Someone will suffer – Byrne

Big-match preview:

CLIFF Byrne is confident an opponent is soon going to feel the full impact of Athletic as an attacking force.

Matt Smith's goal turned out to be only a consolation in the 2-1 defeat by Coventry on Saturday.

But Athletic had several other chances to register.

Lapses at the back are more Byrne's concern. But he accepts the team as a whole needs to work to turn round awful recent results - starting with a similarly out-of-form Notts County tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

"It will be a difficult task," said Byrne. "We have already played them at home this season when we were sucker-punched by an outrageous goal from a cross.

"We roll our sleeves up and go again. Nobody is going to hand us three points on a plate. We know that.

"Anyone who comes to watch us, week-in, week-out, can see that we are creating numerous chances in every game.

"It’s coming: I’m sure we’ll soon hit three or four."

The Magpies, who have since seen former Athletic striker Lee Hughes depart to Port Vale, will be out to arrest a recent slump which has seen the team go the last seven matches without a victory.