Looking at the last three seasons in League 1 the fourth from bottom club relegated got 44 points in 23/24, 46 points in 24/25 & 49 points in 25/26 which was outlier compared to the first two. 50 points is widely regarded as the classic safety benchmark. 56 + points should be comfortable.

I think that if Notts treat every game one at a time & prepare for that game & focus on that game entirely like they have under Martin Paterson this season, & aim to win every game that they play, I think Notts will be able to compete with any team in League 1 & shouldn't have to worry who's below them.

4 hours ago, Robbie said:

Wow, not a confidence boosting thread here. I think we need to be more optimistic than thinking of finishing in 20th and just missing relegation.

Sorry @Robbie but I’m trying to be realistic here, it’s not going to be a walk in the park it’s going to be a tough league, points will be hard to come by, if Notts finish 5th from bottom I’ll be happy with that obviously I hope and want them to finish higher but as I said we need AT LEAST 4 teams to be worse. It’s not a negative thread just a discussion to see what others think.

3 hours ago, Sheffield Pie said:

It's a fair question.

Thank you.

56 minutes ago, Fan of Big Tone said:

Sorry @Robbie but I’m trying to be realistic here, it’s not going to be a walk in the park it’s going to be a tough league, points will be hard to come by, if Notts finish 5th from bottom I’ll be happy with that obviously I hope and want them to finish higher but as I said we need AT LEAST 4 teams to be worse. It’s not a negative thread just a discussion to see what others think.

Thank you.

Of course it won't be a walk in the park. It is a big step up for the Club, & there will be some very difficult matches against some top sides. The Club will have to recruit well in the summer to try to ensure that the squad, all of the squad can play to the level required. If players become injured or suspended the players that replace them will need to be very able deputies.

But it's not just that the squad should be stronger, it's the way that the Head Coach and players treat every single game that they will play.

When Martin prepares for a match his focus is entirely on the club that his team will play. He will prepare his players one match at a time, & he will aim to win that match. He won't look at the matches ahead. He will play one match at a time. He won't look at the league table, his focus will be on one match, & when that match is over he'll prepare his players for the next match, then the next.

And this is the reason why I have confidence that Notts will compete well in League One.

And one more thing. Martin has experience of winning promotion, but he also has experience of saving a club from relegation in League One. Burton Albion. Another reason to be confident.

Yes it's true @Fan of Big Tone Ifs, buts and maybes don't count for much. In the end it didn't matter we achieved promotion anyway. I think from the three playoff games we already are seeing the value of being difficult to beat, but still playing positively without going gung ho! I think this will be key for a good season in league 1.

Good post! Conversely, you could say that we won games we would have drawn with a more cautious approach - ultimately, you get more points by winning one and losing one than by drawing both. It's swings and roundabouts.

All the same, next season we'll be in a different situation where we can't really expect 80+ points, so I expect us to settle for the odd point more. A draw isn't such a bad result when you're not shooting for automatic promotion. But we need to carry on where we left off in the playoffs and be harder to beat, the losses column was a bit too high for my liking.

I think it is self evident that Martin Paterson learned from past mistakes by getting 3 clean sheets in the playoffs & beating two teams that did the double over Notts earlier in the season.

There could be an argument that Martin should have learned lessons a little earlier, but I do believe he & the team were handicapped by key players getting injured then the sendings off.

It's to Martin's great credit that he changed the way that the team play to deal with two teams that like to bully and physically intimidate ball playing teams like Notts & his tactics worked perfectly.

Thanks @Fan of Big Tone it's much appreciated, had a great day on the 24th and an even better day on the 25th when we blew away Salford. 🥳😎

I am very sorry that I am wishing you a belated birthday, @Michael D Pie.. I hope you had a great birthday, and enjoyed/ing your vacation. I have seen some of the pictures you shared and they look amazing. I hope you managed to get to watch Notts too. There’s a good present for you.

