@Graham totally spot on analysis 👏

Me too! I have genuine concerns that he won’t cut it in L1 anyway. He isn’t robust enough, will be a target and he’s lost a yard of pace……

I’d hope Roberts has the agility and direct, attacking instincts to do well for us tbh. He is a highly talented footballer and he’ll grow into L1. I’d probably back him over Jones for the next couple of years tbh.

You might be right there @Graham, Jones' absence is odd and it's starting to feel like another Jatta situation. We're rumoured to be in for Harry Boyes, who plays in his position. Is he intended to be competition or a replacement?

He's blown hot and cold over the last couple of seasons, but we know he can unlock a defence for us. He deserves a stab at League One and I'm in no doubt that he's good enough for it.

It just didn't work out with Traore, considering he had 3 season playing in the top division of Norway you'd have thought he would have been a hit not a miss but that's just how it is with transfers sometimes. Surely him going means someone else is coming in to take his spot now.

It's interesting to me that this time last year we had signed 5 players on loan. This season we have either missed out on players or are just extremely reluctant to sign loanees. I understand that you don't want to over-rely on loan players, but to have not signed any is weird to me. If we can get a player from the level above that isn't ready for that level, like Iorpenda, Luker and Abbott were, you can quite easily strengthen the side.

Perhaps loans have been delayed as players have not yet returned from the world cup. This trickles down as the squads higher up take place - I think 🤔.

While loans are very useful it does leave you in this situation where you have to replace key players each year. Must be a hard balance to achieve.

The owners and RM have said a few times that they regard the loan market as 'good value'. Confident they are trying to get in the best they possibly can.

Players or clubs wanting guaranteed game time might be a barrier. Have got the sense once or twice that loan players were being picked or coming off the bench, especially in the second half of the season, even though they'd lost form or interest. Or I might be just imagining that.

He is extremely well thought of by Southend fans with a number saying he is the best player they’ve had over the last few years. One even said that he can see him playing in the Championship before too long. He’s at a good age too.

He's definitely heading somewhere, this is from the Southend manager after their match this weekend; "We’ve had a trialist in and we’ll hopefully do business once Harry leaves, which will probably be on Monday".

I know York could pay him stupid wages, but maybe the lure of playing a League higher has tipped it in our favour. I guess we'll find out pretty soon.

0-0 at full-time, not exactly a classic. I've seen the full-match replay on the site but I think I'll give it a miss. I did watch the post-match interview with Martin Paterson after, and it hasn't filled me with the reassuring comments I was hoping for!

Obviously the injury situation is not good, 1 fit proper wingback and 1 fit central midfielder is worrying. But I totally agree we are light on players and to be in this scenario 1 week before the first competitive match starts is not good. He made it pretty clear the goal-scorers in the team aren’t there and the way he was speaking about the players who have come in from the NL was a kind way of saying they aren’t ready.

He made it pretty clear he he doesn't control who comes in and out, felt like he was making it known to the fans that the lack of players isn't down to him.

I thought Jack Evans was the standout player for us today. Also Lipsiuc and Kouhyar did ok when they came on. But we don't look anywhere near league one ready. Lets hope we can get some quality players in and soon.

Totally agree with @McPie Jack Evans stood out as well for me, and i thought Belshaw was once again gave a solid performance. Martin Patterson made it clear in his post match interview that we are light in areas that matter and coupled with the injury list doesn't bode well for the beginning of the season never mind Burnley in the Carabou Cup. Looks to me like something needs to be done asap or suffer the consequences.

If we lost Jodi to Bromley I would be seriously concerned, I can’t see it happening. Also Jodi Jones in an Andy Woodman team, I don’t see how that works.

I’m giving this rumour a 1/10 for probability. ^{(Cue news of Jones departure to Bromley by the next week)}

Considering they are likely to end up with a points penalty for their misbehaviour, and rampant signings breaking EFL rules I highly doubt this. However, I personally think we could cope provided we reinvested in strength. Jodi Jones is a good player, but last season he blew hot and cold. I know some fans who thought he only turned up the final at Wembley last season, which is harsh, but he was lagrely inconsistent.

