Notts County boss John Sheridan has warned his players not to underestimate Boreham Wood when the two sides meet in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The Hertfordshire side are currently pushing for a playoff spot in the National League, one division beneath League Two.

Despite the Magpies being tipped as favourites, they were humiliated last year at non-league Salford City, and Sheridan is well aware of this.

"They are a strong outfit, going well in the league. They've got pace in the team," he told the Nottingham Post.

"I've played against teams lower than the Conference and they just raise their game 10 or 15 percent for some reason and it's always a real hard game.

"We've got to be prepared for a hard game because they will be physical.

"They are fit lads and I think they'll probably be fancying their chances because they're at home."

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Notts County captain Michael O'Connor has claimed that his side are well placed to enjoy a tilt at promotion this season.

The Magpies currently sit sixth in the table after 15 games played in League Two and just two defeats in their last eight.

"Our aim at the start of the year was to get promotion," the midfielder told the Nottingham Post.

"To be sitting sixth at the start of November is good. We'd like to be a bit higher, because we've dropped points when we thought we could have had three points – like on Saturday when we missed a penalty.

"I think if you'd asked me at the start of the season if I'd be happy with being sixth now, I would have taken it. We're still in the mix.

"We have a good set of lads who want to work hard. We've got one or two players who can turn games for us and we've got some experience, so we've got a bit of everything in the team.

"We just need a bit of consistency now. We just need to keep picking up points here and there, then, hopefully, come March, April, May we're up there."

Notts will be turning their attention to cup competitions as they face Boreham Wood and Sunderland's Under-23s in the coming seven days.

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Haydn Hollis has claimed that going back to basics has helped him rediscover his form for Notts County.

The 24-year-old came under criticism numerous times over the last year but he was a key player for the Magpies against Portsmouth and Luton Town.

Asked about his performances over the last two games, Hollis told the Nottingham Post: "I think I've been good, but that's expected of me.

"You've just got to head, kick it and just do the basics right.

"That's what I've done - I've gone back to basics.

"But people are being very kind because I think everybody out there has been as good as each other."

Hollis was given a new one-year deal at Meadow Lane in the summer.

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Notts County manager John Sheridan has refused to blame Vadaine Oliver for failing to convert a late penalty in Saturday's League Two goalless draw against Luton Town.

A foul on Haydn Hollis in the final ten minutes of the game gave the Magpies a chance to edge ahead, but goalkeeper Christian Walton was able to make the save and help the visitors to a point.

"I am disappointed we haven't come away with three points and for any neutral watching the game they would have seen two decent teams," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.

"They probably had a bit more possession in the first half, but they are a good side.

"But we came away with a clean sheet and I think it was a great effort from the players.

"We had them on the back foot a lot more than we did in the first half.

"If we had scored the first goal I think we would have gone on to win the game.

"We had the chance with the penalty, but I won't put blame on anybody for missing a penalty.

"But if we had scored from it then we would have won and that would have been deserved for the way we went about the game.

"The fans were excellent and got right behind the team. It's a crying shame that we haven't got the points."

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Adam Campbell has claimed that Notts County are more than capable of beating Luton Town in today's game at Meadow Lane.

The Hatters are fourth in League Two and are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competition.

Notts, however, have stopped the rot with a superb result at Portsmouth last weekend, winning 2-1 against one of the most dangerous teams in the division.

In addition the Magpies have won their last two games against Luton, beating them 2-0 on their own patch back in January.

"It's a tough game, but people said that last year when we went to their place and turned them over," Campbell told the Nottingham Post.

"We will be looking to do the same again and it's down to us to get the three points.

"All the players are buzzing. We've beaten Portsmouth and everybody is laughing, joking and there is a real feel-good factor about the place."

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Luton Town defender Alan Sheehan has pledged not to celebrate if he scores against Notts County unless he gets a hostile reception from the fans.

The 30-year-old is well known among the Meadow Lane faithful, having played 142 times for the Magpies between 2011 and 2014, as well as during a three-month loan spell from Bradford City last season.

As Notts host the Hatters on Saturday, Sheehan had kind words to say about the fans and said he would mute his fanfare should he score against his former side.

He told the Luton website: “I don’t think I would (celebrate). People have those clubs that they’ve played for, and out of respect, I don’t think I’d celebrate.

“I enjoyed my time at Notts County. People were very good to me there, so unless they boo me from start to finish, I don’t think I’d celebrate.

"Obviously I’d have to score first, so we’ll decide if that happens. But the fans were always great to me there, so I appreciated that.”

