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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Oliver King

Luke Williams details half time team talk following Notts County record win

Just minutes into the half-time interval, Notts County boss Luke Williams emerged from the tunnel and prowled the touchline at the ARMCO Arena as he wished for a response from his side following their first half performance against Solihull Moors.

And his Magpies most certainly responded, putting on a much improved second-half display which saw Ruben Rodrigues net his second penalty of the evening in front of the travelling 894 Notts fans.

It was something we have not seen an awful lot during Williams' tenure at Meadow Lane, with his side unusually careless in possession - something that was on display in Solihull's opener with Kyle Cameron giving away possession cheaply.

READ MORE: Notts County player ratings vs Solihull Moors as Ruben Rodrigues double breaks record

Perhaps the Magpies chief's exit from the dressing room was through disappointment in his players who had got them so close to achieving the 93-year record, with Williams on hand to detail what was said at the break to inspire them to victory.

"We are always really honest and it's my job to tell the players that they have been fantastic and that I am so proud of them," he said.

"But I also have a duty to tell them when they drop their level and if there's an opportunity for them to shift the blame or make an excuse, I need to tell them.

"I told them that it wasn't good enough and it wasn't a performance that we would accept and that they needed to know now before it was too late.

"They had to change everything from their body language, even if we didn't play great with the ball, we have to play really well with our intensity and energy.

"As the second period progressed, we became more like ourselves."

Williams made three changes from the side that beat Halifax at the weekend, with Geraldo Bajrami and Cewdyn Scott recalled into the starting line-up in place of Jim O'Brien and Sam Austin.

Both O'Brien and Austin were the arguable standouts from their record-equalling win over the Shaymen, which was surprising to some Notts fans ahead of kick-off.

Williams was on hand to explain his reasoning behind the decision, saying: "I think that Cedwyn has been excellent for the whole season and he deserved to play, Sam Austin deserves to play and Jim deserves to play.

"I need to be mindful of the minutes for Jim because he needs to continue to play for the rest of the season, but those two guys deserved to play but we have many others that also deserve that opportunity."

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