Chris Kiwomya felt that Francois Zoko’s impact off the bench was central to the Magpies' second half revival against Bury on Friday night.
Another disappointing first half display prompted the manager to introduce Zoko at the expense of Yoann Arquin at half time and the alteration paid dividends.
Zoko looked a threat every time he got near to the ball and scored two very well taken goals.
Kiwomya was pleased with the Ivorian’s display and hopes to see more of the same between now and the end of the season.
“It was a tactical decision on my behalf, Zoko had trained well all week and I thought he’d give something to us in the game,” he said.
“He did that and he was the difference in the second half.
“He uses his body very well and he’s a strong boy, so you know when he gets into those positions he can lean into people and manipulate the ball.
“That’s what he did in the second half and I thought he was excellent.”
Kiwomya was pleased with the overall team display after the break, which also saw Julian Kelly and Jamal Campbell-Ryce net to give Notts a 4-1 win in front of the Sky television cameras.
He said: “It was much better in the second half, as in the first half it was flat and disappointing again, but the boys reacted again so I can’t be too fussy.
“In the second half, we asked a lot more questions of them, had a lot more purpose and we played at a higher tempo.
“We played higher up the pitch and there weren’t too many square passes as well, so I was very pleased with the second half performance.”
Kiwomya has now been appointed as first team manager until the end of the season. To find out more, click here.
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