I would rather have him, but at the same time I don't think he's always someone valid to start every game based on performances. I love Jodi, he's very loyal and his leaving I think would be more Notts moving on than him.

He didn't want to leave Coventry, and lives in the area so moving might prove to be a dealbreaker.

He's got a year left on his contract and I don't see that Notts should be rushing to break the bank at this stage. He's had a lot of injury problems and we've worked really well with him to look after him physically.

There were a number of underwhelming games last season and the standard of opposition will be better this year.

More performance like Wembley, and I'm sure he'll be getting offers which match what he feels he deserves, whether from Notts or someone else.

A lot of the Notts XI seem to be new academy players making their rans through our youth system, as I can only recall a handful of the names and I think the game will be important for them to re-start their focus on pushing for more development time. Certainly they shouldn't feel down about losing a pre-season friendly; it's all a part of learning.

It was a little disappointing not to see Emmanuel having more first team time pre season, he's been a stand out for a year in the B team for me.

I guessed all the words (20 out of 20) in today's Combinations puzzle.
✅✅✅
✅✅✅
✅✅✅
✅✅✅

Can you guess this puzzle?
https://combinations.org/

I guessed all the words (21 out of 21) in today's Combinations puzzle.
✅✅✅
✅✅✅
✅✅✅
✅✅✅

Can you guess this puzzle?
https://combinations.org/

I guessed all the words (27 out of 27) in today's Combinations puzzle.
✅✅✅
✅✅✅
✅✅✅
✅✅✅

Can you guess this puzzle?
https://combinations.org/

West Brom played a half-decent team from looking at that, quite a few first teamers, probably a bit weak in an attacking sense although they did just pay £1.3M for Barney Stewart and he scored.

I don’t know why we haven’t released our team, the cynic in me is saying it’s because Jatta (and maybe Jones) weren’t involved so then everything gets totally overshadowed by that.

I’m never really one who thinks pre-season is that important in terms of performances, but it is good to see Acquah scoring goals, after the back of his last season I think it’ll help his confidence and relax some fans (me included) a little.

I hate the entitlement and negativity of some of our fans, especially those who demanded to see the team sheets or starting XI of both teams. It's a pre-season friendly, take the praise that our players got and turn it into excitement for the start of our League One campaign.

West Brom Albion started a decent squad from what I have read, and even if they fielded youngsters some of them will be about our level or near.

It's a good run out for the lads.

Pre-season results are always worth taking with a pinch of salt, but it's encouraging to hear we played well. For me, the biggest positives are fitness, building partnerships, and seeing how the manager wants us to play. If we're becoming flexible enough to change formations depending on the opposition, that's a good sign—it shows we're not going to be one-dimensional this season. I'm not a huge fan of behind-closed-doors friendlies either, as they're a missed opportunity for supporters to see the team, but if they help the club assess trialists and prepare properly, I understand why they're used. A 2–1 away win at West Brom is still a confidence boost, even if the real test starts when the league season kicks off.

Hey @Michael D Pie. take care of yourself my friend, urine infections are nasty as my dear wife will testify. I hope you are better soon.

I agree with @Chris thanks for your supportive messages, it means a lot.

My blood tests came back today, no diabetes, no high cholesterol and my blood pressure is fine. So the bleed on the eye isn’t caused by any of those, I’ve got an appointment in September to see an eye specialist.

Good morning to one and all, what a lovely day so far.

Thank you @Fan of Big Tone i think the antibiotics are starting to kick in and things are improving slightly. From experience i know success is not immediate, so I'm being a patient patient. Good results on the blood front, just the eyes to sort now eh?

21 hours ago, Chris said:

I hope you are okay, and that it clears up soon.

Thank you also @Chris it makes it such a pleasure to hear positive talk, weather it is banter, football or just a chat, it seems everything is always from the heart.

