As Notts prepare to Face Harrogate at the Lane this coming Saturday, there may be another fixture which will be of interest to Magpie Fans. The 26th sees Millwall take on Swansea at the Den. Which of course means Macaulay Langstaff facing his Old Notts Boss Luke Williams.

There are of course certain criteria to be met, before such a Contest can come about. Macca will have to be Picked for the Millwall Starting XI. Will the Lions Head Coach give Macca the nod to be his main Striker against the Swans? Or will he be on the Bench? You know Macca will be Itching for a Crack at William's Swansea side, after scoring a Majority of his 70 Notts Goals while playing under Williams while a member of his Notts side. With just a Single goal to his Credit since his move from Meadow Lane Macca will be anxious to get back on the Score Sheet who better than against the Man who did such a lot for his Career? After all William's Man Management Skills certainly had such a Positive effect on Macca, something he stated many times in Interviews, it makes you wonder how Much the Guy misses the Influence Encouragement and Help of Williams on his Footballing Life, and how much this may have had an effect on his Millwall Career.

So will Macca come Good on Saturday, and Score against His Old Boss's New Team or will Luke Williams set his Defense up in such a way to Cancel Out Macca's Threat in front of Goal?

As a Foot Note. A Final Question If Macca had gone to Swansea instead of Millwall Do You Think He'd Have More Goals To His Name By Now?

There's been lots of talk about Stuart Maynard using Inverted Wingbacks this season, but what does the term actually mean?

"The main difference between an inverted wingback & a standard wingback is that an inverted wingback drifts inside to create space & support the attack, while a standard wingback provides width to the attack":  

Inverted wingback

"Drifts inside from the flank or a central position to support the attack. They can switch between attacking, defending, & supporting duties depending on the team's mentality".  

Standard wingback

"Usually the widest player on the field, their role is to stretch the pitch & provide width for the team. They also look to get into advanced positions to cross the ball into the penalty area".  

Source Google 

This tactic can be used by quite easily by changing either to one shape or the other during a game, or by substitutions.

Stuart has been utilising this tactic this season. It does help to keep the opposition guessing, but I think since Jodi has been injured he has utilised it much more.

We saw this tactic to good effect against Barrow when Tsaroulla was making runs from the back then cutting inside to either shoot or pass.

I think this will be a tactic that Stuart will use quite a lot this season. It will remain to be seen how successful the tactic is, but it is certainly worth a try.

Game 13 - The Bluebirds (A)

Team: Barrow

Date: 22/10/2024

Where: Holker Street

What line-up should Stuart Maynard opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

As we've got an (almost) full set of fixtures on Tuesday night, here are some more fixtures to predict! They all kick off at 7.45pm, and don't forget your joker!

Cardiff City v Portsmouth

Leeds United v Watford

Bristol Rovers v Shrewsbury Town

Peterborough United v Blackpool

Fleetwood Town v Crewe Alexandra

Tranmere Rovers v Grimsby Town

Dagenham & Redbridge v Eastleigh

Tamworth v Yeovil Town

We had a very good player on our hands when we signed Johnnie Jackson. I thought it was a brilliant signing, and I believe his time with us could have been better had he managed to settle in Nottingham.

However, I overheard comments he made about Notts, Nottingham, and other matters during a meeting at my former workplace.

The media reported that he couldn't settle with his family in Nottingham, but the truth is he saw signing for us as a step back in his career. He believed he was bigger than Notts County and had already made efforts to leave, but we would only allow him to go out on loan at first.

Professional players sometimes come with attitudes, and while you could easily forgive a young player for being ambitious, what I heard from him that day has been something I found difficult to forget. I don't dislike him; I hate him. Any player who believes Notts would be a good move, only to become two-faced and feel entitled to play at a higher level, doesn't deserve respect. He didn't like fighting for his place, and while I don't particularly care if he hated Nottingham, disrespecting Notts County really angered me.

It would seem that 82 year Old Sir Alex Ferguson is being sounded out about a Return to Old Trafford,  for one more season should present Head Coach Erik Ten Hag be Dismissed from his position.

