McParland: We have to stick together

Last updated : 03 November 2008 By Dane Vincent

Confidence: Butcher feels Notts need a win to lift confidence in the camp.
The Magpies have faced a very testing period in the last week, recording three consecutive losses.

Following the third defeat against Bury on Saturday, players and staff have declared that they need to show great determination to pull themselves out of this mess.

Richard Butcher explained: "When you lose three on the bounce confidence is a factor despite what people will say.

"We have to work hard on the training pitch and put it right.

"No-one else can put it right for us, so it's down to us to do it ourselves and get back on track.

"That starts next weekend when we go to Sutton United in the FA Cup." (Notts County Football Club Official Website)

Nobody will be feeling the pressure at the moment more than Notts' manager, Ian McParland.

"We have to keep the boys up. We can't afford to let there be any doom and gloom. We have to stick together in the dressing room," he said.

"There will be a few people sniping at us now but that's football. Fans want to see us winning and we aren't winning at the minute.

"I will pick them up and we will keep working to turn it around." (Nottingham Evening Post)

County's latest addition, Lewis Neal is hoping to make an impact on playing affairs by re-gaining full match fitness and get the side moving back towards the top half of League Two.

He revealed: "As the game went on I felt I grew into it a bit. Unfortunately it didn't really happen for us as a team.

"On a personal note it was great to be out on the pitch and playing and getting 90 minutes under my belt.

Upwards: Neal wants to turn around the team's fortunes.

"I have not played as many games as I should have for my age but I have played a good few times for Stoke and Preston in the Championship.

"I am hoping to play a few games while I am here and hopefully help get the team up the table." (Nottingham Evening Post)

Bury walked away from Meadow Lane with a 1-0 win, ending their own losing streak - something that Notts will now be hoping to do next weekend.

Manager, Alan Knill could not hide his relief after the game, saying: "I'm delighted to be back to winning ways.

"We were a bit lucky at times, but that's been missing of late. We've done everything right but just not had that bit of luck.

"But we had some pretty good play as well. We just had to get back to playing like that because it had been a disappointing week.

"The most important thing was the three points. We had to stop the slide and it will keep all the doubters away because we haven't got a league game for two weeks now." (Manchester Evening News)