We’re not Madrid but we can be good
NOTTS County secured a 4-2 win over Barnet at the weekend as they surged into the National League top six with a sensational performance at Meadow Lane.
Here is what manager Neal Ardley had to say.
Was that the best football you have seen in your time at the club?
”Possibly, I thought we showed real real elements of it on Wednesday as well.
“But the speed we went out with was great. We can do it in a 4-3-3, we can do in a 4-4-2.
“Even at the end there, we changed to 4-4-2 and some of the patterns got us in on that.
“So we’ve got patterns of play, we’re not off the cuff. When we do it well, we do it with pace and intent we can be a really good team.”
How much did the Barnet goal before half-time alter the team’s mindset having been 3-0 up?
”It didn’t alter my team talk because I was angry anyway, even at 3-0.
“We went from doing everything with zest and tempo and intent to thinking we were Real Madrid.
“And that annoyed me because players started turning down what had worked before.
“Obviously, the opposition needs some credit because they stuck with it and made a real game of it and that’s difficult when you’re losing 3-0.
“But I thought for 15 minutes in the first half, we really lost our way and that was down to us.
“So I was angry anyway and then when you watch the goal back we’re 4v1 at the back post.
“It’s that focus near the end of halves that we have to address. It was the 89th minute at Dover, the 45th minute against Harrogate and the 45th minute against Barnet.
“Those goals change games and I said to the players afterwards that the second half was tough and it was tough because of ourselves.
“I never thought the second half would be anything other than a battle because they were going to come for us and we deserved that because we were sloppy.”
Will Callum Roberts be fit for Tuesday at Sutton United and does he need more protection?
”I don’t know. He gets kicked and that’s what happened.
“It’s too early to say but we’ll assess him on Monday and the physios will tell me what they think. Does he need more protection? No, not really, he’s just got to get on with it.
“He’s a skillful player, he wants to go past people and he’s going to be a marked man. But he’s a tough boy, he’s a Geordie boy so he’s not going to be soft.
“I said to him don’t show them that they they’ve hurt you and limp around.
“Just do them again and again. He scored great goal and set up another. When he’s playing like that just kill them with the football. Don’t worry about getting kicked. Messi gets kicked every week and gets on with it.”
You’ve now won 16 games, drawn four and lost four in your last 24 competitive games, how pleasing is that form?
“I’m happy with it but I would swap one of the defeats for a win because that was the one that really mattered and would have decided a successful season.
“Obviously that one hurt because we froze on the day and the players didn’t produce but we’ve come a long way.
“I feel I feel like we’ve got an identity. I feel like and, I hope, the fans enjoy watching the players we’re putting on the pitch.
“We’re not defensive. We’ve got full-back crossing the ball and another one making a run into the box.
“The boys care for football club and for the fans, when you’ve got all of that and the players really really care about doing well, then I don’t think there’s too much more you can ask for.”
How pleased were you with Damien Mccrory’s performance?
”It was a gamble because he’s done a lot of running but as you know he’s missed out on the minutes in pre-season.
“But, to be fair, he and Ben Turner have been training like demons. Their attitude in training is fantastic. They’re champing at the bit.
“Ben’s desperate to get the game time. He’s desperate to play just like they all are and that’s great.
“You need everyone fighting for their spots everyone respecting each other and how good they are and if we carry on with that we will do all right this season.”
Will you have a new midfielder in for Tuesday?
”I don’t know, we’re working on it. “So Tuesday might be a bit soon but things can develop all of a sudden and they’re in the door Monday. Who knows?”