Can't say I remember Kevin Blackwell? when did he play for us what position? Warnock era I presume?

I remember the name, but not much else. I love that Neil Warnock is living his life how he wants, and shows little signs of not retiring properly. The thought of managing overseas is amusing to me. Good on him for not allowing his age to prevent him from living.

3 seasons at Meadow Lane @Fan of Big Tone and you don't remember him???

Just in case you missed him, he made zero appearances as a keeper🤣

Yes, he came from Scarborough with Warnock

We sat next to some Italian fans on New Year's Day. After witnessing that game I'm amazed they came back 🙃

I consider many to be friends, and I miss seeing them outside of Notts. I haven't managed to catch up with the likes of Giorgio, and on match days it's quite difficult because I do struggle a lot with crowds since COVID. Their friendship as always meant the world to me, I didn't recongise any of the people who took a picture near to where I sat.

It's a shame I didn't feel like going up and saying hello, prior I would have introduced myself but again anxiety doesn't help.

I swear, no lie! This is like playing Jake on FIFA when he gets his skills and I am trying to back off or avoiding relying just crunching his player in the hope I make contact with the ball first. It's insane to see something similar happen in real life, poor pressure from the defence but excellent skill. I thought he had over done it at first, and that the assist was going to come from elsewhere.

Good team goal!

If my son used PON, I might need to hide this but since he doesn't often I will tag him @super_pie.

Remember where your loyality lies, son, I know you are Notts through and through but at least at our level we don't tend to be this painful. Even then, the salaries and player market values of Notts cannot be compared. This is the Chelsea I grew up knowing, rubbish. You are best with Notts.

Now there's another FACT! @william1984, feel free to tease Jake; you have my permission.

It doesn't seem like a dislocation from the picture he shared on social media, which is awful because it might be worse. I don't wish to speculate, but the lower leg comment from the article suggests that it's more serious too. The club have done well to come out early, as sometimes it takes time and whilst Lewis Macari deserves his privacy, fans will wonder and the news should cut out some of the speculation.

Lewis Macari is a very good player at our level, and I still think we haven't seen him at his prime yet and I hope he manages to make a return to achieve that.

I was saddened to see him go off injured, we gave him our love by chanting his name and even Colchester United fans clapped him off. It was nice to see! Wishing you a speedy recovery, Lewis!

I was in two minds at the end of the match because on the one hand we kept a very slim chance of automatic promotion alive, but we’ve lost just as much with the injury sustained by Lewis.

It looked bad and the reactions of the players told a story, he's clearly going to be out for a while, however long it takes I'm sure he'll back playing for us in the future.

I hope the rest of the squad can use Lewis’s injury as a motivation to get us up into the next division and of course I wish him well and hope he’s back with us as soon as possible.

2 minutes ago, Chris said:

I feel we fought hard this season, through injuries, suspension, poor results and bad officiating.

Well said.

Combining that list with losing Montague for the best part of a year, spanning two seasons....the way it ended with SM, the time under Gagliardi....probably all really set us back. I think most fans get this.

I don't get too angry or depressed after bad results. I've always enjoyed the whole project under the Bros. It's the clamour to throw the baby out with the bathwater that wears on me a bit.

The only think that annoys me are supporters who critise a club who are doing very well everything taken into account as @theAnticlough and @Chris have both said.

Where we have come from in the last 5 years has been truly amazing. Let's be ever thankful!

I don't knock ambition, but there are some who I find to be hard to take seriously on social media that will come out with some views or comments that leave me baffled. I do like hearing counter points, and well thought out opinions, but most complaints fall well short of that.

Calling for Martin Paterson's head after I think it was 6 games unbeaten, and on the verge of the top place left me wondering why?

Complaints that we didn't sign Ruben Rodrigues and this being a supposed sign of the club lacking ambition. Where would he fit into our current squad? Could he move around if needed? His best and only decent position for me was as an attacking midfeidler in a central position. We don't need that.

