Preview: Notts County Vs. Oldham Athletic

Notts County’s relegation was confirmed a couple of weeks ago in what has been an awful season for the Magpies who have been in administration for 18 months before finally getting out this year. Billy Dearden resigned as manager shortly after the club came out of administration, Gary Mills took over but he couldn’t save the club from the drop. Their form of late has been awful losing four of their last five games and only one win in eleven, picking up just nine points out of a possible thirty-three in that time.

Oldham are in good form of late only losing one of their last twelve games and winning three of their last four. Perhaps the foot will be off the pedal and maybe Brian Talbot will experiment with players he hasn’t tried. Whatever happens the players will be spurred on by a big following.

Previous Match

Last November Notts County travelled to Boundary Park and went home with all three points. Notts County scored in the opening couple of minutes, a long ball over the top caught out Mark Hudson and Paul Heffernan ran on to the loose ball and fired past Pogliacomi. Oldham tried everything to get back on level terms but were unable to break the Notts County resistance. Oldham got a penalty in the second half but debutant Jermaine Johnson fired a weak penalty straight at the keeper. Clive Platt was sent off moments later for a scuffle.

Oldham Athletic: Pogliacomi, Hudson, Haining, Beherall, Holden, Eyre, Hall, Johnson, Cooksey, Zola, Vernon
Subs: Roca, Clegg, Griffin, Westwood, Tierney

Notts County: Mildenhall, Livesey, Fenton, Nicholson, Riley, Bolland, Baldry, Murray, Richardson, Platt, Heffernan
Subs: Garden, Stallard, Hackworth, Francis, McFaul

Att: 5,190

A View from a Notts County Fan

Before the game on Saturday Notts County supporter Jacob Daniel kindly answered some questions on his team.

What has your season been like?

Franky, awful. Look at the league table and you'll see why. Any pre-season optimism was smashed into orbit within ten minutes at Ashton Gate. 2-0 down things weren't looking up. Didn't really get much better from there. We had to wait 6 games for a win, that being at local rivals Chesterfield. We were nailed to the bottom for the first 12 games or so when we had a brief stint above the zone but soon slumped back to earth. A carling cup trip to Chelsea the only highlight in a dreadful start. After Bill Dearden was sacked and Gary Mills drafted in, We only came out of the bottom 4 once more, that during a run of 4 straight victories, but unfortunately an awful goalkeeping mistake drained morale and the season just fizzled out into relegation obscurity.

What have you got to look forward to next season?

Hopefully we've got the ambitious, young manager to help us bounce straight back. With the right summer signings we should have the best squad, setup, ground and facilities in division 3. A title challenge is expected and if we're not in the top 6 come christmas expect to see some radical changes.

What is your Best XI of this season?

GK: Stuart Garden - not played as many games as Mildenhall but has impressed when in goal, can't afford three keepers though so he won't get a new contract.
RB: David Pipe - The most skillful player i've seen in the division. He's got pace, tricks, tackles and he can finish. Also plays some delicious balls down the line, definately the danger man
LB: Paul Boertin - Loaned from Derby for a month and impressed when we played a wing back system. He isn't at the club anymore but a bid to sign him for next season has been launched.
CB: Ian Richardson - Mr. Notts County, Richo is the most loyal player in our squad, 6 years service has made him the fans' favourite. If you cut this man he'd bleed black and white.
CB: Nick Fenton - been dreadful but better than the other choice Barras. He's sure to gift you a goal on saturday
RM: Simon Baldry - has shown no heart of late but earlier in the season he ran at defences and put some teasing balls into the box, he'll be dangerous if on form
LM: Tony Scully - He made an immediate impression when he joined in February. Scoring the winner at Brentford, then a goal at Rushden and a screamer at home to Blackpool. His season was abruptly ended at Colchester though, damaged knee ligaments the cause.
CM: Stefan Oakes - Plays delicious balls, but sometimes takes to long to decide what to do. He has an obsession with playing the ball into space, but always causes confusion
CM: Paul Bolland - Does his headless chicken act to much, but his work rate is brilliant
SC: Andy Parkinson - on loan from Sheffield United, runs and runs sometimes to no avail but he creates a lot of havoc in opposition's defences
SC: Paul Heffernan - 21 goals in a struggling team says it all. But Notts fans have taken badly to him after declaring he wouldn't stay after quotes of 'i want to stay i love it here'

What are your views on Oldham Athletic? (Team, fans etc)

Oldham is a great club. You've been through the financial mire just like us and every football fan must be thankful you've come through. Very nice pies up at Boundary Park, and the fans are very friendly and welcoming.

