Magpies boss Martin Allen spoke to the Nottingham Post and his club's official website ahead of his side's 2011-12 League One season opener against Carlisle at Brunton Park, Allen wanting to 'get it on and 'ave it' :
"Talk is cheap, isn't it really? I've talked enough about it. It's up to the players now to get over the white line and do us all proud. I love watching them play; I love working with them, they're a decent bunch of blokes and I'm looking forward to us getting on it. We're looking forward to getting it on - bring it on, I can't wait for it to start really. These pre-season games naff me off a bit, they're all a bit too friendly and too hot and let's just get it on and 'ave it."
"I know everything about all of the clubs we're playing and I absolutely know all of their players, nailed down. I've done my research and I've done the mileage to make sure I've seen all of them. I have already been into enemy territory wearing my club tie, which I'm very proud of, and now I'm so excited about the start of the season.
"It's been hard work but it's the way I work. I want to be thorough and I want to be ready. It's not that I don't trust our scouts but I want to see them for myself because I have to stand in front of all of my players and give them instructions. The players have to be clear about their jobs and about specific dangers teams pose, but you have got to be careful not to overload them. I had scouting reports done on all the teams we played at the end of last season but we worked on how we were going to play, believing we were better than the opposition in every game and going out and giving it to them big time.
"I went up to Carlisle the other night to watch them play, bombed up for a couple of hours, got a coffee in one of the service stations, another hour, beautiful part of the world. Well looked after when I went into the club, well welcomed by everybody, won the cup last year, the Johnstone’s Paint, got some more good players in, so they are a decent side. I saw them absolutely thrash Middlesbrough, it could have been about ten, beat Doncaster as well, don’t know how they got on on Saturday but we had someone there. I went up there myself and ran the rule over them to see what they are like and they are a good side.
"So, there is no doubt it is going to be a tough game, but it is a ten month competition and keep it all in perspective, it is another game of football we have got to prepare for, do our best for and get as many of our players out on the pitch well prepared and well organised and with a commitment and energy that they have shown through pre-season, with a little bit more quality in the final third because there is no doubt we have lacked in that area so far and a lot of the time we have played very well."