@Chris your slogan is now true 🤠👍

A field where dreams become reality

Wembley Stadium was that field and the reality is that we are now a big part of division ONE.......... COYP 👏

The omission of Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Harry Maguire and one or two others has seriously depleted the team in key positions. Maguire is a genuine go to defender who gives everything for England and always has done, Mr dependable who will be sorely missed. The inclusion of Jordan Henderson is an insult to English football and a kick in the teeth for Palmer and Gibbs- White. How has Ivan Toney managed to get infront of Calvert lewin or even Danny Welbeck, who has had a cracking end to the domestic season. There is not enough depth and class to the team from what i can see, so unfortunately we'll be lucky in my opinion to go much further than the group stages. I hope I'm wrong. ⚽️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

John Stones getting picked having barely played any matches this season is very disappointing for me. No idea why Lewis Hall isn’t in the squad either, seems Tuchel would rather have a right-footer in Djed Spence playing at left-back. 🤷‍♂️

Not super keen on Henderson and Mainoo, I would’ve picked Adam Wharton and Alex Scott at Bournemouth. 

The attacking positions were always going to be the trickiest part, I’m not that surprised both Foden and Palmer missed out because we are stacked with lots of good players here. I agree MGW can count himself a tad unlucky here.

Toney is a strange one too, the only reasoning I can think of is that he’s spent a whole season playing football in an extremely hot climate, so the conditions will suit him. But yeah, he wouldn’t have been my choice.

Harry Maquire shouldn't be in the national team, there's better unpicked defenders. Cole Palmer should 100% be going, I think Jack Grealish did excellent with Everton and can feel unlucky not to have been selected. There's always going to be players dropped or overlooked, what is refreshing is the fact that players don't see to be getting chosen due to the club a player represents or because the player has a reputiable name.

The only concern I have is Jordan Henderson, I have never rated him and we don't need a player just because they have experience. His lack of playing time is a concern. I'd much rather we take someone injury prone that is a capable player because it's less of a risk that the position won't be just a bench warmer. If he captains England, even in a vice captaincy role I would be further disappointed. That said, I am happy because I would hope it makes those who have not been named peform even better. Palmer can't do much more; he's a bright spark in an average Chelsea and a real joy to watch.

I would say it seems more "team focused" than individual stars to be relyed on if performances are not good.

Hello one and all from a misty Morocco. Does anyone remember the Time Tunnel?

We have one in our Hotel 🤔

@Michael D Pie. can you travel into the future and see if we are in league one next season? 🤣

28 degrees and wall to wall sunshine here. 🥵

@Fan of Big Tone i have booked it for tomorrow at 13:00 hours, unfortunately the only time available. You have to read and understand the operation of said Time Tunnel before using. Don't know what time i will return, but you will be the first to get an answer to your question. So please be patient with me. 🤔😇

Martin talked to BBC Nottingham Sport regarding Monday's playoff final.

Another good read from BBC Sport. The build up to Monday's match continues.

BBC Sport

Interesting stuff @Robbie 

The results and votes are what they are. But something's awry if Aljofree can get 10 more votes than macari on 27 fewer appearances!! Macari should be far far higher on that list than he is. MP wouldn't have picked him 36 times until his injury, if he wasn't doing well.

I think MP described him as 'underrated' in one of his interviews. PON votes definitely point towards that.

Well, I guess you are likely to get more votes for having 2 outstanding games than 36 “steady” ones - and I vaguely recall Aljofree having a “stormer” early season but genuinely can’t remember the game itself. I agree that Macari has been a stalwart and has frequently been a contender but he’s been eclipsed because one of Iorpenda, Mc Donald, Platt, Jatta and Tsaroulla have usually attracted the bulk of the votes. Same applies to Palmer, tho’, quite frankly, that is astonishing. I voted fir him once only.

The number of votes for Palmer does actually surprise me greatly, given that there are generally only between c 7 - 15 votes for MOTM on here. He just hasn’t been all that good for most of the season, indeed he’s missed c 35% of it.

I think that it was great to see so many players (19) getting a Man of the Match award.

It's maybe surprising to some that Macari & Hall didn't get an award, but some players can perform steadily all season without standing out in a particular match. The fact that Martin kept picking them shows that he values their contribution.

