Alassana Jatta scores two goals tonight against Wealdstone in a friendly.

Good start for him and two well taken goals from crosses 

Is it a shape of things to come?

Macca has left the Club & gone to pastures new. 

I cannot think of a better number nine since I have been supporting Notts.

That's not to say that Notts have not had some brilliant number nines down the years because they have.

But maybe that could be for a future topic, I'm wondering which current player will take over the mantle of wearing the number nine shirt now Macca has gone.

Of course Notts may surprise us & bring in a new number nine, but from our current crop of attackers, who should have the number nine shirt?

There is a choice of course, from either, Jatta, Scott, McGoldrick or Morias.

All of them are quite capable of taking over the coveted position.

I have my choice, who is yours?

That's it I know what you're thinking the Old Wheelbarrow Repairman has gone off his Rocker. Stuart Maynard Runs the the Notts First XI. But does he? Is he the only One who makes all the Decisions? Bear with me and I'll Explain. Going back a few months the Magpie Circle Pod Cast had both Notts C.E.O. Joe Palmer and Head of Recruitment Richard Montague on and it more or less went has many PON Members said it would, neither were asked any difficult questions, but thinking back there was something Richard Montague said that didn't really Register at the time, however thinking back, he said something which as got me thinking. That was

During a Match he walks up and down getting worried about the Notts Performance if things aren't going right, yeah Ok but all us Fans get worried when things don't go the Magpies way True.  But walking up and down worrying about things  is something Stuart Maynard should do in his technical Area, isn't it? It shouldn't be a Problem for the Head of Recruitment unless of course he has something to do with the Team Selection and he must make sure the Notts Playing "Model" is followed to the letter. It is the Latter which got me thinking Stuart Maynard was hired because he played a similar style to that of a Luke Williams team, so was one of the conditions Stuart was hired,  was  it he would have to stick to the "Model" regardless ? And let us not forget Stuart was only a Part time Coach when he was hired, so was Richard Montague given the task of helping him make the switch from Part Time to Full Time Coach? And is Richard Montague  still in that Role?

Then again it's Probably Me Just Seeing Things That Aren't There. Then Again....

Unfortunately it's Stockport

It's time to change my username, but I'm not sure what to choose. Should I keep or drop the "Deadly" part? Here are some ideas: Deadly Jatta, Deadly Scott, Deadly Jones, Deadly Crowley, DeadlyNotts, DeadlyNCFC. I'm unsure. Any thoughts?

What are your thoughts on parents being held responsible for their child’s wrongdoings? This issue may not directly impact us in the UK, but it’s a topic of considerable debate. Let’s maintain a respectful and thoughtful discussion on this significant decision. Remember, everyone’s viewpoint is valuable.

https://apnews.com/article/oxford-high-school-mother-charged-01f336607a496c5f9ff0cb3a7434d073

When I first started to attend football matches, Football teams in this Country & around the World could only use one substitute & for the vast majority of the time the substitutions were for injury only, not for tactical reasons.

Until 1958, no substitutes were allowed at all 

But now a PL team is allowed 9 players on the bench, & the EFL 7 & 5 can be used on three occasions during a match.

The fact that substitutions allowed have increased so much in recent years, it has changed the game totally.

Football has become a squad game and the strength of the squad determines whether a team can be successful or not.

The vast majority of substitutions are now tactical. It's a way of putting fresh legs on the pitch or to change the shape, style and tactics of a team. Substitutions are also made to take penalties after extra time.

I'm not sure what the founding fathers of league football would think if they ever knew how the game has evolved in the way that it has.

I personally think that too many substitutes are allowed, because for one, it favours the richest clubs, & it has been changing the game exportentialy.

What are your thoughts on the number of substitutions allowed, is it a good or bad thing for football in general?

Do you think it has changed the game for the good or the bad?

Notts have played 3 friendly matches and the Notts squad is getting the match practice they need.

