Preview - A change of formation, the introduction of Darren Sheridan and an inspired performance by right winger Josh Low saw the Latics rip Notts County apart at Meadow Lane. Boy, was I right about it being a happy hunting ground. Only problem is that a slight hint of negativity had crept in after our dismal Wycombe defeat, hence my draw prediction. I did add though that if you have the bottle, take a win on the basis that it is a happy place for us.
The irony of it though is that 4 days later, we play... Notts County. The Worthington Cup will see a few changes I imagine, seeing a couple of those on the bench, given a chance to play. The same squad minus a now suspended Appleby has been named.
However, with such a classic performance you wish it didn't have to change now. One comment said the Latics had totally dominated the game and amazingly found themselves 1-0 down. It only lasted 8 minutes though, and then 2 minutes after our equaliser we had scored again to highlight our superiority. In the second half, 2 chances were dashed before the 3rd and final goal came but we could still have scored more.
The luxury of all was that Killen finally put his frustrations behind him and netted one. It isn't his first, but it is important after having previously seen 3 efforts disallowed. So hopefully the wagon should roll on. But here is the biggest irony of all - over the last 4 seasons, Meadow Lane has been a happy hunting ground for the Latics. Over the last 4 years, Boundary Park has been a happy hunting ground for the Magpies.
Where we had won 3 of the last 4 games there (now 4 in 5), Notts County have done the same. Barring a whooping 4-1 win over the Magpies last year, they registered a 3-1 win in 1998/99, a 2-1 win in 1999/00 and a 1-0 win in 2000/01. So will history carry on repeating itself?!?! Will football trends continue to see fans frustrated and betting monies down the drain? Tomorrow night we will find out.
Team News - Latics
Hopefully, the same adventurous 3-5-2 will be used. I do prefer a 4-4-2, but with Darren Sheridan infront of the back 3 and John Eyre playing behind the attack, it worked well. Obviously, Josh Low's performance was the catalyst with Eyres chipping in on the left, but overall, it looks a decent unit when combined with our defence - one that went 4 games without conceding before the Wycombe game.
There will be changes though as Corazzin will probably get a game with it being the Worthy Cup. Also, either John Sheridan, Lourenco or Carss will replace the suspended Appleby. Whoever gets the nod knows they'll be in for a chance on Saturday too, now that Appleby looks to be serving a 2 match ban and not 1. I suspect it'll be John Shez as he is likely to do the midfield job that Appleby should do.
Predicted team: GK - Pogliacomi, DF - Berehall, Hill, Hall, MD - Eyres, D.Sheridan, Eyre, J.Sheridan, Low, FW - Winjhard, Corazzin.
The Oppo - Notts Co
County will be looking to restore some pride on their visit Boundary Park and we will need to be aware of Darren Caskey's ability at freekicks with the former Spurs man creating Heffernan's goal on Saturday.
There is no team news from County at the moment but former Latics target Marcel Cas is doubtful after being substituted on Saturday through injury.
MATCH FACTORS
Happy Away Days: Notts county can't win at home. Away from home, they've done what the Latics had before Saturdays game - Won 1 drawn 2 and... not let a single goal in whilst on the road. How ironic the stats are turning to be!!!
Boundary Park: (Almost copied and pasted from my last preview...) Leads me on nicely to say that County have (somehow) won 3 of their last 4 trips to Boundary Park. Again - will history repeat itself?!?!
Revenge: The Magpies want revenge for the defeat on Saturday. And who could blame them?
The Latics strengths: The Latics are better off in the league, well equipped and psychologically 1 up for this game. But a position of feeling confident and secure (like we were before Wycombe) breeds complacency and cockiness. Surely it can't happen? Football is a strange old game.
VERDICT: I can't go against a Latics win. Apart from the weirdness of the stats, it really is written that we should beat them. But the gods work in mysterious ways. I've heard that the odds are favourable with us at Evens. If so, get your money on. But like I said - you have been warned.
Scoreline: 2-0 to Latics
Outcome: Another win, but I suspect a tough ride doing it.