Players like Grant & Bedeau with two awards & Bennetts with one were three other players that are valuable to the squad & played a large number of games.

Matt Palmer is a fans favourite so it's no surprise that he received a large number of votes, especially earlier on in the season when there were lots of members voting. As for Aljofree he started reasonably well in the first few games, but other defenders were deemed more solid & he lost his place.

I do believe that the players that stood out over the season finished near the top of the list, however if McDonald, Platt, Jatta, Robertson & Belshaw could have played many more games, I think we may have seen a close race for the most Gongs awarded.

I have reason to shout for Hull today, but I'll go the other way after their pathetic reaction to Southampton's expulsion.

They spin a positive like playing a team that didn't know they were even still in it, into a negative - whingeing and bleating about a really unfortunate but necessary set of actions. What an awful message to send to their players and fans

Hull have scored in the 94th minute

Hull have won. I'm really pleased about that. They deserve it after all the shenanigans.

This will be a better game. I'd say Kyle Wootton playing at centre-back might not be looking forward to facing some of Ruben's through balls. You have to fancy Bolton?

Just listened to the Radio Nottingham Sport Podcast, and according to them, Notts have sold just short of 20K tickets.

The window to buy tickets for the final is getting smaller.

I see the club/Wembley/EFL (whoever was responsible) have recognised what's gone wrong and are releasing some cheaper seats and keeping them on sale longer. Spread the word!

I thought we’d sold over 21,000 up to yesterday. Add another c 1,000 in the various hospitality areas……

It may have been anecdotal and not official but U’d be surprised if we don’t match 3 years ago tbh.

I've never heard of Kieran Maguire, but it's just a question about the level of 'interest'. So what? The decision would still have been the same. And I agree. he's probably way short on the amount.

Thank you, @StarkMallard and @Robbie. 🫶🏻

Happy Birthday @Chris hope you enjoyed the day. Nice to know there is another ageing person in the same month as myself, mine is on the 24th commonly known as Commonwealth Day. Sixty nine years young, where has the time gone. 🕰 😟

You have let the cat out of the bag there, @Michael D Pie. with regards to your birthday. Though, someone once told me all the best people are born in May and now I am more inclined to believe it. Thank you for taking the time to wish me a happy birthday. Time does fly by very quickly, but it's important we make the most of it. = )

2 hours ago, Chris said:

Dispite of his complaints that Notts playing on his birthday "messed up his day". He had a good time and enjoyed it. Did anyone notice the message I paid to have put up on the scoreboard? Or, even read out loud by Andy?

Thank you for the birthday messages for Jake, I will let him know.

Yes I said in the first post that I saw it,I tried to take a picture but it didn’t come out right. There was also a RIP message for an old fiend of mine, seeing it made me quite emotional, he should have been at the match, he’d be delighted to see Notts going to Wembley.

@Fan of Big Tone Sorry to read this. :(

Belated wishes for your birthday @super_pie hope everything went well. From myself and Mrs P.

I can message a fan that I believe can help you, with regards to value I think it's more about what people are willing to pay. Rather than them holding value, I have a signed home shirt by the full squad from the season we were relegated, and I couldn't even gift away. I had another, which had been donated to charity and a person came forward asking me to sell it for him. I just bought it to help them but nobody really seems all that interested in owning them. I gave one to my son's collection, and I gave the other to a friend.

The 07/08 might be of more interest to people, since I can't imagine many are around. Whereas Alan Hardy distributed signed shirts to people and charities as freely as a dentist gives out sugar free lollipops.

12 hours ago, Chris said:

I can message a fan that I believe can help you, with regards to value I think it's more about what people are willing to pay. Rather than them holding value, I have a signed home shirt by the full squad from the season we were relegated, and I couldn't even gift away. I had another, which had been donated to charity and a person came forward asking me to sell it for him. I just bought it to help them but nobody really seems all that interested in owning them. I gave one to my son's collection, and I gave the other to a friend.

The 07/08 might be of more interest to people, since I can't imagine many are around. Whereas Alan Hardy distributed signed shirts to people and charities as freely as a dentist gives out sugar free lollipops.

