Notts v Wycombe... BIG match preview

Last updated : 25 April 2008 By Paul Smith
This is it then. The final home game of a tumultuous campaign - easily the worst I have known in about 16 years as a regular.

As we should have expected, Notts shot themselves in the foot and failed to deliver when it mattered at Wrexham last week, meaning it is probably going
Stay off the pitch
to go to next week, and a final day trip to Chesterfield.

But a win for Notts on Saturday will do, we have to hope they deliver this time.

The League Two table has made for depressing reading all season, but it may make for more pleasant viewing come 5pm on Saturday, and Ian McParland's men have to make sure that is the case against a Wycombe side sure of a play-off place now.

The Kop has been given to Notts fans again, after it was such a huge help for the vital home win over Accrington Stanley a fortnight ago.

The fans now have a duty to deliver the goods again, and also to refrain from entering the pitch at the end of the game, which who knows, could be costly to the long-term efforts to get the Kop back on a regular basis. The message
Palmer... In line for Lane return
is, don't do it.

COME ON NOTTS!!!

Team news

Notts
- Michael Johnson is expected to recover in time to play, while Kevin Pilkington is also set to declare himself available for selection. Gavin Strachan and Jay Smith are sidelined, but Gary Silk is fit.

Wycombe - With a play-off position now secured, boss Paul Lambert may rest key personel, meaning former Notts man Chris Palmer could be in line for a rare start after appearing on the bench last week. Leon Knight is suspended.

Form guide

Notts
- It has been a sorry April so far for the Magpies with three defeats out of four, the other a most needed home win over Accrington. Those three defeats have all came away, allowing Notts to a decent recent home run of seven points from the last possible nine. The last six games have produced two draws, three defeats and one win.

Wycombe - The Wanderers have been extremely consistent and hard to beat all season and that has continued of late, as they are unbeaten in six. That run includes three draws and three wins, and they come into the game on the back of two wins. Paul Lambert's men are seventh in League Two.

Last time out

Wycombe 3-1 Notts County, Saturday October 6, 2007, Adams Park

Ten-man Notts fell to a deserved loss after a dominant Wycombe cut loose towards the end of the game despite a shock Notts equaliser.

It was goalless at the break somehow, despite incessant home pressure, with Scott McGleish striking the bar and the superb Sergio Torres testing the backline several times.
Mayo... Saw red at Adams Park


Martin Bullock was also impressive and he brought a couple of saves from Kevin Pilkington.

Sam Stockley hit the woodwork for Wycombe, striking the post after a good run, while Notts went close through Hector Sam who also grazed the crossbar.

But the deadlock was broken shortly after the break when Paul Mayo hauled down a speeding Bullock in the box to give away a penalty and earn a straight red card.

John Sutton cooly slotted past Pilkington, but Notts didn't give up the fight, despite McGleish having a goal disallowed, and Jason Lee was twice denied, one by an excellent Frank Fielding stop.

And Richard Butcher came up with a counter-attacking equaliser, latching onto a fine cross from Hector Sam to rifle home on 68 minutes.

However, Wycombe turned the screw and led once more soon after McGleish finally got his goal with a fine finish on the turn before it was wrapped up on 82 through Matt Bloomfield.

Key men

Notts
- Richard Butcher must net tomorrow if he is to continue his impressive record of scoring in each month of the season.

The eleven goal top scorer has hit a barren spell, not scoring since the 1-1 draw at Macclesfield Town some eleven games ago.

Butcher has popped up with some crucial strikes this term and will need to do so again with the Chairboys a tough proposition at the back.

His runs from deep will be vital, and he notched after a late run into the penalty area in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

The former Lincoln City midfielder isn't in the greatest of form, but he can score goals, can create things and works hard making him a matchwinner in the making.

Wycombe - You can not look any further than the excellent Scott McGleish who has enjoyed his finest goalscoring season yet, in a prolific career.

The 34-year-old has hit the net no fewer than 26 times this season, several
of them absolute crackers including the one against Notts at Adams Park.

He is a real top class finisher and on his day can destroy even the best of defences in the lower leagues, and Notts are one of those in League Two.

His guile, willingness and experience make him a marked threat and he will be itching to add to his already impressive tally as he chases the League Two golden boot.

Big battle

In the centre of the park is likely to be two free-kick kings past and present of Meadow Lane as current Notts man Neil MacKenzie lines up against former Magpie Stefan Oakes.

Both have similar attributes with their good set-piece delivery, eye for the special goal, experience and ability to win football matches for their team.

It means that whoever stamps their authority this time
around could do just that.

Neither of them are likely to maraud into challenges and are sure to be marked by somebody else in the middle area, but the battle is going to be intense as they attempt to dominate the proceedings.

Possible line-ups

Notts (4-4-2)
- Russell Hoult; Adam Tann, Mike Edwards, Michael Johnson, Stephen Hunt; Ryan Jarvis, Richard Butcher, Neil MacKenzie, Myles Weston; Jason Lee, Danny Crow.

Wycombe (4-1-3-2) - Frank Fielding; Russell Martin, Leon Johnson, Mike Williamson, Craig Woodman; Gary Holt; Tommy Doherty, Stefan Oakes, Sergio Torres; Scott McGleish, Delroy Facey.

Prediction

I'm hoping other results go Notts' way because I can only see defeat here. The pressure is going to be intense, and Wycombe are a top side. 1-2 Chairboys.