Notts travel to Port Vale on Saturday looking to return to winning ways.
October was a month of stark contrast for the Magpies – starting with back-to-back victories before losing three straight Sky Bet League Two games to end the month.
In the first game of November, Notts will hope for a return to the form of four weeks ago as they travel to Vale Park chasing a third consecutive win on the Valiants’ patch.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last three league matches and have not conceded a goal since a 6-2 defeat to table-topping Lincoln City on 13 October.
Port Vale occupy 14th position in League Two having picked up six wins and 21 points so far this season.
Notts boss Harry Kewell says…
“Port Vale will be very difficult opposition. They’re unbeaten in their last few games and are coming off a great win against Bury.
“We are aware of their dangers and feel that we know how to stop them, so everything depends on how we play our game.
“We are creating opportunities so we know that goals will come. If it was the other way around and we were struggling to make chances I would be worried.
“Every game is a battle and every game is tough but, if we approach it with hard work and the right attitude, hopefully we can get something.”
Port Vale boss Neil Aspin says…
“When you look at the size of Notts County, you know they are a big club who want to be pushing for promotion from this division.
“Harry Kewell has been brought in and it will take him time to assemble the squad he wants and implement his style of play.
“We won’t treat them any differently to how we treated Bury or Oldham – if we don’t work as hard as we did in those performances, we won’t win the game.”
Team news
Sam Osborne, who signed a professional contract this week, has been back in training following an injury but is unlikely to feature for Notts after missing the last few matches.
Teenagers Pierce Bird and Remaye Campbell joined Grantham Town on loan on Thursday so will be unavailable.
Port Vale’s Manny Oyeleke and Cristian Montano returned to full training this week but aren’t expected to be involved after both being sidelined for a month.
We’ve met before
Notts won home and away against Port Vale last season – both by 1-0 scorelines.
Lewis Alessandra netted the only goal of the game in last September’s trip to Staffordshire, while Jon Stead kept his cool from the penalty spot in the 86th minute at Meadow Lane in January.
The afternoon’s officials
Referee: Lee Swabey
Assistants: Ian Smedley and Darren Wilding
Fourth official: Lisa Rashid