Notts County defender Talks On The Magpies Backline And Reveals High-Energy Football

Jacob Bedeau says Notts County’s defensive transformation this season has been made “super easy” by the relentless work-rate of the Magpies’ prolific attack.

Notts conceded more goals than any side in League Two last season, with the 86 they let in making them the third worst defensive side in England’s top four leagues.

Finishing as the division’s fourth highest scorers ensured they finished mid-table.

They remain among the division’s top scorers this season, but it is the improvement at the back that has them among the teams chasing promotion.

With five matches remaining they have let in just 40 goals – a record bettered by only two teams in the fourth tier this term.

“Throughout the season we have been good at pressing teams and playing high-energy football,” Bedeau told BBC Radio Nottingham.

“Maybe last year was one of those where everything goes against you as a defender. You can have those moments where you just can’t find the light.”

Bedeau quickly established himself as an integral part of a largely new-look backline this season alongside fellow summer arrivals Matty Platt, goalkeeper Alex Bass and Lewis Macari, who first moved to Meadow Lane on loan last term.

Notts have so far kept 16 clean sheets this season, double the number they managed in the entirety of last season.

They have also allowed only one shot on target in their past four matches, although it resulted in a goal in their defeat at Colchester last Saturday.

“We are in it together as a back three and the rest of the team feels assured with us back there,” Bedeau said.

But the 25-year-old, who was on the books at Aston Villa as a teenager, says the backline cannot take all the credit for how the Magpies have gone from being the most fragile defence in League Two into the one of the most solid.

He has particular praise for forwards Alassana Jatta and David McGoldrick, who have 35 goals between them in all competitions this term.

“It’s the whole team really,” Bedeau said. “The work-rate that AJ and Didzy show week in and week out with that press, and the midfielders backing them up, basically means our job is super easy compared to where I have been in the past.

“The goal this season was to keep 16 clean sheets and we have 16 now, so we are just looking to get maybe 18 or 20 so we have to keep trying to do what we are doing as a defensive unit and as a whole team.”