Match Discussion: Game 18 - The Saddlers (A)

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Game 18 - The Saddlers (A)

Team: Walsall

Date: 03/12/2024

Where: Bescott 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.

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

This will be a really difficult match for Notts, I hope some of the walking wounded can return to boost the ranks.

A draw would be a great result.

[liampie]

i think we stand a good chance of causing what might surprise some fans and get back to winning ways on the road. if we can put a good display against walsall, it would help going into the weekends game against colchester. this is a very important game, as a win would keep us within the top part of the table where we want to be. it would make some ground of the points we may have lost.

not that i am saying we are not doing well, i just think the potential three puts will help us catch up a bit with those teams like walsall who have games in hand. if the results dont go our way, we might fall a bit further down and i just think this time is when you need to find that form.

[Chris Website URL Visit Site 𝕏 fmcj10 Instagram fmcj10]

I think my prediction of Walsall doing well surprised people, considering how they had been quite iffy in previous seasons but know some of their fans - I could sense their optimism. I also don't think they had a bad side previously, but they have improved leaps and bounds this term. Defensively, Notts should be able to ask questions of them and if we persist, it could cause them a difficult time.

Midfield and the up top is my concern in regard to their play, they have a good hard-working team in the middle of the park that can adapt to games when they don't have control. They do work hard to try to maintain it, and despite their heavy defeat to Charlton in the FA Cup we will still be on an even playing field.

They might feel encouraged being at home, but I personally think if we defend robustly as we can and allow our midfield to do all the heavy work. Chances will come for Jatta or whoever starts up top; it will just be a case of taking them. My one fear is how Walsall can finish scrappy chances when present a glimmer of a chance on goal.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

I think this game on Tuesday is going to be the most important game of the season yet for Notts.

The injuries keep piling up for Notts and I don't see Platt playing against Walsall even if he didn't sustain a bad injury.

Critical areas will be defence, midfield and up front once again.

It may be a case of keeping tight at the back & taking opportunities up front when they come.

So this is my team to face Walsall.

I think a draw would  be a good result.
My team.
Bass
Macari,Ness, Bedeau,Tsaroulla, Gordon,Abbott, Palmer,McGoldrick  Austin,Jatta
Subs,
Scott,Hinchy, McDonald,M Cisse, Brown,Adiefeh, Martin.
A 1:1 draw would do. A win would be a bonus.

And no further injuries please.

[allardyces tash]

Stuart Maynard won't want this to backfire, as all the outgoing messages have been quite overwhelming. I think those fans would happily see us return to being a team that dismisses three managers a season and shows no signs of progression. Walsall, however, is a big game that we must navigate smartly. Look at our squad and you can see the quality; it's playing well enough to stop them and also to create good chances on goal. I also think those calling for Jodi Jones to return are being hysterical because it isn't happening.

[thommo]

Walsall should be a good away day, even on a Tuesday night. I am hopeful that Notts can play well enough to show that we are well within the mix of teams fighting hard for promotion. I think David McGoldrick has been saved for this fixture, so I hope he's feeling fresh and can make a big difference. He and Jatta could cause them a lot of headaches.

[CliftonMagpie]

It should be a very good game, even though the squad's morale might be affected after losing to Peterborough. They gave a good account of themselves and really could have won, though some will say they should have. However, that's irrelevant now. We have to do our best to get the right result against Walsall. Would I take a point? Yes, but I am hoping we can show enough quality to come back home with all three points. Defensively, Notts just have to take their time and not make rash decisions. We have been immense this season at the back, so if we are solid in this area, we'll be better up front.

[upthepies]

I don't have a good feeling myself, not because I don't believe Notts will play well. I just feel like Walsall might sneak a win, possibly late in the game. The fans who attend need to show the lads that we have their backs and create the right atmosphere. It will encourage them and show the right support. I am hoping to hear news of Dan Crowley, although I might be tempted to suggest we save him for Colchester if he is close to making his return.

[menzinho]

I do think this is a big moment in the season for us. Both us and Walsall have only played 6 games against the top 10 so far this season so we’re in a similar situation in that we don’t know quite how realistic a top 3 finish is. Their home form is solid though, their only loss seems to be a bit of a freak anomaly a 6-2 defeat against Fleetwood as all the other games were wins (5) or draws (2).

I’m expecting Didzy to play in one of the second striker/attacking mid roles. I’d play Austin alongside him as his off the ball running pairs nicely with Didzy’s on the ball ability. Robertson and Crowley back in the matchday squad would be useful too. If Platt has to be rested I’d go for McDonald in the middle, think it’ll play to his strengths.

In our last 10 league games we’ve only won 3 times so a loss would mean our form (and ability to beat anyone above us) makes automatic promotion seem a big ask. A win here though would be massive and galvanise everyone going into the Christmas period.

[Dripsey3]

It's probably not the best time to be facing a side like Walsall. Injuries are killing us. I think we'd beat them with a full strength side. I'd happily take a draw right now. The wheel hasn't fallen off the wheelbarrow but it is wobbling. We need to get to January still in contention for promotion, that is going to be difficult. 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

It's Matchday.

 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Tonight's team.

No George Abbott or Matty Platt.

Nice to see Scott Robertson on the subs bench.

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

Good luck to Cisse in his first league start, he could have a bright future from what I’ve seen of him.

Great to see Didzy back too.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

The match begins 

 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

Walsall 0 Notts 0. 18 mins gone.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update 

Walsall 0 Notts 0.  36 mins 

 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

 

Half time 

Notts are probably the happier of the two teams. They haven't really looked threatening." -Stallard 

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

I’m watching on the telly and it’s the same old Notts really, 77% possession but no real threats on goal apart from one shot by Jatta that went wide with Austin trying to get on the end of it.

Walsall have a long throw specialist and set pieces seems to be their main threat, I think Cisse is struggling a bit but hopefully he’ll come more into the game if Maynard keeps him on.

Lets hope we can get some shots on goal in the second half one goal could win this.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Back to it.

 

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Update.

 

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

Lots better start they’ve done exactly what I asked for and are peppering the goal with shots unlucky not to be in front.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Goal to Walsall.

Completely against the run of play. We saw Notts nearly score directly from the corner but Walsall have done that. Not a good goal from Notts to concede." - Stallard

[Fan of Big Tone 𝕏 @mainstandpie]

Straight in from the corner, Bass missed it.

[Robbie 𝕏 @Robbie_NCFC]

Goal to Walsall.

Update.

Goal number 2 to Walsall.