A few words for Mr Infantino and Mr Trump :-

We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended. 🤑

Just now, Michael D Pie. said:

Good morning to one and all, what a lovely day so far.

Thank you @Fan of Big Tone i think the antibiotics are starting to kick in and things are improving slightly. From experience i know success is not immediate, so I'm being a patient patient. Good results on the blood front, just the eyes to sort now eh?

Thank you also @Chris it makes it such a pleasure to hear positive talk, weather it is banter, football or just a chat, it seems everything is always from the heart.

A few words for Mr Infantino and Mr Trump :-

We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended. 🤑

Anyone seen these two Magpie rascals, last spotted running down Meadow Lane. 🤣🤫

Very good fans, I would love to see Notts fans in the KOP do more but I don't think we are organised enough. At the Forest Friendly, there were multiple chants at times, and we really should be on the same page so the atmosphere is spot on. I mean, I did feel impressed but hearing 2 to 3 chants at the same time, with them equally dying off, just made me wish we could be more vocal in the right direction.

They may be in the third division, but Hansa make a fantastic atmosphere even by German standards and this was their big day out. They'd never been to England before, and London is pretty simple to get to - next season, their closest away trip will be over 200 miles away!

A few years back they brought 3000 to Mannheim, a 1000-mile, 24-hour round trip. Of course there are some idiots among them, but they're far from being the worst offenders.

The t shirts look a bit familiar too!

It’s bad for the fans, but it’s good that they are being looked into for breaking the rules.

But when some clubs can get away with charges or put them off, you can’t help but wonder how fair the rules are. They are supposed to keep football on a level playing field and stop clubs bending them to suit themselves.

These are serious charges, and I hope the punishment is fair.

You can't just do what they have, and I find it shameful it didn't come to light sooner. There was a lot of talk amongst fans about what was going on, and I don't mean their own supporters. I think they should be transfer santioned personally, however, they will still sign players now and avoid being in a difficult place which barely makes it right after breaking the rules.

I wonder how Derby County fans feel, since they had issues and faced strict punishment for how they signed players. Burton Albion for me is far more extreame, Deby's was a grey area and very heavy punished.

I'd hope so, the last time he was in Germany he played in the second division, he's dropping down to the third division where the standard won't be as good, so surely he has more of a chance of getting regular playing time. I always thought his dribbling and ability to get past players was usually pretty good, it was just in the final third where his cross or shot more often than not was off.

He was a bit of a super sub for Darmstadt @menzinho. I imagine he joined us hoping for more minutes, but we also found him more effective coming off the bench.

He's a strange one. He's got the talent to step up, but he could have done with a run of games and yet he never really justified a starting place for us. He could be an asset to Ingolstadt, but if he only performs in fits and bursts he'll end up warming the bench again

He grew with us and became someone I felt disappointed to see leave, now I don't know if he left because he wanted first team football or if Notts made the decision. I wasn't that impressed when he played in the pre-season friendly, and defensively I had concerns, but towards the end of our campaign I would have selected him.

Not only was he good on the ball, making himself a constant threat, but he improved massively with defensive work.

The issue is, his starting time could be limited and with Jodi Jones and Nick Tsaroulla it's difficult compitition to be against unless he slotted in elsewhere. Personally, I thought he was far more rounded than Jodi who struggles to defend and sometimes doesn't even bother. Tough, his talent to attack is second to none.

Putting your golf balls into baskets is quite legitimate.

However, the Aussue striker would be a nice addition and then we are probably short of two more?

One more striker

One more No. 10

Anymore on the shopping list?

He's had rave reviews from the Harrogate fans that have left messages on social media, some even think he'll be our player of the season!

I think the midfield looks pretty solid now, he’s also left-footed so we’ve got a 50/50 split of left and right footed CMs. I really like that he’s another player that has been a captain, he’ll have that mentality and determination, all those other qualities that can’t really be measured by data.

I'd be adding a RWB @Mapperley Pie , I know Tsaroulla played there last season more often than not but we need an actual right-footer there who is capable of starting.

