Let's talk about the Notts County game

[selby]

  After three wins in eight days all away from home we return to a home game against a side who last season on Boxing Day gave us one of our biggest league beatings I have witnessed, making us look distinctly second rate compared with them on the day.
  So, to be now on more or less level terms with them in the league and overtaking them by the end of last season, one they blew up in and finished poorly, while we went on a fantastic run to the end of the season is a bit surprising and unimageable on leaving the stadium that afternoon.
   Coming here unbeaten in away games with three wins and four draws they will fancy their chances, no doubt bring a large following and our home form being scratchy lately  will also give them confidence they can get something from the game and had a great result in the cup at Alfreton on Friday winning the local Derby 5-1. With players like McGoldrick who ran us ragged last season and Jatta who has scored three in the last two games they pose a big threat and play an expansive game with attacking purpose, but only conceding twelve goals in total seven in seven away from home they also don't give goals away easily.
  This could well be our biggest test of the season so far and we will have to be on our game from the start, show some attacking intent while being on it at the back, just like we did at Bradford when we played well for a full game, not just in fits and starts.
  The game at Barrow showed we can mix it a bit when we have to, the midfield no longer a shrinking violet when under pressure and easy on the eye when it was easy, our central defenders and wing backs the main benefactors with the keeper who all look solid and more comfortable off the ball with a generally better shape to the side.
   Going forward we pose a threat, Sharp and Ironside  attracting some criticism despite causing other sides to try and minimise their influence, which despite not scoring their expected ratio of goals has helped others to find space and flourish, with quite a few names now on the score sheet, a great habit to have, and harder to counter.
  Third play fourth and only goal difference splitting the two, and others within touching distance closely behind, an attractive game in prospect where the managers tactics could make the difference, and after the week we have just had could well attract a few floating supporters, hopefully so.
  A great game in prospect, a top game at our level, will you be coming to the game?
  Can we prove we have the pedigree to put distance between ourselves and the clubs around us?
  Can we compete with their keep ball playing style?
  What game plan would you have to counter their style of play?
  Are you someone who will be a new supporter this season coming down for an attractive game?
  Lot's to discuss about the game, players, tactics, styles of play, and an old adversary to compete against once again, please have your say, Notts County supporters welcome to join in.

[monkeytennis]

I’ll be there as always with my lad. Think it will be a test and we’ll have to show plenty of guile and adaptability which worries me a bit tbh as I think we’re still a bit one dimensional when it comes to attacking play.

Hopefully the injured lads from Barrow are fit to play.

[drfchound]

Chuffing McGoldrick is a bit like Madden.
Apart from being bald, he too always seems to score against us.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I think it's going to be more of a test of our mentality this one.

We lost our discipline v Chesterfield, somewhat aided by the ref, but we shot ourselves in the foot big time.

We can't let that happen again in front of another big away following. We have got to do our bit too as we know the fans can give the players a great lift. They might see plenty of the ball but that might play into our hands so we don't want our fans to get too frustrated.

No reason to fear them but we must believe in our own ability and get the basics right from the off.

[Chris Black come back]

Notts County have the only unbeaten away record in League Two. On the flip side, they draw a hell of a lot of away games. Only Salford City (five) have drawn more than Notts County (four).

[Usher wide.]

These are the games against teams in & around us, especially at home, where we not only need to win, but I believe we need to ‘set down a marker’ for teams coming to play us at home.

Forget the Bromley defeat…….no, in fact let’s learn from that & be more clinical in that final third, score the first goal when we are on the front foot (as we should always strive to be in this division) then we can impose ourselves rather than chasing the game having gone 1-0 down early in the game.

Time to show we are serious contenders for the title by sweeping aside a team currently above us.

We have the players, the manager, the system of play, the support. No excuses.

[Chris Black come back]

They have two ex-Rovers in Josh Martin and Scott Robertson, and Dan Crowley who I think we looked at a few years ago.

[Avsuptem]

I can't help believing that in the last few games we could have, should have and deserved to have scored several more goals than we did. Its only the tiniest of margins and the football gods that prevented them. We have the fire power to win this match by a handsome margin if the luck runs our way.

