Stockport v Notts... BIG match preview

Last updated : 08 February 2008 By Paul Smith
Only six league wins in 29 games for Notts over the whole season. No wonder the Magpies are struggling. What a depressing subject which illustrates the mood of the most disappointed set of supporters in the land.

Edgeley Park... Notts' latest trip
Everyone will be preying that there Saturday night can at least be helped by having a winning mood... only six times this season has that happened.

To have a drink with the family or on your night out with mates on a Saturday evening in the knowledge that Ian McParland, Dave Kevan and co have instigated a Notts win will make you all the more happier.

And it is the winning mentality that McParland must now install in Notts to break from trouble and end the season on a high.

He has got the first step right in making Notts a lot harder to beat than under predecessor Steve Thompson, with the four game unbeaten run illustrating that.
MacKenzie... Out for Notts


But with three draws in that period, it is now time to start winning. And away from home where only one win has been heralded would be nice.

Team news

Notts - Jason Lee is struggling to be fit for Notts with an achilles injury sustained in training while Neil MacKenzie isn't yet ready to return after his hernia operation. Elsewhere McParland has a full squad to choose from but is unlikely to make too many changes to the squad from last Saturday.

Stockport - Dominic Blizzard and Gareth Owen are definitely out for Stockport whilst Chester's Kevin Ellison hasn't signed as was planned. Paul Turnbull is likely to miss out and County no longer have top scorer Anthony Elding on board following his move to Leeds United in the transfer window.

Form guide

Notts
- Four games unbeaten for McParland's men who have drew there last three games. It is however just one win in ten games, and the Magpies have scored just four times in eight games. Away from home Notts have just one win to their name, drawing eight times and losing five. Following Lincoln City's midweek win, Notts have dropped to 19th in the table, six points above the drop zone.

Stockport - Jim Gannon's men are in there best form of the season so far, having avoided a league defeat in six games. They did lose out in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy semi-final but having won six in seven league games that has moved to the back of their mind. The Hatters are tenth in League Two, two points from the play-offs. At home they have won five, drew four and lost five.

Last time out

Notts County 1-2 Stockport County (January 5, 2008)

Elding... Now at Leeds, scored Meadow Lane equaliser
The sides met at Meadow Lane not too long back with the visitors deservedly triumphing.

It was a game that will be remembered for the debut of Guy Branston who had a hellish 45 minutes in black and white and has since left the club without appearing again.

It started well with Stephen Hunt heading in powerfully from a Neil MacKenzie corner won by another debutant, Felix Bastians, after just seven minutes.

But catastrophic defending betweent Branston and loanee Krystian Pearce saw Liam Dickinson flick on for Elding to smash home an equaliser on 13 minutes.

And Dickinson himself got a scrappy winner after 35 when a a short corner was played to dangerman David Poole who crossed to the back stick where the ball hit Dickinson and trickled in.

Notts were unable to force an equaliser with Poole nearly adding a third in the second half, although Bastians hit the post and MacKenzie hit the bar with a stunning free-kick.

Key men

Notts - How badly Notts need goals, meaning new boy Ryan Jarvis has the pressure on himself immediately.

It is perhaps a tad harsh, but the simple fact of the matter is Notts need a striker to start hitting the net regularly, so that Richard Butcher isn't being relied upon again and again.

Jarvis has a decent pedigree and he showed glimpses of his quality on a difficult debut and poor Meadow Lane pitch last week - although he should have scored a one-on-one.

If he gets himself into the groove and displays a bit of confidence, the
Dickinson... Key for Hatters
Norwich City loanee could be Notts' surprise package. A goalscorer is the difference between another draw and a win - Jarvis could provide that difference.

Stockport - With Elding gone, his former strike partner Dickinson has even more responsibility.

The forward caused havoc at Meadow Lane, giving both Pearce and Branston the run around with a powerful and hard working display. He also scored and created a goal.

How Notts deal with his threat is crucial to the outcome, and for Stockport, Dickinson having a good day could be another win for them.

His power, aerualk strength and directness causes problems, and he also knows where the back of the net is having plundered 11 league goals so far this term.

Big battle

The Hatters picked up an entertaining 3-2 win over Bury in midweek, with Anthony Pilkington the star turn. The winger scored twice and looked a very frightening player.

Normally left sided, Pilkington played on the right at Gigg Lane and didn;t look at all out of place.

Whether he is up against Stephen Hunt or Lee Canoville he is likely to give them a real test, but it is most likely that he is asked to continue down the right meaning Notts left-back Hunt must be on top form - which he has been
of late.

Pilkington is a direct player who runs with the ball well and gets good quality into the final third. There is no doubting his quality in the final third, and the speedster will provide Hunt with a stern test.

Possible line-ups

Notts (4-5-1) - Kevin Pilkington; Lee Canoville, Adam Tann, Mike Edwards, Stephen Hunt; Ali Gibb, Gary Silk, Gavin Strachan, Richard Butcher, Myles Weston; Ryan Jarvis.

Stockport (4-4-2) - Conrad Logan; James Smith, Ashley Williams, Jim McNulty, Micheal Rose; Anthony Pilkington, Jason Taylor, Gary Dicker, Tommy Rowe; Liam Dickinson, Leon McSweeney.

Prediction

Trips to Stockport County in the form there in don't come much tougher. Notts can't buy an away win at the moment and the best they could hope for is another draw. Unfortunately I only see a defeat here. 1-2 (Jarvis for Notts early on).