A bit later than hoped with the match report following the visit to Wrexham so have included the Aldershot preview as well.
Notts travelled to North Wales probably feeling a little deflated after the draw at home to Torquay, a game that saw the Gulls take their only point from their first three games.
Wrexham had a limited capacity sell out for this Bank Holiday fixture and boasted over 5,000 season ticket sales on the back of new hope for the club being delivered on the back of some high profile signings including Paul Mullins, Jake Hyde and Ben Tozer.
The game progressed as expected with Wrexham throwing (quite literally) everything and the kitchen sink at a resolute Notts defence.
The Magpies rear guard led by the dominant Kyle Cameron stood firm and it was Notts who got the breakthrough a minute before the break with a ridiculously well taken header by Kyle Wootton following an excellent cross from the aforementioned Cameron.
The equaliser came early in the second half when Slocombe wasn't able to deal with a deep cross and Paul Mullin gratefully headed in from close range.
In games gone by Notts may have capitulated and the hosts could have gone on to record a comfortable win but that's not how the rest of the game played out with the action being very even for the remaining 35 minutes.
Key match stats below and it certainly favours Wrexham but there are a couple of key stats in there that need a mention.
Despite Wrexham clearly edging it in some of the attacking actions Notts actually held their own in possession, edged the defensive duels and just edged the match tempo. This would indicate that although we were on the back foot from an attacking perspective our defensive game plan actually came through.
Points needed table for the first time with average points for first, third, top seven and relegation based on last 5 seasons.
Click on the legend tags at the top to filter options.
Progress updated:
Results tracker updated.
Goal segment chart updated and early goals is probably something Notts need to work on.
Player stats next and this is the new table that is also available to view on the player stats page of the website here.
Goals and assists chart updated.
Goal scatter chart updated.
Onto xG and despite having to batten down the hatches in the first half there was very little to choose between the two teams in the second half . . . except Mullins equaliser of course!
Based on the above xPTS for Notts was 0.62 and win% estimated at 20.67%.
Player xG below.
Just the 6 attempts on goal and Kyle Wootton's header even more impressive with an xG of just 0.09 suggesting if he had that same opportunity 100 times his conversion probability would just be 9%.
Featured player for this game had to be Kyle Cameron. Stats for this seasons (3 games) compared to 58 other CB/LCB/RCB in National League that have played 180 or more minutes.
Assist and pass stats so far are amongst the best in the league. Defensive duels and aerial duels won are above the percentile medium.
National League top scorers updated.
Five players on 3 goals after 3 games including Kyle Wootton.
Finally Ian Burchnall's record updated after 22 matches.
Moving onto Saturday now and a home game against Aldershot Town who have not had the best of starts to the season.
That said they probably haven't been as bad as it looks on paper and more a case of another team in transition with Danny Searle having to work with a small and young squad.
We featured an attack minded midfielder on the Analysts Bar podcast a while ago called Jacob Berkeley-Agyepong suggesting he could be a player that might fit in at Notts.
The former Crystal Palace development player signed for the Shots shortly after this and is my one to watch in the Aldershot team this weekend.
Having watched his start to the season with interest it seems his stats are a little below where we would have expected but this could be symptomatic of the transition in performances the Shots are currently experiencing.
Recent for and it doesn't look good for Saturday's visitors.
As you might expect Notts are strong favourites with odds currently coming in around 4/11 for the home win.
If you fancy your chances on a surprise away victory you will be rewarded with odds currently around 11/2 for a Shots win and 7/2 for the draw.
This is a game Notts really need to be taking a commanding 3 points from but as we know it doesn't always work out that way for the Magpies!
As always thanks for reading.
Until next time.
COYP!
Richard