Wow - murmurations are so awesome.  We get big flocks of waders at Pegwell Bay and Stodmarsh / Grove Ferry.  They are always spectacular (except when your dog gets loose and tears across the bay chasing them, then it is just embarrassing.  Not that she got anywhere near them)

It looks nice in the picture, but puts the fear of god into me if I saw that amount of birds in person.

I don't know what's better, them catching ready-tinned salmon or the fact that they're called the Flourmen!

they could temporarily open up a water park.

the flooding is terrible tho, i hope its not caused them too much damage. for a small club its hard to pick up from disasters like this if you are unfortunate to experience damage.

I wished they included a picture of what it normally looks like, no doubt its mostly flooded now, but it doesn't look great.

It reminds me of a story @cheeky~k8 shared with me about a man who built a wall around his home to stop the floods getting in. Only these can't do much about it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-67888641

I am sure it's not directly due to Robbie Fowler, or at least nothing dodgy on his behalf. He's made a good income investing his career earnings into properties, and although I don't know much about this story, I suspect he may have been fooled into any promises he gave simply because of his passion.

Things like this are always sadly such a huge gamble.

lovely goal! its funny how footballers seemed to almost walk with the ball even when sprinting back then.

i love the clips like this and what the youtube channel notts goals i think is uploads.

@liampie we've had some great teams and players at Notts. Some of the Football we have played has been sensational over the years.

On 30/11/2023 at 20:34, DeadlyMacca said:

I’d be more than happy to contribute regular donations with @KingWilliams. How about you, @NottsTastic? This is undoubtedly the best online community I’ve come across.

We could pool our resources and make a donation periodically. I believe this would be the most effective way to offer support here.

Even though I have a job, I probably wouldn’t be able to commit to a membership tier. It’s astonishing how quickly money can disappear, but I will remember to make occasional donations because it’s the least I can do and I know Chris will appreciate it.

Thank you to all who have generously donated and subscribed to the Pride of Nottingham. Your support has helped lower our overall donation goal.

We recognise that not everyone can donate or subscribe to our membership tiers.

Nevertheless, each person's contribution is crucial to creating an engaging and compelling PON experience. Without this support, maintaining the site would be challenging.

I assumed Cove Rangers was an English non-league team, but upon looking them up, I didn’t realise they were a Scottish League One club. He will likely be picked up by a Scottish Championship team or a League Two/One side.

If I remember right, he's got a fair amount of pace about him.

Other than that, I don't really know much about him, but the last name does stand out. I think he broke into Grimsby Town's squad before bouncing around on loan.

Jim handled his 1st pre match press conference as Interim Head Coach very well.

I don't think there will be any changes in style till the Club as made a decision about a new permanent Head Coach.

There may be a few little tweaks on Saturday. We'll have to see on that.

They are going great in the National League and I think they will be formidable opponents in league 2 next season assuming we are still there.

The final leg back on the Eurostar

The food looks amazing @Piethagoram

Ticket price was only about EUR 15 above the economy fare... food and wine were excellent

I agree @Ohh Tommy Johnson that I don't think they'll be a UK wide league, the Scottish clubs wouldn't agree to it for a start.

I also agree that a Premier league in England without the big six would be far more interesting.

@Dripsey3 I think you're right, I have thought they'd probably do something like that. They seem to be dipping into pretty much everything. Boxing, Golf, WWE, Football (whether it be buying clubs or bringing big names to their domestic league). 

@Robbie You're bang on. These nations with limitless money looking to invest in clubs in England are the reason why there's becoming such a big divide with the "big" clubs and those looking to establish themselves in the Premier League. 

Part of me feels surprised that players have lasted this long while another part can't believe it's already starting to crumble. I don't get why these players can't just come out and say they took the paycheck because it was an opportunity to earn big bucks rather than claim things that were already known before they went over. They'd lose less credibility by doing so.  

Hopefully we will have signed some defenders than can cope with the high ball into the box by then.

