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Joe Jones
Notts County and Portsmouth have met a total of 28 times over the years, the first meeting coming on the 20th November 1926, which the Magpies lost 3-2 at Meadow Lane.
We have beaten Pompey 12 times and played out six draws, with the South Coast side winning on 10 occasions.
Between December 1992 and December 1994 the two teams played each other six times, with Notts failing to get a win in a run that saw three draws and three defeats.
Our last five games against Portsmouth saw us clinch four consecutive wins between September 2012 and October 2015, but the last fixture, at Fratton Park in March 2016, saw us thrashed 4-0.
Portsmouth have been champions of England twice, in 1949 and 1950. The club has also won the FA Cup on two occasions, firstly in 1939 and most recently in 2008, and also reached the final of the competition in 2010.
Portsmouth were moderately successful in the 2000s, especially during the 2007–08 Premier League season, when they won the FA Cup, beating Cardiff City 1-0 in the final.
They subsequently qualified for the 2008–09 UEFA Cup competing against European heavyweights such as seven-times European Cup winners AC Milan.
During this period, Portsmouth were recognised to have a large number of international footballers, including England players Glen Johnson and Jermain Defoe, as well as Peter Crouch, David James and Sol Campbell.
However, financial problems soon set in and Portsmouth were relegated to the Football League Championship in 2010. In 2012 they were again relegated, to League One, and again, in 2013, to League Two.
They began the 2013–14 season in the fourth tier of the English football league system for the first time since the late 1970s.
Portsmouth became the largest fan-owned football club in England, after the Pompey Supporters Trust (PST) successfully gained possession of Fratton Park in April 2013.
Team News
Portsmouth pretty much have a fully-fit squad for their League Two clash against Notts County at Fratton Park.
Pompey boss Paul Cook will welcome back Drew Talbot, Adam Buxton and Matt Clarke from injury, and all three players could feature.
Striker Noel Hunt is also back in training after a groin injury but Saturday's match could be too soon to return as Pompey look to extend their unbeaten league run to three games.
The big injury news for Notts County is that top scorer Jon Stead will not be involved.
Stead had to come off with an injury at half-time against Crewe last weekend and Magpies manager John Sheridan is awaiting the results of a scan before putting a time frame on how long the nine-goal striker might be absent.
Michael O'Connor is back in training after missing the last four weeks with a groin problem and will be part of the squad against Pompey.
Fellow midfielders Alan Smith and Curtis Thompson continue to work their way back to full fitness.
How will Notts fare at Pompey? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
John Sheridan has reiterated the importance of keeping tight at the back as Notts County prepare to visit Portsmouth, a team deemed by the boss to be the best in League Two.
The Magpies go into the Fratton Park game one point off the playoffs, but there has been much frustration due to poor goals conceded by the squad in the last few games.
"The players understand, and I do as the manager, that we have to try to work harder to keep clean sheets," Sheridan told the assembled media at his weekly press conference.
"The number of goals we have conceded isn't what I would like it to be. We can't keep doing it.
"Their confidence isn't down, but they know they can do a lot better.
"We've worked on it this week because I do feel that we have goals in us so if you keep clean sheets then you have a good chance of winning.
"Even the goal against Crewe was criminal. All goals you concede, when you look back at them, you can prevent them.
"It's just a question of organising a bit quicker, communicating and seeing things before they happen.
"But it's a lot harder when you are playing and out there. It's a lot easier when you are watching.
"When things are happening quick you've got to stay focused and keep your mind switched on and work harder to keep the ball out of the net.
"It just doesn't happen to us though. I watched Huddersfield the other night and they conceded three goals from crosses and they are top of the Championship.
"I just want us to be a good team, to be strong, and I don't want to concede sloppy goals. We are all right when we are set-up and not many people play through us."
Sheridan also described Pompey as the best team in the division, but insists that anybody can get a result on their day and shoot up the table.
"Portsmouth are probably the best team in the league with the players they have got," he said.
"Luton are going strong too. Plymouth are top of the league but I watched the DVD of them against Portsmouth who battered them, but they got a draw.
"A couple of wins gets you right in the mix and while I expected us to be higher, it's a very evenly matched league. It's about getting a run together.
"I just concentrate on ourselves and there's no better place to bounce back than Portsmouth and we will go there with the belief we can get back to winning ways."
Notts will be forced to take the field on Saturday without Jon Stead, who has been ruled out due to a suspected ankle injury and will need a scan.
"Jon is a bit sore and won't be okay," said Sheridan. "We are waiting for a scan and he is with the physio at the moment.
"It's unfortunate because he has a lot of bruising. I don't try to say how long he is going to be out or when he is going to be back – I just wait for the scan.
