Boss is happy long wait is over

THE wait is finally over for Notts County boss Ian Burchnall as the Magpies kick off their National League campaign with a trip to Barnet’s Hive Stadium today (3pm).

While the rest of football has been playing in front of crowds following the lifting of Covid restrictions, Notts have been playing a waiting game.

And keen to build on last term’s fifthplaced finish, Burchnall admits to being a “bit impatient” with the wait to get back on the pitch.

“It’s been good to see fans back in all the grounds – it’s been unbelievable just watching games with full stadiums. But then we’ve been a little envious that everyone else has started and we’ve not.

“I know we finished a bit later and, on the other hand, I’m happy to have the extra prep time, but we are just happy now to be getting started this week.”

The opening-day fixture will mark the first time in almost 18 months that County have had away fans shouting them on.

Notts have been busy strengthening their squad this summer, and were one of the first clubs to start their transfer business.

Burchall highlighted the importance of having players through the door early on.

“Massively important,” he said. “We finished the season and had some targets in mind and some of them took longer than we liked, but when you look at other teams we did our business fairly early and I’ve had an opportunity to play the players together, which is great.

“It’s also about building up their fitness so they’re not injury risks and, hopefully, we can get them for longer periods of the season as well. I think the fitness and medical team have done a great job with the boys during pre-season.”

Ed Francis (centre-back), Matt Palmer (central midfield), Frank Vincent (left midfield), Kyle

Cameron (centre-back), Aaron Nemane (right-winger), Joel Taylor (centre-back) and Kairo Mitchell (centre-forward) were the players who moved to Meadow Lane this summer.

On the back of last season’s near miss with the play-offs, Burchall is certain the new arrivals will bolster his team.

“We were a good team at the end of last season and now it’s kind of reacquainting everybody with their roles and responsibilities within the team,” he added.

“I think we’ve done that well, but you also learn about yourselves with each game that you play.”