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There's a few things broken which need to be repaired, this has been caused by an upgrade to the site but in the long term - things will be better. Right now, the skin needs patching and, then updating.

I take great pride in ensuring the Pride of Nottingham site is as professional looking as possible.

However, please bear with during this transitional period.

 

15/08/2020

Visitors/Members should be experiencing faster loading times now.

Remaining known issues:

Navigation blinks when loading pages - Fixed
Notifications don't work - they produce an error message
Theme upgrade (upgraded)

[I'll try and fix this, or get it fixed ASAP]. Rest of the known issues will be slowly worked out. 

Thanks for understanding.

Following Government confirmation that Nottingham will re-enter tier three restrictions when the nation’s second lockdown ends on 2 December, we can confirm that we will not be permitted to welcome supporters back to Meadow Lane for the time being.

Elite football clubs based in tier one and tier two areas of the country will be permitted to play competitive matches in front of a limited number of supporters for the first time since the 2019-20 season was curtailed in March, but those in tier three must continue to play behind closed doors.

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/tier-three-statement-261120/

https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/post/match-report-notts-county-3-0-stones

This Friday at 19:45 BST we finally play at a home, in what feels like a lifetime since the last home game. Our opponents, Wealdstone FC.

The game was moved (assumingly on request of the police) to the Friday as a small club across the river were supposed to be playing on Saturday. They're not playing on Saturday anymore, they're playing on Sunday. Additionally, there's no fans allowed to either game anyway. Yet, we still play on Friday. All makes sense, fine logic. Moving on...

Friday's Opponents:

Wealdstone FC are most famous for... well.... 



Can we have him at the top of the Kop on Friday, screaming 'you've got no fans' to absolutely nobody, before asking Ben Turner 'if he wants some?'. 
 

Almost 17 million views on that video alone. Impressive.

On a serious note, though, they are last seasons NL South champions, finishing on 70 points with 33 games played, less games than anybody else around them in the table, so even with PPG mark up due to you-know-what, probably safe enough to say they were deserved winners. 

They've made a flying start to NL football too, sitting pretty in 4th after winning 5 of their opening 10 games, drawing 2 and losing just the 3. This weekend they were 2-0 down after 11 minutes to Sutton United, coming back to lead 3-2 only to let Sutton equalise in the 90+5th minute, but it certainly shows that they are a team with character.  Formation-wise, it looks to be either a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, though they are pretty fluid in the middle and attacking thirds. 

Strengths

They look to be a very agile, athletic team with plenty of pace and energy throughout their side. Their players cover a lot of ground and can employ a press at times, especially against teams who are prone to mistakes at the back (ring any bells?): 



This 3 player press forced an error that the Alty keeper did well to save.

Wealdstone often employ quick free kicks and set pieces to catch the opposition napping, something I've seen work on us a few times before. 

They have wingers that aren't afraid to run at the opposing full back, either getting to the byline or coming inside. Number 11, Dennon Lewis, does this often from the left, combining well with Number 18, Moses Emmanuel. Their fullbacks too, love to push up. 

They have a long effort goal in them. Jacob Mendy scored a cracker against Chesterfield and did so again against Sutton. Given the opportunity, they'll use set pieces to set up Mendy for a long piledrive shot. 

Lafeyette is their focal point up top, a more physical striker. He has scored a few last season and so far this season too, despite being a bit of an older non-league journeymen:

Weaknesses:

They don't look to be the largest team in terms of size and physicality. Looking at their game against Chesterfield, Tom Denton and long throws caused them no end of problems.  Watching their recent highlights, it also looks like their defence is a bit weak and has more than one mistake in them. This is probably confirmed by the goals conceded column, 20 in 10 games, more than they've scored. At times they are asking for it a bit, they leave their defence wide-open when pushing forward and they'll often leave their defence 1v1 even when winning. 


As for us...

Wealdstone are exactly the type of team we struggle against. Energetic, pressing, creative. However, they will leave big gaps, depending on their tactics on the day, which could be exploited by pace and ingenuity. 

My line-up would be the following:



From the back, it almost picks itself, but Brindley and DKE are in to cope with their direct, pacey wingers. Tenacity will be a key value for that fullback - wideman matchup. 

I've gone with Doyle (no alternative) and Reeves. Reeves offers that bit more running and athleticism that might be needed in this game, in a bit of a shielding role for him, dealing with the amount  of runners they have from their own midfield. Rodrigues will offer that creative outlet, able to beat men and pick the pass. Roberts is being Roberts. Both wingers might find themselves needing to help out defensively with their fullbacks bombing on.

