Germany's ritual is to watch this in the minutes leading up to midnight. Enjoy!

That takes me back to when I was much younger, the wonderful Freddy Frinton,who in real life was actually teetotal.Thanks for sharing  @DangerousSausage

Hopefully he’ll be back very soon with more assists and goals. ????

That pass from Hinchy!

Easy @Robbie

Hallam Hope scores cheeky consolation for Carlisle in defeat to Notts County | Football News | Sky Sports

WWW.SKYSPORTS.COM

---

With his side 2-0 down to basement side Notts County, Carlisles Hallam Hope scored the cheekiest of goals to hand his side a chance to salvage something at Brunton Park.

@Piethagoram forgotten about that one. 

Personally I haven't watched the Champions league since it morphed from the European Cup.

Coventry City v Millwall 2-0

Oxford United v Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Joker

Bolton Wanderers v Lincoln City 3-1

Reading v Mansfield Town 1-1

Stevenage v Bristol Rovers 0-2

Bradford City v Chesterfield 1-2

Grimsby Town v Port Vale 0-1

Tranmere Rovers v Barrow 3-1

The results:

Coventry City 0-0 Millwall
Oxford United 2-0 Plymouth Argyle
Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Lincoln City
Reading 2-1 Mansfield Town
Stevenage 3-0 Bristol Rovers
Bradford City 2-1 Chesterfield
Grimsby Town 3-0 Port Vale
Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Barrow

---

And this round's winner is... me! Come on you lot, put some effort it. An honourable mention goes to @nottsnutter, who comes second on alphabetical order.

@DangerousSausage, @nottsnutter - 11
@super_ram - 10
@gtownjohnno, @menzinho - 9
@ARLukomski - 7
@Dan, @Megan_Elizax, @Robbie, @william1984 - 5
@Fan of Big Tone - 4
@4everapie - 3
@magpiejue - 2

---

A very good week for @super_ram, who opens up an eight-point lead at the top, and for @menzinho and @gtownjohnno, who move back up the table.

---

The next fixtures are on new year's day, so they're online already if you fancy making your predictions. Thanks for playing!

Well knock me down with a feather ????

Good Afternoon.

Woke up this morning and was shocked to hear that there had been another plane crash landing, this time in Korea & yet another crash landing in Canada.

No injuries reported from the Canada incident.

Absolutely remarkable that there were two survivors from the Korean crash,but sadly there were at least 176 fatalities. Deepest sympathy to the relatives of those that have lost their lives.

On a positive note, looking forward to the Notts match this afternoon. Hoping for another win today, although Notts need to be at their best again to get a positive result today.

I woke up all bunged up this morning, I think the dreadful Christmas cold has finally caught up with me, a few family and friends I've met have been coughing like mad so it's most likely I've picked it up from one of them. Right now I don't feel too bad, just a runny nose and a bit of a sore throat at the mo.

Luckily I'm back home now so I can lounge around and chill today. I'll probably just watch a bit of the lunchtime football and then listen to Notts later. No other plans until New Years Eve now, other than working my way through my Christmas chocolates and left-overs collection!

Morning all, how’s everyone feeling after yesterdays fantastic win, what a great Christmas present they’ve give us fans.

Well today the tree, cards, trimmings and outside lights have come down, I don’t bother with all that 12th night rubbish, as soon as Christmas is done I like to get back to normal again.

The washing is on the line as it’s going to be horrible, wet and windy after today.

It’ll be interesting to see if he goes there, I’m not sure he’d want to leave Swansea unless pushed.

Williams hasn't set the World alight since he left Notts. I think West Brom could do much better rather than appoint Williams.

Really poor that. As season tickets don't extend to the cup it'll be a real shame if the proper fans are priced out over the expense of football fans who just want to go to see Spurs.

Surely the TV money would generate enough? 

I can blame them, that's absolutely outrageous. There's no excuse for charging under 10s 25 pounds to stand at all, it's pure greed at the expense of their own fans.

The manager merry-go-round continues with Stoke City sacking their manager now.

I think that you have to question the recruitment at Stoke. They are basically saying that he wasn't the right fit for the club, so didn't they do any research on the type of Head Coach they wanted beforehand?

