Notts County Manager Maynard Praises Alassana Jatta’s Consistent Goal-Scoring

Alassana Jatta has accumulated 14 goals in 22 matches for Notts County since his arrival in February. According to Magpies manager Stuart Maynard, Alassana Jatta’s goal-scoring performance for Notts County demonstrates the striker’s character. The 25-year-old Gambian player netted two goals in Notts’ 5-1 victory over non-league team Alfreton in the FA Cup first round last week, bringing his total to nine goals in 12 appearances across all competitions this season. A distinct pattern is evident in his goal-scoring timing, with most goals occurring within the initial 15 minutes of either half or within 15 minutes of his introduction as a substitute. Maynard stated to BBC Radio Nottingham, “It’s just AJ’s natural game, he is enthusiastic and sets the tone from minute one – whenever he steps onto the pitch he literally gives it his all.” He added, “He is always putting defenders under pressure – when he is on the pitch he makes you feel uneasy and that is a big problem for defenders.” The intensity with which the 6ft 4in (193cm) forward plays was immediately noticeable to everyone at Notts County upon his transfer to the League Two club from Danish top-tier team Viborg in February. Maynard commented, “When we first signed him I said it would take time, but it didn’t really take that much time to get him up and running.” He continued, “When we signed him, we knew the power that he has [as a player], but as an actual human being he is incredible around he place – he is always smiling and every room he goes into, he just lights up.” Maynard further described, “He comes onto the training ground and is smiling every morning. No matter what, he gets on with it and enjoys it – he loves playing football, he has that enthusiasm every day. He is a real joy to work with.” He concluded, “He has taken it onto the pitch, and on the pitch he can’t stop scoring.” Last season, Jatta scored five goals in 10 appearances after joining English football, even though the team also featured prolific striker Macaulay Langstaff. Following Langstaff’s transfer to Championship team Millwall during the summer, Jatta has rapidly emerged as the primary goal-scorer this season. Although he has registered nine goals across all competitions, Jatta and highly experienced former Premier League forward David McGoldrick have both scored six goals for Notts in the fourth division this season. Jatta’s performance has also resulted in his initial international call-up for The Gambia, preceding their forthcoming games against Comoros and Tunisia. Maynard stated, “One thing with AJ is that he can score all types of goals.” He elaborated, “He can score goals at the back post because he is 6ft 4in, he has got his headers this season but he can also get his tap-ins, which is very key because they are the free goals for the forwards.” Maynard also noted, “And Macca [Langstaff] was excellent at it, his movement in the box to peel to the back post, and we have worked on it with AJ and he is brilliant at it as well now.” He added, “The structure also plays a massive part, and that is why we are scoring so many goals and why we do believe whatever forward plays down the middle for us, they will score goals.”