Manchester City aren't undefeatable. They are a great league team, but even with all their spending, they struggle in Europe and that's their true measure. I think a lot of English clubs are figuring them out and have game plans that allow them to be more expressive and restrict what City can do. I wouldn't be surprised if there's more going on behind the scenes, but I haven't heard anything. Not even rumours, which I would imagine there would be.

Losing five games on the trot and then following it up by blowing a 3-0 lead at home is pretty extraordinary, especially when you consider that City have wiped the floor with the Premier League for the last five years or so. Against Spurs they were lacklustre and second best in every department. I don't mind it at all as it's about time we saw another name on the trophy, but you do wonder if there's been a bust-up behind the scenes.

A note of caution though: they remind me a lot of Bayern in Germany. Every season, they tend to have a poor run which is seized on by the press and everybody talks about the Bayern "crisis". They then bounce back and win the league regardless because nobody can touch them. I wouldn't bet against City doing the same.

Big match for Pep today as Man City meet league leaders Liverpool at Anfield. Another defeat will put Pep under even more pressure.

Sorry @super_ram, beforehand if this is something you disagree with.

Frank Lampard only succeeded at Derby County at a point where their chairman was spending money, and wanting to buy young Premier League talent as a way to force themselves back into the Premier League. Mel Morris, seemed to start off with good intentions but quickly seemed to enjoy rubbing shoulders with the bigger players/clubs. He reminds me of Alan Hardy to some extent. Although, one I would say is Temu and the other Wish.com (Morris/Hardly).

Lampard had good foundations at Derby, an ambitious club, and he managed to use his connections to bring in good players from Chelsea on loan.

Jumping to Chelsea was the wrong decision, and that has impacted his career ever since. Everton seemed a sillier decision considering how they had dropped off since selling players like James Rodríguez, and the downfall since it is largely due to Lampard being the wrong appointment.

I can't see him succeeding at Coventry City, not even if he has his uncle Harry Rednapp on speed dial.

I don't have any sympathy for him, he seems to choose clubs based on how desperate he is and how big of a club they are. He doesn't seem interested in working at a level where he could truly learn and improve over time. Being a good player doesn't make you a great manager. To some extent, I feel the same way about Steven Gerrard.

"Being a good player doesn't make you a great manager. " Spot on @Chris

I can’t help feeling that this appointment will end in tears.

I struggle to leave Didzy out. A better option than Grant if you ask me. I`m impressed by Ness and at this moment I do prefer him slighly ahead of Macari.

I prefer Tsaroulla on the right and Jones on the left.

Bass,

Ness, Platt, Bedeau,

Tsaroulla, Abbott, Palmer, Jones,

Crowley, Didzy,

Jatta.

I think there's room for rotation among the striker department. Jatta is an excellent player, but sometimes he's better coming off the bench on rare occasions. He would make my first team if I wrote it down on paper. Scott Robertson could easily come into the team, allowing us to play Matt Palmer further up and still leave room for George Abbott. What strikes me is the amount of room for rotation. Plus, if we sign quality players in January, we should be onto a winner.

I think if we sign players in January, the squad could look a bit different. Bass, Macari, Platt, Bedeau, Abbott, Palmer, Crowley, Jones, and Tsaroulla make a great team to support Jatta or a new striker. I still hope we give Cedwyn Scott a chance to play in his natural position. Both Scott and Scott Robertson could easily fit into the first team, but they also make the bench stronger.

Didzy’s been the heartbeat of our attack this season. What stands out most is his ability to stay composed in high-pressure situations. Whether it’s converting a penalty or threading the perfect assist, he rarely puts a foot wrong. His age might make some think he’s nearing the end, but his performances suggest otherwise. He’s shown incredible fitness levels, and you can see he genuinely loves playing for Notts. It’s also clear that his presence boosts the squad's morale. Younger players must learn loads from him, and his experience is helping us keep pace at the top of the league. If he stays fit, I wouldn’t bet against him being pivotal in a potential promotion push this year.