I've gone for Sam and Wootton up front because they (Wealdstone) might be exposed by a bit of height. Sam is also deceptively quick for a big man, and some of his runs off the ball will provide openings should we be capable of threading the pass. If Thomas were fit, I'd be tempted to swap him out for Wootton, or certainly bring him off the bench if that front 2 isn't working. 

Slocombe 6 Just caught out of position but generally a safe pair of hands

brindley 4 Defensively OK but offers nothing going forward

Rawlinson 5.5 A moment of sloppy play put us under pressure but generally defensive work good

Turner 6 Much improved, some strong defensive headers

DKE 6 A yellow card for the team, but everything Notts built came down his channel

Doyle 6 Dictating play where he could

Reeves 5 Much quieter and less influential... Perhaps have to sit in a holding role

Enzio 7 Enzio closing down for the 3rd goal, unheard of. Great finish for the first

Rodrigues 8 Someone on Twitter described as Masson like influence. If only he had a more powerful shot.

Sam 8.5 Class goal and ability to hit some great passes.

Wootton 6.5 effort yes, but unrewarded. 

Sub

JOB 4 Too loose in passing

What are your thoughts on getting the best out of Michael Doyle, Jim O'Brien and Jake Reeves?

What is the worst football song you have ever heard? I think the best has been discussed but what about the worst. ????????❌

This will take some beating...

I imagine this converted many fans to support a different nation. ????

Gone to NCFC reserves... Aka Boston United..... Could we have done with him back?????? Or has he found his level!!!!! 

Diego Maradona has died aged 60, love or hate him he was a great player that excited fans on the pitch.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54810392

Why do clubs look overseas especially Notts when there are good young players who just need a bit of experience in the Scottish/Irish and Welsh leagues?

The standard of football is probably comparable to ours or just below.

Even, looking at young English players seems to have been forgotten by Notts in favour of experience and resale value. Notts should start to look at young players from within the UK, along with giving their own youths time to develop.

https://downthewritewing.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/criticism-surrounding-england-southgate/

The show goes on on Tuesday night (24 November) - these matches all kick off at 7.00 pm, so that's the deadline for your predictions. As always, you get one joker each. Good luck!

QPR v Rotherham United

Stoke City v Norwich City

Accrington Stanley v Crewe Alexandra

Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool

Barrow v Oldham Athletic

Exeter City v Colchester United

Altrincham v Bromley

Wrexham v Sutton United

I think Notts are missing the players who graft like workhorses in order to jump ahead of others and earn their selection, Neal Ardley on paper has built a decent squad with areas that do require some thought.

Most teams have areas where they focus and require further work.

What I would like to see is Notts identify players like Richard Butcher/Neal Bishop, workhorse style players who do the simple things like pressing and winning the ball. There's too much desire from media and certain fans to expect a squad full of players like Callum Roberts. We don't have any of those dirty workers who will grind out a good result by just working hard, why do we need to build a squad that on paper gets tipped for winning the league.

It would be a better usage of the budget if we had capable players who worked hard.

Very simple, try not to be biased but I imagine it could be somewhat difficult. If you genuinely feel that ours is the best, kudos - I'm not going to suggest otherwise but I am curious how people would honestly rank these.

https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/recap-chesterfield-concede-twice-injury-time-fall-defeat-against-notts-county-3043329

The goals

https://play.acast.com/s/priceoffootball/ukgovts-300msportbailout-carabaocupcash

I don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but former Notts defender Graeme Lee and his family are having a bit of a rough time. His wife, Gemma, has terminal brain cancer but is trying a new drug that seems to be helping. It costs 5k a month though, so should anybody wish to help out, the link for JustGiving is below. Donny Rovers are donating 10 quid per shirt sold this season, which is a fantastic gesture. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8969857/Graeme-Lee-wife-Gemma-Exclusive-Interview-12-months-terminal-brain-cancer-diagnosis.html


Just Giving:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/warriorgemma

This could be very good news, I am hopeful it will go ahead - people just need to be mindful.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/55010011?at_custom4=A6310350-2D9C-11EB-823F-2A7A96E8478F&at_campaign=64&at_custom1=[post+type]&at_custom3=Match+of+the+Day&at_custom2=facebook_page&at_medium=custom7&fbclid=IwAR2lin92QWaN11SSWbn-3mL8NZzL6gBahWR_AzbvCheLpjea8ohqrlzTRuM

Quality defence splitting pass from Reeves

Welcome back to the greatest show in town - these matches kick off at 3pm on Saturday, 21 November, so fill in your predictions and post them by then - and don't forget your jokers. Good luck (but not too much - I fancy staying top for more than one week)!

