Haydn Hollis has hailed Notts County's performance in their 3-1 win over Colchester United, describing every player as "a different class", but urges all the players to keep their feet on the ground.

The Magpies put in arguably their best home display of the season in seeing off the U's and remain 13 points clear of the bottom two in League Two with just six games remaining.

Hollis, who opened the scoring early in the encounter, told the Nottingham Post: It was a top performance and one of the best we have given at home this season.

"They (Colchester) are a team looking to get into the playoffs and they've not really troubled us apart from the goal which has flown into the top corner. Apart from that, I thought everybody was a different class.

"We are not mathematically safe, but you'd like to think we are. The other teams would need to produce promotion form and you just can't see them doing that.

"And while we are producing it, we cannot get carried away. Keeping our feet on the ground has been one of the reasons which I think has brought us success.

"If I stand here and start bigging us up that's when you are in danger of losing your good work. We've just kept a level head and grounded. We have to stay like that."

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Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has spoken of how happy he is working at a club on an upward trajectory and with a supportive chairman.

One of Alan Hardy's first major moves since taking over the Magpies was to replace John Sheridan with Nolan, whose only previous managerial experience came at Leyton Orient.

The decision to bring Nolan in has paid dividends as he has masterminded a complete turnaround in form at Meadow Lane, taking the club from the brink of relegation to almost-confirmed safety in just two months.

In comparison, Orient look doomed as they lurch from one crisis to the other, switching managers at a regular rate, and Nolan has described the hotseat at the East London club as "impossible".

Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "The (Orient) job is just unmanageable. People will ask if it's impossible and I would say, 'yeah'. You've seen how many managers have gone through the door now and it's constantly revolving.

"It will be like that while (owner Francesco Becchetti) is in charge. It's ridiculous to not give Danny (Webb, their last manager, who resigned on Friday) an environment to thrive in. He just hasn't learned from his mistakes.

"This time last year he was sacking me this week. There were seven or eight games remaining, and the team had a chance of making the play-offs, but he decided to go down a different route.

"Everyone just asked 'why?' because everybody inside the club knew it was the wrong thing to do except him.

That was what you were dealing with and I feel so sorry for the good people behind the scenes. You fear for them because jobs are on the line as the club look to be facing relegation.

"I am just glad to have got somewhere that's a fantastic environment to thrive in. I've a boss who is going on a journey and he's picked me to go with him. I am delighted to be here, and I will give it 110 percent.

"And if I do have a tough point in my career here, which is going to happen at some point, I know the first person behind me will be the chairman.

"That's what makes this job easier but makes me want to be successful so much more for him as well as me.

"Them partnerships and relationships I have, I am going to need them to lean on. I will need a smiling face when it's not going as well as it should be.

"I am just so delighted to be here and we will continue the process of turning baby steps into long strides so we'll be up, up and away."

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Carl Dickinson has revealed that he would get so miserable during Notts County's 10-match losing run in League Two that he couldn't even speak to his family after games.

The Magpies lost every single league fixture between November 12, a 4-0 defeat at Blackpool, until January 7, a 4-1 loss at Morecambe.

The rot was stopped with a goalless home draw with Mansfield Town on January 14, and 10 weeks later, Notts are a different proposition entirely, on the brink of safety with a 13-point cushion between themselves and the bottom two.

"It was horrible," Dickinson recalled to the Nottingham Post. "I would spend car journeys with my family when I wouldn't say a word to them because what we were going through would ruin my weekend.

"I wouldn't say anything to the missus or the kids and I certainly didn't want to be near them after a game if it had not gone well. It would kill me on the inside because the defeats were happening every week.

"I don't think my missus has ever seen me like it. It might be different for the others, but, for me, training is all designed to win a game of football at the end of the week.

"If you don't perform and don't win, it feels like you've gone through the week only to mess it all up when it comes to the crunch.

"I am a positive person, but when you've lost the following 24 hours ruin you. On the Sunday you are thinking about the game and I must admit the club was in a low place."

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Notts County manager Kevin Nolan has claimed that any potential recruit will not be taken on should they have doubts about moving to Meadow Lane.

