Notts County (A) January 1st, 3pm

Match Centre 24/25
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"Nottingham is a fine city with a fascinating history. It’s well documented in official records that the city’s original name was ‘Snottingham’ or ‘Home of the Snots’, but when the Normans came, they couldn’t pronounce the letter ‘S’, so decreed the town be called ‘Nottingham’ or 'Home of Notts’.It’s easy to understand why this change was resisted so fiercely by the people of Scunthorpe".

(from Humphrey Lyttelton’s introduction when ‘I’m sorry I haven’t a clue’ visited Nottingham)

Sorry for the unusually long quote above, but it’s worth it … a very Happy New Year to all our contributors, and 2025 is already looking very promising when the League 2 table is displayed - here we are, 12 points (12 points!!!) clear at the top, with a game in hand over many of the so-called chasing pack. We do not, however, have a game in hand over the Magpies, and as they appear to be a high-scoring team caution should be advised.

County have ‘done it all’ in their long and chequered history … the oldest professional football club in existence (founded 1862), they have played in all 5 levels of the UK game, and are F. A. Cup winners to boot. They’ve also had their share of scandal (along the same lines as ourselves - who remembers Terry Ramsden?) featuring a dodgy Chairman pledging money that didn’t exist and resulting in their Director of Football (Sven Goran-Erikson, no less) writing off £2.5 million owed to him by the club. Troubled times indeed…

Currently Notts County are 2nd in League 2, occasionally scoring for fun and having their own equivalent of Uncle Albert (age-wise) in striker David McGoldrick, 37 years of age and still highly regarded in League 2 circles. Also on their playing staff is defender Rod McDonald, the grandson of our player of the same name (149 appearances, 40 goals scored).

County’s current form:

November 23rd Newport County (H) Drew 0-0
December 3rd Walsall (A) Lost 3-2
December 14th Salford City (A) Lost 3-0
December 21st Bradford City (H) Won 3-0
December 26th M. K. Dons (A) Won 0-2
December 29th Cheltenham Town (A) Won 3-5

Predictions for this one? “Tricky” (quote from ‘Deep Thought’) - the concentration of games at this time of year has given rise to certain players looking somewhat ‘leggy’, which is very understandable when you consider the pace at which the modern game is played. Another significant factor in our performance may well be related to young Nathan Lowe - will he be available, for starters? Injuries are also being experienced … Earing and Jellis are suffering in that category, and the availability of Comley is still unknown for certain. The worst-case scenario would be a defeat at Meadow Lane - we would still be 9 points clear, and if our bubble is to burst then now wouldn’t be too bad, leaving time for recovery and potential strengthening of the squad during the January window.

However, as an eternal Walsall optimist I’ll go for a 1-1 draw on the basis that if you win your home games and draw the away fixtures you’ll end up as champions…

UTS

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Great introduction. Thank you. Like you I will go for a draw.High winds expected yet again so it would not surprise me if it were 0-0. You are right we are looking a bit thin in midfield at the moment. Jellis is a bit of a worry so I hope Comley is ready to re enter the fray. I think another midfielder would be a good investment in January along with another big lad up front. UTS

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If we get anything from this I will be very happy. I thought that we were right on our game in the first match, and needed to be.
They will be massively up for it and we need to be at, or near our best to have a chance.
Can’t predict it.

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The 3 games against Notts County played to date over the last 12 or so months have been fascinating matches. Really good battles of different football playing styles which both have their merits, but ultimately ours seems more successful as things stand.

I expect another humdinger on Wednesday. We are fortunate the game is mid winter rather than late August or early May where the weather favours our relentless effort rather than their technical passing. However they do have home advantage and need the points more than us, some I going for a 2-2 draw. Jellis and Lakin to score.

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I expect this to be a real battle and after scoring 5 last time out, they’ll be going for it I reckon - we’ll need to be super organised defensively (as we generally are) but fatigue might be an issue after a run of games…

That said, same for both teams in respect of 3 games in quick succession and as we see week in week out, we can score goals against anyone in this league and no doubt we’ll get opportunities…

I’ll go for 2-2

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A good assessment and highlights the issues around the high turnover of games around Christmas and the New Year.
We need to be careful, particularly with the midfield players, as our high octane style will burn them out if they’re not rested occasionally.
Earing is a good player, but lightweight. Jellis and Lakin run themselves into the ground, and Stirk is a vital cog in the wheel, so Sadler needs to manage them all with caution. In fact, it looks like another spell out for Earing after yesterday.
Problem is that all the midfielders fit perfectly into Sadler’s system and without Hall we don’t have a plan B!
So, signing another midfielder early in Jan is crucial in my view.
Cover for Jamma is also a priority, and I hope this is all in hand ready for the second half of the season.
A true test of our owners now in my view, and if we retain Lowe, our home attendances will start to increase significantly, when the doubters will see that the current successes on and off the field are not just a flash in the pan.