Thanks, really appreciate that — and thank you for the honest insight on value as well. That’s really useful context.

Just for a bit more context on the Tootle shirt, it’s from April 2019 with the Premier Facilities Maintenance sponsor, has Sky Bet sleeve patches, and “Tootle 2” on the back (size M), so I’m wondering if it might be a match-issued/prepared one from the last few league games.

If you’d be willing to ask the fan you mentioned, I’d really appreciate it 😁 I 'd also be happy to provide photos 🙂

The Match worn shirt I am told would be about £50-60, but both shirts are pretty much as I said open to pricing from the potential buyer. In the future, it might be worth more, as for the other shirt. I was told very similar, that it would need to be someone who really wants it that would pay above it. I have seen shirts sold for £100-150, usually with people more over the odds to get this because they want the shirt for their own collection or it's a reputable player. Nothing against Matt Tootle, I loved his time at Notts but a lot of fans blow hot and cold towards him.

I believe the white shirt worn by Jon Stead in the match against Aston Villa sold for a considerable amount.

I know when Notts have run an auction for signed shirts, that they tend to be the only way to gain more value from people. Matt Tootle may be interested in the shirt, but it's worth hanging onto.

I've read that the safety certificate doesn't insist on only 17k, it's just that to have more than 17k they need to do some extra safety planning and given the time and costs the club choose not to.

On the other board some people are saying the ground needs updating and the away section moving. I think we're getting ahead of ourselves there. Our attendances are much better but we still have thousands of empty seats most home games. Only a dozen or so clubs in the 92 have a more under-used stadium than us (MK Dons, Sheff Wed, Wigan for example). Also making the Family stand the away end would give the opposition a boost, having an end to kick towards. Don't think it will happen anyway for practical reasons.

One issue the club might want to look at though is the number of 'orphaned' single seats they end up having to try to sell. Some clubs' booking systems try to minimise this, so that people looking for 2 or more seats together aren't discouraged.

Good stuff @Sheffield Pie. Let's get to L1 and see how that goes

It was brilliant to see the stadium looking so full, it always is and that is my main takeaway.

I was among the volunteers that helped to get the KOP flag surfing, and I took every chance I could to take in the stands as I waited for the signal. Mark joined me to help, and I had hoped Jake would, but I can understand it was overwhelming.

Upon entering the ground, I yet again had issues with some very untrained stewards who grabbed me and then blocked me from walking even though her college had said we could go through after Jake showed our tickets. Such an irrating experience, especially to be forcefully held against the side wall.

After helping surf the KOP's flag, I helped to carry it out from pitch side even though Logan Bruce said I could go back to my seat. I noticed that the person in front of me was struggling, so I sorted my section and tried to sort his. Then helped it out, but upon trying to get back to my seat the same stewards stopped me. I can't help but feel the temporary fillers can be jobsworths.

They tried to stop me because Jake had my ticket, even though they waved Mark, who was rushing to get back to his seat. Whilst I genuinely felt tired and almost like my heart was going to expload. Only to have the same stewards try to stop me, though I explained that I had helped with the KOP flag pitch side, that they had already let me through and moments ago waved my friend through.

I get that they must see quite a lot of faces but it pisses me off, I just barged through them and went to my seat moaning like the soon to be old 39-year-old I am.

It took away from the occasion, made it frustrating when it needed not be and they did absolutely nothing to stop the pitch invaders. I said to one of the stewards that manhandled me, "see I didn't even go on the pitch, yet you did more to stop me even though I had "Look, I didn't even try to enter the pitch but I noticed you made more of an effort to prevent me from obtaining my rightful seat than any of the pitch invaders. You shouldn't put hands on people, call for support if you think it's needed and then use reasonable force but don't ever touch a fan who has a valid ticket."

Also, I noticed a senior steward throwing elbows and punches at an elderly fan. This caught the attention of the group of 10-12 fans near me, and he got mobbed by others who lashed back at him. Stupid idiots could have caused a riot, very poor stewarding I am afraid to say.

