There is of course a lot of talk of where Macca and Jodi may end up next season.  So here are my thoughts.

During the January Transfer window there was a lot of speculation that Macca was on the move and some Media even declared he was on to way to several different Clubs. Sunderland Birmingham City and near neighbours Derby County were mentioned, thankfully nothing materialized and it was just paper talk. However the rumour mill will soon be bubbling along and Macca will come under the Micro Scope of other clubs so if Macca does move where will he Go? If Derby renewed their interest and paid a decent amount for his services and he moved to Pride Park I think there may be a lot of Notts Fans who might just nip down the A52 for a look and see how Macca would deal with life in the Championship should the Rams get Promoted. Don't be surprised if Luke Williams doesn't try and convince the Swansea board to take a look at Macca. Finally it certainly wouldn't be (I think) out of the realms of  possibility that our Friends over the Boarder in Wales Wrexham put in a Bid should they get into League 1. It will be up to the owners to convince Macca to stay at the Lane ( I hope they do) but with the signing of AJ the return of Cedwyn Scott and Didzy  will it be hoped by the Notts Board they have enough cover should Macca be Sold to another Club?

Jodi Jones Record Breaker, Jodi Jones League 2 Player of the Season (Possibly) Shush keep it quiet. But a player that good Notts can't keep his skills and Talent undercover. At the age of 26 beating 3 ACL injuries looking at a possible early retirement from the game, shows beyond any shadow of a doubt Jodi Jones is also a Fighter a Guy who doesn't know the meaning of the word quit, and Now (hopefully) with his injury worries behind him, clubs higher up the Football Pyramid are Taking Note. Could Jodi hold down a place in the Championship? Maybe but I think it's more than likely should Jodi leave the Lane this coming off season it will be to a League 1 Club and that's where Wrexham (should they be promoted) come in. If the Red Dragons  do (and it seems highly likely) get promotion then a Double Bid for Macca and Jodie (I believe ) wouldn't be much of a surprise they would of course face opposition from other League 1 Clubs  in Jodi's case and League 1 and Championship Clubs in Macca's.

What ever the outcome  and I hope both are still playing in the Black & White Stripes of Notts County next season, both Guys will hold a Place in the Hearts of all Magpie Fans  and each deserve our Thanks for the Huge contribution to they have made to the History of Notts County Football Club. Thoughts?

There isn't any

It's Matchday. It's the first day of four Notts V Essex at Trent Bridge. Updates will follow.

Saturday is the fiftieth(!) anniversary of Abba winning Eurovision with Waterloo. And with the PON prediction league, too, the winner takes it all*. So get your predictions in by 3pm on Saturday, and remember your joker!
* not actually true.

Sunderland v Bristol City

Watford v Preston North End

Burton Albion v Oxford United

Charlton Athletic v Barnsley

Bradford City v Gillingham

Tranmere Rovers v Walsall

Boreham Wood v Wealdstone

York City v Eastleigh

Game 43 - Sulphurites (H)

Team: Harrogate Town

Date: 06/04/2024

Where: Meadow Lane

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.

I believe that Stuart Maynard should stay.

But what do my fellow PON members think?

This is Interesting the Scottish Hate Law that as come into affect will cause havoc in Scottish Football and quite possibly English football as well. By that I mean if you say something  write some and  another person finds it offensive then you could End Up Going To Jail for up to Seven Years. So that means Fans won't be able to Chant or call out a bad decision made by a Match Official because if he feels he's being victimised then what will happen? Does it mean Clubs will be fined? Will clubs have to install C.C.T.V to try and locate Fans who have said or appeared to say something against an official or even another Fan either one of their own or the opposition? And get that Person Arrested?

So lets see what Chants would have to be stopped by Notts supporters. You're Not Singing Any More. A visiting Fans is upset because the Kop are insinuating they can't Sing! I had a Wheelbarrow the wheel fell off this gives the impression that who ever built the Wheelbarrow produced Shoddy Workmanship. You Don't Know What You're Doing, this clearly Shows that it's being insinuated that the person who's being shouted at is Thick or Stupid. Get In, this will upset opposition Fans because they don't want their Team Scored Against.

Chants or expressions that will be alright (or Perhaps Not) Excuse me Mr Referee but I Believe you got that Decision Wrong. I can loan you my Spectacles if you wish.  I think that player is a Real Hard illegitimate child. I think our Head Coach is unsure about the team's line up. And I'm sure Fellow Magpie Fans can think up other things I May Have Missed.

