Kevin Nolan insists there was no need for him to 'shout and bawl' at his players following tonight's defeat at Crewe Alexandra.
Goals from Michael Raynes and Jordan Bowery gave the Railwaymen a 2-0 victory and the Notts manager was keen to retain perspective with his side still second in the Sky Bet League Two table.
"It's a lesson," he said. "I am not one to shout and bawl. I just try to encourage my players and give them the best advice I possibly can to do the right things.
"The players don't deserve a rollicking. They have been magnificent this season and that's why they are where they are in the table.
"What they need is someone to tell them where they went wrong and that's what I've done.
"I've been delighted with the lads but they have not hit their standards tonight, which happens sometimes.
"We're all disappointed but collectively we will work harder and get better from this."
Nolan made five changes for the match but was not looking to use it an excuse for the result.
"It just didn't happen for us tonight but it was not because of the changes I made," he said.
"We can't use it as an excuse because we have done it at other points this season and it's worked.
"We didn't manage situations as well as we have done this season and we didn't do what we normally do in playing to our tempo and controlling the game.
"Tonight is a hiccup and hopefully that's all it is. Now it's about reacting and making sure we are ready for Carlisle on Saturday."