Notts County vs Bristol City- The Preview

[Jordan Willshear]

This away game marks the first game where Bristol City will be without the services of last seasons top scorer and captain Sam Baldock who has moved to Championship side Brighton on a four year deal, with the fee rumored to be near 2 million. Despite this setback Bristol City are unbeaten in their 4 league games so far with wins against Sheffield Utd and Colchester while drawing against Leyton Orient and Rochdale. Even with Baldock moving on to pastures new, with a front line that still includes the likes of the recently recruited Kieran Agard (who scored 21 goals in 46 league one games last season with Rotherham United) and Jay Emmanuel Thomas (who scored 15 league goals last season) as a City fan there is plenty to be optimistic about going into this game. With signings such as Luke Freeman, Aaron Wilbraham and our new captain Wade Elliot, there is a lot of creative spark and experience in this Bristol City side this season. Lining up this season with a 3-5-2 formation, Steve Cotterill is building a side that knows what it takes to get out of this division, with the signings above (excluding Freeman) all playing at a higher level and with Agard being promoted out of this division with Rotherham last year. Looking to build on the 1-1 draw away to Rochdale, Cotteril will have to make a change up front to replace Baldock, but he has plenty of option with Kieran Agard, JET and youngster Wes Burns to come in. This game could also see a recall for players such as Marlon Pack and Joe Bryan who were unused subsitutes against Rochdale

The away trip I feel will be difficult with us travelling to a Notts County side with a new lease of life under Shaun Derry. Still feeling the effects of last seasons miraculous run of form that saw them stave off relegation, that form has continued into the new season with 7 points from their 4 games this season with victories in the last two league games including an impressive 2-0 victory away to Port Vale. Shaun Derry has done a good job in replacing the likes of Jamal Campbell Ryce (moved to Sheffield Utd) and Enoch Showunmi (Released) with players such as Hayden Mullins and Zeli Ismail and Jake Cassidy on loan from Wolves. Lining up last week against Port Vale with a 4-4-2 formation I don't see Notts County making too many changes, with the likes of Liam Noble who scored last game and experienced players such as Alan Smith and Gary Jones starting last week, I expect those players to keep their place barring any unforeseen injuries. However Shaun Derry has the possibility of introducing youngster Reece Brown (signed on a months loan from Birmingham City) into the side either from the start or from the subsitutes bench.

Recent history between the two sides shows that there isn't a lot of difference between the two sides with a 1-1 in this fixture last season and a 2-1 victory for Bristol City at home last season in a game which Notts County more than held their own. This is a difficult game for us as confidence is high at Meadow Lane but I back us to maintain our unbeaten start with a 2-1 victory

 

[Saddlerrad]

Good preview!

I think Bristol City will win the league in all honesty, the fire power and wage budget/cash they seem to have suggests to me that they will have enough, even if they rely on some more funding in January. County are setup to win ugly and work for each other under Derry, a bit like him as a player. They don't have much quality overall on the pitch though.

0-1 City, JET to score.

 

[Jordan Willshear]

I would love that but I believe Preston will win it. Good manager and have been steadily building over the last 2 years

 

[Countylad1862]

Super Sunday! Well it certainly will be a super Sunday for the fans of the victorious team in this encounter on Sunday at meadow lane. The game is taking place on Sunday due to an England cricket match being played at Trent bridge (cricket stadium less than a mile away from meadow lane) which takes priority over the football.

Now to the pitch. My team Notts county have the same amount of points (7) 6 games quicker than last season which is a major improvement! The catalyst for this change is most certainly Shaun Derry and Greg Abbott. Since taking over in November, the duo steered Notts from the foot of league one too safety on the final day of the season away at Oldham at boundary park. What a day that was. The game on Sunday will certainly be a very tough game for Notts especially as they are missing their senior left back Blair Adams, signed from sunderland in the summer,due too a thigh strain. This might see the return of Cieron Keane who if he plays will only be making his second ever professional appearance. His first was last Tuesday during the 2-1 home win to Colchester where he looked shaky but then showed his potential and what a beautiful left peg he has before getting sent off for two yellows! He has served his one match ban and is now back! Haydn Hollis is also a doubt I am told with a shoulder injury. Garry Thompson is still some way off returning and striker jimmy Spencer is out for the season. Returning however, is striker Danny Haynes who is set to be named on the bench alongside new signing Reece Brown, a midfielder who signed on a initial one-month loan from Birmingham city.

To the visitors Bristol city. The main news from Ashton gate this week was certainly the departure of key striker Sam Baldock to Brighton and hove Albion. A very good asset for them but a huge loss for city who will now be looking for a new strike partner for Aaron Wilbraham who signed after his release from Norwich in the summer. Key players for bristol city will be Wilbraham, as always Jay Emmanuel Thonas, like Freeman and the keeper frank Fielding who is back in favour at Ashton gate.

Last season saw the teams draw 1-1 at meadow lane however Notts could have stole all 3 points right at the death if Enoch showunmi finished a 1-on-1 but he sadly missed and the points were shared. At Ashton gate it was Bristol city who stole all 3 points through that man Sam baldock but arguably notts were the better side.

Whatever the outcome, there will definitely be goals I reckon! Let's see what happens! Cheers for reading. Joe

 

[Bristol city Wayne]

We have a stronger squad than we have had for many a season . Some quality players have been brought in by cotts the loss of Baldock is not ideal but that's football players come and go . Automatic promotion is my hope we can't do play offs fingers crossed.

 

[Saddlerrad]

I can only see an away win by the odd goal. I also only need that for a 77/1 accumulator, so sorry County fans! Come on Brizzle.

 

[Jordan Willshear]

Did you win that accumulator