Notts v Stanley... VITAL match preview

Last updated : 11 April 2008 By Paul Smith
The Kop is back in the hands of Notts County's fans and I for one shall be venturing over to lend my vocal support from as high up as we are possibly allowed. I couldn't care less if the other three sides are empty, let us just get some vocal support in Notts' hour of need.
Meadow Lane... Ready to be three quarters empty


It has become ridiculously close this relegation battle, and these four games will be nerve-racking, potentially career-making, and certainly club-defining games as Notts battle to avoid an horrific drop into the Conference.

It can't be allowed to happen, and this excellent decision by chairman John Armstrong-Holmes to take the vociferous Kop stand from the visitors and give it Notts, and at just a fiver too, is all the incentive fans need to get behind the club they love.

If you disagree with how it's being run, cant stand the players, think we'll lose, please just come anyway. Because there might not be a club worth
Pilkington... Positive but still out
supporting much longer if wins don't come soon - starting here.

You Pies!

Team news

Notts
- Kevin Pilkington is out, despite positive news this week, as is Gavin Strachan. There are doubts over Jay Smith, Paul Mayo, Stephen Hunt, Adam Tann and Gary Silk.

Stanley - One time Notts loan star Leam Richardson misses out on a Meadow Lane return through suspension. Aswad Thomas is also suspended, while Darren Kempson has been recalled by Shrewsbury, ending his loan stay at Stanley.

Form guide

Notts
- After a vital four match unbeaten run, Notts were on the end of back-to-back defeats in Greater Manchester on Saturday at Bury, and Rochdale on Tuesday. It means that Notts have won just once in their last ten games, losing four. At Meadow Lane, Notts have just one win in seven and they are now just three points above the drop zone in League Two.

Stanley - Accrington ended a run of four straight defeats when they did Notts a favour by beating Dagenham & Redbridge 1-0 last Friday. On their travels, John Coleman's side have a healthy record with eight wins to their name, two draws and eleven defeats, although they have lost their last three away from the Fraser Eagle Stadium. Stanley are 17th, seven points ahead of Notts.

Last time out

Accrington Stanley 0-2 Notts County, Saturday November 3, 2007, Fraser Eagle Stadium.

Notts will be on course for a double on Saturday, following November's comfortable win.

Liverpool loanee Craig Lindfield picked up a debut goal and man of the match award after an excellent showing, while strike partner Lawrie Dudfield got on
Lindfield... Debut strike
the scoresheet too.

The Magpies were dominant throughout, putting in one of their better displays of the campaign, during the early stages of Ian McParland's reign, having 69 per cent of the overall possession.

Lindfield's only goal for the club came after 23 minutes when Dudfield knocked the ball into his path and he hit an unstoppable half-volley over goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin and into the net.

He almost repeated the trick just before the break, by which time Notts stopper Kevin Pilkington had thwarted Roscoe D'Sane from point blanck range.

After the break Stanley upped the ante with D'Sane twice going close, and Ian Craney also hitting an effort on Pilkington's net.

But Notts were still good value for the lead and extended it late on as Austin McCann brilliantly crossed for Dudfield to silence the doubters with a fine diving header, reminiscent of the one that earned Notts a win at Torquay last season.

Key men

Notts
- Neil MacKenzie is likely to be given another chance to show he shouldn't have been dropped after a fair midweek performance in which he
netted from the spot.

Fans have clamoured for the playmaker to return, and he will be required to put in a good shift against Stanley with Notts needing a win.

MacKenzie is a potential match winner, and one of the league's finest on his day with his range of passing, dead ball delivery and goalscoring feats.

If he starts, and puts his foot on the ball, Notts should create openings and get the goals necessary to take a vital three points.

MacKenzie should be eager to prove a point to McParland, and to do so he must let his feet do the talking.

Has always been in better form at Meadow Lane than away from home, and perhaps owes the fans for their support of him despite his troubled few months on the bench.

Stanley - Defender Phil Edwards made NCM's team of the weekend last week following an excellent display in Stanley's win over the Daggers.

And his form has been pretty impressive of late, with his strength in the air
sure to be key if McParland chooses to start Jason Lee once more.

Edwards found the net in the Daggers game and got back to clear one off the line as Stanley clung on.

That was their first clean sheet for six games, and Edwards was the main reason why.

His versatilty is vital for Coleman as he can play across the whole back four, and his will to do a job and put his body on the line will be a danger to Notts' chances of scoring.

Has a never say die attitude that will be difficult for Notts to faze.

Big battle

Michael Johnson had a second half nightmare, easily his worst since his
Notts return, as Rochdale netted four past Notts on Tuesday.

But the defensive stalwart is an experienced man to bounce back immediately, and his ability shouldn't be questioned. If I had to place a bet on a likely man of the match I'd still say Johnno right now.

The man oozes class and remains too good for this level, and a return to form will be crucial given taht he will be marking a player of similar stature to Dale's Rene Howe who caused Johnson so many problems at Spotland.

That is Stanley's 13-goal top scorer Paul Mullin, there top scorer for the past four seasons and a club legend.


Mullin is a tall, powerful, experienced and uncompromising figure who holds the hopes of many Stanley fans in his feet.

Currently on a barren spell of just two goals in his last 16 games, Mullin will be doing his damndest to get back on the goal trail, making his battle with Johnson all the more interesting.

Possible line-ups

Notts (4-4-2)
- Russell Hoult; Adam Tann, Mike Edwards, Michael Johnson, Paul Mayo; Wayne Corden, Neil MacKenzie, Richard Butcher, Myles Weston; Jason Lee, Danny Crow.

Stanley (4-4-2) - Kenny Arthur; Peter Cavanagh, Sean Webb, Phil Edwards, Robbie Williams; Andy Todd, Ian Craney, Andy Procter, Robert Grant; Paul Mullin, Shaun Whalley.

Prediction

Notts will return to their defensive best with a clean sheet here. That will mean a single goal will be enough, but with so much riding on the game, I fancy Notts to net two goals in one game for the second successive outing!
2-0 Magpies