Notts County are on the road this weekend as they face struggling Aldershot Town on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick off).
The Magpies have slipped out of contention from the playoff zones and are now ninth following disappointing back to back home games where they drew against Hartlepool and lost at home to Barrow (in between a gruelling FA Cup win at Ebbsfleet).
Following a thumping defeat last weekend to the new league leaders Neal Ardley’s men now lie six points behind the top two in what is a tight National League Division but he knows his side cannot make too many more slip ups as they bid to put pressure on those above and continue their promotion push. Ardley stated “We’ve bounced back quickly in the past and put bad results to bed, so we have to keep proving we can do it.”
“It’s important not to get into a rut and lose a couple on the trot because you soon tumble down the table.”
“I don’t like losing games, but it’s part and parcel of football and we certainly try to play in a way that shows we’re not scared to lose.”
“With a home game on Tuesday and the FA Cup next Sunday, it’s an exciting week.”
“If we bounce back at Aldershot, it sets everything up well.”
Aldershot are currently 19th and lost last time out 6-1 at Dagenham & Redbridge with Ardley wary of a potential reaction from his opponents suggesting “They’ll make sure their performance levels are a lot higher this week and that makes them a dangerous side. They’re a team who mix up their shape, and their last result makes it hard to know what to expect because they might change things.”
Notts are likely to stick to their guns with Wes Thomas and Kyle Wootton in attack but it is in defence where Ardley will be hoping his side can strengthen after conceding eight goals in their last three games and that might provide Alex Lacey an opportunity to come in earlier than expected. Despite defensive issues recently Notts have today sent out Central Defender Pierce Bird on loan to Boston United for a month.
*Main image @Official_NCFC Notts County Manager Neal Ardley.