All I really remember about Jackson's stint with Notts is that he never really did enough to justify a first-team spot and left fairly quickly @Chris. If he was stamping his feet and sulking behind the scenes because he wasn't in the first 11, I don't recall hearing about it at the time, which is maybe why nobody seems all that bothered. Reeves was a good player for us and we were lucky we were able to replace him with Palmer. He was seen as a big loss when he left. I've got a lot of respect for Wimbledon because of all they've achieved, but as far as I'm concerned they can stay in L2 another season and stuff the franchise one more time!

13 hours ago, Morten Johansen said:

run like dogs

Yes, but like the energetic dogs that sprint round the field again and again and not tired old dogs that keep stopping to sniff pee on lampposts.

If the Dons think they've already reached Wembley, that could work to our advantage. We've already showed that we can beat them and we'r strong away. What came before doesn't matter, tomorrow is what counts. COYP!

Unconvincing for a lot of the season, missed chances to capitalise on other teams' slip ups, a lack of ruthlessness and mentality over the course of the season. However, we have another chance to give it our all and to leave it all out on the pitch. Into battle we go. COYP

Yes, I have got behind the team all season before that arises. If going to every game home and away in League and Cup isn't getting behind the team, then I don't know what is. 

There has been points of very valid criticism this season, as well as some that has gone OTT as well. If we had created and taken the clear cut chances against Wimbledon, but in other games (Cheltenham, Barrow, Chezzy, Crewe, Newport, Salford, Colchester) then we wouldn't be needing the play-offs. Yes other teams have had similar results in dropping points, but it's made extra frustrating that we haven't taken advantage.

All we can do is go for it. Take the safety off, loosen the strings and attack. Let Jarvis and Jodi run at them, get Traore playing on the last defender, bring more energy in midfield than in previous games this season and if you have to, play the dark arts. 

I would love it if we could get over the line, even if I did lose hope a few weeks ago and mentally checked out a few weeks ago as well. Yo-yoing between positives in our performances in different games, as well as constructively criticising the points where we needed to improve and pointing out when we played well and when we played poor, and doubting that we have it in us to get over the line. All we have is hope.

My  first team performed minor miracles at the end of the season so why can't Notts too?Good luck anyway.

Xmas 1965 I bought "We can work it out"/"Day Tripper" by the Beatles as one of my Xmas presents for my Mum. It was a double A side 45.

That's a real memory tester @Fan of Big Tone.We didn't have a record player until Christmas 1960  when my parents bought a stereogram plus several 45's(I can hear the younger members asking what's a stereogram and 45) but I can only remember 3 .They were 'Its now or never by Elvis,Poetry in motion by Johnny Tillotson and Lonely pup(in a christmas shop) by Adam Faith.I'll have a look through my collection to see if I can turn up any more.I can't remember the fiirst 45 or album I bought at the moment.

As much as I would like to see Morias & Traoré given a chance, I think that Maynard will play safe and stick to the players that have been playing regularly around the first team.

I think that Grant & Jarvis will play up front & Stuart could spring a surprise & put George Abbott in the number ten roll.

Traore and Morias would seem like the obvious replacements, but I get it’s not just as simple as that. Will Traore be physically strong enough to compete against Wimbledon’s back line? He has at least been involved second half of the season whereas Morias hasn’t played for months. He’ll likely be well off the pace. He might just make the subs bench now but I’d be really surprised to see him in the starting 11.

We are then looking at Whitaker, who I do quite like as a player, but that’s usually because he’s alongside Jatta and Didzy… I'd change the formation to allow for a front 3 of Jodi (RW), Traore (CF) and Jarvis (LW).

I think we're more likely to see Traore than Morias (mind you, Slocombe will probably ret a run-out up front before Morias does). He hasn't impressed so far but this is his chance. I'd expect to see Grant behind him as he's been preferred to Whitaker lately.

Going to the team with the best defence in the league without two strikers who have scored nearly 40 goals between them is a tall order, but tomorrow is a one-off. Keep the faith!

Your Weather 4cast for Thursday 

Your Friday Weather 4cast.

Your Saturday Weather 4cast 

Tea is being taken.

Notts are 278 for 8

Habib is 113 not out.

Notts 407 all out.

Hameed finishes on 206 not out.

That's the end of the day's play.

Durham are 0 for O in reply to Notts 407 all out

Merry Christmas! 

No, I’ve not gone crazy  that’s what we are up to today, having our Christmas present.

A bit late as it’s been difficult to get a time when all 4 of us are free, we are off to a Derbyshire restaurant for a posh 3 course,, child free, lunch with our son and daughter-in-law. 

It’s the best sort of present, it doesn’t need shelf space, we don’t have to dust it and the memories will last forever.

It will be nice to talk without the kids, although we do enjoy going out with them it’s rare to have an adults only chat so will make a change.
 

It's been a lovely morning & early afternoon here. Not a cloud in the sky. Just a light breeze to keep one comfortable when sitting out in the garden.