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Notts County striker Jon Stead is set to be out of action until Christmas, club manager John Sheridan has claimed.

The 33 year-old forward, who has scored nine goals in League Two this season, has not featured for the Magpies since injuring his ankle against Crewe Alexandra on October 15.

"I spoke to Steady about two days ago," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.

"I've not spoken to the physio regarding the results of the scan.

"I would have expected that if they had the results back they would have come and told me, but he's still a bit sore.

"I don't like putting timescales on things, but the physio says we are looking at six weeks, then it's a case of diagnosis and how he is healing.

"We are probably looking towards Christmas probably.

"It's very disappointing as a team, and for him as a lad, because he was scoring goals.

"He probably would have scored a couple more in the time he has been out so it's a big downer."

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Adam Collin has expressed his desire for Notts County to stop making "silly mistakes" at the back in a bid to help the club further up the table.

The Magpies held on for an impressive 2-1 win at Portsmouth last weekend, with the man in between the sticks putting in a strong display.

Up next for sixth-placed Notts is Luton Town's visit of Meadow Lane and Collin highlighted the errors in goal and defence as something that needs to be cut out.

He told the Nottingham Post: "We'd like to keep more clean sheets obviously.

"It gives us a solid base but it's hard to put your finger on it.

"We've got good players who are doing well in spells.

"Even when we are losing we don't actually think we are playing that bad.

"It's just silly mistakes that are costing us goals and it's been frustrating more than anything.

"But we are sixth in the league going into November and that's definitely a real positive."

Original article can be found here.

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John Sheridan has described Adam Campbell as "probably the brightest footballer" at Notts County, but admits that he can get idle at times.

The former Newcastle United forward struck twice at Fratton Park on Saturday to give the Magpies an impressive 2-1 win over Portsmouth.

"He's a lovely footballer, and he's very clever," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.

"He's probably the brightest footballer at the club.

"He is the one who has what I call a 'gear change'. He knows when to slow down, stand still and so on. His two finishes were excellent and I think he should score more goals.

"But he's one of them who I think gets a little bit lackadaisical so I am going to have to keep on top of him.

"Just before he scored, I had a go because I thought he should have been doing a bit more.

"But he had a little glance at me when he scored as if to say 'here you are gaffer, stick this up your backside'. I love that."

Original story can be found here.

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Former Notts County boss Martin Allen motivated his players ahead of a derby against Nottingham Forest by walking half-naked into the River Trent at five in the morning.

The story is another of the anecdotes featured in the book One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest, written by lifelong Magpies fan Paul Mace and containing stories from former players, managers, directors and fans.

Following Monday's revelation of Roberto Mancini almost taking the reins at Meadow Lane, it was revealed on Tuesday that the ex-Notts boss, nicknamed Mad Dog, went the extra mile to try and gee up his boys ahead of the League Cup tie at the City Ground in September 2011.

The extract reads: "I was so intense and focussed for the game. I didn't think Forest were any good. I thought we could beat them.

"At 5am on the morning of the game, I went to the back of the Trent End by the River Trent to shoot a motivational video for the players. I went along with our rather bemused video journalist Dane Vincent.

"I explained to the players on the video to have no fear. Play with your shoulders back and your head up and we will beat them; play with fierce determination and fantastic self-belief and if we do that we will beat them. You must have no fear.

"At which point I took off my shirt, tracksuit bottoms and shoes. It was freezing cold. I stared down the barrel of the lens. 'You must have no fear.'

"And with that I walked into the river in my pants. It was like something out of a Monty Python film. Off-camera behind me, someone was walking their dog and looked at me in amazement. I walked down the steps and dived in to completely submerge myself.

"The water was freezing. As soon as I went in I wanted to get back out straight away. My body was so cold. I shivered, came out and looked down the lens of the camera again.

"I put on my clothes and then started to run along the embankment into the distance. It was very funny, the players loved it. There was passion, self-belief and I had done it on the enemy's territory on their side of the river."

The game finished 3-3 after extra time before the Reds won it on penalties.

One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest is available online now at www.nottscounty1862.co.uk/order/ or at the Notts club shop from Saturday.

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Notts County were on the verge of appointing Roberto Mancini as manager during the Munto season, Sven Goran-Eriksson has revealed.

The sensational anecdote is reported in a new Notts County book titled One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest, written by lifelong fan Paul Mace and containing stories from former players, managers, directors and fans.

The Italian coach, who had just won three successive Serie A titles with Inter Milan but was sacked to make way for Jose Mourinho, had agreed a four-year contract worth £12m, the book reveals.

