With today, set to be the day the squad is announced for the World Cup, what would your England squad be?

Here's mine. Obviously some of these have been confirmed that they are not going e.g. Arnold, Wilshere etc. I changed my mind over who I would have taken. Ryan Sessegnon was originally in and Wilshere was out. But after seeing comments on Twitter and seeing that Sessegnon might get the Walcott 2006 effect, it would probably be better not to take him. Wilshere has shown he can be fit and be creative and we need that spark in midfield. Kyle Walker would play centre-back because that is where has been playing under Southgate in a 3-5-2. He also likes to use Raheem Sterling as a striker with Harry Kane. So if we're playing 3-5-,2 this is my Starting X1: Pope, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier, Henderson, Wilshere, Rose, Alli, Kane, Sterling

GK - Butland, Pickford, Pope

RB - Trippier, Arnold

CB - Stones, Walker, Tarkowski, Maguire, Dunk

LB - Rose, Bertrand

CM - Henderson, Shelvey, Dier, Wilshere, Loftus-Cheek

W/AM - Rashford, Sterling, Alli, Lingard

ST - Kane, Vardy

Right so now the season has ended and the transfer window opened officially on Thursday, what do we need to go one step further.

Let's start at the back and go forwards

Collin is probably going to be kept on. Fitzsimons and Pindroch will most likely stay

Left back and right back need some changing. Both starter and backup have to have the same traits. Both have to be fast, strong in defence and tackle and have the ability to get forward. Currently, in these two positions, we have polar opposites in Tootle and Hunt and Jones and Dickinson (even though Dicko does try bless his socks)

A centre back is obviously needed. Brisley and Duffy are alright but we need someone like Hall who can reassure us in defence and help play out from the back (especially at home where we need to press the opposition from the off). Jack Baldwin from Posh would be good as he's recently been put on the transfer list there and clubs will not have to pay full value for the transfer listed players at London Road as Lincoln got Michael Bostwick and Harry Anderson for less money than people thought before the start of this season (17-18). 

Onto the midfield and in my opinion, we need a midfielder who will protect the defence more. O'Connor is a more forward thinking central midfielder, Husin is kind of a deep lying playmaker and I don't think 4-4-2 is his thing, Hewitt is the energy and then Noble is... well Liam Noble. 

Two new wingers with more end product than Alessandra and Hawkridge and two wingers who have more consistency than Alessandra and Hawkridge. Someone who is technical, pacey, can beat their opponent and someone with a good finish on them. There are a few available. Leeds, Doncaster and Crawley are currently interested in Crusaders winger Gavin Whyte. I would keep an eye out for him. Kal Naismith, Alfie Potter, Lawson D'Ath. 

Then there is the trouble up front. No pace whatsoever, Stead should have retired or moved on. Ameobi needs to retire in my opinion. Matt Godden is going to Peterborough so that's him out of the question. Kristian Dennis is out of contract at Chesterfield and has been offered an extension which he is yet to make his mind up about, but 19 goals in a team that finished bottom is quality. Jason Gilchrist (Southport) was the top scorer in National League North this season with 26 goals and could be worth a punt. I would also get a striker who is powerful but not exactly a target man. Maybe someone like Kane Hemmings. Mason Bennett looks like he's coming back on loan. As for Jonathan Forte, we'll just have to wait and see if he stays or not. 

It makes a huge difference doesn't it?

I think he's learning much quicker than most younger managers, the progress he's delivered is amazing and compared to last season - I feel excited about the potential we have for the 2018-19 season.

Yes, we have along way to go and it's this past season has only just finished.

Yet players I feel will finally want to be here, so the stability offered by the club seems to be one of the biggest things we have going.

This and, the returning higher gates. #COYP

So after a few discussions on other posts I decided to create this topic so views on our youth system can be shared here. Personally I think we have some quality players currently in the youth system. Players such as Remaye Campbell, Kole Lambert, Pierce Bird, Peter Dearle, Dominic Brown-Hill, Sam Osbourne and Alex Howes. I think Nolan now has a duty to nurture these players and develop them so they can be prepared to step in if needed. I don't think the odd substitution in the Checkatrade Trophy Group stages counts as giving youth a chance though. They need some proper development and then maybe become impact substitutions for league football. Its hard to give youth a chance when there is so much on the line. But there has to be a time where enough is enough and Nolan bites the bullet. 

To all Pies fans from all Millers fans. Join us for a Bank Holiday Wembley weekend.

Play-off semi-final Second leg:The Sky Blues (H)

Team: Coventry City

Date: 18/05/18

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Kevin Nolan 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.

based on a mean of 5

Collin 4 Failure to dominate his area especially on comparison to the Coventry keeper. Needed some big saves from somewhere, Coventry keeper produced 2 of those, sadly our didnt.

Tootle 6 Difficult to give a MoTM but thought in general, he played well against a lively attack

Duffy 5 One comical moment after fouling a Coventry player, there was a 10 second pause before he fell down clutching his face. Even so, the inept ref bought it.

Brisley 4.5 Needed a cool head but got involved in a fracas, which could easily have turned into a red card.