Not Wishing to Sound Ageist I find this Highly Unlikely, the pressure of the Modern Game would take a Massive Strain on an 82 year old's health, both Physically and Mentally.

So I would say NO Sir Alex, stay as you are and Enjoy your Retirement,  and keep your Legacy in tact you have after all Nothing to Prove.

Should Fergie Return to Old Trafford or Not?

219 years ago today, the British Navy, under the Command  of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, defeated a combined French & Spanish Navy at Trafalgar..

The victory secured British dominance of the sea for the next 120 years.

Should we continue to celebrate this day in history?

I believe we should.

Since the Arrival of Pop Music back in the 1950's , songs have in the Main been about Love. Love Won, or Love Lost, the Singers feelings about their Relationships their Hopes and Fears, and what makes it all the More Incredible, back at the Start of the 50's the whole Story would be put to Music and Told in a little under 3 minutes. The Record which began the Musical Revolution is usually the King of Rock n Roll (Elvis Presley, for our younger readers) massive Number One Hit Heartbreak Hotel. That song was inspired by a Suicide Note found by the Police on a Man's body somewhere in America, and reported in a Local Newspaper. The Note it's self carries the Line "I walk a lonely Street". The Lyricist read the report and thought to himself, Now where does this Lonely Street lead to? Of course Heartbreak Hotel, and as they say the Rest is History.

In My own opinion the Greatest Songwriter/Performer of the 1950's was Buddy Holly, his volume of work and Hits which he recorded in such a Small Space of  time was truly Amazing. Buddy could tell a Story of Love and Loss, his Hopes and Dreams about his Relationship, and all usually in under Two and a Half Minutes. Incredible. His smash hit Peggy Sue (originally Cindy Lou) was dedicated to a Girlfriend of a Band Member of the Crickets, Buddy's backing Group. Before he died Buddy was having some fun Banter with Waylon Jennings a Prodgie of Buddy's . In Jest Buddy said he hoped  the Bus Waylon was travelling all the heating would pack up and he'd  Freeze. To which Waylon answered Well I Hope That Little Old Plane Of Yours Crashes!! Unfortunately for Waylon it did, Killing Buddy Richie Valens and the Big Bopper. Years later American Singer/Song Writer Don McClean wrote his Classic Hit American Pie, in which the line the Day the Music Died, referring to the Tragic Accident. People often Wonder what Buddy would have gone on to accomplish musically had he lived.

In the 60's was the Emergence of the Battle of the Bands. Namely in the UK The Beatles or The Rolling Stones. Chart success and Sales wise it was the Beatles, who had 20 Number One Hits. However the Stones win the Longevity Award. The 1970's was my Era, when I started to listen to Music and buy Records. I was more into the Heavy Rock Scene than the Charts,  I did however buy Singles. Going back to the Story telling in Songs Terry Jacks had a Hit Single in the 70's titled Seasons In The Sun. A Story of a Friend who Died Of Cancer. Once Punk Arrived I went fully back into Heavy Rock. Once I got married and older my Musical Tastes did mellow slightly, but I've never Entirely abandoned my Rock Roots. And certain Records Do (like most People) Evoke Some wonderful Memories or In a Few cases Not So wonderful.

I Don't Listen to Pop Music Nowadays,( like all Previous Generations before me have said in turn) I think Present Day Music is Crap. I mean a Love Song with the Lyrics "I will catch a Grenade for you" Wow, what type of Person would want to Go out with someone, who gets Grenades Thrown at Them? Nope I'm Going Back To Wallow in Nostalgia. How about You?

I hope he’s ok.

With the Departure of the Man who took him to Manchester City and Pep Guardiola's Contract with City coming to an End in June Next Year, City's Brazilian Goalkeeper Ederson seems to have the Drop on everybody else, stating the Club already have Coaches Lined up to take over Pep's position should he depart the Etihad. Ruben Amorin, Xabi Alonso and Roberto De Zerbi are the Men in Question. So Not Unlike the England Job and the appointment of Thomas Tuchel it would seem that the Current  English Premier League Champions are Ignoring any English Coach for their Head Coach's Position.

