County v Brentford

County are playing for pride starting tomorrow (well, not officially but y’know) with the visit of Brentford – lying 16th in the table.

Following the abysmal 1-0 reverse to Oldham on Tuesday, County sit 13 points adrift and propping up the League One table, with ten matches and 30 points to play for. With, by all accounts, a pretty tough run-in including Norwich, Huddersfield, and Millwall.

Anyway, it’s all academic as I’m sure we’d all agree that League Two football sounds pretty good next season – as opposed to the other option of erm…shopping every Saturday.

Plus this talk of run-in’s and who plays who just builds my hopes up only for them to be crushed in true County fashion!

Animo Et Fide!

Meanwhile, an opposing manager has once again been complaining about the pitch at EP. Seriously lads, you don’t need to get your excuses in early, you’ll probably win anyway.

Vital Quotes:

Andy Scott: ‘We’ve got players performing at this level for the first time and we will inevitably will suffer dips in form, which can alter the dynamic of the whole team.’

‘We’ve played pretty well for the majority of games, but when we have lost this season it has been more a case of us giving it away.’

‘It is a horrible pitch at Stockport so we are going to have to adapt quickly and put in a performance.’

Gary Ablett: ‘I’ve been arguing with myself all week whether I was right to bring George off on Tuesday after Danny’s dismissal, and you do wonder sometimes whether you’ve made the wrong call or not.’

‘Danny’s a big loss and it will be a difficult game against Brentford. But we gave them a decent game down there. It was mostly even-stevens and for 40 minutes of the second half we were better than them.’

Ah. You have to feel for him.

County Team News:

Jemal Johnson faces a fitness test on his calf injury that’s kept him out for the past three weeks.

Matty Mainwaring trained for the first time last week with the senior squad, and he edges closer to that return.

Danny Swailes is suspended after his straight red against Oldham, and Johnny Mullins is a doubt with that troublesome metatarsal.

Player to watch: David Perkins

No reason really, other than he’s a brilliant footballer and probably one of the only ones worth watching (!) – pure effort, determination, strength and skill from the little man.

Brentford Team News:

The Bees face a real crisis as they travel to EP with only two centre-halves available for the match.

Andy Scott has today been trying to confirm the loan signing of Pim Balkestein as they face up to the defensive nightmare.

If the deal goes through, Balkestein is likely to be partnered by former academy player Karleigh Osborne in the centre of defence.

Player to watch: Carl Cort

Real experience of English football and has plated at almost every level, the former Newcastle, Wimbledon and Wolves man is a tough cookie to beat.

Match Odds

County -9/5

Draw – 11/5

Brentford – 6/5

Match Prediction:

2-2. Come on County.

Jabo and Perkins at the Cheadle End.

Next Fixtures:

Saturday, 27 March 2010

Coca-Cola Football League One

Millwall v Stockport, 15:00

The New Den