Importance of mentality highlighted as Luke Williams emphasizes Notts County preparations

Notts County's manager, Luke Williams, said that the midweek break will be a good break for his team, because they have been fighting for the National League title. The Magpies suffered their second defeat of the season against Dagenham and Redbridge in a surprise victory over the league leaders on Saturday evening. Inih Effiong, a former Notts player, scored a late goal that sealed the triumph for the visitors.

Despite the defeat at Meadow Lane, Williams' team had an impressive performance in the league, winning their previous seven games and maintaining an unbeaten streak of 25 matches since mid-September. The Magpies have shown consistency and determination throughout the season, which has helped them remain at the top of the league table.

The break in the schedule will provide Notts County with a chance to recharge and refocus ahead of their upcoming matches. The team's strong form in the league indicates that they are still one of the top contenders for the National League title, and Williams will be keen to ensure that his players remain motivated and prepared for the challenges ahead.

"We have to work on the training pitch because we have new players still in our squad," explained Williams.

"Jodi [Jones] is still new to the group and to the work, and of course, Connor is now in that same position so we have to try to help them understand every single detail and every single action that we try to play.

"We have to make sure every one of our players is in the right physical condition, so they can be prepared for another tough game."

Williams' disappointment was clear on his face. He said he had a lot of emotions and called his feelings as "gutting", even though he knew his team did well during the night.

Following the defeat at Meadow Lane, Williams expressed that the end of an unbeaten streak marks the beginning of a new one. He is determined to shift his focus towards bouncing back from the loss.

"That is not strong enough to feel gutted and let that affect you, we have to be disappointed of course, but now we have to focus on putting that right - that is the challenge now.

"We have only lost a game once this season, and we had to bounce back after that one, now we have to do the same.

"It would be easier if we played and got completely outplayed, and maybe you can accept that result.

"But it's difficult to lose, and to lose in a game where we did so many things to be able to put the game safely out of reach for the opposition is difficult to accept, but that's football."

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