Saying it was a mistake to allow David McGoldrick to go, mostly when he's in form, is a good discussion but I feel it is used as an excuse to critise the club and our owners. People who have been a breath of fresh air, and have single handedly allowed the club to operate in its best means in decades. There are many things that I could include, but they are obvious and weak, I don't think complaining that are spending money off the pitch should come with concerns about what we spend on it.

Provided the squad we have is competitive, and the money benefits the club in the long term and squad. Which is exactly how I see the improvements; I notice people complaining about the training facilities and how we don't have them. Now we have a good agreement, which could lead to owning the training pitch as I know there's a lot of debt whilst we do have an agreement. Even leasing is beneficial because it builds our relationship with an important part of the city.

I wouldn't be surprised if we do end up buying the land that our training pitch is on, as there's a lot of property being sold due to a lack of resources and it would be smart of us to secure it for the long term.

Tsaroulla, no question

I thought overall everyone played well, in terms of stand outs Iorpenda was everywhere as per usual and so good at bursting into space on the attack as well as pressing. I was impressed with Luker in the attacking midfield role, he’s actually able to hold opposition off and has the skill to turn away from them. If his shooting was a bit sharper he could’ve had a goal too. But I’ve gone for Bedeau. I thought did really well dealing with Tovide, who usually is a nightmare for us because he is incredibly strong and quick, but they had little threat down that side all match.

The Poll has now closed. Thanks to all who voted. I'm pleased to announce that Nick Tsaroulla has been voted the Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match v Colchester. Well done Nick.

Congratulations to the players & Staff of York City for winning the Championship accumulating 108 points & 114 goals.

But I want to give a special mention to Stuart Maynard who has won his first trophy as a Manager/Head Coach. Stuart as demonstrated that he's a very good Head Coach, & I'm sure he will be a success in League 1.

Rochdale has been a team that has clashed with us many times, where they feel their support makes them a bigger club and so much false belief that I am delighted to see York City return.

What Rochdale have done is amazing, they have shown real fight and I credit them for that.

Yet, I am more pleased with York as they haven't been in the EFL for some time and they are very much a team that I feel deserve to be here. I am happy for Stuart Maynard, but more for their supporters and club because they have had it rough for quite a few years. I hope Carlisle United manage to make a return via the playoffs.

The playoffs actually look strong, and I wouldn't fancy Rochdale to keep up their season form; even Boreham Wood and Scunthorpe United would be better.

What a dramatic end to that game, I’m really pleased for Stuart Maynard who I felt was unlucky to get sacked by Notts, I’m sure he’ll do well in League 2 with York City it’s great to see them back.

One for @Michael D Pie., I wrote this yesterday but in free form but I wanted to make it rhyme.

@Chris that is one awesome piece of work, it tells a wonderful story and flows beautifully. Congratulations young man, and may your mind and pen continue to flow as one.

I felt Martin Paterson got his post-match comments wrong, he spoke about how we need to avoid excuses but seemed to put blame on the younger players. For me, it's the senior players letting us down and instead the younger players who are giving us hope. Tom Iorpenda and Jayden Luker (when he came on) did well, it's players like Rod McDonald, Jodi Jones, Matt Palmer, Matt Dennis and Lee Ndlovu who could do better.

The passing mistakes were throughout the squad, and I did note that Barnet players tended to go into challeneges with quite high feet.

They played like they wanted to win, but in a means which frustrated our players. I am sick of seeing players scrobbing, and being mardy about who should make what run/movement when they aren't exactly playing to the standard they can. I commented to my son, three senior players constantly have wobbles about aspects of the game and whilst this is signs of frustation, it's going to affect the team.

Some of the chances we had should have been taken better. But when we passed poorly and didn't defend well, we gave the opposition team an advantage.

I think we should have been bolder with the changes, Jones should have come off much sooner. We should have kept Keanan Bennetts on. Maz Kouhyar who I normally would praise, tended to make foolish decisions when dealing with a very tall counter part. He doesn't have the pace, direct skill going forward to outbeat a player like that, yet he constantly tried to do the same thing only to be shown up.

The moment Maz did try something different, something which protected the ball and his position, he got past his marker.

Matt Dennis reminded me of how Alassana Jatta sometimes appears disinterested, showing little movement and no pressing. Just running and looking an empty threat.

