Time for version 2 of the squad comparison, last seasons here:
 

Round 1: Taylor v Miller/Barnett

- Barnett was awful, so let's compare Taylor and Miller: Very different players.  Miller was excellent going forward with trickery and pace, but he was terrible defending and even as a wing back, he'd often leave you exposed. Taylor isn't as effective going forward as Miller, but still does a very good job.

I'm tempted to side with Taylor on this one, but perhaps a draw is fairer.

Verdict: Draw.

Round 2: Turner/Ellis v Cameron

- Turner was calamitous, we'll leave that there.

- Ellis was very good in the air and scored a lot of goals for us, being a menace in the box. Cameron is also excellent in the air, scores goals and is also much better with the ball at his feet. A better fit for the squad, too, allowing Rawlinson to operate as the central defender.

Verdict: Cameron.

Round 3: Reeves v Palmer

- Reeves began very well, but the chuckle-brother act with Doyle quickly became farcical. Whether that was tactics or two players that liked to play the same role, I do not know. He improved under Burchnall and I thought he could be a loss when he upped sticks to Stevenage.

- Palmer is excellent and more than capable of playing one or two levels above this. He's versatile too, he can play more advanced or in the deeper role.

Verdict: Palmer

Round 4: Wolfe/Griffiths v Vincent

- Now you could say that we haven't seen enough of Vincent to make a solid judgement call, but he's shown more in those 3 games than last seasons two loanees combined.

Verdict: Vincent.

Round 5: Enzio v Nemane

- Not entirely sure on this one. Nemane has shown glimpses but he's in and out of the squad. Enzio by the end of last season looked a shadow of his former self.

Verdict: Draw

Round 6: Knowles v Mitchell

- Knowles actually managed a few goals, and Mitchell has a couple thus far. Overall gameplay definitely goes to Mitchell, but I'm not entirely convinced he's the right option.

Verdict; Mitchell (just about)

Round 7: Doyle v Francis

- Now I know Doyle is still listed as a player, but in that role he provides, Francis just doesn't come close.

Verdict: Doyle


4-1 win to this seasons squad then, with 2 draws. 

https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-rodrigues-ruben-grimsby-6137392

It seems inevitable that he will move higher at some point but if a club bids for him in January would you sell him? And how much is he worth? I think he’s got 1 ½ yrs left on his contract (so it runs until June 2023) and usually the shorter the contract length the cheaper a player’s value is, so if you wait until the summer would you get considerably less?

I think the only way he potentially stays here is if we get promoted this season, but a big bid in January would be hard to turn down…

https://www.rospa.com/lets-talk-about/2019/march/time-for-permanent-british-summer-time

Before you all start carving your pumpkins, there's another prediction league round to play. As usual, the fixtures all kick off at 3pm on Saturday, and remember your jokers!

Huddersfield Town v Millwall

Swansea City v Peterborough United

Cambridge United v AFC Wimbledon

Portsmouth v Bolton Wanderers

Barrow v Rochdale

Leyton Orient v Hartlepool United

Bromley v Halifax Town

Eastleigh v Maidenhead United

https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/football-news/notts-county-player-ratings-grimsby-6137034

After a 7h journey back home, and sat low behind the goal, perhaps its not fair to give my own ratings

Click on thread above

https://twitter.com/ARLukomski/status/1452012603740393483

Click on the link and follow the instructions in the tweet to be in with a chance of winning, Good luck

Game 14 - The Mariners (A)

Team: Grimsby Town

Date: 30/10/2021

Where: Blundell Park

What line-up should Ian Burchnall 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.

Game 13 - The Ravens (H)

Team: Bromley

Date: 26/10/2021

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Ian Burchnall 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.

Patterson 7 - a couple of good saves, distribution superb first half but went a bit awry in the second.
Brindley 7 - some good forward runs out of defence.
Rawlinson 7 - a good, solid performance.
Cameron 8 - won most of his challenges, really good goal, led by example.
DKE 6 - usual commitment, but let down by his crossing.
JOB 7 - always involved, covered a lot of ground.
Palmer 9* - Sheer quality. Always available for a pass and barely wasted a ball. Too good for this level.
Vincent 6 - seemed to be trying a bit too hard, not many things worked.
Taylor 7 - did well defensively and going forward, caused them a few problems.
Rodrigues 6 - no real impact, a few decent runs but struggled to work a shooting position.
Wootton 7 - held the ball up well, got others involved.