With the club on the brink of safety in League Two, the former Leyton Orient boss is now looking at how to shape his squad for next season, with just five players - Adam Collin, Michael O'Connor, Carl Dickinson, Matt Tootle and Jonathan Forte - on a contract past the summer.

Nolan is expected to offer deals to some of his current squad, with the majority available to leave in the summer, but is adamant that new signings will not be afforded any thinking time should he offer them a deal.

"When I am signing a player in the summer if the first one says 'can I have a little think about it' then they will get 'sorry, but it's a no from me'," Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

"We are not thinking about anything. We are going forward and if you don't want to come forward with us then good luck in what you do but it won't be with Notts County.

"That's the sort of mentality we want. We want players to come here and the reason why I recruited those players in January was because they wanted to be here.

"Over the season it shows because when the chips are down and things aren't going right, they are the lads who will drive you and pull you through the tough times.

"There won't be anybody coming to Notts County for a free ride next year. There will be lots of hard work and not much play.

"Whoever comes will have to know it will be tough. It has to be because the successful sides work harder."

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Kevin Nolan has urged Premier League academy prospects to consider making switches to Football League teams, where they can get first-team action in challenging environments rather than remain in the "no-pressure" environment academies.

The Notts County manager recruited a number of top-flight youngsters on loan in January, as Arsenal's Marc Bola, Hull City's Josh Clackstone and West Bromwich Albion's Tahvon Campbell switched to Meadow Lane.

Bola has already spoken of how he is improving as a player on loan at Notts, and Nolan has echoed his sentiments, adding that the failure of Under-23 teams to get "anywhere near the final" of the Checkatrade Trophy is proof that their young players are not prepared for competitive action.

Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "It's been shown in the Checkatrade Trophy that no Under-23s team has got anywhere near the final. When it's come down to it, they just haven't been prepared for it.

"I am not knocking academy football, but there's no pressure. We've got Marc Bola who, if he makes a mistake in an academy game, then it's okay don't worry about it. But if he makes a mistake here it could mean the difference between three points or not.

"He's relishing it and done really well. He's got a great head on his shoulders."

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Alan Hardy has spoken in favour of the EFL Trophy, believing in its goal of nurturing young English talent, but insists that it needs the support of every team in the Premier League.

The competition, known as the Checkatrade Trophy for sponsorship purposes, has come under intense criticism this season after Premier League academy teams were entered into the tournament.

A number of League One and Two clubs have fined for picking weakened teams, while Bradford City changed their goalkeeper after three minutes to comply with the rules.

However, Hardy believes that, with a few tweaks, it can become a worthwhile competition.

He wrote in the Nottingham Post: "The build-up to the final is already underway which, naturally, has sparked debate about this season's competition and whether it has been a success.

"The inclusion of Premier League academy sides has proved to be a hugely contentious issue, raising questions as to whether it's actually been worth it.

"I am quite clear where I stand on this: I support it 100 percent because developing young English footballers is hugely important.

"Wouldn't it be great to see real Premier League stars of the future 18 months or so before they make their debut?

"Unfortunately, only Chelsea out of the Premier League's so-called 'big teams' said they would enter a team for this season's competition, which was disappointing.

"Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Spurs decided not to field their academy sides and, for me, if the competition is to move forward, it has to be all or nothing.

"For us at Notts County, we lost money on our Checkatrade games once we had paid for stewarding and other matchday costs.

"In my opinion, it needs the full support of everybody in the Premier League and if that isn't the case, the competition needs to be reformatted."

To read the full column on the Nottingham Post, simply click here.

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Notts County boss Kevin Nolan has expressed sadness at the plight of former club Leyton Orient.

The 34-year-old was appointed as player-manager at Brisbane Road in January 2016, but despite winning seven of his 15 games in charge, was downgraded to player when Andy Hessenthaler took the reins in April.

A further three months passed before Nolan left the club altogether, and Orient's loss was County's gain as he has so far taken the Magpies from the brink of relegation to the brink of safety.

Meanwhile, Orient have plunged into crisis under owner Francesco Becchetti, with the O's having been before the High Court over a tax debt to HMRC and all but consigned to the non-league next season.

Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "I loved Orient and I am so gutted to see what is happening there now.

"I am devastated for those involved, because there are a lot of good people there. What's happening is tragic. I hope they do bounce back if they do go down.

