Game 42 - The Alex (A)

Team: Crewe Alexandra

Date: 13/04/19

Where: Gresty Road

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.

Palmer 4 - Couldn't really do owt for the goals. Released the ball too slowly on occasions

Tootle 5 - Looked dejected at full time. Pushed upfield a lot, trying to help the attack late on. 

Stubbs 3 - AFC Passback at it again. Lost out to Chris Porter a few times in the air

Duffy 4 - Didn't really do much as Porter battled Stubbs instead of Duffy. Went off injured

Milsom 2 - If he passed the ball backwards anymore than he did, he would have ended up in Industrial Revolution Britain. He's not brave enough with the ball. Too scared to play a forward pass

Doyle 3 - Never had the impact on the game he had at Stevenage. Take him off corners please I'm begging

O'Brien 3 - Forgot to take his Red Bull. Was bypassed too many times by Ryan Wintle who was MOTM for Crewe. Silly fouls created

Rose 4 - Was better in the second half than he was in the first half. Tried to get counter attacks started and made challenges sometimes

Hemmings 4 - If he scores, it changes the game. Struggled on occasions

Stead 3 - Won one flick on all game and has the first touch of a camel

Boldewijn 3 - Ineffective yet again

Subs

Mackail-Smith 3 - First touch of a horse, runs around like a headless chicken

Alessandra 2 - Came on when the game was virtually over. Did nothing when he came on like normal. 

Barclay 3 - Bought on for Duffy when he got injured. Covered ok

Ardley 0 - Set up defensively in a relegation battle away from home. The opposite of Stevenage away. When you need points and wins, setting up to take a point and hoping for any old knock on or bounce when hoofing it to Stead is pathetic 

So starting tomorrow the club begin  there closing season sale. 

With up to 40% off the puma range online and in store.

So I’m sure by now everyone has had the email or heard that Alan Hardy has decided to freeze the season ticket  renewal prices until the end of April for 19/20 season. This is despite the fact that we do not know what league we will play in next season. I’ve spoken to someone from meadow lane and even If we do get relegated the price I’m told is not going to be lowered and will remain the same.

So the gaffer took to the media room this morning and gave his pre match press conference. 

So last night we needed a favour from Exeter as they faced fellow relegation fighters Macclesfield but unfortunately it turned out to be a night that Macclesfield may just look back at and smile come the end of the season . 

While It’s ironic that Exeter were the team that beat us 1-0 at meadow lane a few weeks ago. I just hope that the Exeter game is not the game that proves to be our down fall and that we do get a chance to  turn things around 

Macclesfield sit just two places and two points above the drop zone with Notts rooted to the bottom of league two. 

From BBC Sport:

A football fan overjoyed at a player signing for his team has got his name tattooed on his bottom after making a promise on Twitter.

Scott Reay tweeted he would get an Alan Judge tattoo if the midfielder signed a permanent contract with Ipswich Town.

He said he was "true to my word" and "had to get it done" when "Judgey" penned the deal with the Tractor Boys.

Mr Reay, 32, from Newcastle, said: "He's such a good player, I thought there would be no chance he'd stay."

So here's to thank Judgey for signing. Cheers ????⚽️⚽️???????? #itfc @10judgey @IpswichTown @ITFC_bible @twtduk pic.twitter.com/zUm0perfH0

— Scott 'Antonio' Reay (@SReay8) April 9, 2019

???? ???? ???? ????️

Some are now in the final five games or the season with every point vital. 

County,Macclesfield,and now Yeovil find them self in the dog fight for survival. 

Below is each of there final games what do we all think.?

Notts county final 5 Games

crewe - Away 

mk Dons - Home 

Crawley - Away 

Grimsby -Home

Swindon -Away 

Macclesfield Final 5 

Forest Green - Away 

Northampton - Away 

Newport County - Away 

Port Vale - Away 

Cambridge- Home 

Yeovil final 5 Games

Crawley - Away

Crewe - Away  

Colchester - Home 

Northampton - Away 

 Carlisle - Home 

Mat Tootle took to the media room to give us his pre match press conference as he prepares to face his old team. 