Jones 5 Always strong going forward, but defensive side of his game does fall apart, when he neglects responsibilities

Noble 4 In a word, ineffectual and rightly subbed

Hewitt 5 No matter about his getting around the pitch, totally ineffective when in possession. Coventry had a real grip on the midfield til O'Connor came on. Pass completion rate nearer to nil than 100%

Alessandra 5 Went missing second half, I would say flatters to deceive...but just feel deceived

Grant 5.5 Yes scored but his market valuation continually to deteriorate...Defensive side of game goes missing

Stead 5 Worked hard, had a shot well saved but never really got the better of his markers

Forte 6 A good goal disallowed by inept officials. Offers greater movement that the static Shola Stead partnership

Subs

OConnor 6 gave midfield some purpose with some drive and passing

Shola 4 a farewell cameo maybe. Never really got going

Apologies for not putting this up last night, a combination of heartbreak and a focus on trying to muster a match report meant I completely forgot about the MOTM (not that I'm expecting much of a response given we were pretty crap for most of the game).

Nonetheless, we gotta ask - who in your eyes was the least worst player for the Magpies?

Is now the manager of MK Dons, he gets around doesn’t he?

Not many youngsters will remember Ray Wilson who died today, he was a member of the England team who won the World Cup in 1966.

He came from Shirebrook and his other claim to fame is that he used to live a few doors down from my Aunty Sally and as a boy used to visit her house often.

As it’s my long weekend off I’m in the kitchen hoping that the time will go faster 

It’s @Chris‘s Birthday today so I hope you’ll all join me in wishing him a happy birthday, let’s hope he gets the best present of all, a win tonight.

With the regular League Two season over, the majority of clubs have set about deciding which of their current players will stay and which will have to seek pastures new.

It's a constantly changing list so my best bet for you to keep tabs on the news is via the BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/44057195

Any players that have been released so far from other teams that take your fancy?

Even though I’ve been a fan for many years I’ve never been to Wembley with notts County. I’m hoping for that to change. #COYP

Is he fit?

Is he still recovering or is Nolan bluffing? 

Has to the wheel barrow song 

I’ve just been watching the excellent Team Talk on Notts TV and guess who popped up on the screen being interviewed. Only our very own gaffer @Chris along with @UnitedPie well done lads only a quick glimpse and if you blinked you’d miss it so don’t spend your appearance fee all at once. 

I’ve watched all the second leg matches on tv so far and it makes me laugh when the team that goes through celebrates with their fans as if they are promoted, the players go mad, the crowd spills onto the pitch and put the players on their shoulders etc., err hang on lads you aren’t up you’ve still got another game yet! 

It will probably be the same tomorrow at Meadow Lane whoever wins.

In view of the HUUUUGE crowd expected at Meadow Lane tomorrow, I thought I'd post some of the songs we've come to know and love over the years in hopes of as MAH-HOO-SIVE Singalong to see the lads all the way to Wem-bl-ey...and League One..

I'll admit, I'm a bit 'rusty' on some of them...and a bit confused, too. You see, last week at the Coventry game, I heard "All Notts, aren't we?" being sung, then read it's (apparently), "Oh, Notts, are we..." Then someone kindly posted this on fb today, so I've got approximately 24 hours to catch-up.

Enjoy!

https://www.fanchants.com/football-team/notts-county/#all-chants 

Came across this today...from Footballs Finest. How S-T-U-N-N-I-N-G is this? Hope the lads see it!!!

Afternoon guys,

I'm focusing my research project on ticket prices in English football and to see how commercialisation of English football affects supporters in attending live football matches.

May interest you that the Premier League (95%) has a higher attendance utilisation than Germany (90%).

Please could you take 5 minutes to complete this short survey. It's multiple choice so no brain power needed. 

Considering the impact of ticket pricing strategies on fan engagement in English football clubs.

I'm more than happy to respond to any questions about the survey or the project. 

Cheers in advance.

Not sure I’d send my budding footballer to be schooled by Haydn Hollis. 

Hearing Omar Bogle (forgive spelling if incorrect) being mentioned a lot around social media today. So,e even claiming that the deal is already done and we are paying a fee for him.

If, and it is always a big If in these conversations, it comes true, then well done Notts. Every time I’ve seen him play he looked a class above anyone on the field and was a serious handful in the air and on the ground. He ripped us to shreds last year at Cleethorpes! Obviously the big money move didn’t work for him, but may work to our advantage as he looks to rebuild a reputation?

I know he was on his way to us in the Jan window, but was sent out to a higher division against his will from what I heard so might still have positive vibes with Notts.

I would be very happy to see Grant sign for us on a permanent deal if one could be reached. He clearly is a talented player and has the skill to be successful and I think would be a great addition to the notts County team.

I spent all evening yesterday trying to buy an online ticket for the match on Friday without success and gave up at 11.30pm, I finally succeeded this morning at 6.30 am, it seems Notts fans aren’t early risers. 

Got a great seat on the half way line near the dugout can’t wait for the match, come on you pies.