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- Comment on the Richard Montague interview here
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- PoN member theAnticlough poses a new set of questions about the team, click here.
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It's Saturday, it's 3 o'clock, it's the PON prediction league! And remember your jokers 
Millwall v Nottingham Florist
Preston North End v Birmingham City
AFC Wimbledon v Morecambe
Lincoln City v Cambridge United
Bradford City v Salford City
Colchester United v Barrow
Grimsby Town v Altrincham
Wealdstone v Dover Athletic
Slocombe 5.5 One heart stopping moment when he dropped the ball... generally well protected
Rawlinson 6 Solid defence, still worried about distribution under pressure
Cameron 6 centre of the 3 , coped well
Chicksen 6.5 not sure of positioning for Eastleigh's first...but going forward, doesnt lose possession
Parsons 6 some good carrying of the ball
Nemane 6 disciplined.
Francis 6 Improving influence
Vincent 6.5 great ball laid off for Eli's first
Roberts 6 double marked , so less effective
Mitchell 4.5 Not influential at all
Sam 7 (MotM) 2nd goal, just showed that he possess a hell of a shot... just wished he had a better first touch
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Game 21 - The Linnets (A)
Team: Kings Lynn Town
Date: 26/12/2021
Where: The Walks
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.
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I'm not sure what IB said at half time but it worked. We cannot afford to drop points in games like these. We didn't so it's job done.
This win could be the turning point of our season, a good result and Cal Roberts firing in 3 goals won't hinder his confidence what with the bid from Chesterfield.
You know what to do by now - send in your predictions by 3pm on Saturday, and don't forget those jokers!
Cheltenham Town v Burton Albion
Doncaster Rovers v Fleetwood Town
Carlisle United v Bradford City
Colchester United v Rochdale
Stevenage v Walsall
Barnet v Altrincham
Bromley v Solihull Moors
Weymouth v Southend United
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Game 23 - The Whites (A)
Team: Dover Athletic
Date: 08/01/2022
Where: Crabble Athletic 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.
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2 hours ago, Dripsey3 said:You couldn't play football on that excuse for a pitch. Ref was right to call it off.
It didn't look bad from what I've seen, we've had it worse and, I watched the game highlights their chairman mentioned - it certainly looked worse then compared to today.
I don't buy they wanted the game to be played though, off or on.
A decision needs to be made early to prevent travel. Dover are a club that pulls postponements without thought, if they truly believed the game could've been played, then they should've communicated with Notts throughout the process.
I got as far as Canterbury East on the train, before turning back.
Fans of both clubs were talking about the possibility of this being called off beforehand due to the awful weather forecast and the state of the pitch. If Dover were so surprised, that shows a lack of foresight.
The way a couple of clubs in this league are run is shambolic. Most clubs in the Northern Counties East league put them to shame.
He's staying for the rest of the season!
Great news imo, he's been superb since signing and has really strengthened us in the RWB spot.
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A post I wrote on a blog about becoming England's number 1 and the possible curse placed on them.
https://downthewritewing.wordpress.com/2022/01/06/becoming-englands-goalkeeper-a-cursed-life/
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Incase no one knew, Kasper Schmeichel has a documentary on Tuesday night on ITV4 at 10pm.
I wrote a piece about Schmeichel last year.
https://downthewritewing.wordpress.com/2021/05/25/kasper-schmeichel-living-up-to-the-name/
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Given what's been happening lately it felt like this was inevitable, but if any more players test positive it probably won't go ahead.
And as we've had the last two games off this really isn't great timing! Hopefully everyone who has contracted the virus is doing ok.
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Absolute quality defending here - the National League comes to Morocco 
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Patterson 8.5 Beaten early by a thunderbolt at the near post, but penalty save from Mullen was a game changer.
Brindley 8 Was going to mark as 5.5, with so many loose passes but that diving block in the area was worth an additional 2.5
Lacey 7.5 Thought he had a controlled game, defensively sound against a potent attack. Not his usual display of attacking passes
Cameron 8 Cross for Wootton sublime, even if slightly deflected.
Francis 7 Thought he had a good game. Just needs to eliminate the odd mistake
Palmer 8 King pin again, recycles stuff and some good challenges
Vincent 7.5 Live wire performance, does make space and orchestrates thing. Shame about conceding the penalty, though the Wrexham player read him and won it. Touch unfair
Chicksen 7.5 Comes in, does a job
Richardson 8 Was always getting into position to receive the ball. Class when he is around the area, as you know the ball isnt going to be wasted. Scored too!
