Game 39 - The 'Owd Reds (A)
Team - Accrington Stanley
Date - 17/03/2026 19:45
Where - Crown Ground

What would your starting line-up be? 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.

Notts need a win to re-establish themselves as promotion contenders after a dissapointing defeat to Chesterfield in front of a large crowd at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

Accrington are still in with a small shout of making a playoff place. They are in 15th place in League 2, with 48 points. Accrington have lost 3 & drawn 2 of their last 5 matches.

In their last 10 league games, Accrington have won 4, drawn 2 & lost 4. They have earned 14 points from a possible 30 & are 13th in the form table over the last 10 matches.

In the five matches between the sides since Notts returned to League 2, Notts have won 3, drawn 1 & lost 1. Accrington did win the last match between them at ML on 1st Jan, so they will be looking to do the double.

Notts are going to be without, Lee Ndlovu, Matt Dennis, & Ollie Norburn who are all suspended. Matty Platt limped off injured against Chesterfield so he's doubtful, & Scott Robertson is injured, so Notts will be without several of their key players on Tuesday.

Alassana Jatta isn't fully match fit just returning from injury, so he may not start the match on Tuesday. One of the attacking midfielders may have to fill in as an emergency striker until Jatta is introduced later in the game.

Accrington can exhibit a high energy, battling, gritty, & physical approach when it comes to competing in matches. Notts have found it difficult to deal with this style, so they will have to battle for every ball & try to grind out a result if they can.

It's a must win for Notts, however due to the Notts injuries & suspensions it will be difficult. Much will depend on how Notts line up & who starts upfront. I think a draw would be a good result for Notts under the present circumstances.

13 hours ago, Robbie said:

Alassana Jatta isn't fully match fit just returning from injury, so he may not start the match on Tuesday. One of the attacking midfielders may have to fill in as an emergency striker until Jatta is introduced later in the game.

Accrington can exhibit a high energy, battling, gritty, & physical approach when it comes to competing in matches. Notts have found it difficult to deal with this style, so they will have to battle for every ball & try to grind out a result if they can.

Up to a point @Robbie  but if we have to rely on that and play the game on their terms, then what chance have we anyway?

I want to see the club's philosophies and strategies prove themselves in games like this. And the coaching. We should be able to beat that type of team with passing and movement. Passes that find our players, clinical play in the final third, shots on target that lead to us scoring more than them. If we can't do that, what are we playing at anyway?

On Jatta, I'm optimistic. It must be tough to play when you're fasting. But this game kicks off a perfect few hours after his ifthar meal so he should be absolutely full of energy, exactly at the right time.

Platt out means MP will have his best ball-playing defenders on the pitch - Macari, McDonald, Bedeau

Norburn and Robbo out means that he might have to pair Palmer and Iorpenda finally

We can hope for great games from Jones and Tsaroulla and better games from players like Tangen, Grant, Kouhyar.

We should have what it takes to play them off the park. Let's see if we can COYPiiiiiiiiiiiiiiies!

@theAnticlough I love the Notts style of play & when the team is on song their is no better ball playing team in League 2, however when teams like Chesterfield come to ML with the spoiling tactics that we witnessed on Saturday, Notts need to have a plan B.

As I alluded to on another thread, I think players like Norburn, Robertson, Ndlovu & Grant playing together may have countered those Chesterfield tactics much better.

I think you have to counter physical teams with your own physicality. That doesn't mean that Notts have to stop playing the quick passing game that Notts are are noted for. It just means we have to ensure we aren't bullied off the field.

12 minutes ago, Robbie said:

I think you have to counter physical teams with your own physicality. That doesn't mean that Notts have to stop playing the quick passing game that Notts are are noted for. It just means we have to ensure we aren't bullied off the field.

Matter of emphasis then @Robbie. You should be able to count on the players standing up and playing hard, but I think the best answer to any bully is to outplay and outclass them. Don't let it descend into a physical battle - play well, and win that way instead.

Are we good enough to do that? We should be

It is definitely going to be more of a challenge because of our current player availability. I think Iorpenda has to play as one of the CMs, especially as we've no idea if Palmer is capable of starting this one. Same for Jatta, I think Enoru has played up front for Tamworth, and the National League isn’t short of physical centre backs. Ok playing to his feet won’t be his strength, but his pace would allow us to play more balls in behind and turn the Accrington defence. Otherwise, I think that just leaves Bennetts. He’s pretty strong, quick and skilful. I think he could fill in.

A massive positive for us is that since October we’ve only lost 2 matches away and generally speaking the team tends respond positively after a defeat.

As has been said this game is going to be very difficult without some of our key players, I just hope Notts can find a way to win or at least not lose.

IT'S MATCHDAY: CMON U PIES!!

Notts team to face Accrington.

Is the image of Bennetts the clue that he might be leading the line tonight? 🤔 I think it'll be either him or Grant.

Surprised that Enrou isn't even on the bench, is he injured? Great night for Harrison Iwunze though, potentially could make his proper first team debut. The trophy doesn't really count!

Although this looks the weakest team we have put out this season, there is plenty of experience out there. The scene is set for someone to become a hero or someone to come off the bench and make an impact. This is definitely an opportunity for the squad to show what it's really made of and the deterimnation to get promotion! COYP!

I think Bennetts will try to give his best Lee Ndlovu impersonation @menzinho 

Enough good footballers there who have been training together all season to outplay Accy tonight.

If it works it could be too fluid for their defenders to cope with, they won't know who to pick up and where

Edited March 17Mar 17 by theAnticlough

I agree@theAnticlough the three up front will need to rotate and be fluid. It won't work though if we keep pumping high balls up to them. This is a game to dominate possession and play it into feet. We only need to score one goal in 90+ minutes to win as long as we defend well.

I forgot that we were playing against Accrington today. 🤦🏻‍♂️

It's a very important away game, where we must overlook the performance provided the result comes our way. I really disliked the amount of times someone told me when we played Chesterfield that Accrington would be "easy" etc. I wouldn't underestimate them, I don't think it would be wise.

Keanan Bennetts might find himself a space in the starting lineup if he does well, he's got the skill to hold up play and it's just a question of finishing.

Yet, we do make scoring quite easy with tap ins and what not. I am sure the lads will give a good account of themselves.

(1) Underway.

Accrington 0 Notts 0

(9) GOOOOOAAAAAL JONES

GOOOOOAAAAAL BENNETTS

HALF TIME

Accrington 0 Notts 2

Wow, maybe the most enjoyable half of the season - so much good football played.

We've approached this game in exactly the right way - outplay them with passing and movement and the ball on the deck.

Maybe it's a good thing MP didn't have his extra height or defensive mid options available tonight

A great half from Notts. Another goal for Jodi & a first goal for Bennetts. They just need to keep it going in the 2nd half.

What is noticeable as well is that we are getting plenty of bodies into the box when we attack. I'm sure that's because we don't have a recognised striker. Too often this season we have put good balls into the box, but there is no one there to put it into the net.

(46) Back to it

Accrington 0 Notts 2

Update

Update

GOOOOOAAAAAL GRANT.

Update

(69) Jatta & Hall in for Tangen & Bennetts

Accrington 0 Notts 3

Update

More subs for Notts

I am pleased for the team, but more so for Jodi Jones and Conor Grant. I hope their goals give them a boost in confidence, because I thought the pre-match talk on BBC Radio Nottingham was a little negative. The opinion is fine, just trying to question the starting lineup and the amount of goals vs XI/subs.

Great 4th goal! Jatta should have scored before, but he unselfishly becomes a provider for Tyrese Hall.