He gives us options in the middle and out left, so that's a good thing. Blackburn Rovers have a good academy, a lot of their youngsters find success in the ELF. Evans is the type of player that just needed a chance, and I think he did that well last season for Harrogate Town. There's a reason why their fans rated him, and I hope we can see him flourish in a competitive Notts squad.

We have to have players firing on all cyniders and performing well, so the options we have will benefit us.

That’s a very strange decision, poor Stuart he must be gutted, I hope he gets another job soon.

Shocking decision. Such positivity around the club 48 hours ago, now nothing but negativity among the fanbase.

I hope he can find a good National League club that will stick with him, there's a few good choices in there and his record for promotion is strong. I just hope he doesn't end up at a team like Yeovil Town or Forest Green Rovers.

There's some good clubs like Hartlepool United that could be a good fit.

With his record and what he did for York City, I can imagine a fair amount of interest will be there.

Crazy. And they've appointed Scott Lindsey. Hardly a serial achiever - fluked a promotion with Crawley and sacked a few times since.

I'm sure SM will walk into another job in a couple of months after the early season round of sackings, best of luck to him.

I think it's the club trying to stretch their budget by removing the man that got them back to the EFL, the reasons I believe it's money related is because I can't see why they would get rid of him amongst a time they are losing key players. You would expect them to want to stay grouped and collective, so that they have a stronger chance of fighting to stay up.

There's some Notts fans who are massively harsh on Stuart Maynard, but he's good enough to keep York City up.

This decision to part ways for me seems like one of those internal decisions where the board or chairman has gone against the grain and thinks of money before football.

It's hard to see the logic in this one. York score 114 goals and mass 108 points and that's deemed not good enough. Then they appoint a manager who has been sacked from his last two jobs! Not quite sure why as they put it want to in that "different direction." Makes no sense.

That Watford squad is a delight for any Scrabble players

It's nice to see Marc Bola doing well, Watford are a decent team and I had hoped we could have signed him back when he was here on loan, then when he became a free agent. I try to keep tabs on ex players, as I do hope the ones who represent us well have a good career at whatever level they find themselves.

Bola will hopefully make it to the Premier League at some stage for whatever period he can, though the Championship is still a good level to be at.

A fair amount of MK Dons fans that I know, do not really think Dan Crowley has warranted the fee they paid but have said to me that he improved last season for them but still believe he hasn't done enough to warrant a starting position. I think we ended up doing a smart deal, as he was sulking around Notts and being sloppy on the ball.

When he gave the goal away against Salford away, although I do think he was fouled. It was poor play, and he tended to repeat the same mistakes. MK Dons spending is silly for a club at their level, you can match ambition with overspending in such a wreckless way.

Their recruitment seems to be to sign good players from other clubs and expect the same result insantly.

Listening to the interview and judging by the weather he must have signed last Thursday or Friday. Perhaps they like to spread out the good news on signings 🤔

The radar for last striker was a bit off, let’s hope we’ve reconfigured to the Jatta/Rodrigues levels!

I've seen lots of excitement around this signing, I'm a touch more reserved because he's only played 15 league matches in Finland so it does feel like a bit of gamble to me. Looking at his matches played, he missed the whole of the 2025 season but then this season in the 13 matches he's played (technically 14 but that was only a 10 minute appearance) he's scored 7 goas.

The global rankings is pretty interesting, just got to hope it's acurate because if we'd just signed a striker who scored 7 goals in 13 matches in League 2 we'd all be over the moon!

This will be the highest level in terms of consistent quality that he has played in, but he has a promising outlook and at 22-years-old he has time to further improve. His time in the Finnish top flight will have given him a good level of experience, no doubt he will have played against some very good players but now is the time to prove that he can be a top striker.

My son keeps telling me to watch a video of him on YouTube, but I haven't as of yet. I do know of him, as I recall the interest he had from other English clubs when I wrote on Football Manics.

He's the signing that has me the most excited, as he seems to have all the ability that Jatta had but with more refined qualities.