I doubt we'll end up in trouble, I think it happens more often at certain clubs. It's just chavvy behaviour we can do without.

I echo @theAnticlough's praise of Belshaw, he's been our key signing and without him I doubt we'd have reached the playoffs at all. He didn't have a lot to do yesterday, but like all good keepers he was there when we needed him with that low save in the second half!

That was tense, particularly that last 20 minutes I agree we could’ve probably managed that last period better, especially with the space Chesterfield left for us to exploit. I’m sure MP and the coaches will point this out in the debriefing.

Can’t fault any of the effort and the sheer determination when it came to defending our box though. We basically did what Wimbledon did to us last season in the play-offs. You can’t say we aren’t learning and it definitely worked.

Yeah the scenes at the end were embarrassing really, typical minority spoiling it for the majority. Don’t even think anyone should’ve been on the pitch, a bit tin-pot for me, we haven’t actually won anything yet!

Really don’t know how to feel about playing Salford at Wembley though, we are going to have to break a shocking winless streak to get into League 1.

On 16/05/2026 at 02:03, Sheffield Pie said:

Best vocal support over 90 minutes I've ever experienced at Meadow Lane.

And I know they shouldn't have gone on the pitch but seeing literally thousands of YOUNG Notts fans having the time of their life is pretty amazing after all these years.

Great post.

I marvel at this, can't get my head around it. I spent many a game circa 2016 in the Pavis seeing only septuagenarians making up 4,000 crowds. It looked for all the world that the club was slowly dying.

What a turnaround in just a decade. Did Covid change things? Was it winning tonnes of games in the NL? Is it just the popularity of live football in general and we're a big city? Maybe a combination of all of those. But thanks to all those septuagegenarians and those who came before them for sowing the County seeds. Individual family folklore and stories past down is a large part of the reason we have new generations of fans in big numbers.

3 minutes ago, liampie said:

@Chris i cant post to the suggestions page it says "The suggestion could not be submitted. Please check the form and try again."

it looks great and i love all the new changes.

Thanks, @liampie.

I'll patch it up now and edit this when I have fixed the issue.

Fixed.

I would say PON is 70% optimised at additional resource level.

I have made good progress with new features; these are being built with the same mindset that they are performance-focused and efficient to the highest standard. I know things have been a little quiet, but I encourage you to keep creating content and supporting discussions; I will try to be a bit more active myself. There're some new features I haven't mentioned, some outside that are coming but I won't go into them. I'll leave you to find them!

There may be bugs, but I am actively fixing and working on the dev version of the site but sometimes the live environment behaves differently.

Please do report them, and don't be shy or afraid to reach out.

I love helping, and doing my best by Notts fans that it's honestly no bother at all. I would rather be told, so I can help, fix and make improvements. Subscribers will be noticing some additional changes geared towards offering value to them too, as it's very vital the site is supported.

None of this can happen without some engagement, support, or other kinds of help, not at all.

Thank you for your continued efforts.

I realise if I don't mention the changes most people won't know, therefore it is somewhat counter productive.

Our custom Catch Up app has had major updates to the way that the "What's New" page works. I will be updating it again sometime, to make the blocks more full, but I have saved some room for tweaking if I add more to it.

The Leaderboard now has a split between members and the PON team.

I have done this to help encourage the team, but also give a fairer acknowledgement to the members who are actively making a difference. PON News, which is our general account for posting news, and automated activity is omitted from the results.

* I am monitoring the leaderboard notifications, as I fixed an issue where the link from the notification was broken. These must be reliable, so I will check this and I would appreciate it if those named can let me know too. In addition to that, I am watching the changes in general to ensure no bugs occur.

From this date onwards, topics that reach over 10 replies will see a new "Topic Summary" next to the "Who Viewed this Content" at the very top. The basic version is available for all, but an enhanced version is available for subscribers and team members. This gives you a quick insight into the discussion, and reacts to match based ones depending on what stage of the conversation is at. So, pre-match, during and post-game. Very useful to see what stands out, what you might think to add and just a useful feature to gain a quick view of a topic.

You can now write a status via the + Create menu, why not tell the community what you are doing? or about your day? Much like you would on X or other social media sites.

