The favourite isn't always the best

Craig Short for fighting on the pitch in a suit and tie like a drunk wedding guest. Could have been a decent manager is given the chance too.

Neil Warnock for being an all-round legend. Met him away from Notts and football a few years back and he seemed a lovely bloke too.

Martin Allen and Sam Allardyce for the way both of them turned the club round during their time in charge and left it on the up. Sam gets a bonus point for the old-school tache.

And Luke Williams, no explanation needed!

 "Could have been a decent manager is given the chance too." @DangerousSausage

I liked Craig Short, spoke well, might be in with a chance if and when Luke moves on ( hopefully we have Luke for a few more years yet).

However, his signing of his mate, Ben Burgess was a complete disaster

My 1, 2 and 3 favourite Managers are:-

Jimmy

Neil

Big Sam

Looking back, it’s clear how much progress we’ve made. It’s vital to curb the pessimism to make the most of the start Notts has had. The players need our support, so let’s cheer them on. Expecting consecutive promotions is challenging, but if there’s a way we can assist, we should certainly try.

A fantastic 12 months of success for our great club.

The progress that we have made  during this time is absolutely remarkable, but also well deserved, setting records on the way.

Not only winning promotion, but in a position at the end of 2023 to challenge for back to back promotions.

Roll on 2024.

League Division 3 South, final table, season 1930/31

It was simply a sensational performance by Notts, particularly in that first half, and Macaulay Langstaff bagging his first EFL hat trick. This guy is really making himself a legend at Notts 

I agree with these posters.

Having been watching football for over 55 years I have seen a decade by decade improvement in the standard of football over all the four top divisions and the top tier of non league.

The top six teams challenging for promotion from League 2 this year could easily compete in the 2nd tier of 25 years ago in my opinion.

And I believe the Premier League has lifted this standard all round, although there remains a big gulf between Premier League & the Championship.

We are probably the nearest we will ever be to total football in this Notts side with so many players changing positions on the pitch during the game. We are basically now playing 3-6-0 with the 6 being broken down into several different formations throughout the game and Bostock at times dropping into the back line to collect the ball or for when either Brindley or Cameron move forward.

We still need to strengthen the back line as soon as possible, but this must surely be the top priority now and I’m intrigued as to who it may be.

On 30/12/2023 at 12:11, Robbie__64 said:

Having been watching football for over 55 years I have seen a decade by decade improvement in the standard of football over all the four top divisions and the top tier of non league.

This is very true, League 2 today is a world away from what it was when we were relegated into it in the late 90s. The standard then is more akin to today's National League.

Some of the players we have and the football we are playing are out of this world, enjoy every minute of it!

Coventry City 2-1 Swansea City

Millwall 0-1 Norwich City

Bristol Rovers 2-0 Charlton Athletic

Burton Albion 1-1 Shrewsbury Town

Cheltenham Town 1-0 Reading

Harrogate Town 2-2 Tranmere Rovers (Joker)

Newport County 1-0 Crewe Alexandra

Salford City 0-0 Grimsby Town

Been robbed of 5 points because of two injury time goals. Cheers Coventry and Charlton

The results:

Coventry City 2-2 Swansea City
Millwall 1-0 Norwich City
Bristol Rovers 2-1 Charlton Athletic
Burton Albion 1-0 Shrewsbury Town
Cheltenham Town 2-2 Reading
Harrogate Town 0-2 Tranmere Rovers
Newport County 1-1 Crewe Alexandra
Salford City 0-3 Grimsby Town

---

Congrats to @Dan, who wins this round!

@Dan - 10
@gtownjohnno, @super_ram - 9
@DangerousSausage, @magpiejue, @nottsnutter - 4
@ARLukomski, @Fan of Big Tone - 3
@4everapie, @cheeky~k8, @liampie - 2
@Megan_Elizax, @william1984 - 1
@Robbie__64 - nul points

---

This is the latest table - @ARLukomski's lead is narrowed a little, and the race for third is on!

ARLukomski - 141
gtownjohnno - 132
cheeky~k8 - 121
4everapie - 116
william1984 - 114
DangerousSausage - 112
nottsnutter - 112
Fan of Big Tone - 111
super_ram - 108
Dan - 107
magpiejue - 104
liampie - 97
Chris - 96
Megan_Elizax - 93
upthepies - 90
Joshua - 80
DonnyNotts - 79
allardyces tash - 67
KingWilliams - 66
TheSkipper - 58
CliftonMagpie - 49
thommo - 49
OoooooTommy - 45
NottsCountyKev - 41
JIMBO - 40
jimbob - 38
Nocturnal-Magpie - 38
AmericanPie - 36
KB1862 - 22
George L - 6
Canadian - 4
Robbie_64 - 4

---

We have more fixtures on 1 January, and they're online now. Mark the new year by climbing up the table thanks for playing everyone!

He did well getting to 51, I had to have one of mine done at 42!

It's never nice to have to go through any operation even when you know it is going to improve your life. I wish Paul a speedy recovery.

Even I can’t remember him and I’m probably one of the oldest Notts fans on here,

I love these little snippets of historical information.Please keep them coming  @Robbie__64

A very impressive performance. Best of the season so far? I think so. The adjustments LW has made are having a very positive impact. 

Great goal by Macaulay. He's so deadly either inside or outside the box.

On 29/12/2023 at 14:26, gtownjohnno said:

Has anybody seen or heard LWs presser for the Morecambe game yet????? Its getting to be a strange scenario with no presser!!!!!!!! 

Memo to LW...... After that brilliant performance by your team Pre match pressers aren't required for the foreseeable future....... 

