Kevin Nolan: 'Notts County must adapt to pressure of top places'

Kevin Nolan has acknowledged that Notts County need to get used to the pressure of being viewed as one of the big scalps in League Two.

Despite a blip in recent weeks, the Magpies continue to sit second in League Two, just one point behind a very impressive Luton Town outfit.

Up next for Notts is Saturday's league encounter with Newport County in Meadow Lane, and Nolan admits that the raised expectations are a new thing for both players and staff.

"A lot has changed in recent weeks, such as expectations from outside the club," he told the official website.

"People now think we're a good side who are where we should be, which means teams see us as a real threat in this division.

"As a squad and a staff we have not been in this position before and we're still getting used to being one of the teams to beat.

"Last year there was no pressure because of where we were in the league and teams were thinking they had a real chance of getting something from the game but now they come here, show us the respect we deserve and try not to give anything silly away.

"The players have earned that respect over the past few months and we have to find a way to start countering it.

"Hopefully what we do on the training ground will come to fruition and we can combat their strengths while taking advantage of their weaknesses, which will give us a fantastic opportunity to beat anyone."

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