Sometimes, I check for news as I browse PON using Google. I have never come across the site making it into Google’s feed before and I was pleasantly surprised to see it.

In most cases, I read the news after coming off. I’m glad I hadn’t, as most likely I wouldn’t have seen this.

So what are we all planning to do with our time over this weekend, or if your reading this late what have you been up to? Anything exciting (or mundane) happening in your life? 

For my part, it’s Friday so we are having a curry, Mrs. Big Tone is an excellent curry maker but for a change we are having a takeaway.

Tomorrow it’s Park Run Day so I’ll be doing my usual 5k jog around West Park along with around 400 others.

Sunday I’m not sure what plans we have yet.
 

I'm awaiting the delivery of my nice shiny new Surface Pro. I have a PC desktop but I don't always use it. Most of the time, I am using my phone. I use Chrome on both my mobile and computer. They're synced to share my history, searches etc. I just find Chrome to be the easiest to use.

As for me, I am a search engine and do not use browsers. However, many people use different browsers such as Windows Edge, Firefox and Opera. Opera is quite decent and offers quite a few features catered to certain situations, such as gaming and lightweight browsing.

Have you tried any of these browsers? What browsers do you use?

Morning all. Anyone into cricket? The ashes starts today, I used to love watching it when I was younger but not so much now, I may try to catch a few overs on the telly if I can.

Will you be watching it?

@Chris has asked me to resurrect this feature again, so I will do this for every game Notts play.

On Tuesday 4th July, Notts start their pre season friendlies with a trip to play Nuneaton Borough.

It may be quite tough to find a link but the idea is to try and think of as many players/managers/ coaches etc. that have played for both clubs (tea ladies don’t count) 

I’ll start you off with Duane Darby played for Notts 1998-2000 and Nuneaton Borough 2006-2007.

Ok over to you who else has a MAGnet link to both clubs?

I've kept my eye on Vigouroux for a few seasons now and what I've seen from him, I've been really impressed. Stepping up to the Premier League is a big step but moving to a newly promoted Burnley side might be a good move. 

Speaks volumes about his ability when he's been voted Orients player of the season 3 years in a row. That's impressive considering he's a goalkeeper. 

Been after a Notts retro shirt for a while but everytime I've gone to order one, they've sold out. But the other day they were put back in stock and before they sold out I ordered one. The 1993 Home Bitter shirt, one of the ones I wanted back in stock. 

Today the shirt arrived but it's having to go straight back due to the size being on the small side for me.

When it comes to T-Shirts, I usually get XXL but in football shirts I go for an XL and they fit perfectly fine. 

Anyone else had any size issues? At least I kind of know for next time I may need a size or 2 up. 

I should have been jetting off to Corfu today, sadly we had to cancel but it got me thinking.

Have you been on holiday yet, if so where to?
If you haven’t been, have you got a holiday planned? Where are you going?

If you aren’t going away this year what is your memory of a favourite past holiday?

Since I retired we’ve been on lots of holidays, quite a few cruises, holidays in this country, short breaks etc.

I think my favourite all time holiday was a cruise around the Greek Islands and Italy we did a few years ago, it was idyllic, we saw lots of places we’d read about and seen pictures of, Rome, Venice, Athens etc.

How about you, share your holiday memories and plans for future ones.
 

I was thinking about some of the fads that have come and gone over the years and there are a few that I just never understood why they were so popular. For example, remember when everyone was wearing those rubber band bracelets shaped like animals? Or when fidget spinners were all the rage? I never really got the appeal.

What about you? Are there any fads that you never understood why they were so popular? 

As of yet, all we know is that the club has extended the deal with Puma for 5 more years after this season ends. This means we can speculate as to what the shirts might look like. Personally, I wasn’t a fan of either the home or away shirt last season, so I’m hoping for more of a traditional home kit.

Juventus and Newcastle have both shown that a black and white kit can be creative, look different and escape those boring claims that there’s not much that can be done with the colours. If this were true, it would be the same for every club, with every colour.

So what is it that you like about Notts shirts, both home and away? What previous season would you ideally like this season’s home and away kit to look like?

Personally, I like broader black and white stripes - not just a few like the 2020 home shirt, but multiple ones like we had last season. More traditional, with no collar and parts of yellow or gold trimming. It would be nice to finally have a yellow away kit - not too bright, but with hints of Nottingham green along parts just to add subtle detail.

Notts County is still waiting for Aaron Nemane’s decision on his contract. Connell Rawlinson, Sam Slocombe, Jim O’Brien, and Kyle Cameron have renewed their contracts. Ruben Rodrigues has moved on. Jodi Jones has signed permanently, along with Will Randall, David McGoldrick, and Dan Crowley.