Did some errands for the wife, with some shopping  at the local store & posting some letters. Washed the Car at the local car wash. 

Apparently it has been one of the sunniest springs that we've experienced for a while. We've had as many hours of Sun than the whole of spring & summer of 2024.

Can we final get a summer to compete with the summer 1976?

Wow, what a fine dining meal we had at The Peacock Hotel at Rowsley in Derbyshire, if your wallet will run to it I can recommend this place, our son paid because it was our Christmas present, he wouldn’t say how much it was but we roughly totted it up and he wouldn’t have got much change out of £500 for a 3 course meal with drinks for 4 people, it was fabulous.

I need a kip now.

Connections
Puzzle #705

Connections
Puzzle #705





Not today

@super_ram I've realised that solving this particular puzzle game isn't just about straight connections, & if it doesn't click it's hard to solve.

#waffle1211 3/5

streak: 6
wafflegame.net

#waffle1211 3/5

streak: 106
#wafflecenturion
wafflegame.net

#waffle1211 4/5

streak: 73
#wafflegoldteam
wafflegame.net

Wordle 1,427 6/6

Wordle 1,427 6/6

Just.

Wordle 1,427 6/6

Only just for me too.

Why did the pie go to the dentist? He needed a filling.

I think Millwall was never the right fit for Macaulay Langstaff, I said it at the time, and their squad doesn't suit his style of play. The spell in the Championship shouldn't really impact his career options, some other Championship teams might still be interested. I am hearing that Portsmouth are amongst one of the clubs sending scouts out to watch him. A better suite for Macca would be Coventry City or Derby County.

At least in the Championship, as both those teams have good midfields and room for a striker who will be given time to play.

That said, I think it's more than likely he will remain playing second fiddle in Millwall's team. The start of their season wasn't all that good, and even whilst signing Macca they were linked with Mihailo Ivanović who made a significant impact upon his signing.

Millwall are a bit top-heavy with forwards now, so I can only see them allowing Langstaff to go out on loan or sell him if the fee is bigger than they paid, which realistically doesn't seem likely. His stock value has fallen, his time in the Championship is being considered  a flop, so it's important that he takes what chance he gets or looks for an alternative move. Though his wages are allegedly around £12k, so a loan could be tricky because it will limit a lot of League One teams who are not sure he can repeat his magic here at Notts.

I agree with what you said @Chris Macca had to try himself at a higher level, & he had a big pay rise too when he transferred to Millwall.

It does demonstrate that the style of play between different clubs can affect how a player performs.

A lot of football science goes into the recruitment of players & you can understand why. Buying & playing players is an expensive business.

I'm sure that Millwall checked to see if Macca would integrate successfully nto their style of play, but unfortunately it didn't go the way they planned.

Macca is a great finisher & he's good at getting into threatening positions, however he does need the right supply.

Unfortunately he does have a long contract at Millwall so unless some club is prepared to pay close to the fee he cost Millwall, it does look as though a loan period for him would be the best option.

I do think jumping up from League 2 to the Championship was always going to be a challenge, even more so in team like Millwall that doesn't typically create a lot of chances. Not to disrespect the defenders in League 2 but the standard of defenders he has come up against this season are levels above what he was regularly facing with us.

Maybe from a footballing perspective he’ll have been disappointed, but like @DangerousSausage says considering not that long ago he was playing in the National League North, he’s secured himself a long-term contract in the Championship which gives him financial security that he probably didn’t expect would ever happen.

Gutted for all Notts fans.The injuries to my 2 teams just continue

Well it's up to Grant, Jarvis, Traore or Morias now.

My bet is on Grant, Jarvis,  Abbott or Whittaker being the front three..

It could end up working in Notts favour.

I get on the one hand you announce this for us as fans but at the same time it seems a bit daft as now Wimbledon can plan and change their tactics knowing McGoldrick won’t play.

It's a massive blow though and to be fair we got more out of him than I imagined we would this season. We cannot go into next season and still be in the same situation where McGoldrick, if he stays, carries our main attacking threat though. He is class but if we want to continue to get the best out of him, we’ll need to manage his minutes better.

My best guess 

 "All the fours".

But I'm sure it's completely wrong

3 hours ago, super_ram said:

One for all and all for one.Probably wrong but my best guess.

You’re nearly there @super_ram just the wrong way round.

As Captain Mainwaring used to say(Or something similar) - Well done @Fan of Big Tone ,I wondered who'd spot that first! 

11 hours ago, DangerousSausage said:

What made me angry was Platt being held for the goal. It should have been disallowed.

I’m glad you’ve brought that up @DangerousSausage yes I saw that too the goal should never have been allowed and the players should have been appealing vociferously, I don’t like to see players surrounding the ref but other teams do it to our disadvantage.

Looks like Jatta is in for more than a one game ban.

Looks like he could easily get a five game ban or more which will impact his value of he is sold this summer & if he stays he will be unavailable for several matches at the beginning of the season. 