"It's a tough league when you get relegated. It's just a sad, sad situation to see what's happening.

"That's gone and it's in my past now and I can't worry about it. I can only wish them all the best and that's genuinely from my heart."

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Alan Hardy has revealed that Notts County will not break even before 2022, but admits that he is thoroughly enjoying the challenge of being chairman and has no regrets.

Hardy said Notts were losing £1.6m a year when he took over in January, but insisted the club was making progress off the pitch after having put things right on it.

"It is step in the right direction, but it is still a lot of money we are losing every year. The whole business model has to change," Hardy told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"While I am thoroughly enjoying it, the challenge is immense. It is made very special by the success on the pitch and the great job Kev has been doing, but it has been hard work.

"I don't regret it, but it is much tougher than I thought. I am having a great time - and it helps that we have been successful. If we were in the bottom two then maybe it would be a different story.

"But this is five-year plan and it will be five years before we break even. We have to do more off-pitch stuff, more commercial stuff, to support the football side."

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Notts County goalkeeper Scott Loach has expressed surprise that Vadaine Oliver did not remain at Meadow Lane or switch to another Football League club in January.

Oliver completed a loan switch to the Magpies at the start of the season, but returned to parent club York City early in the year after one goal in 25 appearances.

Since then, he has scored five times and recorded four assists in 14 outings for the Minstermen, who are in the National League.

Loach, who has made a loan switch to Bootham Crescent, told the York Press: “I can’t believe Vadaine didn’t stay at Notts County or isn’t playing at another League club, but there are some good players at this level when you look at the likes of Newts (Sean Newton) as well.

“Dagenham also had some decent lads on Saturday, as do clubs like Lincoln and Forest Green. But that’s football - where you play can sometimes come down to other circumstances.

“Not only is Vadaine a good target man, but he also works hard and keeps going. If he doesn’t win the first header, he goes for the next one and I think it will be good for him learning off Jon Parkin, who’s a similar player, but has been there and done it.”

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Kevin Nolan has reiterated that Notts County must not get into the mindset of having done their job following their 1-0 win at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

Shola Ameobi's goal proved enough for the Magpies to claim all three points at Adams Park, putting them 13 points clear of the League Two relegation zone.

Many Notts fans have breathed a sigh of relief at the distance between the club and basement sides Newport County and Leyton Orient, whose recent form has been wretched to say the least.

However, Nolan previously said that he doesn't want to consider Notts safe from relegation until it is mathematically impossible for them to slip back into the bottom two.

Now, the manager has made it known that he wants the players to prove themselves from now until the end of the season, making a hint towards seeing who will make the cut in the summer.

Nolan told the Nottingham Post: "We need momentum going into next year. We don't want to be now thinking we are safe and then just tail off and think the season has ended.

"No, I want to see what these lads have got from now until the end of the season because there are a lot of decisions to be made once we know are safe. I don't think we can afford to take our foot off the pedal."

Up next for Notts is Saturday's League Two home clash with Colchester United, game number 40 of the season.

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The feelgood factor around Notts County continues as Shola Ameobi praised his teammates, in particular strike partner Jon Stead, as well as miracle worker Kevin Nolan.

The Magpies are 13 points clear of the League Two bottom two with seven games to go, and although safety is not mathematically certain, it has allowed fans to breathe a lot easier, in particular with the downturn in form of basement sides Newport County and Leyton Orient.

Ameobi, who scored the winner in County's 1-0 win at high-flying Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, told the Nottingham Post: "Jonny did brilliantly down the right and all I had to do was put it in.

"He did most of the work so it's a great feeling, but an even greater feeling knowing we have got the three points.

"We have a lot of experience and hopefully still a little bit of quality in there as well. The more we play together, the more we understand each other's games which is helping.

"But as a team we are evolving. There is a progression and the manager is doing a lot of work in the background and on the training pitch in which he is cultivating a way to play.

"You can see that more and more. We've got it at home but it's about bringing it away which is what he wanted to see at Wycombe.

"We are just delighted that we are able to put up a fight first and foremost, but the defence and Richard Duffy and Haydn Hollis were brilliant at snuffing them out and keeping us out the box.

"It's great to obviously score the goal and for it to be the winner, but the performance, given we have struggled away from home, was excellent.