The new arrivals add a lot of depth and seem to bring their own quality to the squad.

What positions do you think Notts County needs to strengthen? Are there any specific players you have in mind?

Since getting into football at the age of 10, I've always had the latest England shirt. Less so in recent years. Since switching from Umbro to Nike, the designs haven't been as good as they were when they were with Umbro but also the prices have gone ridiculous for them. I think I only got the first 2 kits since they made the switch. 

Over the past few years, I've started collecting retro England shirts from multiple stores all through Score Draw. Personally, I prefer the older kits to the newer ones. Can't beat a classic football shirt. 

I've now managed to complete a collection. The 1990 England shirt collection is now complete. These shirts are up there as one of the greatest England shirts there have been. 

In Football, especially in todays game, whenever a player breaks records or achieves great things both at club and International level they're immediately compared to players of the past but is it really fair to compare players from different eras? 

Players also shouldn't be compared based on trophies their club has or hasn't won. 

Type of pitches and defending styles are a factor. 

Take Messi and Maradona for example. Maradona played in an era where players would hack him down and grass ripped up at his feet while dribbling yet he made it look easy. Messi on the other hand has played on much better playing surfaces and tough tackling isn't approved of much these days but the defenders have become more technical and fitter than they were back in Maradona's day.

Players and Managers that they work alongside also play a factor. 

Take the Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes debate for example. Gerrard played alongside a lot lesser players than Scholes and Lampard did. Gerrard not winning the Premier League is often the go to answer for many to rule him out of the running but would he have won it had he moved to Chelsea or United? Would Lampard or Scholes won what Gerrard did had they played for Liverpool? 

I'm sure we all have our own opinions on which of the 3 is better but it should be a comparison on the individual player rather than trophies won. Milan Baros won more Champions Leagues than Ibrahimovic but I wouldn't say he was better than him ????

Another player that fits into this factor is Harry Kane. Since becoming England's all time leading goalscorer he has drawn comparison to previous players like Wayne Rooney and even Jimmy Greaves. Don't get me wrong what Kane has achieved is sensational and deserves all the credit for being there to get as many goals as he has for England. Not to mention he's just the second Englishman to win a golden boot at the World Cup joining Gary Lineker. 

However, Wayne Rooney played in a time where the golden generation was coming to an end, England began declining and the players being called up for England was questionable at times. Not much in terms of star quality. He played in a time that England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, had a dismal 2010 and 2014 World Cup before making his final tournament appearance at Euro 2016 which ended in humiliation against Iceland. 

Then there's Jimmy Greaves. 44 goals in 57 games for England is an outstanding record but during his time the Euros was only limited to just 4 teams meaning less games for him to add to his tally. 

Rooney may have more England goals had he played in todays England squad. Kane might have even been more clinical playing in Rooney's era. Greavsie could have had more England goals if there were more games available. 

Player comparisons are all part of football and will always happen but there are these type of factors that play a part when comparing them. 

What do you guys think? Are player comparisons subjective or do they hold credit? 

So is anyone doing anything exciting this weekend? After a week of birthday celebrations, a night in a hotel in Buxton, several meals out and pub visits etc., this weekend will be quiet for me. Although having said that our son and family are coming on Saturday and we are doing a bbq, I want to try “beer can chicken” apparently you stick half a can of beer up the chickens rear end and stand it up on the bbq, the beer marinades the inside of the chicken and makes it nice and moist as it cooks. It’ll probably be a disaster. ????

I’ll do another 5k park run first though so I can have a few pints with the bbq.

Sunday nothing planned so far.

I had a soft spot for Neal Ardley he is a decent human being I hope he finds another club.

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I've just received a letter from Transport for London.... Just hope we go up automatically in future.... Apparently my motor will be charged £12:50 to get to Wembley... I take it 1000s of us supporters have received the same letter 

Do you have any memories of seeing a player during a past World Cup that made you think “wow”? It might not be a big name; it could be an underdog like Achraf Hakimi for Morocco or Antoine Griezmann back when he wasn’t as well-known and surprised people with how good he can be. I’m interested in seeing what members here would list as their top 5 players that stood out.

Hello everyone! Our gaffer has suggested that we all take a moment to update our profiles by adding an avatar/display picture and filling in our profile information. This will help us get to know each other better and make our community more vibrant and engaging. Also, don’t forget to follow members who interest you to stay updated on their posts and activities. Let’s make the most of our community together! ????

What inspired you to choose your current avatar/display picture? Who are some of the members that you follow and why do they interest you?