Rumor has it that Pep is going to be offered around the £18 Million mark to extend his Contract at City.  And it is Now being Stated he Did Want the England Job, but Dithered about and Missed the FA's Deadline to come up with a Definite Answer, so the Position went to Ex-Bayern Boss Tuchel. Which to Me Seems Strange, because if the FA Wanted Guardiola that Badly surely they would have Given Him as Much Time as He Wanted? I would come Down on the Side of Pep Wanted To Much Money, and the FA merely Couldn't Afford Him.

So What Now For Pep? Does he Remain at City and Rake in the Millions? Will he take a Year's Sabbatical? Or Go On and become the Head Coach of An International Side, the Only Real Challenge he has left in his Football Career? Winning A Major Trophy As The Head Coach Of A National Side.

After several Attempts to get in Touch with the PON Team only to be Told that they weren't able to  My Receive My Message, I've decided to ask my Question in Granny Pies General Discussion  Section here on the PON Website. My Question is,

Why isn't there a Down Vote of Dislike Button on the PON Website? After All We're All Grown Ups and I'm sure a Down Vote or Dislike against on Your Comment on a Certain Debate, isn't the End Of The World. I'm sure Fans on here a Big Enough To Accept the Fact, that Other Members Don't Agree with them on All Subjects, the Nearest thing to a Down Vote is a Sad Emoji which Doesn't Really Cover Everything. There Must be a way a Member can Down Vote Something, But Not have their Name Attached, in case there's a Worry it make start an Argument between Members. Personally If I Don't Agree with What's Been Said by a Certain Member at the Moment I Simply Ignore that Comment and Don't Engage With Them. But I would like the Opportunity To Register My Disagreement. It certainly Wouldn't Bother Me, If Another Member Disagreed with Me, As I Feel It Would Make The Debate More Open.

Or is this Considered to Controversial ? Or Is it Simply Not The Done Thing? Or It's Been Tried Before and Stirred Up To Much Hassle Between Certain Members? I Would Genuinely Like  To Know. And Are There Any Other Members Who Would Like A Down Vote Button? Thanks.

My player shortlist for Man of the Match are:-

George Abbott, Nick Tsaroulla,

Dan Crowley, Matty Platt,

Alex Bass,  Matt Palmer,

Jacob Bedeau, David McGoldrick 

How do you do your predictions? I often use magic, as demonstrated here. Anyway, here are the fixtures for round 12. Kick-off is 3pm, and remember your joker!

Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City

QPR v Portsmouth

Blackpool v Barnsley

Lincoln City v Birmingham City

Bradford City v Gillingham

Port Vale v Fleetwood Town

Maidenhead United v Hartlepool United

Sutton United v Oldham Athletic

This Annoys Me About Notts (I know it shouldn't but it Just Does) Why is it when the Magpies play away from home, and there's No Colour Clash (shirt wise as it was yesterday) why is it that Notts  Don't play in their Traditional Black & White Stripes? After all they are the Colours Notts are known for, you'd think the Club would want to play in them, whenever they can.

And Yes I Know there are Different Sponsors on the Orange and Blue/Purple Shirts, but there must be away around this, even if the Away Kit just consisted of a simple White shirt with Black Shorts' it's Not The Stripes I know, but it's still the Clubs Black & White Colouring associated with the Magpies. It may Not Bother a lot of Fans but I'm of the Opinion that Notts should be waring the Traditional Colours Whenever They Can.

Notts County Women meet Leafield Athletic at Coronation Park Eastwood on Sunday 20th October at 2pm. Here's the gaffer with his pre match thoughts.

Some PON Members may remember back in September, that I shared exserts from My Family Tree  thanks to a Genealogist , Doctor Tom Cobblers.

A Couple of days Ago Doctor Cobblers got back in touch and told me he'd found out, more information regarding my Ancestry, as it was last time

I had Nothing  to do with this Research, so as last time this Work Is All Cobblers.