Stuart Maynard will be mulling over who should be in his first eleven. 

Notts have signed seven new players in key positions & we may see more, so it is going to be a challenge for Stuart to name his first eleven without too much of a delay.

Settled sides are usually the successful sides.

I'm going to put myself in Stuart's shoes & name my Notts eleven after what we have seen so far.

Do PON members have their preferred eleven or you may think that it is too early to tell?

My Last Topic about Three Leopards went quite well. So I thought I'd do a Follow Up. Not really about Three Leopards ( who will get a mention) but more about the different Badges worn by English teams in other Sports as well as Football.

After the Three Lions the most used England Badge is that of the Cross of Saint George ( who Nike thought it would be clever to mess about with) This Emblem a Red Cross on a White background also has a interesting and Long History. The Flag of Saint George of course came to the fore front when the Emblem was chosen by the English Crusader Knights when fighting in the Holy Land during the Third Crusade. It is reported (but never proven) That Richard 1 the Lion Heart adopted the Flag and Saint when he fought in the Third Crusade which began in 1190.

Interestingly during the 1966 World Cup the Union Jack was used instead of the Cross of Saint George. And during the Final all the English Fans only waved the Union Jack. A Lot Different to the English Fans Of Today.

Carl Fogarty the English World Superbike Champion claimed that it was he who reintroduced the use of St George's Flag  during his Victories During the World Superbike Series. Another Motor Bike Sport Speedway, the English team has used several Types of English Flags on their Race Jackets. The Cross of St George the Three Lions (in the Leopards/Lions pose) but they were Red Lions on a White Background. And a Single Red Lion (Rampant) on it's hind Legs Facing Forward also on a White Background.

The Third English Emblem used by an English Sports Team is of Course the Red Rose of England has used by the England Rugby Union Team. The Rose also appears on the  Quartered Shield of the British & Irish Lions  International Rugby Team. Along with the Scottish Thistle, The Irish Shamrock and The Prince of Wales Three Feathers. The Shield as a Golden Lion in the walking pose (the same pose as the 3 Lions on the England Football Badge).

Finally the England Cricket Team, like it's Football counterparts also Supports a Badge of Three Lions. The only difference to the Football Badge is a Crown is placed above the Lions and there are No Tudor Roses on the Cricket Badge.

Lately, I’ve been dedicating time at the allotment to cultivate a variety of vegetables. Previously, my attention was more on plants and flowers, but I’ve shifted towards creating a more eco-friendly home. I’ve planted potatoes, carrots, beetroot, tomatoes, and rhubarb.

Recently, I harvested some of my produce. I decided to use an old wheelbarrow to transport the ripe vegetables. However, just as I was about 10 feet from my car, the wheel came off the barrow.

Now, I find myself in need of someone who can repair my wheelbarrow.

@Wheelbarrow repair man.

So who could be the next England Manager?

Let's look at some alternatives if the England Manager position becomes vacant.

Do you have an alternative?

Lots of chatter about the England Penalty that was given in the first half against the Netherlands, when the Netherlands player was adjudged to have fouled Harry Kane when Harry was shooting for goal.

The Ref initially didn't give it, but it went to VAR and VAR adjudged foul play.

If that incident had occurred outside the penalty area the Ref would have blown for a foul straight away.

For me, it should make no difference whether inside or outside the penalty area. A foul is a foul & should be given as such. 

A defender should not be given the benefit of the doubt just because it is inside the penalty area.

The Dutch player had his foot up and caught Kane, which could have resulted in a serious injury for Kane.

Thoughts?

Just one England player in the 11 chosen as the team of the tournament.

On the other hand there are six Spanish players in the team 

Tells you all you need to know.

Did anyone watch the rerun of the 1966 Cup Final between England & West Germany on channel 4 this evening?

It brought back some great memories for me. The World Cup of 1966 was the first time I had watched football on the telly.

Me & my mates used to play football either on the road or on the playing field not far from our houses. 

