Matchday is here again and this time Notts visit the south coast for a twenty seventh attempt at the Dover away fixture. Hopefully this time the rain stays away, the tide is out, the sky isn't too blue, the grass isn't too long and neither plagues of locusts or frogs intervene. Of course with Dover anything is possible.
'The Crabble' pictured earlier with the pitch looking in
fine fettle after the referee's inspection.
Top scorer Kyle Wootton will be out, according to Ian Burchnall's pre-match press conference, so there will clearly be some rejigging of the side that starts this one with either Mitchell or Sam likely to lead the line unless there's a different system altogether.
Dover chairman Jim 'Lucifer's Knitwear Model' Parmaviolet
checks the forecast printout closely to see if he can find an
excuse to postpone as late as possible just for sheer devilment. *
Notts will be aiming for nothing short of all three points tonight and intensity will be key. This could be a good game for the energy of O'Brien, Vincent or both. Dover, despite already being relegated, have recently put on some sterling performances and banged in some goals against some of the top teams so the 'Pies will need to be on their game from the first whistle.
Notts have a chance to go 5th in the table if they can grab all three points. as they aim to finish as high as possible to grasp a good play-off berth and ensure home advantage. How high they can finish will in large part depend on the outcomes of the two fixtures against Dover, who are visitors to The San Sirrel next Monday afternoon.
Travelling fan traffic appears to be light on the approaches
to the stadium this afternoon
Team news is expected at 6:45pm and the web commentary from Charlie and Stall on BBC Radio Nottingham should be at
this link as usual (and on all the other regular channels - BBC Sport app, PiesPlayer, DAB etc.).
Here's hoping those of us at home can enjoy a few of those inimitable Mark Stallard 'get in' moments as Notts build momentum! Of course, this being Notts, it could still go pear-shaped. Fingers, toes and arms crossed it doesn't.
COYP!
*If wet in village hall