By theimps.tk
December 18 2008

In a return to an old feature, Steve White takes time out of a busy schedule to answer a few questions about his beloved Notts County. Steve talks about the future of Notts County, why he thinks they're inconsistant and about the recent pressure on the management at Meadow Lane. Successful in his personal life, Steve has tried his hand at football himself and is set to return to the management of Flintham FC, a team currently challenging for promotion in the Newark Alliance League. A Notts County fan for the last 15 years, Steve's passion for the Magpies is there for all to see and his son, Alex, will be the mascot in this Saturday's game between the two sides.

Steve is certainly not a man to be sentimental when it comes to his beloved County. When asked if he thought Notts County were in a false position in League Two, he replied with a realistic "There's no such thing as a false position, Notts don't deserve to be higher, you are where you are based on your history. Everybody deserves to be where they are, whether its Man U or Mansfield." An honest statement from the fan of a club who came close to top division football just under 20 years ago.

Notts County have suffered with tremendous inconsistency this season, no finer example than their 6-1 defeat at Dagenham coming just a week after they had won 4-0 at Barnet, a very strange set of results to say the least. Steve blames injuries for the thrashing at Dagenham : "Injuries played a big part in those games, against Dagenham we had both wingers (Hamshaw and Weston) injured. We have been unlucky with injuries and strikers never seem to perform for us (apart from Lee 2 years ago and Stallard)."

When asked why he doesn't believe Notts can find that winning mentality, especially at Meadow Lane, Steve was also realistic about Notts'  problems.  "I think Notts suffer because of the stadium and set-up. It looks like an intimidating big-club and pressure is on from day one. Unfortunately due to our positioning, we will always only attract under-achievers or players at the end of our career, unless we see a rich benefactor come in (ie like Fulham)." He certainly has a point as several regular lower-midtable finishers in the fourth division in the past now find themselves undeservedly in the Premiership *coughs*Hull*coughs*.

The pressure has certainly been on Notts' manager this term and the fans are starting to get a bit restless. It's becoming a common trend which has seen several managers come and go from the club since they returned to League Two in 2004/5. However, Steve isn't one to get the manager's back, knowing he has a hard job..." The gaffer can only work with what he has, Notts historically pull the trigger to early on managers when it gets tough in my opinion. Fan expectations are usually too high!"

But how about the future of Notts County? Can they realistically get anywhere if they ever stop sacking managers for being no-where near the Playoffs, or will the club's high expectations lower enough to actually be realistic about where they'll finish most seasons. Since coming into the division, Notts have been regular fixtures near the relegation zone, only securing their League status on the final day of the 2005/6 season, as well as several other near misses.

Steve is again realistic though and realises that it probably won't be an easy ride for County over the next few years. "Who knows where Notts will be in 5 years time, off the pitch they seem to be getting their act together, but unless there is a huge injection of cash somewhere, I fear it will be more of the same. Notts can go all the way, if they can get a rich benefactor on board. Until then, our fantastic facilities will always be a hinderance. With our stadium etc, we could easily be a Championship team, but we are a million miles away from that on the pitch at present."

When asked about the game on Saturday, Steve first spoke about the former Imps in the County team, and he certainly had mixed emotions about them. "Forrester has been disappointing so far, Mayo seems to be playing himself into a bit of form. Richard Butcher seems to be the best former-imp, but lucky for City, he's going to be out of contention for the next couple of months. Spencer Weir-Daley did well for City but for some reason it just hasn't happened at Notts."

Infact, Steve thinks that the game will be won in the midfield and a battle between Jay Smith and former County man, Stefan Oakes. Steve describes Stefan as a quality player on his day but a player that doesn't have that many days, something that has been repeated by Wycombe Wanderers.

Despite knowing several City fans, Steve has said he won't rub it in too much if the Magpies are victorious and he had a vital message for his fellow County fans...."I HAD A WHEELBARROW!"

We'd like to thank Steve for taking the time out of his busy schedule, and if you wish to see Flintham FC continue their march up the League structure, please come along to Flintham Cricket Club on Sunday morning.

Interview with the Notts County fan - Steve White

Discussion started by theimps.tk (IP Logged), 18/12/2008 01:56

theimps.tk
18/12/2008 01:56

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.

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Windsor_Imp
18/12/2008 06:14

Good article - though huge inconsistency in saying "there's no such thing as a false position" then going on to say that Hull are "undeservedly" in the Premiership....

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Hully
18/12/2008 16:10

I agree with Windsor_Imp, how can you say Hull don't desreve to be where they are? They haven't cheated!

Trust me no one would like to see them fall flat on their faces more then me, every week I have a different Hull supporting family member remind of the gap between our clubs, but they've done remarkably well.


Decent read though.

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