My lane is to coach the side - Notts boss Paterson

Martin Paterson replaced Stuart Maynard as Notts County head coach after the club missed out on promotion last season

Head coach Martin Paterson says he will stick to his "lane" and that his opinions about Notts County's budget and the squad's ability to challenge from promotion from League Two are "irrelevant".

The 38-year-old was asked to respond to a statement from Notts' owners, in which they reflected on the transfer window and insisted the club's "budget is competitive with most clubs targeting promotion".

"I know what my job is, and my lane is to get this team picking up points," Paterson said.

Owners Chris and Alex Reedtz are heavily involved in how the squad has been put together, as they form part of the technical board at Meadow Lane alongside Paterson, director of football Roberto Gagliardi and others.

Their football analytics company, Football Radar, has been at the centre of Notts' recruitment since the Danish brothers took ownership of the world's oldest professional club in 2019.

Notts have signed 11 players this summer and let 13 others – including prolific veteran forward David McGoldrick – leave.

Triggering a contract extension for striker Alassana Jatta, last season's top scorer, was also confirmed by the owners who say they have "a squad we believe can build on last season's play-off semi-final finish".

"We've focused on instilling greater intensity and athleticism — qualities we believe will enhance our competitiveness throughout a demanding League Two campaign," the owners told the club website.

When BBC Radio Nottingham spoke to Paterson about the owners' comments regarding budget and transfers, he replied by outlining his position within the technical board he was made a part of when appointed in June.

"This is where it is really interesting with the model that we have, because the owners send out a statement and people keep asking me, 'what do you think?'" Paterson responded.

"And well, it's irrelevant what I think. My job is to coach the team and to get what they want. The most important thing is that we are aligned with it.

"We have gone on a little mini run for three games now, but my job is concentrating on [that] and not thinking about what has been said here and 'what about this?' That is irrelevant.

"My job is really clear, from the ownership we are aligned. The head of football has told me what he wants and my job on Saturday is to continue that run we are on."

It was only just over a week ago that Paterson was calling for reinforcements for a squad he felt was "running on fumes".

No new signings were made since those comments, but he now says he is "pleased" with the transfers made this summer.

He also added that recruiting free agents remains something the club will explore.