Defeat is on me, says Paterson, after tough start

IT was more frustration for Martin Paterson and Notts County to start the new season after losing their home opener to Salford City on Saturday.

- By SAM ALLEN

New loan signing Jayden Luker was on the scoresheet in one of the few positives to take from the game but his second-half strike was not enough to overturn the deficit as the Magpies lost 2-1.

Notts had control but were blunt in attack away against Newport County on the opening day but this latest performance just brought up more gaps for Paterson to plug in this early stage of his tenure.

The visitors’ gameplan was clear: press high and physically disrupt Notts in danger areas. They pounced on high turnovers to create chances while being solid off the ball and they were successful in frustrating their opponents.

Paterson said: “I was frustrated (after Newport) and this weekend is more so, more frustration.

“I've talked about it during preseason and after the first game about being transparent and honest; the first half was so far from our identity, it was untrue.