Rotherham V Notts... BIG match preview

Finally, for what seems an age, Notts actually won a competitive football match last weekend courtesy of a 1-0 success over Dagenham and Redbridge. That was the first win in twelve games when Notts defeated Wrexham 1-0 last season.

Millmoor... Scene of Notts' first away win?

At the time that made it four wins in four for Notts, and how a similar run would help the club now considering all the doom and gloom that has set in after a poor start to a campaign that promised success.

In Rotherham they face a side new to League Two having been relegated from League One last season.

Neither side have hit the ground running yet and as they clash at Millmoor, a victory for one of the sides could move them into a playoff place, a small comfort even at this early stage.

Team News

Notts - Andy Parkinson is in contention for a return to the squad after coming

Smith... Set to miss out

through a heavy week of training. He missed the win over Dagenham but with Jay Smith out injured there is a gap in the squad. Neil MacKenzie, the goal hero last week, should take Smith's place in the starting eleven. Mike Edwards and Myles Weston remain on the sidelines.

Rotherham - Mark Robins has injury doubts over Ian Sharps and Derek Holmes. If Holmes doesn't make it then former Notts loanee Chris O'Grady will get the nod after scoring from the bench last week.

Form guide

Notts - A first competitive win in twelve came courtesy of a solitary MacKenzie goal against the Daggers. Having drew four and lost one before that it was a welcome boost for the Magpies. Steve Thompson's men have scored just six goals in six games, two from MacKenzie and four from fellow midfielder Richard Butcher. Kevin Pilkington kept his first clean sheet in twelve games last week having shipped seven goals in the first five league matches.

Rotherham - A sequence of drew, won, drew, drew, lost, won has the Millers two points above Notts in the league. They have showed how difficult they are to beat and will be a considerable threat. In their six league games they have scored seven and conceded six. Last time out was a 1-0 win at Wrexham.

The view

Pilkington... Relishing return to Rotherham

Notts - Former Miller Kevin Pilkington is looking forward to going back: "It will be nice to go back and I just hope we get the three points we want, get that first away win and build on last week's win." From the Official Site.

Rotherham - Taken from Rotherham MAD: "Presently I am surprised to see them struggling early on with the likes of one time Rotherham target Richard Butcher, Lawrie Dudfield, Jason Lee and ex-Forest man Spencer Weir-Daley in their ranks."

Key Men

Notts - It is imperative that Thompson starts MacKenzie, particularly with Smith set to miss out. MacKenzie has warmed the bench for the majority of the time in the last two games but came on to win Notts the game last week and can do so from a starting position. If he gets on the ball Rotherham should be wary. His intelligence, vision and both goal creating and scoring will mark him down as a dangerous opponent, and he will be

Holmes... Creative threat

desperate to prove his worth after being axed.

Rotherham - Peter Holmes arrived at Millmoor in the summer after a significant spell with Luton Town. Comfortable all across the midfield, Holmes is a very effective player who can change the game in an instant. Creative and with a box of tricks he is becoming a terrace favourite. Works hard and always wants the ball, his threat will be significant to Notts' hopes of getting at least a point. His crossing is particularly good, and with Notts right-back Lee Canoville off form he will be a danger.

Big battle

Spencer Weir-Daley v Marc Joseph

It could have been Jason Lee against Graham Coughlan which will surely be one of the best physical battles of the season, but with Weir-Daley certain a goal is around the corner his confidence could make the difference. Surely a Notts striker will net soon, and Weir-Daley looked the most likely last week, hitting a post. Should he figure in the right striker role of a front three he will be up against Joseph who despite being a right back is performing at the heart of the defence with Sharps absent. Both are pacey players, and it should be a fascinating duel. Whoever is quicker may get the upper hand, and Joseph will have to use all his experience to stop the younger Weir-Daley's enthusiastic approach.

Likely line-ups

Notts - (4-3-3) Kevin Pilkington, Lee Canoville, Adam Tann, Stephen Hunt, Paul Mayo, Neil MacKenzie, Matt Somner, Richard Butcher, Spencer Weir-Daley, Jason Lee, Lawrie Dudfield.

Rotherham - (4-4-2) Andy Warrington, Dale Tonge, Marc Joseph, Graham Coughlan, Stephen Brogan, Andy Todd, Danny Harrison, Marcus Bean, Peter Holmes, Bruce Dyer, Chris O'Grady.

Prediction

Another 1-1 draw is on the cards. Neither side have performed to expectations consistently yet and with both being hard to beat a draw is the obvious conclusion. Notts will hit first through Weir-Daley but will be pegged back.