Welcome @Kelly and @Prodigal Red, to the Pride of Nottingham website. ????????

After 45 rounds and so many twists and turns it's a wonder it hasn't got its own Netflix series, this is it - the final round. We're all battling for positions, but we still have two players in contention for this season's star prize (once I've found it down my sofa) and an eternal place in the prediction league hall of fame. The League Two fixtures below kick off at the frankly crazy time of 11.30am on 8 May, with the Championship following at 2.00pm. So get your predictions in before then, and remember your jokers

Full disclosure: the timing of this last round isn't great as I'm off to The Hague on holiday (no, I'm not being sent there for crimes to counting prediction league points). However, I will announce the winner on Monday at the very least, with the full results to follow ASAP.

Good luck everyone!

Huddersfield Town v Reading

Millwall v Blackburn Rovers

Middlesbrough v Coventry City

Preston North End v Sunderland

Bradford City v Leyton Orient

Newport County v Crewe Alexandra

Tranmere Rovers v Northampton Town

Walsall v Doncaster Rovers

The Pride of Nottingham is excited to announce that it is time to award the member of the year! This prestigious title is given to the individual who has shown unwavering support and dedication to the Pride of Nottingham community. We are looking for someone who embodies the spirit of Notts County and has made a significant impact on our forum. Who will be this year's winner? The choice is yours!

Notts County games are always full of excitement and surprises. I’ve seen some pretty funny and weird things happen during the games. Here are a couple of my favourite moments:

A while back, an assistant referee sprinting along the sideline slipped and toppled to the ground. There was an extensive delay as everyone checked to make sure he was okay. Both sets of fans started chanting ‘she fell over’ (I know it’s not very politically correct in this day and age) and making comments about diving.

Another memorable moment was when the Dagenham & Redbridge keeper, Elliot Justham, tried to provoke the KOP by making gestures into the crowd. Some fans didn’t take kindly to this and told him exactly what they thought. Justham just continued to slow down his goal kicks, which only made the fans more frustrated. It was amusing to see just how much the officials let him get away with.

These are just a couple of examples of the funny and weird things that can happen at Notts County games. What are some of your favourite moments?

Play Off Semi-Final - The Wood (H)

Team: Boreham Wood

Date: 07/05/2023

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Luke Williams 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.

As we are going to Wembley next Saturday, me included, I thought it would be nice to remember our trips to Wembley over the years. 

I'll start with the Anglo Italian Cup on 19th March 1995. Notts faced Ascoli after beating Stoke on penalties after a 0-0 draw over 2 legs. That may not have been the most exciting tie ever! Notts took the lead through Tony Agana after 17 mins. Ascoli drew level in the 33rd minute. Devon White put Notts in front on the stroke of half time. Notts held on in the 2nd half for a 2-1 win. Around 11K fans were at Wembley to witness Notts winning a European trophy. 

Edit: Yes I said European trophy and I'll fight anyone who disagrees ????????????

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/64814253

Notts County has a reputation for developing young players who go on to play for higher-profile clubs. Who are some notable players that Notts County has helped nurture, and what qualities do you think the club has that allows it to develop such talent?

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, @JohnTheBost! We’re glad to have you here and we hope you’ll enjoy the forum. How long have you been supporting Notts County? We’d love to hear more about your experiences as a fan.

Great news for Notts County fans! The 2023/24 season tickets are now on sale. Get ready to experience the excitement of the new season at Meadow Lane stadium.

By purchasing a season ticket, you'll secure your seat for all home league matches and enjoy a range of benefits. Don't miss out on the chance to join the Black and White Army and support Notts County throughout the season. Head to the Notts County website or visit the Meadow Lane ticket office to buy your season ticket now. Let's make this season one to remember!

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2023/april/2023-24-season-tickets/

Firstly sorry not to be at the San Sirrel yesterday... but I have been watching Barcelona, away at Rayo Vallecano and at home to Real Betis ( both on tv)

Sometimes I get frustrated at Notts with wayward passes but could not believe the same thing happens with Barcelona, maybe in greater numbers

2 noticeable similarities with Notts, trying to play that "Ruben" inside ball on the right...in fact Ruben could easily play for Barca

Secondly , the "Bostock" curved ball into the box for the strikers to run on to.

I just wish Chicksen had the element to his game, to offer to beat his man on the outside from a standing start.

Both teams try to pass the ball into the box. 50% of Barca corners are delivered first time into the penalty spot area. 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65438402

It's happened then, we're in the play-offs yet again. It still blows my mind that we haven't gone up automatically with these numbers, but it is what it is.