@Chris I thought that it was Martin Paterson's worse post match press conference since he came to Notts. I know that he feels disapointment, but he has to lift the players for the last two matches.

@menzinho

I think that Notts have to ensure that they can deal with physical and hard working sides which they simply haven't been doing to get out of this league.

Yes, well done Barrow. Oldham's run seemed to end with us - must've gone to their heads

I like where Barnet are sitting, because it makes Saturday a real play-off game in itself and a chance to see where we truly stand

Cambridge have lost 2-1 at home to Grimsby.

It's absolutely maddening how achievable automatic promotion was (is?) this season. Cambridge are third going into the last two games having won just one of their last six. And of course that was against us!

We hava a theoretical chance of third still if we buck our ideas up, but my money's on Salford. If we lose again on Saturday, the race for a play-off spot could just as easily go to the wire.

So Cambridge lost at home to Grimsby tonight.

Final score.

Cambridge 1 Grimsby 2.

Grimsby scored in the fourth minute if injury time at the end of the 2nd half.

Up to date table.

Bristol City 2-1 Norwich City

Watford 1-1 Sheffield United

Exeter City 0-2 Stockport County (joker)

Mansfield Town 0-2 Luton Town

Fleetwood Town 1-2 Chesterfield

Oldham Athletic 1-1 Salford City

Solihull Moors 1-0 Boston United

Sutton United 2-1 Altrincham

Bristol City 2 v 1 Norwich City

Watford 1 v 1 Sheffield U

Exeter 0 v 3 Stockport

Mansfield 1 v 2 Luton

Fleetwood 1 v 2 Chesterfield🤡

Oldham 0 v 1 Salford

Solihull 2 v 0 Boston

Sutton 1 v 2 Altrincham

The results:

Bristol City 2-4 Norwich City
Watford 0-2 Sheffield United
Exeter City 3-3 Stockport County
Mansfield Town 2-2 Luton Town
Fleetwood Town 1-1 Chesterfield
Oldham Athletic 1-2 Salford City
Solihull Moors 0-3 Boston United
Sutton United 1-2 Altrincham

Your predictions were great, but the real-life scores were stupid. Accordingly, poinbts are at a premium. But congrats to this round's winner @Fan of Big Tone! At the other end of the table, a couple of us are getting into the Eurovision spirit.

Overall, @william1984 is looking almost nailed on for the title while there is a three-way tie for second...

Keep your eyes peeled for Saturday's fixtures, which will appear here tomorrow. Thanks for playing!

2 hours ago, YoopEyes said:

Baffled by the criticism of McD tbh. He shone like a beacon in the 1st half when Bedeau was getting fleeced down that left side, often because Jones offers him no cover at all. Ness misplaced headers and passes but Rod McD won every aerial challenge and cleared the danger numerous times.

I don't think any other defender caused so much stress at the back, his clearing seemed thoughtless and the amount of poor passes he made I ended up losing count. I did notice his leg strapped up with tape, so maybe he's playing through an injury but he was poor all through the half he looked a major liability, and none of his headers were directed to safty but the Barnet players.

I am not posting this to say I am right, we all see things different and interpert games differently. Although re-watching the first half, i still believe Jacob Bedeau played the best role in defence and Lucas Ness, although he loses the ball a few times and makes weak passes he still defended better than Rod McDonald IMO.

McDonald's first half is noted good and bad below, as I have just re-watched the first half.

The poll has closed. Thank to all who voted.

I'm pleased to announce that Tom Iorpenda has been voted the Pride of Nottingham's Man of the Match v Barnet.

No surprise there then.

Manager of the Season is no surprise and I'm not saying Drinan hasn’t had a good season but just giving the top scorer the Player of the Season is a bit predictable. It seems to be the given in this league I’m almost certain Cheek won it last year. Can you bet on this? Cos whoever is top scorer next season, congrats!

First time we’ve not had a player in the team of the season since we’ve returned to the EFL, can’t really say anyone was super deserving either… Which in a way makes it even more impressive that we are still very close to the magical top 3 spot.

I think we need to give the ol’ radar recruitment machine a good whack and reset over the summer!

