Alan Hardy: 'I was more excited about Kevin Nolan award than he was'

Alan Hardy has revealed that he was more excited about Kevin Nolan winning September's League Two Manager of the Month award than the man himself was.

The Notts County boss was rewarded for a near-perfect September, with six wins out of seven and an ascent to the top of the table, with the EFL accolade.

As well as praising Nolan's humility and selflessness, Hardy also gave an insight into some of the gaffer's managing techniques.

Hardy wrote in the Nottingham Post: "I think I was more excited than he was about this outstanding achievement which was just reward for the team’s magnificent form throughout September.

"Picking up the phone I resembled a kid at Christmas, but he was very clear in that he only wanted to talk about winning things in May and not in October.

"While we are the league leaders, the gaffer is eager for everybody to keep their feet on the ground.

"He will ensure that everybody remains measured and, while the plaudits keep on coming, he will not allow it to go to anybody’s head.

"What I find fascinating about his work is that he takes games in blocks and sets himself targets.

"He is very logical in the way he looks at things and constantly measures whether they are above his target for the blocks of games he has grouped together.

"He doesn’t just do that with points either, but also clean sheets, goals scored and the number conceded.

"He is so meticulous in his preparations and everybody is absolutely delighted with the way we have started the season under his leadership.

"He deserves his recognition, but what I love about him the most is the way he deflects praise on to the wider team.

"He always says it’s not just about him, but about the assistant manager Richard Thomas, coach Mark Crossley, the medical staff and, crucially, the players."

To read the full column on the Nottingham Post, click here.

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