Match Thread Notts County vs MK Dons

[Chris]

Another tough game, one which Alan Smith's knowledge of MK Dons will be vital.

I'd be tempted to give Smith the nod, rough them up and use him as someone to kill the game. No doubt they're a seriously decent side at this level, however I don't fancy them for promotion despite currently being second. I think Notts will have to match their intensity to get anything from here, they must not be allowed to get into their flow.

Otherwise this could be Bristol City again, which I am hoping isn't the case.

Notts need to get a solid grip on their defending, I don't expect us to be beating Bristol City, MK Dons etc but I do expect to see us stand tall and mark exactly how we know we can do. The amount of goals we are conceding is a concern for me, I have to be honest. Naturally this will have an effect on morale, goal scored and performances.

I'm hoping for a draw, which if so I'd say would end at 1-1 but I have a feeling MK Dons will sneak a winner.

My prediction is 1-2 to them.

Thoughts?

[Dripsey3]

MK Dons are the best team in the division. They have quality throughout their squad. Baker, Grigg, Afobe, Ali etc. Their youngsters vs our pensioners in midfield could get very ugly indeed. I'm going for a lucky to be beat only 2-0.

[liampie]

i think will grigg is vastly overrated.

if notts can keep tight and avoid silly mistakes, i think we will do better than what the majority will think but i hope we can ride the storm and come out better for it.

[BromPie]

@Dripsey3 I agree.

Very good side and a difficult task, they are up there with Bristol City and Swindon Town for a reason. 2-0 win for them is the way I see it going, if we keep them out and get a better result I will be over the moon.

I dont expect it to happen. COYP

[Pies4u]

Sort of game we'll either get stuffed or spring a surprise victory!

So, against the odds, I'll go for the win.

Come on you Piiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeees.

[Canadian]

I'm always going to say we'll win.

Tough game, hopefully end to end stuff. With Mullins back the defence will be OK.

I'm going for a petrasso winner (cuz he's Canadian )

2-1 Notts

[upthepies]

Think of Coventry last season.

Nobody would have felt we would have dubbed them then, yet we did. Notts will have to be careful and balance the load, if we attack they will punish us I suspect. I think @Pies4u hits the nail on the head. We will either do well or we will be thrashed, there is no such thing as middle ground for Notts but even a loss would not be a bad thing.

Provided we give a good account of ourselves.

[GrannyPie]

It's christmas and I'd like 3 points as a present please.

[super_ram]

It seems ages since both my teams won on the same day,so here's hoping for a bit of christmas cheer.

[Chris]

Notts County vs MK Dons

Friday 26th December 2014
Kick Off - 3:00pm
League One

Meadow Lane

Match Officials
Ref: Andrew Madley
Assistant(s): Michael Hanley and James Wilson
Fourth Official: Jason Tyas

Formbook - Last 6 Games
Notts County: LWLDLD
Goals Scored: 6
Goals Conceded: 10

MK Dons: WDWWDW
Goals Scored: 18
Goals Conceded: 3

Last Time We Met
Tuesday 11th March 2014

Notts County 1-3 MK Dons
Goal Scorer(s) - Alli (3, 55 and 94) and Sheehan (70 min).

Notts County: Bialkowski, Dumbuya, Sheehan, Mullins, Smith, Leacock, Campbell-Ryce, Liddle, Tyson, McGregor, Grealish.

Used Subs: Hollis (38), Murray (57), and Fotheringham (67).

MK Dons: Martin, Baldock, Lewington, Alli, Spence, Kay, Powell, Gleeson, McLeod, Smith, Odelusi.

Used Subs: Bowditch (75).

The Build-Up » - Scouting Report » - Stat Attack »

[Super_Danny_Allsopp]

Going to be a tough game that's for sure, plus we're at home. Not too optimistic on this one. 

[Feral Fox]

Recent home from shows this might be another Swindon imo. Hope not as I like the traditional Boxing Day match to finish with a victory. (No different to normal really.)