McGoldrick’s impact is unreal, he seems to turn up when it matters most. We’re lucky to have him.

McGoldrick has been a revelation this season. You’d expect a player his age to be winding down, but he’s been the opposite – leading from the front and delivering in crucial moments. His ability to link up play, create space, and score when it matters has turned potential draws into wins, keeping us competitive at the top of the table.

It’s not just about the goals, his influence on the younger lads and his knack for reading the game are invaluable. If he keeps this level up, retirement seems like a distant prospect. The Magpies are lucky to have someone with his calibre and dedication.  

The statistic might seem alarming, but it’s crucial to remember that those numbers merely highlight how long we've been in the game. Each defeat was a step in our long-standing history. It speaks to our tenacity and the stories etched in these matches. Despite those losses, Notts has always shown a knack for resilience, bouncing back when we least expected.

While others may have faltered, we’ve kept battling. Now, with a new era, it's a pivotal moment to look towards a brighter horizon. Amidst the setbacks, there's a relentless hope to win, energising us fans to stand tall and proud. How we respond to those 1,950 defeats will shape the years to come.

It's easy to see the number 1,950 and feel disheartened, but for us, it's like a badge of honour, testament to decades spent battling it out. We might have more defeats, but think of the memories made: the thrilling clashes, surprising upsets, and those moments of near victories that kept us all on the edge of our seats.

Despite these setbacks, we've been here, pushing on and dreaming bigger. With club management turning a new leaf, hopefully, these long memories will only serve as inspiration. Here's to turning those numbers around, cheering on more wins, and creating newer victories. We've seen tougher days, so let's welcome the change. The Only Way is Up for the Pies!

6 hours ago, TheSkipper said:

When you've been around for so long, defeats are going to rack up. It's even more true when you support a club that has stayed in the 4th tier of English football and bounced up and back from divisions

It might not seem like it to a 21st century fan, but we've spent less time in the fourth tier than in each of the other divisions. Maybe that's why we've racked up so many losses? Either way, it's character building

Newsletters will really help keep everyone in the loop. Looking forward to seeing what’s included: match previews, member highlights, maybe even some sneak peeks at Faces of PON?

8 hours ago, thommo said:

Love the idea of newsletters to revive engagement! It’s a great way to keep the community connected, especially during quieter periods on the site.

What sort of content are you thinking of including? Maybe we could all chip in with ideas to make it even better! Either way, I’m really looking forward to seeing how this develops.

It will be a whole host of things, all depending on when they're being sent out.

I am more than happy for members to contribute to the newsletter, so for anyone interested please just reach out to me and I will do my best to feature you.

Going back to content, it will have guest columnists - this could be an ex player teasing features they have written with a bit more background to former staff, fans etc. There will be content promoted within the newsletters to promote articles, blogs, forum posts, wallpapers etc. Yet there will be a lot of content inside the newsletter, with mini previews, reflections and appeals for fans to get involved in various ways.

6 hours ago, upthepies said:

It’s great for celebrating milestones within the community, whether it’s recognising long-term members or highlighting new faces who’ve joined. What’s the current plan for these? Are they going to be weekly or monthly? And will members have a chance to contribute content?  

I think this is just what we need to keep the community spirit alive and thriving. Thanks for putting the effort into this, it’s much appreciated!

Fortnighly is the plan, the outline of content is as mentioned above.

I already have some good things lined up. I know I have said a couple of times that newsletters will return, but there were times I couldn't foresee personal stuff cropping up. Also, I am happy for members to take part. I am hopeful @DangerousSausage will add a quirky muse to the newsletter from time to time.

5 hours ago, Countyman said:

Newsletters will really help keep everyone in the loop. Looking forward to seeing what’s included: match previews, member highlights, maybe even some sneak peeks at Faces of PON?

Well, it would be hard to give a sneak preview to the Faces of PON, but I don't see any reason why some pictures couldn't feature within the newsletter - even if I just create a collage.