Crowley was superb. He gets my vote.

i thought matt palmer was class and very unnoticed with his performance, he played a major part in keeping us level and able to go forward.

The poll has now closed.

Thanks to all those who took time to vote. Much appreciated.

I am pleased to announce that Dan Crowley has been chosen as Pride of Nottingham's Man of the match for his outstanding performance against MK Dons.

A few opinions from MK Fans...

"Despite us being utterly woeful, I thought they were brilliant. By far the best team to come to StadMK this season. Their movement and passing was tearing us apart and it looked easy for them. Our players should be embarrassed about how the Notts players made them look."

"They were superb until the final third. Should've been 6"

"I don’t think we have ever been dominated as much that in L2 in Le Stad. Outside of Crawley in the Play-offs, that was the worst I have seen us at home in this division."

Got to get Cheltenham Town fans saying the same thing on Sunday now!

i felt a bit disappointed with the attention some of our fans gave aaron nemane, players move on and if anything i felt it could backfire on us what with the score remaining level going into the second half. i thought it was a decent game, a lot of comments near to me suggest we have no fire power but we are relying on the strikers a lot and without rest. i was pleased when george abbott took his moment, it was a very well taken goal and the second half was a brilliant display from us.

18 hours ago, liampie said:

i felt a bit disappointed with the attention some of our fans gave aaron nemane, players move on and if anything i felt it could backfire on us what with the score remaining level going into the second half.

I really don’t know why fans boo ex-players and as you say @liampie very often it can backfire (Nemane or Nemarnay as the commentator insisted on calling him) was an excellent player for us, fans should be applauding him not booing.

Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Sunderland

Bristol City 0-1 Luton Town

Huddersfield Town 2-0 Stockport County (joker)

Rotherham United 1-1 Wigan Athletic

Carlisle United 0-0 Morecambe

Walsall 3-1 Doncaster Rovers

Altrincham 1-0 Halifax Town

Maidenhead United 0-1 Wealdstone

FYI, I'll post the scores for this one tonight once I've counted them.

Your Boxing Day scores:

Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Sunderland
Bristol City 1-0 Luton Town
Huddersfield Town 1-0 Stockport County
Rotherham United 0-1 Wigan Athletic
Carlisle United 0-1 Morecambe
Walsall 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
Altrincham 0-0 Halifax Town
Maidenhead United 3-1 Wealdstone

---

Congrats to this round's winner @Dan!

@Dan - 11
@Robbie - 8
@4everapie, @menzinho, @super_ram - 7
@ARLukomski - 6
@magpiejue, @Megan_Elizax, @william1984 - 5
@nottsnutter - 4
@DangerousSausage - 3
@cheeky~k8, @gtownjohnno - 2
@Fan of Big Tone - nul points

---

After 22 rounds, there is no change in the top six, with @super_ram still leading. @Dan leaps up into seventh:

---

Our next fixtures are online already and will be played on Sunday 29 December. See you all over there!

I think Notts made the right choice by appointing Stuart Maynard. 

Notts has a coach that can rebuild a failing team & make it competitive once again. 

Not many Managers/ Head Coaches can claim to be able to do that nowadays.

Carlisle are doomed! Classic error of switching play-styles in the middle of the season. They've gone from direct under Simpson, to possession under Williamson (or are at least trying too!) It was like us with Nolan to Kewell, utter disaster.

No-one can say for certain what would've happened if Mike Williamson had joined us instead but I'm glad we ended up with Luke Williams! I heard he wasn't too keen on our recruitment style, I think he wanted more control. I find it very strange to be honest because this recruitment team has provided our coaches with some really good players over the years, better than any induvial manager has done in previous seasons.

if carlisle were higher in league two, i think they could afford mike williamson time but i think his appointment will go down as the wrong time to appoint someone like him. williamson did not look very capable of moving mk dons forward, despite a good team and i think it shows how desperate carlisle were when looking to appoint him. you cant rely on quick fixes in football, but i wish him well because its a difficult scenario to go into.

