Notts County FC
'Man for man, we have to be better than them' - Connell Rawlinson relishing Notts County's Barrow clash
Magpies ready for trip to league leaders
Neil Richardson
Leigh Curtis
Notts County's Connell Rawlinson. (Image: Dan Westwell)
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Connell Rawlinson is relishing the challenge of Notts County's "biggest game of the season" as he prepares to face high-flying Barrow.
The comprehensive nature of the 3-0 defeat when the sides last met at Meadow Lane in November still haunts Rawlinson and his Magpies teammates, and he says they are determined to set the record straight at Holker Street.
"They came here earlier in the season and showed how good they were and they are top of the league on merit because they play good, high-tempo football," he said.
"We need to look at that and get right in their faces, man for man we have to be better than them, simple as that.
"The lads are up for it, they don't need any motivation, as this is the biggest game of the season so far.
"We have been beaten by them so there is an added incentive to win this game. We don't want to lose again and we want to go there and show them what we are about, as they did when they came to Meadow Lane.
Notts County's Connell Rawlinson (Image: Dan Westwell)
"We have a point to prove and that makes us a dangerous team. They are top of the table and we will pay them the respect they have earned, but the lads can't wait for this one, it's a big game and if you are a footballer you want to play in big games."
Notts are facing a hectic end to the season but the tough schedule of games is no problem for Rawlinson, who said: "Some people are built for it, and being a centre half I am robust. We don't do a lot of running, it is more physical challenges, so I feel good.
"I want to play every game, as long as I'm fit, but we have the squad here to rest players and I think that will be vital come the end of the season.
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"Any footballer prefers playing matches and while training is important, you can't get that realism of a game and that is what we get paid for, to win games of football, not train.
"I am 28 now and I know my own body, what it does and doesn't need, so it is a case of doing what is necessary to recover and doing what you have to in training, then make sure you are 100 per cent for the game."
Notts' forthcoming glut of games is due in part to their success in the FA Trophy, with a two-legged semi-final against Harrogate Town coming up near the end of the month, but for now Rawlinson and his colleagues are concentrating on securing a place in the National League play-offs.
"The Trophy has been put to one side for the minute as the league is the priority for the club," he said.
"We are fighting on two fronts and promotion is the main aim but it's nice to have a break from the league when the Trophy games come along and a final at Wembley would be magical."