However, he remains adamant on the fact that if they are to climb out of the bottom four on a permanent basis then it will the high standards of which they have set themselves that will be responsible.
With the Magpies currently in 21st place – trailing by only a matter of six points to 14th-placed
In an interview with Nottingham's Evening Post he insisted ‘That is the way things are in Division Two at the moment,’
’if we could pick up another couple of results we would be in mid-table.’
’That is how tight things are, there is nothing in it at all. We have to hope that we can pick up a couple of good results in our next few games and try to pull clear of trouble.’
But the manager also knows that, while a couple of results would be enough to lift the Magpies clear of the bottom four, it will take more than that to pull them away from trouble completely.
"There is nobody running away with things in this division, there are a very few points separating a lot of teams.
’It is all very well saying that if we play every week like we did on Saturday against Colchester, we won't have a problem but we have to actually do it.’
’We have to go out and perform to that level all the time.’
’Consistency continues to be the important factor and that is what we must strive for.’
Dearden's immediate ambition is to make
’People raise their game when they come to play in a good stadium,’ he said. ‘And that is sometimes the problem we have at
’But that does not change the fact that we need to make it a difficult place to come.’
’We have got our first home win now but we have to make sure other teams have a fight on their hands to get anything when they come here in the future.’