Shola Ameobi: 'Notts County veterans must help squad handle League Two promotion pressure'

Shola Ameobi has stressed that he and other senior members of the Notts County contingent must "set the tone" for the rest of the squad.

The veteran striker has experience playing at the top level for Newcastle United and at international level for Nigeria.

Ameobi is one of several such players and coaches at Meadow Lane, with Kevin Nolan, Mark Crossley, Jon Stead and Alan Smith also enjoying playing careers at the top level.

All must play their part in helping the rest of the Magpies squad handle the pressure of the League Two promotion battle, says Ameobi.

“We have players and staff who have played in big games during their career under huge pressure and I think that’s a big positive for us,” he told The Mag.

“Hopefully we can use that experience to help the rest of the lads. It is important the senior players set the tone for the team especially the younger players.

“The manager will do that anyway, but the likes of Steady, Smudge, Duffer and myself have a big role to play in ensuring the team is prepared mentally.

“We have nothing to lose going into the eight games but we will take each one as it comes.

“It is important to look back at where we have come from since this time last year because we can take a lot of pride from that and use it as momentum going into the final stretch.

“We know if we can manage to put a run together we could end up winning promotion. We have to deal with that pressure and expectation but we are confident within the dressing room.”

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