"He is in good hands with the physio, John (Wilson). We will wait for the scan to come back and we will have a better idea of how long he will be out for."
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Joe Jones
Notts County defender Matt Tootle has admitted that his recent performances for the club have not been up to scratch.
The Magpies suffered two consecutive defeats, against Mansfield Town and Morecambe, to slip down the League Two table.
Meanwhile, the 1-1 draw against Crewe Alexandra came about because of lacklustre after scoring their first goal, conceding within 60 seconds.
"I feel as if I need to get a bit of a run going myself," Tootle told reporters.
"I started the season really well, but I've been disappointed in myself the last three games.
"But I am not going to put that ahead of anything else.
"I know if I keep on working hard and get a run in one position, it will come."
Notts take on Portsmouth away in their next league fixture, which is this Saturday.
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Joe Jones
Notts County loanee Aaron Collins is eager to make John Sheridan's starting XI, treating every substitute appearance he's made so far as if he's "knocking on the manager's door".
The Wolverhampton Wanderers winger has impressed for the Magpies since joining on loan in August, scoring several goals and adding energy when coming on.
"Every time I go out on the pitch, I feel as though I am knocking on the manager's door," Collins told reporters.
"I've done well every time I have come on, and I am looking forward to that start when it does come.
"I will be ready for it and if it comes against Portsmouth then that would be a great achievement for me personally.
"It's such a big club with the amount of fans they get at a big stadium.
"Hopefully if I do start, I will do as well as I can, see if I can score a goal and see what the result pans out like."
Notts face Portsmouth on Saturday in a League Two fixture at Fratton Park.
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Joe Jones
Notts County defender Matt Tootle has expressed his dismay at conceding a minute after scoring against Crewe Alexandra, admitting his side were not switched on after kickoff.
Jonathan Forte opened the scoring for the Magpies in the 80th minute of Saturday's League Two clash at Meadow Lane, only for Alex Kiwomya - nephew of former Notts boss Chris - to equalise moments after the restart.
Tootle told reporters: "You can be susceptible after you've scored a goal and you are more likely to concede.
"We watched in the dressing room and we haven't switched on straight away. It's not right.
"There's a big hole in the middle of the pitch which can't happen. Once you have a couple of people out of position, then everybody is too.
"It's a tough one to swallow because it could have been a good result for us considering it wasn't the best performance.
"We needed one (a result) more than wanted one because it was all about the three points and getting back on a run again.
"We scrapped and battled, did what we needed to do, but were unlucky."
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Joe Jones
John Sheridan has described Notts County's goal concession right after they scored against Crewe Alexandra as "criminal".
Jonathan Forte struck in the 80th minute to put the Magpies in pole position for a second home league win of the season but Alex Kiwomya equalised moments after kickoff.
The final result was 1-1 and Sheridan bemoaned his side's inability to see the game out.
"We are a bit nervy at the moment and you can see that," he told reporters.
"I thought we were the better team in the first half without working the keeper as much as we would have liked.
"I said to them at half-time that if we have to win the game ugly then do so.
"There was desire and a drive to get the goal we were after, but the biggest downer was we didn't see the game through.
"As soon as the players went back into the dressing room, I made them watch the DVD of the goal we conceded.
"It's criminal to concede so early after you score. We were the better team, even though we didn't play great.
"People will be negative and say we didn't do this, or didn't do that, but we got the goal and we should have won the game.
"It was naïve from us and it has happened too many times this season."
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Joe Jones
Notts County have claimed a point in a 1-1 draw against Crewe Alexandra at Meadow Lane, but fans were once again left disappointed as an overall tame performance gave way to a defensive collapse for the visitors' equaliser.
The visitors were brightest from the off as they forced a succession of early corners but soon the action turned into little more than a dirge as goalmouth action was infrequent right until the half-time whistle.
At the break, Aaron Collins replaced Jon Stead, who was withdrawn after taking a knock, and the loanee soon helped the Magpies become more threatening on the pitch.
The Wolverhampton Wanderers winger forced goalkeeper Ben Garratt into a save and then carved out a good chance, volleying over the bar.
An exchange of passes between Collins and Adam Campbell went to waste when the former Newcastle man miscontrolled in a good position.
He made amends soon after, however, when he crossed into the box and, with Crewe failing to clear their lines, Jonathan Forte was able to fire home.
This was in the 80th minute and, sadly for the Meadow Lane faithful, their cheers turned to groans within 60 seconds as Alex Kiwomya - nephew of former Notts boss Chris - sending a composed finish into the Magpies net.
