AFTER driving home for Christmas, just like Chris Rea, Gary Liddle is back at Notts County and ready for two big festive away games.
The Magpies players were given Christmas Day off ahead of their trip to Shrewsbury Town today and Stevenage on Saturday, so Liddle shot back to Middlesbrough to spend it with his family.
He sat down to turkey and all the trimmings and is now determined the Magpies give the Shrews and Boro a stuffing to end the year on a high – and in the top-six in League One.
"We were told not to overindulge so I didn't touch any selection boxes, but I had a good Christmas dinner!" he said.
"It was kind of the gaffer to give us the day off and it was great to head back home – I'm a northern lad so I can't stay away from there for too long.
"We've still prepared for Shrewsbury like we do for every game.
"We had a good training session early on Christmas Eve, so we're ready for it.
"I love Christmas, it's a good time of year and it's non-stop football as well so hopefully we will pick up a few points along the way."
The Magpies will rack up almost 400 miles in fours days over Christmas and Liddle believes they can also rack up six points.
His confidence is not surprising because Notts are a record 21 away games unbeaten, a run that stretches all the way back to February.
Their home form might not be great, but they have looked unbeatable on the road.
"It's important that we pick up as many points as we can in these two games," he added.
"We've been in and around the play-offs all season and that's without stringing a particularly long winless run together.
"It's important we go on a good run – and you never know where it will take you.
"I remember Tranmere being a good eight or nine points clear at one point, but now they're joint second."
The Magpies now only have the league to focus on this season, after suffering a shock 3-0 defeat in the second round of the FA Cup against League Two Rotherham United at Meadow Lane last week.
Liddle has revealed there was a big meeting the day after that tie between the players, manager Keith Curle and his coaching staff – and believes it will help them get back on track.
"We're not going to hide it from anyone, we came in and had a good meeting," he said.
"I won't disclose what was said, but it was a good meeting and the biggest thing that came out of it was to be positive – and remember we are not far off the top in the league.
"It's us as a group of players that have got us there.
"We've had our disappointments, but hopefully we can get up and running again and push on again.
"It only takes a couple of wins and we'll be right up there, you never know what can happen."
Whatever happens, Liddle is likely to be at the heart of it all.
Since joining Notts from Hartlepool United last summer, the 26-year-old has played every minute of every league game.
He was signed as a midfielder, but was thrust into central defence in the very first league game of the season at Crewe and has since established himself as a rock in their back four.
Liddle admits the start to his Magpies' career could not have gone any better and he hopes to go from strength to strength in 2013.
"I'm pleased to have become a fixture in the side," he said.
"I haven't missed a single minute of league action, which is a record I'm very proud to have, and hopefully I can keep it going in the new year and be a part of a team that is very successful."
It promises to be an exciting second half of the season at Meadow Lane and Liddle is confident Notts can stay in the play-off mix.
"There is everything to play for, it's wide open at the top," he said.
"It's vital we string a few wins together and pretty soon as well.
"We're not far off the top and if we can string a run of results together there's is no reason we can't do it."