Only a last-minute change of heart by Sven, who began doubting the realities of the seemingly perfect financial situation at Meadow Lane, saw him contact Mancini and tell him not to put pen to paper.

"This was the first time I realised all was not as it should be," the book quotes Sven as saying.

"I knew Roberto well from my days at Sampdoria. I was manager and he was a player and a coach with me. He had left Inter Milan and was out of work when I came to Notts County.

"At Notts we spoke about Mancini and I arranged for him to come and talk to the club.

"Roberto came with his representative to London to meet with us - Russell King and Nathan Willett were also present.

"We spent a full day talking in London about the project and the plans for the club. Roberto was keen and wanted to come. It was agreed that he would become the head coach under myself as the sporting director.

"Everything was confirmed, he had agreed to come. The financial terms were not a problem. We broke up for the day and it was our agreement that Roberto would join Notts County as head coach.

"I went into Meadow Lane the following day but still everyone was talking about money. It seemed to be the case that we were always talking about money or a lack of it. Where was the money?

"I started to wonder and have doubts. I did not want to be responsible for bringing Roberto to Notts County and for it to go wrong. It would have reflected very badly on me.

"I rang him and said I do not think that you should come at this time. You are better off staying where you are in Italy. At that point he was still being paid by Inter Milan.

"As it all transpired, there was no money. I did speak to Roberto again after that when he contacted me as he still wanted to come to the club but I could see that things were getting worse not better.

"It was definitely the right decision that Roberto did not come to Notts County. It all turned out well for him because a couple of months later he joined Manchester City."

One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest is available online now at www.nottscounty1862.co.uk/order/ or at the Notts club shop from Saturday.

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Notts County boss John Sheridan has confirmed that the club will be appealing Aaron Collins' red card in their 2-1 win at Portsmouth on Saturday.

The on-loan Wolves striker was dismissed late on when he appeared to collide with Pompey goalkeeper David Forde while charging down a clearance.

Sheridan was furious with the decision and told reporters after the game: "He hasn't touched him. I've seen it on the video.

"Aaron stupidly has made an effort to block the ball, but there's no maliciousness in it.

"You could say both feet are off the ground, but he hasn't touched him.

"It's a bit of a joke to get him sent off and the referee hasn't even seen it.

"I am going to appeal it because I have seen the video. I am hoping we will get off with it."

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Notts County goalkeeper Adam Collin has claimed that his side's ability to adapt to their opponents' game was crucial in sealing victory at Portsmouth.

Following the Magpies' 2-1 win at Fratton park, he told the official website: "I'm delighted with the result mainly.

"Obviously I'm really pleased with my performance, but getting three points at a really tough place like this is the main thing.

"They dominated the first half - we adapted at half-time and, especially with 10 men, we looked solid and compact and came out deserved winners.

"We've said it since the start of the season: we want to be up there challenging. If you want to do that you have to come to places like this and get positive results, and that's what we've done.

"Hopefully that sets a good marker to everyone else in the league - they'll sit up and take notice.

"I've felt my game's been in good shape over the last few weeks and I've just brought that into today.

"It's a great place to come and play football with a fantastic crowd - 17,000 is a Championship-level crowd - and we enjoyed the occasion.

"It was a battle, I'm just glad we came out on top."

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John Sheridan has reiterated the importance of keeping tight at the back as Notts County prepare to visit Portsmouth, a team deemed by the boss to be the best in League Two.

The Magpies go into the Fratton Park game one point off the playoffs, but there has been much frustration due to poor goals conceded by the squad in the last few games.

"The players understand, and I do as the manager, that we have to try to work harder to keep clean sheets," Sheridan told the assembled media at his weekly press conference.

"The number of goals we have conceded isn't what I would like it to be. We can't keep doing it.

"Their confidence isn't down, but they know they can do a lot better.

"We've worked on it this week because I do feel that we have goals in us so if you keep clean sheets then you have a good chance of winning.

"Even the goal against Crewe was criminal. All goals you concede, when you look back at them, you can prevent them.

"It's just a question of organising a bit quicker, communicating and seeing things before they happen.

"But it's a lot harder when you are playing and out there. It's a lot easier when you are watching.

"When things are happening quick you've got to stay focused and keep your mind switched on and work harder to keep the ball out of the net.

"It just doesn't happen to us though. I watched Huddersfield the other night and they conceded three goals from crosses and they are top of the Championship.

"I just want us to be a good team, to be strong, and I don't want to concede sloppy goals. We are all right when we are set-up and not many people play through us."

Sheridan also described Pompey as the best team in the division, but insists that anybody can get a result on their day and shoot up the table.

