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John Sheridan: 'Notts County are mostly playing well in patches'

Notts County boss John Sheridan has claimed that his side is a long way from firing on all cylinders because they've only been playing well in patches.
The Magpies currently sit sixth in League Two but have so far been inconsistent in their results and displays for the most part.
"We are far away from where I want us to be," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.
"As I've said before, the only game that I thought we played really well for a long period was against Plymouth.
"In the second half against Luton I thought we played well. Can you win a lot of games by playing well just for 20 to 30 minutes? I don't know. I don't think you can.
"But I feel the standard of football that we played against Plymouth, even though we lost, was excellent.
"I really do feel that if we had played like that then we would win a lot of games.
"But luckily for us we've played in patches and we've won games.
"And not only that we've played in patches which has got us back into games too.
"Against Grimsby we were two down and got a draw and it was the same against Boreham Wood.
"We have had 25 minute spells when we've dominated and we've either drawn games or sometimes won."
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan: 'I could use Alan Smith as a striker for Notts County'

Alan Smith could be deployed up front for Notts County more regularly after lining up in attack against Sunderland in the EFL Trophy, John Sheridan has said.
The 36-year-old played as a centre-forward in Wednesday night's 2-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light and performed admirably before being subbed off with cramp.
"What I love about him – and I think most players who play the game feel the same – is you just love somebody who has enthusiasm," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.
"As he was putting his boots on it was like he was making his debut. I am telling you, it's a different world for some players today.
"I watched him, how he wanted to do everything right, and he was a quality player in his day.
"But he showed he can still probably play up front. He's certainly given me food for thought.
"He suffered with cramp, but I didn't want to take him off."
Smith first came to prominence as both a striker and a winger during his early days at Leeds United before Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson converted him to a holding midfielder.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan "gutted" at bowing out of the EFL Trophy

Notts County boss John Sheridan says he is "gutted" at being knocked out of the EFL Trophy after losing to Sunderland's reserves on Wednesday.
"I am a bit gutted because I thought we played really well," he told the Nottingham Post.
"They are a good team and have some good young players with one or two who have first-team experience.
"I am surprised we ended up losing the game. Once we scored, Smudge had a great chance to make it two and it would have been game over.
"I just think we got a little bit tired in making decisions towards the end.
"But we had a real good go and the players who came in showed a really good attitude."
The Magpies return to League Two action with a trip to Blackpool on Saturday.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan: 'Notts County boast doggedness this season'

Notts County manager John Sheridan has claimed that achieving results while not playing well is a good sign of "doggedness".
The Magpies were two goals down at Boreham Wood in the FA Cup first-round clash at the weekend but rallied round to earn a 2-2 draw at Meadow Park.
Ahead of Wednesday's EFL Trophy clash at Sunderland's reserve side, the Notts boss claimed that his side boasted a mental strength they did not have last season.
"The good thing is about my players is that when we haven't played well, or clicked the way I'd like us to, we've shown a lot of doggedness," he told the Nottingham Post.
"We still believe in ourselves and go right to the end as we showed again on Sunday. Last year Notts would never have got 2-2 from that game. Never.
"The personnel is different. I've good lads in my team and they keep going. If we are not playing well, we dig in and that's a good sign."
The replay takes place at Meadow Lane next Tuesday.
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Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Sunderland Under-23s vs. Notts County, Wednesday 9 November 2016

Notts County and Sunderland have met 86 times over the years, the first fixture a 2-1 league win for the Magpies on 15 December 1890.
In terms of head to head, Notts boast 30 wins and 31 defeats, with 25 draws.
The last fixture was on 8 January 2011, an FA Cup tie which saw the Magpies win 2-1 at the Stadium of Light.
Founded 17 October 1879 as 'Sunderland and District Teachers A.F.C.' by schoolmaster James Allan, Sunderland joined the Football League for the 1890–91 season.
They replaced Stoke, who had failed to be re-elected, becoming the first new club to join the league since its inauguration in 1888.
Sunderland won the league championship in the 1891–92 season, one season after joining the Football League, with 42 points - five clear of nearest rivals Preston North End
The Black Cats then defended the title the following season, aided by centre forward Johnny Campbell, who broke the 30-goal mark for the second time in consecutive seasons.
Two seasons later Sunderland won the title again, before adding several more in 1902, 1913 and 1936.
The Wearsiders also have two FA Cups to their name - one in 1937, and one in 1973.
Team News
EFL Trophy rules state that Notts County must play six players who figured in their last game, or six who have made the most appearances this term.
John Sheridan is likely to rotate his squad and stick with first-team defenders as he did in previous EFL Trophy games.
Jon Stead is a long-term absentee, while Curtis Thompson is still recovering from an ankle injury.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan slams "comical" Notts County defending at Boreham Wood

