Stuart Maynard Hails Notts County's Mental Toughness in 1-1 Barrow Battle

Notts County head coach Stuart Maynard expressed his pride in his team’s resilience following their 1-1 draw against Barrow at Holker Street.

Speaking after the match, Maynard highlighted the challenges his side faced, including an early setback and dealing with Barrow’s defensive approach. However, he was pleased with the way his players responded, especially in the second half.

Reflecting on the match, Maynard said: "We didn't get off to the best of starts when you give a team like Barrow a one-goal advantage early in the game and then they camp in their own half, it becomes very difficult to break them down. Really, basically, we were breaking down like a ten-man block which does become very difficult but I've got to give huge credit to our lads to come away to Barrow on a Tuesday night and dig the point out in the end."

Notts County struggled to find their rhythm in the first half, which Maynard acknowledged as one of their most challenging periods this season. "The lads know it," he said.

Adding, "we had to stay calm at half time. It was about being calm and measured and tactically changing a few little things to make sure that we could control the game and create good moments."

His adjustments bore fruit as the Magpies grew into the game in the second half, eventually finding an equaliser through David McGoldrick’s late penalty.

Maynard praised McGoldrick’s composure under pressure, especially considering it was his third consecutive penalty in as many games.

"To have the minerals to step up and take that penalty and reverse it in the corner – not easy," Maynard remarked. "Goalkeepers do their research very well, and there's so much analysis on it. To have that calmness that late in the game… he’s been incredible this year."

The manager was also forced into a tactical change midway through the first half, substituting Jack Hinchey for Jevani Brown, a move aimed at bolstering the midfield and attacking presence. Despite Hinchey’s strong performance, Maynard felt the change was necessary. "They're the tough decisions as management," he explained.

"Hinchy's been excellent for us this season. Every time we've asked him to go on the pitch, he's been absolutely excellent… Hinchy's just very unlucky that it happened to be him coming out."

Brown's introduction almost made an immediate impact, as his involvement helped Notts County regain control of the game. "Jevani’s quality and the way he can drift inside and outside of the game helped us," said Maynard. "He’s helped us get the point."

Maynard also praised left-back Nick Tsaroulla, who was a constant threat down the flank. "I thought Nick was a threat all night," Maynard noted. 

"He kept getting to the byline, crossed loads of balls, and had some good shots. The goalkeeper made a great save in the first half when he came inside and reversed it. It was a great effort."

Despite the slow start, Maynard emphasised the importance of staying calm and not letting the game slip away. "We've got that calmness within the group," he said. "When we do go behind in a game, we have to be calm. We can't go two behind because then it starts becoming difficult."

While the draw lifted Notts County back into the top three, Maynard remained focused on the bigger picture.

"In this division, it's very hard to come away from home and consistently pick up three points," he explained. "When you come away from home, if we can pick up points... at home to Harrogate on Saturday, that's where our bread and butter's got to be."

Maynard concluded by hoping to have key players back from injury for the next fixture. "We're hoping that we have one or two bodies back now," he said, as the team prepares to recover and regroup for their next challenge.

Take a moment to read the Pride of Nottingham's match report, be sure to click here, and to leave your thoughts on yesterday's draw to Barrow.

Read other Notts fans thoughts into the game, and share your own post-match thoughts into the 1-1 draw. How did you feel Notts did against Barrow?