New Magpies boss eyeing Pompey joy

The former Swindon Town manager replaced Jamie Fullarton on Sunday with the Magpies struggling in 19th.

They have gone seven games without a win and at the weekend lost 4-1 at home to Exeter City.

Cooper’s first match in charge will be against a Pompey side eager to kickstart a spluttering challenge for automatic promotion.

He has been appointed as Meadow Lane boss until the end of the season, with a view to a longer deal if he can hit a points target.

And Cooper wants a swift impact on Good Friday (3pm) against the Blues.

He told the Nottingham Post: ‘I’m just going to try to bring a bit of stability, a bit of unity to the place and try to put a few smiles on faces.

‘The first thing is we try to take the reins off the players a little bit, we try to attack, try to entertain people and get people off their seats.

‘If you can get players playing with a smile on their face, I’m a big believer it gives you more of a chance.

‘I certainly like to play entertaining football and score goals and have a go at the opposition rather than setting up not to get beat.’

County inflicted a first away defeat in League Two on Pompey back in October.

Caolan Lavery netted a maiden goal for Cook’s men, yet they fell to a 2-1 loss.

And Cooper is looking for a strong final 10 matches to earn himself a longer deal.

He added: ‘It’s for both parties really; we get to have a look at each other.

‘I can have a look at Notts and they can have a look at me and at the end of the season if we’ve done alright and we both want to go forward then I don’t see any reason why not.’