Ameobi’s happy to Count on old heads
NOTTS County striker Shola Ameobi believes the club have nothing to lose going into the final eight games of the season as they chase automatic promotion.
The Magpies travel to League Two strugglers Chesterfield looking to continue their four-game unbeaten run and close the gap on the top three.
Kevin Nolan’s side slipped to fourth in the table without playing a game on Wednesday night after Wycombe leapfrogged them with a 3-2 win at Crawley.
But, having gone from being threatened with relegation last season to promotion contenders, 36-year-old Ameobi said County have shown they can handle the pressure when it matters.
“We have nothing to lose going into the eight games but we will take each one as it comes,” said the former Newcastle United striker.
“It is important to look back at where we have come from since this time last year because we can take a lot of pride from that and use it as momentum going into the final stretch.
“We know if we can manage to put a run together we could end up winning promotion. We have to deal with that pressure and expectation but we are confident within the dressing room.” With the likes of 37-year-old midfielder Alan Smith, 32year-old defender Richard Duffy and Jon Stead, 34, all in the Magpies’ ranks, they have a wealth of experience to call on in the run-in.
And Ameobi said this experience will be crucial with games against promotion rivals Wycombe and Accrington coming up.
He added: “We have players and staff who have played in big games during their career under huge pressure and that’s a big positive for us.”
Ahead of the weekend, Chesterfield – who have just one win in their last seven games – were six points adrift of safety in the relegation places.