By PON_News
Following a narrow 1-0 defeat to Port Vale at Meadow Lane, Notts County manager Stuart Maynard shared his frustrations, citing strong performance levels and questionable officiating as contributing factors in a match where Lorent Tolaj’s first-half goal proved decisive.
Reflecting on the game, Maynard expressed frustration with the outcome, particularly in light of his team’s early energy.
"I think in the first five or ten minutes, we came out of the traps. We said to the lads we need to make sure we get the crowd here rocking," he remarked.
According to Maynard, the team executed the game plan effectively and had several opportunities to take the lead. "We had probably three or four really good moments, and I think we should be going in 1-0," he continued, emphasizing his belief that his side should have scored early.
The match’s only goal came in the 23rd minute when Ronan Curtis set up Tolaj, who scored past County’s goalkeeper, Alex Bass.
Maynard, however, took issue with the goal, stating, "Their goal is offside and it’s a half foul. Would I say that it’s a definite foul? No, but it’s offside when you watch it back on the video. It is offside, so it is frustrating."
The defeat mirrored Notts County's recent 1-0 loss to Gillingham, another match where they struggled to convert chances. Maynard acknowledged the parallel, noting that while the team’s performance level was high, they faced challenges in putting games to bed.
He also highlighted the issue of players still working toward full match fitness, such as Robbie Cundy, Kairo Edwards-John, and Josh Knight, who came off the bench. "You can just see that little bit of match sharpness is lacking," he explained, pointing out that injuries have hampered the squad’s depth.
Maynard revealed that the team faces further injury setbacks, with Jodi Jones and Curtis Edwards side-lined for three months, while Connor Grant could be out for a minimum of six weeks.
Maynard also provided an update on David McGoldrick, who missed the match due to "a slight tightness in his tendon in his hamstring."
He stressed the importance of caution, explaining, "With the injuries that we’ve had long term, there’s no point risking him. We need to make sure everyone’s fit and 100% and ready to go."
In the closing stages, Notts County threw players forward in search of an equaliser, with Cundy moving into an emergency striker role.
Maynard praised the defender’s contribution, commenting, "Cuns comes on, and the goalie makes a great save from him. He heads it back where it’s come, and the goalie makes a great save."
Although Cundy nearly found the back of the net, Port Vale goalkeeper Connor Ripley ultimately kept County at bay with several impressive stops.
Maynard remained positive about the team’s resilience, despite recent results. "When you lose the game, it’s how you respond," he said, referring to Notts County’s response to their previous loss against Gillingham, which included a cup victory over Burton and a series of unbeaten league games on the road.
Looking ahead, he noted the importance of the upcoming fixture against Chesterfield, which carries additional significance due to the clubs' shared history from their National League days.
"We know it’s a huge game for the football club," he acknowledged. "We know all about the history behind how competitive it was when you guys were in the National League with them."
As Notts County prepares for their next test, Maynard and his team will focus on improving their finishing and maintaining their competitive edge.
While injuries have posed challenges, Maynard remains confident that the squad’s high performance level will soon yield results.
- 20
- 2
- 1
Recommended Comments
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now