CITY are braced for an open game as their defensive steel is put to the test by League Two’s deadliest attack this afternoon.
Notts County has lost ground in the race for promotions since the beginning of the year.
Despite this, they lead the division in scoring with 69 goals from 34 games. Together with that, the second-worst defence is used.
This season, 135 goals have been scored in Notts County matches, an average of four per game, which is by far the most in all four divisions.
They have a distinct style of play, and I don’t think they’ll alter it, according to City manager Graham Alexander.
It’s shown to be one of their advantages. Under the previous manager, who had some time to work with his team and organise his squad to play a particular style, they had a successful run of games.
“When we played them down there, that was undoubtedly the case.
“I haven’t noticed any differences from that time until now that would indicate a shift in management approach since then.
“They are among the best in terms of both goal scoring value and entertaining value. In the games they’ve played, there have been a lot of goals.
“Notts County demonstrated that they could still score three goals in their Tuesday night match even though they were defeated.”
The Bantams enter the Valley Parade match on the strength of four straight league clean sheets. Sam Walker did not allow a goal to be conceded during the entire month of February.
Stunting the Magpies and scoring a 24-goal shot The main obstacle in their quest for a fourth straight victory to go closer to the play-off pack is Macaulay Langstaff.
“Our structure has been really good for quite a while,” Alexander continued.
We have been on the defensive in the few games where we were a little bit careless or distracted early on.
“Our squad and game have generally played pretty well defensively.
“I believe Sam has strengthened that and the blank slates we wish to build upon since he joined.
As a team, there are still certain areas where we need to get better. We’re not flawless in that regard.
“However, the players deserve all the credit for their excellent performance thus far.
“They’ve put in a tonne of effort both on and off the pitch to make sure we have the best chance of being difficult to beat.”
In their last three home league games, City has not allowed a goal; they have also tightened their restrictions on goals conceded in the opening fifteen minutes, forcing them to chase games, as they had done against Morecambe, Crawley, and Salford in the past.
Alexander said, “We went through a period when we were probably over-committed and left ourselves open. We wanted to try and start games strongly.”
We’ve made an effort to exercise a little more restraint and patience and refrain from trying to win games in the first fifteen minutes.
Numerous small events can influence a game’s outcome in different ways. We need to be good enough—and I think we are—to play consistently throughout the course of a game rather than just having a great start and then faltering.
All I want is for my players to perform to the best of their abilities.
That is the key to our success there. It is about us, not about what the opposition can create.
“The guys have a focused attitude. We’ve gained momentum and consistency, and we’ll be mentally well-prepared to give it our all in the hopes of winning the game.
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