The donate page is being actively updated, @BigNCFC has kindly donated and the subscription page/packages have been updated.

Subscribers/Team Members will re-gain access to a more advanced stats page, which shares interesting analytics about the site. This is coming soon, I have built it but it's in testing stages.

Previous discussed pending changes are also in testing or optimisation stages.

It's not far at all @Fan of Big Tone, I used the 0.5 option on my phone so it zooms out a bit. You get a nice panoramic pic but everything looks further away than it is!

Ah, that would explain it.

The regular league programme concluded last week. Alongside Schalke, the tiny SV Elversberg are promoted to the Bundesliga for the first time ever. I saw them play in the fourth division a few times and they certainly had good resources for that level. After reaching the Bundesliga playoff last season and subsequently losing their head coach to Werder Bremen, nobody really fancied them to do well this season, but they've actually gone one better.

In Bundesliga 2 the relegation scrap went down to the final kick, with just two goals on goal difference separating the last safe spot (Eintracht Braunschweig), the relegation playoff (Fürth) and automatic relegation (Fortuna Düsseldorf). Düsseldorf, seen as a promotion contender, went into the last game at Fürth needing to avoid a three-goal defeat to stay up. They lost 3-0.

We are here

Morocco does not know what is happening now two Pies have landed. Happy Sunday everyone. 🤠🥳

I'm of the old-fashioned way of settling draws in Cup matches and playoff finals by having replays to decide drawn matches. This will probably never happen because the modern way is to have a quick fix to settle those drawn matches.

Alassana Jatta, Jodi Jones, Nick Tsaroulla, Ollie Norburn and Scott Robertson would be my preferred choices to start. I get nervous when defenders take penalties, but I do think Jacob Bedeau and Rod McDonald would feel confident and able to smash the ball into the net.

I know Matt Palmer can be tidy with his penalties, but I would still feel nervous all the same.

@allardyces tash I can see the David Batty penalty there

Dunnett voted through that clubs could keep 100% of home receipts

Has to be L1 in my opinion. We will do well to make the automatics this year given some really tough fixtures remaining. And then it will be the playoff lottery. So anything could happen. I just hope that the Brothers keep the faith with MP as I feel he has the attributes to be a successful manager at this level.

If he can't make it this year then, maybe next or even the year after. It won't be easy as some wild investors will come in again to another club and try to do a Wrexham or MK.

i would fear growing too quick, too soon could see us end up like blackpool, luton town, portsmouth and many other teams who had to focus less on sustinability. i would rather notts do it right, grow a reputation and sell on assets, make a real structure in place place that would more than likely see us establish ourselves properly upon each step. i am happy to see us grow for the better in league one, but i would not risk this for instance promotion to the championship.

It's up to you of course, but the memories from a day at Wembley will still be there long after the tiredness has faded. I understand it's all a bit stressful though, especially the older you get.

Do not sit on the fence. Go and have a day you will remember, and make the most of it.

Take your grandchildren so they can feel what it is like to see Notts play at the home of football. Wembley is a rare treat, and if you can go, you should.

Well @Fan of Big Tone decisions, decisions and a big one at that. Trust me when I say the experience itself is phenomenal. We took our grand children to the play off against Chesterfield and the memories made were irreplaceable, buying flags and scarves, walking down Wembley Way with both sets of fans, each trying to out sing each other, giving the kids time to take it all in, The excitement on their faces will stick with us forever. The only thing i will say is if it's a match like the Chesterfield one prepare to be totally exhausted, that much so I couldn't drive home so we had a second night in the hotel. 😵‍💫

I would say the match was pretty much similar to the first leg in that there was wasn't much quality on show for either side in the final third. Defensively we were very good again. My vote therefore goes to Lucas Ness. Not just for the headers won but what I particularly like is his reading of the game. He so often nips in to win the ball before the attacker has received the pass. We need to get him tied down to a longer contract!

I think the back 3 are most deserving here, not much between them all really. Bedeau had to deal with Markanday who was Chesterfield's most lively player and McDonald has really stepped up again after Platt's injury. I went for Ness too though, I thought he'd be the player who could be 'got-at' but to be fair he was excellent.