Yes @Ohh Tommy Johnson those mistakes have been very costly. I hope the New Head Coach will sort it.

The new head coach must have some select principles, if we are to handle the transition period well

Tactical continuity 

- The new head coach must build on our principles to play possession based, high tempo football. Playing out from the back, but taking risks when needed and knowing when to play and when not to. Not overplaying when you don't need to. Pressing the opposition and winning the ball high up the pitch and when we lose, counter press. Stick to the philosophy that has been successful. We don't need a 4-4-2, two quick wingers and two big lads up front because it feels good and reminds us of "the good old days." To continue the progress made, you need to tweak and not tear up. We need to adapt to situations (like we have done recently without Matty Palmer). It's evolution, not revolution

Player development

- We saw under LW, that players can adapt the way they play and can thrive in different positions. Aaron Nemane has become a regular part of the starting x1 for 2 seasons. Adam Chicksen became a goalscoring wing-back, Jim and Cammy became more comfortable with the ball at their feet. He even took Macca from a wider position at Gateshead and made him the best striker at the club this century, turning him into a penalty area poacher, pressing machine. This must extend to the academy and the B team. We can start to see the likes of James Sanderson, Madou Cisse, Lucien Mahovo, Luther Munakandafa and Charlie Gill appear more in the first team squad over the next few years. Our model is about sustainability, and if we develop players and then sell them on for more than we bought them for, that's a success. This also makes us an attractive proposition for clubs to send their players to us on loan.

Man management

- This is a huge aspect. One that is bigger than people think. Luke Williams treated his players like brothers. He conjured up a relentless mentality. It was one of the big reasons we got out the National League. You need a winning mentality and to rise above others who try and dish it out. A group that is committed to the overall goal and our style, will become a successful group. Treat the players like human beings and foster a team spirit and mentality worthy of Notts County. Luke said after the Harrogate game "Playing with sloppiness and mistakes and without courage, you cannot play for Notts County like that."

I very nice piece of commentary @ARLukomski 

I think it is vital for Clubs like Notts to have a good youth and development policy that can be a good source of revenue for the Club.

Genuinely shocked when I heard this news. Don’t remember him playing for West Germany to be honest as too young at the time to know. I do remember him playing in the US league (I think for New York Cosmos?) though and everything I have read about him describes him as one of the greatest players ever. 

I remember watching a film about England at the 1970 World Cup finals and the fact that England’s decision to substitute Charlton when 2-0 up gave Beckenbauer the freedom of the pitch and he was instrumental in getting Germany back into the match and ultimately to win the tie.

RIP to Der Kaiser.

Yes your right @Fozzy We were absolutely coasting it. Franz was man marking Bobby and when he went off it freed him up.West Germany bossed the midfield from then on and the rest is history.

The 1970 World Cup was the best I've seen. Brazil was just something else

Football has lost a true legend.Rest in peace Franz Beckenbauer

Never was fit enough to show if he could have been of any benefit to us. I don’t think anybody will be shocked by this news. 

Hasn't really worked for either party that short stint. He hasn't given anything to us, and he hasn't put himself in the shop window for anybody else either.

He's in the same category as David Vaughan for me.

I wonder about this one.  It was always going to be a long shot to get a Matty Palmer replacement who could seamlessly drop in.  Our closest would be JoB or Sam Austin.  However, we need bodies for training as our squad is so thin it was probably getting hard to run competitive training session.  In rugby it isn't uncommon for players to be brought in to 'hold the tackle bags', i.e. to be bodies in training sessions and to raise the standard of training.  Given Gosling's fitness, I wonder if it wasn't a mutually beneficial agreement for him to get some fitness and to give Austin and JoB someone skilful to train against.  That would make more sense than us trying to get him fit and up to match fitness in such a short space of time.   He clearly didn't see himself as a L2 player, so maybe there was never the intention to pursue the arrangement beyond January, when hopefully we would bet more bodies in.  Just a thought.

