So 6 games played and we've spread them thinly along the WDL statistics. Yes, the Latics have won 2, drawn 2 and lost 2, but amazingly they are not only unbeaten on the road but haven't let in a single goal. Maybe Aussie, Les Pogliacomi is feeling the pinch at Ice Station Zebra already, because let's face it, he has been a major factor in both our home defeats.
Pogi dropped the ball for Cardiff's 2nd in their 2-1 win and last Saturday he allowed a daisycutter to fly under him to set Wycombe on their way. So maybe it is a case of the Aussie likes the grass greener elsewhere. Whatever the case,
he better look more secure at home than he has or else he will soon be targeted by the fans.
Moving onto that showing last Saturday, well let's us just say it was shambolic. We were toothless, out-thought and shown up. Admittedly we missed the injured Duxbury (the game was perfect for him) and the suspended Hall in
defence. Hall is definitely back to bolster the defence but Duxbury still remains a doubt. I have my suspicions to be honest. His absence was mysterious last weekend - apparently the injury happened on Weds but no-one had a clue up
till 3pm on Saturday?!?! I wouldn't be surprised if the Latics end up seeing the last of him shortly as the transfer window is exempt from the football league for financial reasons. If this is so, then many Latics fans will be disappointed especially as Matty Appleby looks very uncertain and uncommitted at present.
Another concern is the form of Chris Killen. Personally, I have no problems with the former Man City striker, unlike some fans. He and Wijnhard are working hard for each other and creating opportunities. It is just that the goals aren't
coming and then Dowie substitutes him. Killen was replaced on 45 against Wycombe. Is Dowie losing patience?
To be fair though, Killen is having the rough side of the luck. In the last 2 games, he's had the ball in the net 3 times but all have been ruled out. The first 2 are probably fair enough, but the decision to rule out what should have been an equaliser vs Wycombe was totally incorrect. Killen netted Wijnhard's parried shot after running in from onside. The liner had obviously looked up as the ball was spilled by the keeper, not when Wijnhard shot and thus decided to put
the flag up. No wonder Killen is frustrated. However, Dowie may have lost patience as he does tend to wonder offside a bit too often. We shall see.
To this game then. The Latics, as mentioned, are enjoying their time away from home and therefore this should help in the quest for points at Meadow Lane. However, I feel that Notts County will be good enough to put up a fight,
especially as they earned a creditable draw at home to Brentford last Saturday - a team which has had an amazing start after loosing some key members from last seasons play-off final heartbreak.
The Magpies had an unbelievably poor time in 2001/2 and with the players like Danny Allsopp (ex-Man City) Darren Caskey (ex-Spurs) and Tony Hackworth (ex-Leeds). I can't see them being so poor this time around. Billy Dearden
hasn't had the best of times in the transfer market though, as County have had little if anything to spend over the summer. Maybe they will feel the pinch because of this, during the winter months.
Team News - Latics
Although Darren Sheridan's suspension has ended now, the Latics midfielder is fighting to be fit after picking up an ankle injury in training. Dowie has named him in the 19-man squad but whether he would dislodge Matty Appleby if
fit, is questionable. Appleby has had a very poor start to the season, with not only poor performances but him getting sent off at Blackpool. Although many fans may disagree, I think Darren Sheridan should be given a chance in place of Appleby at the moment. Dowie seems to be developing the odd favourite though, of which Appleby is one. This will be interesting to see how it develops.
The other midfield question surrounds the fitness of Duxbury. Not a lot of information has come out from the club on this, but the squad shows that Duxbury is not fit for this one. Therefore Lourenco, who wasn't too bad at inside
forward, should stay in the side. I just hope that someone (should be Appleby) plays nearby him and stays in central midfield.
In defence, Hall should slot back in, meaning Baudet will miss out. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, Baudet had a poor showing last Saturday and gave away too many silly, dangerous free-kicks. He'll have to work hard to get back
into the side above Hill and Hall.
Berehall should continue to play out-of-place at LB. Unless Armstrong is classed as fit, but having not played this season yet, I can't see it. A position on the bench probably. At RB, Clegg continues to look poor but despite Holden
managing 90 minutes in the reserves on Tuesday, he isn't in the frame for this one.
Finally upfront, will Dowie drop Killen? I think it would be silly to do so, but with the way he likes to throw Corazzin on, it wouldn't surprise me if he does change it.
Predicted team: GK - Pogliacomi, DF - Berehall, Hill, Baudet, Clegg, MD - Eyres, Duxbury, Appleby, Low, FW - Winjhard, Killen
The Oppo - Notts County
Notts County's website currently reports that the side looks like keeping the same one that ripped into Brentford in the first half last weekend, but then through away a 2-0 lead in the second half. Final score was a 2-2 draw.
Probable: Garden, Nicholson, Ireland, Fenton, Stone, Barraclough, Bolland, Caskey, Cas, Allsopp, Stallard
MATCH FACTORS
Happy Away Days: It's so refreshing to say that 3 away games into the season and not only are we unbeaten on the road, but we've not let a single goal in. It's just bloody frustrating when you couple that with our current home record
(W1 D0 L2). I'm sure the emphasis again is to not get beat, which means more defending on show. But we always go to Notts County and defend well, so that is a plus for us.
Meadow Lane: Leads me on nicely to say that we have (somehow) won 3 of our last 4 trips to Meadow Lane. All of these wins saw us gain a clean sheet. We're well equipped to gain another one and maybe sneak a goal at the other end. Will history repeat itself again?
Revenge: Marcel Cas was touted for coming to the Latics over the summer and at one stage agreed a £150,000 fee. But by the sounds of things, the Latics never proceeded due to his demands. Therefore Cas may relish playing us and
sticking one past us on Saturday. Be interesting to see if the Latics fans make any note of him with cheers and boos?
Season start: Latics haven't uprooted any trees or blown anyone away so far - W2 D2 L2. Notts County have had a worse start than they did during last season's struggle against relegation - W1 D4 L1
Verdict: The Latics should gain a point at Meadow Lane. Although, even predicting that is a gamble after our defeat last weekend. I'm hoping that this season doesn't develop into one of those where a) we play well and lose and b) the game all depends on which Latics team turns up. Either way we have Darren Sheridan at least on the bench, therefore should the midfield partnership of Lourenco and Appleby be missing the bite which it did against Wycombe, he will become useful to have. This game will show us whether that was simply an off day. Let's hope so.
Predicted score: 1-1
Outcome: A creditable draw.