He won't be playing against Wimbledon which might be a blessing in disguise for Notts. He needs to get a good rest & come back for training pre season fully refreshed if he's still a Notts player.

from @ARLukomski

If Notts had won 10 games instead of 20, they could have been relegated with 42 points instead of having a chance to get to a playoff final.

Stuart Maynard's Notts County Record

Total

Matches

71

Wins

28

Draws

15

Defeats

28

Win Percentage

39%

Awoniyi in induced coma after surgery https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cn0g8qyjywjo

It's a very serious injury & shouldn't have been allowed to happen. A Forest player was clearly offside & the game should have been stopped immediately. 

The rules on VAR need to be changed after this injury that should have been avoided.

I just wish Taiwo has a speedy recovery.

It’s just awful, I really hope the authorities look at this rule.

Aye, I know he made contact with the ball.

I do feel for Jatta, he was clearly distraught and emotional. There's always the chance for things like this to happen, and there really wasn't any need for the Dons' player to pretend he had been caught. It must be frustrating for Jatta, as he will miss the away leg, and that for us as a club could prove crucial. He'll come back stronger, and he'll learn from the experience.

I am sure we'll see him again for us next season, the incident might deter some of the clubs watching him from bidding to see how he reacts. Or, he could be sold, but I don't think it's likely, personally.

Notts had plenty of chances to change the outcome well before Jatta was sent off. Conor Grant should have put more power on his chip, that was a huge miss for us and a sign of how unfortunate we would be. I don’t think Wimbledon looked all that strong in their win. They have a good keeper and height in their defence, but I wouldn’t rule Notts out doing better away from home. Still, the loss was disappointing.

I don’t fault the effort from any player. I just wish some of those close calls had been finished more clinically. Jodi Jones gave me hope when he smashed the post, and Goodman celebrated as if he had saved it.

To be honest @Joshua, Grant needed to lift his shot over the keeper and if he'd put too much power on it it would have been crossbar bound. It was just a very good clearance. But i agree that Wimbledon looked beatable. I wouldn't count us out yet. 

Jack Draper into another Masters 1000 Final, this time on clay.

Another 3 points should get Barcelona the title. They should achieve that easily in their last three matches.

Real Madrid will still be in the Champions League so missing out on the title won't be so bad for them.

Knowing them, the Manager's position might be under threat. They don't like failure even if they have come second.

The Spanish League, just like the Premier League & Bundesliga are just so predictable. 

The top five or six Clubs that are the richest get richer & the rest have to manage with the scraps on offer.

Whilst I don't particularly like either team, it would still be quite the experience to watch this game at either of the teams home grounds. Nou Camp for me, would be quite breathtaking, especially if the weather was super nice.

I really like that joke about the French Ninja Turtle! It's pretty funny!

I don’t think there’s much that separates a number of our better performers last night, majority would’ve scored 6 or 7/10 from me. If Grant had scored, he would’ve been my MotM but I can’t look past his poor finishing. Platt just edges the rest for me.

I’ve gone for David McGoldrick although I think quite a few players put in a good shift.

The Poll has now closed.

I'm delighted to announce that David McGoldrick is the Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match against AFC Wimbledon.

Well done David.

Tea has been taken.

Hampshire are 33 for 3 in their second innings.

Hampshire need 450 runs to win.

A three day comprehensive win for Notts.

Hampshire 116 all out.

Notts win by 366 runs.

Latest County Championship Division  One table.

Nottinghamshire on top.

Dissapointing result last night particularly as Notts played very well & deserved to win the match in my opinion. 

Notts created plenty of chances & they certainly played to a high level especially in the 2nd half. 

The way Notts managed to open up the Wimbledon defence on several occasions gives me great hope.

A one goal deficit going into the 2nd leg means that this playoff semi is not over by any means.

Notts have the 2nd best away record in league two this season, so they will be hopeful to be able to turn things around in their favour at plough lane.

I think that a Notts early goal would force Wimbledon to come out & make the running which could give Notts that extra space to exploit upfront.

I'm still going to believe that Notts can make the playoff final, which would be a great achievement.

Hoping that Didzy will be fit for next Saturday. His place in the side will be vital for Notts.

Morning all, I guess we are all a little deflated by yesterdays results, I’ve put my thoughts in the matchday thread.

It’s another fine day here, we’ve got grandchildren until their mum and dad come home later today.

Yesterday young Fred was entertaining us showing us his tricks on the skateboard, then he got his virtual reality goggles out which was hilarious watching him walk around the garden doing things which only he could see.

Another lovely day here. It's going to be warm but it's a bit windy too.

Was out in the garden early mowing the lawn before it got warm. Mrs wanted it done because she wanted the washing out early too.

Nice to get the grass cut & tidied up early. Time to get the dried washing in for the Mrs now. 

My new DVD seems to be working well. It is very small & light too. It's about 10 by 8 inches. My old DVD was twice that size & about 10 times the weight. Three year warranty with it too which is useful.

another american takeover, which i hope for the sake of colchester united that it is done with the clubs best interest and not a vanity project.