Nolan not getting carried away by Notts County’s strong start to the season

(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)

By Alex Beard

For the manager of a side sitting second in the League Two table it could be tempting to look up the ranks and dream about the upcoming promotion campaign.

But that is a trap which Notts County manager Kevin Nolan is determined not to fall into. Instead, he is focusing on avoiding relegation first and foremost.

The Magpies are just three points off league leaders Exeter and have won their last four games without conceding a goal.

Nolan refuses to get carried away, though: “[I’ll look at the league table] when we’re safe. We’ve got to get to 50 points as soon as we can, then we’ll start assessing where we want to be,” the 35-year-old told the Nottingham Post .

“We want to be in the higher echelons. We’re riding high at the minute but you can’t get carried away. Any time that happens you can get bitten on the bum. We’ve got to make sure we stay calm.

“You won’t hear me talk about promotion until we get to the end of the season and we’re in a realistic position.

“It’s a fantastic start but that’s all it is. We’ve got to maintain this professionalism and this attitude, the application and respect they’ve got for each other.”

Notts County grabbed a 1-0 win over Harry Kewell’s Crawley side last time out, and return to Meadow Lane on Saturday to host a Lincoln City side who also made a solid start to the season.