We do need someone experienced at the back to settle us down, organise the other defenders and hopefully to have their composure rub off on the rest of them. However, if we can get a player like this in addition, I'm all for it. We need a proper shake up at the back and I'm not sure one new face would be enough. 

According to reports it looks like Stockport are looking at Warner too.

I would imagine that will put Stockport in the driving seat.  Also, I tend to think if a name appears on the socials or in the press, we probably aren't interested really.  Our recruits seem to come in without any forewarning.

@liampie Part of the statement from the Notts website reads 

"In the interim, first-team affairs will be handled by Jim O'Brien, Tom Weal and Joao Alves.

O'Brien, the club's longest-serving player, possesses the Uefa A Licence and has already taken his first steps into coaching with a role in Sheffield United's academy."

So we appear to be in good hands while we wait for the Club to appoint a suitable replacement for Luke 

Big opportunity for Jim to impress. I'm sure he has some ideas of his own, to stop the unacceptable number of goals being conceded. Now Luke has gone I'm sure the team will play their heart out for Jim if he is still in charge for the away trip to Grimsby.They will all want to prove a point and that is good for the immediate future 

Jim signed for Notts on this day 5 years ago. He's been such a loyal servant to Notts. Now he leads the team as interim Head Coach.

Oh my goodness @DangerousSausage I might escape relegation yet.

17 minutes ago, Robbie said:

Oh my goodness @DangerousSausage I might escape relegation yet.

You aren't condemned to the Vanarama Prediction Conference quite yet!

37 minutes ago, DangerousSausage said:

@Fan of Big Tone, @gtownjohnno - 9

GET IN!!!

I think we've got to get at least 12 wins and 2 draws from the remaining 22 matches, taking 8 more defeats which would give us 80 points total, which should get us in to the playoffs. 77 points could be enough but that's a stretch.

It is going to be tough to do it. It depends on many factors now of course. New Head Coach, New players, and can we keep Macaulay, Dan and others.

I don't think that's the best result for us to be honest - Mansfield are going up this season and we won't catch them. So it's better for us if they keep winning and deprive our rivals - like Barrow - of points.

I agree @DangerousSausage that the automatics are out of reach now and a sixth or Seventh place finish is what we should be aiming for now. Any higher would be a big bonus.

14 hours ago, Fozzy said:

Bit harsh on De Gea @liampie, he was Man Utd’s player of the season for 4 out of 5 seasons and players player in 21/22 season. He only had one bad season and that was the last one, but even now Utd fans would rather have him than Onana who has been dire.
You’re right, the defence does need to shield the keeper better but the keeper also has to help and direct the defence, and not talking, claiming crosses and better distribution.

very prone to silly mistakes throughout his united career, great shot stopper and for relaxes but lack confidence to with their defence and would fall a part.

just to balance things.

keepers are nothing without a reliable defence in front of them, its a two way street. neither can work well without each other stepping up but its harder for a keeper when teams are having a higher amount of one on one chances.

4 hours ago, liampie said:

very prone to silly mistakes throughout his united career, great shot stopper and for relaxes but lack confidence to with their defence and would fall a part.

just to balance things.

keepers are nothing without a reliable defence in front of them, its a two way street. neither can work well without each other stepping up but its harder for a keeper when teams are having a higher amount of one on one chances.

I like how you balanced it out with De Gea. Yes he was prone to quite a few mistakes, more than he should really, but nevertheless had it not been for De Gea, United would have potentially been lower down the table without him. He had a tendency to pull off some outstanding saves and help United gain a point or 3. Also comes back to the confidence issue I mentioned, when a back line is constantly exposing you you tend to make a few mistakes because there's a lack of belief in your back line. 

I was a bit sceptical of Stone coming in in the first place but I was hoping he'd prove me wrong and come good. The main factor for my doubt in him was that when he was sound emphasis was put on how good of a distributor he was of the ball and that he can fit in to a style of playing out from the back with good foot work. 

