Having witnessed a number of poor officials last season and again this campaign, I have been trying to understand why this is exactly and I do think I might have a valid point. Darren Deadman and Stuart Attwell in my opinion are prime example of this, I don't think they're just "poor" officials. I believe a lot of it stems from how they officiate games.

Both avoided stamping their authority in the games.

They did issue cards, yet neither really "voiced" themselves. I think Referees in this league need to get a little smarter, they need to make the players respect them and avoid giving unnecessary cards when a simple warning could be given instead. A player would respond in my opinion better, it would cut out players who flop to the ground and I honestly feel that there's a lot absent respect for referees in the modern game, yet I do think a lot of it they're to blame for.

No doubt it's tough, though it's not exactly rocket science.

I think both Darren and Stuart lost the games early, neither was really in control and I don't think it's right to say it was because they were "big" games. I think it all boils down to how they conduct themselves and make themselves known.

Thoughts?

one year ago, the Grealish/McGregor inspired 'pies were seemingly climbing up to midtable and orient were running away at the top.  it just proves - if proof were needed - that one weekend doth not maketh a season...

so, onwards to PNE - the paintpot cup represents a reasonable path to wembley, we're closer than we have been via this route for a while (wolves '88 perhaps?).

to me, recent history at preston conjures up a plastic pitch, billy davies, and a prime example of 90s/00s bottom-division-resurgence-clubs (hull, swansea, cardiff, burnley, fulham to name a few).   players that link the clubs - well, i missed the opening game of the season so although a repeat fixture, we should have pletny of fresh names to go at.

i'll start with david reeves, and am sure there'll be more.

Please join me in giving @Carlos a warm PoN welcome.Hope you enjoy our site and join in with the fun.

All could go wrong for our nighbours, they have been given an embargo along with Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers. These are no real surprise, I think we knew for sure that two of these teams would be included.

The problem is how complexed the embargo is and how teams can still get around it.

It also could spell an end to us obtaining the two players sent out on loan by them, they may now be forced to keep Louis Laing and Stephen McLaughlin.

Now one of them would be a bigger lose but both are useful in my opinion.

On Saturday, I heard comments about if this happened Shaun would have to rely on other clubs. Why don't we try to build a relationship with Leicester City? I think all local teams is a good thing to focus on.

What do you make of the embargo? Who said that??!?!

shaun does not understand why noble was sent off, it looked much worse than the highlights but i could not understand why we had won a free kick and he saw red.

i noticed the elbow, it did seem to be dangerous but unintentional.

if its classed as dangerous, will the decision be rescinded?

anyone think we will be successful? 

I think some will have this labelled as "I'll accept a draw", I would have myself but I don't know why, I feel we might be a side capable of surprising Swindon Town. When you look at each times form and then compare, well you would again side with Swindon but it's never plain sailing.

They've done extremely well against top sides, teams you would expect them to struggle against.

Against sides low down it becomes a little more surprising but teams which play as a tight unit actually get something against them. I wouldn't write ourselves off here and I wouldn't put it down as a draw either. I expect the game to be difficult, they will cause us trouble but I think if we are strong defensively, if we make sure Carroll is protected to the best of the players ability, I think we could score either on the break or from a set piece.

I just hope that a positive performance follows, grit and determination. If we're to get something we need to make sure we frustrate them and play a smart game going forward.

It's for us to spoil, it's for them to gain and handle the pressure which is mounting.

1-0 Notts! Goal by McLaughlin.

COME ON YOU PIES!!!

Thoughts? Score Predictions?

Not an easy question, though I am not put off by that.

I say Garry Thompson.

Who do you feel played the best? Who was your Man of the Match? Help us decide ours as a community! You Pies

Wigan players are helping out their supporters with some Christmas Cheer, as they are going to pay half of the match ticket for the first 500 fans to buy them.
 
The away game at Leeds is likely to cost £36.00 each and coming on Boxing day is considered to be a bit too steep...
 
see article : http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/dec/11/wigan-players-halves-away-tickets-leeds

A big well done to them

Congratulations for @Dripsey3 for reaching 500 posts and picking up the Silver poster award well done mate.

Congratulations to @lambleypie whose has reached 200 posts and been awarded a Bronze Poster Award.

Doesn't anyone else think that Zeli Ismail looks like Jason Grimshaw on Coronation Street?



Anymore look-a-likes?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought there was a discussion on this already, however I couldn't find one and in any case it's been a considerable length of time since, so it's probably best to re-start one.

Name the things you like and hate about football.

I'll start with "hate"...

I hate the word gaffer, it's naff. What's wrong with Manager? I wished we wouldn't refer to our managers as the "gaffer". Why? It sounds like someone who talks too much so you get out the gaffer tape to keep 'em quiet.

I hate, diving, time wasting (where it becomes obvious), players who fight, Forest, Millwall, Leeds (to name a few). I hate managers who can't accept defeat, also the one's whom are biased and disillusioned. Over pricing items and tickets, I hate reading about clubs which fleece it's fans, referees without a clue and lastly I hate how pitches get the blame for poor results.

I like...

