Rumour on twitter that Notts are about to sign George Moncur from West Ham, a ball playing hard tackling central midfielder.

Sounds good.

EA are looking for really knowledgeable Notts County fans who can provide expert feedback on the team and players in the video game of the FIFA series. To register your interest, please visit: http://fifa-talentscout.ea.com/

Convince us that you are the right person to help develop the Notts County data and we'll be in touch!
We also have a twitter profile which is constantly updated with tweets when we need new reviewers for certain clubs.
http://twitter.com/EA_TALENT_SCOUT

This is a great blog from Jim about his visit to watch Notts v Wolves.

He mentions meeting two Juventus fans on the way to the match, possible the two gentlemen you met @NottsJoe?

Any a really good write up and worth a read, he says a lot of very complimentary things about the Notts support.

http://thefootballneutral.com/2013/11/17/the-football-neutral-match-eleven-notts-county-vs-wolverhampton-wanderers/

Some fans might believe this is dooms day, as Notts are expected to lose. I personally see it as a good chance to try some players who miss out, we need to find a balance between 'reliable' and 'consistent' - of course this means some players will have off days but I firmly believe the majority of our fans accept this.

Wolves are likely to win! however, you never say never! This type of thing should inspire and push our players, the desire to do well and cause an upset.

Supposedly someone from Wolves told PoN that they're taking 3k, I'm surprised.

Good for the club if true!

3-1 Wolves is my prediction.

Derby County has sold the naming rights of the Pride Park stadium and it will now be known as iPro Stadium in a 10 year deal that is worth £7 million. I'd be interested in @super_ram's thoughts on this one.

Also how would Notts fans feel if Meadow Lane was renamed. Personally I wouldn't mind what it was called (within reason) as long as it brought in some much needed funds to help us get out of the mess we are in. What do others think?

Sorry I'm a day late putting this up. Due to it being International weekend, we'll have 3 league one fixtures and 3 league two fixtures. I'll forewarn you I'll probably not put the results up till Sunday as I'm doing a long away trip with Weymouth to Corby, so won't be home till late. 6:30 start!

This week's fixtures:
Leyton Orient v Preston North End

Port Vale v Shrewsbury Town

Tranmere Rovers v Bristol City

AFC Wimbledon v Portsmouth

Exeter City v Southend United

Mansfield Town v Oxford United

Good luck everyone

Not only do we have players unavailable through call ups and injuries, we can now add another suspension to the list.

So for the next three to five games, I would make the starting 11:

                               Bialkowski

  Freeman        Liddle         Smith         Sheehan ©

                                 Boucard

 Campbell- Ryce       McGregor       Tempest

                         Murray             Haber

Subs: Speiss, Holt, Thompson, Waite, Coombes

I hope I haven't made an error in picking somebody unfit. But if possible that would be it for me. They keep the shirt until injured, suspended, or perform too poorly.

The others need to work to displace that IMO.

Some other points: If Hollis had been fit, he would replace Liddle, Liddle then replaces Thompson on the bench, (being dropped won't do him any harm)

I read Joe's post regarding non Pies members. I find this a friendly site where inter club rivalry can be put aside and indeed discuss non football related topics.

I am currently wallowing in a pleasant nostalgia zone because I am aware that on a stormy Monday 11th November 1963 I rode my 50cc Paloma Flash racing moped from Westbury (of White Horse "fame") to the Pavilion in Bath to see a new blues band that I liked called The Rolling Stones.

Joe's post indirectly led me to recall a First Round FA Cup match between Trowbridge Town - Southern League - and Coventry City. Coventry won 1-6 but I remember meeting a group of their supporters who gave me a pie. They seemed like old men but that's what it is like when you are 17. This match was on Saturday 16th November 1963 so that was a good week.

Years later, when I worked for a local Peugeot dealership, Jimmy Hill was guest speaker. I had a microphone that Jimmy used, dropped and dented. He was the centre of attention and his wife was left "sitting in the corner". My wife and I chatted to her and eventually Jimmy came to join her and I had a really enjoyable conversation with him. He was intelligent, interesting and very knowledgeable. I mentioned the 1963 cup match and he remembered it and knew the result.