Mitchell 6.5 concussed apparently , so withdrawn after 45. Involved in Notts penalty
Wootton 8 Goal machine, end of
Subs
Sam 6.5 The enigma, but he kept the Wrexham defence occupied, more than Mitchell did. How did he put that header over?
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Game 22 - Red Dragons (H)
Team: Wrexham
Date: 02/01/2022
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.
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Could have been different if they had kept 11 on the pitch but we will never know and I’m not complaining. It was a definite penalty, but I’d like to see the replay as I did not see it as a deliberate handball.
As for Wrexham, they were basically a look for set pieces and long throw into the box sort of side and reminded me a lot of a John Beck team (for those with long memories). They got lucky with the goal they scored and never really looked like getting another to be honest, apart from the pen, which was more of an error from Vincent than good play by them.
I thought Richardson and Palmer were immense and the rest excellent, it’s bonkers watching Cameron’s ability with the ball at his feet as centre halves aren’t supposed to be able to do that!
I was only able to listen to but I find it more nerve-wracking then being at a live game. I’m never 100% sure where the ball is and I feel Charlie Slater can just say “ball into the box and a goal” from out of nowhere. I finally felt confident of the win by about the 85th minute!
Thread bare squad but credit it to them it, that was a big win for us. Red card changed the game but that’s not in our control and we still had to push on and make sure of the 3 points. Sometimes playing against 10 can be trickier (as we know). Sounded like the players that haven’t featured as much as they’d like this season like Francis and Chicksen had great games. And even Sam put himself about a bit and sounded like he should’ve got himself on the scoresheet.
Couldn’t ask for a better start to 2022!
The thing I noticed very quickly, was how Wrexham smashed their crosses and passes.
It was almost like they wanted to intimidate us with weight on the ball, so that we didn't try to block them, which is something that faded as the game progressed. Their tempo early on, it was very direct and with a lot of purpose. Right before they scored, they had two chances which should've had alarm bells going. Their goal, was a fantastic exchange, and although I didn't feel like 'here we go again'. It did make me feel that the game would be very open, with Notts needing to exploit them.
Kyle Cameron eased things a little, as Alex Lacey tried, but I think the main focus for us to regroup came from Cameron at the back.
Wrexham didn't seem to have a lot of pace and, I was surprised that they actually didn't press more after the opening goal. Their red card, unbelievable - talk about stupidity. Was there any point in handling the ball? Did it save Wrexham? If that didn't happen, I feel the game would've been a draw as both teams did well in all fairness.
No doubt Wrexham losing Harry Lennon was the turning point.
They didn't start off as if they were a man down, bringing the game to Notts, but slowly we faded them out with our passing play. Those who dislike how we pass the ball at times, take note that Wrexham had spells where they chased every ball, until they became frustrated and somewhat lazy.
This allowed Notts to turn the game in our favour, pushing and creating chances which put the panic on their defence.
Whilst I felt Matt Palmer did very well, my Man of the Match would be Kyle Wootton for his work rate - followed by Frank Vincent who played an immense game. I actually felt every player played very well, with a level that grew as our confidence lifted.
Paul Mullin had the chance to salvage the game for Wrexham, but he went missing. Very poor penalty! Nothing was taken from Anthony Patterson as he still needed to pull of the save, which was a good one, but that penalty was pathetic from a club's leading goalscorer.
Jayden Richardson on another note, what a difference he made in the second-half. He was pretty quiet in the first 45 minutes, looking scared to run at Wrexham and, generally slowing the game down with some poor decision-making - yet for his age, It's to be expected. I just wanted to point out, that sometimes players can make up for periods where they go largely unnoticed.
Fair play to Wrexham for still trying, although they looked visually defeated, but it was still a good game.
Talking points:
Opening goal: Yes, Anthony Patterson should really be saving those, but it was from a quick spell of chaos and well-placed strike.
The red card: All day and, night - it was a red card. One of the most stupidest decisions I have ever seen in a life game.
Wrexham fans disputing the decision: Harry Lennon denied a goal scoring opportunity, it wasn't a natural reaction - he made himself larger to cover the goal.
