I found him a little annoying when he burst onto the TV screens with his feats in diving. No question, he had talent, but the media swept him up and made such a big thing of him. By the time sexuality was being attacked, I felt sorry for him. The thing I found annoying, it wasn't him as such - it was how everyone wanted him to appear, have his views heard and just very over the top behaviour.

I think when he was younger, the attention might have been a buzz to him and I wished he had been better protected.

It's good it didn't cause any issues to his career, but I imagine it would have taken its toll on him personally. I remember the mixed feelings I have towards the UK media, a curious blend of love and hate. Some of the TV ads he has done over the years, have been witty and funny. I think some of it, he took to having digs back at his critiques.

I wish him all the best in his retirement, I hope he continues to be involved with children's swimming and making appearances at schools.

I wonder how much the sport has taken a toll on him. The training is relentless, and repeatedly diving into water might not be the best activity. He’s done superbly, so I wish him well.

One of the best divers, it’s sad to see Tom Daley retire from the sport. He’s always worked hard, so I hope he enjoys his time away from it.

I don't think Notts didn't take it seriously; I think Stuart Maynard just wanted to give players some minutes. Notts as a club must take cups seriously because they bring in extra money and can help us improve if we go on a good run.

@Blake I can understand the manager wanting to give players more minutes,.

One of the things that is so different to years ago is that there is no reserve league as such anymore. 

The only thing that is anywhere near a reserve league is the B team league but that is filled with junior players.

The modern squad system and finance got rid of the reserve teams.

That's probably why managers have to change their senior side to give game time to squad players.

Another way round it is to be a Man City where all their squad players are the same level as the first team.

I suppose that's why those teams are so successful. That's why the Notts squad has to include 22 players of equal skill. 

The Notts squad is better in depth than last year but in the Goalkeeping & striker departments, we are lacking.

Some teams don’t take it seriously, which is a shame, but I don’t think Notts are one of these. I think we played a good Shrewsbury side that adjusted to our play and became more attacking-minded after the first half had concluded. I wished we could have made the second round, but we lost on penalties. The starting lineup may have seemed weak on paper, but give them credit for the impressive first-half performance. We narrowly lost on penalties. Roll on the FA Cup.

Pure tinpottery. And why did the referee allow them to kick off like that at all? Did he think they'd manage? 

The referee allowed the teams to start without asking one of them to turn their shirt inside out? Bizarre.

Blame their kit man if they have one. If they don't, now would be a good time to find someone to do it.

I hear you, @ARLukomski. I think your honesty and authenticity are what make your channel special. If making videos feels like a burden, perhaps a break is necessary. Your health and happiness are more important. Whatever you decide, your true fans will support you.

Thank you all for your comments, feedback and support. I've decided to carry on with my channel. Whilst the videos are no longer as good as they were, I think I would miss it and feel I would be letting people down who genuinely enjoyed them.

With this decision comes some changes though. Leagues games (apart from probably Newport away) I will continue to do. Carabao Cup games (depending on opposition but we never get that big cup tie anyway) and EFL Trophy games will not be vlogged. FA Cup games will depending on how I'm feeling and who the opposition are. If it's a League 2 team away, I'm not bothered, if it's a NLN side away, then sure I'll do it.

What's important is keeping my mind healthy and not putting pressure on myself to deliver. At the end of the day, it's my channel and I can do what I want with it. There'll be no vlog of the Shrewsbury game as I just want to enjoy it and not have that pressure or feeling that there is a burden to make a video.

Good for you  @ARLukomski I won't be alone in looking forward to your excellent vlogs but please don't feel pressured. Look after yourself first and try to enjoy whatever you decide to do. Good luck.

Bloody hell I forgot

Oh dear I'm on the bottom. Oh well, the only way is up.

After last season numerous ZERO points am more than happy with my return ????????

I think sacking someone after just one game is a poor show. After six games maybe, but I think these sackings at such an early time piles more unwanted disruption on the team.

That is shocking. How can you go through a whole summer if you have doubts about the manager to then get rid after just one game. What would’ve happened if they’d have beat Sheffield United, would that have magically solved everything? One game doesn’t change anything really. It’s really poor from their owners, they’ve spent the whole summer signing players to fit with how Ryan Lowe wants to play and then they don’t even give him a chance.

Makes you realise just how lucky we are to have the Reedtz Brothers.

I wonder if they tried to sort things out but things got worse after the game. Some exceptions make sense, but most are too early. Preston aren’t the team they used to be. They’re quite lucky to be where they are, given their recent performance.

I think we have 3 players who can play number 9. Jatta, Scott and Didzy. Having 4 on the books would be a waste of budget. Id prefer to see us sign another attacking midfielder in the mould of Ruben or Crowley to free up Scott if we need to push him further forward. Once we get Palmer back, and the other new more defensive midfielders bedded in, Crowley can go back to his more attacking role.

