn't support downvoting or disagree reactions. I would prefer to explain my reasons instead and not focus on reactions. I wouldn't want to discourage anyone or make them feel that their posts aren't valid.

The Poll is now closed.

Thank you to all who have voted.

I am pleased to announce that by popular choice, Alex Bass has been chosen as Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match for his performance against Wimbledon.

I was desperately trying to get on after catching a train from London to Nottingham. So, I’m sorry I didn’t vote, @Robbie, but I would have voted for Alex Bass myself. 

I’m delighted for him; he’s a top goalkeeper.

That's two now for Alex Bass, which shows just how important he is to our team. Well done to him!

Aaaand the results:

Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Swansea City  
QPR 1-2 Portsmouth  
Blackpool 1-2 Barnsley  
Lincoln City 1-3 Birmingham City  
Bradford City 2-1 Gillingham
Port Vale 3-1 Fleetwood Town  
Maidenhead United 1-1 Hartlepool United  
Sutton United 1-3 Oldham Athletic

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Congrats to this round's winner @william1984!

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Overall, @super_ram remains top and the top three remain unchanged. @william1984 joins the leaders in fourth, while our biggest climber is @nottsnutter...

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The next fixtures are played on Tuesday night, so our next round is open now. Why not have a go? Thanks for playing and see you there!

Didn't realise I'd only done 7 predictions after 3pm, came 3rd with 10 points tho

Connections
Puzzle #497

Connections
Puzzle #497

Connections
Puzzle #498

#waffle1004 3/5

streak: 193
#wafflemaster
wafflegame.net

Dealt a dud hand

#waffle1004 5/5

streak: 79
#wafflediamondteam
wafflegame.net

#waffle1004 2/5

streak: 12
#waffleelite
wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,220 3/6

Wordle 1,220 4/6

Wordle 1,220 3/6

Almost the end of day 2, it's been a blast. We haven't yet managed to get to the sea front, today it's been raining on and off, sometimes very heavily. We went for a meal in a arcade/pub called "Empire". They do really nice meals, and I had a pizza. I forget what Super had, but it kept him quiet. He hasn't had a kip today, so it must have been the early start! After walking around, and popping in a few arcades - one if which @super_ram came 1st out of 4 in a Super Mario Kart, against Jake, Ellie and Ava. We strolled back along Roman Bank, and stop for a final drink before calling it a night. It's very windy tonight, but honestly, I do mean Super!

Memory unlocked. I'm walking away from the arcade at Skegness or possibly Winthorpe with my parents and my sister. My sister had been given a big bag of 2p coins, which she had blown on the machines (I may have "helped" her). She won nothing.

So the money has gone and we're empty-handed. My dad asks her, "So what's the moral of the story?" Her response? "Need more tuppences!"

@DangerousSausage

I  Stand Corrected I think you're right and the all White Kit was for 100 years at Meadow Lane. 

I am sure, even though my memory may be going, didn't the Trews change an already agreed sponsor on a FA Cup / League Cup tie/s? Perhaps a bookmaker?

Yes, that’s true, @Piethagoram. I believe it also caused some problems, as I remember reading that we were fined for it. I think the fine was related to the sponsor rather than the actual decision, but my memory on this is a bit hazy now.

The shirts were auctioned off, and some of the players wanted to keep them. However, some of these match-worn shirts that are sold or included in sponsorship packages aren’t even worn in matches. 

I don’t see an issue with second or third kits when they are needed, but I don’t think limited edition kits should be used in League Two.

It ends with a narrow defeat, but the Notts ladies should feel proud that they ran Leafield so close and deserved a point on the play and effort they put in.

Leafield have now won 5 on the bounce and have not conceded a goal in that time. They are a top side in this league 

The Notts Ladies are getting closer to these top sides.

Notts player of the match goes to:- Millie Qaintance.

League table after today's matches. Notts in 5th place.