Who in your squad should we look out for?

If, and its a big if he plays, David Pipe is one of the best players in the division. The skillful right back signed permanently from Coventry after impressing in a loan spell and has immediately warmed to the fans. Got 3 players sent off so far, so your boys will have to keep their cool and not kick him to the floor like Glynn Hurst. May unfortunately not play though after a nasty injury at Brighton on saturday.

How do Notts County play?

errr, depends what mood we're in. Sometimes we get the ball on the deck, pass it about and carve open defences. But unfortunately most of the time it's the big boot from our hopeless back to and 2 tiny strikers run after it. Story of our season really.

What is Paul Heffernan like?

He's undoubtedly gifted and with 21 goals in an awful team and without a target man is quite an achievement. But you probably won't see him play on Saturday. 2 months ago Heffs was quoted in the nottingham evening post as 'I want to stay i love it here' and before the Brighton game he told Gary Mills that he wouldn't be staying. Ask the majority of Notts fans and they will tell you he doesn't deserve the black and white stripes, although he may play as a farewell. If we play the ball on the deck he is lethal, but unfortunately most of the time he is running after the back 4's 'big boot'.

Score prediction?

We're generally atrocious at the minute, so although it pains me to say it you'll win 1-0, i'd love to say 2-1 to Notts though.

Anything else you feel we should know?

Nothing really apart from make sure you have a trip to hooters, down the road from Meadow Lane. The place for you lads to be pre-game.

Team News

Brian Talbot has already started to wield the axe on the squad. Loan signings Calvin Zola and Kieran Westwood have both left the club back to Newcastle United and Manchester City respectively. Carlos Roca and Craig Fleming and just recently Dean Crowe have all been told their futures don’t lie at Boundary Park.

Jermaine Johnson is suspended for the final game, only time will tell if we see him in an Oldham shirt again, David Beherall has been dropped from the squad for the final game.

Marc Tierney joins the squad along with two first time call ups from the youth team into the squad with Matt Barlow a hard working striker and Ashley Winn who plays in midfield. Brian Talbot has been quoted in the press that the starting lineup will remain unchanged from the previous game but at least two players out of Lomax, Tierney, Barlow and Winn will be on the bench and if given the chance will get a run out.

There are no new injury worries going into the game, currently Wes Wilkinson (knee), Chris Grange (broken leg) and Danny Boshell (knee) are on the injury list and all are expected to make a full recovery by the start of pre-season training.

Oldham Athletic Squad: Pogliacomi, Holden, Sheridan, Cooksey, Murray, Eyre, Clegg, Lomax, Vernon, Beherall, Hall, Haining, Bonner, Griffin, Eyres, Corry, Barlow, Winn, Tierney

David Pipe will be out with a cracked fibula which occurred in a nasty tackle at Brighton last Saturday. Paul Heffernan has probably already played his last game for the club, he has turned down a recent contract offer and looks set to leave in the summer. Oldham are said to be interested in the 21 goal man but Sheffield Wednesday are hot favourites to win the race. Gary Mills is also planning for next season already, he has told Ian Baraclough and Stuart Garden that they won’t be at Meadow Lane next season although Ian did play against Brighton & Hove Albion he could play against Oldham tomorrow as a fond farewell to the club.

Notts County Squad: Deeney, Fenton, Baraclough, Oakes, Barras, Richardson, Wilson, Williams, Bolland, Parkinson, Barcherini, Bewers, Baldry, Scoffham, Harrod
TO BE CONFIRMED

History: Notts County Vs. Oldham Athletic

To check out the history between the two clubs please go to http://www.oldhamathletic-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadhed.asp where all the facts and figures of previous encounters will be shown.

Ticket Details

Adults: £16

Concessions: £10

12-15 Years Old: £7

Under-12’s: £3

Students: £9 (To get in as a student you must produce valid student ID at the ticket office at the ground)

Wheelchair bound F.O.C. Helpers: £9

It’s the last game of the season. Time to celebrate and party after a long, hard season. Try to get down to Nottingham and support your boys for the final time this season. It might be some players last game for the club and they deserve a good send off.

Also don’t forget to catch our little article in the Notts County programme!

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