Dixon Debut Was One Highlight

Manager Shaun Derry has said that the debut and performance of Kyle Dixon in the heavy defeat to Rotherham United last weekend was one bright spot in an otherwise gloomy affair.

Dixon came on as a substitute in the first half on the half hour mark replacing Andre Boucaud, and didn’t do too badly at all for his first appearance for the club in the league, as he walked away with the official Man of the Match award for his committed and bright performance.

Having earned his shot in training and with loan spells at Grantham Town and Boston United, Derry told the Official Site that he was delighted with how the Academy graduate performed on the day, and said he had more than done enough in his showing to justify his first team inclusion until the end of the season as we look to avoid the drop.

‘I was really pleased with him and if you can take a positive from the weekend it was Kyle. I was delighted.’

Referencing his two loans spells, the manager said that both times he had been out he had done himself and his family justice in his performances and his attitude for a lad so long and still vastly learning his trade, and on the training pitch for us he’s always been a joy to work with, so he was glad to see him take the opportunity with both hands.

‘He’s a local lad and he knows what it means to be a player for Notts County. I’m not going to say he’s going to be the difference between now and the end of the season, it’d be unfair to put the pressure on his shoulders.’

However Derry does have every intention of keeping him and around our daily activities now to see how much further he can kick on in the following few months.

‘I like those kinds of kids, they’re great to work with. I just want him to come and enjoy it and there was no pressure on him at 4-0. I just wanted him to go and have a run around and experience what is a great stadium and a good level of football and he deserved.’

With Leyton Orient up next, it’s fully expected the youngster will find himself in the match day squad once again and it would be difficult to argue he hasn’t earned it.