Hello and welcome to round 15 of the prediction league! These matches kick off this coming Tuesday, 1 December - for some strange reason, the kick-off times in the various divisions are different, so get your predictions in by 7pm on Tuesday to be on the safe side. And remember your jokers! Love, Dangerous "The Oracle" Sausage.

Birmingham City v Barnsley

Derby County v Coventry City

Crewe Alexandra v Swindon Town

Blackpool v Portsmouth

Forest Green Rovers v Newport County

Colchester United v Crawley Town

Solihull Moors v Hartlepool United

Wealdstone v Torquay United

• Damien McCrory hasn't yet returned to training but has done light stuff on grass as of this Monday
• Wes Thomas is back training, he doesn't feel far away from being match ready but Neal Ardley aims to build him up over the next couple of weeks so that he's match sharp.
• Cal Roberts injury doesn't seem to be as bad as some fans/people have speculated, it sounds like there's work being done behind the scenes and with the arrival of Tom Walker for a month - it would seem he's been signed as cover. It's only speculation on my part, but it seems like he could be back to training within the month. He just requires a little looking after, which would be a blessing.

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/december/ardley-pre-dagenham-021220/?fbclid=IwAR1wIsIWb1VbBOEvSuX8aTUd6gxaTGUG5hcZV0I0mRrJWqZqE5ovMTbS3B8

https://downthewritewing.wordpress.com/2020/12/01/congested-fixtures/

something i think can put a little perspective into the ardley out situation is that 4 games ago, newly promoted weadstone sat bottom of the table with minus 4 goal difference.

they looked doomed having being beaten by stockport 5-2 at their own ground.

since they have gone on a winning streak of 4 games, this has changed everything for them and now they sit 3rd. tomorrow they play again, they face halifax away and could go 2nd. notts has 2 games over sutton who sit 4th. beating stockport could push notts as high as 6th place. a winning streak for notts could change form, performance and reflect better in the national league table.

there is still a long way to go.

the club tried getting fans behind our last winning streak of 3 games, hopefully we can start a new roll.

@TheMagpieCircle

https://downthewritewing.wordpress.com/2020/11/28/struggles-of-the-england-national-team/

Ps.. may have slightly ranted in this.

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Thanks for understanding.

Following Government confirmation that Nottingham will re-enter tier three restrictions when the nation’s second lockdown ends on 2 December, we can confirm that we will not be permitted to welcome supporters back to Meadow Lane for the time being.

Elite football clubs based in tier one and tier two areas of the country will be permitted to play competitive matches in front of a limited number of supporters for the first time since the 2019-20 season was curtailed in March, but those in tier three must continue to play behind closed doors.

https://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/2020/november/tier-three-statement-261120/

https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/post/match-report-notts-county-3-0-stones

This Friday at 19:45 BST we finally play at a home, in what feels like a lifetime since the last home game. Our opponents, Wealdstone FC.

The game was moved (assumingly on request of the police) to the Friday as a small club across the river were supposed to be playing on Saturday. They're not playing on Saturday anymore, they're playing on Sunday. Additionally, there's no fans allowed to either game anyway. Yet, we still play on Friday. All makes sense, fine logic. Moving on...

Friday's Opponents:

Wealdstone FC are most famous for... well.... 



Can we have him at the top of the Kop on Friday, screaming 'you've got no fans' to absolutely nobody, before asking Ben Turner 'if he wants some?'. 
 

Almost 17 million views on that video alone. Impressive.

On a serious note, though, they are last seasons NL South champions, finishing on 70 points with 33 games played, less games than anybody else around them in the table, so even with PPG mark up due to you-know-what, probably safe enough to say they were deserved winners. 

They've made a flying start to NL football too, sitting pretty in 4th after winning 5 of their opening 10 games, drawing 2 and losing just the 3. This weekend they were 2-0 down after 11 minutes to Sutton United, coming back to lead 3-2 only to let Sutton equalise in the 90+5th minute, but it certainly shows that they are a team with character.  Formation-wise, it looks to be either a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, though they are pretty fluid in the middle and attacking thirds. 

Strengths

They look to be a very agile, athletic team with plenty of pace and energy throughout their side. Their players cover a lot of ground and can employ a press at times, especially against teams who are prone to mistakes at the back (ring any bells?): 



This 3 player press forced an error that the Alty keeper did well to save.

Wealdstone often employ quick free kicks and set pieces to catch the opposition napping, something I've seen work on us a few times before. 

They have wingers that aren't afraid to run at the opposing full back, either getting to the byline or coming inside. Number 11, Dennon Lewis, does this often from the left, combining well with Number 18, Moses Emmanuel. Their fullbacks too, love to push up. 

They have a long effort goal in them. Jacob Mendy scored a cracker against Chesterfield and did so again against Sutton. Given the opportunity, they'll use set pieces to set up Mendy for a long piledrive shot. 

Lafeyette is their focal point up top, a more physical striker. He has scored a few last season and so far this season too, despite being a bit of an older non-league journeymen:

Weaknesses:

They don't look to be the largest team in terms of size and physicality. Looking at their game against Chesterfield, Tom Denton and long throws caused them no end of problems.  Watching their recent highlights, it also looks like their defence is a bit weak and has more than one mistake in them. This is probably confirmed by the goals conceded column, 20 in 10 games, more than they've scored. At times they are asking for it a bit, they leave their defence wide-open when pushing forward and they'll often leave their defence 1v1 even when winning. 