Barnsley v Nottingham Florist

Luton Town v Blackburn Rovers

Rochdale v AFC Wimbledon

Burton Albion v Northampton Town

Salford City v Bradford City

Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town

Boreham Wood v Altrincham

Wrexham v Aldershot

Game 10 - The Spireites (A)

Team: Chesterfield

Date: 21/11/2020

Where: Technique Stadium

What line-up should Neal Ardley 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.

Slocombe: 5 - Their first goal was a good strike, might feel he could've done better. but couldn't do anything about their 2nd. 

Brindley - 5 - Doesn't look the same player that was bombing down the right when he first signed last season. Feel a bit sorry for him as when he does go forward, there's no midfield inside for him to play to. Defensively his side was OK.

Rawlinson - 5 - Didn't think he did a great deal wrong, but can't give any member of a defence that let Denton and gang put 2 past them more than a 5. The right hand side of defence was OK.

Ben Turner - 2 - He is still a donkey and largely went unpunished today. Nice how he let Denton go and stand on our smallest player, DKE, for their 'winner'. I used to think Turner was an asset for games like this, against teams who played this type of 'football', but he is even a liability for that too. We would do well to offload him ASAP.

DKE - 3 - Their winger had the beating of him and did well to keep himself in check and avoid a second yellow. Feel a bit sorry for him as he had the defensive-duo (sarcasm) of O'Brien and Enzio in front of him. Improved when Rodrigues came on, but their first goal was at least partially his fault. Not marked down for the Denton goal, should never have been made to mark him.

Doyle - 2 - Slow, boring, predictable and even inaccurate passing. If you are taking that long to make the pass, you better be sure it gets there. When they put pressure on him, he made mistakes too and he was unpunished. Needs a rest if he had anyone to replace him.

O'Brien - 2 - Offers nothing defensively. You can tell he was a winger before because he doesn't know how to defend and it shows. Passes going forward were woeful and he is too slow to provide work-rate or forward runs. Him and Doyle can't play alongside each other, even in a 3.

Reeves - 2 - In my mind he was probably slightly better than the other 2, but not by much. Rubbish.

Roberts - 5 - He hit the post. Did he touch the ball after that? Can't remember, because our tactic was to keep hoofing it up to him, giving him no chance.

Enzio - 5 - Scored the goal. Was a menace at the start. Can't defend.

Wootton - 3 - You might think 3 is harsh for somebody that scored the winner, but he was on 1 before that. Bring back Wootton of last season. The one from the past few games is pathetic. Spent more time on the floor in the past few games than Jon Stead managed in 3 seasons (and that's saying something!). Held up absolutely nothing and can count himself very lucky to A: have started and B: not have been hooked on 60 minutes instead of Enzio. 

Subs:

Rodrigues - 10* - Took the game by the scruff of the net, tackled, fought and won the game for us. Takes players on, tries to play the strikers in, expansive, quick passing. Superb cameo and superb player. Needs to be one of the first names on that teamsheet. Better defensively than who Ardley is starting ahead of him, so no excuses now conservative Neal!

Sam - 8 - Sam came on and again looked good. Held the ball up, linked play, everything we missed for 60 minutes until he came on. Should probably have been up the middle, but linked well with Rodrigues.

Ardley - 2 - Gets a 2 for the subs made on 60 minutes. Would've been on 0 without it. Feel like the result has delayed what might be inevitable. If I were Danish with a football analytical company, I'd be looking at available managers with decent stats in this league and the ones below, just in case these type of performances don't change. 

 

After a short break, we're back - the prediction league. A tremendous prediction league. The best. Everyone's saying it. I've scratched together some fixtures despite all the postponements (who knew that there were so many internationals in League One?) and will need your predictions no later than 3pm on Saturday, 14 November! And remember your jokers!

Northampton Town v Accrington Stanley

Shrewsbury Town v Swindon Town

Carlisle United v Cheltenham Town

Colchester United v Leyton Orient

Harrogate Town v Crawley Town

Barnet v Bromley

Altrincham v Aldershot

Chesterfield v Maidenhead United

For the first time in a long time, I actually enjoyed watching an England game. 

Iceland played a very defensive game but the attacking play from England was brilliant. It's just a shame it's taken till there was nothing at stake for Southgate to play such an attacking style of football rather than his boring defensive play. 

Foden and Grealish deserve to start together, they both love to drive at the defence and can be a frightening thought for any defence.  Was also nice to see Maguire back to his old self playing almost as a centre midfielder.

I really hope that Southgate realises that we should be playing this type of attacking football regularly as we could genuinely be a threat if we play like this.