Notts' recent form would be considered to be good with 10 points from their last 5 games. But in a ludicrous season where both of the top two teams should finish on over 100 points this actually has the effect of being a minislump with Mickey Mouse FC picking up 13 points during the same period. With no-one able to stop Ivor The Engine's unstoppable and media adored train in running for the title, Notts fans are having to start to reconcile themselves with another grim playoff fight.
With Notts Landing in the playoffs this does present a bit of a challenge for Barnet in terms of our promotion aspirations but as we saw at Meadow Lane, at least for 60 minutes, we are not the same team who got wiped out by all and sundry last season. The only concern is that while Notts have Longstaff, we have no staff as our hectic schedule takes it's toll on the 13 or so selectable players in our first team. While some may dub a game against Robin Hood FC as a "Free Hit" this is gisborne out of a lack of ambition in my view and I am sure that the players don't scarlet easily. While Wrexham have rejuvenated their fortunes by marian the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood a-lister with Disney documentary money, Notts County are relying on a benefactor to keep them going also with massive debts and and overstuffed first team squad.
What worries me is that while I think we have 9 or 10 players who can give Notts a game, we cannot rely on the likes of Woods and Flanagan who were largely passengers against Yeovil and I don't think we will see any of our injured players back, although hopefully with a bit of luck some of them will return against the 85%ers.
In terms of team lineup while the absence of Gorman makes me want to bolster the defense looking at who we have available I don't think this will work so I think on this occasion attach may be the best form of defense.
-----------------------------------Walker---------------------------------
----Cropper---------Potter----------Diarra---------Okimo-------------
-------------------De Havilland-----Pritchard---------------------------
----Moyo---------------------Woods--------------------------Kanu-------
-------------------------------Kabamba------------------------------------
Subs: Callan, Flanagan, Hall, Armstrong, Revan, C. Smith
I am doing this one. Hoping we can upset the apple cart and put a stake in the ground for the playoffs.
COYBS
