AmericanPie

On 14/08/2024 at 22:53, Fan of Big Tone said:

I hope you can keep us informed as to how @AmericanPie is doing and you can pass on our messages to him, hopefully it will cheer him up to know fellow pies fans are thinking of him.

I don’t know how well you all know David, but he’s not doing well at all, and no major improvements have been made. It’s very unlikely that things will get better. He can’t speak clearly or use his motor skills well. The care he’s receiving is mainly to keep him stable and make him as comfortable as possible.

I'm sorry the update is vague and not good news. I wish I could say something different.

I have some sad news to share. I’m David’s neighbor, and he’s unfortunately dealing with two serious health issues that have greatly limited his mobility.He’s quite stubborn and didn’t want to worry anyone, but it’s unlikely his condition will get better. I’ll make sure to pass on any concerns and comments to him.

Welcome to the community @Colin Phillips! I'm delighted to greet you. Feel free to share a bit about yourself, like why Notts is your choice!

No one ever criticises Jodi Jones for his weak marking and defensive duties. The second mistake, anyone else would have faced consequences for. He's a great player, but it emphasizes that errors occur, and scapegoats are formed. Dan Crowley has been truly impressive since joining; if fans can be critical and boo, he certainly has the right to silence them when performing well. If he wasn't, I would understand. Disappointed with the club, players, and fans.

Hello, welcome. It's a great community here and it thrives with fans opinions. Join in and see what fun you can get out of it @TruroPieSi.

It's a significant match, and predicting the outcome is uncertain, but my gut instincts suggest it might end in a draw. I anticipate an improvement in form, although it might not happen against Gillingham. While I'd love to see Notts perform exceptionally, secure a well-deserved win, and avoid close encounters, I have a feeling it will be a closely contested match for both teams.

Unfortunately, we were defeated. Mansfield is in a more stable position, and it's evident that Nigel Clough has worked wonders since overcoming calls for his dismissal. Their ability to handle setbacks makes them a strong contender for promotion. Although Notts gave their best effort, losing narrowly is preferable to being heavily beaten. We must move forward; Stuart Maynard needs a victory, but even in better form, this is a game we should put behind us. Losing a local derby isn't ideal, but our focus should be on securing our playoff spot in more significant matters.

I believe it's only football where it falls short; it's quite common in American sports to review and promptly get on with things. It's very British to make something more complicated, but I think the solution would be to consistently enforce VAR and officiating training at the end of each season in the UK. Showing a desire to start getting things right and using it efficiently will only happen if the starting point is as knowledgeable as the end point. Interrupting VAR shouldn't require a science degree; it should be a matter of seconds and straight into the decision.

Barrow sometimes played some lovely football, moving the ball in channels and executing smart overlays. They had no fear to start with, but that soon changed once Notts started to get a feel for the game. That's when their game plan turned to negative tactics such as shirt pulling, aggressive tackles, attempts to influence the referee, and much more. I thought the referee did poorly to control the game, but he did seem easily put off from taking appropriate action. The foul on Jodi Jones, which is the hot topic for me, was only rightly punishable by a red card. The referee didn't follow up due to how quickly he was swarmed by Barrow players. The pushing and shoving after their players committed two fouls was nothing more than a distraction.

@Robbie That's a very fair point! I hope Stuart Maynard can get our defence to run through brick walls for him and to make sure the keepers are better protected. Reducing the amount of chances teams get one on one would be a massive start.

Are there any weather updates for Texas? ???? I don't miss this wet weather or wind you guys are getting, stay safe!

He made his debut as a scholar/youth player? That's brave! A team could have easily come in and pinched him for less than a professional deal would bring. I am impressed by how he's handling the pressure on his head, which I hope earns him more game time. He looks like a real young talent.

It will be good if Stuart Maynard can rein in the defensive mistakes, but if his playing style is too similar, it might not be tactical changes we need but new defensive-minded centre backs. I'm sure he will be able to coach it out of the players eventually. The main thing is to build on our foundation and hopefully secure the playoffs.

If the game goes ahead, it will be good to watch. Obviously, I won't be able to make an impact on the atmosphere, but I want to hear you all cheering the lads on. Stockport should bring a good crowd with them, so I expect a good game from both teams.

A warm hello, from across the pond @Thomas Cotton. Keep joining in with your thoughts.

A warm hello, from across the pond @Callumpie. Keep joining in with your thoughts.

Hello, @StanfordPie. It's great to be saying hello and welcoming you to PON.

Notts needs to start shifting into fourth or fifth gear now, if they want to be in the running for the top 3 spots. Stockport County are starting to pull ahead and create a healthy gap. I don’t want to see Mansfield finish above us, we need to keep the pressure on them and a win against Wimbledon would be just the ticket. Wrexham are also starting to show they can finish in the top three, so we need to work hard in away games to make sure the club picks up as many points as possible on the road.

Their manager will undoubtedly be feeling the pressure. I find @Chris’s comments interesting, but I don’t usually pay much attention to the opposition as they can often resemble politicians, moulded by their own agendas and beliefs rather than being honest and humble. Notts played very well, even though I felt like Forest Green could go on and cause an upset. I think that second goal for them woke Notts up, thankfully we turned our performance back on. Finishing the game 4-3 is just a reminder that some teams won’t just lay down because we are leading a game.

Our away form has seen steady improvement since the earlier games. However, Colchester may prove to be a challenging team for Notts to score against. I envision the game ending in a 1-1 draw, not due to a lack of good play or opportunities created by Notts, but because Colchester performed well on their home ground.

The young player performed well against us. His potential is evident and his skills were impressive. He’s definitely one to watch.

Hello, @Morten Johansen. Welcome to the Pride of Nottingham. I hope to see you join in whenever you can.

See you across the pond!

All games, in my opinion, hold significant value as they provide me with valuable insights. I express my gratitude to everyone who has engaged in playing games alongside me. This information is crucial for someone like me who is living away from their home country. Therefore, I extend my heartfelt thanks to all of you.

It's set to be yet another challenging match. Although we're aiming for a victory, securing a point for continued enhancements shouldn't be overlooked. I'm not particularly well-acquainted with the Salford squad, but I remain hopeful that our team's quality will help us navigate through any potential challenges. 

In terms of player selection, fielding our strongest team will be crucial. With Jodi Jones returning to the fold, Notts should be fully prepared to face the match ahead.

It's frustrating to see teams like Accrington Stanley come into matches solely focused on playing defensively and securing a point. While they may have delivered a tidy performance, it's clear that they lacked attacking intent and didn't trouble our team much aside from the set piece they scored from. It's disheartening to see missed chances and shots straight at our goalkeeper without no real test.

On the other hand, I'm proud of our team for playing with spirit and quality. Refereeing decisions can have a significant impact on the outcome of matches, and it's disappointing when the performance of the referee falls short. Inconsistencies and poor decision-making can mark the overall quality of the game. However, Notts did well and It was a superb win.