"The manager has tried to instil the ability to come away from Meadow Lane and that the type of performances we need is the one we showed at Wycombe.

"We want to keep this run going now. We've only lost once in the last eight or nine games and you can see there is a lot of confidence in the boys now in the team and its shape.

"It's great when you get the wins, but it's a continued progression and building on what we have done so far.

"Our home record has been great, and it would be nice to keep that going against Colchester at Meadow Lane on Saturday."

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Kevin Nolan has described Notts County's performance in their 1-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers as "absolutely fantastic", but is not getting carried away with regards to the issue of League Two safety.

The Magpies are now 13 points clear of the division's bottom two after Shola Ameobi netted the winner in Saturday's victory at Adams Park.

With Newport County and Leyton Orient struggling for form and entrenched in the relegation places with just seven games to go, many Notts fans and pundits - including Mark Stallard - have breathed a sigh of relief and declared the club to be safe.

However Nolan, despite his delight with his players, does not want to take his foot off the pedal, telling the Nottingham Post: "We are still not mathematically safe and it's not done until done.

"But I was just so pleased with what we put on show. I thought we were absolutely fantastic. We really nullified Wycombe and their strengths. We were very worthy of the win.

"I was thrilled with the way we went about it because we didn't let them build momentum. It was a fantastic result because we've not only won the game, but we have kept a clean sheet as well against a team who pose a real attacking threat.

"We knew they were going to throw everything at us but I felt we dealt it with it very well. They had few half chances but it was tricky because the conditions were difficult.

"There was wind and the surface was a bit bobbly. But we played it very well and I am delighted to a man with all the lads. It was an excellent performance."

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Kevin Nolan has urged the Notts County players to build on their impressive home form by translating it to away fixtures as well.

The Magpies are 10 points clear of the bottom two in League Two and head to Wycombe Wanderers hoping to extend that gap by securing victory over Gareth Ainsworth's side.

All of Nolan's defeats so far have come on the road, but with eight games left of the season, the manager is eager to build on that aspect over the next few weeks, beginning at Adams Park on Saturday.

"Hopefully we can now start taking our home form away," he told the Nottingham Post.

"We've got to get that balance right. We can't go away and play open expansive football all the time.

"There are going to be moments in games when you can do it, but there are others when you realise it's not possible.

"Game management is what we are working on and that's when to sit in and let them play in front of us, or when do we open up and have a go.

"I am learning along the way about the lads and we are trying a few different things. Hopefully it will all come to fruition on Saturday against Wycombe which will be a tough game."

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Marc Bola has given a positive assessment of his loan spell at Notts County so far, believing himself to be improving as a player.

The Arsenal loanee also urges fellow Premier League academy prospects to consider making switches to the Football League, where they can get first-team action in challenging environments.

In an interview with the Nottingham Post, the full-back said: "It's been great for me to come here and get experience. There is a difference in terms of the facilities but you just kind of adapt to that.

"It was a big step to come out of London, but I am getting used to it. The lads are helping me and taking me round town and I've enjoyed that.

"In academy football I am used to the ball being on the floor. You get time and space and you will may be have three options on at one time, but at this level, the ball is in the air a lot more and there's no time. Your first thought when you get the ball is up and over.

"But I am enjoying every moment of being here. I can feel myself improving as a player because I am dishing out instructions to others. I have responsibility to be vocal and you are not scared to scream at somebody to say they aren't doing a job.

"You're not holding back and you need that responsibility to progress. So when I go back to Arsenal if somebody isn't doing their job I will be on them. But I am enjoying every moment of being here.

"If you can get out on loan then I would do it. Under-23s football is good for development but at League Two clubs they are giving youngsters like me a chance and it's such good experience.

"You have to earn respect and it turns you into a man. You have to be on it from minute one, or you will get a kick. I am really enjoying my time here and I am improving as a player."

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Kevin Nolan says Scott Loach's loan move to York City will enable him to keep tabs of the goalkeeper in first-team action and make a decision on him at the end of the season.

The 28-year-old former England Under-21 international, who has made just seven appearances for the Magpies this season, sealed the switch to Bootham Crescent on Wednesday.