Good point by @Don Masson, I agree. If we sign a good attacking midfielder, it gives us the option to push Cedwyn Scott up front. If we aim to sign a striker, maybe we should sign one who can also drop deeper and change their style of play. A good player will score no matter if they play as a striker or attacking midfielder. The main thing is to support and create chances that someone can put away.

I just think it’s better to have cover than to risk losing players to injury or poor form. The squad doesn’t need much, but I do think a striker and an attacking midfielder would complete the team.

Shouldn't the officers just refuse kindly and say they were on duty? Just saying.

Did the officers face any fines or disciplinary actions? It seems a bit unfair. Imagine if the officers were doing this as a con to gain money. I’m not suggesting this was the case, but it could happen.

Was your relative able to appeal? The issue was with the thirsty police officers, not the fact that he was served. It might have been a hot day, like today. ????

Goodness me he was very young, that is so sad. Rest in peace Graham, thoughts are with his family and friends.

It’s terribly sad and I’m so pleased that the family are able to talk about it, Suicide should not be a taboo subject it is very common and people need to be aware. I volunteer for a suicide bereavement support group after our own son took his life in 2012, we have newly bereaved joining us every month for support, it’s a terrible thing for those left behind to deal with but when someone takes their own life they invariably aren’t thinking of their loved ones it’s just that they want to end their mental pain, they have a tunnel vision where nothing else matters but ending the misery that they feel.

Rip Graham and I hope his family can find peace.

I swear, I recall him doing the same for us for at least two games. I don't think he stood out in the position, but he offered good cover. Am I remembering correctly?

BRONZE MEDAL ALERT 

Track Cycling: Womens Sprint.

BRONZE MEDAL ALERT 

Weightlifting: Womens 81KG

Final Medal Table sees GBR in 7th place with 65 Medals in total.

USA top the table with China 2nd

GBR are third in the total medals table behind USA & China.

I think it's hard to not include Aarone Nemane from the starting line-up. Adam Chicksen left me feeling thoroughly disappointed. He didn't seem to get on well at all, but I think Nemane would have thrived being played against Tranmere Rovers. It's pretty irrelevant now, especially since he's gone to MK Dons. I also think it's important to say that it's the opening game, he might improve, and I really hope he does.

If he could find his form from the National League promotion season, I would be very happy, but Nemane gives us a lot more going forward.

I'm pleased to welcome Conor Grant, I think he looked decent from his slight bit of play in yesterday's game.

3 hours ago, Fan of Big Tone said:

@Wheelbarrow repair man I agree he did alright, I wonder, did Nemane get a few minutes  for his new team? Anyone know? I’ll be interested to see how he gets on.

He started and was taken off after 80 minutes. That surprised me a bit given he only signed the day before.

As good as they are individually, playing Nemane and Jones left us badly lacking defensively. Time will tell whether the club have done the right thing. 

Grant’s ability to operate in different roles in midfield should give us some much-needed versatility. He seems to be a very capable and good player. I’m particularly excited to see how he settles in and starts influencing games, especially with that creative spark he mentions. Here’s hoping for a successful season with Conor playing a big part!

43 minutes ago, liampie said:

just to mention, thomas (clifton) has asked me to apologise as hes been unwell and is not likely to be able to pick this up until the near future.

@liampie if you see or speak to @CliftonMagpie give him my best wishes I hope he’s feeling better soon.

Get well, @CliftonMagpie. I hope you feel better soon mate. Thanks for letting us know @liampie.

Thank you, I am recovering. I won’t be playing football any time soon, but I should be able to attend the game on Sunday. I’m not sure about travelling to distant games yet; I’ll have to wait and see. I appreciate the kind messages!

I like what I've seen so far. I think bringing in a new striker would be good, but otherwise, we should be fine for now.

There's always rumours, usually most are picked up and speculated from what is said in interviews. The media sway on the narrative, but I do think having played our first game that the club may realise we actually do need one or two more additions. I think the loss of Aaron Nemane has made us weaker, Nick Tsaroulla may fill some of this gap but I do think a winger/AM might be a wise area to explore. Ideally, we will linning up a striker and signing them up.

He could be a good player for us. The club is probably thinking about who they might be able to attract. If Will Swan isn’t getting game time, it could make the move likely. I don’t know much about him, other than that he was in good form and everyone was talking about him at Mansfield.

Oh they can be Nasty Alright , they fight for dominance which is the same in Most Bird/ Animal Societies. Magpies will Attack Humans particularly should anyone be Foolish Enough to come to close to their Young. You may also find Magpie and Crow Feathers lying around where the Birds have fought and ripped the Feathers from each other, as Both species have thick heavy beaks. 

The think I dislike about magpies (the feathered variety) is that the take the young of other birds from their nests, I know it’s only nature but it still upsets me.

