Birtles: Notts must believe promotion is in sight
STEVE Cotterill (pictured) has been winning the plaudits for the start he has made as Notts County manager. And rightly so.
But – and I don't mean this as a criticism – but he has hardly transformed the fortunes of a side fighting relegation.
What he has done is take a side that was surging up the League Two table and maintained their momentum.
The most telling part of his job is still to come.
The real test will come in the remaining 14 games.
He has tweaked things already, making the Magpies hard to beat, adding to their already potent attacking threat.
Notts, after all, are yet to concede a goal under his tenure.
But they have to keep striving to improve, they have to remain ambitious.
Because Notts County should win promotion this season.
If they do not, it should be considered a significant failure.
From the ashes of the whole Munto saga; despite the financial fiasco of the last eight months, Notts have somehow emerged with the best squad of players in League Two.
They have a fantastic opportunity.
It is just a question of keeping their nerve.
Cotterill was a good appointment, to see them over the finishing line.
He has the experience, he has been there and done it.
It is a thrilling thought that, after all that has happened, this season could still have a happy ending.
And, if and when it does, I will be the first to pat the manager – and the players – on the back.
But let's not start handing out the congratulations just yet, because there is still a job to do.
4 Comments
by David Fortune, S40 4BZ
Monday, March 15 2010, 6:53PM
“'Notts have somehow emerged with the best squad of players in League Two.' Yes, because you paid the players wages but not your creditors. Simple to do really. Notts County have an over-inflated wage bill and are playing other teams in the league without being on a level playing field. If you do win promotion I hope there is uproar from the teams that lose out due to your 'cheating'.”
by Pat, h
Sunday, March 14 2010, 11:32AM
“I'm keeping fingers and toes crossed for promotion after all they've gone through this season. All the best on Monday lads for another 6 points.”
by Mr. Sensible, Meadow Lane
Saturday, March 13 2010, 9:25PM
“Agreed; lets not get ahead of ourselves.
I think, though we can and will do it.”
by Graham E.Smith, NG14EX
Saturday, March 13 2010, 12:50PM
“And let us hope that a fair share of the praise goes to the Manager that put the team together in the first place....his reward was to be fired just as they had reached the highest position in the league that they had been in for many a month....not to say they were steadily increasing their standard of football week by week !
Remember him ??????
Ian McParland.”