Tommy Johnson says there's only one message for the players ahead of tonight's game: close the gap.

As demonstrated on Saturday against Grimsby, Notts are able to mix things up, acquiring points in less a less glamorous manner than the preferred passing approach.

Johnson relayed that the focus is on promotion and that it's more about points than the performance.

This is even more important when facing the teams at the top, like tonight's opponents, Bournemouth, who sit four points ahead in the standings.

He explained: "Our aim is to get into the top-three as soon as possible and stay there.

"It's just fortunate for us now that we're on a good run and their confidence is sky high.

"We just want to carry on, we're doing well with four clean sheets.

"It's going to be a very difficult game but if we can get a good win, any sort of win, we're going to close the gap."

The coach declared that the squad has been brilliant all season, not just during their most recent run of form, which has seen them record four consecutive wins.

He said: "I wouldn't say they've clicked, they've been brilliant all season.

"It's not just the start, we've got such a small squad that we know everybody who has been part of the team.

"They're a great bunch of players, and their team spirit is in a different class and it's shown on the pitch.

"They just keep grinding out results and playing well."

He added: "Bournemouth are in the same situation as us at the minute, and obviously their lads are pulling together as well for them, because it shows by their league position.

"We know it's a difficult game because we've been down there, we've played them."