When Jim O'Brien scored Notts's 3rd goal against Harrogate, it was Notts's 83rd league goal of the season. Added to the record breaking tally of 117 scored last season that totals an outstanding 200 league goals with still 4 games to go of this season.

Notts have taken a lot of criticism for the number of goals conceded this season, which has cost Notts a place in the playoffs, however, to score 200 goals in less than two seasons is a fantastic achievement, and it would be interesting to see when Notts last repeated this feat in their history.

With still four games to go, that tally could easily increase too.

Good morning PoN, it’s the weekend and time to chat about our plans.

Who’s doing something exciting, who’s travelling to the match, let’s chat about what’s going on in your life.

Personally we are still catching up after coming back from holiday, lots of washing to do, gardening etc., 

Today I will find time to pop down to the cemetery to visit my mums grave on what would have been her birthday, she died in 1999 but I still miss her.

Tomorrow I’ll hopefully go on a park run weather permitting then I’ll listen to the match on the radio.

Sunday we’ll probably see our son, DIL and grandchildren after they return from their holiday.

So a busy weekend in store, what are you planning let us know.

Lots of talk about our defenders making individual mistakes but 1 serious question I'd like answers to............... How come in all the matches I've watched over the last 3 seasons I don't remember any opposition defenders making similar cock ups...... Anybody know why that hasn't happened???? 

Buying the NL title @Dry Nelson Ray !!!

We need to be ruthless this summer. No room for sentiment anymore or loyalty. We've given players enough chances to prove themselves at League 2 level and a lot have proved they aren't good enough. No other club would have given them players the amount of time we have.

The out of contract players

Richard Brindley - Release. He wasn't a starter in the National League last season. Had a small reinvention as the central defender in the back 3, earlier in the season. However, he hasn't made the step up and after Harrogate (A) it was obvious he wasn't cut out for League 2. Thanks for the memories Richard.

Tobi Adebayo-Rowling - Release. As much as I like his infectious personality, he hasn't had the first team opportunities and I think we can upgrade who can challenge Nemane for his starting spot. 

John Bostock - Release. Harsh but his performances have not been the same. We need more energy and drive in midfield. Thank you for Wembley you beautiful bloke ❤️

Jim O'Brien - Release (offer coaching role). Always gives 100% for the badge and can always rely on him to bust some bo***cks when the team isn't performing. However his best days are behind him and we shouldn't be relying on Jim O'Brien to start in midfield. Help him with his coaching badges and offer him a role as part of the reserves/youth team.

Aden Baldwin - At the moment, release. He has 6 games to prove it. There is a good player in there on his day but I grew tired of him on Friday. When playing the ball back to Sam, the Notts fans ironically cheered. He then turned around to the fans looking visibly annoyed. Get on with it Aden, it's not our fault you've not chose to run with the ball into space. On his day, he's good, but too many times he has a brainfart (Sutton, Shrewsbury, Wrexham). 

Luther Munakandafa - Undecided. You've got see how he does out on loan at Truro and also maybe get him a NL loan next season. You've also got to see where he fits in our plans. From when I saw him a year ago, to when I saw him against Derby, he's improved massively. 

Retain Cedwyn and Geraldo. Give Ceds a 2 year deal. An excellent finisher on his day and never got the opportunity to prove himself this season because of his injury after 5 games. A presence and someone who will get to the loose ball in the penalty area if Macca doesn't get to it. Our pressing game also takes a hit without him on the pitch. A 1 year deal for Baj. His physicality will help us in the middle and again, another player who never got the opportunity. We need a more physical presence. Here's your guy.

In contract who I would sell on frees or mutual termination.

Adam Chicksen - One good season in 4 isn't enough I'm afraid. After Harrogate away, enough was enough. Thank you for some iconic moments last season but we need an upgrade at LWB. 

Connell Rawlinson - Another play who has given his all to the cause but he's not a League 2 player. Thank you for your effort and your passion towards Notts.

Sam Slocombe - Yet another player who has served us well through the years but he should not be our No.1 in 2024. It shows how poor our recruitment has been when he's still starting. Friday was the last of very thin last straws. 1 good in game 8 every time isn't enough. 

Will Randall - It's just not worked. His signing was done before the play-off final, but he's never been in the squad. Maybe loan him out at a push

Kyle Cameron - Yes. Really. Ash Palmer lead Stockport to the NL title, signed a new deal, got found out at L2 level and got shipped off to Chesterfield 4 months later. Salford was the last straw. He might have played well yesterday but he's not a starter, nor do I think he should be captain anymore. Lead this club back to the Football League and saved his best performance for Wembley where he was excellent, but not a League 2 starter. Keep him on if you must, but he shouldn't be a starter or captain.