[NickDRFC]

They have two ex-Rovers in Josh Martin and Scott Robertson, and Dan Crowley who I think we looked at a few years ago.

Robertson’s been in and out of the squad and only started a handful of games. Last played and went off at half time a few weeks back so assume he’s been injured. Martin has started the last couple of games so wouldn’t surprise me to see him start again.

[Stewmaiden79]

 Looking forward to this, but I’ll be a bag of nerves all match same as against Bradford. Hopefully score first and not be chasing the game.

[Usher wide.]

There should be a good crowd, County are averaging over 9.000 at home this season in an all seater stadium that has an all seated capacity of 19,000+ so they won’t be fazed by the atmosphere.

Need to bring our ‘A game’ to this fixture. Plenty of energy needed so Broadbent needs to ‘buck up’ if picked & Close shouldn’t even be on the bench in my opinion.

Sharman -Lowe
Sterry
Olowu
McGrath
Maxwell
Kelly
Bailey
Broadbent
Molyneux
Hurst
Sharp

I think the team picks itself.

[graingrover]

‘ I think the team picks itself’

Provided Sterry with a disclocated shoulder and Maxwell injured foot are ok !

[Usher wide.]

‘ I think the team picks itself’

Provided Sterry with a disclocated shoulder and Maxwell injured foot are ok !

Sterry’s shoulder ‘popped’ straight back in. Grant said in his post match interview that he should be fit for Saturday. He said Maxwell had taken a couple of whacks on his ankle during the game & his substitution was more of a ‘precautionary’ replacement given we have excellent back up in Fleming. He also said the treatment room was empty & hoped that would remain the case.

We have a behind closed doors game today where Wood & Nixon will feature for a period. So given all of that from ‘the gaffer’, I think the team ‘I’ve selected’ would be a strong one.

[LincsRover]

Unfortunately I can’t make this one as I’m in Dublin with work but I’m desperate for a win in this as my daughters boyfriend is a ST holder at county and we have a little wager going about who finishes above who. He’s a nice lad but a bit cock sure about county finishing above us. I’m so wanting the bragging rights!! 

[turnbull for england]

Unfortunately I can’t make this one as I’m in Dublin with work but I’m desperate for a win in this as my daughters boyfriend is a ST holder at county and we have a little wager going about who finishes above who. He’s a nice lad but a big cock sure about county finishing above us. I’m so wanting the bragging rights!! 

Blimey, no secrets in your family

[LincsRover]

Unfortunately I can’t make this one as I’m in Dublin with work but I’m desperate for a win in this as my daughters boyfriend is a ST holder at county and we have a little wager going about who finishes above who. He’s a nice lad but a big cock sure about county finishing above us. I’m so wanting the bragging rights!! 

Blimey, no secrets in your family

  properly laughed out loud at that, nice one TFE!!  I thought I’d better change it! - bloody predictive text and fat fingers! If I told my daughter what I’d written she’d either die of embarrassment or kill me! 

[Barmby Rover]

I have tickets for the Notts County game, first one since Chesterfield. I don't get to many matches now, but I do remember going to the home match last season against Morecambe. Fingers crossed and hoping for the best on Saturday!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

McCann confirms Sterry & Maxwell given the all clear.

Urging Rovers fans to turn up in numbers and create an atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/TLchqImK1RA?si=iFIjSWm9i_Re_G5J

[Usher wide.]

McCann confirms Sterry & Maxwell given the all clear.

Urging Rovers fans to turn up in numbers and create an atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/TLchqImK1RA?si=iFIjSWm9i_Re_G5J

As if we wouldn’t…….eh?!

[Spud]

Not sure what Maxi's injury was? But I hope Sterry's shoulder is strong enough, once they've popped they do tend to be prone to doing so again.

[Alan Southstand]

He took a knock to the same foot that he had a problem with. They subbed him off straight away as a precaution.

It’s settled down quickly and it’s been scanned just to be sure. He’s trained this last week, so all is good.

Only Westbrooke and Wood to get up to speed.

[Pancho Regan]

McCann confirms Sterry & Maxwell given the all clear.

