A look at how Notts County are shaping up
LAST SEASON
The Magpies struggled throughout and changed their manager mid-way through the season. Notts kicked off with a trip to Sheffield United and were unfortunate to suffer a 1-0 defeat. This was the start of a sticky spell and it was to be another six games before they picked up their first league win against Tranmere Rovers.
They were to win just four League One games before the turn of the year. A change of manager – with Shaun Derry taking over from Chris Kiwomya – altered their fortunes and at the beginning of 2014 County won three consecutive games. They only won once in their next seven but wins in six of their last nine dragged them clear of the relegation places.
THE MANAGER – SHAUN DERRY
A tough-tackling midfield player, Derry was appointed boss of his boyhood team in November 2013 – his first managerial role.
Derry came through the youth system at Notts County. As a pro at Meadow Lane he spent three years before being snapped up by Sheffield United for a fee believed to be around £700,000.
Two years later and Derry was on the move again, heading south to sign for Portsmouth. After two years there Derry moved to Crystal Palace before taking in spells at Leeds United, Crystal Palace (again) and QPR, finishing his playing days at Millwall on loan. There is speculation that he might register as a player for the new season though.
VISITING THE GROUND?
The oldest professional club in the world, Notts County have been at Meadow Lane since 1910. We will be going to the banks of the River Trent for the third time in our history and our supporters will be housed in the Jimmy Sirrell Stand once again. The stadium can hold just over 20,000 spectators and Reds are due there on Saturday, October 18.
SUMMER BUSINESS SO FAR
Following County's survival in League One on the final day, a few of their players have decided to move on to new sides.
Most notably, Jamal Campbell-Ryce has moved to Bramall Lane to join divisional rivals Sheffield United on a free transfer.
Loan star Jack Grealish has returned to Aston Villa. Both Alan Sheehan and Gary Liddle have departed Meadow Lane to sign for Bradford City but experienced duo Hayden Mullins and former England man Alan Smith have joined the club.
Liam Noble has linked up with assistant manager Greg Abbott by joining the club from relegated Carlisle United.
THEY PLAYED FOR BOTH
Jonathan Forte had a great loan spell with Notts County back in 2012 and netted five goals in ten appearances. He had a similar stint with at the beginning of the 2012-13 season and found the back of the net three times in his 12 games after joining from Southampton, including one at Meadow Lane in a 1-1 draw.
Tyrone Berry, Conor Clifford and Tony Scully have represented both clubs whilst Muzzy Dumbuya plays for Notts after joining them following his departure from Crawley last summer.
PAST MEETINGS
There's been nothing to separate the sides in the four meetings so far with Notts and Crawley winning one apiece and the other two matches ending in draws. The first game was at Meadow Lane in November 2012 with Jonathan Forte equalising for the visitors following Neal Bishop's opener. A 0-0 draw was the outcome in the reverse fixture at the Checkatrade.com Stadium.
Last season saw Mark Connolly's header prove the whilst in Nottingham, Jimmy Spencer's header sealed a 1-0 home victory on Easter Monday.
WHAT THE BOOKIES THINK
Notts County are 14/1 with Sky Bet to win promotion from League One in the 2014-15 season.
