The Opposition: Notts County (A)

The Opposition: Notts County (A)
The lowdown on high-flying Magpies

September 19th 2023The lowdown on high-flying Magpies

Rovers will be looking to maintain their unbeaten start on the road as they make the trip to Notts County this weekend.

The Magpies are flying high on their first season back in the fourth tier, sitting second in the table, but Rovers have accumulated seven points from their three away games so far.

Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's opponents.

IN THE DUGOUT

One of the most highly-rated coaches in the EFL at present, 42-year-old Luke Williams has Notts County fans dreaming of back-to-back promotions following their play-off winning campaign in the National League last season.

Williams' impact at Meadow Lane has been huge since taking over from Ian Burchnall last summer. Williams' free-flowing, possession-heavy side accumulated an incredible 107 points in the National League last season, but somehow still didn't win the division, beaten to the title by Wrexham. However, the Magpies came out on the right side of a gruelling play-off campaign, beating local rivals Chesterfield on penalties in the final at Wembley.

Williams has been assistant to Russell Martin at both MK Dons and Swansea City - and just like Martin's teams, Williams' side's love to keep the ball. Notts have an average possession of 61.3% in League Two - the next highest are Swindon Town with 56.9%.

SUMMER BUSINESS

Williams managed to keep together the vast majority of the squad that secured an emphatic promotion last season, with 42-goal Macaulay Langstaff staying at Meadow Lane the biggest retention of them all.

Silky attacking player Ruben Rodrigues - who directly contributed to 75 goals in 127 appearances during his time at Notts - was the only notable departure, jumping up to League One to join Oxford United.

Notts strengthened their squad over the summer, with David McGoldrick the most eye-catching addition. It's a romantic return to Nottingham for the 35-year-old, who is a County academy graduate and is now back at his boyhood side. McGoldrick was one of the star players in League One last term, scoring 25 goals for Derby County - and he bagged eight goals in a Premier League campaign just three seasons ago.

Jodi Jones has rejoined the club after spending the second half of last season on loan with the Nottingham-based side, while attacking midfielder Dan Crowley has arguably been their star player this season after signing from Morecambe.

24-year-old Aidan Stone has joined at Notts' new number one and former Forest Green loanee also represents shrewd business after a few stellar seasons with Sutton United. County didn't go overboard with their summer recruitment, trusting a lot of the players who helped them to League Two in the first place, but they've added real quality and experience to their ranks.

ONE TO WATCH

Eyes will be drawn to the prolific partnership of Langstaff and McGoldrick, but just behind them, the creative Crowley has four goal contributions in eight appearances this term.

Crowley has been brought in - along with Randall and Jones - to replace the creativity that Rodrigues left behind when making the move to Oxford United. Crowley was much talked about as a youngster, coming through the ranks at Arsenal and capped four times by England U19s.

Notts is Crowley's 11th club of his career - and he's just 26. He's had spells in the Eredivisie and the Championship, with this the first time he's played in England's fourth tier, but the early signs are that he could take the division by storm.

TEAM NEWS

Right wing-back Aaron Nemane will be suspended for this fixture after receiving two yellow cards last time out against Salford City.

Striker Cerwyn Scott is sidelined after picking up a knee injury in a 2-1 win over Tranmere Rovers last month, while defender Geraldo Bajrami also has a knee injury that will keep him out for the majority of the campaign.