There were a few positives to take from Saturday's game and Notts now have the perfect oppurtunity to climb the table, with 2 home games in quick succession on the way.
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The main positives on Saturday were ofcourse, the result and the fact that we climbed off the bottom of the table for the first time this season.
 | Bolland- had a blinder |
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Other positives included the decent turn-out and noise from the Notts fans, the back 4 looking by far the most solid it has done this season, Stallard looking much nearer his best and an excellent individual display from Paul Bolland.
However, the display was by no means faultless and Notts must continue to improve, rather than stay on this level.
The game was rightly billed as a 6 pointer and it looked like 2 struggling sides, especially in the first half.
Notts did up their game somewhat second half and clearly out classed the home side, who look like a relegated side in the making.
Part of the reason Notts still looked like a somewhat struggling side is the goal- scoring side of things.
After failing to score in our first four opening league games, we have now scored 1 in each of the next 3.
Notts were nervously hanging on in the last 5 minutes in a game where they should of at least added a second to kill off the opposition.
 | Super sub again? |
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With Mark Stallard still to score this season, it's hard to see where other goals could come from on a regular basis, especially if for the third consecutive season, Paul Heffernan is relegated to a super-sub role.
In my opinion, this is bound to effect Stall, knowing that he is required to score another bundle this season or Notts could be in dire trouble.
Amazing pressure on the mans shoulders, i'm sure you'll agree.
Right, now to the 2 games on the way this week.
Notts can realistically hope for at least 4 points, maybe 6, from the two home games, Rushden Tuesday and Tranmere on Saturday.
Rushden currently lie in 11th place and have scored an impressive 12 goals so far this season.
 | Onandi Lowe- big danger man |
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However, five of those have come from Jamaican striker Onandi Lowe who will surely go on to play at a higher level, sooner rather then later.
Ex Crewe striker Rodney Jack also carries a threat, not to mention Paul Hall, who equalled Lowe's haul of 16 league goals last season.
In this case, Rushden carry a huge threat going forward, but they're not so strong in defence where they have let in 12 goals- only 1 less than us!
I predict we can at least get a score draw from this game, because as Brentford proved on Saturday, stop Lowe and you stop Rushden.
Notts then have another home game Saturday, this time facing Liverpool lads Tranmere.
They are curently in 17th spot after narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season.
I can't see them challenging this year though and should Notts play well, they should expect 3 points.
Lose the next 2 games and Notts can expect a season of real struggle, but should they score a couple of goals against Rushden it could set the tone for the season.
Basically the message is, SCORE!!!!!
U PIES!
rob@nottscounty-mad.co.uk
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