Urging Rovers fans to turn up in numbers and create an atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/TLchqImK1RA?si=iFIjSWm9i_Re_G5J

As if we wouldn’t…….eh?!

There’s a rallying cry from the Gaffer to all Rovers fans.

Come on lads and lasses, let’s turn up in numbers on Saturday and create a real atmosphere. Notts County fans will be very loud - let’s drown them out and cheer the boys on to 3 points.

[Nudga]

McCann confirms Sterry & Maxwell given the all clear.

Urging Rovers fans to turn up in numbers and create an atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/TLchqImK1RA?si=iFIjSWm9i_Re_G5J

As if we wouldn’t…….eh?!

There’s a rallying cry from the Gaffer to all Rovers fans.

Come on lads and lasses, let’s turn up in numbers on Saturday and create a real atmosphere. Notts County fans will be very loud - let’s drown them out and cheer the boys on to 3 points.

4 blocks in south stand sold and 480 tickets left .

[ncRover]

They have the highest possession stats in the league. Looking at the games they have lost this year they still had incredibly high possession in them, so I wouldn’t worry about not seeing much of the ball.
I think we should adopt a similar game plan to Bradford, looking to hit them on the counter with Hurst and Moly tearing away at lightning speed.

[Lesonthewest]

McCann confirms Sterry & Maxwell given the all clear.

Urging Rovers fans to turn up in numbers and create an atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/TLchqImK1RA?si=iFIjSWm9i_Re_G5J

As if we wouldn’t…….eh?!

There’s a rallying cry from the Gaffer to all Rovers fans.

Come on lads and lasses, let’s turn up in numbers on Saturday and create a real atmosphere. Notts County fans will be very loud - let’s drown them out and cheer the boys on to 3 points.

We tend to create a good atmosphere pre-match but it tails off as the game kicks off, if we could all be really vocal for the first 10/15 minutes I'm sure it would make a big difference to the players. Come on guys gals let's not wait for the players to give us something to shout about, let's give it some.

[DRFC_AjA]

McCann confirms Sterry & Maxwell given the all clear.

Urging Rovers fans to turn up in numbers and create an atmosphere.

https://youtu.be/TLchqImK1RA?si=iFIjSWm9i_Re_G5J

As if we wouldn’t…….eh?!

There’s a rallying cry from the Gaffer to all Rovers fans.

Come on lads and lasses, let’s turn up in numbers on Saturday and create a real atmosphere. Notts County fans will be very loud - let’s drown them out and cheer the boys on to 3 points.

We tend to create a good atmosphere pre-match but it tails off as the game kicks off, if we could all be really vocal for the first 10/15 minutes I'm sure it would make a big difference to the players. Come on guys gals let's not wait for the players to give us something to shout about, let's give it some.

Does anyone know if the flags from the play off semi are available and can be bought out. It's not a thing that by default will increase the atmosphere but it helps and looks good when the south stand is all but full

[DonnyBazR0ver]

They have the highest possession stats in the league. Looking at the games they have lost this year they still had incredibly high possession in them, so I wouldn’t worry about not seeing much of the ball.
I think we should adopt a similar game plan to Bradford, looking to hit them on the counter with Hurst and Moly tearing away at lightning speed.

Tend to agree about them having possession, that's why I hope the fans don't get frustrated with that. Of course, when we do get the ball, we need to hurt them and sew seeds of doubt in their heads. I think if we can do that, we have to keep the foot on the gas and not let them off the hook. It could be a similar game to Wrexham last season, when we defended resolutely whilst creating the odd chance ourselves, including taking one. We stood toe to toe with them and didn't hesitate to do the basic mucky stuff very well. If we back off too much v County, we'll probably pay the price. We have to make them feel very uncomfortable all game.

[graingrover]

you will be able to buy video coverage from Dublin on Rovers +

[selby]

  We now need to match our away form and win this game.

[Usher wide.]

We could do with less pre-match music 5 minutes before kick off so we get the proper crowd noise in the stadium AND less from the pitch commentator please.
We certainly don’t need him telling us tomorrow (as he does every bloody home game) to “C’mon eco power, let’s make some noise for the Rovers!”

Jog on…..I mean off!