Another area of the squad we need to add to and an area that hindered us last season, mainly due to our lack of energy in midfield, our slow build-up play in certain games and an injury to our most important player, Matty Palmer. Plus our inability to break down low blocks.

Having released John Bostock and Jim O'Brien, there is the need to add at least 2 centre-midfielders. Our current midfield options include Matty Palmer, Scott Robertson and if he signs a new deal, Geraldo Bajrami. Baj himself says he prefers playing in midfield.

Jake Taylor is a player we've already been linked with and Ryan Croasdale has won 2 titles in 3 years at Stockport, getting to the play-off final in the other year. Croasdale is a player I would love Notts to sign. Charlie Lakin is someone I would definitely be after, after an impressive loan spell at Sutton and him and Scott Robertson would be two excellent left-footers to choose from. Charlie McCann is someone we were linked with in January and who has a fantastic passing range and work rate. It may be an expensive deal but I don't think he'll stay at FGR now they've gone down. It would either be loan-to-buy or FGR would terminate his contract to cut their losses, like we did with Kane Hemmings in 2019.

Sadou Diallo won promotion with FGR and has been part of a Derry team, as I said previously, have been Shamrock's closest challengers in Ireland. Diallo's ball retention is very good and his height would be a good asset to have. Adam O'Reilly is the engine in the same midfield at Brandywell. Evan Caffrey has been impressive for Shelbourne and a player I would like us to sign. Technically gifted on the ball and able to play further forward or play deeper. Matt Healy is a box-to-box midfielder who left Ipswich at the end of the 2022-23 season and signed for Belgian Challenger League side Francs Borains. He helped Cork City to promotion in 2022 and is an Ireland under 21 international. A very Football Radar style signing. As would be George McEachran. A player who had huge potential who has since dropped down the leagues to kick start his career again. A left-footed midfielder with a brilliant pass success rate and a player who would help us transition very well. 

Taelor O'Kane is someone I would like us to keep an eye on from Fylde. We've seen in the past that we can sign players from lower leagues and improve them. Langstaff, Scott, Austin. Maynard also helped develop players at Wealdstone. Riley Harbottle, Charlie Barker, Josh Umerah, Rhys Browne, Tahvon Campbell, Sean Adarkwa, Micah Obiero, Sam Howes, George Wickens and Miguel Freckleton. I expect EFL clubs to be looking at O'Kane's potential soon and I think he could develop into a fantastic midfield option. He's already scored 4 goals for Fylde and made nearly 20 appearances last season. The idea is, get him before someone else does or we may regret it.

Notts v Hampshire.

11am start.

Is anyone watching this, Reuben Rodrigues is playing a blinder. A brilliant assist for Oxfords second goal and generally he’s all over the pitch.

Half time: Bolton 0 Oxford 2

Sheffield United are already relegated back to the Championship.

There are two relegation places yet to be decided 

There are three teams fighting to avoid those two places.

Those three teams are Luton, Burnley and Forest.

Those relegation places could be decided today & depending on results it could go on till the final game of the season.

Putting rivalry aside, I would like Forest to stay in the PL because that would be good for Notts financially.

The matches to watch.

3pm Start.

Spurs v Burnley 

West Ham v Luton

5:30pm Start

Forest v Chelsea.

the site has had so many ups and downs, but i am really thankful to have somewhere i feel accepted. the pon website has been somewhere i have called home from my early teens, i have seen notts have so many disappointing seasons where it was made easier having a group on here. despite all the ups and downs, pon has been there.

members have somewhere they belong, we want you and encourage notts fans to share their thoughts in a relaxed atmosphere.

i can name quite a few members who i wished were still a part of the site and for whatever reason things have changed, but with the reedtz has our owners and the direction we are going. i would like to encourage you all to try to spend a week coming on, posting and commenting as you can and by the end of the week see if you feel a part of something special.

the likes of @Magic magpie, @Feral Fox, @Joe Jones, @Super_Danny_Allsopp, @weymouthPIE, @Northants Pie, @Canadian, @Turkey_Twizzler, @Riverleeno, @Cobby, @MuddyPatchPie, @william1984, @Captain Sticky, @wacky, @jurgenpie. i am struggling now, i may have missed some too. sorry if i have!

i would extend my message to newcomers too, come be a part of something exciting and show other clubs that we have such a rich fan site that is very good. have fun engaging with a community that cares about the club.

its through pon and @Chris, @super_ram and @GrannyPie that i felt comfortable being myself here. @Fan of Big Tone and many others of the members when i joined made me feel like this was my online home.

