Richard Duffy eager to turn Carlisle United clash into "horrible game" for hosts

Richard Duffy has acknowledged that Notts County must raise their game on Saturday at Carlisle United given how opposition teams will do the same against a team high up in the table.

The Magpies have been one of the pace setters over the last two months, twice going top of the League Two standings, and currently sit second going into the weekend's encounter at Brunton Park.

With Carlisle 15th in the standings and having won just one of seven home games, Duffy has spoken of turning it into a "horrible game" for the hosts and cause the crowd to get exasperated with their team.

"The manager has been on to us," Duffy told the official Notts site.

"He's said whoever we play against will be our toughest game of the season because they will raise their game with us being near the top of the table, and that we have to raise our own game even further to combat that.

"We're not stupid enough to think we can win every game or perform to a level which is acceptable every time. Sometimes you will slip below it for whatever reason, but we have to get back on it this Saturday.

"We've just lost at Crewe and it's vitally important we don't follow it up with another defeat.

"When you go away from home you have to try and turn the home crowd against their team because it makes it tough and puts their players under pressure.

"When teams aren't 1-0 up at home after 15-20 minutes and then a pass goes astray you hear a few groans in the crowd and things can get a bit hectic.

"We have to turn it into a horrible game and keep them on the back foot."

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