Luke Williams outlines the steps his team must take to get back to winning ways this weekend

Notts County boss Luke Williams has emphasized the significance of mentality in recent weeks following his team's defeat against Dagenham and Redbridge. As they prepare for a challenging game against promotion-chasing Bromley in Greater London, Notts County will need to exhibit mental toughness to bounce back from their loss.

Bromley, who recently defeated Torquay, are in good form and are just two points away from securing a playoff position. Unfortunately, Notts County has not had much luck at Hayes Lane since being relegated to the National League, losing all three of their last visits by a one-goal margin. However, this season has seen Notts County break their losing streak at several away grounds, including Eastleigh and Torquay.

Despite this, following their second defeat of the season against Dagenham & Redbridge at Meadow Lane last Saturday, the next few weeks will be crucial in determining the strength of Notts County's mindset and mentality. Williams is eager to return to winning ways and regain their position at the top of the National League table.

Luke Williams explained that, "At this point now, it becomes so much about mentality, it really does."

"I believe that we have always bounced back well from a setback, we have only had the one defeat that we have had to deal with, but we have had games I am sure you will agree that have felt like a defeat.

"Games that we have drawn that we have been leading - that gives you that very similar sinking feeling of a defeat, but now we have a real defeat that we have to deal with, and we now have to show as a group now the mentality that we have and see if we can bounce back immediately with a good performance and a good result."

One of the draws that felt like a defeat for Notts County was against their upcoming opponents, where Michael Cheek's header cancelled out Adam Chicksen's opener during a frustrating evening at Meadow Lane in November.

Like many visiting teams this season, Andy Woodman's team aimed to disrupt the game's flow, particularly after equalizing and settling for a point. Although Williams praised Bromley's playing style, he outlined his expectations for the upcoming match and how his side plans to counter the Ravens' threat to secure a crucial victory at Meadow Lane.

"I feel like we should have scored almost immediately after the first goal when Macaulay hit the crossbar, and I felt as though that was the point in the game that would have probably gone away from Bromley - as good as they are we would have probably been able to control the rest of the game more comfortably.

"Of course, it is a very obvious thing to say, but we have to take our chances against this side because they're mean, and they won't give us too many so when they do come along we have to take them.

"They are brilliant at managing the game in the way that they want to manage the game, they are very smart, so we need to try and take ownership of the game as much as we can because the two sides don't particularly prefer each other's styles.

"But that is what makes it a great contest because they are very good at what they do, and we are very good at what we do, but there are quite contrasting differences between the two, and we have a lot of respect for what they do, but on the day we have to take as much control as we can."

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