John Sheridan has slammed his Notts County players for their "comical" defending at Boreham Wood and said he expects to win the FA Cup first-round replay.
The Magpies were two goals down in Sunday's trip to the non-league side, and had to rely on Adam Campbell to bail them out with a brace for a final score of 2-2.
Sheridan admits he let rip into his players at half time and says some of their play is "very difficult to watch".
"I was really disappointed with the way we went about the first half. We just didn't go about it in the right manner," the 52-year-old told the Nottingham Post.
"Boreham Wood were the better team and deserved to go ahead, and when you lose the second goal obviously at 2-0, life is very difficult.
"I let them know my feelings at half-time, and you just can't do it (perform like Notts did in the first half).
"When you're chasing the game, you've got to take chances. We passed it more, created chances and played with a better tempo. It's not difficult.
"They've got some bright players, but even for the goals, our defending is comical.
"We are very naive in our thinking on the pitch, in some of the things we do and I find it very difficult to watch sometimes.
"It was a typical FA Cup game, and I'm just pleased we're in the hat and it gives us an opportunity at home and I expect us to win the game.
"But again, it'll be a tough game."
The draw for round two will take place on Monday, while the replay is at Meadow Lane a week on Tuesday.
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Joe Jones

Match Report: Adam Campbell spares Notts County blushes in Boreham Wood draw

A two-goal display from Adam Campbell stopped Notts County from going out of the FA Cup to non-league opposition in the first round for the second consecutive year as the Magpies fought from two down to draw 2-2 at Boreham Wood.
This time last year Notts were humiliated on national television as Salford City knocked them out of the competition, and it looked like more of the same 365 days later as the National League side opened the scoring in the first half.
On 31 minutes, former Arsenal and Crystal Palace youngster Morgan Ferrier latched onto an Angelo Balanta through-ball to score his eighth goal in as many games and send the Meadow Park home crowd wild.
John Sheridan's side offered little in response and, when Balanta cleverly controlled and fired home a Bruno Andrade assist to double the lead five minutes after half time, it looked like curtains for Notts.
Just as some fans were marking Saturday 3 December as a date to do their Christmas shopping, up popped substitute Adam Campbell to halve the deficit on the hour with a ferocious shot from range after Matt Paine had failed to clear a long ball forward.
With less than 10 minutes to go, the former Newcastle United forward nodded home from Carl Dickinson's corner to salvage the draw, and Vadaine Oliver could have won it late on, but his goal was ruled out for offside.
Notts will host Boreham Wood at Meadow Lane on Tuesday 15 November in the first-round replay, while the draw for the second round takes place on Monday 7 November.
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Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Boreham Wood vs. Notts County, Sunday 6 November 2016

In terms of head to head, it's simple - Notts County and Boreham Wood have never met before.
Boreham Wood FC were established in 1948 as a merger of Boreham Rovers and Royal Retournez, and began playing in the Mid-Herts League.
Throughout their history they have played in the non-league, beginning at levels such as the Parthenon League, the Spartan League and the Athenian League.
They have however steadily climbed up to the higher levels of the non-league, as well as reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup on multiple occasions.
In 2014–15 Boreham Wood finished as runners-up in the Conference South.
In the subsequent play-offs, they beat Havant & Waterlooville 4–2 on aggregate before defeating Whitehawk 2–1 in the final to earn promotion to the renamed National League.
Team news
Boreham Wood look set to be boosted by the return of top scorer Morgan Ferrier and club captain Joe Devera for today's FA Cup first round game at Meadow Park.
Defender Dave Stephens is also back in full training after a lengthy lay-off, meaning the National League club's squad is arguably at its strongest since the opening day of the season.
Wood head into the first round tie in good form after winning four of their last five league matches.
Richard Duffy is a fresh absentee for Notts County and will miss out through suspension after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season during the goalless home draw with Luton.
Magpies manager John Sheridan will have all three of his loan signings - Louis Laing, Vadaine Oliver and Aaron Collins - available.
Leading scorer Jon Stead is out with a ankle injury and the nine-goal striker is not expected back until around Christmas.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan urges Notts County to treat Boreham Wood with respect