The Poll has now closed. Thanks to all who voted.

I'm pleased to announce that Lucas Ness has been voted the Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match against Chesterfield in the playoff 2nd leg.

12 hours ago, liampie said:

i think martin paterson has won most fans over and it would be a shame to see him leave. until we know for sure, i wont worry because there is a chance someone else will be hired first. job security in football is hard, and i wonder how the reedtz will see how patto has done in comparison to stuart maynard. there could be the argument that promotion is the only way to secure is job.

will they sak him if we fail? i hope not, because i think patto has what is needed to be a very good manager.

He’s certainly won me over, if we don’t go up I wouldn’t like to see him sacked, I think he’s done a great job within the parameters in which he’s had to work. If he’s tempted by a job in a higher division at a bigger club then I would t blame him, who isn’t ambitious? He obviously wants the best for himself and his family, we’ve seen good managers leave before it’s part of football.

@Fan of Big Tone i could see the temptation buy for a newish manager surely it makes more sense to stick with a club where things work, he knows what to expect and will be supported. burnley might offer him more money, buy the position is a high risk move. i really hope there is not much in it because we have a manager that is focused, knows the squad and makes most the right decisions in games.

He definitely won't be joining Barnsley as they appointed their former boss Daniel Stendel today.

For me, it was between Rod McDonald and Jayden Luker and I think at different times upon reflection I might be tempted to choose differently. McDonald was brilliant at the back, I think all were but maybe Lucas Ness was a bit clumby and the player Chesterfield caused more trouble with. Jacob Bedau deserves a shout out, as does Nick Tsaroulla.

However, I went with Luker because I remember saying how I failed to see where he fit in upon his return and whilst he's done okay. Excelled at times, and otherwise been invisible in spells, there's no denying he's a work horse.

I felt sorry for him that the Sky pundits seemed to single him out all the time, very rarely saying anything positive and focusing too much praise on Tom Iorpenda (who was good) and Jodi Jones (acceptable but not his best). The female commenator got on my nerves describing the Chesterfield keeper as "There was absolutely nothing he could have done there". Except for using his hand? Or kick the ball?

Weak keeping, poor positioning... Then saying that Luker was "lucky" to be where he was, whilst the shot wasn't exactly difficult it still went in. If you praise the keeper, and call the scorer lucky, you undermine your whole point. Luker did exceptionally well to get on to the ball, and strike it towards goal even if it was straight at the Chesterfield keeper. Who probably should have wore different "boots". I am going to have a field day with some of their players names come Friday. 😀

Good to see Luker with a couple of votes.

I didn't hold out any great hopes when he came back from injury, it's a tough and gradual thing to do, generally. But he's exceeded everyone's expectations I think and it's clear the season would have been different had he been fit and he'd be sitting on a double figure goal haul. Remember the breakaway goal he got with Hall early on?

What I like is what a good watch he is. A six footer with a low centre of gravity - the turn that got the C'field player booked is from his power and balance. With that low centre of gravity, he's a poor man's Zidane, Barnes, Le Tissier type. He pops up in very awkward places for the opposition. I'm really looking forward to seeing what he'll do Friday night. He might be the player Chesterfield are worrying about the most.

Just a bit late this week to declare a winner. Apologies for that.

I'm pleased to announce that Rod McDonald is the Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match v Chesterfield. Well done Rod.

Thank you for keeping the site moving forward. It is great to see how much effort and care goes into the community. Everything is coming along well, and I hope that with Notts being a happier club to talk about, more fans will join in.

PON deserves the support, so keep up the hard work.

Top Man @Chris the amount of work and care you have dedicated to the site is personally mind blowing. Your thoughtfulness and consideration dovetailing with family time and County time is admirable and commendable. Thank you for all you do for all of us to enjoy, participate and keep in touch over anything and everything. Live Long and Prosper my friend. 🤠 ⚽️

@Chris

It's "topics" which is on "My activity streams".

It would be great if "topics' were an option.