Roberts 6.5 - took a while to get going, unlucky not to score.
Mitchell 5 - had a good chance to win it, but badly scuffed his shot and it ended up more of a pass back to their keeper.

The ref 4 - he seemed so determined not to be influenced by the crowd that the 50/50 decisions went 90/10 in their favour. It had to be a really blatant foul for him to give us a free kick.

To round up what the Germans would call an "English week" (a week with matches on the Saturday, the Tuesday and the following Saturday), it's time to dig out those well-worn crystal balls once again. Kick-off is Saturday at 3pm, and remember your jokers!

Birmingham City v Swansea City

Blackpool v Preston North End

Shrewsbury Town v Cambridge United

Accrington Stanley v Portsmouth

Bristol Rovers v Newport County

Hartlepool United v Harrogate Town

Chesterfield v Boreham Wood

Solihull Moors v Halifax Town

Game 12 - The Hatters (H)

Team: Stockport County

Date: 23/10/2021

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Ian Burchnall 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.

Dion Kelly-Evans has almost been see like a cult hero during his time here, but recently a lot of negative comments which seems to be hateful are appearing. People claiming hes a fraud footballer, not good enough etc.

I think fans who say he's a weak link in the team, that's their opinion and I accept it.

But I don't understand the hateful type comments, I wonder what your thoughts are on DKE?

Patterson 7 - not a lot to do in the way of saves, but confident with his handling and distribution. Deserved a clean sheet.
Brindley 7 - looks good on the right side of a back three, defended well and helped to build a few attacks.
Rawlinson 7.5 - looked rock solid all afternoon until his brainfart at the end.
Cameron 8.5 - looked more like the player I hoped we'd signed, commanding performance at the back.
Kelly-Evans 8.5* - his best game for a while, did everything you expect from a wing back all over the pitch.
Palmer - 8.5 - always available, barely wasted a pass, looks a class above this level.
O'Brien 7 - as usual not everything worked, but always in the action.
Vincent 8 - gave us something extra, lots of energy and movement, composed finish for his goal.
Taylor 7 - solid defensively and a threat going forward.
Rodrigues 7.5 - seemed to be singled out as the danger man, linked play well and worked some good positions.
Wootton 7 - missed two pretty good chances, but kept going and deserved his goal.

Roberts 6.5 - got involved, helped us keep hold of the ball in their half. I have to mention his woeful effort when he had possession in the centre circle and their keeper had gone up for the corner. A real chance, but it went nearer the corner flag than the goal. He probably needs a bit of extra training with Michael Doyle on scoring 50-yarders!
Mitchell - n/a.

A really enjoyable game and an excellent atmosphere, where the tempo was quicker and we played some really good stuff. There wasn't a weak link in the team and every player did their job. This showed what we are capable of, we just need to do it more often.

what fruit do you like?

my favourite fruit is apples, i have always liked the taste of them.

berries like strawberries, raspberries, blueberries are very nice. i like kiwi and mango too. not so keen on some types of oranges or bananas.

FA Cup Qualifying - The Lambs (H)

Team: Tamworth

Date: 19/10/2021

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Ian Burchnall 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.

Hi everyone, it's time for our first midweek prediction league in a while. The rules are the same - you get one joker - and the matches kick off at 7.45pm, so I'll need your submissions by then. Good luck!

QPR v Blackburn Rovers

Sheffield United v Millwall

Gillingham v Doncaster Rovers

Portsmouth v Ipswich Town

Rotherham United v Wycombe Wanderers

Harrogate Town v Tranmere Rovers

Oldham Athletic v Walsall

Salford City v Rochdale

Interesting piece, regarding lost pubs in Nottingham.

https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/history/gallery/lost-nottingham-pubs-bars-closed-6040811

@Piethagoram @super_ram @Feral Fox @DangerousSausage

FA Cup Qualifying - The Lambs (A)

Team: Tamworth

Date: 16/10/2021

Where: The Lamb Ground

What line-up should Ian Burchnall 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.

Although some teams (ahem) will spend Saturday tearing strips out of each other for the right to play the likes of Crawley Town in the FA Cup, there's a full league programme on in the Proper Leagues. And so we have round 12 of our prediction league - the matches kick off at 3pm, and you get a joker each.

Millwall v Luton Town

Nottingham Florist v Blackpool

Cambridge United v Ipswich Town

Fleetwood Town v Crewe Alexandra

Lincoln City v Charlton Athletic

Bradford City v Bristol Rovers

Crawley Town v Sutton United

Exeter City v Newport County