Exciting stuff @Chris looking forward to reading the newsletters.

It’s a pity how his time at Ipswich ended. He deserved a better send-off for all he gave them.

He’s one of those players who seemed destined for a top-tier career. Still, he gave us some great memories.

Alan Judge’s career has been an emotional rollercoaster to follow. When he was with us at Notts County, he was the type of player who could light up a match. His pace, creativity, and eye for goal were exactly what we needed at the time, and he quickly became a fan favourite. His performances earned him a move up the leagues, and it felt like we were watching one of our own climb the football ladder. It’s always a source of pride to see players who wore the black and white stripes succeed elsewhere.  

However, it’s heartbreaking to think about how injuries impacted him. That horrific leg break at Ipswich was a cruel blow, especially given how close he came to joining a Premier League club before it happened. Despite everything, he’s shown remarkable resilience and professionalism throughout his career. He’s a player who always gave his all, and I’ll always appreciate the memories he gave us at Meadow Lane. I hope he’s doing well these days, he certainly deserves it.

Maybe their situation serves as a warning for clubs to live within their means. Sustainability should be the priority.

It’s not just about bad management but also the wider system, where money isn’t distributed fairly. Clubs with huge fanbases often get through tough times due to their size, but smaller clubs have no safety net. I hope the Scottish FA or league system steps in to help, though that’s unlikely. It makes me grateful for the stability we have at Notts now. We’ve seen how bad things can get, so to be in safe hands is a relief. Fingers crossed Thistle find a way to move forward.

I’ve followed a bit of Partick Thistle’s journey, and it’s a shame they’re struggling again. Scottish football is such a different landscape compared to England, and the financial pressures seem even greater due to smaller TV deals and gate receipts. It’s commendable when clubs try to be ambitious, but the line between ambition and recklessness is so thin. Once debts pile up, it becomes a vicious cycle that’s hard to break. Fans want success on the pitch, but no one wants it to come at the cost of their club’s future.  

Looking at Notts, we’ve had our scares in the past, so it’s good to see our club being run more sustainably now. The owners have a clear plan, and you can tell they’re not throwing money around carelessly. That’s the right way forward. Still, it’s a reminder that football needs reform to make finances fairer for smaller clubs. Maybe revenue sharing or stricter spending caps would help, but it’s hard to see the big clubs agreeing to that. Hopefully, Thistle finds a way through, as losing historic clubs is bad for the game.

its a good comeback but hardly the greatest, 4 goals might be uncommon but non league games that far down can be scrappy.

This was a great comeback by Portugal against North Korea in 1966.

Korea went into a 3:0 lead before Portugal replied with 5 goals to win 5:3.

Eusebio scoring 4.

How about Liverpool's Champions League win against Milan in 2005? 3-0 down and seemingly dead and buried at half time, only to come back and win it on penalties. That was an incredible comeback, especially considering it took place on arguably the biggest stage in world club football.

I really like how Jatta has settled into the team. He’s not the flashiest player, but his work rate is outstanding, and that’s something fans really appreciate. His runs off the ball are clever, and they pull defenders out of position, creating gaps for our other attacking players. It’s clear that the coaching staff see his potential, as he’s been trusted in key games this season. My only concern is whether he can keep improving his finishing. A few more goals would really cement his place in the side. That said, I love his attitude and the energy he brings to matches.

For me, what’s impressive about Jatta is his physical presence on the pitch. He’s got that mix of strength and speed that makes him a real handful for defenders. It’s not just about what he does on the ball, either, his pressing and ability to track back are crucial in how we play as a team. He’s the kind of player who gives everything, and that’s why the fans are warming to him. Sure, he’s not the finished article yet, but you can see the raw talent is there. If he keeps working on his game, particularly his finishing, he could easily become one of the key players in our squad. He’s got a bright future ahead of him.

