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Last August after a draw at Northampton we were optimistic Notts County would kick start our season however a pathetic performance saw us go down 3-0 but that was a wake up call for the players as after that we weren't beaten for 2 months going on a run of 9 games and only conceding 1 goal. How ironic we go into tonights game off the back of a Northampton draw and hoping to get over a rocky spell. The win in August saw Notts in their highest place in a year, they haven't been higher yet as their season went from ok to cr*p. They fell from 6th place and down the slippery slope and have been as low as 22nd. They currently sit 17th but although that sounds pretty decent it's not. It' so tight at the bottom that just 6 points seperate 24th to 15th. Notts sit 3 points off the releagtion zone.
The former Alex player, Billy Dearden, has tried his hardest as manager of Notts but with a transfer stoppage on Notts by the administraters and having no choice but to sell when offers come in he can only hope that the administators let him buy soon. In his year at the club he hasn't signed a single player... not even onloan. Recently form has been poor with just 3 wins in Notts' 17 last games. Them 17 games include a loss at Southpot in the FA Cup and a 2-2 draw with bitter rivals Mansfield.
The game tonight was really schedualled for 5 weeks ago at the start of January but the FA Cup "run" meant the game has had 3 different dates. It could have been called off today with a snow shower covering most of England but the sun is out, skys are blue and the pitch is thawing. Still bloody freezing though.
The team tonight won't see many changes. Dario wants to see if Ince passes a fitness test before the game, if he does he will go straight into the team ahead of clown Bankole. Also facing a late fitness test is Dave Walton, the former Sheff Utd man picked up a knock in the Oldham game, if passed fit one of either Chris McCready or Richard Walker will face losing their place. Apart from that the only change we might see is Rodney Jack returning to the startingline up after having a good 15 minutes on Saturday.
Notts county news from NottsCountyMad -
Paul Heffernan (dead leg), Danny Allsopp and Ian Richardson (strains) will all have to past those fitness tests tomorrow. Allsopp, who scored two of the goals in Notts’ 3-0 win at Gresty road earlier this season, would have played at Adams Park last Saturday but failed a late fitness test. Richo and Heffernan both picked up their injuries in that game.
There are still doubts hanging over Paul Bolland and Michael Brough for tomorrow’s game.
Prediction :<Notts County 0-2 Crewe Alexandra>:
Other Division Two Action Tonight:
Cheltenham vs Tranmere
Huddersfield vs Plymouth
Mansfield vs Brentford
Northampton vs Cardiff
Much chance of 4 home wins?