18 hours ago, Piethagoram said:

If my memory serves me correctly, didn't Ray Trew sell Jack Bearne in the last days of his tenure ( December 2016)

Jack Bearne signs first professional Liverpool FC contract - Liverpool FC

WWW.LIVERPOOLFC.COM

---

Jack Bearne has signed his first professional contract with Liverpool FC.

Yes, correct. Ray Trew sold Bearne. Donga He and Kion Etete were both sold by Alan Hardy.

I do hope the lad manages to make use of his time at Liverpool, and forge an EFL career because it's lost potential otherwise.

@Chris It's a shame that in time of financial strife, we have sold our youth assets, Bearne, He, Etete

It's a shame how it's worked out for Jack Bearne, he probably would've been much better off staying with us. Chances are he'd have progressed into our first-team, breaking into a League 2/National League team is a hell of a lot easier then at Liverpool which will have been ultra-competitive.

Strange how it works for some players though. Kion Etete is doing just fine and currently playing for Cardiff.

Is any manager getting dizzy getting on and off the manager merry go round? 

A good appointment, Fleetwood will be difficult to break down

I thought Matty Platt was class in defence, with Jacob Bedeau also being a big part in the performance too. Alex Bass did well in goal, but his distribution was questionable. I don't think Alassana Jatta deserves the Man of the Match. I thought he was good but nowhere near the level of others put in. David McGoldrick played a good role in what made us dig deep and take the game to Bradford. Without him relentlessly trying to get us to play forward, instead of passing out at the back we wouldn't have scored any of the goals. Dan Crowley also played well in spells, but not quite to the level we tend to expect from him.

All the squad put in a good performance though; it was great to see Jatta score twice - he could have had 3 quite easily.

Just a gentle reminder to members.

The poll will close at 9pm tonight.

The Poll is now closed.

Thank you to all that voted.

I am pleased to announce that the Pride of Nottingham's Man of the match, for his outstanding performance against Bradford, is Alassana Jatta 

Well done Alassana.

So we are now very close to the start of the season. Stuart Maynard has nine new players to work with.

He also has two more players that have recovered from long term injuries 

So Stuart has 11 players that he has never managed in a league game. That's half the squad.

So Stuart now owns the squad. The ghost of Luke Williams has finally departed. There are no longer any excuses. Stuart Maynard now has to deliver. 

The pre season games where the new players have figured have been somewhat dissapointing.

Stuart has the decide, which players are in the starting eleven in the first match against Tranmere.

He also has to decide how Notts will line up. Will it be a back three with wingbacks or a traditional back four?

Will he have a three or four man midfield, two strikers or just one?

Lots of questions to be answered.

One thing is certain, Stuart has to mould this squad into a cohesive unit that will be competitive this season. Will he be successful or not. The first half a dozen games should reveal all.

12 games please.

Stuart played things perfectly against Bradford. Tactically he got it spot on, by putting Dan Crowley alongside Didzy & just behind Jatta.

Also using conventional wingbacks instead of inverted Wingbacks was spot on too.

Burnley 3-1 Watford Joker

QPR 1-2 Preston North End

Blackpool 1-3 Stevenage

Northampton Town 0-0 Charlton Athletic

Chesterfield 2-2 AFC Wimbledon

Morecambe 0-3 Bromley 

Hartlepool United 2-0 Yeovil Town

Wealdstone 1-3 Dagenham & Redbridge

Burnley 2-2 Watford

QPR 1-0 Preston North End

Blackpool 1-0 Stevenage

Northampton Town 1-2 Charlton Athletic

Chesterfield 2-0 AFC Wimbledon

Morecambe 0-1 Bromley 

Hartlepool United 2-0 Yeovil Town

Wealdstone 0-3 Dagenham & Redbridge joker

Our jolly Christmas scores:

Burnley 2-1 Watford
QPR 2-1 Preston North End
Blackpool 0-0 Stevenage
Northampton Town 0-5 Charlton Athletic
Chesterfield 1-0 AFC Wimbledon
Morecambe 0-2 Bromley
Hartlepool United 2-1 Yeovil Town
Wealdstone 3-0 Dagenham & Redbridge

---

Strutting around at the top of this round's standings like conquering gladiators are meeeeee and @4everapie with 12 magnificant points!

