As Notts County gear up for their clash against Port Vale later today, head coach Stuart Maynard has shared his thoughts on the team's progress and the challenges that lie ahead.
Notts County currently sit second in League Two, having amassed five wins and three draws from their first eight matches, with an impressive 17 goals scored already.
Maynard, however, is keen to ensure that his side remains focused and continues to build on their strong start.
Speaking ahead of the game, Maynard acknowledged that the early season form is promising but urged caution, emphasising the small sample size of matches played.
"If you look at it, it's only a small sample size of the league table at the minute. We’re very process-driven and stats-driven, so when you look into it, it’s a small sample size to see where teams could finish or couldn’t finish," Maynard explained. "But every game we go into, we want to win games of football."
Maynard was full of praise for Port Vale, recognising their strong recruitment over the summer, which has bolstered their squad with players of League One calibre.
"We know that Port Vale have invested heavily in their squad in the summer. If you look throughout their squad, they've got League One players and League One experience throughout. So we know it’s going to be a really tough game," Maynard commented, before noting the similarities between Port Vale and Carlisle in their tactical approach.
“They will try and pass the ball, but they also have a big man they can go direct off of, so we’ve got to make sure that we’re prepared for both sets of styles within that game.”
When asked about Notts County's ability to compete with top-end teams, something that let them down last season, Maynard stressed the importance of maintaining a strong structure and adapting tactically.
"We had to make sure that our structure could cope, and we believe that it has," Maynard said. “Port Vale have adapted within games and changed their shape on a few occasions, so we know they can change their structure if they believe we’re hurting them. We’ve got to prepare in a way that we’re ready for that.”
One of the standout features of Notts County’s early success has been their offensive threat, despite the departure of prolific striker Macaulay Langstaff in the summer.
Maynard praised the contribution of Jatta, who has filled the void left by Langstaff, as well as the team’s collective effort in front of goal.
"Jatta’s been incredible for us, and it’s a huge credit to him the way he’s adapted to English football," Maynard said. “But it’s not just him. We’ve had players step up and everyone’s chipping in with goals. We can’t just be reliant on one source, and I feel that we’re getting that this season.”
Maynard also highlighted the depth of his squad, pointing to the contributions of players like Kellan Gordon, who recently provided an assist after stepping in.
"I keep going on about it, it’s not just the starting eleven that’s going to bring us success this season, it’s the whole squad," he emphasised. “We’ve got headaches with selection, but they’re good headaches, and everyone has come in and had an impact.”
Injuries have been a concern for Maynard, particularly in the case of Jodi Jones, who has been side-lined after suffering from heavy tackles in recent games.
"Players need protection," Maynard said, calling for referees to manage games with more common sense. "You can’t just kick someone when the ball’s gone. We want the games to be competitive, but we don’t want injuries."
As Notts County head into their fixture against Port Vale, Maynard’s focus is clear: adaptability, structure, and squad depth are crucial to maintaining their early season form.
With the team in good shape physically, the Magpies will be looking to continue their strong run and keep pace at the top of the League Two table.
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