"This Is What I Live For" – David McGoldrick’s Determination Keeps Notts County Unbeaten Away

Notts County's forward David McGoldrick shared his thoughts on the team’s recent performance and his own contributions following their hard-fought 1-1 draw.

McGoldrick, now 36 years old, has already notched six goals in twelve appearances this season and continues to prove vital to the team’s campaign.

Reflecting on the late penalty that secured a point for the Magpies, McGoldrick emphasised the team’s determination to come away with something after a challenging match.

"Another late penalty this time," McGoldrick said. "I didn't need to do a one-two off the goalkeeper to score it. So yeah, it's good that it went in, it's good to come all this way and leave with something. That's what we wanted to do. Obviously, we wanted to win, but you can't win every game. So yeah, it's good to fight back and get a point."

Having been on the pitch for the full 90 minutes, McGoldrick revealed his confidence in taking the crucial penalty, despite the fatigue that naturally sets in after such a physically demanding game. "The legs are fine," he remarked.

"This is what you train for every day. This is what I live for, you know, looking after myself... I knew that I was going to score it, to be fair, without trying to sound arrogant. When the ball went up to say six minutes [added time], just like at Chesterfield, I said I'm gonna get a chance to score. It was a penalty, so it was the right decision."

When asked if securing a point in such a dramatic fashion felt like a victory, McGoldrick acknowledged the positive result.

"When you score last minute to get something, it's always a better feeling. Obviously, if we were 1-0 up and conceded in the last minute, then there would be a totally different feeling to the point. But Barrow are a good team, they played really well at times today... They're a good team, so yeah, it's a good point at any point away from home. We're still unbeaten away from home, so it's still good."

Reflecting on the game, McGoldrick admitted that the opposition had not allowed Notts County to settle, forcing changes from the coaching staff after just half an hour.

"That's what we're coming up against. Teams change their way. We always look at what team they're going to play, and there's different players playing to accommodate us. So we've got to take that as a compliment... At times it wasn’t pretty again today, just like it wasn’t at the weekend, but yeah, we got something."

A key talking point in recent weeks has been McGoldrick's partnership with Alassana Jatta. The two have not spent much time together on the pitch, but when they do, it often leads to positive results for Notts County.

McGoldrick praised his younger teammate, saying, "The big man, he doesn’t always be involved with the play, but he’s so good to play up top with. He always stays up and he fights, he battles... His goal record since he’s come to this club has been fantastic. He’s such a willing and humble lad working. I love playing up top with him."

McGoldrick's form has been excellent this season, leading the team's goal-scoring chart, but the veteran forward downplayed his personal success, choosing instead to focus on the team's collective goals.

"I don’t look at that. It’s only October. You see where the club is at the end of the season. Obviously, everyone knows where I want to be with the club, and that’s the main thing. I don’t care if I don’t score again and Alassana scores 30 more, if he gets us where I want to be with this club."

McGoldrick also touched on the improvements in Notts County’s defensive solidity this season. "Much different," he said of the current campaign.

"The players that have come in at the back, a different type of players that we had... We’re really solid. We don’t want to be conceding fours and fives every game, you know, so it’s nice to not concede as many, keep a few more clean sheets."

With the team's attacking strength and defensive improvements, McGoldrick believes Notts County is on the right path for success this season. "That’s the recipe for success, I think," he concluded, "keeping clean sheets and knowing the boys up top will score goals."

Read Notts County's head coaches thoughts on the 1-1 draw against Barrow, and where Stuart Maynard sees the need for further improvements.

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