This weekend, Notts County go to Hillsborough to take on Sheffield Wednesday hoping they can pull off another win like they did against Tranmere Rovers in the week.
That game had all the excitement and was well worth the ticket price, but we mustn`t kid ourselves that we will see a game like that every week.
Sheffield United will be looking to tighten things up at the back after two defeats on the bounce, both those defeats came away from home against Bournemouth and Bury. But at Hillsborough, Wednesday are unbeaten so far after beating Rochdale 2-0 on the opening day of the season and then knocking Blackpool out of the Carling Cup, although that game did have to go to penalties.
Last season at Hillsborough, County came away with all the points thanks to a penalty by Alan Gow in a 1-0 win. Although Notts lost out to the Owls at Meadow Lane and also saw Sheffield Wednesday win in the JPT competition game between the two clubs.
Vital Quotes:
Martin Allen: ‘It’s always a very special place to me Hillsborough. For some reason, all their supporters have got an affinity with me, I don’t know what it is.
‘Maybe it’s because I wrote a letter to the club a few years ago when a couple of their supporters passed away in a car crash on their way back from a game.
‘Maybe it’s because when they beat us in the play-offs when I was at Brentford I was very complimentary about them. And then a few years ago when I took Brentford there we got a great draw when we were on the verge of being relegated.
‘All their supporters, which I will never ever forget, clapped and gave our players an ovation as they came off the pitch.
‘I’m looking forward to going back there and I hope a lot of our fans will make the short trip and make a right racket to spur us on.’
Sheff Weds Team News:
Sheffield Wednesday’s latest signing Ben Marshall could make his debut in the home game with Notts County.
The 20-year-old Stoke winger, who this week signed on loan until January, is expected to go straight into the starting line-up.
Skipper Rob Jones is doubtful after breaking his nose in the midweek defeat at Bury, so Mark Beevers is likely to return in central defence alongside Danny Batth for his first league appearance of the season.
Summer signing Chris O’Grady is sidelined again with a foot problem that has been troubling him in recent weeks and that restricted him to just 29 minutes on his debut in midweek following his recent move from Rochdale.
Player to watch: David Prutton
Good midfielder, can spread the ball and get forward. Not a regular goal scorer but can weigh in with a few at the end of a season. Been on the score sheet once this season on the opening day against Rochdale.
Notts County Team News:
Notts County will be without Ricky Ravenhill when they travel to Hillsborough.
The midfielder was forced off with a head injury after 35 minutes of the thrilling 3-2 home victory over Tranmere on Tuesday night and is still suffering from concussion.
Alan Judge replaced Ravenhill against Rovers to make his first appearance of the season following a hamstring injury and the former Blackburn trainee could keep his place in the team.
Player to watch: Jeff Hughes
Cost County nowt but the 26 year old has already knocked in two goals this season and will be looking for a few more.
Last 4 Hillsborough
Football League One Sa 12Mar 2011 Sheff Wed 0 – 1 Notts Co
Football League Div 2 We 01Oct 2003 Sheff Wed 2 – 1 Notts Co
English Div 1 (old) Sa 21Mar 1992 Sheff Wed 1 – 0 Notts Co
English Div 2 (old) Sa 01Dec 1990 Sheff Wed 2 – 2 Notts Co
Match Prediction:
I think a 2-2 draw for this game
Next Fixtures:
Football League One Sa 27Aug 2011 Preston v Notts Co
Football League One Sa 03Sep 2011 Notts Co v Bournemouth
Football League One Sa 10Sep 2011 Notts Co v Walsall
