NOTTS County need bulletproof self-belief, even if they fall behind at Shrewsbury today, says experienced defender Jamie Clapham.

The Magpies have failed to recover from falling behind in the first half in defeats to Bury (2-0) and Darlington (1-0) in their last two away games.

And while Clapham is determined to make sure it does not happen again today at the New Meadow, he insists they have to display greater resilience than they have in recent games if it does.

They must stick to their principles of patient, probing, attacking football and not panic, he says.

He admits it will be difficult for the players to maintain their confidence and composure given they have now not won in six away games this year; form which is in complete contrast to four wins out of five at Meadow Lane in 2009.

Clapham said: "We seem to have sorted out our home form and lost our way a little bit away from home.

"We know we have got to dig in and fight and do all of the horrible stuff away from home in order to get results.

"We know Shrewsbury is going to be a tough game because they have got a good home record."

That is quite an understatement, given the promotion-chasing Shrews boast the best home record of any team in League Two.

"They are big games and if we are going to be challenging for promotion next season we have got to be doing better than we are at the moment against the top teams away from home," added Clapham.

"We went to Bury and lost, and then went to Darlington, under-performed and lost out.

"When we don't play well we have got to learn to at least get draws and when we play well we have to win, not draw."

Clapham believes Notts also have to add an uglier, more combative edge to their style of football between now and the end of the season – and in the long term.

For him, style alone will not bring success, it needs substance.

"I don't think we are far off getting it right away from home," he added.

"Maybe it's not good to be a pretty team but I would rather be in a team playing like we are, and I'm sure it's what people want to watch.

"It suits the players we have got to play football and when we are at our best we can beat any team.

"The basics still have to be done though and we need to get that into our make-up more.

"It's all about closing opponents down, getting in their faces, especially away from home, playing with a higher tempo, getting the ball back and keeping the crowd quiet.

"You have to stamp your authority on the game and you do that by winning the ball high and getting in their faces. Teams have done that to us – now we have to do it to them."

Once they have won their individual battles, the Magpies can then impose themselves, believes Clapham.

"When you get the ball you have then got to relax and play they way you can," he said.

"We have got to make the pitch big and use the players who can cause defenders problems, get it wide and into the front men and believe in it.

"Sometimes it's difficult when you go a goal down to keep believing because you are in a hurry to get that goal back."

Clapham believes the Magpies' quality will shine through if they can keep the Shrews at bay in the early stages and settle into their stride.

"If we can keep it at 0-0 for 20 minutes our quality will shine through," he said.

"Unfortunately Darlington scored five minutes into the game and we found ourselves 1-0 down and then we struggled to get back into it.

"It is important we respond to that defeat. We want to go on another run again.

"It's going to be a difficult game but every game is winnable.

"We will go there thinking we can win but if we can't do that we have to try and take a point.

"At some stage during a game you are going to get a spell where you can take all three points off a team.

"When it comes we have to take it."