"Portsmouth are probably the best team in the league with the players they have got," he said.

"Luton are going strong too. Plymouth are top of the league but I watched the DVD of them against Portsmouth who battered them, but they got a draw.

"A couple of wins gets you right in the mix and while I expected us to be higher, it's a very evenly matched league. It's about getting a run together.

"I just concentrate on ourselves and there's no better place to bounce back than Portsmouth and we will go there with the belief we can get back to winning ways."

Notts will be forced to take the field on Saturday without Jon Stead, who has been ruled out due to a suspected ankle injury and will need a scan.

"Jon is a bit sore and won't be okay," said Sheridan. "We are waiting for a scan and he is with the physio at the moment.

"It's unfortunate because he has a lot of bruising. I don't try to say how long he is going to be out or when he is going to be back – I just wait for the scan.

"He is in good hands with the physio, John (Wilson). We will wait for the scan to come back and we will have a better idea of how long he will be out for."

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Notts County defender Matt Tootle has admitted that his recent performances for the club have not been up to scratch.

The Magpies suffered two consecutive defeats, against Mansfield Town and Morecambe, to slip down the League Two table.

Meanwhile, the 1-1 draw against Crewe Alexandra came about because of lacklustre after scoring their first goal, conceding within 60 seconds.

"I feel as if I need to get a bit of a run going myself," Tootle told reporters.

"I started the season really well, but I've been disappointed in myself the last three games.

"But I am not going to put that ahead of anything else.

"I know if I keep on working hard and get a run in one position, it will come."

Notts take on Portsmouth away in their next league fixture, which is this Saturday.

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Notts County loanee Aaron Collins is eager to make John Sheridan's starting XI, treating every substitute appearance he's made so far as if he's "knocking on the manager's door".

The Wolverhampton Wanderers winger has impressed for the Magpies since joining on loan in August, scoring several goals and adding energy when coming on.

"Every time I go out on the pitch, I feel as though I am knocking on the manager's door," Collins told reporters.

"I've done well every time I have come on, and I am looking forward to that start when it does come.

"I will be ready for it and if it comes against Portsmouth then that would be a great achievement for me personally.

"It's such a big club with the amount of fans they get at a big stadium.

"Hopefully if I do start, I will do as well as I can, see if I can score a goal and see what the result pans out like."

Notts face Portsmouth on Saturday in a League Two fixture at Fratton Park.

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Notts County defender Matt Tootle has expressed his dismay at conceding a minute after scoring against Crewe Alexandra, admitting his side were not switched on after kickoff.

Jonathan Forte opened the scoring for the Magpies in the 80th minute of Saturday's League Two clash at Meadow Lane, only for Alex Kiwomya - nephew of former Notts boss Chris - to equalise moments after the restart.

Tootle told reporters: "You can be susceptible after you've scored a goal and you are more likely to concede.

"We watched in the dressing room and we haven't switched on straight away. It's not right.

"There's a big hole in the middle of the pitch which can't happen. Once you have a couple of people out of position, then everybody is too.

"It's a tough one to swallow because it could have been a good result for us considering it wasn't the best performance.

"We needed one (a result) more than wanted one because it was all about the three points and getting back on a run again.

"We scrapped and battled, did what we needed to do, but were unlucky."

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John Sheridan has described Notts County's goal concession right after they scored against Crewe Alexandra as "criminal".

Jonathan Forte struck in the 80th minute to put the Magpies in pole position for a second home league win of the season but Alex Kiwomya equalised moments after kickoff.

The final result was 1-1 and Sheridan bemoaned his side's inability to see the game out.

"We are a bit nervy at the moment and you can see that," he told reporters.

"I thought we were the better team in the first half without working the keeper as much as we would have liked.

"I said to them at half-time that if we have to win the game ugly then do so.

"There was desire and a drive to get the goal we were after, but the biggest downer was we didn't see the game through.

"As soon as the players went back into the dressing room, I made them watch the DVD of the goal we conceded.

"It's criminal to concede so early after you score. We were the better team, even though we didn't play great.

"People will be negative and say we didn't do this, or didn't do that, but we got the goal and we should have won the game.

"It was naïve from us and it has happened too many times this season."

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John Sheridan has expressed his frustration at going into this weekend's game against Crewe out of the top seven.

The Magpies lost their last two games, at Mansfield Town and at home against Morecambe, to find themselves 10th in League Two ahead of the Railwaymen clash.

Sheridan also played down the boos directed towards the side, adding that fans "pay their money and are entitled to an opinion."