John Sheridan has stressed once again that Notts County must not think of the Boreham Wood FA Cup game as straightforward, because the opposition will be playing the game of their lives.
The Magpies travel to Hertfordshire on Sunday for the clash, which sees them face non-league opposition in the cup for the second consecutive season.
Few Notts fans will forget the humiliation suffered at the hands of Salford City last season, which was live on national television too.
Sheridan has publicly issued a few choice words for his boys ahead of the match.
"Just don't go into the game being lethargic and thinking it's going to be (easy) just because you're playing a team from a lower division," he told the Nottingham Post.
"Probably people expect us to win, but we don't go in like that.
"We've got to go into it like we're playing Portsmouth or Luton, in the two games we've just had, where we've played really well. We have to go into it with the same mindset.
"I've just got to make sure that we focus on ourselves more than anything else because I know if we do perform to what we are capable of we will get the result we're after.
"But Boreham Wood, it's a big game for them, and they'll be looking at it for the same reasons as us, wanting to get in the next round and the attraction of getting a big team and a good payday. That's what the lower teams do.
"I've made it clear to the players we've got to be focused on ourselves and just carry on playing the way we have in the last couple of games."
In addition to overcoming a potential banana skin, Sheridan also mentioned the financial rewards available should they progress in the competition.
"I think every team what's in the first round and second round are all looking at the same thing," he continued.
"Obviously you want to go as far as you can, but realistically you know you're not going to win it, but you go as far as you can.
"You've got to look at the money situation as well, making as much money as you can out of it and it's always good to possibly get a big team.
"It's good for the players if they haven't played in front of big crowds."
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Joe Jones

Matthew Alexander steps down as Notts County Ladies CEO

Matthew Alexander has stepped down as chief executive of Notts County Ladies after 11 months in charge.
The 35-year-old joined the Lady Pies in December 2015, taking on the senior role after the departure of Luke Negus-Hill.
A statement on the Notts County Ladies website read: "I’ve really enjoyed my time with Notts County Ladies FC.
"Although it hasn’t always been easy, it’s been a very rewarding role.
"I’m very proud of the squad of players we have here at Notts County, and it has been a pleasure to work with them over the past season, they are all such fantastic role models.
"I would like to thank all the players, and the staff, for their hard work in what has been a tough season, with lots of challenges, for everyone involved.
"I wish everyone at Notts County Ladies FC the best for the future, and I hope they can achieve the success the club deserves."
Jason Turner, the CEO of Notts County, will now also fill the role at the Women's Super League One side, who are currently sixth in the table.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan warns Notts County not to underestimate Boreham Wood

Notts County boss John Sheridan has warned his players not to underestimate Boreham Wood when the two sides meet in the FA Cup on Sunday.
The Hertfordshire side are currently pushing for a playoff spot in the National League, one division beneath League Two.
Despite the Magpies being tipped as favourites, they were humiliated last year at non-league Salford City, and Sheridan is well aware of this.
"They are a strong outfit, going well in the league. They've got pace in the team," he told the Nottingham Post.
"I've played against teams lower than the Conference and they just raise their game 10 or 15 percent for some reason and it's always a real hard game.
"We've got to be prepared for a hard game because they will be physical.
"They are fit lads and I think they'll probably be fancying their chances because they're at home."
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Joe Jones

