Neal Ardley wants to see Notts County turn their good performances into victories by taking their chances, starting this weekend against FC Halifax Town.
The Magpies have lost just one of their last seven fixtures, dating back to 13 August, and have been unfortunate not to pick up more than the two wins they have done over that period.
And the boss hopes that changes when Notts host the Vanarama National League’s second-placed side on Saturday.
“There has been lots of good play and I want us to start taking our chances,” said Ardley. “We should be better off so I’m not happy with where we are in the table.
“We’ve put together complete performances during spells in games and it’s about doing it for the full 90 minutes like we did against Wrexham, when we were very unlucky not to win.
“We’re putting lots of things in our favour but not taking our chances or we’re making silly mistakes at the other end.
“If we keep playing the way we are, we’ll win more than we lose.
“We know it’s a results industry but we’re trying to get the performances right and have a cohesiveness in the way we play because then we believe the old saying will come true – the result will take care of itself.”
Working alongside the club’s new owners, Ardley has seen statistical evidence that Notts deserve to have more than 11 points to show from their opening 10 games.
“We can look at much more than just expected goals, but that alone tells us we have had the better opportunities in eight of those matches,” he explained.
“It helps because it makes you think we can’t keep going on like this and playing the way we are without getting results.
“It gives you the belief that eventually our work is going to bear fruit and if we keep the performance levels going and add the little bits we’re missing, we can certainly push towards the right end of the table.”
The gaffer says the mood at Meadow Lane is in stark contrast to last season and wants the positivity to extend to supporters.
“We’re heading in the right direction now and it’s an enjoyable place to be,” he added.
“It’ll be even more so if we can start putting some results together and making the fans happy – that will build on the good feeling here.
“We want to do well for the supporters and I put pressure on myself, the staff and the players to set high standards and meet them on a Saturday afternoon.
“We’re drawing games because we’re missing chances not because we’re shy of attacking teams and trying to get at them – I’d like to think people are enjoying the intent and the way we’re trying to commit players forwards.
“There is frustration from everyone because we’re not winning games but let’s judge things over 46 games.”
Ardley reported that Dion Kelly-Evans and Sean Shields have missed training sessions this week with niggles, while Nathan Tyson continues to be eased back in to avoid a longer absence.