So with the straight red card on Saturday against Northampton being shown goalkeeper Ryan Schofield it means he will serve a three match ban as it stands.

Notts have not at this minute In time appealed against the card and more than likely won’t do. 

So with that said it’s over to former number one Ross Fitzsimons to return to the number one shirt for at least three game. 

With that said I know a number of people have some concerns about Ross being back especially based on his statistics this season. 

But based on his performances on Saturday when he came on I have some hope he will play well In the games he will get between the sticks. 

Saturday he looked a lot sharper and more confident making some quality saves and looked for me a different player. 

I know the next three games are key and if it goes wrong things can happen we all know what could happen but that has to be put to the back of our minds. 

I know now with the suspension for Ryan means Ross starts but what about a substitute goalkeeper I know it’s not a must but it is a bit of security knowing you have back up goalkeeper to come on if any thing happens. 

The gaffer joined Matt Tootle in the media room and gave him his pre Match press conference. 

Table after the last round;

Saturday's games:
Millwall v West Bromwich Albion
Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa
AFC Wimbledon v Accrington Stanley
Bradford City v Doncaster Rovers
Milton Keynes Dons v Lincoln City
Port Vale v Crewe Alexandra


Mine:
Millwall 1-3 West Brom 
heffield Wednesday 1-1 Aston Villa
AFC Wimbledon 2-1 Accrington Stanle
Bradford City 0-2 Doncasster Rovers (Joker)
MK Dons 1-0 Lincoln City
Port Vale 1-2 Crewe 

So after today’s straight red we looking to be with our loan goalkeeper Ryan Schofield for three of our next six games unless Notts appeal the red card. 

After the game myself and Chris saw Ryan and he said that there was hardly any contact made and the player made the most of. 

So we are going to be without Ryan for the next three of the six remaining games will we miss him.?  

While the lads were getting there half time wedge of orange there was some Northampton substitutes on the pitch but what caught my eye was the picture below. 

Got to say from a distance it looks a bit iffy ???????????? 

So I ask this quite a lot but can we take any positives from today’s game against Northampton.? 

So who’s heading to Crewe this Saturday to cheers on the lads.?

Alan Hardy provided the evening post with a update on the development of the sale of the club. 

saying the un named party are carrying out further due dillagence this week as the process takes another step towards the sale be final. 

For the full interview and to see how’s it going clink the link below. 

https://www.nottinghampost.com/sport/football/notts-county-takeover-update-deal-2731366

So next Tuesday Macclesfield take on Exeter at home in their game in hand. 

Macclesfield sit bottom of league 2, a point behind Notts who have 36 points the same as Yeovil who have been dragged into the dog fight as well. 

If Macclesfield win they leap frog county and Yeovil by two point and out the relegation zone.

So next Tuesday I am definitely on loan to Exeter for 90 minutes. Anyone else.?

So in just one word describe our January loanee from the red side of Nottingham Forest Virgil Gomis 

So with this season drawing to a close and with only 7 games left including a home tie against automatic promotion chasing mk Dons.

We still have to face 

Stevenage - Away 

Northampton - Home

Crewe - Away 

mk Dons - Home

crawley - Away

grimsby - Home 

swindon - Away 

So if the new ownership dose happen do you think the new owner will have the score board repaired.? 

So if you could retain/give a contract extension to just one member of current Notts County squad for next season who would it be.? 

So I know we have 6 games to play and fighting relegation and the situation concerning the club being sold but as anyone already renewed there season ticket for next season 19/20.

So yesterday it was made official that Alan had excepted a offer for the club subject to due diligence with a unnamed party.

Also he has the funds to guarantee the player and staff wages for the month of April and will be given time to pay HMRC. 

But am i the only one who’s a bit worried in case the deal falls through.?

https://mobile.twitter.com/TheSportsman/status/1113808963185721345

Mine would have to be Carl Dickinson running from his own half, up the pitch to help his winger out, only to put his cross into the Kop against Swindon last season.