Notts Co Preview

By: Alex Green
Date: 10/08/2007

THE oldest league club in the world face the greatest league club in the world for the start of a season we all hope will end our run at the bottom of the league ladder.

County were so privileged to open their campaign on the banks of the Humber that they held a three day Riverside Festival last week to celebrate the fact.

It’s time, the waiting has finally come to an end; the days of reading about absolutely nothing are over. As we can exclusively reveal the season is about to begin and at a football pitch near you none the less. The hope is the start of the season doesn’t follow on from last time Sir Alan Buckley got us promoted (a 4-1 drubbing against Bristol City) and that its 46 clean wins from now until May.

The Opposition

Overview It’s been a fairly stable break in Nottingham as the club only sustained one loss to the squad during the pre season. Though the loss of David Pipe to Bristol Rovers is one to cause a worry to some Magpie fans Steve Thompson (left) has done his best to stabilise the squad with Richard Butcher and Lee Canoville replacing the dynamic midfielder. The hope is that County will find the net more this season with Lee scoring 16 put to the side it was a struggle to see who would supply the goals with the next highest only managing seven in Lawrie Dudfield. Lee didn’t just count up an impressive goal tally with a Tony Cranesque style disciplinary rating with 18 yellow cards. The Team With Lee (left) at full strength and Parkinson on form it’s an impressive attacking frontline which towns defence will have to deal with this Saturday. The strong and aggressive tactics had Town on the ropes at Meadow Lane last season with a two nil defeat for The Mariners. County defence is strong experienced and reliable with the likes of Paul Mayo and ex Mariner Mike Edwards to help experienced keeper Kevin Pilkington keep the clean sheets. Key Player Andy Parkinson (left). Town’s former headless chicken has started the pre season well with impressive performance’s in the run up to the start of the season. On his day he can be the winning ingredient for any team when he’s on form. Alas as we know when he’s off form it can be like watching a Benny Hill sketch for ninety minutes. Fortunately for Notts the former is the one taking to the pitch recently, scoring several goals in pre-season accompanied by a string of good performances. The former town midfielder has been at the club since his departure from Blundell Park two years ago and has impressed the fan base at Meadow Lane since his arrival. With a total of five goals last season and the chances of sods law, expect something to happen if the bald one is on the pitch come Saturday.

Team News

Town Notts Co Paul Bolland should return after missing the friendly with Scnuthorpe through a groin strain, otherwise Town have a full squad to pick from. Steve Thompson will watch the game from the stands as he has incurred a two match ban from the touchline. A number of County’s fans have also been suspended due to a pitch hangbags session after the match against Forest a few weeks ago. Notts County defender Mike Edwards will be missing from the squad which travels to Blundell Park. Second-choice goalkeeper Tim Sandercombe will also be absent after sustaining a hamstring tear. Jay Smith (hamstring) and Myles Weston (hamstring) face late fitness tests. Gary Silk has also been rated doubtful after succumbing to a heel problem while Adam Tann has an ankle knock and Spencer Weir-Daley a groin injury.

Probable Teams

Town Notts Co 1 GK Barnes 5 D Fenton 15 D Whittle 5 D Bennett 3 D Newey 2 M Clarke 7 M Till 18 M Bore 8 M Bolland 10 M Toner 12 F Rankin 1 GK Pilkington 3 D McCann 4 D Hunt 17 D R.Austin 15 D Mayo TBA M Butcher 10 M Dudfield 8 M MacKenzie 11 F Parkinson 9 F Lee 19 F Mendes

Subs

Town Notts Co 13 Montgomery 11 Boshell 9 North 20 Taylor 19 Jones 20 Sandercombe 16 M.Austin 14 Frost 21 Weir Daley 7 Smith

Head to Head

Town have the upper hand over Notts Co in their 72 meetings to date, although the Magies have scored more goals. P 72 W 31 D 16 L 25 F 101 A 104 Notts Co Head-to-Head (32nd on The Opposition Ladder)

Last Meeting

Town put on one of their poorest displays of last season with a 2-0 reverse at home to County. Former Mariners Mendes and Lee rubbed salt into the wound by scoring both goals.   Report

Prediction

It will be a close game but what the hell a strong start from Buckley’s men. Grimsby Town 2-0 Nott’s County Reader's POMs

Directions

Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

Admission Prices

Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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