Notts County boss Neal Ardley has praised Solihull Moors for their positive style of football ahead of their match on Wednesday night.
The National League clash sees eighth place Notts County face off against seventh place Solihull Moors, knowing a win will move them above their West Midlands opponents.
It is set up to be a difficult game between two teams who both boast similar styles of football, with Ardley complimenting Solihull for their style.
“They’re a footballing team, as far as possession of the football we’re the top two teams in the league,” he said. “They play a very expansive 3-4-3 system and its a challenge to get it right against it, you’ve got to work hard without the ball.
“It’s going to be a real challenge, obviously they’ve gone above us in the league now and they’re right in the mix. They play a good brand of football and they play a really brave formation that causes you problems tactically if you get it wrong without the ball.”
Solihull Moors finished ninth in the league last season, a far cry from third placed County.
This season however, both teams are on the same level with Solihull one point ahead of The Magpies going into tonight’s game and Ardley isn’t underestimating his opponents.
“I’ve been really impressed with them, a total change from last season and certainly a system we’ve got to make sure we get it right against.
“We’ve got to know how to beat their press and how we’re going to break the lines and cause them problems. We will make sure the lads are up to speed with both and obviously then the boys have got to deliver on the day.”
Tonight’s game is the third fixture in a row where County will be playing a team above them in the league.
And after failing to score in either of the past two matches, Ardley wants to make sure his side put in a better performance at Meadow Lane tonight.
“We don’t go to a game expecting not to have the ball and be on the back foot and trying to nick a win. We are going to go to try and win, going to try and be the better team but we’ve got to appreciate when a good team passes the ball well there has got to be times where you don’t leave yourself open.”
