Notts County head coach Stuart Maynard wants protection from referees as injury list grows
Stuart Maynard says Jodi Jones is "itching" to be back playing football.
By Henry Green
Notts County head coach Stuart Maynard says his players need more protection from referees as their injury list piles up.
The number of Magpies players sidelined with knocks has been growing in recent weeks, with Jacob Bedeau joining Jodi Jones and David McGoldrick in the treatment room.
Despite Bedeau returning to training, all three are expected to miss Saturday’s game against Tranmere Rovers at Meadow Lane.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, the Pies head coach was again critical of referees and the lack of protection for his players.
“I think we’ve been very unfortunate, it’s been one of those seasons where we have had a lot of impact injuries that have hindered us,” he said.
“I feel that we’ve been kicked loads I don’t think we’ve been protected by the refs enough, look at Jodi who has been back a couple of games and you look at how many times he’s been kicked off the ball.”
Maynard was adamant injuries were not a result of the intensity of the way the team plays and trains.
“I look at it and if we were getting injuries in training and it was down to training being too intense I would say then we would have to look at it,” he said.
“I’m not saying you want everyone booked for every challenge but there has to be an attempt to go for the ball, if there’s no attempt to go for the ball then you’re endangering the player,” Maynard added.
He said his team were not at their “fluent best” in the draw against Colchester at the weekend.
He added that he expects a “very tough game” against Saturday’s visitors’ Tranmere, who sit 22nd in League Two, as they look to return to the top three after a turbulent run of form.
The Magpies currently find themselves sitting fourth in League Two, but a win – and defeats for Wimbledon and Doncaster – could see them rise back up to second.
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