But that will be the same for every game between now and the end of the
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The omens aren't great. The Magpies havea poor recent record against Town, and they have a new manager in the form of Keith Alexander who has allegedly turned the Notts job down twice and as a Forest fan has exacted plenty of defeats on the black and whites.
But for Ian McParland's men, the message is crystal clear: Start playing every game as if your life depended on a win, because the life of the club certainly depends on it.
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Notts - McParland has plenty of injury worries to contend with. At the back he is depleted with Lee Canoville the latest to suffer an injury. The right-back has a groin strain and is out, while goalkeepers Tim Sandercombe and Kevin Pilkington are also out, as is midfielder Gavin Strachan. Stephen Hunt is rated as 50:50.
Macclesfield - Team news to follow with Keith Alexander likely to change to a 5-3-2 formation.
Form guide
Notts - Just two wins in 14 for Notts, both coming against the woefully out of form Chester City. In February Notts drew and lost twice, winning just once. The Magpies are now 21st in League Two, just four points above the drop zone. Away from home Notts have just two wins to their name, with nine draws and five defeats.
Macclesfield - The Silkmen are in even worse form than Notts, having won just twice in 18 games. Currently they are on a losing streak of three games, and lost all but one of their six February games. At home Macclesfield have lost nine times, winning just two and drawing six. Town are one place and two points below Notts.
Last time out
Notts County 0-1 Macclesfield Town - Saturday November 17, 2007
At a time where Notts seemed to be turning the corner under recently
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Francis Green came up with their decisive strike after 63 minutes, turning onto a loose ball in the box with a crisp volley past a stranded Kevin Pilkington.
In a poor game, neither side deserved to win it, with Notts' best chance falling to Adam Tann whose header was cleared off the line late on by Green.
A then in-form Lawrie Dudfield also went close with a thunderous shot that was superbly saved by Tommy Lee in the Macclesfield goal.
Key men
Notts - If Notts can't score against a poor Macclesfield defence then it is difficult to understand how they can stay up.
That makes the frontmen hugely important so both Ryan Jarvis and Danny Crow are key. Both have opened their Notts accounts recently, with Jarvis
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Crow is the more likely of the two to develop into the long-term leading scorer owing to his better finishing ability and that makes him the key man.
The potential he has to grab a goal out of nothing, with his natural finishing ability, could decide the game in Notts' favour. It may only take one.
Macclesfield - Francis Green hit the winner at Meadow Lane, and his experience will be crucial for a Macclesfield side in freefall.
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Green showed his class at this level in the reverse fixture, with a fine finish from only a half-chance.
The key thing for Green is his reunion with former manager Keith Alexander who had him on his books during a successful stint at Lincoln City.
Green was one of Alexander's first names on the teamsheet in a left wing to striker role and scored against Notts then too.
He is a chief threat.
Big battle
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He will come tow-to-toe with Notts' leading scorer Richard Butcher, who has had a fine personal season.
Despite an otherwise quiet game, Butcher still popped up with a genuine moment of class to break into Bradford's box to set up Jarvis' strike, and his ability to go almost unnoticed into the penalty area will have to be watched by Tolley, who will be charged with marking Butcher.
Butcher is a firm favourite of Alexander's with the former Ilkeston Town boss
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Alexander however will be aware of his threat and will have Tolley on the job, and briefed.
Possible line-ups
Notts (4-4-2) - Russell Hoult; Gary Silk, Adam Tann, Mike Edwards, Paul Mayo; Ali Gibb, Richard Butcher, Jay Smith, Myles Weston; Danny Crow, Ryan Jarvis.
Macclesfield (5-3-2) - Johnny Brain; Luke Dimech, Sean Hessey, Ryan Cresswell; Danny Thomas, Richard Edghill; Jamie Tolley, Levi Reid, James Ashmore; Francis Green, Michael Symes.
Prediction
This is a real toughy to predict. I'm going to have to go safe and say it will be a draw which won't please anybody. 1-1