Community spirit! In football this rules and at games like Preston (this season), Oldham (last) and many others it just adds to the football. I love seeing small teams doing well, Notss winning (which NCFC fan doesn't?), Good goals (especially our own). I liked playing (enough said), I like how Notts is a family club, going to watch football with @super_pie and my family when they can go, I like it when referees get the crowd singing, yet even better when you don't notice the referee at all, good saves, players who connect with their supporters.. The list continues!

What about you?

This Saturday's fixtures:

Brentford v Blackburn Rovers

Norwich City v Huddersfield Town

Fleetwood Town v Sheffield United

Preston North End v Milton Keynes Dons

Dagenham & Redbridge v Tranmere Rovers

Wycombe Wanderers v Southend United

Last night I had a dream which might please @BradtheMiller, I dreamt that lot across the river were beaten 5-2.

Let's see if it comes true, I hope so.

I have just read this and it is an excellent and accurate article on Swindon Town.

In his aftermatch report on local radio he stressed that the team had to keep emotionally detached from the game and concentrate on playing to win. Indiscipline has cost us dear this season and perhaps we are turning the corner.

It appears we played well today but perhaps that is just local reporters' bias.

Joe, do you have a second team? If not why not follow us now and again because I reckon you could buy into Lee Power's masterplan.

For those who aren't bench members here is Shaun's message in what will be a very important week for us.

A letter in this month's WSC got me thinking.

Last month Football League Division One for 1982-83 was featured in the magazine. It was particularly noticeable that every single team but one won more games at home than they lost, including all three relegated clubs (Luton won 7 and lost 7). In last season's Premier League, on the other hand, 11 of the 20 teams failed to do this.

Likewise away, in 82-83, only one team (Liverpool, the champions) won more away than they lost. Every single other team lost 9 or more of their 21 away games. Last season, 7 Premier League teams won away from home more often than they lost, with another one (Southampton) winning and losing seven.

We recently broke our club record for games unbeaten away from home, and this season we still haven't lost on our travels. I don't remember this kind of thing happening in the past. Home advantage seems to be a lot less significant than it used to be. But why? Thoughts?

The cup dreams continue, though the league form has a slight stutter.

Up next at Meadow Lane is Swindon Town.  Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle, financial irregularities, Steve McMahon, and John "Pizza-man 'tasche" Gorman all spring to mind.

However - what we all want on this thread is player / staff connections between the two clubs.

I'll start with Steve Mildenhall - good keeper, but following on quite soon after Cherry and Ward - as two outstanding custodians - he was oft criticised and prone to an odd howler.  I do remember clearly the start of the great escape season, when we seemed to concede 4 goals almost every other game.  (just checked, details were at port vale, home to man citeh, at tranmere, at oldham, home to reading, at bournemouth - all before november!). 

So - Mildy; anyone for anymore...

Its so funny, how they don't talk anymore..... (there is a song in there somewhere)

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/dec/10/diego-maradona-hand-of-god-referees-feud

We have a squad full of players who give their all, some perhaps not the best in ability and others have age against them but this hasn't stopped them from chipping in.

At the start of the season we wanted a keeper, either a backup or starter. Enter Roy Carroll who's no doubt became icon, in defence we have Haydn Hollis and from there we vastly have squad full of contenders for the "hero" title. Gary Jones, Alan Smith, Garry Thompson and Liam Noble to name a few.

However, who are the unsung heroes of our squad? Who for you gives 100% and gets over looked?

Who makes a difference, commits to the cause and provides that underestimated, undervalued piece of the jigsaw?

I'd like you to name that player, tell us who it for you.

Paul Dickov "I am a little bit angry because it's a game we should have won, We've had a goal chalked off for what, I don't know. I've heard conflicting reports and I haven't even been to see the referee. If the goal is given, which it should have been, then we go on and win the game".

If he doesn't know why it was disallowed and he hasn't spoken to any of the officials perhaps he should reserve judgement? Swings and roundabouts Paul, swing and roundabouts! If the goal had have been awarded, Noble still might have scored. Is Paul also a fortune teller?

For those who haven't seen the highlights - Here we go

What do you make his these comments? Would Doncaster have won? Was the goal rightfully disallowed? Thoughts?

The tie which hasn't wanted to happen just yet, hopefully will go ahead on Tuesday night.

Doncaster this season have been very disappointing, I would suspect even their own fans would agree but likewise we can't write them off. Our lads shouldn't get ahead of themselves either! We was knocked out the League and F.A Cup, so if we go into this thinking we will make Wembley without a glitch, I feel the same will happen.

I don't expect this to be the case for us, I think we will go in prepared.

Since this is our last chance to have a bit of momentum from a cup, I do feel we should treat it just the same as any other game. Yes, I'm not that interested in the JPT - I still believe it needs re-branding but it is a good chance to lift the squad, fan base and continue our good start to the season.

I think whatever the outcome it will be narrow, I feel we can do it.

0-1 Notts. Murray to get the goal.

Thoughts?

Welcome to PoN @Nick.Why not tell us a bit about yourself?You'll soon feel at home.