I wish him well, myself.

I don't reject ambition or the fact that players will grow and eventually want to test themselves. He might still have international ambitions which he will be running out of at 27, although nobody really can say for sure if he is good enough to break into that scene. He will however want to play at the highest possible level, and earning more will of course help him with his future. Playing time is always quite limited for professional footballers, so I hope he does well. I personally think he might struggle but the move will no doubt open other doors if this is the case.

Hope he has good luck. I'm thankful to have seen his talent with us.

I am not really a fan of behind closed doors games, even though I know it is usually related to teams having trialists. Additionally, low turnouts could be a factor, but pre-season is a great point to get fans interested. Pre-season matches mean very little, other than fitness and seeing how the team is adapting. Notts played well, and I have heard we may try to change our formations depending on the opposition.

1 hour ago, Michael D Pie. said:

Or have we already achieved that with the latest signings? ⚽️

I don't think, or at least hope, that we have not. Three strikers on the books; one experienced but not a regular scorer, one inexperienced but not a regular scorer, that puts a lot on the shoulders of Mr Smyth who has scored well in the last few months in Finland but is still relatively inexperienced.

It would be nice to have one more on board; probably again unproven but then perm 2 from 4 or 1 from 4 and we have some cover and some room for one of them to really develop under Patto's guidance. (Yes, I am ignoring Traore)

I’m sorry to see Jatta go as we all are but that’s football, as others have said he’s served us well and he goes with my good wishes.

Another proven goal scorer would be a nice addition so let’s see what happens in the rest of the window.

Notts clearly wanted a replacement, which shows that we won't just sell players without making sure we aren't leaving ourselves short. I wished undisclosed fees weren't a thing, as it does mess up transfer records and activity and I feel we as fans deserve to know what he went for.

This said, I think he might struggle. They have a player from Benfica on loan, and aren't really expected to do all that well.

I am not saying this to speak down about Jatta because he left, I think at any top flight level he would probably find it more challenging but I do wish him well. If he does well, that's great. Yet he's going to need to be more displined and return to putting effort in even when he struggles with his form.

My issues are only with his agent, as I feel he was the reason behind all the antics we experienced and perhaps unsettled Jatta to the extent he wasn't always at his best with us. There were games last season where I wouldn't have had him in the XI due to his effort and form, however, we did need him and his talent could change at a single point in any game. Whilst I do wish Jatta well, I would hope he will learn from allowing some of the negative aspects of his time here to stall his career. He improved during his time here, no doubt that will be important as he moves on.

Our place in that is definitely going to change next season.

We'll push up to 65% maybe (if results are OK) and hopefully only about 7000 seats

(seats are for banners anyway, in my house I've followed Notts' example and stopped the family using the chairs and sofas - I cover them with stuff I want to promote)

1 hour ago, Chris said:

I don't have it in me to deal with people who need help maintaining and fixing a site, you just get blamed for everything and made to feel unwelcome. Despite putting many hours in for free just to get the site back into a healthier state, you have to contend with nonsense from the former owner who seems to have more influence in things despite having little knowledge of this field. If he had, I wouldn't be fixing issues he created.

@Chris no one blames you for anything, where would we be without you my friend. You know that you have the backing from the majority on here, please don’t let someone/something as miniscule as this upset you and ruin your devotion to the PON. We all know and understand the depth of care and consideration you apply to this and we appreciate everything you do. Don't let a narrow minded bigot change you my friend. Stay strong and ignore.

Today is a lovely warm day and the horses appreciated their hay and fresh water as you can see below.

52 minutes ago, Michael D Pie. said:

@Chris no one blames you for anything, where would we be without you my friend. You know that you have the backing from the majority on here, please don’t let someone/something as miniscule as this upset you and ruin your devotion to the PON. We all know and understand the depth of care and consideration you apply to this and we appreciate everything you do. Don't let a narrow minded bigot change you my friend. Stay strong and ignore.

It's not PON related, but

#waffle1642 5/5

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#waffle1643 5/5

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