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Every game is a big game now. This is one of those teams that will be up there at the end of the season. We deserve to be there on current form too, and they’ll be sweating at hosting us, which is way better than anyone expecting Walsall away over the last few seasons.

Hard game, but I reckon we can match them at least. 2-2.

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Anyone that’s done County before recommend somewhere good to park ?

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For the last few games I’ve been expecting a draw or a loss or even a goal conceded, just by laws of averages. 6 wins, 7 hours since conceding a goal later and here we are. They knocked the ball around well at the bescot and do usually score plenty so I’d expect us to have to grind any kind of result out here. I’d take a draw on the road all day.

Hopefully they announce more tickets today and we can get 2k+ saddlers fans in there.

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They were excellent at our place so i’ll be happy with a 0-0 and hope our players disagree.

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Biggest test yet this. Bigger than Vale who were beginning to fault when we met them.

We looked quite leggy yesterday. Not surprising given our out of possession style and work rate and thankfully Newport didn’t have the quality to punish us.

This will be different. Very different. We need to be right at it to come away with anything. I’d bite your hand off for a point right now.

I’m not going to this one but other family who are, are confused by the ticket situation. Massive away end at County (4,400 down the side?), we’ve sold 1,350 and apparently that equals a sell out? Can you pay on the day? Any clarity would be welcome.

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Agree with much of the above and most expecting a draw. I think our winning run could come to an end at Meadow Lane, but hopefully with 1 point rather than 0.

3 wins in a row for County, fans raving about their performance yesterday, big home crowd, quite a few players able to find the net and Jodi Jones has returned to the squad and could feature.

We will need to be really on it for this match. They do have a tendency to dick it around at the back and overplay the “nice football”. I think we need to press them higher than usual as there’s an error waiting to happen between their defence and goalie at some point.

I’d like to see McEntee start in place of a tired looking Jellis. He brought an energy and a physical presence in midfield yesterday which we’ll need in gusty conditions on Wednesday.

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Think this will be a different game to the home win, with some of their key players returning. I’d take a draw, if we win this then we will start to run out of words to describe results this team generate!

I do have a feeling that we might see our run come to an end though, I’m going to bet on County. It is setup to be a really good game though and is available on SKY Sports+ for those wanting to nurse a NYE hangover on the sofa :grin:

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Very odd with the allocation, I can only think they didn’t expect us to sell as many so haven’t drafted in enough stewards and such

Shame as I think we would’ve taken closer to 2,000

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I’ve thought for a few months that our main challenger for top spot are Notts and it will be no disgrace if we end up losing on Wednesday.

I’m running out of superlatives for this Walsall side though and I’m just looking forward to the occasion. Nearly 2000 Walsall fans should make for a great atmosphere.

A draw would put us on 50 points at the halfway stage and on course to break the league two points record.

A win would make it 7 in a row and equal are best ever run.

In spite of all that it’s a free hit and I’ll sing as loudly as anyone even if we are 3 down at half time as this team more than deserve it. UTS.

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I really enjoy reading the assessments from @Welsh_Saddler and look forward to many more.
As to the match itself it’s going to be very difficult.
Notts County have run into a very rich vein of form and they played some lovely football at our place and given home advantage this is going to be a very tough outing indeed.
The team looked jaded yesterday and injuries are starting to hit us.
I honestly expect a defeat but we have a big lead so it won’t be the end of the world.

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I think we need to be careful with this game…this could easily be a fleetwood mark 2… county are the best side ive seen this season so i would be happy with a draw

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Another tough game for the Saddlers. It seems every time I say that, we win.
I’m concerned that sometimes we look a little “leggy” and players aren’t getting enough rest, especially during the holidays when games come thick and fast.
Jellis was completely out of it yesterday, he couldn’t keep possession, his passing was awful and he didn’t look fit. Very unlike him, he’s played great this season.
We need to give County a right good go to get a result on Wednesday, I would like to keep this run going for as long as we can.
UTS

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Never like driving into Nottingham City centre as pretty much all the roads leading into it are always congested although different on a bank holiday.

Depends what you want to do but I’d say get the tram in from either Toton or Clifton, both have big free car parks at those terminus’s and think it’s about £4.50 for all day travel. That’s if you’re coming in from the Midlands, can’t remember what their northern park and ride stops are called.

Plenty of multi story car parks in the city centre and it’s a 15 minute walk from there.

I went when Brandy scored a hat trick in a 5-1 win under DS. Was in the Trent Bridge Inn up to 2.45pm and walked out just as a monsoon was taking place so was completely soaked in the five minute walk up to the away turnstiles. :joy: Burton were playing at home that day and think their game was held up for 30 minutes to dry out the pitch.

One of the best away days out there, hopefully they come up aswell.

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Another memorable game at Meadow Lane was the play-off first leg, with Kelly’s outrageous flick helping us to a 3-1 win.

We have had many tough games but this one may be the hardest, with County on a surge with a number of good players returning and us looking tired with a mini injury crisis in midfield. A point would be very well received.

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