Notts County defensive midfielder Ed Francis has opened up on pre-season under new manager Luke Williams so far and his role just ahead of the defence.
The 22-year-old was on the scoresheet on Tuesday evening as the Magpies beat Derbyshire-based National League North outfit Alfreton Town 2-0 in their third friendly of pre-season, extending their 100 per cent record thus far.
Asked how pre-season had gone so far, Francis told Pies Player: “Very well. I mean, it’s been tough. The gaffer’s got a few runs that he likes and obviously we know we’re going to work hard in pre-season but so far, so good. I’m giving it my all and really enjoying it.
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“I think it suits me [playing ahead of the defence]. The gaffer’s got me in there just in front of their striker mopping things up and then getting on the ball and getting attacks started. So I’m just learning the role and, like I say, I’m really enjoying it so far.”
The visitors were dominant from start to finish at the Impact Arena and the superiority eventually showed when Cal Roberts was taken down in the area just before half-time, with the forward converting from the spot.
Williams’ side doubled their lead in the second half as striker Kairo Mitchell lined up a shot in the area that was flicked home past the goalkeeper by Francis, with the former Manchester City and Wolves youth player struggling to hide his delight with scoring a rare goal.
“The ball’s come in, dropped to Kairo who’s tried to shoot a little bit and it’s come to my right foot, my magic right foot,” the midfielder explained. “And I’ve just flicked it behind him and it’s gone in so yeah, delighted with the goal.
“Yeah no chance [it being Mitchell’s goal]. I think it was going wide from Kairo, he’ll tell you that himself so it’s all my goal.”
Francis, who is approaching his one year anniversary at Notts having joined from Harrogate Town last summer, was also pleased with the game itself with the new National League campaign now three weeks away.
“I think it was a really good exercise for the lads,” the 22-year-old said. “The boys that played 60 [minutes] and everyone in general.
“We put in a really good performance and they’re [Alfreton] a good side as well. Something that we’ll come up against with them being physical and long balls and things like that so it’s something that we’ll have to be used to for the season so it’s a good exercise.
“Yeah definitely [being frustrated at times by Alfreton]. The gaffer wants us to attack and be ready to defend at the same time and I think we’ve done that.
“[We] dominated the ball and every time we lost it we got it back quickly and that’s the aim of the game for us at the minute so really happy.”
Next up in the diary is a trip to St Neots Town to take on League One side Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon with Francis excited for County’s next test whilst also admitting that they can take notes from the Us.
“I think obviously they’re a good side in League One at the minute and they’ll give us a really good test,” he added. “That’s where we’re aiming to be in the next two, three years so it’ll be a good challenge for us on Saturday.
“I think everyone’s playing a few more minutes which will be good as well against a good opposition so it should be good for getting us ready for the season.”
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