Never watched the telly much at all, all my spare time after school was either playing football or playing Subuteo or Monopoly games with my mates or riding our bikes 

Watching the game this afternoon and the skill of those players 58 years ago, the England players of today could learn a lot from watching them.

There were no substitutes allowed at the 66 World Cup. That is hard to believe when you see both teams still going for it in extra time on a cut up pitch.

The players in those days had to be tough & last the full 120 minutes.

I think I would still back the England side of 1966 to beat the England side of 2024. 

So England have failed to win another international tournament.

The 58 year wait for success continues & we will have to wait for the next World Cup to be held in the US, Canada & Mexico to see if England can go that step further & win a final.

England had a great opportunity to win Euro 24 having the much easier route to the final than their final opponents, Spain.

In my opinion England never had  a better opportunity to go all the way & win the a trophy after a 58 year wait.

Unfortunately, Southgate continues to be a cautious, & negative Manager, & is incapable of making the bold decisions that would see England get over the line & win a tournament.

The team was crying out for bold changes to be made, for instance, Ollie Watkins & Cole Palmer should have started the match to give England more pace & it did work when they came on as substitutes foe England in the second half.

For me, Southgate has always been too defensive, negative & lacks the boldness to be a winner in tournaments for my liking.

The powers that be want him to stay on as Manager, but I believe it's time to have a change at the top to see England through qualifying for the next World Cup.

Do you agree or disagree with my assessment?

Which would leave you more gutted, England losing in a final or Notts losing in a play off final and not getting promoted?

I was thinking about this as England lost tonight and although I was disappointed I wasn’t as gutted as I would have been had Notts lost in the play off final.

What about you?

PSF - The Stones (A)

Team: Wealdstone

Date: 16/07/2024

Where: Grosvenor Vale

What line-up should Stuart Maynard opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

After the Huge Disappointment of an English Defeat in another Euro's Final, what does the Future hold for Gareth Southgate? His current contract runs until December this year, but I would hope he realises that His Time Is Up as the National Teams Head Coach. Of course Southgate is the Darling of the F.A. he always does as he's told, but Eight Years is Long Enough and two Runners Ups medals is Nothing, Nobody Remembers who came Second in a Tournament, and as the Old Saying Goes, You Get Nowt For Being Second.

Who to Replace him with? Well as I have said before it has to be an Englishman as in my opinion No Foreign Coach is going to be able to Whip up the ENTHUSIAM to lead a a Country other than his own, No matter his Track Record. The two leading English Managers/ Head Coaches either Eddie Howe or Sean Dyche. Both have Managed in the Lower Leagues both know what it's like to fight a Relegation Battle and for a large part of their Careers have been at Clubs were their Transfers have been on a Shoe String Budget. Think what they might achieve with all the Talent England have at the Moment.

But will Southgate continue to be as Stubborn and be determined  to Hold and Hang onto his Present Position. If so Gareth I have just this to say to you,( and I'm Para phrasing here) As Oliver Cromwell said to the Rump Parliament, Leopold Amery to Neville Chamberlain and David Davis to Boris Johnson. In The Name Of God GO.

So England have reached their first International Final abroad.

The Euro 24 Final will be played in Berlin on Sunday the 14th July between Spain & England.

Spain have been the team of the tournament so far & have won all their matches. 

They fully deserve to be the favourites to beat England on Sunday & take the trophy back to Spain.

But England have been improving game by game, & England were very close to their best in the first half in their semifinal against the Netherlands.

It is going to be a fascinating match, can England tame the Spanish firepower?

What will be Gareth Southgate's tactics, will he make changes to the England line up, or will he keep the same side & rely on substitutions as he has all this tournament.?

Can England win their first international tournament since 1966. Will that make Southgate our most successful England Manager?

Lots of questions to be asked. Those questions will be answered by the end of Sunday. A Sunday which could become an Historic day for English football.