From a personal perspective, I'd much rather have a good shot stopper who commands a back line over a keeper with good footwork. The modern day goalkeeping has so much focus on playing out from the back being able to pick passes out from the back and in turn shot stopping, catching etc. all become secondary. 

The modern game now requires much more from a goalkeeper, 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago Keepers were expected to be proficient in Keeping duties and take goal kicks and punts up to the halfway line with the very occasional role out.

Now Keepers are expected to distribute, act as sweeper and pass the ball out just about every time they get the ball.

Some keepers are good at this some are not. 

I think nowadays a good all rounder will always be sought for, good on crosses, good shot stopper and distributor.

I’d like to see us continue to play attractive football but perhaps with emphasis more on defence, I’d like to see defenders kicking it into row z when the need arises rather than play out from the back at all costs.

I don’t want to be too harsh as he suffered a really bad injury and didn’t play for a year before joining us, but he had no impact on the team on the pitch. He is (probably is - I don’t know him) a decent guy with lots of experience and a good pro for the younger players. However it just didn’t work out, we’ve got Robertson in now so I’m not surprised he’s not staying.

2 hours ago, Morten Johansen said:

I`m slightly surprised he didn`t make it. He barely played at all.

He has great experience with possession based football (Bournemouth) but LW is very picky and stuck with Austin/JOB instead. Gosling just didn`t seem to bring the necessary energy and whenever he got the ball he chose the safer pass instead of being more progressive-minded.

Hopefully Robertson will settle down quickly and fit into the style of the upcoming head coach.

I agree that what you say. Hopefully Dan will do better elsewhere.

1 hour ago, menzinho said:

I don’t want to be too harsh as he suffered a really bad injury and didn’t play for a year before joining us, but he had no impact on the team on the pitch. He is (probably is - I don’t know him) a decent guy with lots of experience and a good pro for the younger players. However it just didn’t work out, we’ve got Robertson in now so I’m not surprised he’s not staying.

Agree. It didn't work out for him here. He's much better than what he showed here.

Dan's Wikipedia.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gosling

Yes @Fozzy I've seen this banded around on social media today. I hope it isn't true and even if it was it would be very hard to prove anyway.

What we do know is the big dip in form, 7 defeats in 11 matches & Luke's inability to change things to try to turn things around. 

But it's all over now. We have to look forward not backwards. What's done is done.

Swansea are playing Morecambe this evening in the FA Cup! Will he be eligible to play? That could be interesting...

26 minutes ago, menzinho said:

Swansea are playing Morecambe this evening in the FA Cup! Will he be eligible to play? That could be interesting...

It is reported Luke will be sitting on their bench this evening.

42 minutes ago, menzinho said:

Swansea are playing Morecambe this evening in the FA Cup! Will he be eligible to play? That could be interesting...

He's not in their squad, I'm guessing he's cup tied as he was a regular starter at Gateshead. But good luck to him at Morecambe! 

Yes @liampie it is dissapointing Notts couldn't persuade him to stay. Luke was visiblely upset when he talked about Jason Turner in his final interview for Notts. Jason's sudden passing affected us all so much & still does. His continued presence may have changed things, We will never know.

Genuinely thought he’d take us to League 1, maybe not straight away but we’d have got there at some point with him at the helm. Shame his last game was a loss, not the last memory you want or he deserves.

The fact we’re getting a large compensation sum softens the blow. When he said he still lives in Wales it did worry me a touch that if he did get approached he could well leave us. A big pay rise too so I get why it would’ve been hard to turn down.

Not going to lie but I think finding a coach as good/better than LW is a big challenge but Chris and Alex seem to know what they are doing given that our last two head coaches have effectively been “sold on”. As long as they are still here the future looks good for this club.

I agree @menzinho. In the Reedtz brothers I trust. I'm sure they'll get the right Head Coach that fits Notts phylosophy of attacking football