Notts County assistant boss Ryan Harley has suggested many teams will struggle against Dorking Wanderers this season, as Notts make the trip to Surrey this Saturday to take on the newly promoted side.
The Magpies maintained their unbeaten start to the season on Tuesday evening with a comfortable 2-0 win over Aldershot at Meadow Lane, with Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott scoring in the second half.
But the home side come in off the back of an impressive away victory at Barnet in midweek, with Bobby-Joe Taylor's strike enough to secure all three points and end their three-game losing run in the National League.
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And one of the main talking points this weekend will be the surface at Meadowbank Park, with Wanderers playing their fixtures on a 3G surface. Harley has identified a tricky tie for his side, just like against any recently-promoted team.
Ahead of the trip to Surrey this weekend, here is everything the Notts assistant manager had to say.
It was another win that maintained your unbeaten start this season, and it seems Notts are just blowing everyone out the water?
RH: "It might appear like that but it's not that simple. The guys obviously played very well, they are in a good flow at the minute and hopefully they can continue that on Saturday against Dorking which will be a different test, but a tough one obviously."
Why have Notts been so good this season?
RH: "It's just time on the training ground, it's effort from the guys and a lot of detail goes into it, but we have very good players so obviously it helps."
Did you expect Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott to have the starts they have?
RH: "Yeah, I think so. We knew a lot about them, and the recruitment team have done their homework. Macca has obviously started well and scored a bundle of goals already, and hopefully that will continue for the rest of the season."
What kind of test are you expecting from Dorking Wanderers this weekend?
RH: "It is always going to be a tough game, it's a different type of pitch and that is what everyone talks about when they go down there, but it's a game of football, two teams playing on a 3G. They're mid-table, had a decent start and a team coming into the division is always a tricky contest for us, but we go into it very confident after our performance against Aldershot."
It looks like at the moment it is just you, Wrexham and Chesterfield at the moment to win the league?
RH: "We know about the teams near the top and we know they're going to be strong. Wrexham, Chesterfield and Solihull and us at the minute, let's see where it goes but we need to concentrate on ourselves. We may look at the other teams, but not too much."
Bobby Zamora was down at training teaching finishing this week, I am sure Langstaff, and Scott were also teaching him about finishing too?
RH: "Yeah I think Macca showed Bobby a few tricks that I don't think he was too keen on. No, it was nice to have someone of that level, obviously the guys have huge respect for him and what he's done in the game. He had a nice little chat with a few of the boys after the game. He is obviously a good friend of the manager's; it was great, and he is a good guy, and he still has it in front of goal."
What is it like having a player of that quality giving out information to your players that they might need?
RH: "Of course, he has played for England so there is no denying his quality. We know our strikers are excellent and we have not yet mentioned Kairo Mitchell in this conversation who has also scored a few goals this season, has been excellent in training and working hard every day. He is a great guy and has a bright future, and he was very keen to have a chat with Bobby as well."
How good is it see players like Kairo Mitchell flourishing under your management?
RH: "Oh brilliant, all three strikers are getting goals, they're getting good minutes on the pitch, they have a really good understanding and train really well together. They are three very good players, and it is great working with them to be honest.
Watching Notts, they are always quick to press the ball and win it back high. Is that something you have instilled in the players and set that mentality?
RH: "Yeah, we want the ball in play as much as possible because that is our style and that is the way the guys play. The quicker we get it back, obviously it is better for us.
How have the players adapted to the new style?
RH: "It has just been from day one in pre-season, we have just banged the drum about getting the ball quickly and the guys have been brilliant with it from the get-go.
