Chris Buckley: January reinforcements give Notts County good base to get back to winning ways

I realise that the deadline day signings have split fans' opinions, we can debate how good they appear on paper or discuss their careers so far, but the important part is to welcome any new signing into the club and hope that they can help us.

Notts have fought hard this season and we have seen such a huge turnaround that even now I find it hard to believe.

The club right now is experiencing a fresh start and we now have the right kind of foundations in place.

Success on the pitch is often measured in quality, but also desire and I think our club has the right type of balance – although I do openly admit I had hoped for a permanent striker to sign.

This said, I feel in League Two Mason Bennett does offer us something which we don’t really have and that his pace could be the thing which ignites us on the pitch - as a signing he should naturally take the burden off the midfield to score goals.

It’s also important after Exeter City’s midweek win that we get back on track ourselves, as I feel the wheelbarrow doesn’t need to break just yet – this is more optimism and hope mind.

Crewe Alexandra are the perfect team for us to be playing right now, especially since the great performance we put in against Swansea City in the FA Cup.

That said, we need to match that performance and even attempt to outplay it.

The Alex won’t be an easy pushover despite their league position, not at all and I think the fact that they play some decent ground football should test Notts.

Yet their poor form is also a beneficial factor for us, as we could go into the game respectful yet be confident at the same time.

On paper people will naturally think it should be easy, yet football is never straightforward and, as Notts fans, we only know too well what it’s like playing an underperforming side.

The 2017-18 squad is completely different compared to previous squads and I feel they will want to see the success continue – I certainly believe they will show a lot of character as we fight for our finishing place.

There’s just that underlining question of formation and, I hope after Kevin Nolan’s seen how useful it is – reverting back to it against Swansea, that he will see it makes sense to continue using 4-4-2 within the league.

We would be stronger, much stronger sticking with a formation that we know inside-and-out.

I fully expect Nolan to choose 4-4-2, I think he will see that the two league defeats weren’t down to much else – yet with the inclusions of our new signings, we should be stronger up top and at the back.

Notts really need to put a convincing showing on Saturday, we need to forget about the attendance and just rise to the task of getting back on track.

The amount of fans or potential fans shouldn’t be daunting and, if we get behind the lads – singing them on.

With the Kop fully behind the game, I feel we will find our form – it’s time to start believing! COYP!!

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