After listening to Jodi's interview on the BBC 's Notts County  Sport on line section. Is there still hope that the Malta International will still be at Meadow Lane Next Season? Listening to the conversation Jodi had with the BBC interviewer his words must bring hope to all Magpie Fans. 

I Love It Here. Notts gave me the chance when others wouldn't. Took me away from the Bad Place I was and I'll Always Respect That.

That sounds like he wants to remain a Magpie for 2024/2025. If he does the first thing for Chris & Alex to do is offer the Lad an extended contract along side that of Macca, but that's something our Owners will know with out me telling them. To hold onto Jodi will certainly Bolster Notts chances of challenging for a playoff spot if not Automatic Promotion next season and will give Fans Hope and something to Cheer About.

Dissapointing that Tyson failed to win the undisputed Heavyweight Championship of the World in Saudi Arabia last night.

He lost on a split decision to Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk. 

I think the fight could have gone either way, but I think that the standing count for Fury after taking a hail of blows in the 9th round decided the fight.

There is talk of a rematch in October. It could easily go Fury's way in that one.

Today is my youngest son's birthday.Please join me in wishing @Chris a very happy birthday.He's 40 years younger than me today.

Has he paid the price regarding Stone?

It’s been a few weeks since the retained list was announced and I guess he will be the first “signing” we will potentially hear about. But as we’ve only offered him a one-year deal, I wonder if he’ll be exploring his options to get a longer contract elsewhere. What do you think, do you expect him to stay?

Premier League Clubs set to vote on whether to scrap VAR.

Would you vote to scrap it?

I have stated in  a couple of  comments on PON that I had a Horrible Nagging feeling at the back of my mind that Wrexham might put in a Bid for Macca once the Summer Transfer window opens. Imagine to my Horror  that Wrexham (along Bolton and Peterborough) are thinking of making such a Move. The story comes from the Football League World on line. Is it True or Just Paper Talk? Would Notts let Macca go to Wales if the price was right or wait for a better bid from a Championship Club?  Or hold onto him with the hope his goals will get the Magpies into League 1 next season? It's going to be one Hell of an Off Season. Macca to Wrexham me and my Big Mouth !!

Notts 3 Man United 2

The day Man City got relegated.

Were you there?

Old Trafford is in serious need of repair. For years I've heard people mention that Old Trafford is run down and in need of serious money being chucked at it but being the big club that they are no one takes notice cause they're a big club and should have a decent backing. These clips say different, just shows how bad it is being run and there is no money being chucked at it.

First it was a food hygiene rating of 1 star now they've got floods in stands and leaky roofs. Old Trafford is a landmark in English football, it was always a place for England to travel to and a place for FA Cup Semi Finals. Such a shame to see it in this state.

Came across this video earlier today explaining why Luke O'Nien was only given a yellow as opposed to a red for a deliberate handball.

What does everyone make of the explanation or the situation?

Should it have been a red card or was the yellow the correct decision?

I find it a tricky one because of the explanation they give as to why it's a yellow by the law of the game and not exactly a clear chance.

However, you have to imagine without the volleyball parry that the opposition player was gonna latch on to it and be in on goal. But also, a handball like that surely warrants a red card.

When the financial accounts of the 2023/24 season are published next year, it will probably show Stockport and Wrexham with the largest financial losses, that have allowed their clubs to have achieved promotion. @Dry Nelson Ray

Mansfield will not be far behind

I wonder where we’d be now and what we’d be doing if those people hadn’t met in the George Hotel? We’d probably all be supporting the other Nottingham team. ????

I wonder if @super_ram can remember it, he’d be around 12 then. 

This is incredibly powerful, we all need a hug sometimes.

Ten wins in a row for Doncaster. 30 points in ten matches. Top of the form table They find themselves in fifth place and now have a playoff place in their own hands.

They could easily go all the way in the playoffs and get promoted to league 1 the way they are playing.

And another thing. Notts have the double over them too.