[PTID1862]

I don't have high hopes for this game, I hope we get something.. Notts to lose by two (at least)

[Super_Danny_Allsopp]

Notts XI - Carroll, Adams, Smith, Mullins, Hollis, Murray, G Thompson, Traore, Edwards, Bishop, McLaughlin

Subs - Pilkington, Dumbuya, Cassidy, Jones, Whitehouse, Harrad, Hall


Seems a bit harsh to drop Whitehouse IMO. Excited for Bishop!

[Chris]

We've started brightly.

There needs to be more organisation and we need to take our time. Bishop looks handy, he's made some nice contributions.

Let's go Notts!

[Canadian]

MK 1-0 We're still in this, But we need to be more. Ruthless

 

COME ON NOTTS

[weymuff]

we sound like we're doing okay, but they are a quality team at this level, if we get a point we'll have done well.

Heart says 1-1, head says 0-3 or 4

[Feral Fox]

Lots of side to side passes now. Why?

Hollis is a donkey when it comes to passing. Talking of donkeys...here comes Cassidy

[Chris]

They scored not long after my last post, we was a little disorganized and some players not in a position at all.

That said they did well, I can't name a stand out player who didn't contribute and we kept a good side at bay. MK Don's fans I spoke to before the game said they'd be surprised if they finished any higher than 5th, not the best team I've seen and games do vary but they need to show a lot more to gain promotion. I expect them to fade personally. A MK fan called 'Bob' said they over try and get lost, I could see this in their game play today.

At times we could have gotten back, I am not sure about the penalty appeal. I'm not really bothered!

Jesus it was freezing!

[Feral Fox]

Just got back so immediate thoughts...

 

Wet and bloody cold out there this pm. Started more open than usual and I was hopeful we were up for it, which tbf we were in parts, but the usual problems applied. As @notts-joe said players in wrong positions doesn't help us or them. Drizzie looked good again. Quite a find there by SD. Enjoyed watching Colby Bishop give his best. Murray is badly off form imo. In fact he has been all season! As my in match post alluded to, Hollis was atrocious with the ball today. If this doesn't improve quickly then sadly we need a new CB. Cassidy didn't do alot again, neither did Mclaughlin.

 

Some attempts at better play today, but any defeat till tastes bitter!!!

[Pies4u]

Sadly, today just illuminated the flaws. No fire power, little creativity - until Jones appeared, too many average to poor players.

The better sides in this division are way ahead of us in terms of composure, fluency and are able to utilise their possession more effectively.

Mullins was one of the few who looked assured today but Hollis looked what he is - glorified pub player and if anyone still harboured thoughts that Cassidy could play then today's inept effort must have extinguished that, completely. I've seen far too much of that youth this season, he is a waste of a shirt.

Thought Adams was better today and McLaughlin actually produced some decent stuff in the opening 30 mins - before reverting to type..

[upthepies]

I did not think we was that bad at all.

We looked like a side which have not been playing long together, which to be fair is true. I can see us playing better with a few additions to the squad. Disappointed in the way Murray and Cassidy played, neither offered much to little at all. Some of the players need to have more ideas when on the ball, lumping it forward did not work, thought McLaughlin did well today.

[BromPie]

Very flat to be honest.

The ball spent longer in their air than it did in the hands of their keeper or on the floor awaiting his goal kick. They are a good team but even they played some bad football, I wasn't impressed.

[Feral Fox]

Lots of issues to be sorted out for his after Xmas thoughts.

Settled back 4 which (so far in last few months) shouldn't have Hollis in it.

Formation that suits the players in the correct positions.

Carroll

Muzzie Mullins NEW. Adams

Thompson? Jones. Drizzie NEW

NEW. NEW

[Fan of Big Tone]

It seems ages since I last went to a Boxing Day match. It was good to bump into @notts-joe and @super_pie outside the ground before the game and of course @magpiejue inside.

Notts started really brightly for the first 15 minutes or so and it was good to see them attacking with two and sometimes three up front but the Dons came into it more as the half wore on and I could see the goal coming.

The second half we improved and had some good chances to equalise, Murray should have scored when put through one on one with the goalie and right at the death we had a good shout for a penalty when thompson went down in the area. The Dons also fluffed some good chances and Carroll made some good saves.

All in all a pretty good match with some good entertaining end to end stuff but probably the right result if we are honest.

For once I thought the officials were decent too.