Assistant Manager Greg Abbott has plenty of good memories in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and he's hoping he can re-create them at Notts...
Assistant Manager Greg Abbott has plenty of good memories in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for Carlisle United and he's hoping he can re-create them at Notts.
The former United boss managed the team to two finals at Wembley, lifting the trophy in 2011.
He's now hoping his the Magpies can do the same and keep the season alive for the supporters, that ultimately will give the whole club and city a lift.
Abbott believes the competition is important not only to raise funds, but also gives the players a chance to play at Wembley.
He told Magpie Player: "I have memories of the competition, not so much of the first final, but the next year I was a winning manager at Wembley and no one can take that away from me.
"We were proud, the whole city went to Wembley celebrating the victory, the club made money and I had one of the best days of my footballing career. It's a fantastic competition for the lower leagues. It gives you a genuine chance to play at the Mecca of football.
"Keeping the season alive for the fans is important too, as well as the finance. If we made it to Wembley, the black and white half of the city would be empty. It would bring excitement and a reason for sticking with the club and team right the way through. We've got to regenerate the crowd here, get them onboard and give them some excitement. We want to get as far down the line and then carry that into our league programme."
The Coventry-born coach arrived with new boss Shaun Derry on Thursday and he's learnt a lot about the squad he has inherited already.
He said: "We are tying to find out about the boys and they are trying to find out about us. We are trying to find out what's going right for us, what isn't, and trying to adjust it as quickly as we can.
"I have to say the response in the dressing room and around the place has been first class.
"The early signs are when we can sort out the best team and best formation, best tactics and then we've got a great chance of moving the club forward.
"We've come into a club with a fan base, an infrastructure and a squad that has already got a lot going for it. The challenge is tough, but we will have to address all that, get some results and turn fortunes around. It really is a good club."
Abbott believes that the former Notts midfielder has plenty of attributes that can make him into a success at Meadow Lane.
He added: "I want to help Shaun here. I will do whatever he wants to do. I love the kid to bits. I want him to be the best manager in the country. He's in a tough industry, but we will work it out between us. We are helping each other out at the minute, because we both want to be successful and in hand, the club to be successful.
"It wasn't a tough decision to come here. I'm coming to a club that i think can get better and I can give more input to the players as a number two. I like to be on the training ground. My priority is to help the players."
Watch the full interview on Magpie Player and listen further to Greg's thoughts about the Development Squad, his new role at the club and the new gaffer.