Notts County: "We're getting there," says boss Chris Kiwomya

NOTTS County are not far off the top teams in League One, says boss Chris Kiwomya.

It sounds crazy because the Magpies are 14 points off leaders Doncaster Rovers in tenth place – but the two clubs are a lot closer when you look at their stats.

They have amazingly scored and conceded almost exactly the same number of goals, they have both lost nine games and have almost identical home records this season.

The only big difference is that Notts have won half as many away games as Doncaster, despite scoring only four less goals and conceding one more.

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It's bizarre that two teams can be so close and yet so far apart – but it gives Kiwomya confidence Notts are close to getting it right.

"It's fine margins," he said. "I think we're getting there."

Unbeaten in their last seven league games, the Magpies face Preston at Meadow Lane tonight (7.45pm) and Scunthorpe on home soil on Saturday.

Kiwomya insists they have to win at least one of them or their play-off dream will be all but over. He added: "We definitely need to win one of them to keep it going.

"I would never put pressure on the team and say we need to win both because if we don't the players will start thinking we haven't got anything else to play for."

The Magpies' biggest problem is in attack, with all their strikers struggling for form in front of goal.

"It's frustrating for everybody," added Kiwomya. "We've been looking for a striker to come in and take those golden chances when they come."

Young Manchester United striker John Cofie has returned to Old Trafford, after scoring one goal in a one-month loan at Notts.

"He's definitely a player for the future that we will look at," said Kiwomya.

"He's gone back at the moment and I need to speak to the board and the chief exec and find out what the situation is and what Manchester United are willing to do.

"He did quite well early on when he came in, then found it a little bit difficult."

Kiwomya still wants to bolster his strike-force for the run-in.

"It gives everybody a lift when you see a new face come in and if he's going to able to give us what we need that will help us get up the table," he said.

"We've still got a few games and the next four games are vital.

"We've got the two home games and then Swindon and Brentford so we'll know where we're going to be from then onwards."