As for us...

Wealdstone are exactly the type of team we struggle against. Energetic, pressing, creative. However, they will leave big gaps, depending on their tactics on the day, which could be exploited by pace and ingenuity. 

My line-up would be the following:



From the back, it almost picks itself, but Brindley and DKE are in to cope with their direct, pacey wingers. Tenacity will be a key value for that fullback - wideman matchup. 

I've gone with Doyle (no alternative) and Reeves. Reeves offers that bit more running and athleticism that might be needed in this game, in a bit of a shielding role for him, dealing with the amount  of runners they have from their own midfield. Rodrigues will offer that creative outlet, able to beat men and pick the pass. Roberts is being Roberts. Both wingers might find themselves needing to help out defensively with their fullbacks bombing on.

I've gone for Sam and Wootton up front because they (Wealdstone) might be exposed by a bit of height. Sam is also deceptively quick for a big man, and some of his runs off the ball will provide openings should we be capable of threading the pass. If Thomas were fit, I'd be tempted to swap him out for Wootton, or certainly bring him off the bench if that front 2 isn't working. 

Slocombe 6 Just caught out of position but generally a safe pair of hands

brindley 4 Defensively OK but offers nothing going forward

Rawlinson 5.5 A moment of sloppy play put us under pressure but generally defensive work good

Turner 6 Much improved, some strong defensive headers

DKE 6 A yellow card for the team, but everything Notts built came down his channel

Doyle 6 Dictating play where he could

Reeves 5 Much quieter and less influential... Perhaps have to sit in a holding role

Enzio 7 Enzio closing down for the 3rd goal, unheard of. Great finish for the first

Rodrigues 8 Someone on Twitter described as Masson like influence. If only he had a more powerful shot.

Sam 8.5 Class goal and ability to hit some great passes.

Wootton 6.5 effort yes, but unrewarded. 

Sub

JOB 4 Too loose in passing

What are your thoughts on getting the best out of Michael Doyle, Jim O'Brien and Jake Reeves?

What is the worst football song you have ever heard? I think the best has been discussed but what about the worst. ????????❌

This will take some beating...

I imagine this converted many fans to support a different nation. ????

Gone to NCFC reserves... Aka Boston United..... Could we have done with him back?????? Or has he found his level!!!!! 

Diego Maradona has died aged 60, love or hate him he was a great player that excited fans on the pitch.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54810392

Why do clubs look overseas especially Notts when there are good young players who just need a bit of experience in the Scottish/Irish and Welsh leagues?

The standard of football is probably comparable to ours or just below.

Even, looking at young English players seems to have been forgotten by Notts in favour of experience and resale value. Notts should start to look at young players from within the UK, along with giving their own youths time to develop.

https://downthewritewing.wordpress.com/2020/11/19/criticism-surrounding-england-southgate/

The show goes on on Tuesday night (24 November) - these matches all kick off at 7.00 pm, so that's the deadline for your predictions. As always, you get one joker each. Good luck!

QPR v Rotherham United

Stoke City v Norwich City

Accrington Stanley v Crewe Alexandra

Doncaster Rovers v Blackpool

Barrow v Oldham Athletic

Exeter City v Colchester United

Altrincham v Bromley

Wrexham v Sutton United

I think Notts are missing the players who graft like workhorses in order to jump ahead of others and earn their selection, Neal Ardley on paper has built a decent squad with areas that do require some thought.

Most teams have areas where they focus and require further work.

What I would like to see is Notts identify players like Richard Butcher/Neal Bishop, workhorse style players who do the simple things like pressing and winning the ball. There's too much desire from media and certain fans to expect a squad full of players like Callum Roberts. We don't have any of those dirty workers who will grind out a good result by just working hard, why do we need to build a squad that on paper gets tipped for winning the league.

It would be a better usage of the budget if we had capable players who worked hard.

Very simple, try not to be biased but I imagine it could be somewhat difficult. If you genuinely feel that ours is the best, kudos - I'm not going to suggest otherwise but I am curious how people would honestly rank these.

https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/recap-chesterfield-concede-twice-injury-time-fall-defeat-against-notts-county-3043329

The goals

https://play.acast.com/s/priceoffootball/ukgovts-300msportbailout-carabaocupcash

I don't know if this has been posted elsewhere, but former Notts defender Graeme Lee and his family are having a bit of a rough time. His wife, Gemma, has terminal brain cancer but is trying a new drug that seems to be helping. It costs 5k a month though, so should anybody wish to help out, the link for JustGiving is below. Donny Rovers are donating 10 quid per shirt sold this season, which is a fantastic gesture. 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8969857/Graeme-Lee-wife-Gemma-Exclusive-Interview-12-months-terminal-brain-cancer-diagnosis.html


Just Giving:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/warriorgemma

This could be very good news, I am hopeful it will go ahead - people just need to be mindful.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/55010011?at_custom4=A6310350-2D9C-11EB-823F-2A7A96E8478F&at_campaign=64&at_custom1=[post+type]&at_custom3=Match+of+the+Day&at_custom2=facebook_page&at_medium=custom7&fbclid=IwAR2lin92QWaN11SSWbn-3mL8NZzL6gBahWR_AzbvCheLpjea8ohqrlzTRuM