I’d love to see him add a few more goals to his game. He’s got it in him!

There is one food that my mother bought that I hated. I only tried it once. Maybe the older members will remember it.

The food is called Tripe or Stomach from a Ox or Calf but sometimes from Sheep or Pig.

I never liked the taste but it was supposed to be full of vitamins & protein. 

@Robbie my mum occasionally had tripe and onions but she never subjected us kids to it thankfully.

i believe its making a comeback I’ve seen it in Morrisons occasionally and on cooking shows. It’s not something I’d want to try. 

When I didn't feel well as a child, Granny Pie would make me Ready Brek. I preferred baby oats, and she knew exactly how to make it right every time. I have found memories of having meals like potato, cheese and beans. Also, @super_ram would make me pasty shaped pies, with guess what in them? Cheese cubes, diced boiled potato and beans. Topped off with gravy when cooked. I haven't made them myself for a while, the last time I did - one of my children kept pinching them. I think it was @Dash_16k. I grew up quite the fussy eater, so I would mostly have the same things, but those are two of my fondest memories.

To be perfectly honest, I preferred baking with GP. Birthdays, Christmas. The treats she would make were lovely, and there's no surprise I tended to focus on those more than actual meals. ????

For me personally, the song Lanternlight by Nightwish. It's about the people we lose and how they remain with us after they've gone. I find it difficult to listen to, but it resonates so much.

On this day in particular, I think of everyone who has experienced war, their fear and loss. I feel it especially when I can imagine myself in their shoes, when I'm standing where they've stood.

And last but not least, when I've paid for my groceries at the supermarket and am presented with the bill...

the first time i watched forest gump, it upset me. the story really does have a lot of sad times in it, even if forest does tend to overcome them. it reminded me a lot of how i used to feel isolated at school.

Another great ending of a film was the in the last scene of "Gone with the Wind" when Rhett Butler leaves Scarlet O'Hara by saying to her.  "Frankly dear, I don't give a damn"

As funny as the goal is, the celebration within the net is hilarious.

I also had to double-check that the scorer wasn't Lewis Alessandra.  I think the celebrations lasted longer than it did for Midtjylland to gift the goal.

OOOPS. Mind you talking about Football Bloopers Didn't Roy Carrol Drop a Right Clanger when he was the Notts Keeper, when he cleared the ball and  it Hit the back of a Cambridge Player and it Bounced into the Notts Net? And if I'm Not Mistaken the same thing happened the Following Season against the Same Opposition, but with a Different Keeper in the Notts Goal?

how about this one.

also this one.

Something super useful in regard to PON, would be to solely focus on my efforts and ignore what people say. I wish I had made my own judgement at times, but those are things you learn with wisdom and not everyone who suddenly befriends you has the best interest. I would also encourage myself to start the site sooner, with the same focus as I have now in terms of content.

If I went back in time the advice I would give my 21 year old self is, “don’t change a thing, you’ve met a beautiful young lady and in a years time you will marry her and have two fantastic kids, treasure your mum and dad they won’t be here forever, spend as much time as you can with family, things happen that can take away what you take for granted, enjoy every moment as if it was your last”.

”Oh and don’t expect too much of Notts County, there’ll be good times and bad but they will survive”.

i dont think i would tell myself anything, or change anything about my past because i am very happy with where i am now. most people might have regrets or things they wished they could change but i prefer adulthood because i have more control and i never really enjoyed being younger.

@Wheelbarrow repair man the chosen one might not be the chosen one or the favourite one with owners anymore. 

Jose has always been outspoken at times. Not sure if owners will want to take a chance on him, but as we all Know Cloughie was outspoken at times too & it didn't stop him getting a job.

Jose is undoubtedly a very good Manager so I'm sure he will still be in demand if he wants to come back to England.

did anything come of his comments? i pay very little attention to football outside of league two and notts, unless its major news.

@liampie

Couldn't find an update on Jose's comments on Turkish football but found this on news now. Gossip of course but it adds to the rumor that Jose is not happy in Turkey.