Nolan admits that Loach, whose deal at Meadow Lane is up at the end of the season, was desperate to play first-team football, but has been "first class" in biding his time as Adam Collin's deputy.

"Loachie was desperate to play and be number one somewhere so he could get some games under his belt," Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

"After York rang us yesterday (Wednesday) we just thought it would be an opportunity for him to go and do that.

"We can have a look at Joe Searson as well and then we can make a decision on them come the end of the season.

"I must admit Loachie has been first class since I came in. There's not been one whimper. All he's wanted to do is play games.

"But with Adam's form he's found that difficult. When York came along, I just thought it would be best for us and for him to go and play.

"It gives me a chance of getting a few tapes of him playing week in, week out, and then we can make a decision on him."

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Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth has claimed that Notts County are "in good hands" with Alan Hardy as their owner and Kevin Nolan as head coach.

The Chairboys, dark horses for a League Two playoff spot, will be welcoming the Magpies to Adams Park on Saturday.

Ainsworth is impressed with how Notts have turned their season around since Hardy took over the club, admitting that they are a "totally different" side to the one that lost 2-0 at Meadow Lane in December.

"Kevin Nolan has injected spirit and desire into the club, and the owner is very passionate about the club; he has a vision and they are in good hands with him," Ainsworth told the Chairboys official site.

"We have a good chance to impose ourselves at home on Notts County, but they will be scrapping.

"With Newport picking up a point in midweek it makes sure it is definitely not dead and buried at the bottom so we will be wary of Notts County coming to us.

"It will be a totally different Notts County to the one we faced in December, but I'm hoping we are a different Wycombe than what it has been just after Christmas."

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Notts County owner Alan Hardy has claimed that the club's playing budget for next season is likely to be "top four".

In addition, he believes that, with the added funds, the Magpies can have a tilt at the top seven in 2017-18.

Hardy told the Nottingham Post: "We looked at our one to three-year plan earlier in the week and asked 'could we be more optimistic in terms of the crowd numbers?'.

"I think we can be. The more people we attract through the gates, the more money we generate and that means we give more to the manager.

"I have already decided to increase the playing budget for next season as a result because we are now just starting to plan ahead.

"Next season, I would think, we will be top four in terms of budgets so we will be pushing hard for the play-offs if not automatic promotion.

"The fans may ask whether we will rely on free transfer signings, but if there is a player the manager wants who is going to cost a fee then we will certainly consider it if he makes the team better and it makes sense in terms of the business."

To read the full column on the Nottingham Post, click here.

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Michael O'Connor is the latest player to hail Kevin Nolan for his positive impact on the Notts County players' confidence and in turn the team's form.

"When we were on that 10 game losing streak, a few of the lads went into their shells," he told the Nottingham Post. "But since the gaffer has come in, he's put arms around all of us.

"The confidence is back and you only have to look at Richard Duffy to see that. He's been our best player since the gaffer came in and big H (Haydn Hollis) looks a different player too.

"It's good to be around here at the moment. The lads are enjoying their football at Meadow Lane again. Before, we were coming here feeling the anxiety.

"Some lads were scared of playing that 40-50 yard ball but now you see players getting forward like Toots (Matt Tootle) who scored on Sunday. He wouldn't have done that a few months ago.

"It's seven unbeaten now and if we can get a few away wins from now until the end of the season then we will easily finish mid-table. When the gaffer came the aim was just to stay in the league but I think now we are 11 points clear and we are on a good run.

"We've taken six points from three games, and I thought we should have had something from the Doncaster game. We will just take it game by game until we are mathematically safe."

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Kevin Nolan has hailed "another great team performance" by Notts County in their 1-0 win over Barnet, adding that they reacted well after Mark Yeates's early red card.

Matt Tootle's second-half goal proved the difference between the two sides at Meadow Lane on Sunday, but the Magpies were made to work for it after Yeates was controversially sent off.

Nolan told the OS: "It was another great team performance. If anything, the red card sparked us into life - the reaction from the lads was fantastic.

"I thought if anyone was going to go on and score again it would be us. The lads stuck together and everything you want from your team was on show today.

"What we have to do now is follow it up with another win. We've been up and down and that’s something we need to sort out.

“We’re not safe yet, I’ll keep saying that, but we’re looking up and we have brought a group of teams closer towards us."