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Joe Jones
Notts County’s head-to-head history with Crewe Alexandra dates back to September 1893, when the Magpies faced the Railwaymen at the Alexandra Recreation Ground. The result was a 2-0 win for Notts.
After several further meetings in the late 1890s, the fixture would experience a hiatus of 63 years; between 1896 and 1959, the two teams didn't play each other.
Despite our shared history going back so far, there have only been 41 meetings between the two sides.
Notts have the upper hand with 21 wins to 13 defeats, and just seven draws have taken place.
Our recent head-to-head record is nothing short of astounding - in the last 10 fixtures between the clubs, Notts have won eight and drawn two.
The origins of the “Alexandra” moniker in the club name aren’t fully known. Whether they took the name from a hotel, patronised by those connected with the railway works and where they held their meetings, or whether it was after Princess Alexandra of Denmark, who married Queen Victoria’s eldest son, later King Edward VII, is open to speculation.
Crewe is synonymous with arguably one of the greatest and most longevous managers in the English game: Dario Gradi.
He is the Alex’s very own Sir Alex Ferguson, having managed the club between 1983 and 2011, with the exception of a hiatus between 2007 and 2009 where he nevertheless took the reins on a caretaker basis for a period.
Gradi currently manages the Academy - one of the best and most renowned in the English lower leagues. The Academy is known to stress technical excellence, which accords with the aim to have the first team play attractive, passing football.
Most of the club's achievements in youth development have come from none other than Gradi, and alumni include Geoff Thomas, David Platt, Robbie Savage, Neil Lennon, Steve Jones, Rob Jones, Danny Murphy, Seth Johnson, Dean Ashton and David Vaughan.
Impressively, Crewe’s final fixture of the 2012-13 season, a 2-0 win against Walsall, involved a starting XI made up entirely of Academy players.
In 2013, the club won its first-ever major silverware after beating Southend United 2-0 in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final at Wembley.
Crewe are known as the Railwaymen because of the town’s links to the British train network. Crewe station was completed in 1837 and is one of the most historic railway stations in the world.
Nowadays, as well as serving the town of Crewe that has grown near it, it still operates as a major junction on the West Coast Main Line (WCML). It also serves as a major station on the WCML and as a major rail gateway for the North West.
The town of Crewe has an interesting roll call of local legends, including rugby player Mark Cueto, professional BMX racer Shanaze Reade, 1990s heartthrob Adam Rickitt (ask a female friend or relative between the ages of 25 and 30), Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, and Jimmy MacDonald, also known as the voice of Mickey Mouse.
Team News
Notts County have no fresh injury concerns as they look to bounce back from successive league defeats against Crewe Alexandra at Meadow Lane.
Captain Michael O'Connor is still struggling with a groin problem while fellow midfielder Alan Smith continues to nurse a hip injury.
Curtis Thompson is another midfielder who is working on his comeback but his ankle problem, which he suffered towards the end of last season, keeps him on the sidelines.
Magpies manager John Sheridan has the likes of Vadaine Oliver, a goalscorer from the bench against Morecambe in midweek, Rob Milsom, Adam Campbell, Thierry Audel and Stanley Aborah to call on should he want to make changes to his starting XI.
James Jones returns to the Crewe squad after international duty with the Scotland Under-21 team.
However, Alex boss Steve Davis has hinted he may have his work cut out regaining his place in the side from Billy Bingham, who impressed in his first start since August against Luton Town last weekend.
Defender Ben Nugent was back on the bench at Kenilworth Road after an injury absence but striker Callum Saunders' knock continues to be monitored.
Crewe have been boosted by the return to training of forward Alex Kiwomya - nephew of former Notts manager Chris Kiwomya.
The 20-year-old, on loan from Chelsea, dislocated his shoulder at Grimsby last month but is progressing well in his rehabilitation and could be in contention on Saturday.
How will Notts fare against Crewe? Share your thoughts on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining the conversation.
Joe Jones
John Sheridan has expressed his frustration at going into this weekend's game against Crewe out of the top seven.
The Magpies lost their last two games, at Mansfield Town and at home against Morecambe, to find themselves 10th in League Two ahead of the Railwaymen clash.
Sheridan also played down the boos directed towards the side, adding that fans "pay their money and are entitled to an opinion."
"I am still frustrated because I would have liked to have gone into the Crewe game four points better off," said the 52-year-old.
"We would have been in a healthier position but as I said it was just the way we played in the last two games.
"We didn't go out with the belief that we could be in the top two or three.
"I have to be patient and believe in my players which is what I do 100 per cent. I've got to stick by them and I am not going to beat myself up.
