Need help or a clue in my super fiendish sudoku puzzle please

[LindorDoubleChoc]

Been stuck on this one for days! Has anyone got a hint they can give me? I'm going to be VV embarrassed if it turns out to be something obvious 🤣

Have you not tried writing in all the possible numbers in each box? That often reveals a number - or yields pairs, which means you can discount some of the other numbers.

Use a propelling pencil with a rubber on the end, and write in tiny writing what the possibles are. For instance, in the first box, the left hand three number have to be either 4,5 or 7, because vertically, they are the only three numbers missing from that column.

Looking across you can then see which boxes are 4/5, 4/7 or 5/7. Go all over the puzzle putting in all the definite maybes in pencil.

Row 5 column 7 has to be a 3 (I think)

OK - I've done it now

Row 5, column 7 is a 3.

@LindorDoubleChoc how do you want me to help you? Other than telling you all the answers!

Top right 9 goes between the 8 and 2 on bottom line

No not sure now
thought I had it

You are right @frozendaisy - row 3, column 8 is a 9

What other posters have said about going through and writing all possibilities in pencil. Look at pairs so that other numbers can be eliminated, look at each box and each line and column. There will be places where only one number is possible.
I've never failed to solve any sudoku this way, done thousands.

I've done all of this which is why I'm asking for help.

I can't find any matching pairs or triples of missing numbers, or any of the other usual "one step ahead" clues. I can do most fiendish or difficult puzzles and some super fiendish ones, but this one's proving a bit tricky!

You need to show us the version where you’ve filled in all the notes so we can see what’s happening.

I've taken a photograph of the completed puzzle, if that would help? Or I could just tell you the top line or the middle box.

Solving this one was mostly about pairs

A clue for you:

In column 1, rows 1, 2 and 3 can only be the numbers 4, 5 and 7 - so you can delete them from the rest of that square

Sorry - just realised @whaddayawannado has already given you that!

Well done BIWI! Don't suppose you remember which was the first square you solved?

I started with the 4/5/7 in the top lefthand square.

I've just done it too.

The starting point for me was (apart from your contribution OP) was getting the number in
Row 6
Column 5

Sorry, I keep cross posting. But at the moment I can't see why row 5 column 7 is a 3. The 3 could also go in column 9.

It was quite the head scratcher though! But then I've not done a sudoku in years 😄 so thanks for that!

It's not 3, it's 7

@NowNumber5 - thank you! I can't see why it can't be 5 or 6 though?

Row 6, column 5 is a 5

... and yes, 3 is in column 9

I think the very first square is a 4.

Is that enough to get you going @LindorDoubleChoc ?
Or do you want any more clues?
Hopefully you're well on your way now 🤗

Yes