Burchnall tells Notts to ‘enjoy’ play-off thrills
IAN Burchnall is relishing the National League play-offs and hopes his Notts County players savour every moment of their attempt to win promotion back to the Football League.
The Magpies booked their place in the top seven at the weekend with a 3-0 win against Altrincham and now look set to face Grimsby Town in the play-off quarter-finals.
Although there is one game remaining this season, there is still much to play for as Notts need only a point to guarantee that their clash against the Mariners is at Meadow Lane.
It will be the third time that Notts will attempt to win promotion via the play-offs after suffering heartbreak on the two previous occasions in the semis against Torquay last season and in the final against Harrogate back in 2020.
But Magpies head coach Burchnall cannot wait for the playoffs to get under way and says it is what Notts have been battling for all season.
“They (play-offs) are always exciting games and you don’t know which way they’re going to turn,” he said.
“They’re always a bit unpredictable. You’ve seen recent games and even you see the way that League Two finished on the last day of the season, there were so many teams fighting for automatic promotion, those who suffered disappointment and then you have to pick yourself up and go into the playoffs.
“There will be some teams like that (in the National League).
“Wrexham and Stockport are both fighting now. One of them will be disappointed and are going to have to do it the hard way. And they’re one-off games.
“It’s about who performs on that day getting the right moments at the right time and being best prepared for them.
“But they’re exciting for everybody, certainly exciting for the neutral and nerve-racking when you’re involved in them.
“But you fight all season to be part of big games and big moments. Hopefully, the players enjoy it.”
Home advantage could prove crucial to Notts in the play-offs given they boast one of the highest average attendances in the National League.
They also boast one of the best records having lost only twice at home all season in the division and have scored in every home game.
And Burchnall believes that the backing Notts get at Meadow Lane could prove crucial in the chase to return to the EFL.
“We still have to work to get that home game and we’re not quite there yet,” he said.
“But should we get it, I think that it’s going to be a great atmosphere. We all felt the frustration a little bit after the Dover game.
“And we all discussed it and alluded to it after that.
“And then I thought the fans against Altrincham were just magnificent. From minute one they pushed the team. At half-time they were pushing the team when we came out, and it just helps us so much.
“I just know it’s such a huge advantage to have that support base behind us. So we want to make sure that we do our job then we’ve got to go and do a job at Maidenhead to make sure that we’re back here at Meadow Lane which is where we want to be.”