Notts County skipper Michael O'Connor hopeful of promotion run

Notts County captain Michael O'Connor has claimed that his side are well placed to enjoy a tilt at promotion this season.
The Magpies currently sit sixth in the table after 15 games played in League Two and just two defeats in their last eight.
"Our aim at the start of the year was to get promotion," the midfielder told the Nottingham Post.
"To be sitting sixth at the start of November is good. We'd like to be a bit higher, because we've dropped points when we thought we could have had three points – like on Saturday when we missed a penalty.
"I think if you'd asked me at the start of the season if I'd be happy with being sixth now, I would have taken it. We're still in the mix.
"We have a good set of lads who want to work hard. We've got one or two players who can turn games for us and we've got some experience, so we've got a bit of everything in the team.
"We just need a bit of consistency now. We just need to keep picking up points here and there, then, hopefully, come March, April, May we're up there."
Notts will be turning their attention to cup competitions as they face Boreham Wood and Sunderland's Under-23s in the coming seven days.
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Joe Jones

Haydn Hollis says going "back to basics" improved his Notts County form

Haydn Hollis has claimed that going back to basics has helped him rediscover his form for Notts County.
The 24-year-old came under criticism numerous times over the last year but he was a key player for the Magpies against Portsmouth and Luton Town.
Asked about his performances over the last two games, Hollis told the Nottingham Post: "I think I've been good, but that's expected of me.
"You've just got to head, kick it and just do the basics right.
"That's what I've done - I've gone back to basics.
"But people are being very kind because I think everybody out there has been as good as each other."
Hollis was given a new one-year deal at Meadow Lane in the summer.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan "won't put blame" on Vadaine Oliver for missed penalty

Notts County manager John Sheridan has refused to blame Vadaine Oliver for failing to convert a late penalty in Saturday's League Two goalless draw against Luton Town.
A foul on Haydn Hollis in the final ten minutes of the game gave the Magpies a chance to edge ahead, but goalkeeper Christian Walton was able to make the save and help the visitors to a point.
"I am disappointed we haven't come away with three points and for any neutral watching the game they would have seen two decent teams," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.
"They probably had a bit more possession in the first half, but they are a good side.
"But we came away with a clean sheet and I think it was a great effort from the players.
"We had them on the back foot a lot more than we did in the first half.
"If we had scored the first goal I think we would have gone on to win the game.
"We had the chance with the penalty, but I won't put blame on anybody for missing a penalty.
"But if we had scored from it then we would have won and that would have been deserved for the way we went about the game.
"The fans were excellent and got right behind the team. It's a crying shame that we haven't got the points."
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Joe Jones

Match Report: Notts County held to goalless draw by Luton Town

Notts County have played out a goalless draw against Luton Town as Vadaine Oliver failed to convert a late penalty in Saturday's League Two clash at Meadow Lane.
In a tight game of few clear-cut chances, Aaron Collins hit the bar with a header in the first half, while for the visitors, Jack Marriott saw an effort fly narrowly wide, before Danny Hylton slipped when trying to shoot.
A foul on Haydn Hollis in the final ten minutes of the game gave the Magpies a chance to edge ahead, but goalkeeper Christian Walton was able to make the save and keep the visitors in the game.
From the resulting corner, Carl Dickinson could have won it but he headed against the bar, while Hylton found himself in a good position late on but was thwarted by a Notts defender as it ended honours even.
The result means that Notts stay sixth in the League Two table on 22 points, though the division is so tight that only six points separate them from Exeter City, Hartlepool United, Wycombe Wanderers and Cambridge United - all hovering above the drop zone.
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Joe Jones

Adam Campbell confident of Notts County victory against Luton

Adam Campbell has claimed that Notts County are more than capable of beating Luton Town in today's game at Meadow Lane.
The Hatters are fourth in League Two and are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competition.
Notts, however, have stopped the rot with a superb result at Portsmouth last weekend, winning 2-1 against one of the most dangerous teams in the division.
In addition the Magpies have won their last two games against Luton, beating them 2-0 on their own patch back in January.
"It's a tough game, but people said that last year when we went to their place and turned them over," Campbell told the Nottingham Post.
"We will be looking to do the same again and it's down to us to get the three points.
"All the players are buzzing. We've beaten Portsmouth and everybody is laughing, joking and there is a real feel-good factor about the place."
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Joe Jones

