Is it perceivable that come 5pm on Monday Notts County will be just one point from seventh place and a possible Playoff zone finish? Three games ago the majority of Notts' followers would laugh at the thought of Notts having a realistic shout at a game at the New Wembley Stadium in its very first year of football. Now, with three wins on the bounce achieved for the first time since March 2004, the Magpies sit just four points from Wycombe in the final playoff spot, with fifteen still to play for.
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Assuming three points are picked up in Wales - which will not be easy as the red dragons are even more desperate than Notts for them, plus it could be argued they were amongst the most impressive visitors to Meadow Lane this season despite Notts' 2-1 win - then Notts will rely on other results going their way to close the gap. Amongst their main rivals, Darlington and Lincoln City go head-to-head, though the hosts will be the favourites and Lincoln are perhaps too out of reach despite poor form. On the back of a 2-1 defeat at home to mid-table Grimsby Town, MK Dons travel to Shrewsbury who are big rivals for Notts, meaning a tough game for both there. Bristol Rovers and Stockport have relatively simple home games over Bury and Chester respectively, but its Wycombe Notts have their sights on for now, and there is a chance that Notts could claw to within a point of them come Monday evening.
Team News
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Wrexham - Chris Llewellyn returns from suspension, giving a big boost to Wrexham boss Brian Carey who has been unable to select his top scorer for four games. No fresh injuries from Saturday's defeat at Macclesfield, but the game will come too soon for Captain Neil Roberts and midfielder Robbie Garrett. Steve Evans will be recalled.
Form Guide
Notts - Finally a succession of wins for Steve Thompson's Magpies, with successes over Bury, Grimsby and Boston coming one after the other. Before that Notts had won just once in ten and picked up only three points from a possible 21 in the seven games prior to the Bury win. On the road, Notts have just two wins in 2007.
Wrexham - Inconsistent is the best word to describe the Welshmen over their last six games that has heralded a win, draw, lose, win, draw, lose sequence. They were horrific by their own admission as they went down 2-0 to Macclesfield on Saturday, and are particularly poor it seems on their own patch. No wins in eight at the Racecourse.
Likely line-ups
Notts - Kevin Pilkington, David Pipe, Mike Edwards, Stephen Hunt, Austin McCann, Matt Somner, Jay Smith, Gary Silk, Lawrie Dudfield, Jason Lee, Andy Parkinson.
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Wrexham - Anthony Williams, Lee Roche, Shaun Pejic, Steve Evans, Mike Williams, Josh Johnson, Mark Jones, Jeff Whitley, Matty Done, Lee McEvilly, Chris Llewellyn
What the managers say
Notts boss Thompson - "It has put the cat amongst the pigeons with the recent results and a lot of teams are playing those in around them. We have to try and win our games and see what happens from there," he told Magpie World.
Wrexham gaffer Carey - "Notts County are enjoying a run of three straight wins and have not conceded a goal in that time, which had rekindled their playoff hopes. It's sure to be an exciting game with both teams needing the win," he told Wrexham's Official Site.
Key Players
Notts - Kevin Pilkington. The benchmark for the Magpies' trio of wins and resurgence in the playoff fight has been Pilkington's three clean sheets. Hasn't always been in his managers good books this season, but will be now, having finally showed the form he produced during Notts' best spell - at the very start of the campaign. Some crucial stops lately, and he has recently spoke of his desire to add more blanks to his name. If that happens on Monday, Notts should win as they will get chances.
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Danger Men
Notts - Andy Parkinson is finally showing the promise Notts fans know he has after two loan spells three seasons ago. The diminutive attacker looks stronger as part of a three pronged strike force, and was superb in the second half against Grimsby, and first period against Boston. If he is as lively as then for the whole game, Notts have a great chance of scoring goals. He likes facing the Red Dragons too, with a goal against them earlier in the season and on his first Notts debut in 2003.
Wrexham - Chris Llewellyn nearly joined Notts prior to his move to Wales. Then leaving Norwich City, the Nottingham Evening Post believed the Magpies had their man before he opted to join Wrexham. He has been a success there with some good displays and he netted the consolation in their 2-1 defeat at Notts in November. Back after a four game absence, the hot headed winger - come - striker has ten goals to his name this season, eight in the league.
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Drapes' Prediction: Notts to enjoy a record another 1-0 success courtesy of Stephen Hunt and Mike Edwards' sterling defending. Lawrie Dudfield is due a goal and may nick a winner late on.
Moss' Prediction: 2-1 away win, despite a Llewellyn strike. Jason Lee and Jay Smith will hit the Magpies' vital goals.
Be sure to check back to NCM after the game with match reports, match ratings and all the fallout from the crucial game at the Racecourse Ground. Come on Notts!