Jim Cooper takes charge of his first away game when Blues make the long trip to north Norfolk to meet Dereham Town on Saturday, Blues produced one of their better displays in the home fixture winning comfortably 5-1, last season Blues came away from Aldiss Park with a one nil victory courtesy of a "shinner" from Ade Cole late in the second half.
The Magpies currently languish in eighteen place in the table with twenty-eight points, their position not helped by a three point deduction for a misdemeanour. It could be argued they are in a false position taking account of some notable wins but as they say the table never lies. Inconsistency appears to have contributed to their lowly position and a poor run of results through December into early January led to the dismissal of management duo Neal Simmons and Mark Parkinson . A new management team of ex Magpies players Adam Gusterson, Olly Willis and Chris Linehan took over the reins leading to an upturn in results with just two league defeats since the middle of January. Their leading marksmen is Joe Getting with thirteen goals, a player who Blues defenders will have to watch.
Blues go into game unbeaten in their last four matches but with only one win in that sequence. Since taking charge manager Cooper has identified Blues vulnerability at the back adding Jamie Hursit Craig Stone and Macauley Joynes all defenders , completing the quartet is back up keeper Connor Pearce all four should feature in the squad at Dereham. Moving in the opposite direction is Zak Henry who is seeking a club near his home.
Cooper should have a near full squad available the only definite non starter is Mitch Hahn serving his one match ban after his controversial dismissal last Saturday, Ryan Mahal will face a fitness test.
CURRENT FORM
Dereham
WWWWLL
Blues
LLDWDD