Kevin Nolan hails "fantastic" behind-the-scenes work by Alan Hardy at Notts County

Kevin Nolan has paid tribute to the stability behind the scenes as a major factor in Notts County's improvements on the pitch.

Since Alan Hardy took over the club in January, the Magpies have enjoyed steady progress which has turned them from down-and-out misfits into the in-form team of League Two.

There is even talk among the fans of a late, though somewhat-implausible-at-this-stage, tilt at the playoffs, which just goes to show how good things are now, considering the start of the year was a case of bracing ourselves for the non-league.

"The work that Alan is doing off the pitch is absolutely fantastic and what the lads are doing on the pitch is backing all that up," Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

"It makes for a much healthier environment when everything is getting sorted from top to bottom and you have a manager and chairman who are in tandem with each other.

"That's why you are seeing the performances from these lads. They are settled and know exactly what is expected of them."

Share your thoughts about this news story on Pride of Nottingham by signing up to the website, visiting the forum and joining in the chat with hundreds of fellow Notts County fans.