This is a pleasing update, with many positive aspects about PON. I’m delighted to see the content return. Keep up the excellent work.

i appreciate the update @Chris, everything is extreamly smooth and prompt. the new server made a massive difference but this further work seems to have things lightening fast. i look forward to the new merch and wallpapers.

lets get this place back to rocking.

Appreciate the information.

I agree @Piethagoram about Jimmy. A Manager that took a club from the 4th Division up to the Ist should have had more recognition from the powers that be.

The achievement may never ever be repeated.

@Lozzle1 said to me once, that Les Bradd deserves it. I fully believe this to be correct, the amount of good he's done with charities and working in the game.

1 hour ago, Chris said:

Mary Earps hasn't really done anything to warrant it, I'm not one those people who bash her and go on about it solely being awarded due to feminism. I just think their are far more worthy people, people who have retired and done so much charity work.

It's not just Mary, others are having awards given to them for a spotlight instead of a true legacy.

It's just wrong in my eyes.

I agree @Chris 

When you look at other sporting icons & those outside sport, who were more deserving of recognition & didn't get it. This seems to happen a lot.

That is some display from the team tonight.

Luke changed the system a little for the Stockport match and Macca has a much freer role and now he's all over the pitch, but it doesn't stop him popping up in the box when needed.

He's some player isn't he.

My new driver, been after one for a few years but the wife relented this year and got me the one I wanted!

Other than that, I received two mugs with images of dogs similar to my two on them, little things…

Which musical @Fan of Big Tone? We love the west end theatres and try to get to see one every year.

2 minutes ago, Fozzy said:

Which musical @Fan of Big Tone? We love the west end theatres and try to get to see one every year.

It’s called Operation Mincemeat at the Fortune Theatre. 

I don't really like having things bought me, unless I want something in general and usually this isn't the case. I spent the money given to me for Christmas by @super_ram and @GrannyPie on a new mattress topper.

Our mattress is very comfy, but I don't know they always seem to become lacking in time. We had a topper before, but it's not very good. I always pulled it to my side. The new one, not only stays put but it helps massively with my back. I think Cheeky's happy with it too.

I know the fan who owns his match worn Notts shirt, maybe they'd be interested in this? The shirt looks horrible though.

I'm not a fan the colour.

Who’s Reuben Rodrigues? 

Seriously Crowley has been more than an ample replacement for him, what a signing he has been.

It was always going to be hard to replace Ruben, but in Dan we have a real gem..

Not only is he an excellent playmaker, he also adds to our threat up front too, by the way he glides Into the opposition penalty box like a.centre forward,, to get on the end of those crosses.

It certainly gives Notts an extra dimension up front too.

Don Masson for me. Midfield general and playmaker. He's simply the best and managed by the best Manager we've ever had, Jimmy Sirrel. 

So many great players have played for Notts but no one will be surprised that my favourite player of all time is Tony Hateley aka ‘Big Tone’.

Agree with @Fozzy Masson!, though Pedro Richards would be a close 2nd

Other personal favourites over the years

Scanlon

Harkouk

Benjy

Raddy

Killer

McCulloch

Chiedozie

Thorpe

Foster (loan)

Roeder (loan)

Waitt

Garcia

Jacobsen

David Smith ( the ex Gillingham one)

Bishop

Hughes

Lloyd Sam ( Leeds loanee)

https://prideofnottingham.co.uk/community/topic/9229-david-tutonda-barnet/#comment-155062

David Tutonda has been mentioned before on PoN when he was at Barnet

I believe this article carries very heartening news for all Notts fans. To see the club in a position to support a possible rise to the Championship demonstrates that the sustainability model in place is working.

It will be interesting to see if this model will take us further than the Championship. We have witnessed the seemingly limitless funds of the rich clubs being splashed out on the best players to achieve success. 

It may mean that Notts will look to continue with their shrewd recruitment policy which again has proved very successful, such as recruiting out of contract players & using the loan system to our advantage.

If a big offer came in for one of our best players, would Notts reject it? Well have to wait & see.

We at Notts known how things turn out when clubs spend beyond their means, so this is very positive news today. 

8 hours ago, Robbie__64 said:

It will be interesting to see if this model will take us further than the Championship.

Let’s take one step at a time, I’m ecstatic that we are back in the league and it looks like we are safe from returning to the National League, I’d love to get into League One at the first time of asking but if not I’d still be happy, talk of the Championship and beyond is a bit premature.

I’m really happy that Notts have a sustainable plan to take us forward and aren’t looking to sell players, the only worry I have is if we lose Luke Williams to a bigger club, then we get a bad manager who takes us backwards.

The loanees you mention have been outstanding. And let us not forget Ryan Yates, Jack Grealish and Callum McGregor.

However, we remember them because they were good. For every smash hit there are at least a couple of flops who are quickly left on the sidelines and forgotten about. But as you say, the risk to us is low when they're brought in to complement what we've got and provide a bit of competition - if it doesn't work out, they go back and it's not the end of the world. It's when you absolutely rely on inexperienced loanees that you run into trouble - I still remember trying to stay in the Football League with two loanee centre halves and a loanee keeper, all still in their teens.

Just now, Fan of Big Tone said:

I can’t think who you are referring to Mr. Ram but I’d just like to say EAT MY DUST! Watch me go now for the second half of the season, top of the table here I come. 

Well that didn't take long did it.Watch out for eldest son @william1984 though.

20 hours ago, Robbie__64 said:

@DangerousSausage  Looks like I need some practice

Looks like I need divine intervention

9 hours ago, DonnyNotts said:

Looks like I need divine intervention

You do have the bragging rights of Doncaster though. And there's always the next round