9 hours ago, Robbie said:

I still believe that the continental style has had too much influence on the English game. Bromley have shown that the physical approach & direct style is still effective & can bring success.

Well it's a world game @Robbie. We spent a couple of decades seeing England humiliated on the international stage and our club sides went backwards until we caught up for skill, technique and tactics. The top Prem sides will never veer too far away from competitive levels of those 3 things. And naturally there's a trickle down the domestic leagues.

I think Bromley will be coming back down with a thud. I wouldn't want to pay to watch them.

12 hours ago, theAnticlough said:

I think Bromley will be coming back down with a thud. I wouldn't want to pay to watch them.

Totally agree @theAnticlough

I'm also tracking Wimbledon who have been dropping like a stone - a couple of good games for Exeter and they're straight back down as well

IMO, the biggest problem at L2 level is the officiating - too many players who can't play football are allowed to make a living at the expense of those that can

I agree with you to a point @Sheffield Pie but other players suffer the same treatment and manage to stay on the field. Jodie Jones takes some knocks when he’s playing but comes up with a worldy and that’s the way to deal with it rather than seeking retribution.

Who can forget the horrendous treatment Jack Grealish used to get every match getting kicked all over the park but he just got on with it and answered in the best way by showing what a great player he is.

Jatta needs to learn, however you cant deny his goals have got us in the position we are so he is certainly an asset he just needs to channel that aggression as others have said.

The sending offs at times this season have been a concern, but it's not just Alassana Jatta, but others like Ollie Norburn.

I wasn't that annoyed by Norburn's second sendiing off, in a short space of time, but Jatta's antics do put us in a situation where we would be better off with him than without. Norburn's position in the squad is a luxary, with the amount of players we have and I don't think players who are given suspension for silly red or multiple yellow cards should waltz straight back into the team.

Though, I don't hold it against them. Albeit it is still different when the event is avoided.

I have a strong feeling he will be departing after the end of this season, some seem to think his injuries will put clubs off but I can see teams being interested in him. It would just be a shame to see him leave on a free, because there is value in selling him and it could be re-invested.

I can't say much about the incident, as I haven't seen it but many who did seem outraged and annoyed by it which I fully understand.

Alassana Jatta has to take responsibility for what he has done, because he keeps letting this sort of behaviour affect not only himself but also the club that employs him. His suspension has come at a bad time, and letting him go does feel like the right choice, although I do think we are a better side when he is focused and fully committed.

I do not feel he is fully behind us based on how needless that card was, especially at such an important point in the season. It is a real shame that a fee now seems very unlikely.

Anyone able to name the scorers? I was probably there (had a junior season ticket) but can't remember anything about it. Some incredibly memorable games that season but not that one!

Looking back at the records, this was one of only two wins in the last 11 games of the season. A stronger finish and we might have ended up in the top half, above Forest.

Conscious as I'm typing this that it's ancient history - the equivalent of me in 1982 hearing from some old guy about the inter-war years.

I've scoffed at people calling the club's finances "sustainable" before, but this puts it into perspective. How on earth does a club as small as Port Vale lose 6 million in a single season? Were they paying Championship wages? Were fans getting in for free?

Port Vale losing £6 million for the privilege of one season in League 1 was so not worth it. Fleetwood with a small fanbase and such big losses isn't good either. In fact it makes for pretty dreadful reading, a bar chart with the bars all facing the wrong way... Who'd be a football club owner eh?

@menzinho The finances refer to 2024/2025 season. Port Vale had been an EFL1 club.

A reminder to all that Morecambe, FGR and Carlisle have slipped quickly from EFL1 to National League status very quickly.

Disgraceful! And now they have Essex's finest ****head as the owner.

Wait for them to become Chelsea's reserve team and rely heavily on the connections of his playing days, if anyone thinks John Terry owning a football club is a good thing needs to be mindful how this may potentially unfold.

The footie result yesterday was gut wrenching...but the level of money being thrown at Salford is also key. £3.4m at least 2.4 times the level of losses at Notts.

Oh for a Didzy to have come back in January to have helped us.

