Game 31 - The Whites (H)

Team: Dover Athletic

Date: 18/01/2020

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should Neal Ardley 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.

think we need to forget about yesterday, focus on making sure we are ready to kick on again.

i was unsure if the game would have benefits, but i do think it will allow neal ardley to focus more on dover. i think they will want to cause trouble from the off, not physically but by attacking us.

Notts have played some good football at home, I would like to see this continue. If the pace of the game is quick, I do feel we are better at controlling the play if players like Michael Doyle slow it down at the back.

I'm hoping for another win.

It's a good game for Notts to prove their promotion worth, Dover are a decent team but nothing special. If they're allowed space and, time on the ball - I would expect them to do well. They work hard for each other, yet it's a game we should really be winning.

I'm hoping for a good attendance, the club really should be trying to get more fans down for the home run we have coming up.

I can see Notts winning 2-0, if we play to a way that pins Dover back.

The momentum that has been built does need to be carried forward, if Dover deal Notts a setback, I have faith the team can bounce back.

I think it will be 1-0 to Notts.

Wes Thomas to score a tap in.

A win would start to give Notts some cushion space in the playoffs, plus enhance our chances of securing a place above them.

I expect Barrow to struggle, I dont think they will have the fitness required to keep up.

Dover are a typical National League team, nowhere near good enough for league football but can beat anyone in this division on their day. I'm hoping Notts can claim a convincing 3-0 win.

Good form makes a difference, with Kyle Wootton making his first appearance at home since signing I suspect the Kop will greet him with a roar.

Notts will have done their home work I am sure, Neal Ardley needs to send the squad out with a rocket and tell them to go for it. Most teams in the national league either get breaks in the game or want to force mistake from what I have seen, defensively I just hope for a clean sheet.

I am confident if this happens Notts can get the points.

There will be no bluebirds over Meadow Lane on Saturday!

Inih Effiong looks to be their main threat. Dover also seems to have a fair bit of height, which every side in this league seems to have.

I’m pleased Tuesday was postponed, it was a filthy night with wind & driving rain which would have made the game a lottery. 
we just need to carry on the way we have been and fingers crossed we can get another 3 points. 
It’s such a shame we couldn’t hit the ground running from the start of the season and with the dip in results recently it’s left us some catching up to do.

i have every faith in the gaffer and the lads to do their Absolute best .... that’s all we can hope for.

 

If they work hard and play for a good result, i am confident. We have looked decent at home so far in 2020, this standard needs to be maintained.

I don't how much about Dover, or most teams in this league. I do know when Notts plays well or as a team we are harder to beat. On the day it will go down to whoever wants the points more, you have to take what chances come.

I'm hoping that we see a good entertaining game.

Winning mentality would help the club to thrive further, fans will also be more up for games and that positive effect can be an influence around the ground.

I will say 1-0 Notts.

Kristian Dennis to score the only goal.

I will be gutted if Notts lose, provided they gave 100 and worked hard I would accept.

Tomorrow will be one of those games that says if a squad is capable of being more than a playoff chaser.

2-1 is my prediction.

I think they’ll take the lead, with Wes Thomas pulling level and in the second half, around the 67th minute Mitch Rose to win it.

I haven’t looked forward to a game so much for a long time, Notts are making waves and getting the results needed to push on. I am hoping for another win myself tomorrow.

1 point is better than none

Right, first and foremost I think the point is very fair - personally I happy with that.

First half might has well not taken place, there was little to say about it and most fans told me they felt bored.

Second half was better, I think Notts needed to attack the game better. I think Wes Thomas should have stayed one and played as a wide striker, with Nathan Tyson coming on at the other side. I would have played Kyle Wootton up top, and added Kristian Dennis behind him.

I would have instructed Tyson and Dennis to drift back to support the midfield, with Enzio Boldewijn and Sam Osborne going off.

I just feel we needed to be more attacking minded, Dover looked very iffy and dodgy at the back. The right pressure would have seen them crumble or allow more space for a shot. They organised themselves very well, put bodies behind the ball and did appear to be happy with a point. Personally, I felt they had one or two good chances which a better team would have finished.

That's why I am happy with a point.

If I supported Dover, I would feel disappointed and frustrated because they looked woeful up top.

Yes, Notts defended much better and looked class in this area. Yet Dover still managed to get into areas where they should have shot on target, very poor game.

Neither team "played well", it was one of those games which just cancels each other out.

I think Notts tried to be too clever with the ball.

Dover played a much simpler game which made them possibly edge the game in terms of goal scoring chances. Notts and them were extremely poor on goal. If some of the players gave a bit more fight, like we saw when Tyson chased every ball perhaps the game would have favoured us.

poor, just poor.

notts looked like a side wanting to put too much effort to get the ball forward, but zero quality to get the ball into the back of the net. its one of those performances you have to draw a line under and accept.

The team just wasn't at the races, NA made changes too late and the game was there for us to take but both teams settled for a point.

Just realised who their manager is....... Does anybody remember him playing?... If you do you will realise how his team was going to play....". They shall not pass..." ......... Add to the mix a Sunday morning league ref and you have the makings of a very dour game of footy...!!!!!!!!!!! 

Notts are codependent on teams that give them space, I thought Dover seemed very organised.

Dirty, but organised.

Notts lacked grit, it was obvious to me that JOB could have offered that spark.

I thought Tyson looked fired up, he chased everything and looked like a player who wanted to impress.

A stalemate might be disappointed, but nothing ended up being dropped and it's a clean sheet.

There will be games like this.

It's all about collecting wins on the row, and not losing games.