Notts torn to shreds at Tranmere

There was no doubt that 4-0 flattered the home side, but this was still a poor showing by Notts, though it seemed obvious we would lose as soon as the teams were announced.

Mills was expected to make two changes, with David Pipe ruled out through injury and Stuart Garden returning between the sticks.

What he picked, however, was a major shock. The Notts boss gambled, big time, and it certainly didn't pay off. Ian 'Beckenbeur' Baraclough was employed as a sweeper in a 3-4-3/3-6-1 system which saw Ian Richardson employed as a left wing back and Paul Heffernan as a lone striker, with Tony Scully & Andy Parkinson used as advanced wingers. Worse still, Frazer McHugh was restored to the starting line-up.

The visitors actually started well, Tony Scully cut inside on 3 minutes and had a decent effort tipped round the post by the reliable John Achterberg, who had earlier completely mis-judged a simple cross.

The ultimate DADI!

However, Tranmere took a surprise lead on 7 minutes and it was an absoloute corker. Fenton, playing on the right of the back 3 (keep up!) cleared a header straight to Tranmere's debutant, Paul Hall, who fired in a cross which found the home side's top scorer, Frenchman Eugene Dadi, who chested the ball and down and volleyed it brilliantly beyond Garden. Top goal, pal.

Notts then went to pieces. Baraclough, looking about as comfartable at sweeper as Claudio Ranieri does when he picks up the mornings paper, handled in the area to concede a 14th minute penalty which Dadi duly dispatched.

The Magpies tried to re-group, with Scully seemingly fighting the cause on his own with his probbing and inventive runs down the left. It was one of these runs that led to the ex QPR man firing a shot narrowly wide of the post in the 29th minute.

Ex Forest striker Gary Jones headed a Hall cross wide of the post when he really should've hit the target, after more dodgy defending from the back 3 who looked like they'd never met each other before.

Notts ended the half with two decent chances. First, the lively Scully fired in a powerful strike that was saved and then, crucially, ex-Tranmere favourite Andy Parkinson was denied when through on goal. Had the winger been successful in taking the ball round Achterberg, who knows what may have happened.

Half Time: Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Notts County

Surprisingly, no changes were made by Mills at half time, neither in personel- nor in formation.

Baraclough- Played as a sweeper

Tranmere were again creating the better of the chances with Garden pulling off a good stop to deny the lively Hall, while Gary Jones also had a good chance to put the game beyond doubt.

Tranmere boss Brian Little opted for a surprise substitution on 66 minutes; taking off the hat-trick hunting Dadi, while bringing on in his place a man who was expected to be on from the start- Iain Hume.

Mills responded just a minute later with a triple substitution and a switch in formation. Steve Scoffham was brought on in place of the ineffective, though isolated, Heffernan. Matty Williams- making his second appearence for the club- was brought on in favour of the woeful Baraclough. While finally, Andy Parkinson- given a warm ovation by his old fans- was replaced with Simon Baldry.

Game on it seemed. Oh dear...

68 minutes gone and Hume ended the game as a contest with his first touch. Hall's cross was flicked-on and Hume showed great technique to riffle the ball past Garden to make it 3-0.

This seemed to end any spirit Notts did have, with only Scully & Oakes doing themselves any justice.

Hume- Fired in numbers three & four

The Canadian substitute was allowed two more chances before he fired his second, and Tranmere's fourth, in the 74th minute.

Left full-back Beresford raced through on the left before crossing to that man Hume who was left with the simple task of heading home into the vacant net from 6 yards out.

Stefan Oakes had a decent free-kick saved by Achterberg, who may as well have taken the day off for all the shots he had to save.

Late on Tranmere dominated and only good saves from Garden and an offside flag stopped then getting a fifth.

Full Time: Tranmere Rovers 4-0 Notts County

A disaster for Notts, though it's not all over just yet as they're only 4 points adrift. However, it'd take a brave/foolish man to bet against us going down now.

Meanwhile, special mentions must go to the Notts fans, who were absoloutly brilliant through-out.

After the game Gary Mills said that we played well, were unlucky, and the 3-4-3 formation worked a treat. There you are then!

Notts: Garden, Fenton, Baraclough (Williams 67), Barras, Bolland, McHugh, Oakes, Richardson, Parkinson (Baldry 67), Heffernan (Scoffham 67), Scully.

Not Used: Deeney, Briggs.