Stat Attack: Notts County vs. Luton Town, Saturday 29 October 2016

Notts County and Luton Town have faced off 68 times in their history.
The first meeting came in January 1912 when the Magpies secured a 4-2 away win in the FA Cup.
Luton dominate the head-to-head with 34 wins over Notts, 19 draws and 15 defeats.
Out of the 10  matches between the two that have taken place since the turn of the century, Notts have won four, drawn three and lost three.
Luton Town Football Club was formed on 11 April 1885, the product of a merger of the two leading local teams, Luton Town Wanderers and Excelsior.
The club was the first in southern England to turn professional, making payments to players as early as 1890 and turning fully professional a year later.
It joined the Football League before the 1897–98 season, left in 1900 because of financial problems, and rejoined in 1920.
Luton reached the First Division in 1955–56 and contested a major final for the first time when playing Nottingham Forest in the 1959 FA Cup Final.
The team was then relegated from the top division in 1959–60, and demoted twice more in the following five years, playing in the Fourth Division from the 1965–66 season. However, it was promoted back to the top level by 1974–75.
Luton Town's most recent successful period began in 1981–82, when the club won the Second Division, and thereby gained promotion to the First.
Luton defeated Arsenal 3–2 in the 1988 Football League Cup Final and remained in the First Division until relegation at the end of the 1991–92 season.
Between 2007 and 2009, financial difficulties caused the club to fall from the second tier of English football to the fifth in successive seasons.
The last of these relegations came during the 2008–09 season, when 30 points were docked from Luton's tally for various financial irregularities.
Luton then spent five seasons in non-League football before winning the Conference Premier in 2013–14, securing promotion back into the Football League.
The club's nickname, "the Hatters", reflects Luton's historical connection with the hat making trade, which has been prominent there since the 1600s.
The nickname was originally a variant on the now rarely seen straw-plaiters. Supporters of the club are also called Hatters.
Luton is associated with two very different colour schemes - white and black (first permanently adopted in 1920), and orange, navy and white (first used in 1973, and worn by the team as of the 2015–16 season).
Team News
Notts County striker Jon Stead is expected to be ruled out until Christmas after injuring his ankle against Crewe Alexandra two weeks ago, although the club are still waiting the results of a scan.
Michael O'Connor and Vadaine Oliver are fit again, while Genaro Snijders and Curtis Thompson are back in training.
Luton's eight-goal striker Danny Hylton is back from suspension after sitting out their match against Mansfield Town last week following a five-booking haul.
Teenage midfielder James Justin is also back in contention following a calf injury sustained in the warm-up at Leyton Orient two weeks ago.
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Joe Jones

Luton's Alan Sheehan hails Notts County fans ahead of Meadow Lane return

Luton Town defender Alan Sheehan has pledged not to celebrate if he scores against Notts County unless he gets a hostile reception from the fans.
The 30-year-old is well known among the Meadow Lane faithful, having played 142 times for the Magpies between 2011 and 2014, as well as during a three-month loan spell from Bradford City last season.
As Notts host the Hatters on Saturday, Sheehan had kind words to say about the fans and said he would mute his fanfare should he score against his former side.
He told the Luton website: “I don’t think I would (celebrate). People have those clubs that they’ve played for, and out of respect, I don’t think I’d celebrate.
“I enjoyed my time at Notts County. People were very good to me there, so unless they boo me from start to finish, I don’t think I’d celebrate.
"Obviously I’d have to score first, so we’ll decide if that happens. But the fans were always great to me there, so I appreciated that.”
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Joe Jones

Notts boss John Sheridan: 'Jon Stead could be out until Christmas'

Notts County striker Jon Stead is set to be out of action until Christmas, club manager John Sheridan has claimed.
The 33 year-old forward, who has scored nine goals in League Two this season, has not featured for the Magpies since injuring his ankle against Crewe Alexandra on October 15.
"I spoke to Steady about two days ago," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.
"I've not spoken to the physio regarding the results of the scan.
"I would have expected that if they had the results back they would have come and told me, but he's still a bit sore.
"I don't like putting timescales on things, but the physio says we are looking at six weeks, then it's a case of diagnosis and how he is healing.
"We are probably looking towards Christmas probably.
"It's very disappointing as a team, and for him as a lad, because he was scoring goals.
"He probably would have scored a couple more in the time he has been out so it's a big downer."
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Joe Jones