Their antics with diving: Have the Wrexham players been taking acting lessons from Ryan Reynolds? If so, they need to keep it up because it's far from convincing. Throwing themselves into opposition players, jumping over people who are just standing, it was all absolutely ridiculous and, for this reason I see why they're struggling to be the Hollywood team they dream of.
Elisha Sam foul: It wasn't a booking for me, but I can see why it was given. I felt he won the ball, yet he left a lot on the challenge and the momentum could be an issue that the referee decided was dangerous. No red, it wouldn't have changed much if he did get sent off.
Elisha Sam's performance: He's a frustrating player, but when you have someone who seldomly plays and appears to try - It's hard to be crucial of the small parts they play. He did some nice things, one very decent cross into the box for Kyle Wootton. Yes, he missed the header where he didn't need to jump, but it's always harder to connect with the ball in that situation.
Phil Parkinson: What a tool... If Notts gave Wrexham a lot to think about, yet he believes 100% that they were the better team - he's as deluded as the Wrexham fans. Penalty but not a straight red ????♂️and our third goal... It didn't change anything so why be salty about it.
Hope everyone on PON and in the wider Notts community has a great new year! How will you / did you celebrate? As fireworks are not allowed here, we're going to be spending the next few hours sitting at a bonfire, barbecuing sausages (but not myself) and drinking. And in 2022 I want to get myself to the UK as soon as I can be sure I won't kill anyone. I might even darken Meadow Lane's door.
How about the rest of you?
Here's a version of Auld Lang Syne by Die Toten Hosen before they were crap:
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Hi again, on New Year's Day we once again have a full fixture list in the Proper Leagues. All of these fixtures are going ahead as I write - I'll check for postponements every now and then, but it's best to check which matches are going ahead before you predict. As ever, you have one joker each and the matches below all kick off at 3pm on New Year's Day. I'll get my abacus out and count your scores from the last round later on today
Blackpool v Hull City
Burton Albion v Crewe Alexandra
Charlton Athletic v Wycombe Wanderers
Oxford United v Cheltenham Town
Harrogate Town P-P Port Vale
Scunthorpe United v Carlisle United
Sutton United v Exeter City
Swindon Town v Northampton Town
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To kick off the second half of the season, we march on with the Christmas schedule, with the Proper Leagues playing on Wednesday. Like last time, all of these games are going ahead as of now, but to be on the safe side it's best to check for postponements before predicting. Kick off is 7.45pm on Wednesday, so get your predictions in by then!
The results of the last round will be posted some time tomorrow 
Blackpool v Middlesbrough
Coventry City v Millwall
Burton Albion P-P Bolton Wanderers
Ipswich Town v Wycombe Wanderers
Morecambe v Crewe Alexandra
Barrow v Oldham Athletic
Crawley Town P-P Bristol Rovers
Harrogate Town P-P Mansfield Town
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And so do I. But the Rubin Kazan and former Russia coach sings it so much better than me.
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Once all the presents have been opened and the disappointing TV specials watched, Boxing Day is all about turkey and stuffing sandwiches and football. Or is it? As I write this on Thursday night, more than half the games have already been postponed due to The Situation, so I feel like a hostage to fortune. But I'll try to squeeze a round out regardless - all of the fixtures below are going ahead at the time of writing, but it'd be a good idea to double-check them to see if the matches are actually going ahead before making your predictions. If your joker match is postponed, you're welcome to change it provided it's before kick-off time. The deadline for predictions (and changes) is 3pm on Boxing Day, and don't forget those jokers!
Huddersfield Town v Blackpool
Middlesbrough v Nottingham Florest
Cheltenham Town v Plymouth Argyle
Fleetwood Town v Shrewsbury Town
Mansfield Town v Hartlepool United
Oldham Athletic v Scunthorpe United
Aldershot v Woking
Wrexham P-P Solihull Moors
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£2.2m loss = 43k a week
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You know what do do by now - get your predictions in by 3pm on Saturday, and bask in the glory of all the points you win! And remember to include your joker, of course.
Bristol City v Huddersfield Town
Coventry City P-P Stoke City
Morecambe v Fleetwood Town
Oxford United v Wigan Athletic
Plymouth Argyle v Charlton Athletic
Port Vale P-P Exeter City
Sutton United v Harrogate Town
Tranmere Rovers v Leyton Orient
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Covid at Chesterfield... Saturday trophy game called off...... Our game on Tuesday evening must be in doubt...
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