WHEN Ben Davies signed for Notts County in the summer, it was seen as a statement of intent by the Magpies.

With a takeover pending, persuading the creative midfielder to reject a new deal at Shrewsbury and turn down other clubs for a move to Meadow Lane appeared a major coup.

It got Notts fans talking. But what was to follow was not only surreal to everyone in the country, but Davies as well.

The midfielder looked on as Sven-Goran Eriksson arrived as director of football, Sol Campbell came and went and the club was linked with stars such as Roberto Carlos.

But while the international spotlight remains on Notts County, following the latest chapter under new owners Munto Finance, Davies is remaining focused.

That latest installment saw Hans Backe named the new manager, following the sacking of Ian McParland.

And while it has been a whirlwind few months for Davies and Notts County, he says the primary goal of promotion is well within their grasp.

That is why, despite facing his former employers, with whom he lost in the play-off final at Wembley in May, he is more driven by knowing three points could lift them into the automatic promotion places.

Davies said: "It has surpassed my expectations. The first couple of weeks you watched it all unfold on the telly and read it in the papers but we do not even bother now.

"As for Shrewsbury, I was there for three years and had some good years there, I have good friends there.

"I have had a few texts and phone calls but I am staying focused. All I am concerned about is playing well.

"We want the win and want a place in the top three. It is really important for us all to go out and show the new manager what we are capable of.

"We are under no illusions we have a tough game. They are up there as well but we need to hit the ground running. If we hold the ball and play the football we can, we can beat anybody at home."

Despite only being unveiled on Tuesday, Davies has been impressed with the way Backe has got straight down to work on the training ground.

It has put a buzz about the place and Davies is looking forward to the future under the Swede.

The 28-year-old said: "He seems really good. The lads have been really impressed with the training over the last couple of days.

"It is short and sharp and great training to be involved in as a player. He seems a really nice fellow as well.

"When he takes the sessions, it is completely different to what we have been used to. It is more involved, nobody standing around and you come in every day and it is always something new. It gets your mind ticking.

"You have to impress again every day so everyone has a spring in their step. It will take a couple of weeks for him to get his ideas across.

"You have to be up and at it all the time and that is going to benefit you on a Saturday and everyone who has not been involved now have a fresh start. That's football.

"The new man might like someone the old gaffer didn't and vice versa. Everything is up for grabs again."

While there has been change behind the scenes, Davies said the squad are delighted with one constant.

McParland's backroom team have been maintained with Dave Kevan staying on as assistant and Magpies favourites Tommy Johnson and Michael Johnson as coaches.

"It is always nice to see those faces everyday," said Davies. "Dave, Tommy and Johnno are great. The lads get on really well with them. They are good coaches and good men as well.

"Dave and Johnno have done a great job in those two weeks (after McParland's exit) and normally a new manager comes in when the boys are down and out and can't buy a win.

"But we are in a great position, full of confidence, have not been beaten at home this season and we need to keep that record going."

And while Davies is playing down the meeting against the club where he was captain, inside he is desperate to prove he made the right decision by joining Notts in the summer.

Today, with Backe at the helm, the stage is set.

Like Notts did in signing him, against another promotion-chasing side, this is his chance to send out another statement of intent to the rest of League Two.