---

Overall, @super_ram has overtaken @Robbie again and will spend Christmas in top spot. Meanwhile, yours truly is now in a Champions League place and @Megan_Elizax has moved into the top five.

---

There is of course football on Boxing Day, so expect the prediction league fixtures to be posted at some time today. Thanks for playing and making this a bumper Christmas round, and hopefully I'll see you there!

The football Manager merry-go-round continues. The race for success and making money continues.

How long before we see a change at Swansea, where Luke Williams is under pressure?

Lost his first match in charge 0:4 although I suppose.

Ruben wasn't in the first 11. Checked and he's been substitute 5 times this Season. Is he not the preferred attacking midfielder at the moment? If not Notts can always take him back on loan.

4 hours ago, Robbie said:

Ruben wasn't in the first 11. Checked and he's been substitute 5 times this Season. Is he not the preferred attacking midfielder at the moment? If not Notts can always take him back on loan.

He's started 16 games and been on the bench five times, so he's very much a regular. It'll be interesting to see if the new man rates him, but if not I think he'll find a club in League One bare minimum.

@chris. 

Did Abbott have a reasonable game from your standpoint? I always check on ratings for the Notts players post game & according to those, he didn't figure too high this time.

Nice summing up here????

A great and deserved result. More of the same please!

The three-goal blast in the first half put what had been a pretty even game to bed. Bradford were more in control in the second half, but for all their huffing and puffing it was Notts who came closer to scoring again. Fistly through McGoldrick's shot - the Bradford defence just opened up beautifully for and invited the shot, I only realise afterwards that Jatta was arriving at the far post. I don't blame him for having a crack. And secondly Jatta's scuffed effort, with the backspin on the ball stopping it from crossing the line. But we were already 3-0 up by that stage.

Crowley oozed quality and Austin worked incredibly hard (him winning possession led to our third goal). I don't think Abbott stood out as much purely because the rest of the team stepped up. And we definitely got the better deal from the Platt/Baldwin swap!

23 hours ago, Chris said:

I have seen Notts get battered away to Rotherham United sat in the home end, and never dreamt of leaving.

Well no, you would have been pretending to enjoy yourself ????

Bit harder for the younger fans to compile a list of their greatest Notts managers... ???????? 

Ian Burchnall and Keith Curle get into my top 5 by default!

On 02/02/2024 at 01:25, Robbie said:

For me it shouldn't be on win percentage, I believe it should be judged by your success by getting promoted & winning Cups.

If it were judged purely on that my choice would be.

1 Jimmy Sirrel.

2 Neil Warnock .

3 Tom Harris. FA Cup Winner.

4 Albert Fisher.

5 Eric Houghton.

6 Horace Henshall.

7 Sam Allardyce.

8 Frank Hill.

9 Steve Cotterill.

10 Howard Kendall.

This is interesting. If we're judging on the basis of honours, number one would have to be the manager who led us to FA Cup victory, the first time a second division club had ever won it. Obviously none of us were there to see it, but it's our club's only major honour and our greatest achievement. Nothing else comes close. But as @menzinho says, anyone under 40 doesn't have a lot to choose between as we've managed nothing more than two fourth division titles since 1990. If we ever manage to do a Bournemouth, maybe this list will feel a bit less historical.

As for Howard Kendall - if the question is "best Notts County managers", nope! He was a big-name appointment who just ended up speeding up our tailspin towards the lower division and didn't even last the season.

But if the topic was "best managers ever to have managed Notts County", you'd probably have to include him because of his achievements before he came to us. But then you'd also have to include Hans Backe and Howard Wilkinson for their title-winning exploits too.

I think winning the FA Cup was a great achievement @DangerousSausage, however taking a club from the fourth to the first tier like Jimmy did has to make him the number one.

Neil Warnock got Notts from the third tier to the first so he has to come second with FA Cup winner, Tom Harris third.

But that's just my opinion. Others may disagree with the rest of my list, & any of those managers could have been in different places on that list.