"I am still frustrated because I would have liked to have gone into the Crewe game four points better off," said the 52-year-old.

"We would have been in a healthier position but as I said it was just the way we played in the last two games.

"We didn't go out with the belief that we could be in the top two or three.

"I have to be patient and believe in my players which is what I do 100 per cent. I've got to stick by them and I am not going to beat myself up.

"I just think there was a good chance to get three or four points and if we had got them, we would have gone into this game thinking we can get even closer to the top teams."

When asked about Notts being booed, Sheridan replied: "It's football. I just think it was frustration.

"They weren't booing the last game we won. They were right behind the team and I loved that. You can feel it as well.

"The supporters pay their money and they are entitled to an opinion.

"That's the way the game has gone. They have been very frustrated for a few years here.

"And, in the back of my mind, I do feel where they are coming from.

"I feel it too as the manager. The game we watched the other night was frustrating.

"But they want what we want. And I want what they want.

"It's important that we don't get too carried away.

"You've got to be careful because they are human and it will affect some of them.

"But that's football. Deep down they want the club to do well."

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Notts County boss John Sheridan reveals he did not shout at his players following their 2-1 home defeat against Morecambe, as he felt it would not have been "the right thing to do".

The Magpies suffered their second defeat in four days on Tuesday night when the Shrimps won at Meadow Lane, which followed the 3-1 defeat at Mansfield Town.

"I didn't go in shouting, even though I wanted to, I didn't think it was the right thing to do," Sheridan said.

"I will try to pick them up and I am not going to turn around and say we are a bad team.

"We've had two bad performances in four days, had it been the other way, people would have been saying we are a good team and talking positively about us.

"It is going to be a bit negative instead, but the players have got a manager here who will stand up and take it.

"There's no way I will hide. Anybody who knows me will tell you. I'll be fighting all the way and believing we can do well in the league."

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Notts boss John Sheridan says his side must start more aggressively against teams at Meadow Lane if they are to improve on their poor home form.

The Magpies have won just won one of their six league games at home this season, and on Tuesday night Morecambe were the latest side to pick up all three points with a 2-1 win.

"In the last 20 minutes we looked as though we enjoyed it, and got on the front foot," Sheridan told reporters.

"My defenders are also 40 yards from the goal, so why don't we start like that?

"The subs come on, Vadaine (Oliver) unsettles them and doesn't give them freedom. The ball is staying in their half and my full-backs join the game.

"But you can't wait for 70 minutes to do it and if I have to play off the front to get results, then I will look at that.

"It's by no means just about hitting Vadaine, it's about anticipating where the ball is going to bounce and pick up second balls so we can start the play again.

"We did that for the last 20 minutes, but before that we were too deep, we were not reacting, not seeing things early enough and we were on the back foot.

"It shouldn't happen when you are at home. We need to show a bit of nous.

"We weren't at the races. It's probably the quietest I've been as well.

"I keep saying to myself, should I be the way I am on the touchline, very vocal and getting on to the players, expecting them to give me this and that?

"I was quiet on Tuesday but it was one of those nights, when it wouldn't have mattered how much I shouted.

"I've told them we've got to work hard because we are not winning games, and not playing well.

"Even though I don't like saying it, you've got to take it and move on.

"We need to pick ourselves up. We have to improve and be a lot better than we have been in the last two games."

Notts are 10th in League Two and take on Crewe Alexandra at Meadow Lane on Saturday.

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Notts County boss John Sheridan is looking for a good response from his players against Morecambe tonight.

The Magpies enjoyed a good run prior to last week's derby at Mansfield Town but were brought back down to earth with a 3-1 defeat.

Sheridan told reporters at a press conference: "I've tried to forget about it as much as I can. I am still disappointed obviously especially for the supporters.

"Last season was on people's minds so I wanted to go there and pay them back. I wanted to win the game and get three points, but it wasn't to be.

"The biggest downer was the way we played. Even though I thought we were the better team in the first half and created good chances, I didn't think we played well at all.

"We possibly should have been 2-0 up and I felt the game was there for the taking. We ended up losing 3-1 and the manner of the goals we conceded were very poor.

"I hope I get a response. I don't think we deserved to lose the game on Saturday and I was disappointed for the supporters because it's bragging rights.

"But when we have lost games, we have responded well.

"Like I say, I have a good group of lads. I didn't dwell on it too much. I told them after the game exactly how I felt and I expressed that to the media too.

"I don't want to keep going on about it, but luckily we have another game and a chance to respond.

"It's the first of two home games we have this week, so I want a good response from them."

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