I think Super Ram and Tony H will understand these ramblings: I do not wish to live in the past but it was exciting being a teenager from 1962 to 1966.

Best wishes to all posters on this site. Long may the banter continue.

So the build up to the 2 friendlies has started and already plenty of withdrawals. No quite sure how we should approach these. I think I would be inclined to use this game to try another keeper, and maybe look at our holding ability. Key to international games in keeping the ball and playing with pace (certainly in our case).

So no Carrick, Gerrard, play Jones perhaps in front of the back 4. Townsend is a must, but without Welbeck who to play on the left?

I wouldn't mix it too much but, try the new boys as subs on the hour, using those who he feels will be in the final squad.

He must have a good idea of that make up by now, maybe 3-4 places up for grabs at this stage.

Come on England

Hi guys....I am not exactly new here but it has been a while I have not been visiting....

I am a Juve fan and I will be at Meadow Lane this Saturday for the match against the Wolves.

Any chance to meet one of you for a beer after the end? Hopefully to celebrate...

See you there...Giorgio

When I open a new tab in Firefox, it brings up suggestions as to what sites I might want to visit based on my past usage.

Guess which site it always suggests now? It obviously knows which is my favourite football site.

Just a thought - don't we play Oldham tonight? It all seems a bit quiet.

Hopefully, the chat room will be busy.

Ok, so IMO the club captain needs to be all of these things, not just one or two:

The managers ambassador and voice on the pitch.

A model professional who others can look up to and aspire to be like.

Have an excellent disciplinary record.

Ability to lead, be that by example or by voice.

Somebody who the fans can feel a connection with.

Having said that, I think we change the captaincy as our current captain does not have anywhere near all of these.

I would replace him with Alan Sheehan, who has a far better disciplinary record. Is our longest serving first team member, is able to lead by example, certainly somebody that the others could look up to, the only thing I haven't noticed in him is how vocal he is.

But Dean Leacock is currently letting down the team, the fans and himself. I say remove the captaincy and pass it to somebody more deserving of wearing it.

Thoughts?

I friend of mine who knows I am a big Notts fan sent me this photograph he took a few years ago, so I thought it would be a nice signature photo for my posts.

It is actually taken in 2004 although it looks as if it should be in the 60s.

Has now scored 7 goals in 8 games since leaving Notts. Discuss.

Shaun Derry has wasted no time trying to shore up our dodgy defence. According to radio Nottingham we are about to sign Keiran Freeman on loan from Derby.

He's been on loan here before and as I remember he was pretty useful.

Derby County defender Andre Wisdom almost misses Sheffield Wednesday game after getting stuck in mud

By PAUL WHYATT

Comments (30)

ON-LOAN Derby County star Andre Wisdom almost missed Saturday's home game with Sheffield Wednesday after getting stuck in the mud.

The 20-year-old was following his sat nav to find his way to Pride Park Stadium when it took him down a woodland track.

His £100,000 Porsche got stuck in a huge mud-filled puddle.

A Derby County spokesman said there had been a race against time to get the defender to Pride Park in time for Saturday's 3pm kick-off.

He said: "Andre visited a local shop on the way to Saturday's game against Sheffield Wednesday and, being new and unfamiliar to the area, he programmed the stadium's postcode into his sat-nav.

"The route provided took him down a less-than-traditional road, where conditions were also poor.

"Ultimately, his car got stuck and he, along with the club, made suitable arrangements to ensure he was at Pride Park Stadium on time for the game. His car was recovered on Saturday evening."

A mountain biker told how he found Wisdom's Porsche Panamera Turbo marooned in the mud six miles from Pride Park on Saturday morning.

Pete Irons, 41, told the Daily Mirror: "I didn't really think much of it when I first saw it.

"I thought whoever it was was unlucky to have done that – but I also thought it'd be gone by the afternoon.

"But when I came back through the woods a little later with friends, it was still there and I went right up to it to have a look to see what had happened.

"I realised it was a really posh Porsche so we were all joking about the poor guy who had managed to get it stuck and how much money it was going to cost them.