Historians Among you may Remember that in Ancient Greece  the Greek's fought a Battle against the Invading Persians, at Marathon and were victorious, they sent a Messenger back to Athens some 26 miles away, to tell the People of the Greek Army's Victory. Apparently that Guy was an Ancestor of Mine. He ran the Full 26 miles in one go, (the Marathon Race is named after that feat), he ran into the City and Declared "We Won" where upon the Poor Guy Fell Down Dead. The Fact He Was Waring A Gorilla Suit, Didn't Help Matters.

 A Great Uncle of Mine fought in the Boer War, at the turn of the 20th Century and was present at the Relief Of Ladysmith. In Fact She Was So Impressed With Him, She Invited Back The Following Night.

At the end of the 19th Century and the start of the 20th many children had to Forsake their education and go out and get a Job, to help out with putting food on the table and paying bills. My Grandfather (who was born in 1905) was one such Child at the Age of 10, he left School and Got His First Job. That being a Wringer Out for a One Armed Window Cleaner.

In 1979 Sir David Attenborough  Launched his Epic TV Series, Life On Earth. My Uncle Charlie was part of his Research Team and like other Team Members came up with little Known Facts Regarding the Natural World. Uncle Charlie's claim to Fame was the fact he found out, that Stick Insects Mate Very Very Slowly, In Case Of Fire.

So there you are fellow PON Members, should you wish to fined out more about your Ancestry Go For It. But it may be Better to Avoid Doctor Tom Cobblers.

Game 12 - The Wombles (H)

Team: AFC Wimbledon

Date: 19/10/2024

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Stuart Maynard opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Apparently the Top of the FA's Wish List to become the Next England Manager was (Drum Roll) Surprise Surprise Pep Guardiola. Who was Sounded Out  for the Post by the FA in the Off Season. Pep danced around the Media's Questions Regarding the Job so it would Appear the FA Couldn't Afford him.

So Tuchel who Stated he would leave Bayern Munich at the End of Last Season became the New Favourite. Because after he left the German side he was Linked to other Jobs such has Manchester United and  Even a Return to Chelsea and practically Every Top Coaching Position which was available. None of Which Came About. So was Tuchel Already Lined Up to Lead the England Team after Gareth Southgate's Resignation?

Some Evidence that will Back that Up, is the Fact the FA Supposedly Interviewed at least 10 Coaches for the Role, but None of The English Coaches who were Ideal for the Job were approached or Spoken to about becoming the Next England Manager. Eddie Howe ( a lot of Fans Favourite) Sean Dyche Graham Potter, Frank Lampard, Gary O'Neil, Steve Cooper and Russell Martin None were Interviewed, so it would Seem Guardiola, Tuchel and Lee Carsley were the Three left on the FA's Short List. Then Both Guardiola and Carsley  fell by the Wayside which left Tuchel Has the Only Choice.

So That It Would Seem Is How A German, Became The Head Coach Of The Three Lions.

Notts have made a good start & in their first 10 league matches they have won 5 & lost only 2.

Unfortunately, Notts have played 3 of the top teams but have lost two of them & drawn 1. That is just 1 point from those three matches. Four of their wins came against teams currently in the bottom 6.

Last season, Notts had a poor record against the top 7 sides only gaining 19 points from a possible 60.

This season Notts know that they will need to take more points from these top of the league tussles to either get into the playoffs or better still get automatic promotion.

Notts will be meeting Doncaster & Walsall soon who are in the top 7 presently, & Notts will be hoping for a positive result against those two.

Can Notts reverse this trend of poor results against the top teams in league 2? I think they can but they need to counter the way that teams are playing against them, especially at home, & Notts need to be more unpredictable in the way they play too.

Notts County may have to wait for Doncaster Rovers and Walsall to address recent issue: View

FOOTBALLLEAGUEWORLD.CO.UK

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Notts County's defeat to Port Vale on Saturday continued the Magpies' poor run of...

Virtual hugs to @Fan of Big Toneand all others, who have been affected.

Hi all, back in 2010 I purchased 1 of 100 commemorative bottles of whisky celebrating 100 years at Meadow Lane. It's in the loft for the grandchildren. Has anyone else got one, there were 100. Has anyone opened it? Is it a decent dram? I've done a search online and there's no record out there.