Defender Manny Smith is looking up the Sky Bet League 1 table rather than nervously over his shoulder, as Notts County prepare to face his former club, Walsall.
Although a 10-man Notts were defeated 4-3 in a closely contested fixture with high-flying Peterborough United in midweek, confidence remains high in the camp after a beginning to 2014 that has involved three wins in four games.
The Magpies climbed out of the relegation zone last weekend and are looking to put some daylight between themselves and the sides in the bottom four with another set of three points.
Smith is eagerly anticipating this weekend’s fixture with the Saddlers and is focusing on catching the likes of Coventry City and Colchester in the mid-table berths over the coming weeks.
“This is the game that I always look for when the fixtures come out, as it’s always good to play against your old team,” he told #themag.
“You never like to lose and it’s just like when other players leave here to go to other teams, you never want them to score.
“Everything’s tight at the top and the bottom and a few wins can make a huge difference.
“We need to remain hard to beat and ensure that we take at least a point from games.
“We know what we’re playing for and some people react differently under pressure.
“We’ve got a big few months ahead of us and I’m looking to see how high we can finish and how many points we can get, having started the year so well.”
Look out for a big interview with the Notts number five in this weekend’s edition of the club’s official matchday magazine.
To reserve your copy, email magpiestore@nottscountyfc.co.uk or call 0115 9557 200.
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