We’ve played with a variation of a 3-5-2 (3-4-2-1) for years now and it’s worked for us so far. Also when you look at the teams that were promoted last season Bradford, Port Vale and Wimbledon all played some variation of a 3-5-2 as well.

Every formation has its strengths and weaknesses, I think the 4-4-2 covers the pitch well but you can be overrun in midfield if you face a team that plays with 3 centre mids or a box midfield. With the 3-4-2-1 we are very solid in central areas but it demands a lot of the wing-backs because they almost have to do the job of two players and they sometimes get pinned in if facing a full back and a winger.

I’m not overly concerned with the formation, I think it works well for how we want to play, the two attacking midfielders and two central midfielders mean we should be able to get a lot of control in the middle of the pitch and dominate. Sometimes I just wish the wing-backs play a tad higher, they were really deep under Stuart and that seems to have followed on with Martin. Maybe Luke Williams has warped my mind as to how wing-backs should play (because under him they were basically wingers!)

I think the approach to how you play is probably more important to us and that is to be brave (not sit too deep) play forward and be relentless with the press to pin-teams in. We’ve done it in phases and stages this season, just in the last two matches the intent and bravery hasn’t quite been there for me but there's no reason to suggest we can't get back into a positive approach.

Top post @menzinho 

These days I think a radical change of formation is a summer thing or an act of a struggling, desperate team. Our squad has been assembled and prepared for 3-4-2-1 this season. As you said it's served us well since 2021. The variations can come from 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2, the height of the wingbacks and many other subtle moves the coach can make.

And there's the thing that always seems to happen on the rare occasions we've played with a back 4 or something different, the players look really unfamiliar with it and the impression given is that they think the formation is being evaluated and not them.

I think there are times when we should try to stick to our main formation, but I would like to see Martin Paterson be braver to change things when it's not working. I give Paterson credit, as he does appear to read games well and will make changes that do make a positive impact, and compared to Stuart Maynard, it doesn't lead to the feeling we are to salvage a point from a game we were winning easily at one stage.

Personally, I think there are times when we should be looking at the opposition and thinking of formations that will give us the ability to hold the ball and press. There have been away games where Notts have stuck to their formation, and you just know nothing is going to change.

Barrow away earlier in the season was one of the worst games I have ever seen. 5-10 minutes in, you could tell Barrow would pressure us. I think there was some hope from our managerial team that they would tire or Notts would get to grips with it. However, nothing changed, and that a game switching formations going into the game could have put Barrow on the back foot.

We tend to rely on quality, and even when playing well, we can be very predictable to the point that teams can sniff out an opening. Persisting to think one style will succeed and that there's a one-size-fits-all formation for every team isn't the way to play. I acknowledge we do at times switch things up, but not enough, and I don't think we are consistent.

That is one major issue with switching formations, because if a routine doesn't get the best out of individuals, mixing things up could lead to further complications. In general, I do think it would be worth trying. The Matt Dennis and Alasanna Jatta duo looked promising at Tranmere Rovers, but a few games later, along with the absence of Dennis, it was dropped.

Maybe if Manchester United had selected him for the bench but didn't play him, losing 2-0 to Arsenal, things might have been different for them? I do like Sonny Aljofree; I think he's a good player, but his age means he will make mistakes. Someone else like Godwill Kukonki might be prone in different areas, but he does sound like one to keep an eye on.

I'm going to watch the full game later; I haven't so far, and I do like how Notts lets us rewatch full games.

Not one of yours then @Piethagoram ?

@Fan of Big Tone Unfortunately I am closer to being 100 than being 22☹️

Morning all, I hope everyone is well.

I’ve just finished the word games, now I must get ready to walk up to the war memorial for the Remembrance parade, there’s no excuse because it’s only just up the road from us. Not that I need an excuse to remember the brave people that gave the supreme sacrifice for us.

lest we forget.

A pint of beer for less than 10p ?I remember that.

It was 5p for a Match Programme in 1971. The price went up after decimalisation.

Fish & chips bought from a fish & Chip shop in the UK in 1971 typically cost around 20 pence.

In 2025 the average price for Fish & Chips from a fish & chip shop can typically cost between £10:88p to £11:71p. In London it can be up to £15

(Source Google)

Welcome to the pride of Nottingham community @DavidUPies Thanks for joining us.

@DavidUPies thank you for introducing yourself it’s great to have you here, you’ll find we are a friendly community, I hope you enjoy being a member.

@DavidUPies ,welcome to PoN from me too.

This is Asda now, right?

I have never heard of this supermarket, but the building looks similar to what I recognise as being Asda. Just with some moderisation. How big of a supermarket chain was GEM?

@TheSkipper

The supermarket chain "GEM" no longer exists as an independent entity; its British operations were acquired by Asda in the mid-1960s, and its U.S. and Canadian operations ceased in the late 1970s and 1980s. Asda now occupies the sites of GEMs UK Supermarkets.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09593960500049183#:~:text=Abstract,Nottingham

I watched a programme about Anne Frank the other day, it reconstructed what it would have been like at the beginning of the invasion of German troops, going into hiding, and eventually how the Franks were discovered to be hiding. I couldn't imagine fleeing my home, my family and taking a risk to find safety like some of these brave souls.

The house was leasehold but I arranged with the seller to buy the freehold at the same time of the purchase

Another scandal of recent times, are private roads etc where external mgmt companies can charge over the top annual fees

I have watched a lot of Homes Under the Hammer [don't laugh], and they stress the importance of making sure you check the title. If it's a leasehold, make sure you can extend it, or have enough time to sell it on. I would only look at Freehold properties when I am in a position to buy, I know not everyone can, and that leasing is virtually securing what could be considered a rental for usually your lifetime.