Jose Mourinho 'very interested' in being next West Ham manager - Insider

WWW.FOOTBALLINSIDER247.COM

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West Ham insider shares new update on Jose Mourinho interest amid...

it looks more level than forest green rovers pitch last season.

To be honest I don't think the football authorities listen to the fans enough.

I think it is more about what the powers that be want rather than what the fans want.

Take the shenanigans over the super league. Yes, it is true that the fans were against a super league being set up.

But I don't think that was the deciding factor, for those elite teams to row back from doing it. I don't think they were too keen on it themselves.

I think it was more to do with those elite clubs wanting more power and influence over football, & I think they certainly got that.

The FA, for instance, were keen not to rock the boat so much. Look how they caved to those clubs by abolishing FA Cup replays to the detriment of small clubs.

The only way Supporters may get more influence & get their word across, is if they can get a place on the board of each professional club in the land, & a place on the FA, PL, & EFL.

Even then, will they listen? 

The SLO role is meant to give fans a connection to the club, but Notts doesn't seem to care about this. 

Fans should have some involvement and a say in club matters. I don’t think supporter clubs offer much, as they tend to be similar to trust groups. 

There should be independent voices from fans who are involved for the right reasons. If enough of these voices come together for the club's best interests, then the EFL or Premier League could form a panel or group that truly represents fans.

i think that fans should be encouraged to voice their concerns and thoughts, i think when notts listens we see improvements. its not always the case, but i think with the reedtz we have a better chance of getting through to the club. its not the same for every club and some fans wont want to have input from supporters because of various reasons, though i think there should be a way to do so.

i am against having fans in the board room and i dont think any fans should be treated differently to others.

so i am not exactly sure what to suggest. i guess fan forums are one of the best ways.

i missed this but the milestone of reaching the grand master is nice to see, well done wrm.

I'm pleased for Jatta. It's a good start to his international career, whether he played 45 minutes or came on in the second half. It would have been a fairytale start if he had scored on his debut, but it is what it is. We can only encourage him and give our support.

Result.

Tunisia 0 Gambia 1.

Alassana Jatta didn't play tonight. He wasn't called upon as a substitute, but his team won thanks to an early goal.

The fact that he didn't play helps Notts, & it will mean that he will be fresh for Saturday against Newport.

its a shame jatta did not play, hope he gets further chance in the future.

What utter nonsense by the BBC.

It was an exhibition fight, which highly favoured Jake Paul even though he'll never be to the standard that Mike Tyson was in his prime. Tyson, at 58-years-old, was always going to struggle with a 27-year-old. Personally, I think he deserves more respect for coming out of retirement, and having worked so hard to get into shape for the contest. These fights, they mean nothing. It's just money, but some media outlets love to pretend that it does.

Quote

 

Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul left a permanent stain on two-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson's boxing legacy with a tedious points win in front of 70,000 frustrated fans in Texas - and millions watching the controversial bout on streaming powerhouse Netflix.

Tyson, as you might expect from a man aged 58 and having not competed professionally in 19 years, was a shadow of his old self.

Paul, 27, is a boxing novice but was too young and too athletic. He kept Tyson at range, landing jabs and accurate punches in an eight-round contest of two-minute rounds.

Tyson was slow and sluggish. He received a hero's reception before the fight, but there were huge boos as the fight drew to a close.

 

This is a very tedious article, one you would expect to be written by a non-mainstream news outlet.

The part I have highlighted and underlined says it all.

Jake Paul is a professional boxer now. He has been training with some former high calibre people such as Theotrice Chambers, and formerly Shane Mosley. I think more should be said about Paul's seriousness for the sport, and how if he's serious about it - he should fight active boxers.

There's no doubt anyone with some common sense would expect Tyson to be slow, and sluggish compared to the 27-year-old Paul.