This season's team is definitely made of tougher stuff than the ones that came before it, but the semi-final and (hopefully) the final will be one-off games and anything could happen. While it's encouraging that we haven't lost a single one of our 14 games against the other teams in the lay-off picture, it won't count for a lot at kick-off time.

So these are the other teams in the picture. Boreham Wood need to draw one of their last two games to confirm their spot, and then the only question will be whether Chesterfield or Woking take third place and a spot in the other semi-final. What do you think - who would you fancy our chances against, and who should we avoid? And do you think we'll see it through to the end?

It's the penultimate round and, like in the Football League and Vauxhall Conference, the moment of truth is coming. Who will be the champion? And who will grab the unparalleled glory of third place? Predict these fixtures by 3pm, and remember your jokers everyone!

Reading v Wigan Athletic

Stoke City v QPR

Accrington Stanley v Cambridge United

Derby County v Portsmouth

Morecambe v Lincoln City

Carlisle United v Salford City

Gillingham v Newport County

Northampton Town v Bradford City

Game 46 - The Minstermen (H)

Team: York City

Date: 29/04/2023

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Luke Williams 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.

Adam Chicksen has signed a new two-year deal at Meadow Lane. The 31-year-old wing back first joined in 2020 and has become a cult-hero among supporters with his tireless performances and goal-scoring ability. This season he scored 11 times, an impressive feat considering he had only scored seven times in his whole career before. The board of directors and head coach Luke Williams are delighted to reward his immense contribution to the club.

What do you think about Adam Chicksen's new contract? Do you think he will continue to be a goal threat for the club?

It kind of sticks in the craw to say it because I wish it could have been us, but I'd like to congratulate any Wrexham lurkers on winning promotion yesterday.

Yes, they've spent a lot of money, but money alone doesn't buy you the kind of sheer determination, guts and consistency you need to get 110 points in a season. They've done a lot right. They've also been out of the Football League for far too long. Shame they didn't win the play-offs last season, but that's life.

Here's hoping we can join them next season and settle a few scores!

As a Notts County fan, you're probably passionate about football and love to follow your team's progress throughout the season. But what about other sports? How do you balance your loyalty to Notts County with your interest in other sporting teams and sports?

It can be challenging to keep up with multiple sports and teams, especially when their schedules overlap. Do you find yourself prioritising Notts County above everything else, or do you try to keep up with other sports as well? Do you have a favourite non-football team that you follow closely?

Additionally, does your love for Notts County make it harder for you to support other teams, especially if the schedule of games or events class? Or do you find it easy to support multiple teams and enjoy the different sports they play?

Let's hear your thoughts and experiences on balancing your loyalty to Notts County with your interest in other sports and teams. Do you have any tips or tricks for managing your time and keeping up with all the action? What other sports and teams do you enjoy following, and why?

Thinking of going by car but need alternatives to avoid parking at Wembley Stadium... All suggestions most welcome.... Thanks 

I am delighted to see the club continuing their approach to player recruitment. In the past, we have relied heavily on free agents or high-profile signings, which can be hit or miss. However, by targeting players that other clubs want or want to keep, we are building a team with depth that can compete at a higher level.

This seasons signing of Sam Austin is a perfect example of this new strategy in action. He was highly sought after by other clubs, but we were able to secure his signature. And he's not the only one. John Bostock and Aden Baldwin are other signings this season who fit this pattern.

One of the biggest advantages of targeting players that other clubs want or want to keep is that they are motivated and hungry to succeed. They are proven performers who are already at a high level, and they want to continue to grow and improve. This can only be good news for us as fans.

It's also reassuring to see the club not relying solely on free agents or marquee signings. While these can sometimes pay off, they can also be risky and may not fit in with the team's playing style. By building a squad with depth, we reduce the risk of this happening.

Naturally, it remains to be seen whether this novel approach will yield results in the long term. However, at present, I am optimistic about Notts County's future. Last season, we came very close to being promoted, so bolstering the squad's depth has been crucial for me this season. The recruitment has been excellent and has allowed the club to contend for the title, taking us a step closer to achieving promotion back to the Football League. Come on you Pies!

Some questions to consider:

Why is it advantageous to target players that other clubs want or want to keep? What are some of the risks associated with relying solely on free agents or high-profile signings? How has the club's recruitment strategy impacted their ability to compete for the title and achieve promotion to the Football League?