Stuart Maynard Hails 'Incredible' Notts County Performance After Grimsby Town Triumph

Stuart Maynard, the head coach of Notts County, couldn't contain his satisfaction after his side's emphatic 4-1 victory over Grimsby Town at Meadow Lane. 

In what was a comprehensive and commanding display, the Magpies secured their first win of the 2024-25 League Two season, building on their unbeaten start that has seen them draw against Tranmere Rovers and Fleetwood Town.

After what had been a challenging period for the club, especially following the departure of previous manager Luke Williams to Swansea City, Maynard's side showed they have both resilience and quality in abundance. The head coach, who has faced criticism in recent times, was quick to heap praise on his players for their execution of the game plan.

"We knew it was going to be a really difficult performance," Maynard admitted. "We knew they'd come out and get after us, trying to go man for man. But we had a game plan to bypass their press and get into the front of the game, and the lads executed it superbly. All credit goes to them. It's easy for us to devise a plan, but the way they carried it out was incredible."

The match could not have started better for the Magpies, with a goal inside the first six minutes and another before the 15-minute mark. When asked if this explosive start was part of the strategy, Maynard confirmed it was all about matching Grimsby's intensity and taking their chances when they arose.

"We knew we had to match their intensity," he said. "It wasn't going to be a game where we'd dominate possession like we did on Sunday. We had to be clinical when opportunities presented themselves. We planned to play off the front, come back, and then really penetrate through them. We've shown that if teams want to go man for man with us, we can do what we've done tonight. It's really pleasing."

Maynard also highlighted the tactical flexibility his team has displayed, particularly in switching from a back five to a back four between matches, which kept Grimsby guessing. "When we came in, we said we couldn't be predictable," he explained. "We have to make sure we have a game plan for each game. Tonight, it was about setting up in a way that allowed us to control the game as much as possible, even without the ball. The lads were incredible in their execution."

Among the standout performers was Dan Crowley, who scored twice and was a constant menace to the Grimsby defence. Maynard was full of praise for the midfielder's performance, calling him a "magician" and "incredible."

"Danny makes things happen out of nothing," Maynard said. "You can give him the ball with two men around him, and he'll wriggle out and find a pass. His performance tonight was absolutely outstanding—flawless, really."

Despite the comprehensive victory, Maynard acknowledged that the concession of a late goal from a set-piece was a minor blemish on an otherwise perfect night. "Sometimes, you can look at set pieces and feel a bit unlucky," he noted. "We competed well on the first phase, but the ball dropped kindly for them in the second phase. It's something we'll look at and try to improve on because we want those clean sheets, we deserve them."

Looking ahead, Maynard expressed a slight frustration at the nine-day gap before their next fixture, given the momentum they’ve built. "When you have a performance like tonight, you want the next game to come quickly," he said. "But it also gives us a chance to get the lads fresh again. We want to be a high-pressing team with high intensity, and you've seen that tonight."

Maynard’s post-match comments reflected a mix of satisfaction and determination to maintain this level of performance consistently throughout the season. He urged his team to avoid making this display a one-off and to strive for consistency in their performances.

"The way we defended our box tonight, with everyone putting their bodies on the line, was incredible. But it can’t be a one-off. We need to be consistent because it's a marathon in this league, and we've got to make sure we're up for the fight," he asserted.

In a final nod to the club's loyal supporters, Maynard emphasised the importance of their role in driving the team forward, especially through challenging periods. "The fans here have been incredible, even through the difficult patches. They've backed our players, and that's what it's going to take. We're going to have bumps in the road, but we’ve got to stick together, and the fans have been a huge part of that."

With this victory, Notts County not only secured three vital points but also sent a message to the rest of League Two that they are a force to be reckoned with this season. Under Maynard's guidance, the Magpies are showing signs of a team ready to rise above their recent struggles and challenge for promotion.

Read Curtis Edwards' thoughts on Notts County's outstanding performance against Grimsby Town - read the full story on Pride of Nottingham!

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