Adam Collin wants to cut out mistakes at the back for high-flying Notts County

Adam Collin has expressed his desire for Notts County to stop making "silly mistakes" at the back in a bid to help the club further up the table.
The Magpies held on for an impressive 2-1 win at Portsmouth last weekend, with the man in between the sticks putting in a strong display.
Up next for sixth-placed Notts is Luton Town's visit of Meadow Lane and Collin highlighted the errors in goal and defence as something that needs to be cut out.
He told the Nottingham Post: "We'd like to keep more clean sheets obviously.
"It gives us a solid base but it's hard to put your finger on it.
"We've got good players who are doing well in spells.
"Even when we are losing we don't actually think we are playing that bad.
"It's just silly mistakes that are costing us goals and it's been frustrating more than anything.
"But we are sixth in the league going into November and that's definitely a real positive."
Original article can be found here.
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Joe Jones

John Sheridan hails "bright" but idle Adam Campbell

John Sheridan has described Adam Campbell as "probably the brightest footballer" at Notts County, but admits that he can get idle at times.
The former Newcastle United forward struck twice at Fratton Park on Saturday to give the Magpies an impressive 2-1 win over Portsmouth.
"He's a lovely footballer, and he's very clever," Sheridan told the Nottingham Post.
"He's probably the brightest footballer at the club.
"He is the one who has what I call a 'gear change'. He knows when to slow down, stand still and so on. His two finishes were excellent and I think he should score more goals.
"But he's one of them who I think gets a little bit lackadaisical so I am going to have to keep on top of him.
"Just before he scored, I had a go because I thought he should have been doing a bit more.
"But he had a little glance at me when he scored as if to say 'here you are gaffer, stick this up your backside'. I love that."
Original story can be found here.
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Joe Jones

Martin Allen describes half-naked pre-derby River Trent plunge at 5am

Former Notts County boss Martin Allen motivated his players ahead of a derby against Nottingham Forest by walking half-naked into the River Trent at five in the morning.
The story is another of the anecdotes featured in the book One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest, written by lifelong Magpies fan Paul Mace and containing stories from former players, managers, directors and fans.
Following Monday's revelation of Roberto Mancini almost taking the reins at Meadow Lane, it was revealed on Tuesday that the ex-Notts boss, nicknamed Mad Dog, went the extra mile to try and gee up his boys ahead of the League Cup tie at the City Ground in September 2011.
The extract reads: "I was so intense and focussed for the game. I didn't think Forest were any good. I thought we could beat them.
"At 5am on the morning of the game, I went to the back of the Trent End by the River Trent to shoot a motivational video for the players. I went along with our rather bemused video journalist Dane Vincent.
"I explained to the players on the video to have no fear. Play with your shoulders back and your head up and we will beat them; play with fierce determination and fantastic self-belief and if we do that we will beat them. You must have no fear.
"At which point I took off my shirt, tracksuit bottoms and shoes. It was freezing cold. I stared down the barrel of the lens. 'You must have no fear.'
"And with that I walked into the river in my pants. It was like something out of a Monty Python film. Off-camera behind me, someone was walking their dog and looked at me in amazement. I walked down the steps and dived in to completely submerge myself.
"The water was freezing. As soon as I went in I wanted to get back out straight away. My body was so cold. I shivered, came out and looked down the lens of the camera again.
"I put on my clothes and then started to run along the embankment into the distance. It was very funny, the players loved it. There was passion, self-belief and I had done it on the enemy's territory on their side of the river."
The game finished 3-3 after extra time before the Reds won it on penalties.
One Flew Over the Magpie's Nest is available online now at www.nottscounty1862.co.uk/order/ or at the Notts club shop from Saturday.
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Joe Jones

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Configure browser push notifications
Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.