The Notts County can squad can put their improved fitness levels to good use over the Christmas period, says first team manager Shaun Derry.
Notts face a busy run of games, starting with a trip to Port Vale on Boxing Day, which will test the players physically and mentally.
Having introduced challenging eight-minute runs at the beginning of training and maintained high levels of intensity during the week, Derry believes that the Magpies can cope with the demands of the festive fixture list.
He told the press:“We’ve worked very hard on the physical side of things this past seven or eight weeks and I’m hoping that will stand us in good stead for the run of games.
“The Christmas period is tough but I only think it’s tough mentally if you make it tough and get yourself into that mindset.
“We’ve played this amount of games before so nothing changes as far as I’m concerned.”
He added: “For the players, this is work and this is exactly what I expect from them.
“On the days off that I give them I expect them to look after themselves and prepare right for the next game.
“We have our break at the end of the season and we work hard every day - that’s how it’s going to be.”
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