Two Of The World’s Oldest Clubs Look To A Brave New World

No global pandemic, no A-List owners. But one thing remained the same - their exile from the EFL showed no sign of ending any time soon.

In that time Notts County have lost a Promotion Final and a semi, too.

Two of the world’s oldest clubs both have a modern vision of what the future looks like and the BT Sport cameras will see it all unfold on Monday night.

County head coach Ian Burchnall is still kicking himself that his team didn’t go into the live game with two wins from two.

Unable to exact revenge against Torquay United for what happened earlier the summer at Plainmoor, the Gulls’ ten men held out for over an hour to claim a 1-1 draw.

If only they could have used one of their five goals they scored at Barnet on the opening day.

“Frustrating is the right word to describe today,” he said after Saturday’s match.

“That type of game can be difficult. There was the early red card, then we conceded a really poor goal, which gives them something to hang on to, and it becomes one of those games where they frustrate us.

“I was a little disappointed that we didn’t create more. We can be a bit braver and add a few more numbers to the attack because we had no threat against us at the other end

“We could have done a lot more in the second half, but it wasn’t to be.

“But the fact the players are so disappointed shows exactly where we are at. Now it’s about being ready a focused for Monday.”

Phil Parkinson has had to wait longer than most to meet his new public.

Covid complications meant Wrexham had to play their first two matches away from home.

A return of four points - thanks to a draw at Solihull Moors and an excellent victory over Eastleigh - has perhaps proved a settling in period may not be needed.

The Dragons manager told us about how he and his players plan to deal with the pressure that being talked up can bring.

The clubs’ fans are back home - and with 5,500 season tickets sold he knows there is a level of excitement not seen in north Wales for many years.

“There’s an expectancy which we expected because of the publicity surrounding the club and the players we have signed,” he said.

“But we have to be strong enough to cope with that and block those pressures out.

“We’ve got to use the positivity of the supporters to lift our standard of play.

“It’s just dealing with it and concentrating on our process and getting the points we need.

“Sunderland was a great experience, I enjoyed it, and the expectancy was there to win every week. It’s similar in that way. You have to handle that.

“But there are other clubs who have a similar level of expectancy, but we have to just focus on ourselves.

“We’ve given ourselves a chance with the squad we have managed to put together. We’re not the finished article yet but we have had a good start.

“We have a class and a quality within the team and they are here for the right reasons.

“The fans will be right behind us as long as they are seeing 100 per cent effort and commitment on the pitch.

“They want a team who represent their club in the right way - that’s leaving nothing out there.”

Don’t miss the live BT Sport match - kick-off at 7.30pm