By PON_News
David McGoldrick, the seasoned forward for Notts County, is no stranger to the ups and downs of a football career. With over 600 career appearances to his name, McGoldrick is one of the most experienced players in the current squad. However, his start to the season has been somewhat challenging, with limited minutes on the pitch. Despite this, McGoldrick remains focused and prepared for when his opportunity arises.
Reflecting on his current situation, McGoldrick acknowledged the reality of not getting the game time he had hoped for. "Yeah, obviously, like you say, I didn't have the minutes that I wanted to, but that's part of football," he said. "We're only a couple of games in, there's a long, long way to go. So I'm working hard, trying to get my place in the team. And whenever that comes, I just got to be ready."
At 36, McGoldrick is defying expectations by maintaining his fitness and readiness for the challenges ahead. He recently hit a significant milestone in his career, surpassing 600 appearances across all competitions. "I'm extremely blessed to play this many games. So, you know, hopefully, I can get a few more," he remarked. "I think I could get to 700. If I work hard, I'm sure I can."
McGoldrick's vast experience includes playing at the highest levels of the game, and it is this background that has equipped him with the mental resilience to stay focused, even when he's not in the starting eleven. He explained, "It's hard no matter what, when you're not playing at the top or in League Two. Watching any football game from the bench is hard. I've always been used to playing and being the main striker. But you just have to keep yourself working hard and ready. You don't want to be called upon and not be ready."
McGoldrick's transition into a supporting role has been eased by his understanding of the team's dynamics, especially following the departure of Macaulay Langstaff and the emergence of younger talent like Alassana Jatta. "To be honest, with Macca leaving, there was a spot. But I thought myself Jatta would start, and that's fine. He's a good, young, promising player," McGoldrick said. "The fans have taken to him, and they should. He's done well."
Despite not starting, McGoldrick has embraced his role as a mentor to younger players, offering advice and sharing his experience. "I'm enjoying it. I don't go searching, giving players advice, but if they come to me, I'll give them all my knowledge," he said. "When I speak to these boys, I can tell they're listening and taking my information on board. I'm doing it from a pure positive place. I want them all to do well."
McGoldrick's ability to analyse the game and his opponents is one of his strengths, and he uses this to his advantage on the pitch. "Most centre-halves that I'm coming against, I don't really know much about them other than what we get told in the meetings. But I feel that they might have a slight fear before the game, knowing they're coming up against Notts County," he noted. "So I try to use that as an advantage."
Looking ahead, McGoldrick remains optimistic about his future in football. While his contract expires at the end of the season, he is not yet contemplating retirement. "The way my body's feeling now, I feel good. I don't see why it should finish at the end of the season. I don't want it to," he said. "While everything's still high, and I'm not getting out of bed in four stages, I'm going to keep playing. I'm extremely blessed to play football, and I'm trying to play for as long as I can."
As Notts County prepare for their upcoming matches, McGoldrick's experience, work ethic, and positive attitude will undoubtedly be invaluable to the team. Whether starting or coming off the bench, McGoldrick is ready to make his mark whenever the opportunity comes.
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