Even landlords of rental properties are pulling cons by claiming they are selling their houses in order to vacate legal tenants, and then after a few weeks, they push the property price up.

Walsall:

"Monday’s result made it even more painful for Walsall, after being 12 points clear at the top of the table in mid-January and 15 clear of fourth place, then just three wins in their final 21 games meant they had to settle for a spot in the play-offs." 

40 minutes ago, Piethagoram said:

and the winner's dad Graham Carr was Head Scout at Notts for several years

He was indeed, there was a very good drama programme about Alan Carr and his early life which featured his Dad when he was a manager.

I’ve just remembered what the series about Alan Carrs life was called it was Changing Ends, well worth a watch. I didn’t care much for him until I saw the series but it changed my perspective, the young boy who plays him as a child was brilliant.

I really enjoyed Traitors I thought Alan Carr played a brilliant game, I was really sorry for Joe who got booted out at the last minute and he’d guessed the traitors.

Alan’s winning will go to a worthy charity, children’s cancer. 👏

A householder across the road from us always stages a Firework party but most of the fireworks let off are either rockets or air bombs which make such a noise. Whatever happened to the Fountains, Catherine Wheels, Cascades & Roman Candles? The relatively quieter fireworks.

3 hours ago, Robbie said:

A householder across the road from us always stages a Firework party but most of the fireworks let off are either rockets or air bombs which make such a noise. Whatever happened to the Fountains, Catherine Wheels, Cascades & Roman Candles? The relatively quieter fireworks.

Does any member remember Jumping Jacks fireworks that were banned quite a while ago

41 minutes ago, super_ram said:

Does any member remember Jumping Jacks fireworks that were banned quite a while ago

Yes I remember them @super_ram we used to have to get out of the way as they jumped all over the place. Catherine wheel pinned to the outside toilet door at the bottom of the yard, rockets in milk bottles, Roman candles, firestorm and penny bangers of course. No health and safety then.

Welcome to our community@poulincarol

Hi guys and thank you for the warm welcome!

I have kind of weird connection and hope its still accepted :D So im football fan from Finland and my connection to Notts County actually comes from Football manager. Been managing the team for I don't know for how many years/games and with that started to follow the team in real life and now trying to actually catch games when ever they come.

So little odd..but from just playing to checking scores and then to actually watching games I wanted to find a place to learn more what is happening and what you guys are talking about.

Also sorry for my English its obviously my second language

Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham, we are glad you decided to join us. Please do check in as often as you can, you should find PON to be useful to stay involved with the club, and you will find our members will make you feel at home @Waltteriw.

On 01/11/2025 at 20:35, Waltteriw said:

So little odd..but from just playing to checking scores and then to actually watching games I wanted to find a place to learn more what is happening and what you guys are talking about.

Also sorry for my English its obviously my second language

It is great how you have come to support Notts, there are supporter groups all over the world for Notts and Finland is anew one for me. @Chris, @liampie do you know if we have a Finnish Magpies at all?

Do not worry about your English, it's perfectly fine. 👍

@Waltteriw you are more than welcome, you are now a supporter of the oldest professional football club in the world, it’s something we are very proud of, it’s great that you joined us and your English is excellent.

2500 fans didn't go to watch a training exercise. They went to see a Notts win & to celebrate progression into the knockout stages of the competition.

I want to see my club aim to win every single match they play. That's what the game of football is all about.

You just can't switch on and switch off a winning mindset between one particular match & another. Paterson has to raise his team to face Cheltenham. What's he going to say, will he say that this match now matters so I want 110% effort? It really shouldn't have to be that way.

1 hour ago, Piethagoram said:

I pretty much agree with everything he said in that video.

Interesting comments here. If Traore really is one of our two biggest investments then wow. But do we really know who he was referring to? I would have thought that a certain player whose name rhymes with Harry Potter would be more likely as he's completely vanished from the first team picture. But regardless of that, it's a highly negative thing to say - the door should be closed on a player when he leaves and not before. Telling someone he won't be given a chance regardless of how hard he tries is hugely counterproductive.

I really don't care about this competition and I feel it's demeaning for us as a professional club to play an academy team, but it's still important to keep the good form and the good vibes going. They've evaporated a bit despite our good recent league form.

Happy birthday,Les.

Is the goalkeeper department becoming the new place for quick exits at Meadow Lane, rather than the head coach or manager? It feels like there's always someone leaving. The last two coaches left in strange circumstances. If you're truly committed to your job, why would you step down to the National League just to work under someone from your old club?

I'll say it clearly. I hope Darren Smith gives Kelle Roos the backing he needs. With the right support, Smith could help Roos improve and make it easier for Martin Paterson to deal with any slip-ups.

Alan played 101 times for Notts between Aug 2010 & April 2013 scoring 16 goals.

The 2011-12 season was a very successful season for Alan at Notts. "His form saw him pick up consecutive player of the month awards for Nov & Dec respectively".

"He flourished under Manager Martin Allen & finished the season with 8 goals & 13 assists.Judge scooped both the Notts County Players' Player of the Year & Supporters' Player of the Year awards for the 2011–12 season".

(Source Wiki)

Alan is just the type of player in midfield that Notts could do with right now. I wish him well in his retirement. I'm sure we will see him remain in football in some capacity.

I think Craig Short deserves the credit for bringing him in, initially on loan, thanks to his Blackburn contacts. Most of his signings were rubbish but credit where it's due.

@Sheffield Pie I will never forgive Craig Short for the Ben Burgess fiasco