Luke Williams has said that he was unaware of the rivalry between Notts County and Torquay ahead of their clash at Meadow Lane this weekend but insists his side will use that to their advantage as they look to continue their unbeaten run.
The unusual rivalry was spawned by the Magpies' play-off semi-final defeat to Gary Johnson's side during the 2020/21 campaign, with extra-time goals from Asa Hall and Dean Moxey compounding Notts to a 4-2 defeat at a sun kissed Plainmoor.
It intensified when Kyle Cameron and wing-back Aaron Nemane joined Ian Burchnall's side from the Gulls the following season, with some Torquay fans labelling the move sideways following the results in the previous campaign.
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And in April, the Magpies' play-off push suffered a setback after a 5-1 defeat at Plainmoor, with Connor Lemonheigh-Evans scoring a hat-trick to leave Notts nine points away from third-placed Halifax Town.
Speaking ahead of the game this Saturday, Williams was unaware of the rivalry between the two sides but said he was happy about the competitive edge of the fixture, intending to use that to his advantage when the action kicks off at Meadow Lane.
"I wasn't overly aware, but I am happy there is a rivalry there, because we need that type of energy," explained Williams.
"Gary Johnson is someone I respect a lot, because he has nine promotions or something like that, it's amazing, he is an incredible manager.
"I know plenty of players have played for him and he will motivate his team and he will have a game plan; I will take nothing for granted at all.
"If there is some type of needle between the two sides, I am actually really pleased with that because I think that will help us.
"One or two of the players will be involved in some of these games you have been speaking about, and I hope they will use this as motivation to put in a good performance, it is actually encouraging for me."
It has been contrasting seasons for both sides in the National League, with the Magpies perched at the summit of the National League after 15 games while Torquay sit bottom of the table, winless in their last eight games in the league.
But Notts know all too well about underestimating sides given their FA Cup exit to Coalville Town two weeks ago, with Williams saying that his team need to look away from their position in the table and expect a battling performance from Johnson's side.
"We have to make sure that is not a mindset that we have, because that would be a big mistake," he said.
"The players are watching the team play and they are not giving up, they are ready for a battle, and you see that when you watch them.
"It's a manager I respect hugely, and he is not someone that will allow his team to down tools and feel sorry for themselves, and I will be making that extremely clear to the squad.
"It is helpful to have two players in our squad who know how their dressing room is going to be across the corridor."
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