It's why they brought in those other moneybags I wish not to name, in order to further band roll the club but that indidual appears to be only want involvement when they are higher up. The amount of losses is a disgrace, and I don't see how it's fair to bank roll that amount of debts.

I hear someone saying, hold up, wait a minute....

Our owners wiped off a large amount of historical debts that were deliberately hidden during multiple takeovers. There's a difference between covering past debts due to mismanagement, and a club over spending to buy themselves out of a league they shouldn't even be in. Their rise to the EFL wasn't amazing like it was portrayed; it only happened because of the involvement of the squad of 92. I have more respect for Hashtag United.

Clubs don’t get to use it freely. Typically they must prove:

They have no fit professional goalkeeper available

The situation is temporary

The loan is short-term (often 7 days at a time)

Absolute Rubbish, not been thought through at all.

26 minutes ago, Michael D Pie. said:

Clubs don’t get to use it freely. Typically they must prove:

They have no fit professional goalkeeper available

The situation is temporary

The loan is short-term (often 7 days at a time)

Absolute Rubbish, not been thought through at all.

I'm sorry but if the absence is due to a suspension for serious foul play, the club should forfeit the use of a professional goalkeeper. Injuries yes, suspensions no.

12 hours ago, theAnticlough said:

It's an extension of the overprotection of keepers I think.

Mark Stallard made comments about the keeper that came on for them, and that's probably their excuse, but it's not good when the offending player was sent off. It's no punishment to allow them to bring in a replacement; they should have addressed this in the extension window.

It's not an injury, or a reasonable alloweance.

Effectively they might have well had undone the suspension, because bringing in a replacement effectively does this.

This is an overreach and a clear instance of Cambridge United abusing the loan system to rectify a behavioral decision. As their keeper didn't have to hand the ball, it was an incredibly stupid action which should be correctly punished. Unfortunately, this is a get out of jail free card for them. The fact they have been allowed to unfairly bring in a keeper to replace a suspended player is an absolute joke.

8 hours ago, Michael D Pie. said:

@Chris you can't beat quality food, and it sounds like you have a gem in Mark who really does sound like a Saint, good people like him are a Godsend. Looks like morning into early afternoon is you best bet to be rain free, so make the most of it my friend. 🌥🌦🌧

Mark has always been like family to me. Although we drifted apart a few years ago, he has consistently provided support-not just for me, but for my entire family. I wished he would consider coming back here, because he massively cared and tried to help.

He's a very good chef though, and I have enjoyed home-made food made by him such as burgers. I don't know anybody who focuses so much on the quality of his food, or what goes into his meals. He doesn't just put anything in, but what is quality and fresh. Hopefully, he manages to get his portable business going one day because I have no doubt it would be a success.

Morning all, the next few days are going to be busy for us, we are going away until Sunday, we’re meeting up with 14 old friends on a campsite and having a meal on Saturday organised by yours truly, you can’t believe how hard it has been getting this meet up together to everyone’s satisfaction and finding a restaurant to accommodate us.

I just hope the weather stays fine for a few days, we’ll be in a static van the rest are in motorhomes and caravans. Sadly it means I’ll miss the match on Saturday which is really bad planning, it didn’t seem so important last year when I was planning the trip.

20 hours ago, Chris said:

He's a very good chef though, and I have enjoyed home-made food made by him such as burgers. I don't know anybody who focuses so much on the quality of his food, or what goes into his meals. He doesn't just put anything in, but what is quality and fresh

You are well blessed @Chris having such a wonderful person in your life. Our second Son is just the same, he always uses the best fresh ingredients and spices, the aroma when he is cooking makes ones mouth water. I wish him well with the portable business, our son is looking at the same and making chicken and vegetarian wraps, spicy and non spicy. Another possible Gordon Ramsey 👨‍🍳 🤔

@Fan of Big Tone i hope the weekend goes well, the forecast is good 👍 🌤🌞

Just back from walking the dogs, the weather is beautiful, with the birds singing and the wind whispering through the trees. No one else here, just me and the boys, soooooooo peaceful and tranquil. Have a good day everyone.

🤠🐶🐶