"To get to that point, he would have to come through an equally muddy section – I have no idea what he was thinking.

"I just can't believe he could have got that far to begin with, then to submerge it in that puddle.

"We're miles from a main road and the track doesn't go anywhere. It's just mind boggling how he ended up there. We called the police to let them know it was there.

"They came along and took the registration number of the car which turned out to be Andre Wisdom's."

Wisdom signed on-loan from Liverpool last month.

This also raises the question of how much players are paid.

This Poem Was Written By An Unknown Soldier During The First World War and Shows That Even In Those Dark Days Humour was Apparent, Besides Which Everyone Was Football Mad.

THE BURNING QUESTION

Three Tommies sat in a trench one day,
Discussing the war in the usual way,
They talked of the mud and they talked of the Hun,
Of what was to do and what had been done,
They talked about rum, and-tis hard to believe,
They even found time to speak about leave,
But the point which they argued from post back to pillar,
Was whether Notts County could beat Aston villa,

The night sped away and zero drew nigh,
Equipment made ready all lips getting dry,
And watches consulted with each passing minute
Till five more to go then twould find them all in it,
The word came along the line to get ready!
The sergeant admonishing all to keep steady,
But out rang a voice getting shriller and shriller,
I tell yer Notts County can beat Aston Villa!

The earth shook and swayed and the barrage was on
As they leapt o'er the top with a rush, and were gone
Away into Hun land through mud and though wire
Stabbing and dragging themselves though the mire
No time to heed those who are following en route
Till stopped by a strong point they lay down to shoot,
Then through the din came a voice " Say Jack Miller! "
"I tell yer Notts County can beat Aston Villa"

The strong point has gone, and forward they press
Towards their objective in number grown less
They reach it at last and prepare to resist
The counter_attack, which will come through the mist
Of the rain falling steadily, dig and hang on
The word for support back to H.Q has gone
The air charged with moment grows stiller and stiller---
" Notts County's no earthly against Aston Villa "

Two " Blighties ", a struggle through mud to get back
To the old A.D.S down a rough duck board track
A hasty field dressing a ride in a car
A wait in a C.C.S., then there they are
Packed side by side in a clean Red Cross train,
Happy in hopes to see Blighty again,
Still, through the bandages, muffled "Jack Miller,
I bet you Notts County can beat Aston Villa! "

Not too chuffed to be honest given all of the players we're going to be missing due to internationals. Jack Grealish, Callum McGregor and Greg Tempest will be off playing for their under 21 sides, while Andre Boucaud will be away, plus Danny Haynes is unavailable through suspension. Letting the game go ahead is just asking for a mauling really, and I'm dissapointed the club didn't make the call.

The longer Shaun Derry has to work with this squad the better. It seems to me that we're only letting it go ahead so we'll get a bigger crowd than we would on a Tuesday night

It's a little odd how players fall down the pecking order, I also can't pretend to understand how some get the nod and some continue to fall with regards to selection. Seeing young Murray got me thinking, as a club which requires goal scorers - I feel we have enough to make do. Enoch, Arquin and Haynes are strong contenders for any club in our league, they're players other clubs perhaps would be able to get the most out of.

Last season Enoch and Arquin seemed goal shy.

It was refreshing to see the minutes and appearances where Tyrell Waite got the nod. I was very pleased when he scored from the header, as his hard work deserved that.

I can't say I understand why we haven't featured him? He ran at defences, looked calm, passed nicely and made movement. Very keen in his appearance to play and do well.

Why do we stick to backing players who are inconsistent, whilst managers seem very patient to see the magic they do process. The exact same thing could be said about Zoko, although I don't see why we don't try Tyrell Waite. He always seemed value for what he probably earns, his efforts deserved rewarding but it seems he's fallen further down the pecking order - especially with the arrival of Coombes (who is a different style of player).

I really can't understand it, can you? Thoughts?

Hartlepool are currently an in-form team within League Two, we seem desperately destined to hang around the mix and quite possible to fall into the division ourselves. This is now Shaun Derry's responsibility, no one can yet say how he will do and it's only opinions which divide us right now.

