Game 8 - The Shrimps (A)

Team: Morecambe

Date: 28/09/2024

Where: Mazuma Stadium

What line-up should Stuart Maynard opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

Despite Morecambe slow start to the season, they seem to have picked up in recent games, and Notts must show them Respect. However even without Jodi (who should be rested if he's still not fully fit) the Magpies should have enough Fire Power to secure all three points, and it will be disappointing if they don't. 3-1 Notts

Morecambe could have a turning point at any moment, I feel sorry for them because I don't think they should be in this position and having signed 15 players in a single day, that is a lot of players needing to settle into a new environment.

I have seen their highlights, they don't play badly but can be caught out.

Defensively, I do see that they have weaknesses and this should be somewhere Notts tries to cause as many problems with as possible. I would hope we can make the most of set pieces and corner kicks, as Morecambe do throw bodies and it can become a little chaotic. I do think we'll get the time to shoot, even without set pieces, but Morecambe are very capable in attacking despite not having won yet.

If they remain as a team, we might struggle to take our chances but if they become disconnected - that is where the game would unfold.

It would be disappointing to come away with nothing, especially with their form, but every game is different. Morecambe are suffering right now, and Notts could make a game of it if they play to a certain level. Defensively, we should be fine against them, I feel. It’s making sure we stay switched on in key moments, but our attacking players should be all over them. Have we had any news on Jodi Jones yet?

I'm pleased that McDonald got 45 minutes of game time at Burton & performed well in that first half.

Stuart now has more options in defence with McDonald & Cundy available for selection. 

As I have said every game, Morecambe must not be underestimated. They came back from two goals down against Fleetwood & showed plenty of character in doing so.

For my starting 11, I expect that Notts will continue with the defensive partnership of Bass in goal, & Macari, Platt & Bedeau the back 3.

Tsaroulla & Gordon the wing backs.

Palmer & Hinchy in midfield with Crowley & Grant supporting McGoldrick up front.

Like every side this season, Morecambe will probably sit back, employing a hard press & wait for opportunities..

Key areas will be defensively where Notts need to continue the good form, & upfront, where I don't think Jodi or Alassana will be available, & they will both be missed.

I do expect a hard game, however Notts should win this one, if they play well. I'd be happy with a draw through. My prediction 2:1 Notts.

Now is the time to be playing them. I hope Notts don’t have a blip and allow Morecambe to spring a surprise on us. I don’t mean to sound like I am underestimating them, but a team in this situation and poor form needs to be defeated.

We need our regular starters to be at their very best. I think Kellan Gordon should cover Jodi’s absence well. He looks to have a good cross on him and he works hard, so I see that as no real concern at the moment. I hope he uses the time to show he’s more than a squad member. With his goal in the EFL Trophy against Burton, I think he’ll be keen to get another goal to his name. Notts should remain largely unchanged from the Gillingham game.

Morecambe are on a 12 game winless streak in League football. I have watched a few of their highlights and there is no shortage of effort. The draw with Fleetwood was a great result given that they were 2 down and under severe pressure. 

Notts are unbeaten in the last 6 games against Morecambe. In our last 3 away games, we beat them once and drew twice. No Jodi and Jatta is a blow but we should have enough quality to win this game. A hard fought 2-1 win I reckon. The winner in the last 10 mins. 

Morecambe will see our defeat as a chance to further impact the blow of losing our unbeaten run. Notts will be looking to respond and show that they can bounce back, but the question is, will it cause nerves to set in?

I think the game will be quite open. It’s down to us to be tight at the back and strong in preventing goals. If we do this, we should be able to score ourselves.

Alassana Jatta won't play against Morecambe.

No mention by Stuart Maynard of the condition of Jodi Jones in the pre match press conference.

 

david mcgoldrick will be starting up top then, i think it means we need to save jevani brown for any attacking cover, instead of him coming on for someone else and then we have nobody to fill that gap. yes we can change how the team is playing on the pitch, but if we have a defensive player coming on and someone else gets nudged up, it would be better if that player was saved. i think morecambe will be a difficult team to play, but i think if we play as a team and focus on the chances we should do well.

Morecambe might not be in good form, but the Gillingham game shows that teams can snatch a win against us. We need to be better on goal to avoid that tomorrow.

There’s nothing wrong with taking a point away from home, especially against a team fighting for their first win and to climb away from the drop. However, losing wouldn’t be good, and we need to see a strong performance from Notts. Losing isn’t an option. This isn’t to underestimate Morecambe, but if we are to be in with a shout for promotion, these are must-win games.

Morecambe might seem to be in a desperate situation, but I think their performance will be anything but that. I believe they will try to match up, make it hard for us to find space, and even if they park the bus, I would be wary of their counter-attacks

Playing away at Morecambe is always a challenge, but it’s encouraging to witness Maynard’s trust in the team. Our performance against Gillingham was commendable, even if the scoreline didn’t reflect our efforts. That’s the nature of football, isn’t it? The important thing is to maintain those high standards. Morecambe’s pressing style is something we need to be wary of, but I firmly believe our squad is up to the challenge. It’s unfortunate about Jatta, but player welfare must always come first.

It’s truly inspiring to see young talents like Kameron Muir getting their opportunities. Tomorrow’s match is crucial for us to regain our footing and keep our momentum in the league. Our fans deserve nothing less than an outstanding performance!

Morecambe will probably put every man behind the ball and look to spring the ball beyond our defenders. Until Gillingham, I thought we had cut this risk out quite well. Yes, it’s happened a couple of times and the Gills’ player was most likely offside, but he still had yards of space where we weren’t able to get back. Matty Platt would have walked and seen red had he committed a foul. We need to watch out for this and set pieces, like corners.

I do wonder if we are due a 0-0 draw, with Morecambe doing everything to spoil our day out to the seaside. I can’t imagine there won’t be chances, but it would just be our luck to see them clear the lines several times, put bodies in the way, and for their keeper to play a blinder.

Notts have been playing away from home. Perhaps the better performances have been at home, but Morecambe is a good chance to lift that confidence. I doubt they will be anything but easy, but I think they will allow us to play to a certain level we would expect. I can’t see them wanting to keep it scrappy or play too defensively, as it seems they have issues at the back and conceding goals is punishing them. I would say it could end up as a draw, but I honestly believe there are goals to be had.

It's Matchday.

 

The Notts team has been chosen 

The team is more or less what was expected, Austin in for Jones. McGoldrick leads the line. No Macari in the starting eleven. Cundy replaces him.

My take on the side.

Looks like Stuart has got half an eye on Tuesday night's trip to Carlisle.

Gordon played well on Tuesday & I expected him in the side today. Thought McDonald would be on the bench too.

Stuart is certainly making use of his squad & Martin gets a substitutes slot immediately.

Does that also mean Austin at right wingback & Tsaroulla on the left? That's probably the plan.

Cundy is probably there to help to combat the Morecambe long throws & aerial bombardment.

Crowley needs to play further forward too, supporting Grant & McGoldrick.

Stuart has pulled a few surprises but it's always good to keep the opposition guessing.

I think this is a side that should have enough to get a positive result today.

The match begins.

 

That aerial threat has been realised almost immediately.

Goal to Morecambe from a corner.

 

 

Update.

 

Update.

Should have been a red that.

Update.