Notts v Morecambe... BIG Match Preview

The Shrimps arrive at Meadow Lane with a growing reputation. Former Northern Ireland boss Sammy Mcllroy has transformed the Seasiders having

guided them through the Conference playoffs to shock Exeter City last season and now take the Carling Cup by storm.

Just as Notts did themselves last term, Morecambe have twice performed giant killing acts so far in the competition knocking out both Preston North End and Wolves, both of the Championship.

Not only that but Mcllroy is the new League Two manager of the month. Can that dreaded curse strike?

Team News

Notts - Jason Lee sits out the second match of his suspension while Myles Weston enters the second week of a four week lay-off. Long term injury victim Mike Edwards continues with his rehabilitation but remains some way off a return to action. Otherwise manager Steve Thompson has a clean bill of health and must now decide whether to stick with the 4-4-2 employed at Darlington or revert back to the maligned 4-3-3. Andy Parkinson is pushing for a start after impressing as a sub against the Quakers.

Morecambe - Could be unchanged from the midweek win at Wolves with Mcllroy keen to give those who performed so heroically another chance. However substitute Jon Newby did hit a crucial goal in that clash and is pushing for a start.

Form guide

Notts - To say the very least Notts have been consistent so far in League Two notching three draws from three. Including the Carling Cup, Notts are winless in four and taking the last few games of last season, without a competitive win in eight.

Morecambe - Their Carling Cup exploits have captured the nation having disposed of Preston and Wolves, just this week, in the opening two rounds.

Mcllroy... Confidence in his side

League wise the Shrimps defeated Mansfield Town last time out and have also drew with Barnet. They did lose on their travels at Wrexham though.

The view

Notts - Manager Steve Thompson said: "The main thing is we win our home games and then win as many as possible away from home. It is a simple equation. One thing I know is I have a hard-working set of players who want to be successful. It won't just happen overnight and it won't happen without hard work. That is what we have got to put in, hard work."

Morecambe - Manager Sammy Mcllroy: "We know we have to adapt quickly to the Football League from our time in the Conference. I'm very proud of the lads and the fact that we've got our first win. (After the Mansfield game)"

Key men

Parkinson... Notts will want more of the same

Notts - Andy Parkinson finally showed what he is about after being dropped last week. When entering the fray for Spencer Weir-Daley around the hour mark with Notts a goal down at Darlington, the decision wasn't widely received. However, the Liverpudlian responded brilliantly instigating Notts' fight back by taking the game to the league leaders. He set up the first and provided other chances. He is expected to regain his starting berth now and if he shows that form Morecambe have a tough little customer to stop.

Morecambe - Goalkeeper Joe Lewis has earnt a first ever call up to the England under-21 squad having impressed so far this campaign.

Lewis, on loan with the Shrimps until the end of the season from Norwich City, has mainly caught the eye owing to Morecambe's well publicised superb Carling Cup run.

He was simply outstanding in the win at Wolves keeping out a full strength attack featuring Freddie Eastwood and Andy Keogh, except for a late Keogh penalty, and his shot stopping abilities will make it hard for Notts to break him down. He may well frustrate the already misfiring Notts frontline.

Big battle

Richard Butcher v Jim Bentley.

Despite not covering himself in glory with his all-round showings, as he admits himself, Butcher is the man of the moment for Notts with his three goals in three games.

All three have shown his outstanding ability to be in the right place at the right time arriving from deep and with Bentley integral to the Shrimps defence, he will be charged with coping with Butcher's runs.

Bentley has been in good form at the back and is a no-nonsense defender typical of Conference football as he takes no prisoners, including roaming midfielders.

The duo also go head-to-head with Aaron McLean and Dave Hibbert for the August Player of the Month gong and whoever comes out on top will surely edge in front in the battle.

Likely line-ups

Notts - (Thompson is expected to go back to 4-3-3) Kevin Pilkington, Lee Canoville, Adam Tann, Stephen Hunt, Paul Mayo, Jay Smith, Richard Butcher, Neil MacKenzie, Andy Parkinson, Lawrie Dudfield, Spencer Weir-Daley.

Hunt... Set-piece threat

Morecambe - (4-4-2) Joe Lewis, Jim Bentley, David Artell, Adam Yates, Neil Sorvell, Carl Baker, Craig Stanley, Michael Twiss, Wayne Curtis, Jon Newby, Danny Adams.

Drapes' prediction

Notts will give Mcllroy the manager of the month hangover and get that much needed first win of the campaign. 2-1 will be sufficient against a dogged side. Sticking my neck out - Lawrie Dudfield and Stephen Hunt the scorers.