Tyson has done any further damage to his career, nothing worse than when he was an active boxer. If anything, he's showing that he's reformed these days and has a much better overall image. The actual fight? He lost, it means nothing.

@Chris

I agree. The match was a farce & it shouldn't have been allowed to go ahead. Mike had trained hard but he is simply too slow at his age to be allowed in a boxing ring 

If anything would have happened to Mike it would have been a big tragedy for boxing and the sport may have not recovered from something like that.

even pierce morgan has been defending mike tyson, anyone who thinks tyson has ruined his legacy really dont know much about him.

We just have to accept it, EFL clubs receive the £'s distributions from the TV deal from which these 1230h kick offs are based on

I understand fans frustration when travelling to away matches, speaking from a personal viewpoint I like it when away matches are changed, I don’t travel away these days so when the times are changed it means I can watch the match on telly which is a bonus for me. I do feel sorry for the travelling fans though.

i dont mind some games being changed, its nice to have more free time on a saturday with the earlier kick offs. i can get home and have something to eat before its late, but sometimes its annoying. i dont mind so much these games above changed.

earlier mid week games are the worst.

great achievement.

100 goals in the champions league is an amazing feat, not many players will reach that milestone and its a sign of a players true class.

Joining Ronaldo & Messi is an awesome achievement. All three of them are class players.

Amazing stuff. I’ve never seen Orcas in the wild but on a recent cruise there was a large pod of dolphins following the ship, they were frolicking and seemed to be having fun. On another cruise the captain informed us over the tannoy that there were some pilot whales off the starboard side, everyone went rushing over to see them it’s a wonder the ship didn’t capsize. ????

i have seen some in person and i felt quite scared of how close they would come to the boat i was on. they did not do anything, but the size of them and how they can splash water does make you think what if they did attack. i think they are amazing to watch but i still felt uneasy. its a shame we have been unkind to whales over the years and i can understand why they would be cautious themselves. very smart and beautiful creatures.

I'm going to add more to the transfer cauldron pot of ingredients. I'd say we need two strikers (one for the here and now and one for the future), two wingers and an attacking midfielder

I think we are a bit fortunate that we haven't drifted down the table a little with the defeat to Crewe and this past Saturday's draw, not that I think we have done badly at all. Yet I think we are riding the wave of injuries and tough games, which sooner or later, Notts will need to either try to see out games with more efforts on goal or find a bit of luck on the pitch instead of off it.

We're quickly approaching a difficult period, so sooner or later we'll see how the season could pan out a little more clearer.

If Notts are able to stay within the front-runners, which I don't think we will simply due to the fact we need a bit more quality in the finishing. I do feel very inclined that we'll still finish in the playoffs, and that is fair progress. It might not please everyone, but it should give us the foundation to be more ready for League One no matter what happens. There's every chance we could pull together, return to winning ways and build a strong bit of form. Yet, performance wise, if we don't score we do tend to see a bit of inconsistency.

I'm not writing off the season, just updating my thoughts as I still believe January will be the point that will confirm - especially with potential signings if we will or not compete for a higher place.

I think December will be the time when we either keep going strong or drop out of the top spots, but that’s okay. I’d be happy with 2nd or 3rd place! ???? I believe we can do it; the squad isn’t too bad, but we are a bit short in the wide areas, and having another striker would give us options when we need to mix things up. Even though we’ve lost players like Macaulay Langstaff, I still think we are doing well, and I don’t believe things would be much different if we still had him.

i was not aware of this, but my eye sight is good.

I go for an eye test every year. I had to do that for my HGV license. I wasn't aware of the green and red light test.

The optician can easily tell if you are long or short sighted by the eye test itself,but I suppose this test will help too.

I'm short sighted. I've never needed glasses to read until the last few years, when I've had verifocal glasses.

I haven't had any eye tests yet, but I’m still quite young. I don’t think I have any problems, but I would get a test if I thought I did. I think it’s easier to notice if your vision isn’t right compared to your hearing or other parts of your body.