Notts County boss Luke Williams says National League title race with Wrexham is ‘over’

Notts County boss Luke Williams says National League title race with the current leaders Wrexham is ‘over’ following this weekend’s action.

The Magpies have fallen further behind the Welsh outfit, being held to a 1-1 draw at Barnet while Wrexham grabbed another win, their latest coming away to Bromley.

Notts County went ahead three minutes before half time when Ruben Rodrigues sent a pass to Macaulay Langstaff, who grabbed his 37th goal of the season.

The hosts however got a leveller just minutes later, when Idris Kanu netted from a powerful effort, which went in off the crossbar.

Notts County should’ve been ahead when Rodrigues’ cross deflected to Langstaff but Laurie Walker was on hand to prevent that from going in.

The away side put more pressure on Barnet, yet couldn’t find that all important winner.

Let’s get the boss’ thoughts 🖤 pic.twitter.com/RQZ3Y89XD7

— Notts County FC (@Official_NCFC) March 18, 2023

Meanwhile, Paul Mullin’s second-half four minute brace picked up a big victory for Wrexham, with their fans packing out Bromley.

On 56 minutes, Mullin scored with a header from James Jones’ cross, then shortly after saw Mullin produced an overhead kick to make it 2-0.

Bromley hit back when Michael Cheek scored at the back post, but couldn’t find another.

The result means that Wrexham are now three points clear of Notts County and have a game in hand over them.

Williams told BBC Radio Nottingham the title race was “over”, saying: “The title race is not realistic any more for us. Even if we win there, we still can’t close the gap enough for it to be realistic.”

Williams described the result against Barnet as feeling “like a loss” and said the second-half performance was “terrible”.

“We just have to focus on making sure that we perform so brilliantly that we protect our mentality and that we don’t feel sorry for ourselves,” he added.

“We are preparing to make sure we win the rest of our fixtures and see what happens after that. In football, something can change out of the blue but I am talking about, realistically, what I think.

“I am not going to concentrate on this one goal [automatic promotion] which can be taken away even if we are incredible.

“We just have to focus now on making sure that we have no sulking, no victim mentality, and that we play ferocious and make the best possible performances we can.”

“It is about getting our job done,” said Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson, as per The Leader.

“They got a goal back and it made it slightly edgy but I feel if we hadn’t taken three points, it would have been very harsh in terms of the balance of the game.

“We got the win and when teams around you – particularly Notts County, obviously – have dropped points, then that it is a bonus.

“Bromley away on the 4G pitch and they are a good side as well, it is always a tough game and I just think it was a huge performance from us to come away with three points,” added Parkinson.

“The lads were great.

“It was a hard game and the pitch makes a difference; I can say that now we have been on three 4G pitches and won every time!”

This is what fans said as Notts County boss Luke Williams says the National League title race with Wrexham is ‘over’…

@sportyreg: #WxmAFC it’s all mind games , don’t fall for it lol 😂

@Oxford_carper: Non league mind games!! 😂

@WreccleshamBag1: Nice bit of Physicology

@Ghandya: I hope it’s over. Notts county fans jealousy comes up too often on my feed. They seem to forget when they chased the money and ruined their club.

@GedlingPie: Love how I got abuse for saying we lost the title a couple of week back, now our Head Coach says it and I’ve not seen any abuse headed his way 😂

@DarranPearce: He said the same a couple of weeks ago and it just sounds daft. It isn’t over for them at all yet

@forza_notts: Even if we beat you at your place we’re still reliant on you slipping up again, as soon as you’re reliant on other teams it’s out of your hands imo. Yeah the NL can be wild and spring surprises but just can’t see it happening now tbh

@craigyjones17: I think you might have to win all 7 now, but it wouldn’t be a huge surprise imo! A lot will rest on our game obviously. As a Wrexham fan, I know we never do anything straightforward!

@duncanyoung68: We (Barnet) should have won 4-1 and that’s not ‘banter’. However, it’s a strange interview! 🤔

@wrexhamcarl: If it’s over Luke best rest Rodriguez and Langstaff for the playoffs just to be sure.

@JonHucknall: Said it before, page 1 of the warnock guide to management. What he says to the media and what he says to the players behind closed doors will be very different. Will be some turn around now tho to win it from here.

@SkillyBrad: Agreed , there’s no way this is over , could all change in a week , especially considering we have to play them , which right now seems like the Title decider

@ZeKermy: We are at the point where it’s now been taken out of our hands and depending on other teams to help us out, one look at the table and the gulf in class between Notts and Wrexham and the rest of the league, it’s a very big ask.

@centrehalfmatty: Can’t see Parky and the lads falling for that old chestnut. Bit too long in the tooth id hope

@Philrobertss: Mind games, Notts County will go into the Wrexham game believing they can win. Luckily you can be sure PP will make sure no complacency.

@DarrenObsesses: Mind games for sure. He’s a cunning manager. Until Wrexham has it clinched, I’m going to be stressed.

@harryt84: I’d be a bit disappointed with this if it were the other way around. I want my manager to come out fighting. “Yes absolutely we’re still in it, it’ll be tricky, but we’re still in it and still a lot of points to play for. We also have to go there and if we get a result who knows”

@WrexhamFan3: This is actually weird. If this were our coach, I would be angry. Notts is still in it; anything can happen. Wrexham can’t get complacent (not that they are).

@RobertsTomos: Gives me shivers the belief someone believes we’ll win this league and go back home to the football league! Still 8 games to go, let’s do the business

@comrie1990: I believe Wrexham are far too consistent to expect them to drop 6 points in their last 8 games whilst expecting Notts to win every game. They may not be pretty to watch but they’re very good at what they do. (Notts fan) it’s just a shame that we both can’t guarantee promotion.

@Jacwrexham10: the interviewer was so keen on agreeing with him that im certain thats a well choreographed attempt at mind games

@OVMTweets: Mind games for sure. Piles the pressure on us “they won’t slip up”, while taking the pressure off them. This is a long way from over.

@mathew1864: A broken man. Almost in tears. games to play … what is he on? Mind games? We need to finish the job and put the poor soul out of his miserly. Glad we have Parky.

@AdrianBourke5: 3 points and yet to play each other. What crap from a Manager