As Do an whole Manner of Birds. Where I Live we have a Sparrowhawk  who is often seen eating it's kill on our and our Neighbours Lawns. That I'm Afraid is Nature. And some Bird Species including the Magpie, when food is Short will Eat Their Own Young!!

I can take or leave them both. I do think they might grow on me over the course of the season. I agree, the purple kit is a lot nicer. It’s similar to the home shirt in some ways, and the higher stripes look much better. I wish the home shirt had stripes that went up a bit further.

I don’t like the orange shirt. It looks basic. I think the smarter choice would be to have the third kit as the away one. That looks more in keeping with the home kit and doesn’t clash. I wouldn’t pay for either. I prefer polo shirts, but I do like this year’s home shirt.

Both are alright. I wouldn’t go mad on either. I think the third kit should have stayed blue.

The information would most certainly be leaked one way or another, but football finances are made public to a degree anyway.

I have no suggestions on how this could be handled. Perhaps, the EFL could look at local companies near to each club but even then, I can see things being largely the same as it is now.  

if the football league wanted to get a grip on clubs finances and ensure people were advising them, with the mind set that the club could be reported for spending dangerously it would have to be a reliable firm, one disconnected to fans of the same team and not completely under the control of the efl. i am not sure how football could improve in the financial department, everything is geared to spending money.

@Wheelbarrow repair man

You make some good points here and your ideas appear very sound.

I would like to see a fund set up where Premier League Clubs contribute say .05% of their turnover to this fund to assist clubs who are struggling financially through no fault or their own.

Something has to be done to address the growing chasm between the haves and have nots 

Blimey there’s a lot of grumpy old men on here, I thought me and @super_ram were the only ones. ????

Regarding paying a pound by card, I’m guilty of that I’m afraid I never use cash these days, I’ve forgot what it looks like, much easier to pay with my phone. I’m down with the kids you know. 

@Wheelbarrow repair man your wife got annoyed about a milk float??? When was that 1972? I haven’t seen one of them for years.

Drivers who roar past you only to get stuck at the next traffic light always makes me laugh too.

@Fan of Big Tone

The Milk float incident was towards the end before they were fazed out so it would be in the 1990's.  I can't agree with you about paying for everything on your card or Phone, that means all you expenditure can be looked at and your preferences put into a Data Base. For Me Cash Is King.

@Wheelbarrow repair man I'm aware that most of the electric milk floats have been phased out but there are still milkmen delivering milk door to door albeit in much smaller numbers.

They are franchised milkmen who franchise from Milk & More in this area. I used to deliver milk to their warehouse in Bulwell.

They also deliver Bread & PET bottles of milk & other goods too.

i would pass, because football swallows football and it would probably ruin my love for the sport. if i had the money, i would invest in notts, but i would never want to own our club or be a part of the board. i much prefer just being a regular fan.

interesting though, i wonder how it will work and what happens when they need more money.

Don't they have a similar thing here when the fans buy a little part of their club when it has gone bust?

I wonder why no ones petitioning Elon Musk to buy a club over here such as my second club I watch out for, Basford United. 

With his wealth they could become a Premier League Club in nine years. Or on second thoughts it's not a good idea.

@Robbie

I Think Elon's got his Eye on Jupiter United.

i am saddened to read this, its been a joy seeing him play for celtic and scotland, but i always felt him representing his country was something that stood out more than scottish league football. i suppose he wants to focus on that, but i do think he could offer them more for a few more years.

its just sad still, because you luck forward to seeing ex players like him on the international stage.

Callum has served his country well on the international scene.

Looks like one of the reasons that prompted Callum to retire from international duties were fitness issues according to this report.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c5y83l52de8o

It is always sad when a player retires either from domestic or international football.

It is sometimes very hard to make that decision. Is it too premature, will the player have regrets?

I think it is usually the case that a player knows when it is the right time, & Callum can now concentrate on what remains of his club career.

I wish him well.

@Robbie and @liampie

I understand your choice of Luke Williams. But if memory serves didn't Martin Allen get the Magpies in their highest League Position in many a long Year? And Steve Cotterill got Notts promoted after the  Munto Finance  Scam.

14 minutes ago, Wheelbarrow repair man said:

@Robbie and @liampie

I understand your choice of Luke Williams. But if memory serves didn't Martin Allen get the Magpies in their highest League Position in many a long Year? And Steve Cotterill got Notts promoted after the  Munto Finance  Scam.

keith curle did.  

1 hour ago, Wheelbarrow repair man said:

@Robbie and @liampie

I understand your choice of Luke Williams. But if memory serves didn't Martin Allen get the Magpies in their highest League Position in many a long Year? And Steve Cotterill got Notts promoted after the  Munto Finance  Scam.

I picked Luke Williams because he got us back into the football league breaking records all the way.