He seems to have a grasp on what he would like to do, speak passionate and seems to know where we are falling short. Can we judge him after Saturday? I don't think so.

They are a very capable side, one I said last year I could see winning us. This year, I expect the game to be a little closer but they have depth in their squad which could punish an unwary defense and even rock us. It depends how Shaun handles the game, hopefully he start with a common formation and take the game as it comes.

For anyone who doesn't care about the F.A Cup (this season or at all) - I think it's vital we go as far as possible, yes I'd like us to focus on the league but with dwindling gates, which I expect to fall a little more. A decent cup run might help us keep a competitive budget for next year.

Notts 2-1 win.

Thoughts?

Due to it being FA Cup 1st round weekend, there are no fixtures in league 1 or 2, so instead of the usual 2 fixtures from each league we will have 3 from the championship, and 3 from the FA Cup 1st round. The first 3 are the championship fixtures

This weeks's fixtures:
Barnsley v Doncaster Rovers

Charlton Athletic v Leeds United

Middlesbrough v Watford

Lincoln City v Plymouth Argyle

Rotherham United v Bradford City

Wycombe Wanderers v Crewe Alexandra

Good luck everyone

What a terrible thing to happen to Hucknall Olympic athlete Andy Turner, if he wasn't distraught enough at the sudden death of his mother, some lowlife robbed the house while he was at her funeral! What a sad world we live in.

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/world-of-sport/gb-olympic-athlete-robbed-during-mother-funeral-081619394.html

Well, Bud Abbott, who single handedly gifted Notts 6 points a season, may be an idiot (IMO) and total football genius (see the 6 points a season bit).

But for now he is our idiot.

So I guess he will have to have my support (ouch that bit hurt)

COYP

This is an email I received from Notts County this morning.

Dear Tony

I asked the media team here at meadow lane if they would assist me in sending out a letter to supporters just to say hello as much as anything and to reassure you how much it means to me to have been given this opportunity to manage Notts County Football Club, my club.

You may be one who has voiced support for my appointment, you may be one who has declared indignation at my return to Meadow lane as manager at the current time, I haven't had to look too hard to find examples of both!

For those that have offered support, I would like to thank you wholeheartedly for your backing, it really does mean a lot to me. For those that disagree with my appointment, I offer you my word that I will be doing all that I can to win you round, but I would couple this with a very simple observation, which is that this club is, and always has been, stronger when everyone involved is pulling in the same direction.

Notts County is a community club, we musn't lose sight of that. I know what it means to support this club and I know what it means to play for this club and I will be instilling that in my players, because I want to see pride, passion and belief in the shirt from every single member of the squad when they are asked to take to the field, it's what this club demands and what you, the fans, deserve.

I don't expect everyone to be behind me as manager from the outset, I have a lot of hard work ahead of me to prove myself in this new role, but I would expect everyone who calls himself or herself a Notts County fan to be behind the club, because it helps nobody if we are divided.

My first game in charge will be this weekend, as we travel to Hartlepool United in the FA Cup and I know that it hasn't been the happiest of hunting grounds for Notts in the past, or indeed for our managers!

But what a great lift it would give everyone involved with the club if we could get a win and get our name in the draw for the next round. I don't know about you but waiting for our number to be drawn out on a Sunday afternoon is one of the things I genuinely love about football, there's a real buzz about it.

It will be a hard game, I know that, Hartlepool are in decent form at the minute, but we have plenty of talent in the squad that I have available to me and I will be calling on the lads to show that they are better than our current league position suggests.

I would like to thank in advance, any of you that are making the journey up to Victoria Park I know what a difference a vocal travelling support can make to a team.

I'm sure you've heard a lot of what I've said before and some you will be thinking that this is just recycled rhetoric, but I hope to be a manager that can connect with the fans and I felt it important to make contact at this early stage so that we can look to move forwards together.

All I can say is that this is my club and I would not have taken this role if I didn't think I could be successful, I am not coming into this blind or naive, I am determined and focussed and want what I hope you want too, a successful and thriving Notts County Football Club.

Let's get this club moving.

Shaun