Kevin Nolan claims Notts County players needed an arm around the shoulder

Kevin Nolan has claimed that many of the Notts County players just needed "an arm around the shoulder" to get them back on track.

The former Leyton Orient player-manager only took his first Magpies training session on Friday, but the following day the team was able to claim their first point in 11 games with a goalless draw against Mansfield Town.

Nolan said he spoke with several players individually to explain what he wanted from them, and they duly put in improved performances, such as Adam Collin and Richard Duffy.

"I told Adam what I wanted and what I expect and I think a lot of these lads just need an arm around the shoulder and a pat on the back," he told the Nottingham Post.

"They need a bit of loving. They had lost 10 games on the spin and I know what that's like.

"It's like Michael O'Connor, the skipper. I've been in his situation when the team is getting beat because you're the one who always gets hammered from every angle.

"I thought he was fantastic. I also managed to get hold of Richard and have a good chat with him.

"I know his quality. That lad is a fantastic footballer and he reads the game so well.

"I think he's brilliant having Thierry Audel next to him. I want to make that a solid centre-half partnership.

"I said to the players after the game that they had shown me the standard and that's the minimum required from now until the end of the season.

"We will be working our socks off week in, week out, to get better."

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