"I just think there was a good chance to get three or four points and if we had got them, we would have gone into this game thinking we can get even closer to the top teams."
When asked about Notts being booed, Sheridan replied: "It's football. I just think it was frustration.
"They weren't booing the last game we won. They were right behind the team and I loved that. You can feel it as well.
"The supporters pay their money and they are entitled to an opinion.
"That's the way the game has gone. They have been very frustrated for a few years here.
"And, in the back of my mind, I do feel where they are coming from.
"I feel it too as the manager. The game we watched the other night was frustrating.
"But they want what we want. And I want what they want.
"It's important that we don't get too carried away.
"You've got to be careful because they are human and it will affect some of them.
"But that's football. Deep down they want the club to do well."
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Joe Jones
Notts County boss John Sheridan reveals he did not shout at his players following their 2-1 home defeat against Morecambe, as he felt it would not have been "the right thing to do".
The Magpies suffered their second defeat in four days on Tuesday night when the Shrimps won at Meadow Lane, which followed the 3-1 defeat at Mansfield Town.
"I didn't go in shouting, even though I wanted to, I didn't think it was the right thing to do," Sheridan said.
"I will try to pick them up and I am not going to turn around and say we are a bad team.
"We've had two bad performances in four days, had it been the other way, people would have been saying we are a good team and talking positively about us.
"It is going to be a bit negative instead, but the players have got a manager here who will stand up and take it.
"There's no way I will hide. Anybody who knows me will tell you. I'll be fighting all the way and believing we can do well in the league."
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Joe Jones
Notts boss John Sheridan says his side must start more aggressively against teams at Meadow Lane if they are to improve on their poor home form.
The Magpies have won just won one of their six league games at home this season, and on Tuesday night Morecambe were the latest side to pick up all three points with a 2-1 win.
"In the last 20 minutes we looked as though we enjoyed it, and got on the front foot," Sheridan told reporters.
"My defenders are also 40 yards from the goal, so why don't we start like that?
"The subs come on, Vadaine (Oliver) unsettles them and doesn't give them freedom. The ball is staying in their half and my full-backs join the game.
"But you can't wait for 70 minutes to do it and if I have to play off the front to get results, then I will look at that.
"It's by no means just about hitting Vadaine, it's about anticipating where the ball is going to bounce and pick up second balls so we can start the play again.
"We did that for the last 20 minutes, but before that we were too deep, we were not reacting, not seeing things early enough and we were on the back foot.
"It shouldn't happen when you are at home. We need to show a bit of nous.
"We weren't at the races. It's probably the quietest I've been as well.
"I keep saying to myself, should I be the way I am on the touchline, very vocal and getting on to the players, expecting them to give me this and that?
"I was quiet on Tuesday but it was one of those nights, when it wouldn't have mattered how much I shouted.
"I've told them we've got to work hard because we are not winning games, and not playing well.
"Even though I don't like saying it, you've got to take it and move on.
"We need to pick ourselves up. We have to improve and be a lot better than we have been in the last two games."
Notts are 10th in League Two and take on Crewe Alexandra at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
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Joe Jones
All the goodwill from Notts County's decent run of form, which saw them flying high in League Two, appears to have all but evaporated as the Magpies slipped to a second consecutive defeat, this time a 2-1 loss at Meadow Lane against Morecambe.
Fresh from the painful 3-1 derby defeat at Mansfield Town last Saturday, it was hoped that it would just be a blip, but now the worry is that, much like last season, the Stags defeat will be the unravelling of County's season.
The first goal in the rescheduled game came just after the quarter-hour mark through striker Tom Barkhuizen, a volley that squeezed under Adam Collin from Michael Rose's cross.
John Sheridan's hopes of getting back into the game then crumbled 10 minutes into the second half when the referee spotted a handball in the area.
Barkhuizen took responsibility for the spot kick and rifled the ball down the middle to put the visitors two goals up, much to the chagrin of all the Notts fans at the Lane.
Vadaine Oliver scored his first goal in a Magpies shirt in injury time, but it proved too little too late as the Shrimps held out, former Nottingham Forest keeper Barry Roche in inspired form for the visitors.
The result sees Notts slip to 10th in the table, but another home game awaits as Crewe Alexandra visit NG2 at the weekend.
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Joe Jones
Notts County boss John Sheridan is looking for a good response from his players against Morecambe tonight.
The Magpies enjoyed a good run prior to last week's derby at Mansfield Town but were brought back down to earth with a 3-1 defeat.
Sheridan told reporters at a press conference: "I've tried to forget about it as much as I can. I am still disappointed obviously especially for the supporters.
"Last season was on people's minds so I wanted to go there and pay them back. I wanted to win the game and get three points, but it wasn't to be.
