NCM picks versus Chester City

Goalkeeper - Almost a copy and paste from every week, but there remains just one choice given his excellent form. Kevin Pilkington has been a star man in recent weeks, and his experience is being relied upon time and again.









Defence - Ian McParland is down to the bare bones at the back so this is the simplest and most forced back four NCM have had to choose from so far. Krystian Pearce has moved back to Birmingham which is a huge loss give his performances, while Guy Branston is injured and Mike Edwards still a couple of games away from a long awaited return. That leaves Lee Canoville, Adam Tann, Stephen Hunt and Austin McCann as the likely choice - although Gary Silk may come into contention at right back. NCM would go with the first four.









Midfield - This is the area where McParland seems a litte spoilt for choice at the moment. He can choose between Ali Gibb or Andy Parkinson on the right. On the left there is top young talent in Myles Weston and Felix Bastians, while in the centre Gavin Strachan and Richard Butcher have new competition from the returning Jay Smith and the out of favour Matt Somner and Gary Silk. Neil MacKenzie is the only unavailable middle man. Gibb deserevs time to prove his abilities and should start on the right, while Bastians has been in good form on the left. In the centre Smith should be eased back in given the length of his spell out, although a place in the squad is a must, and a big boost for Notts. Butcher remains the chief goal threat and must start, and Strachan looks a good foil alongside him with his industrious nature.









Strikers - The problem area. With the surprise that no new forward has been added this week, McParland is again stuck with the strikers who continue to miss the target. NCM would go with Spencer Weir-Daley this week after a spurt of promise at Bradford, while Lawrie Dudfield is a good creative outlet next to him. Hector Sam and Jason Lee have been particularly poor and should be on the bench.