Luke Williams has revealed that if Aaron Nemane had not gone down with an injury that he would have taken off hat-trick hero Macaulay Langstaff with the Notts County number nine on his third brace of the season.
The Magpies ran riot at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, with goals from Cedwyn Scott, Adam Chicksen and Langstaff's treble making it seven games unbeaten in the National League this season, moving them up to third in the standings.
And the summer signing from Gateshead was on fire once again, scoring two goals in the first half before completing his maiden hat-trick in Notts colours and professional football, and I believe that will be the first of many.
READ MORE: Notts County player ratings vs Dagenham & Redbridge as Macaulay Langstaff nets hat-trick
Speaking after the game, Williams revealed that Langstaff was lucky to get his hat-trick, explaining that only an injury to his right-back forced him to make a more defensive change and bringing on Geraldo Bajrami, rather than replacing his number nine with Kairo Mitchell.
"He's actually fortunate today because if Aaron doesn't come off as he felt a tightening in his hamstring, then I would have probably put Kairo on up front on his own, and maybe then he does not get the hat-trick," Williams said.
"He has Aaron to thank for his hat-trick and he did the business like he always does and he fully deserved his hat-trick."
One surprise admission from the starting line-up this afternoon was Geraldo Bajrami following his midfield performance against Solihull Moors, a performance that Williams labelled the midfielder a "beast" following it.
His replacement in midfield was Jim O'Brien and he was outstanding in that holding midfield role, performing well along side Matty Palmer before being replaced by Sam Austin in the 60th minute.
And speaking after the game, Williams explained that the hard work the 34-year-old does on the pitch, as well as off it sometimes goes unnoticed, but proved his quality on the pitch today.
"Jim's amazing, honestly he is amazing," Williams said.
"He probably does not get all of the credit for all of the things that he does on the pitch and off the pitch as well, but so much of it is not visible and smacking you in the face, but he gives us so much and he deserves to play."
