Accy to match distracted Magpies
Notts County v Accrington
Notts County will be aiming to put boardroom bewilderment to the back of their minds on Saturday when they host Accrington Stanley.
Current Magpies owners Munto Finance – who only purchased the club in July – have put the League Two promotion chasers up for sale, and together with executive chairman Peter Trembling, director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson has reportedly launched a bid.
However, there are thought to be a number of interested parties and if Eriksson’s proposition is rejected, there are strong rumours the Swede could depart the club and potentially take up a post with one of next year’s World Cup nations.
The off-field palaver has detracted attention from County’s recent upturn in form and if the Midlanders can accrue a third straight league win at the weekend, they could reclaim an automatic promotion berth.
Club captain John Thompson was suspended for Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Hereford but the centre-back is hoping to oust either Edgar Street goal scorer Mike Edwards or Graeme Lee in the Magpies’ rearguard.
Accrington Stanley have yet to beat their hosts since returning to the Football League in 2006 but having won their last two divisional matches will be in a positive frame of mind for their voyage to Meadow Lane.
The twelfth-placed Lancastrians – who are just five points off the top seven – were also triumphant in their FA Cup replay at Barnet on Tuesday night and will welcome League One side Gillingham to the Crown Ground in round three.
And Stanley skipper Andy Procter insists his team can wreak a first home league defeat of the season on their headline-making hosts this weekend, despite the teams being worlds apart when it comes to financial clout.
On-loan Blackburn defender Johnny Flynn is available once again after being cup-tied for the midweek match at Underhill, but with Accy keeping an always-desired clean sheet, could struggle to dislodge either Darran Kempson or Phil Edwards at the heart of the back four.
Stanley boss John Coleman can also welcome back attacker John Miles from suspension and that added strength in depth should see the visitors pick up a point.
Verdict: Notts County 1-1 Accrington