"The biggest downer was the way we played. Even though I thought we were the better team in the first half and created good chances, I didn't think we played well at all.
"We possibly should have been 2-0 up and I felt the game was there for the taking. We ended up losing 3-1 and the manner of the goals we conceded were very poor.
"I hope I get a response. I don't think we deserved to lose the game on Saturday and I was disappointed for the supporters because it's bragging rights.
"But when we have lost games, we have responded well.
"Like I say, I have a good group of lads. I didn't dwell on it too much. I told them after the game exactly how I felt and I expressed that to the media too.
"I don't want to keep going on about it, but luckily we have another game and a chance to respond.
"It's the first of two home games we have this week, so I want a good response from them."
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Joe Jones
Notts County captain Michael O'Connor is hoping to shake off a groin problem in time for the rescheduled home game against Morecambe.
The Northern Irishman missed Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Mansfield Town and will be assessed by boss John Sheridan, who has no new major injury worries.
Stanley Aborah could continue in midfield if O'Connor misses out again, while Adam Collin recovered from illness to play the full 90 minutes at the weekend and should resume in goal.
Midfielder Curtis Thompson remains sidelined with an ankle injury as Notts bid to climb back into the top seven following their setback at Field Mill.
Morecambe's Alex Kenyon will be sidelined for three months due to knee ligament damage.
The midfielder tore his medial ligament in last week's EFL Trophy win against Stoke City and will be out until after Christmas.
Defender Michael Rose will return to contention after missing Saturday's home defeat to Carlisle due to a one-game ban.
Midfielder Aaron Wildig and Dean Winnard remain doubtful after they too sustained injuries against Stoke and missed out at the weekend.
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Chris
Going into the local derby game against Mansfield, I had stated on the Pride of Nottingham community and to various fans when talking – Notts needed to go aiming to prove a point.
What actually happened, however,  was just more disappointment against our big rivals in the division.
It’s easy enough to write off a defeat, yet things had been building quite nicely and I hope the postponed game against Morecambe and the EFL Trophy loss Rochdale don't become basis for any excuses.
Notts just doesn’t seem to have the fight for local derbies, we go into them with a fair bit of hype from what is released to the local media – yet fall dramatically short when it comes to the actual performance.
After going level at 1-1, you would expect this to be the turning point for a lively encounter, which would have given us some pride.
However, once again Mansfield got the better of us and we really need to set this record straight when we play them at Meadow Lane – losing isn’t the end of the world but surely it’s got to be done to giving some form of fight to the opposition?
Tuesday night will see the Morecambe game take place, and I am sure there will be quotes about undoing ‘wrongs’ or on par with that.
Yet we just need to need to remain grounded and continue the work effort that we have witnessed as of late.
Our away form in the 2016-17 League Two season has helped massively with overturning a lack of optimism in the Notts camp, yet this greatly lacks at Meadow Lane.
Performances just haven’t been up to scratch, however much signs of improvements have or haven’t been made.
We need to avoid allowing the Mansfield game becoming this season's undoing.
Yet whatever the outcome John Sheridan is delivering us a reasonable level of stability, which will only improve with added time and of course his own signings.
I asked in a discussion if we needed a centre back and a striker come January, and the responses seemed to be mixed – yet after talking again to various people, it seems we may need to add a little more strength to the ranks after Mansfield.
Naturally we will need to release some of the players who don’t seem to interest Sheridan, I wonder who the fans think we can afford to release? I expect Graham Burke to be mentioned within there.
I think, however, that he’s the type of young player who we should be pushing for more than we seem to be doing.
Likewise with Genaro Snidjers – I think he should be given a run and a chance to prove himself over a period of games. I don’t mean cup matches, but actual league games where it will highlight far more.
The 2016-17 squad has depth and the ability to win home games, I was worried that after the increase of positivity all it would take is a couple of defeats to return to the level it was at prior and losing in a derby game does exactly that.
Yet despite Alex Rodman’s comments, I do think we have a lot to focus on and we have some good games where the players can prove their point.
And to a degree I still think we are relying on Jon Stead’s form to win us those important games, yet this is exactly why I want to see more of the squad fighting for a chance to start more regularly.
Fans seem to suggest that Sheridan won’t give players a chance, naturally only sticking to his own signings, but at times you must.
Hopefully after a few weeks the Mansfield game won’t be the talking point that it was during last season’s bitter campaign.
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Pride of Nottingham is an independent fansite devoted to Notts County, the world’s oldest professional football club. Created in 2013, it has served as a source of Magpie news, features, match previews, reports, analysis and interviews for more than three years.

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