The bogey team come to town

Last updated : 17 October 2008 By Dane Vincent

Let's get physical: Alexander's teams are usually strong in the tackle...
Keith Alexander's teams are renowned for a long ball game based around a well organised and physically powerful unit.


Effectively utilised by the former Lincoln City manager at a number of clubs, Notts can expect a rough ride as they aim to get back to winning ways, following 1-1 draw with Brentford on Monday.


County have adopted a passing game with the aim to utilise the wingers as much as possible in their approach this term, and Saturday's clash with the Silkmen will be the biggest test in sticking to it.


Many teams get drawn into a scrappy affair involving very direct play when up against Alexander's sides, but Ian McParland aims for his side to keep the ball on the deck and praised them for doing so thus far.


"I'm proud of the way the lads have been playing. They've taken on board what I wanted right from the start of pre-season, when I sat them down and said, 'this is the way we're going to play the game this year'", he told the Official Football League website.

"To play that game and stick to your guns and keep passing the ball about,

On the deck: McParland wants Notts to stick to their passing style...
you have to play with courage and they've been doing that.


"We need better quality at times, but the lads just have to believe in themselves a bit more."


Macclesfield have been a thorn in the Magpies' side since their leap into the football league just over a decade ago, especially at Meadow Lane, where Notts have failed to pick up a single win.


These have included three draws and three losses, which included the 5-0 embarrassment in 2005 that all County fans will wish to erase from the memory.


Unsurprisingly it was Macclesfield that walked away with another win in this fixture last season through a 63rd minute Francis Green strike.


Alexander is confident that his team can run away with all three points in the bag again for this reason alone.


He explained to MTFC Official Website: "We had a good result on Saturday and we'll be looking to build on that against County.


"They played well on Monday night in front of the cameras against Brentford and I think they are unbeaten in something like nine games.


"But we've got a good record against them at Meadow Lane and hopefully that can continue."


Notts are a contrasting outfit to last year and look to have much more vigour and skill, which if they manage to impose on the game, could spell the downfall of the visitors.


It is not only County who have progressed, however, as the Silkmen have put last year's relegation battle behind them to come out in greater force.


They currently sit comfortably in 13th position on 12 points, and if they are victorious on Saturday, they will leapfrog Notts, who are presently one point and two places better off.


Four wins in the last six outings has ensured their rise up the table in what has been a rather erratic start to the campaign, where they have been on both ends of some heavy score lines.


Losses to Shrewsbury Town (4-0), Darlington (6-0) and Exeter City have been counter balanced by triumphs over Port Vale (4-1) and Aldershot Town (4-2).


What is evident is the fact that goals are flooding in at both ends for the Silkmen, so a goal feast could be on the cards as Notts attempt to overcome their apparent 'bogey team'.