Junior Morias - Some National League club will pay a small amount for a guy who can score in the 5th tier. However with Macca, Ceds, Didzy and Jatta, he's never getting another look in. Just like Billy Waters at Wrexham, he was signed as squad depth for our strikers. He's barely played and will do a job for let's say Woking, Dagenham or Kidderminster.

That leaves Brooks, Stone (keep him on as 3rd keeper so we aren't buying 2 keepers but please buy a new commanding No.1), Nemane, Macari, Jones, Palmer, Robertson, Bajrami, Crowley, Austin, Langstaff, Scott, Jatta and Didzy. Plus Sanderson, Mahovo, Gill, and Cisse.

If we get a good offer for Crowley then I would accept. An excellent player on the ball and his return has been impressive, but off the ball he doesn't offer enough and you need to be good off the ball in this league. Him and Didzy's stats look good, but on the eye they don't offer enough out of possession and we've lost our pressing game from last season.

On the shopping list. GK, RWB, CBx4, LWB, CM, CAM and maybe ST if Macca leaves

It's time to think about the positives now with just 5 games to go. Notts can't change the past, but they can very much influence the future.

We got promoted last season last time I heard, and this season we've booked our place in next season's league 2.

We are the highest scorers in the league, we have the leading scorer and the leading assister. We've been the most entertaining team in league 2.

We have scored 197 league goals in less than two seasons with five games to go, and are nearing that 200 mark. That is outstanding.

We have the best front line in this league, teams play negativity against us because they are frightened by our front line.

We will come back next season better and stronger with new players that will make the team even more frightening to the opposition.

So let's be positive, Notts will learn lessons from this season and I am confident that they will be a different team next season by scoring even more goals and letting in much fewer.

It's Matchday as Notts County Women host Loughborough Lightening at 19:45 tonight.

It will be a tough match because Loughborough are second in the league and have won their last four matches 

But Notts have really improved in their last few matches and meet Loughborough after a brilliant performance last Sunday in their win against Leek Town.

As the season drags on to it's end and the off season approaches all manner of issues need to be resolved at the Lane. Perhaps the Most Important is Recruitment and Transfers, and its in the latter that I wish to Focus one name that springs straight to mind is Macca, the impact this guy has had at Notts is Nothing Short of Incredible Amazing Top Quality etc etc. The accolades from Notts Fans could possibly fill a page on this site. He caught Notts attention with 32 goals for Gateshead, then 42 for Notts during their return to the Football League, he currently sits on 25 this season for the Magpies. These sort of Goal Scoring feats aren't going to go unnoticed by Clubs higher up the Football Pyramid in fact it was rumoured by the media that Macca was on his way to Sunderland Birmingham Derby to name but three Clubs who were interested in obtaining his service,, during the January Transfer Window, and I am More or Less certain that an offer which Notts won't be able to refuse will come in and Macca will be gone from the Lane. As much as that will have a massive effect on the Club and Fans alike surely No one will begrudge Macca a chance to prove his scoring abilities at a Higher Level.

Of course I wouldn't expect Notts to give Macca away, the Owners must ask for at least between £2-£3 million plus add ons, appearances , goals scored and a percentage of any future Transfer Fee higher than what the Magpies sold him to any other club for. Then once all Taxes and other fees have been paid etc the remaining monies should be invested in New Players, or what the Owners deem necessary for the Club's Future. Well those are my thoughts now it's up to other PON Members to express their reactions. 

Game 42 - The Dons (H)

Team: Milton Keynes Dons

Date: 01/04/2024

Where: Meadow Lane

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.

Why no prematch presser????? Perhaps he's gone!!!!!?????? 

8 points from a possible 39.

A revealing statistic that compounds all the woes for Notts at the moment.

Twelve games under Stuart with just two away wins and two draws combined with 8 defeats.

Sure, our form was deteriorating under Williams & Luke never addressed the problems in defence that has plagued Notts all season.

But we have to be honest, the current Notts form is relegation form & it's only due to our great results up to October that we don't find ourselves in the bottom two.

These last 7 games are going to decide Stuart Maynard's future at Notts in my opinion. He needs to get Notts to finish with a flourish to possibly keep his job.

Can he do it? We should know much more after the last game on 27th April.

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/mk-dons-leeds-united-set-to-benefit-financially-from-max-dean/

Scored the opener against Notts