Nolan also praised the owner, saying: "I think what Alan Hardy has done is brilliant. There were another 7,000 here today and I think they got their money’s worth.

"Alan has done so well off the field, getting the embargo lifted and enabling us bring in six players.

"At this minute in time it’s about taking it game by game, getting as many points on the board as quickly as possible and getting to safety.

"Then we can talk about moving forward and starting the adventure Alan and I believe we can take this club on."

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Matt Tootle is optimist that a "strange season" for Notts County can end on a high note after moving 11 points clear of the League Two drop zone.

The Magpies put in an immense performance to claim a 1-0 win over Barnet at Meadow Lane on Sunday, Tootle scoring a second-half winner.

Kevin Nolan's charges were visibly exhausted at the end of the game, having been a man down for most of the game after Mark Yeates was sent off early on by referee Keith Stroud.

Tootle told the official Notts site: “I’ve scored a few in the league but that’s my first one in a while.

"It was a good first one for Notts and, the way the game went with us only having 10 men, I think it was a great time to get it. I was made up to get the goal.

"Driving here today I knew how important the three points were for us and I’m over the moon with how it’s gone.

“Of course we aren’t mathematically safe and, although teams down the bottom are struggling to win also, we aren’t resting on our laurels until we're fully safe.

"The gaffer has been really putting us through our paces in training. The work we are doing at the moment has set us up for the busy schedule - we are fitter than we were two months ago and I felt we looked like the team with 11 men at the end today.

“As a defender you want clean sheets and even today with ten men we looked really organised and strong as a unit. That’s testament to the gaffer coming in and doing the work with the lads.

“We want to finish as best as we can. If we can win another five or six this season, which we are more than capable of doing, we can end what has been a strange season on a high note."

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Notts County boss Kevin Nolan says he will not be monitoring Saturday's League Two results, insisting that the team will be responsible for its own destiny.

The Magpies are playing on Sunday this week, due to scheduling conflicts with regards to the team on the other side of the Trent.

It means some of County's relegation rivals have a chance to close the gap on Nolan's side, who are currently eight points above the bottom two,

Nolan, however, admits he will use the occasion to have some down time ahead of the Barnet fixture.

"I've got the family coming over, which is lovely. I haven't seen them for a couple of weeks because we've been working hard and been in every day," Nolan told the Nottingham Post.

"It will be a bit of down time with them, enjoying their company.

"It probably will be on in the background, but it's not about anybody else, it's just about us. That's what I've always said.

"It's us who is going to determine whether we stay in this league or we don't; no-one else.

"We don't want any favours from anyone. We've just got to make sure we continue to do our job.

"If we continue to do what we have been doing, we'll be okay."

He added: "Playing on a Sunday makes no difference to me, I don't know whether the lads feel a bit different.

"I much prefer a Saturday kick-off. I love a Saturday 3 o'clock kick-off. I think that's gone away from the game too much, with all these Sunday, Monday, Friday kick-offs.

"I won't be paying too much attention. It's about us. Even when the lads say after a game, 'they won' or 'they lost', I just say, 'it's got nothing to do with us'. We will decide our own fate."

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Haydn Hollis has praised Notts County manager Kevin Nolan for giving him a lot of confidence and changing the mentality in the dressing room.

Since Nolan took over at Meadow Lane, alongside Alan Hardy's acquisition of the club, the Magpies have gone from League Two relegation certainties to being well in with a chance of staying up.

"Personally, he has given the squad a lot of confidence; he has given me a lot of confidence," Hollis told the Nottingham Post.

"He has said some good things about me in the press, which has been really nice and it makes me believe in myself. I'm sure he's done that with others.

"It's brilliant for me to hear and it makes me want to do well for him. I want to do it for myself as well.

"I was never low, but it's always nice when someone is good with you and believes in you.

"It makes you feel like you can do it. If someone believes in you then you're going to believe in yourself.

"He's just changed the mentality of the place. It was never a bad place to come to work. We're all lucky to be professional footballers, but it's a good place.

"You get up in the morning now and you look forward to coming to train because it's a good place. We have a laugh, but on the other side it's really serious as well.

"I think everyone is buying into what he believes. And that's the way forward, everyone has to buy into what he believes if we're going to be successful."

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