John Sheridan: 'Notts County Christmas party is cancelled'

Notts County boss John Sheridan admits he's cancelled his players' Christmas party, adding that they agree with his reasoning.

The Magpies sit 19th in the League Two table after a poor run of four consecutive league defeats, and Sheridan thinks the players are not in a position to be celebrating.

"Listen, you've got to take your mind off football, I'm all for that, but I don't think we're in any position to," he told the Nottingham Post.

"I think we've got to work a lot, lot harder and focus on what we're trying to do – and that's trying to be successful in this league.

"There's still a long, long way to go. There's plenty of points, and there's nothing stopping us from getting back in the mix.

"I just feel, and the players feel, like it's best if there's no Christmas do.

"There will be a time when we can celebrate, and I think the players are backing me on it.

"It will save them some money. And I think the players know it's not a punishment, so they have responded the way I want them to respond.

"They know we have got to get things right, so I don't see it as a problem whatsoever and hopefully it will work out the way we want it to."

Media reports have claimed that the players were paid late this week, but Sheridan has vowed to stay away from "the politics".

"I don't get involved in the politics and other people have to take care of whatever is going on off the pitch," he said.

"I just concentrate on the pitch, and it's a big game for us, it's an opportunity to get into the next round and the possibility of getting a big team.

"That's all I'm concentrating on, I don't get involved in politics whatsoever. I don't want it to distract us, I don't feel it has. We've trained okay and we carry on."

Notts take on Peterborough United in an FA Cup second-round clash at Meadow Lane on Sunday.

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